Dynamic feed control optimization system for CNC machining

• Main Author: ALLEN, WILLIAM D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.04.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; PHYSICS; REGULATING

Control of a CNC machine is interfaced with an IBM compatible personal computer (PC) to make information relative to the block number, feed-rate and/or spindle speed over-ride values available at the personal computer. If the CNC Control has been re-configured properly (with regard to the ladder interface and operating system) a PC computer is not required. During the machining of a part the machine operator will manually over-ride the feed-rate and/or the spindle speed to optimize machining performance. Through the use of visual basic or C++ programming modules and routines, the spindle speed and feed-rate controls (located at the CNC control) are polled at frequent or 500 ms intervals. The status or over-ridden values of these controls are correlated to the active block number in use during each polled sequence and this information is written to an ""event file"". After the subject part has been completed, one of two options can be used. An ""edit phase"" is initiated which utilizes the information in the ""event file"" to reconstruct the MCD file. After the edit phase is complete, the resultant output ""optimized MCD"" can be used to produce like parts with confidence that all motion is running at peak performance and all programmed trajectories are maintained. The cycle can be repeated again (if desired) to ensure even greater efficiency while cutting. In the alternative, the event file can be employed to ""command"" the CNC Control with respect to feed-rate and/or spindle speed over-ride settings.