Title: Method for generating and visualizing a task-oriented step representation
Abstract: A method for generating and visualizing a task-oriented step representation of one or more parts programs in machine tools or production machines is described. A syntax analyzer searches the parts program for key terms, whereafter a task-oriented step representation of the parts program(s) is generated based on the key terms found in the search. The task-oriented step representation can then be visualized to a user. The disclosed method can advantageously be used to visualize and display parts programs of machine tools or production machines, which are available in ASCII code, in form of a step representation or step diagram without necessitating changes in the parts programs.
Patent Number: 6,957,122 Issued on 10/18/2005 to Dütsch, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Dütsch; Matthias (Möglingen, DE);
Hertinger; Klaus (Erlangen, DE);
Pallas; Timo (Stuttgart, DE);
Seithe; Martin (Erlangen, DE);
Wacker; Winfried (Höchstadt, DE)
|
| Assignee:
|
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft (München, DE)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
789409 |
| Filed:
|
February 27, 2004 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Feb 27, 2003[DE] | 103 08 815 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
700/180; 717/123; 717/125; 717/132; 717/142 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G06F 019/00; G06F 009/44; G06F 009/45 |
| Field of Search: |
700/180-182
717/123,132,142,125
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4860203 | Aug., 1989 | Corrigan et al.
| |
| 5446911 | Aug., 1995 | Juso et al.
| |
| 5452206 | Sep., 1995 | Turrietta et al.
| |
| 5678052 | Oct., 1997 | Brisson.
| |
| 6507855 | Jan., 2003 | Stern.
| |
| 2002/0046397 | Apr., 2002 | Schmitt et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 39 01 838 | Aug., 1990 | DE.
| |
| 43 25 691 | Feb., 1995 | DE.
| |
| 690 30 318 | Oct., 1997 | DE.
| |
| 100 38 441 | Oct., 2002 | DE.
| |
Primary Examiner: Paladini; Albert W.
Assistant Examiner: Jarrett; Ryan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Feiereisen; Henry M.
Claims
1. A method for generating and visualizing a task-oriented step representation
of at least one parts program in machine tools or production machines, comprising
the steps of:
searching the parts program using a syntax analyzer for key terms that include
synchronization instructions;
generating the task-oriented step representation of the at least one parts program
based on the key terms found in the search;
storing the key terms and an association between the key terms and the task-oriented
steps in a configuration file that can be changed by the user and read by the syntax
analyzer; and
visualizing the task-oriented step representation as a synchronized step representation
by displaying simultaneously at least two different parts programs side-by-side
as a step representation, so that steps that indicate a synchronization between
the two parts programs are displayed in a common row.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the visualization is performed by an editor.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein individually performed tasks in the task-oriented
step representation are graphically displayed by step-specific symbols associated
with a step.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the parts program further comprises configuration
instructions for combining several steps to a higher-level step or to a hierarchical plane.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration file further comprises an
association parameter for combining several steps to a higher-level step or to
a hierarchical plane.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the parts program further includes configuration
instructions for storing step identifiers, symbols or hierarchical planes directly
in the parts program.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the parts program further includes configuration
instructions for storing step identifiers, symbols or hierarchical planes directly
in the parts program independently of the configuration file.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein the parts program further includes a definition
file for causing the editor to highlight defined instructions or key terms, or both.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority of German Patent Application, Ser. No.
103 08 815.6, filed Feb. 27, 2003, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for generating and visualizing a task-oriented
step representation of at least one parts program in machine tools or production
machines. In the context of this application, the term "production machine" is
used in a generic sense and also includes robots which generally follow the concepts
outlined here.
When a workpiece is machined with a machine tool or production machine, wherein
production machines also include robots, axles and/or spindles can be moved during
the production process. The axles and/or spindles which here describe a relative
movement between a tool and a workpiece, are referred to as so-called machining
units. In the production process, the axles and/or spindles are assigned to a so-called
channel. The move instructions to be transmitted to the machining unit are defined
and described in the channel in the form of a parts program. The parts program
is transmitted inside a numerical controller of the machine to an interpreter which
converts the parts program to a corresponding machine code.
For increasing the productivity, machine tools or production machines frequently
include several machining units which can be moved simultaneously. These machine
tools or production machines are referred to as multi-channel machines and can
include several independent parts programs defining a number of relative movements
between workpiece(s) and tool(s) that are simultaneously interpreted and executed
by multiple channels, thereby allowing simultaneous machining of one or more of
the workpieces. Each channel can have a dedicated parts program.
The parts program typically consists of a standard ASCII source code in conformance
with DIN 66025/ISO as well as optional additional manufacturer-specific or machine-specific
expansions and/or upgrades. The parts programs are typically displayed and processed
in ASCII format using an editor, in particular a text editor. Also known are programming
systems for programming the machine or generating parts programs, whereby the programming
systems can be used to generate specific task-oriented parts programs in a so-called
task-oriented step diagram which can be graphically displayed to the user. A step
representation provides a structured view and structured processing of the various
parts programs which facilitates programming and operating the machine. To date,
only programs that were generated by a programming system that supports the representation
of steps could be visualized in a step representation or as steps. Existing parts
program could not be later processed using a step representation. In particular
at the machine location, an operator was only able to use a genuine text editor
to visualize and process the parts program.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide a simple method for
generating and visualizing a task-oriented step representation of one or more parts
programs in machine tools or production machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for generating
and visualizing a task-oriented step representation of at least one parts program
in machine tools or production machines includes the steps of searching the parts
program using a syntax analyzer for key terms, generating the task-oriented step
representation of the parts program(s) based on the key terms found in the search,
and visualizing the task-oriented step representation to a user.
According to one advantageous feature of the invention, the key terms can
include fixed, i.e., unchangeable instructions, which can be synchronization instructions
and/or user cycle instructions and/or syntax segments of the synchronization and
user cycle instructions, and a combination thereof. By using fixed instructions
or syntax segments of the instructions as key terms, the step representation of
the parts program can be generated in a particular reliable and secure manner.
According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the key terms
and an association between the key terms and the task-oriented steps can be stored
in a configuration file that can be changed by the user and read by the syntax
analyzer. In particular, a configurable configuration file allows a flexible selection
of key terms adapted to the respective manufacturer of a machine and the machine
itself. This is particularly advantageous since the programming language used by
the machine manufacturers and based on standard ASCII-source code according to
DIN 66025/ISO is frequently updated.
According to another advantageous feature of the invention, a corresponding
identification of the task-oriented steps can be stored in the configuration file.
This allows simple changes in the terminology of the steps.
According to yet another advantageous feature of the invention, the task-oriented
step representation can be visualized with an editor. Visualization with an editor
is particularly advantageous since the user can use the editor following visualization
to directly edit the generated step representation or the original representation
in ASCII-source code.
Advantageously, the editor can simultaneously visualize two or more
parts programs as a step representation of the task-oriented steps and/or in ASCII
source code. This approach allows the editor to optionally process several parts
programs simultaneously.
According to another feature of the invention, the task-oriented step representation
can be visualized as a normalized and/or a synchronized step representation. A
normalized and/or synchronized step representation allows a representation of the
individual steps or the production process which is particularly easy to understand.
According to another advantageous feature of the invention, individually
performed tasks in the task-oriented step representation can be graphically displayed
by step-specific symbols associated with a step. A graphic representation of the
steps by symbols allows a particularly simple and clear visualization of the steps
and a very fast recognition of the step type by the user.
According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the parts program
can also include configuration instructions for combining several steps to a higher-level
step or to a hierarchical plane. This enables the construction of hierarchical
step structures.
According to yet another advantageous feature of the invention, the parts
program can further include configuration instructions for storing step identifiers,
symbols or hierarchical planes directly in the parts program. In this way, individual
step identifiers and symbols tailored for the respective parts program can be defined
independent of the configuration file.
According to yet another advantageous feature of the invention, the parts
program can also include a definition file for causing the editor to highlight
defined instructions and/or key terms. In this way, manufacturer-specific instructions
according to DIN code and comments can be displayed to the user in different ways.
This allows the user to more easily recognize and understand the instructions and/or
key terms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily
apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified
embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a parts program;
FIG. 2 shows a high-level block diagram of the process of the invention;
FIG. 3 shows a step representation of the parts program of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a synchronized step representation of two parts programs; and
FIG. 5 shows hierarchical step structures in a collapsed and in an expanded view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements are generally
indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood
as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also
be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments
are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations
and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for
an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult
to perceive may have been omitted.
This is one of two applications both filed on the same day. Both applications
deal with related inventions. They are commonly owned and have the same inventive
entity. Both applications are unique, but incorporate the other by reference. Accordingly,
the following U.S. patent application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference:
"ICONS AND ICON REPRESENTATION OF PROCESS STEPS FOR GRAPHIC VISUALIZATION OF TASK-ORIENTED STEPS".
Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a
schematic block diagram of a parts program
1. The parts program
1
can include a large number of instructions, of which only exemplary instructions
2a,
2b,
2c,
2d,
2e
and
2f are shown in form of functional blocks for sake of clarity.
The individual instructions
2a,
2b,
2c,
2d,
2e and
2f are hereby written in the
form of an ASCII source code conforming to DIN 66025/ISO. In addition, other manufacturer-specific
and/or machine-specific instructions can exist in the form of ASCII source code.
The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows an exemplary instruction
2b
which indicates that the x-axis and the y-axis of the machine with the tool
are to move rapidly to the position 100,100. The exemplary instruction
2c
states, for example,
which indicates that the x-axis is to be moved to the position
150.
Because a parts program can include a large number of instructions and in multi-channel
machines several parts programs frequently have to be coordinated with each other,
it is desirable and necessary to provide the user a representation of the parts
program in the form of the so-called task-oriented step representation which can
be more easily understood by the user.
FIG. 2 shows the method of the invention in the form of a functional block diagram.
First, a syntax analyzer
7 searches the parts program
1 for key terms.
Based on found key terms, a task-oriented step representation of the parts program
1 is generated and visualized by the user with the help of an editor
9.
A configuration file
8, which is read by the syntax analyzer
7, contains
information about the step(s) to be associated with the respective key terms. A
key term can be a part of an instruction, but can also be a complete instruction
of the parts program
1. In addition, the configuration file
8 contains
optional information about the type of the symbol that is associated with the respective
key term or the respective step. The configuration file
8 can be changed
and/or configured by the user according to the existing requirements and needs.
FIG. 3 shows schematically an exemplary task-oriented step representation
5,
as visualized, for example, to a machine user, on for example a monitor. FIG. 3
shows four exemplary steps
6a,
6b,
6c and
6d. The step
6a his herein designated as "Cut Thread",
the step
6b is designated as "free DIN code", the step
6c
is designated as "Smooth Surfaces", and the step
6d is designated
as "WAITM (
1,
1,
2)". In addition, the step
6a is
graphically depicted by a symbol
4a. Likewise, each of the steps
6b,
6c and
6d is also graphically depicted
by a corresponding symbol
3b,
3c and
3d.
It should be understood that the symbols shown in the step representation are optional.
At the start of the method, the syntax analyzer
7 searches the parts program
1 for key terms. In the illustrated embodiment, the key terms CYC
90,
CYC
70 and WAITM are defined, wherein the key term CYC
90 is associated
with the step
6a and the symbol
4a. Likewise, the key
term CYC
70 is associated with the step
6c and the symbol
4c,
and the key term WAITM is associated with the step
6d and the symbol
4d.
In the parts program of FIG. 1, the instruction
2a is [N
40
CYC
90 ( . . . )], the instruction
2e is [N
80 CYC
70
( . . . )], and the instruction
2f is [N
100 WAITM (
1,
1,
2)].
Additional attributes, such as the attributes indicated in parentheses by dots,
can be supplied.
If the syntax analyzer
7 of FIG. 2 encounters the key term CYC
90
in the instruction
2a, then it generates in the step representation
5 the step
6a, with the designation "Cut Thread", and the
corresponding symbol
4a. The syntax analyzer
7 then further
searches the parts program
1 until it finds another key term. The instructions
2b,
2c,
2d in the illustrated embodiment
do not contain a key term and are located between the two key terms CYC
90
and CYC
70. Accordingly, these instructions are combined by the syntax analyzer
7 to a step
6b designated as "free DIN code", and the associated
symbol
4b is generated. Both the identifier and the symbol are defined
in the configuration file
8. In the depicted embodiment, the syntax analyzer
7 finds the next key term CYC
70 in the instruction
2e [N
80
CYC
70( . . . )]. Since the key term CYC
70 in the embodiment is connected
in the configuration file
8 with the step
6c designated as
"Smooth Surfaces", the syntax analyzer
7 in the step representation
5
generates the step
6c with the designation "Smooth Surfaces", as
well as the associated symbol
4c. The syntax analyzer
7 then
searches again the parts program
1 according to FIG. 1 until it finds the
next key term which in the depicted embodiment is represented by the key term WAITM.
According to the association in the configuration file
8, a corresponding
step
6d with the designation WAITM (
1,
1,
2) is
generated, as well as a corresponding symbol. This represents a special case, since
the key term is substantially identical with the designation of the step
6d.
In this way, closely related instructions are combined into a single step. The
instruction associated with step
6a (Cut Thread) in FIG. 3 is enclosed
in FIG. 1 by a dotted line and has the reference character
3a. The
instructions associated with step
6b (free DIN code) are given the
reference character
3b in FIG.
1. The instruction associated
with the step
6c (Smooth Surfaces) in FIG. 1 has the reference character
3c. The instruction associated with the step
6d is
also in FIG. 1 by a dotted line and provided with the reference character
3d.
Accordingly, the method of the invention generates from the confusing parts program
1 a structured step representation
5 that can be easily understood
by a user and visualized with the editor
9.
It should be mentioned here that in addition to the key terms used in the depicted
embodiment, other key terms can be used that can have different effects on the
syntax analyzer
7. For example, special key terms can be employed that can
cause the syntax analyzer
7 to combine all intermediate instructions into
a single step, until the next key term is found and to designate the step according
to the special key term and/or to generate a suitable symbol.
As already mentioned at the beginning, in multi-channel machines a dedicated
parts
program can be associated with each channel. A user can use a corresponding selection
menu in these machines to cause the syntax analyzer to convert several parts programs
into a single step representation and optionally visualize the step representation
on the editor
9. For example, by simultaneously visualizing two parts programs
with the editor, the execution of the programs can be compared with each other.
The editor
9 provides a so-called normalized step representation and a so-called
synchronized step representation for a visualization purposes. In the normalized
step representation, the individual steps are sequentially displayed on the monitor.
In the synchronized step representation, which is depicted in FIG. 4, the two
step representations
5 and
10 of two different parts programs are
displayed next to each other so that special steps, such as the steps indicating
synchronization between the two parts programs and/or coordination instructions,
are displayed in the same row.
Such specific synchronization steps are, for example, the step
6d
[WAITM(
1,
1,
2)] and the step
11d [WAITM(
1,
1,
2)]
in FIG.
4. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the step representation
5 of a first parts program
1 is displayed next to the step representation
10 of a second parts program. In this embodiment, the execution of the second
parts program is stopped when reaching the step
11d [WAITM(
1,
1,
2)]
for synchronizing the two parts programs, until the parts program
1 depicted
in the step representation
5 has reached the step
6d. The
two parts programs are from here on processed together. If in the step representation
the first parts program has more steps than the second parts program between two
special steps associated with the synchronization and/or coordination of parts
programs, then corresponding empty steps are inserted into the parts program with
the lesser number of steps in the step representation, as indicated by the empty
step
11d in FIG.
4. For the sake of clarity, the synchronization
and/or coordination step before "Cut Thread" or "Drill" is not shown in FIG.
4.
Suitable key terms are particularly the aforementioned synchronization instructions
or associated syntax segments, such as WAITM and/or user cycle instructions, i.e.,
jumps to sub-programs such as the instruction segment CYC as well as special coordination
instruction segments, such as GET/RELEASE of commonly used resources (e.g., exchange
of axes in the channels). The synchronization instruction WAITM represents, for
example, an instruction for program coordination of parts programs that affects
the program execution of the parts programs. The configuration file, which can
be freely configured by the user, is capable of writing any syntax sequences or
parts of instructions or entire instructions into the configuration file
8,
where they can be associated with freely selectable designations of the associated
steps and the associated symbols and the desired plane.
Using the editor
9, a corresponding parts program can be directly loaded
and represented in ASCII code. Alternatively or in addition, the editor can also
be used to directly write instructions in ASCII source code into the parts program
or to change the ASCII code of the parts program. For example, special instructions,
so-called configuration instructions
23 (see FIG.
2), that are not
already present in the parts program
1 can be written later to the parts
program. Such configuration instruction
23 contains in addition to the actual
key term information about the designation of the steps generated by the syntax
analyzer from the key term, and optionally a definition of the associated symbol
as well as a definition of the desired hierarchical plane. The step designations,
symbols and planes can then be directly stored in the parts program independent
of the configuration file.
The editor
9 can also be used to combine several steps into a higher-level
step with the help of the configuration instructions
23 and to thereby build
hierarchical step structures depicted in FIG.
5. The steps can be displayed
as an exploded view B in FIG. 5, showing all the steps, or as an imploded view
A whereby only the steps of, for example, a first hierarchical plane are shown.
Of course, the editor can also display, in addition to the aforedescribed synchronized
step representation, a synchronized representation of the parts program in ASCII
source code.
With the help of a so-called definition file
20 (see FIG. 2) which can
supply the editor
9 with information about particular key terms and instructions,
certain defined key terms and/or instructions can be highlighted in the editor
9, in particular color-coded. In this way, for example, manufacturer-specific
instructions and instructions conforming with the DIN code can be displayed to
the user in different form.
So-called association parameters
22 (see FIG. 2) can be used to
combine several steps associated with each key term in the configuration file
8
to a higher-level step or plane (see FIG.
1 and
5).
The method according to the invention can advantageously be used to visualize
and display parts programs of machine tools or production machines, which are available
in ASCII code, as a step representation or step diagram without necessitating changes
in the parts programs.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently
preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, it is not intended to be limited
to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be
made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. The
embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of
the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the
art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications
as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set
forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein:
*
