Networking architecture for thermal processing system
AssigneeHypertherm, Inc.
InventorsTate Picard, Gregory Wilson, Jeffery Peterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermal processing system includes a thermal torch for processing a workpiece, a power supply for providing power to the thermal torch, a positioning system for relatively moving the thermal torch and the workpiece, a controller for controlling the thermal processing system, and a deterministic-based communication network, such as, for example, a network which operates using SERCOS. The deterministic-based communications network connects at least the controller, the power supply, and the positioning system of the thermal processing system together.
Claims40
A thermal processing system capable of processing a workpiece, the system comprising:
- a thermal torch for processing the workpiece;
- a power supply for providing power to the thermal torch;
- a positioning system for relatively moving the thermal torch and the workpiece;
- a controller for controlling the thermal processing system;
- and
- a deterministic-based communication network, wherein the deterministic-based communication network connects at least the controller, the power supply, and the positioning system.
A thermal processing system capable of processing a workpiece, the system comprising:
- a thermal torch for processing the workpiece;
- a power supply for providing power to the thermal torch;
- a positioning system for relatively moving the thermal torch and the workpiece;
- and
- a deterministic-based communication network, wherein the deterministic-based communication network connects at least the power supply, and the positioning system, and wherein one or more of the power supply and the positioning system comprise controlling means for controlling the thermal processing system.
A method of operating a thermal processing system capable of processing a workpiece, the method comprising:
- connecting to a network a thermal torch for processing the workpiece, a power supply for providing power to the thermal torch, a positioning system for relatively moving the thermal torch and the workpiece, and a controller for controlling the thermal processing system;
- and
- transmitting data over the network using a deterministic-based communication protocol.
A method of operating a thermal processing system capable of processing a workpiece, the method comprising:
- transmitting data over a network using a deterministic-based protocol to provide instructions to a thermal torch for processing the workpiece, a power supply for providing power to the thermal torch, a positioning system for relatively moving the thermal torch and the workpiece, and a controller.
An apparatus comprising:
- an electronic interface for connecting to an electronic wire;
- a fiber optic interface for connected to an optical fiber;
- and
- a converter for converting between electrical signals received from the electronic interface and optical signals received from the fiber optic interface, the converter including means for using a networking protocol.
An apparatus comprising:
- a converter for converting wireless signals received over a wireless network into electrical signals transmitted to an electronic interface, the converter including means for using a deterministic-based networking protocol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.