US 4,380,796 A · Portable control box for computer numerically controlled machine tools

Abstract

Remote control of a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool is facilitated by an intelligent portable control box coupled to the CNC machine tool through a radio frequency link, typically taking the form of a single conductor coaxial cable. The portable control box includes a transmit/receive circuit and a plurality of input devices and output devices, the transmit/receive circuit, the input devices and output devices all being coupled to, and controlled by a microcomputer. Information from the CNC machine tool indicative of machine tool operating conditions is transmitted across the RF link in the form of carrier keyed radio frequency signals to the portable control box. The transmit/receive circuit demodulates the carrier keyed signals and in accordance with the demodulated signals supplied thereto from the output transmit/receive circuit, the microcomputer renders the output devices operative to display machine tool operating characteristics. Operator commands in response to displayed machine operating conditions are entered through the input devices and are transmitted to the microcomputer which controls the operation of the transmit/receive circuit accordingly to cause the transmit/receive circuit to transmit carrier keyed radio frequency signals indicative of the operator entered commands to the CNC machine tool.

Claims14

Dependent claims

For use with a control apparatus, a remote control unit for transmitting commands to said control apparatus to control the operation thereof and for receiving and displaying information from said control apparatus indicative of control apparatus operating conditions comprising:

a plurality of input devices actuable by an operator for entering commands to said control system;
transmit and receive circuitry for transmitting radio frequency signals to said control system and for receiving and demodulating radio frequency signals from said control system;
a radio frequency link coupling said transmit and receive circuitry to said control system;
a plurality of output devices visible to an operator for displaying information indicative of control system operating characteristics;
and
data processing means coupled to each of said plurality of input devices and to said receive and transmit circuit for modulating the carrier of the radio frequency signals transmitted by said transmit and receive circuitry in accordance with commands entered through said input devices and, said data processing means coupled to said output devices and being responsive to demodulated radio frequency signals received from said transmit and receive circuitry for energizing said display devices accordingly to display information indicative of control system operating conditions.

3 more elements

A computer numerically controlled machine tool system comprising:

a numerically controlled machine tool;
a machine tool control system coupled to said machine tool for controlling machine tool operation in accordance with radio frequency signals supplied thereto and for transmitting radio frequency signals indicative of machine tool operating conditions;
a remote control unit including computer means responsive to operator commands for transmitting radio frequency signals to said machine tool control system for controlling machine tool operation and for displaying machine tool operating conditions to the operator in accordance with radio frequency signals received from said machine tool control system;
and
a radio frequency link coupled between said machine tool control system and said remote control unit for carrying radio frequency signals therebetween.

2 more elements

A computer numerically controlled machine tool system comprising:

a numerically controlled machine tool;
a machine tool control system coupled to said machine tool for controlling machine tool operation and for displaying machine tool operating conditions to the operator in accordance with radio frequency signals received from said machine tool control system;
a coaxial cable coupled between said machine tool control system and said remote control unit for carrying radio frequency signals therebetween;
a direct current voltage power supply coupled to said coaxial cable for energizing said remote control unit;
and
a cable monitoring circuit including:
a power supply;
an electrically actuable switch coupled in series with the machine tool emergency stop logical AND relay string to provide a completed circuit path for electrical current when said electrically actuable switch is energized from said power supply and for interrupting the path of electrical current when said electrically actuable switch is deenergized from said power supply to cause said machine tool control system to effectuate an emergency stop of machine tool moving members;
and
first and second circuit means coupled in series with said power supply and electrically actuable switch, said first circuit means being responsive to the voltage on said coaxial cable for providing a completed path for electrical current when the voltage on said coaxial cable is substantially equal to a predetermined voltage and said first circuit means being rendered inoperative to carry electrical current when the voltage on said coaxial cable becomes greater than said predetermined voltage, and said second circuit means being responsive to the voltage on said coaxial cable for providing a completed path for electrical current when the voltage on said coaxial cable is equal to a predetermined voltage and being rendered inoperative to carry electrical current when the voltage on said coaxial cable is less than said predetermined voltage.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Portable control box for computer numerically controlled machine tools

Life of this patent

Portable control box for computer numerically controlled machine tools

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14