Multi-processor axis control
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorJohn T. Evans
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for operating a computer controlled industrial machine in which a plurality of axes of motion are independently controlled. The method utilizes programmable data processors to enable the production of motion command signals to the servo drives of the machine. In one embodiment, coordinated motion of several axes is attained by programmably grouping axes into motion groups. Each motion group has an assigned master processor which coordinates the operation of all axis processors in that group. The axis processors can be re-assigned to any other motion group while a programmed motion is being performed.
Claims6
A method for operating a computer numerical control (CNC) system for controlling an industrial machine system having a plurality of controllable axes of motion, the CNC system including a central processing unit, a plurality of supervisory processing units, a plurality of axis data processing units, input means for providing preliminary set-up data to the CNC system and communication bus means for providing communication between the processing units and the machine system, each of the axis data processing units being assigned to control a predetermined one of the axes of motion said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing data to each of the supervisory processing units defining a mode of operation for a group of axes of motion of the machine system to be controlled by a corresponding one of the supervisory processing units;
- (b) providing from the central processing unit to the axis data processing units instructions defining for each of the axis data processing units a supervisory processing unit controlling processing of data by each of the axis data processing units;
- (c) providing from the central processing unit to each of the axis data processing units data corresponding to a desired motion for the axis of motion controlled by a corresponding axis data processing unit;
- and
- (d) directing the supervisory processing units to force each of the axis data processing units to process the desired motion data whereby signals are provided from the axis data processing units to the machine system to cause the desired motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.