US 4,901,218 AGranted

Communications adaptor for automated factory system

AssigneeRenishaw Controls Limited

InventorPeter J. Cornwell

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Abstract

Factory machines such as CNC machine tools, co-ordinate measuring machines and industrial robots are connected in a local area network. Each machine controller is interfaced to the network via a communications adaptor which translates data, commands and programs between the Manufacturing Automation Protocal used by the network and the necessary machine-specific format. The communications adaptors are microprocessor-based and have additional input/output ports for controlling probes, other sensors such as temperature sensors and workpiece presence sensors, peripheral devices such as conveyors, and the "electronic handwheel" inputs of the machine controller. Controlling such devices from a program run in the communications adaptor rather than from the machine controller or from a computer on the network gives greater power, flexibility, convenience and potential for real-time control.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A factory system comprising:

a factory machine, having control means for controlling the operation of the machine, said control means accepting or transmitting data in a first data format;
a communications network for connecting a central computer to said factory machine and to one or more further factory machines, said communications network transmitting data in a second data format;
a communications adaptor connected between the control means of said machine and said network, said communications adaptor comprising data processing means for translating data between said first and second data formats, the data processing means having a plurality of means for input and/or output, said control means and said network being connected to first and second said input/output means respectively;
at least one sensing means associated with said machine, operative to produce an output relating to the state or operation of the machine, the sensing means being connected to deliver its said output to a said input/output means of the data processing means, distinct from said first and second input/output means;
and
at least one means associated with said machine for performing an operation related thereto, said means for performing an operation being connected to a said input/output means of the data processing means, distinct from the first and second input/output means, the data processing means being programmable to control said means for performing an operation in accordance with the output of the sensing means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/164,291Filed 4 Mar 1988
Priority: GB 871910712 Aug 1987
Granted: 13 Feb 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification25 codes

G05B 19/4185
Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible…:…
G05B 2219/31021
From computer integrated manufacturing till monitoring: between lan and machine, communication adapter which serves also sensors
G05B 2219/31183
From computer integrated manufacturing till monitoring: token ring
G05B 2219/31344
From computer integrated manufacturing till monitoring: element, file server