US 5,465,215 A · Numerical control method and apparatus

Abstract

A manual data input facility of a machine control includes graphically assisted input. An MDI main display and lead-through graphic displays are generated to facilitate selection of functions and entry of associated data. The displays make use of graphic icons and text recognizable by an operator. Input devices advantageously include a contact actuated touch screen and numeric keypad. A graphic assisted MDI mode of operation generates instruction blocks conforming to a predetermined user programming convention in response to operator selections and numeric data input. The operator initiates execution of instruction blocks so generated, one block at a time, by operation of a Cycle Start input.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus comprising:

a) numeric keyboard means for entry of numeric data;
b) selection and display means for:
i) displaying and manually selecting graphic icons associated with plural machining operations;
ii) displaying lead-through graphic images associated with selected machining operations wherein functions associated with selected machining operations are displayed;
c) means for enabling manual entry of numeric data associated with selected machining operations during display of leads-through graphic images;
d) means for translating operation selections, function selections and numeric data into codes to produce an instruction block conforming to a predetermined programming convention;
e) means for executing the instruction block so produced to control operation of machine actuators.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Numerical control method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Numerical control method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20