System for monitoring CNC machine controllers
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorPhilip J. Poth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A number of computer-numerical-control (CNC) machine controllers are associated in the same plant or facility or in related facilities. Each CNC machine controller gathers and stores status information related to the state of operations being performed. A remotely located central computer separately addresses each of the controllers to transfer the status information to a central location where the entire plant or facility operation can be evaluated.
Claims13
A system for selectively transferring information between a central computer and a plurality of remotely located computer-numerical-computer (CNC) machine controllers, each having a multi-tasking capability comprising:
- a central computer;
- a plurality of CNC machine controllers;
- each of said controllers including means for storing a file of information to be transferred to said central computer;
- a transfer means connected to said central computer and to each of said controllers for transferring information therebetween;
- said central computer including means for selectively addressing each of said controllers and means for requesting an information transfer between said central computer and one of said controllers;
- wherein each of said CNC machine controllers includes means for gathering and storing status information;
- wherein said means for storing includes a status file;
- and
- wherein said status file includes an old status file for storing status information for a predetermined expired time span and a new status file for storing status information for a predetermined current time span.
A system for selectively transferring information between a central computer and a plurality of remotely located computer-numerical-control (CNC) machine controllers, comprising:
- a central computer;
- a plurality of CNC machine controllers;
- each of said controllers having a multi-tasking capability and including means for storing a file of information to be transferred to said central computer;
- a transfer means connected to said central computer and to each of said controllers for transferring information therebetween;
- and
- said central computer including means for selectively addressing each of said controllers and means for requesting an information transfer between said central computer and one of said controllers;
- wherein means for storing includes a status file;
- and
- wherein said status file includes an old status file for storing status information for a predetermined expired time span and a new status file for storing status information for a predetermined current time span.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.