Automation equipment control system

A control system comprising:

• an equipment independent computer including one or more modules configured to generate a plurality of move commands for operating mechanical equipment, the mechanical equipment having:
• at least one mechanical joint;
• a mechanical actuator configured to move the at least one mechanical joint;
• and a position feedback sensor;
• a move command data buffer configured to store the plurality of move commands;
• and
• an equipment-specific controller configured to:
• communicably link to the equipment independent computer, the mechanical actuator, and the position feedback sensor;
• sequentially process the plurality of move commands from the move command data buffer to calculate a desired position for the mechanical joint;
• determine a current position of the mechanical joint based on a position signal received from the position feedback sensor;
• and
• calculate an activation signal to actuate the mechanical actuator based on the desired position and the current position.

An equipment-specific controller device comprising:

• a digital signal processor (DSP);
• a move command buffer accessible to the DSP and to an equipment-independent computing device, the move command buffer configured to store a plurality of move commands, the move commands generated by the equipment-independent computing device to operate automation equipment;
• and
• one or more modules executable by the DSP, the modules configured to:
• sequentially process the move commands from the move command buffer;
• and
• operate the automation equipment in a continuous manner including continued operation of the automation equipment during an interruption of the equipment-independent computing device.