Patent Application
20130173031
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to computer numerical control (CNC) machines and control methods, and more particularly, to a CNC machine with a visual operational panel and a control method for the CNC machine.
2. Description of Related Art
Computer numerical control (CNC) machines usually have a keyboard or input/output (I/O) board as a mechanical operational panel. However, the keyboard and the I/O board cannot set different privileges according to different users, in addition, when the CNC machine needs to update to a new version of the software, the operational panel corresponding to the old version will have to be replaced, which wastes resources and is inconvenient.
Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The touch screen 101 displays information and senses the touch input of a user. The memory 103 stores data. In a first embodiment, the data includes a number of user information corresponding to different users and a number of virtual menus corresponding to the number of user information. The user information defines a level of permission given to different users to manipulate the CNC machine 10. For example, an operator is permitted to only manipulate the CNC machine 10, a system administer is permitted to modify system settings such as modifying operational parameters of the CNC machine 10.
In a second embodiment, the data includes information of operation modes and operation status and the number of virtual menus corresponding to the information of the operation modes and the operation status. The operation mode includes manual operation and edit operation, for example. The operation status includes working and suspending, for example. The operation mode and the operation status may be pre-selected by the user through the touch screen 101, and then stored in the memory 103.
The virtual menu includes a number of icons to indicate to the user to touch for manipulation. The processing unit 102 controls the body 104 to perform functions of the icon on the virtual menu after the user touches the icon.
The processing unit includes an obtaining module 1021, a menu generating module 1023, and a performing module 1025. Functions of the modules will be described together with
In step S22, the menu generating unit 1023 connects with the touch screen 101, generates a visual menu corresponding to the user information on the touch screen 101.
In step S23, the obtaining module 1021 obtains the touch input on the one or more icons on the visual menu from the touch screen 101.
In step S24, the performing module 1025 responds to the touch input on the one or more icons on the visual menu and controls the body 104 to perform corresponding functions corresponding to the one or more icons on the visual menu.
In step S32, the menu generating unit 1023 generates the visual menu corresponding to the information of the operation mode and the operation status on the touch screen 101.
In step S33, the obtaining module 1021 obtains the touch input on the one or more icons on the visual menu from the touch screen 101.
In step S34, the performing module 1025 responds to the touch input on the one or more icons on the visual menu and controls the body 104 to perform corresponding functions corresponding to the one or more icons on the visual menu.
Using the method above, the CNC machine 10 generates visual menus on the touch screen 101 to indicate to the user to manipulate the CNC machine 10, furthermore, different users have different operation modes and operation status corresponding to different visual menus, which saves resources and is convenient to use.
Although the features and elements of the present disclosure are described as embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in other various combinations within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100149069 | Dec 2011 | TW | national |
