Claims
- 1. A manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
- one or more machining apparatus;
- a host controller connected to the one or more machining apparatus;
- each of the machining apparatus including a workstation controller having operating control logic for controlling the operation of the machining apparatus; and
- the workstation controller also having automation control logic for automating the operation of the machining apparatus comprising:
- a means for managing initialization of the workstation controller;
- a means for managing communications between the host controller and the workstation controller in the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing quality control requirements of the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing interchanges of workpieces, tool magazines, and chip containers between automated guided vehicles and the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing supply of coolant to the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing removal of swarf from the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing status and location of workpieces in the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing tool supply and exchange in the machining apparatus;
- a means for logging and reporting of data from the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing end of program tasks in the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing aborting of a program running in the machining apparatus; and
- a means for managing detection of tool breaks and tool wear and for managing recovery of the machining apparatus from such tool breaks and wear.
- 2. A manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
- one or more machining apparatus;
- a host controller connected to the one or more machining apparatus;
- each of the machining apparatus including a workstation controller having operating control logic for controlling the operation of the machining apparatus; and
- the workstation controller also having automation control logic for automating the operation of the machining apparatus comprising:
- a means for managing initialization of the workstation controller;
- a means for managing communications between the host controller and the workstation controller in the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing interchanges of workpieces, tool magazines, and chip containers between automated guided vehicles and the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing status and location of workpieces in the machining apparatus;
- a means for logging and reporting of data from the machining apparatus;
- a means for managing end of program tasks in the machining apparatus; and
- a means for managing aborting of a program running in the machining apparatus.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the automation control logic further comprises:
- a means for managing quality control requirements of the machining apparatus.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the automation control logic further comprises:
- a means for managing supply of coolant to the machining apparatus.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the automation control logic further comprises:
- a means for managing removal of swarf from the machining apparatus.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the automation control logic further comprises:
- a means for managing tool supply and exchange in the machining apparatus.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the automation control logic further comprises:
- a means for managing detection of tool breaks and tool wear and for managing recovery of the machining apparatus from such tool breaks and wear.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/415,496, filed Sep. 29, 1989 now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
415496 |
Sep 1989 |
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