A method and a tool controller enable different functionality sets for at least a first and a second tool. The method includes retrieving at least a first license type that specifies a first set of functions allowed to be performed by at least the first tool retrieving at least a second license type that specifies a second set of functions allowed to be performed by at least the second tool. The method further includes enabling the first set of functions for at least the first tool and enabling the second set of functions for at least the second tool.

The machining station can include a table; at least three robots each having a multi-axis mover secured to the table, and a gripper opposite the table, the robots being interspaced from one another on the table; and a controller. The controller controls the robots to hold a workpiece in a coordinated manner. The computer numerical command (CNC) machine-tool system machines the workpiece while the workpiece is held by the robots. The workpiece can be moved into and out from the machining station with a trolley which slidingly engages a trolley path formed within the table.

A robot controller used in a system having a machine tool and a robot, by which the robot is properly operated corresponding to an operation state of the machine tool. The robot controller has a data communicating part which obtains data representing an operation state of the machine tool at predetermined timing; a motion pattern storing part which stores a plurality of motion patterns of the robot for the machine tool; and a motion controlling part which selects a motion pattern from the stored plurality of motion patterns when an abnormality occurs in the machine tool or when an operation state of the machine tool satisfies a predefined condition, and operates the robot based on the selected motion pattern, the selected pattern being associated with an operation state of the machine tool when an abnormality occurs or when the operation state satisfies the predefined condition.

The invention relates to a robot cell (1) provided for use on machine tools and/or assembly machines. The robot cell (1) includes a handling device, e.g. an industrial robot (2). By means of the robot cell (1), a workpiece (4) to be processed on the machine tool or the assembly machine can be removed from an incoming transport container, pre-processed, orientated, inserted into the machine tool or assembly machine, removed from the machine tool or the assembly machine, measured and placed or stacked in an outgoing transport container. The robot cell (1) can be used on different machine tools or assembly machines. In order to facilitate operation of a robot cell (1) of this kind, the robot cell (1) can be used on the machine tool or the assembly machine without being linked or connected to the machine tool or the assembly machine, the robot cell (1) has an optics device (5), by means of which, in conjunction with reference markings on the machine tool or assembly machine, the robot cell (1) can be positioned in its operating position on the machine tool or the assembly machine, wherein by means of a control apparatus (6) and the handling device connected thereto or the industrial robot (2) connected thereto of the robot cell (1), operating elements on the machine tool or assembly machine can be contacted, operated and controlled.

Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage medium, for controlling operations of machine tool workstations. Machine tool workstations are grouped into functional groups. Neural networks corresponding to the functional groups are trained to process respective inputs representing parts to be processed to generate respective outputs representing sequences of ordered subsets of the parts that produce a reduced setup time for workstations in the functional groups. Data representing respective collections of parts to be processed by workstations included in the functional groups is processed using the trained neural networks to generate corresponding sequences of ordered subsets of the collection of parts. Average delay times associated with the generated sequences of ordered subsets of the collection of parts are computed. If the average delay times are less than a predetermined threshold, parts are released to the functional groups for processing according to the generated sequences.

A high density, controlled integrated circuits factory having process modules occupying approximately two-thirds of the factory floor space with the remaining one-third of the factory floor space being used for servicing the process modules and for loading and unloading wafers to and from the process modules. A subfloor is provided below the factory floor to allow service lifts to travel across the factory. Service lifts can be raised to the factory floor level to service process modules. Overhead lines are also provided over the process modules to transport service items as well as wafers across the factory.

A difference extracting device includes an information collecting unit configured to collect, from each of a plurality of production facilities each including a device having an electric motor and a control device configured to control the device, status information representing a state of each of the plurality of production facilities, a difference extracting unit configured to extract a difference in the status information between the plurality of production facilities, and a difference display processing unit configured to display the extracted difference on a display screen.

A robot control system including a robot controller configured to control a robot, two operation devices configured to manually operate the robot, the first operation device being connected to the robot controller. Each of the operation devices has a request switch configured to switch between a request state in which an operation right for the robot is requested and a non-request state in which the operation right is not requested, and the robot controller is configured to start providing the operation right to one of the operation devices only when the request switch of the one of the operation devices is in the request state and the request switch of the other of the operation devices is in the non-request state, and keep the operation right granted until the request switch of the one of the operation devices is switched to the non-request state.

A numerical control system 1 comprises a numerical control device 5 for generating a machine tool command signal and a robot command signal, and a robot control device 6 for controlling the operation of a robot 3 on the basis of the robot command signal. The numerical control device 5 includes a coordinate form information management unit 524 for managing coordinate information according to a designated coordinate format that is based on a numerical control program, and a robot command signal generation unit 525 for generating the robot command signal on the basis of said coordinate information and a robot numerical control program. The robot control device 6 acquires a coordinate value on each axis of control in the designated coordinate format when the designated coordinate format is configured or changed, and transmits the same to the numerical control device 5 The coordinate form information management unit 524 updates said coordinate information using the coordinate value transmitted from the robot control device 6.

A method for recognizing an operating mode of a machine tool. A machine tool with a sensor for detecting axial accelerations and/or angular accelerations, wherein the machine tool is set up to carry out the proposed method.