A machine control system includes: a machine configured to execute a motion according to a machine command; and one or more servers configured to control the machine. The one or more servers include control circuitry configured to: repeat an execution of a motion program to generate the machine command for the machine; add first cycle information designating a first use timing to the machine command; and transmit the machine command including the first cycle information to the machine via a communication network. The machine includes a machine circuitry configured to: repeat a local processing for controlling the machine according to a machine control cycle; receive the machine command from the one or more servers; store the received machine command; and call the stored machine command, based on the first cycle information added to the stored machine command, to use the machine command in the local processing corresponding to the first use timing.

To cause multiple field devices to operate together in coordination in accordance with a predetermined program through a network allowing periodic communication, a control device includes an estimator that calculates, based on a position of a first field device in a first cycle, a position of the first field device operable in accordance with a first program in a second cycle following the first cycle, and a processor that determines, based on the first program, a first command value to cause the first field device to operate, transmits the first command value to the first field device through an interface allowing communication with the field devices, determines, based on the estimated position and a second program, a second command value to cause a second field device to operate in coordination with the first field device, and transmits the second command value to the second field device through the interface.

A data processing and transmission system (1) for a numerical control unit (2) adapted to control a machine tool (3), comprises at least one input channel (4) adapted to a transit of operational signals from or to devices present in the machine tool, electronic circuits configured to process the operational signals to make available on an output interface (5) control signals for the numerical control unit, a multipolar cable (8) having a first and a second end, each provided with a multipolar connector (9), a master unit having the output interface, a main processor, a memory and at least one socket (7A) configured to be coupled to one of the multipolar connectors, one or more slave units (6), each provided with at least one external port (6A) defining the input channel, a memory, a secondary processor, and provided also with a first socket (6B) and a second socket (6C), configured to be coupled at least to a first or a second connector of the multipolar connectors in order to interconnect the slave unit at least with the master unit. The master unit has a clock and each slave unit has its own clock. The main processor of the master unit generates a synchronization signal and transmits it through the multipolar cable in order to synchronize all the clocks of the slave units with the clock of the master unit.

A motor drive system of the present disclosure includes a first motor unit having a first processor, and a second motor unit having a second processor, which are connected together by a communication line. The first processor sends data at regular intervals P1. The second processor receives the data at the regular intervals P1 from first time, and executes a task operating based on the data at regular intervals P2 from second time as a starting point. In a synchronization mode, the second processor changes the second time to new second time that occurs within a predetermined allowable time from the first time. In a normal operation mode, the first processor sends data via the communication line at the regular intervals P1, and the second processor executes the task operating based on the data at the regular intervals P2 from the new second time as a starting point.

A motor drive system of the present disclosure includes a first motor unit having a first processor, and a second motor unit having a second processor, which are connected together by a communication line. The first processor sends data at regular intervals P1. The second processor receives the data at the regular intervals P1 from first time, and executes a task operating based on the data at regular intervals P2 from second time as a starting point. In a synchronization mode, the second processor changes the second time to new second time that occurs within a predetermined allowable time from the first time. In a normal operation mode, the first processor sends data via the communication line at the regular intervals P1, and the second processor executes the task operating based on the data at the regular intervals P2 from the new second time as a starting point.

A control system, includes a master control device configured to control a first controlled object based on time information output from a first clock unit, and a slave control device connected to the master control device via a network and configured to control a second controlled object different from the first controlled object based on control information transmitted from the master control device and time information output from a second clock unit. The time information of the first clock unit and the time information of the second clock unit are time-synchronized.

A data processing and transmission system (1) for a numerical control unit (2) adapted to control a machine tool (3), comprises at least one input channel (4) adapted to a transit of operational signals from or to devices present in the machine tool, electronic circuits configured to process the operational signals to make available on an output interface (5) control signals for the numerical control unit, a multipolar cable (8) having a first and a second end, each provided with a multipolar connector (9), a master unit having the output interface, a main processor, a memory and at least one socket (7A) configured to be coupled to one of the multipolar connectors, one or more slave units (6), each provided with at least one external port (6A) defining the input channel, a memory, a secondary processor, and provided also with a first socket (6B) and a second socket (6C), configured to be coupled at least to a first or a second connector of the multipolar connectors in order to interconnect the slave unit at least with the master unit. The master unit has a clock and each slave unit has its own clock. The main processor divides a data transmission time interval into a plurality of time slots an uniquely assigns to each slave unit a corresponding time slot of said plurality of time slots. The secondary processor of each slave unit is set to transmit data through the multipolar cable only within the respective time slot. Each slave unit can be connected to another slave unit to define a modular structure.

A data processing and transmission system (1) for a numerical control unit (2) adapted to control a machine tool (3), comprises at least one input channel (4) adapted to a transit of operational signals from or to devices present in the machine tool, electronic circuits configured to process the operational signals to make available on an output interface (5) control signals for the numerical control unit, a multipolar cable (8) having a first and a second end, each provided with a multipolar connector (9), a master unit having the output interface, a main processor, a memory and at least one socket (7A) configured to be coupled to one of the multipolar connectors, one or more slave units (6), each provided with at least one external port (6A) defining the input channel, a memory, a secondary processor, and provided also with a first socket (6B) and a second socket (6C), configured to be coupled at least to a first or a second connector of the multipolar connectors in order to interconnect the slave unit at least with the master unit. The master unit has a clock and each slave unit has its own clock. The main processor of the master unit generates a synchronization signal and transmits it through the multipolar cable in order to synchronize all the clocks of the slave units with the clock of the master unit.