A system for controlling an operation of a machine including a plurality of actuators assisting one or multiple tools to perform one or multiple tasks, in response to receiving an acoustic mixture of signals generated by the tool performing a task and by the plurality of actuators actuating the tool, submit the acoustic mixture of signals into a neural network trained to separate from the acoustic mixture a signal generated by the tool performing the task from signals generated by the actuators actuating the tool to extract the signal generated by the tool performing the task from the acoustic mixture of signals, analyze the extracted signal to produce a state of performance of the task, and execute a control action selected according to the state of performance of the task.

The numerical controller of the invention receives input of a technique for operating a plurality of tools and an operation condition of the operation technique, calculates movement command data including speed information and position information on the plurality of tools, such that respective cutting paths of the plurality of tools intersect, based on the input operation method and operation condition, generates interpolation data based on the movement command data, and controls a motor for driving a machine based on the interpolation data.

A display control system for displaying and controlling a screen, including: a first display instruction means that instructs the screen to display a first mode of the first machine tool; a second display instruction means that instructs the screen to display a second mode of the second machine tool; a third display instruction means that instructs the screen to display an image captured by the camera; and a control means that displays and controls, in response to receiving input of tool related information regarding a tool in the first mode, an image regarding the tool related information, which is obtained from the camera. The tool related information includes any one of a tool number, a pot number of a magazine accommodating the tool, a station number of a turret to which the tool is attached, and a tool correction value.

Provided is a control device for a machine tool that exchanges a tool and machines a work piece on the basis of a machining program, said control device being provided with a machining program analysis unit that analyzes a machining program and extracts, from the machining program, measurement-related information relating to a dimensional measurement of a tool, and with a measurement program generation unit that, on the basis of the measurement-related information and basic tool information input in advance, generates a measurement program for measuring the dimensions of the tool.

Alignment modules attached to a robotic tool changer assist spatial orientation and alignment of a robot arm relative to a robotic tool for location training. A three-axis spatial orientation sensor is first attached to an alignment module affixed to a tool unit. The sensor is “zeroed,” or calibrated to the spatial orientation of the tool unit. The sensor is transferred to a corresponding surface of an alignment module affixed to a master unit. The orientation of the robot arm is adjusted to eliminate sensor error signals indicating deviations from the zeroed orientation of the tool unit. An optical signal, such as a cross line laser beam, is then projected between the alignment modules. The x- and y-axis position of the robot arm is adjusted to align the optical signal with alignment markings. When the master and tool units are aligned, the robot arm is advanced in the z-axis direction until the master unit abuts the tool unit.

A method and an apparatus for calibrating a tool in a flange coordinate system of a robot are disclosed. The method includes: acquiring a rotation angle of each joint of a robot when a to-be-calibrated tool fasted on an end joint mounting portion of the robot moves to a central point of the to-be-calibrated tool and overlaps with a calibration reference point acquiring calibration information of a central point of a calibrated tool in a flange coordinate system of the robot and completing calibration of the central point of the to-be-calibrated tool in the flange coordinate system of the robot according to the calibration information of the central point of the calibrated tool and a rotation angle of the to-be calibrated tool.

A data interface device for data transmission between a numerically controlled machine tool and external data processing device, including: a control interface unit for data transmission with a control device of the machine tool and communications unit for data transmission with the external data processing device. Stored configuration data specifies a communication protocol used by the control device from a first group of communication protocols and a communication protocol used by the external data processing device from a second group. The control interface unit uses any protocol from the first group of communication protocols for data transmission and selects the communication protocol used by the control device for data transmission with the control device. The communications unit uses any protocol from a second group of communication protocols for data transmission and selects the communication protocol used by the external data processing device for data transmission with the data processing device.

A method and system for aggregate programming a computer numerical control (CNC) machine that includes (a) shifting a control point from an aggregate base point to a center tip of a tool being programmed, thereby enabling tool length and diameter adjustment along with C-axis aggregate rotation during a machine activity. The shifting includes (i) activating a tilted work plane (TWP); and (ii) shifting the control point to the tip of the tool using a tool length compensation. The system and method also include (b) implementing an activity on the CNC machine using the shifted control point and C-axis aggregate rotation. In some cases, activating the TWP comprises using a special machine control code such as g-code G68.2. In some cases, shifting the control point to the tip of the tool using a tool length compensation comprises using a special machine control code such as g-code G43.

A self-configuring computer-controlled fabrication apparatus that utilizes no fewer than four user changeable tools concurrently installed to fabricate a three-dimensional component from digital design data out of a variety of materials using additive and/or subtractive methods. User interchangeable tools perform different tasks including paste extrusion, filament extrusion, inkjet deposition, laser curing, laser etching, milling, cooling, curing, inspection, and component placement, among others. Each tool, that is selected and installed by the user for each job, contains operational information regarding its performance in nonvolatile memory such that the system can read, then adapt, the build process to the set of tools currently installed.

A cluster tool assembly includes a vacuum transfer module, a process module having a first side connected to the vacuum transfer module. An isolation valve having a first side and a second side, the first side of the isolation valve coupled to a second side of the process module. A replacement station is coupled to the second side of the isolation valve. The replacement station includes an exchange handler and a part buffer. The part buffer includes a plurality of compartments to hold new or used consumable parts. The process module includes a lift mechanism to enable placement of a consumable part installed in the process module to a raised position. The raised position provides access to the exchange handler to enable removal of the consumable part from the process module and store in a compartment of the part buffer. The exchange handler of the replacement station is configured to provide a replacement for the consumable part from the part buffer back to the process module. The lift mechanism is configured to receive the consumable part provided for replacement by the exchange handler and lower the consumable part to an installed position. The replacement by the exchange handler and the process module is conducted while the process module and the replacement station are maintained in a vacuum state.