WO2013093845A1

WO2013093845A1 - Machining mechatronic system and command group of the mechatronic system

Info

Publication number: WO2013093845A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/057545
Authority: WO
Inventors: Costantino Florio; Roberto Martana; Michele Claudio LADDAGA; Gianluca Guadagno; Giorgio Cantello; Ciro ATTANASIO
Original assignee: Sintesi Development S.R.L.
Priority date: 2011-12-22
Filing date: 2012-12-20
Publication date: 2013-06-27
Also published as: ITMI20112351A1

Abstract

It is described a mechatronic system for machining objects (100) comprising an industrial machine (1), and a device (2) for remotely controlling the industrial machine. Further, the system comprises at least one RFID-technology handheld module (3, 17) storing an operator code associable to an operator of the industrial machine. Moreover, the remote control device (2) comprises a RFID-technology reader device (12) configured to exchange signals with the handheld module (3), receive and read the operator code, and an enabling module (18) configured to enable the operator to the use of the control device (2) based on the operator code.

Description

TITLE : "MACHINING MECHATRONIC SYSTEM AND KIT FOR DRIVING THE MECHATRONIC SYSTEM"

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to the field of the industrial machines, such as in a non-limiting example the electronic driven machine tools.

PRIOR ART

Industrial machines, particularly machine tools, remotely controlled by handheld devices, known in the field also as "Operator Panel" or "Mobile Panel" are known. An example of such remote control devices is one manufactured by the Italian company Sintesi S.p.A., under the trademark SHD2.

Documents US-A-6167464 , AT-A-4472000 and EP-A- 2138915 describe other types of remote control devices.

The present machine tools must be operated by skilled operators due to their complexity, consequently strict procedures must be followed which can slow down the manufacturing process, often due to the necessity of searching for the correct information for executing the operations which an operator desire to implement from time to time.

Particularly, the Applicant has observed that machining systems using remote controlled industrial machines, according to the prior art, have modes of use which are often too complex and such to slow down the manufacturing process. Such complexity mainly consists in the necessity of insuring the access to the remote control devices, for example, to a limited number of persons (each having possibly a specific authorization) and/or as an alternative to the main commands (for example the main operator panel) .

Moreover, the complexity of the known systems resides also in the necessity that the remote control devices should be small and light, consequently the space available for displaying the required information and/or interacting with the machine is very limited. This also means that for displaying the correct group of information and commands ("interface") enabling the operator to interact with the machine to perform a specific functionality, it is necessary to navigate through several menus and sub-menus.

Such interface could be a group of graphical, textual, multimedial information (for example video or sound information) enabling the operator to interact with the machine when he/she must perform a specific functionality (control, servicing, monitoring) . Therefore, the activation on the control terminal of such interfaces can require a time-consuming and complex navigation through said "menus" which in turn requires time, leads the operator to the conditions of making a mistake, and, above all, does not enable the operator to concentrate (for example by his/her eyes) on what the machine is doing.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the present invention consists of submitting machining systems which at least partially solve the abovementioned problems, by ensuring a faster and simpler interaction between the operator/operators and machine.

This and other objects are met by a machining mechatronic system according to claim 1. Dependent claims define other possible embodiments.

Further, independent claim 14 refers to a kit for driving a mechatronic system for machining objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Therefore, to better understand the invention and appreciate its advantages some exemplifying and non- limiting embodiments will be described in the following with reference to attached Figure 1.

Detailed description

Figure 1 schematically shows a particular embodiment of a mechatronic system 100 for machining objects comprising: at least a machine tool 1, a remote control device 2, and a handheld module 3, including a RFID- technology tag 17, such as a RFID (radio frequency identification) tag.

Machine tool 1 is for example of a conventional type and it is observed that, despite this description refers to machine tools, the machining system 100 could comprise in addition or as an alternative to the machine tools also other types of industrial machines, for example packaging or wood-working machines. Therefore, the following description of the machine tool 1 holds true also for industrial machines of other type.

According to a particular embodiment schematically shown in Figure 1, machine tool 1 is a single machine which comprises one or more functional groups capable of performing one or more functions in a controlled and coordinated way. Each functional group can comprise mechanical and/or electrical and/or electronic components .

Machine tool 1 of Figure 1 contains for example a first functional group 40 (for example, a milling group), a second functional group 50 (for example, a system for blocking a workpiece) and a third functional group 60 (for example a measurement group) .

Further, machine tool 1 is provided with a local control device 7 such as, for example, a PLC (programmable logic computer) configured to generate drive and control signals to be sent to actuators of the machine tool 1 or to other electronic components. The local control device 7 can comprise, in addition or as an alternative to the PLC, a numerical control apparatus or computer. Further, machine tool 1 comprises a first transceiver module 8 which connects the local control device 7, by wires or wireless technology, to the remote control device 2.

Remote control device 2 is preferably a handheld device, configured to enable an operator to exchange drive signals with the local control device 7, and therefore to remotely drive the machine tool 1.

According to the shown example, the remote control device 2 comprises: operator interface means 9, at least one processing unit 10 (a microprocessor, for example) and a RFID reader device 12 (RDR) .

Moreover, remote control device 2 is provided with, according to the described example, a second transceiver 16 adapted to exchange drive signals and/or information with the first transceiver 8.

Operator interface means 9 comprise, for example, a display 13 (preferably of the touch screen type) , an alphanumeric keyboard 14, possible calibration buttons and/or knobs 15 and a corresponding software for managing the operator interface.

Microprocessor 10 is associated to a memory 11 storing, for example, an enabling software module 18 activable by microprocessor 10, adapted to manage procedures to enable and acknowledge users or functionalities to be executed independently from or in cooperation with PLC 7.

Moreover, memory 11 can store one or more interface software modules such as, for example, a first interface software module 19, a second interface software module 20, and a third interface software module 27.

Each of such interface software modules comprises, for example, graphic, textual, multimedial (for example video files or sound files) information enabling the operator to interact with machine 1 when he/she must perform a specific functionality.

According to a particular embodiment, such functionalities comprise: a control functionality, a servicing functionality, a monitoring functionality, a handling functionality, a test functionality, a functionality for choosing programs, a functionality for analyzing error states, a functionality for exchanging tools, etcetera.

Said servicing functionality refers, for example, to the launch of servicing videos and/or servicing documents. The manual handling functionality refers to the manual handling of one or more axes of the machine tool 1, reciprocally organizationally grouped with a logic which is not necessarily based on the spatial proximity .

Each of the interface software modules 19, 20, and 27 is associated to a corresponding code identifying the interface, stored in memory 11. For example, first interface software module 19 refers to the control functionalities, second interface software module 20 refers to the servicing functionalities.

RFID reader device 12 can be of a conventional type and can comprise, for example, a support board on which an energizing coil, a detecting circuit, an amplifier, a comparator and a corresponding microprocessor controlling the reader device (these components are not shown) are attached; alternatively, RFID reader device is controlled by the same microprocessor 10 of the remote control device 2. Such RFID reader device 12 is inside the remote control device 2, but could also be outside the remote control device 2, and connected to it by a cable or by a wireless-type communication.

Handheld module 3 is, for example, a card made of plastic in which RFID tag 17 is embedded and on which is present a notice, for example of a graphic type, easily readable and understandable by the operator also according to practices valid at least for that particular machine tool 1. The card used for implementing the handheld module 3 can have, for example, a size and shape analogous to the size and shape of a credit card or of the widely used magnetic badges, for example: 55 mm x 55 mm. Tag 17 can be of a conventional type and comprise, for example, a microchip storing data in a memory and an antenna. Particularly, such tag can be of a passive type or can be provided with a battery.

Tag 17 can store an operator code identifying the operator who has received the handheld module 3 and/or at least a tag-interface code associated to the code identifying the interface software modules stored in memory 11.

With reference to the operator code, in case there are several operators of the machine tool 1, each operator will receive a corresponding handheld module 3 having a tag storing a corresponding operator code. The outer surface of the handheld module 3 preferably shows the operator name who the handheld module is associated to, or the operator profile.

Further, the outer surface of handheld module 3 preferably shows information identifying the specific interface software module 19, 20, 27 which tag 17 is associated to and/or identifying functionalities managed by such module.

In such way, the operator can clearly read the type of functionality which can be activated by tag 17, without searching for it by a long navigation through a menu .

Operation modes

In the following, some operation modes of the machining system 100 will be described.

With reference to an enabling and acknowledgement procedure, an operator provided with handheld module 3 holds the remote control device 2 for using the machine tool 1.

Reader device 12 transmits an electromagnetic signal which is received by tag 17 of handheld module 3: tag 17 therefore transmits a signal representing the operator code stored in it. Reader device 12 receives the signal transmitted by tag 17 and detects its contents by therefore reading the operator code. The enabling module 18 compares the received operator code with a list or table of operators-machine codes enabled to use the machine tool 1, stored in memory 11 or PLC 7.

More particularly, the operator code can also be used by the enabling module 18 for determining, according to a list or a table of operators-interface codes, for example stored in memory 11, which interface software module 19, 20, and 27 an operator associated to a tag 17 is enabled to use.

For example, from the table of operators-interface codes can result that the operator associated to tag 17 is enabled to operate according to the first interface software module 19 and the third interface software module 27.

Based on the comparison with the operators-machine table, enabling module 18 acknowledges or does not acknowledge the operator, and therefore outputs an enabling or denial signal/message which is provided to microprocessor 10.

In case the operator is enabled to use the machine tool 1, microprocessor 10 will enable the operator to use the remote control device 2 for operating the machine tool 1.

Further, by the operators-interface table, enabling module 18 enables first interface software module 19 and third interface software module 27 to be activated by microprocessor 10 so that can be used by the operator through the remote control device 2.

According to a particular embodiment, before the above mentioned acknowledgement and enabling procedure, it can be provided a preliminary acknowledgement procedure executed by a handshake methodology. According to this preliminary acknowledgement procedure, when an operator, by interface 9 of the remote control device 2, activates the device itself, the latter transmits, by RFID reader device, a particular pre-stored password.

Tag 17 of handheld module 3 receives the signal containing this password and if it recognizes it, enables to read its operator code. The microchip contained in tag 17 has circuit features such to enable the verification of the received password. In this way the remote control device 2 can exclusively operate with handheld modules 3 recognizing this password. Such password can identify all the handheld modules manufactured by a determined manufacturer and is distinct from the above defined operator code.

It is observed that microprocessor 10 of remote control device 2 enables some interface software modules among those available, and in other words several functionalities, for different operators provided with a corresponding handheld module, based on a corresponding operator code acknowledged in the described acknowledgement and enabling step.

For example, another operator can be provided with another handheld module 3' and associated to another tag 17' storing another operator code, but this operator, based on the above mentioned operators-interface table read by microprocessor 10, is enabled to use machine tool 1 only through second interface software module 20. This allows for example to enable distinct interface software modules according to the operator skill level.

According to a particular embodiment, terminal 9 is provided with a first housing receiving the handheld module 3, provided with tag 17, which can be automatically read by the RFID reader 12. In this case, an operator inserts handheld module 3 with tag 17 in such first housing and remote control device starts automatically checking (cyclically or by association to particular events) the presence of a tag and its code. Next, if tag 17 is extracted . for any reason (for example the operator goes away taking the tag with him/her) , the control enabling will be interrupted.

In this way, if the machining system 100 comprises for example a plurality of remote control devices (analogous to the described device 2) all associable to machine tool 1, it is possible to ensure that just one remote control device will be enabled to operate at a time .

Now it is considered a further mode of selecting a functionality and therefore an interface software module among those stored in memory 11 of remote control device 2. According to this further mode, mechatronic system 100 comprises also further RFID-technology modules identifying different interface software modules. According to the particular described example, mechatronic system 100 comprises a first RFID selection tag 25 and at least a second RFID selection tag 29.

First selection tag 25 stores an interface code identifying, for example, first interface software module 19. Second selection tag 29 stores one or more interface codes identifying, for example, second interface software module 20 and third interface software module 27.

Specifically, first and second selection tags 25 and 29, technologically analogous to tag 17, can be respectively embedded in a first support module 24 (handheld or stationary) and second support module 28 (handheld or stationary) , analogous to the above described handheld module 3.

Further, notices identifying the function associated to the corresponding tag, such as for examples "machine calibration operation" or "pumps group calibration operation", can be present on the first and second support modules 24 and 28.

With reference to the mode of use, the operator wishing to activate the first interface software module 19 in the remote control device 2, can locate reader device .12 of remote control device 2 near first selection tag 25 for reading the code stored in the latter .

If enabling module 18 acknowledges and enables this interface code, the remote control device 2 will load first interface module 19 in microprocessor 10. In case reader device 12 is located near second selection tag 29, second and third interface software modules 20 and 27 will be loaded.

It is observed that tag 17, first selection tag 25 and second selection tag 29 can store, besides the codes identifying the interface software modules associated to the above defined functionalities, also other interface software modules associated to information regarding the machine and/or process and providing information regarding, for example, the number of machined workpieces, possible warnings, the temperatures at different locations of the machine, etcetera.

This functionality makes particularly fast the selection of the desired interface software modules because it enables to prevent the operator from searching such information in menus and submenus.

Preferably, the operator, during the selection of the desired functionality, will locate the reader device 12 of remote control device 2 near a tag associated to the functionality the operator intends to activate, acknowledgeable by the corresponding notice, and not near other tags.

Further, advantageously, the used RFID-technology components are designed, in terms of transmission and reception powers, in order to enable to read the code stored in the tags only from a short distance, for example, less than 2 cm or less than 1 cm and only after an intentional reading operation from an operator (for example, by activating the reader by a button) .

According to a further embodiment, in the remote control device 9 it is provided a second housing receiving modules supporting tags for selecting functionalities (such as the first and second tags 25 and 29); such second housing enables the RFID reader device 12 to automatically read the tag contained in it.

When the operator inserts for example the first support module 24 provided of the first selection tag 25 in such second housing, the remote control device 2 starts automatically checking (cyclically or by an association to particular events) the presence of a tag and of its code. Next, in case the selection tag is removed for any reasons (for example because the tag is inserted in its seat) , the enabling to use the corresponding interface software module will be interrupted .

In this way, it is also possible to ensure, for example, that a predefined operation (associated to the specific interface software module) can be associated to a single operator for a determined period of time.

The above mentioned operations, if performed under modes such to ensure a suitable safety level (for example by using redundant processors and procedures) can also be used for safely managing machine 1.

Another function offered by the machining system 1 consists of adding new users or new interface software modules. By locating the reader device 12 near a further tag storing an operator code and/or an interface code, the enabling module 18 could signal this detected operator or interface code is unknown and could ask whom is holding the remote control device 2 and who owns the rights as "administrator" to accept or not the registration of such new operator or of the new interface software module. In such case, the administrator could confirm or not the acknowledgement of the new operator or interface software module by acting for example on keyboard 14.

Preferably, it is observed that reading tags 17, 17', and 25 and 29 (when they are not inserted in their corresponding housings which the remote control device 2 can be provided with) by the reader device 12 is not performed in a continuous mode, but just when it is required by an operator.

For example, the operator of the remote control device 2, by pressing a button 15, sends a command to microprocessor 10 enabling RFID reader device 12 to read just for a limited time (10 seconds, for example) the contents of the tag. This prevents the remote device 2 from reading tags which the operator is not interested in, simply because they are adjacent to it.

The described machining system 100 and driving and enabling kit are particularly advantageous. Indeed, the procedure to acknowledge and enable an operator is fast, because it prevents from manually inputting data by interface 9 of remote control device, without forgetting the safety aspects.

The possibility of selecting different functionalities associated to different interface software modules by simply reading RFID-technology identifying codes is also a further effective advantage for reducing the time dedicated to interact with the machine .

A further advantage related to the acknowledgement of the operator and the selection of the interface software modules is the capability of tracking the employees who have used the remote control devices and of tracking employees who have executed the different possible functions by different interface software modules; this enables to record all what has occurred in the memory of the remote control device 2 and/or of PLC 7.

For this reason, it is observed that the present remote control devices are generally provided with a key selector (that is a common key) enabling their activation. That is, for activating (enabling to turn on and/or connect) the remote control device, the operator must use a suitable key which must be consequently protected. Such disadvantage is solved by the herein described operator acknowledgement and enabling procedure, all the more so if the tag is inserted in a suitable housing inside the remote control device 2. Moreover, the described recording procedure to logging new operators and/or record new additional functionalities is particularly fast and efficient.

A further particular embodiment refers to some aspects regarding the mode of sending drive and control signals from the remote control device 2 to the PLC 7. After the procedure to acknowledge and enable the operator equipped with the above described handheld module 3, it is possible to provide that the particular interface software module 19, 29 or 27 activated in the remote control device 2 can be enabled to send drive and control signals to PLC 7 not in an automatic way but after the operator has unambiguously confirmed to have accepted the interface software module, by pressing a button on the keyboard 14 or display 13 or by equivalent interface means.

Moreover, following an acknowledgement and enabling of the operator equipped with the handheld module 3, the remote control device 2 activates the corresponding interface software module, without automatically sending driving and control signals which can change the operative mode of PLC 7. Specifically, by considering the case in which PLC 7 is configured to send data regarding the measurement of a number N of operative parameters (the position of five axes of the second operative group 50, for example), when an operator has been acknowledged, the remote control device 2 just displays some or all the N parameters which PLC 7 makes available without sending signals to PLC 7 modifying the mode of detecting such parameters or the mode of transmitting the same parameters from said PLC.

According to another particular embodiment of system 100, interface selection tags 25 and 29 are not readable by simply locating them just near the reader device 12 because they are positioned in a shielded seat (not shown in figure) which prevents them to be read when they are near the reader device. Such seat is for example a container having one or more walls acting as a shield against the radiofrequency electromagnetic waves, attached adjacent or not the machine tool 1.

In this case, these selection tags 25 and 29 associated to machine 1 can be read only by removing the corresponding specific support module 24 or 28 from the seat and manually locating it near the remote control device 2. This mode prevents an unintentional acknowledgement and enabling.

It is also observed that all the above described embodiments particularly refer to a mechatronic system 100 whose communication between the remote control device 2 and PLC 7 of machine tool 1 has been enabled before the above described procedures to acknowledge and enable the operator and interface software modules. In other words, the coupling of the remote control device 2 to the PLC 7 is independent from the described acknowledgement and enabling procedure.

The communication between the remote control device 2 and PLC 7 of machine tool 1 is implemented in a fixed way (by cables, for example) or in a dynamic way (wireless technology with coupling mode, for example, by tokens containing a unique electronic ID) .

To the above described embodiments of system 100, the person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent specific needs, can introduce several additions, changes or substitutions of elements with other operatively equivalent ones, without departing from the attached claims.

Claims

C LA I S

1. Mechatronics system for machining objects (100) comprising :

an industrial machine (1);

a device (7) for locally controlling the industrial machine ;

a device (2) for remotely controlling the industrial machine, configured to communicate with the local control device (7);

characterized by the fact that it comprises:

at least one RFID-technology handheld module (3, 17) storing an operator code associable to an operator of the industrial machine;

and by the fact the remote control device (2) is operatively associated to:

a RFID-technology reader device (12) configured to exchange signals with the handheld module (3), receive, and read the operator code;

an enabling module (18) configured to enable or not enable the operator to the use of the control device (2) based on the operator code read by the reader device (12) .

2. Machining system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the remote control device (2) comprises:

operator interface means (9) configured to enable the operator to generate drive/control signals;

a transceiver module (16) configured to send said drive/control signals to the local control device (7) of the industrial machine (1).

3. Machining system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the remote control device comprises:

a processor (10) for executing a software;

a first interface software module (19) associated to a first functionality of the remote control device;

at least one second interface software module (20, 27) associated to at least one second functionality of the remote control device.

4. Machining system (100) according to claim 3, wherein the enabling module (18) is configured to enabling the execution by the processor of the first software module (19) or of the at least one second software module (20, 27) based on said operator code read by the reader device (12) .

5. Machining system (100) according to claim 3, further comprising:

a first RFID tag (25), preferably housed in a first supporting element (24), storing a first functionality code identifying the first software module (19) ;

at least one second RFID tag (29), preferably housed in a second support element, storing a second functionality code identifying the at. least one second software module (20, 27);

wherein :

the reader device (12) of the remote control device (2) is configured to be taken in the proximity of the first or of the at least one second RFID tag and to read a functionality code selected between said first and second functionality codes;

the enabling module (18) is configured to enable the execution by the processor of the first interface software module (19) or of the at least one second interface software module (20, 27) based on said selected functionality code read by the reader device (12) .

6. Machining system (100) according to claim 3, wherein the first functionality and said at least one second functionality refers to the industrial machine and belong to the group comprising: a control functionality, a service functionality, a monitoring functionality of the industrial machine, a handling functionality of the industrial machine, a test functionality, a functionality for selecting programs, a functionality for analyzing error states, a functionality for exchanging tools, a functionality for displaying state parameters of the industrial machine.

7. Machining system (100) according to at least claim 1, the remote control device (2) and handheld module (3, 17) are configured to execute a procedure of preliminarily recognizing the handheld module (3, 17) comprising the steps of:

transmitting by a RFID-technology transponder included in the remote control device (2), a signal having a recognition password;

receiving at the handheld module (3) the recognition password and verifying if the password has been recognized at the handheld module;

in case the password has been recognized, sending the operator code by the handheld mode.

8. Machining system (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the machining system is provided with means for storing and reading data regarding the resulted enabling and resulted use of the drive device and of the industrial machine by the operator.

9. Machining system (100) according to at least claim 2, wherein the remote control device (2) is configured to send drive/control signals to the local control device (7) upon acceptance of the first interface software module or the at least one second interface software module by the operator.

10. Machining system (100) according to at least claim 4, further comprising a housing provided with at least one wall acting as a shield against the electromagnetic waves and adapted to contain the first RFID tag (25); said at least one wall being such to prevent the first code identifying the first functional group from being read by said reader device when the first RFID tag (25) is located in said housing.

11. Machining system (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the remote control device (2) is provided with means for housing said at least one handheld module (3) and/or a RFID tag between said first (25) and second RFID tags (29) and configured to enable a cyclical reading of the handheld module and/or RFID tag by the reader device in order to stop enabled operations if the handheld module and/or RFID tag is removed from the housing means.

12. Kit for driving a mechatronics system for machining objects (100), the kit comprising:

a remote control device (2) of an industrial machine

(l) ;

characterized by the fact it comprises:

at least one RFID-technology handheld module (3, 3' ) storing an operator code associable to an operator of the industrial machine; and by the fact the remote control device (2) is operatively associated to:

a RFID-technology reader device (12) configured to: exchange signals with the handheld module (3), receive, and read the operator code;

an enabling module (18) configured to enable or not enable the operator to the use of the control device (2) based on the operator code read by the reader device (12).

13. Driving kit according to claim 12, wherein the remote control device (2) comprises:

a processor (10) for executing a software;

14. Driving kit according to claim 13, wherein the enabling module (18) is configured to enable the execution by the processor of the first interface software module (19) or the at least one second interface software module (20, 27) based on said operator code.

15. Driving kit according to claim 14, further comprising : a first RFID tag (25) storing a first functionality code identifying the first interface software module (19) ;

at least one second RFID tag (29) storing a second functionality code identifying the at least one second interface software module (20, 27);

wherein:

the reader device (12) of the remote control module (2) is configured to be taken in proximity of the first or of the at least one second RFID tags and read a functionality code selected between the first and second functionality codes;

the enabling module (18) is configured to enable the execution by the processor of the first software module (19) or the at least one second software module (20, 27) based on said selected functionality code.