Function Block-Enabled Integration

Function Block Structure

Being an atomic distributable and executable control function unit, a function block instance can encapsulate a part of machining process data (e.g. slot roughing, pocket finishing, and hole drilling, etc.) for a given machining feature. It comprises of an individual, named copy of the data structure specified by its function block type, which persists from one invocation of the function block to the next. Figure 1 illustrates both the basic (left) and composite (right) function blocks.

Figure 1.

Function block structure ©2006, IEEE used with permission

A function block, especially the basic function block, can have multiple outputs with internal state information hidden. This means a function block can generate different outputs even if the same inputs are applied. This characteristic is of vital importance for automatic cutting condition generation/modification, after an NC program has been downloaded to a CNC controller, by changing the internal state of a function block (a machining process). For example, an NC program for the same pocket roughing can be used by two different milling machines with different cutting conditions, simply by adjusting the internal state variable of the function block instances. Similar to object-oriented definitions, a function block type can be considered as a class, and a particular function block is the instance of that class. For example, a pocket milling function block can be used for either roughing or finishing depending on the message received. However, different from the object-oriented approach, the behaviour of a function block is controlled internally by a state machine whose operation can be represented by an execution control chart (ECC). Each basic function block is an atomic unit for execution. Composite function blocks may require a multi-threaded concurrent execution model due to the complex event flow. The event flow determines the scheduling and execution of machining operations specified by the algorithms (methods) in basic function blocks. It can also provide signals to maintain or change the internal state variables. In terms of machining process encapsulation, basic function blocks encapsulate both the data and functions of machining process, whereas composite function blocks only encapsulate basic function blocks.

Not only can function blocks encapsulate machining processes, they can also provide support for their communications. The ECC for the state machine of a function block can be used to control their internal algorithms. Figure 2 shows a typical example of an ECC for pocket roughing (Xu, Wang & Rong, 2006). Being a (representation of a) finite state machine, an ECC is made up of EC (Execution control) states, EC transitions, and EC actions. The initial EC state, START in this example, cannot have any EC actions associated with it. The occurrence of an event input, such as PI_Init and PI_Cut, causes the ECC to be invoked and the input variables (tool#, key_para, etc.) to be mapped. The EC transitions use a Boolean combination of conditions that may be comprised of event inputs, input variables, output variables, and internal variables. A triggered EC transition causes a change of EC state and this leads to the execution of an associated EC action, Init or Cut in this case. The EC action then sends out an event, PO_Init or PO_Cut, upon completion.

Figure 2.

Execution control mechanism

It is anticipated that in the future CNC controllers may have function blocks as part of their device firmware or provide function block libraries from which function blocks can be selected and downloaded. However, to better utilize the legacy machine tools, vendor or user extensions to the standard G-codes could be encapsulated by function blocks and distributed to end-users to be directly utilized by their machining applications.