An intelligent CNC controller using cloud knowledge base

CNC machine tool plays a vital role in intelligent manufacturing, but up to now, CNC controller, which works as the “brain” of the machine tool, is just a loyal executor of machining command without intelligence. This paper is aimed to improve the intelligence of CNC controller from the aspect of machining process planning, which has a great effect on product quality and production efficiency. A STEP-compliant data model is adopted. Compared to previous STEP-NC controller, this paper presents a new paradigm to integrate the ability of autonomous process planning into CNC controller based on cloud knowledge base. A hierarchical and modular architecture is designed to obtain machining process planning from cloud knowledge base timely and to conduct the machining implementation on shop floor. Furthermore, efficient and matching operation mechanism is researched. It offers a proposal to use cloud knowledge to implement intelligent manufacturing. Finally, a case study is demonstrated to verify the feasibility of this intelligent CNC controller.