The Mechanism for Synchronizing CNC System with External Devices by Using a Part Program

The problem of synchronizing parallel tasks in control systems at the level of the part program is reviewed. A general solution, based on a high-level part programming language extension, is proposed for synchronizing parallel tasks within one control system as well as tasks performed by several different control systems. A scheme for synchronizing the CNC with external autonomous devices through the Common PLC Memory, to which the part program, the PLC program and the inputs and outputs (I/Os) of electric automation have access, has been developed. A set of functions in a high-level part programming language, providing zeroing a certain number of bytes, writing bit, byte, long and float data types to the Common PLC Memory and reading them from it, has been implemented. As a part of practical research, a test stand on the basis of the AxiOMA Control CNC system, that controls actuators via the EtherCAT protocol, was assembled; master and slave part programs were implemented; tests, confirming the operability of the mechanism for synchronizing CNC system with external devices by using a part program, were carried out.