Numerical control system for highly dynamic processes

Abstract

A numerical control system performs path interpolation calculations for the control of highly dynamic processes having different path contour geometries wherein a vector having a length L connects in linear form a first point P1 to a second point P2. These points are located in three dimensional Cartesian space having axes x, y, and z. Length L has Cartesian components X, Y and Z and is subject to an angular rotation C about the z axis. The system also has process parameters S and K wherein S is an address identifying the parameter to be modified and K identifies the modified parameter value. A coarse interpolator outputs the path elements L, X, Y, Z and C and the parameters S and K between path increments as course interpolations which are a function of the path contour geometry but are independent of time frame. A fine interpolator having an intermediate memory is connected downstream from the course interpolator. The fine interpolator outputs the path elements and parameters as fine interpolations. The intermediate memory receives, for intermediate storage and subsequent processing, the course interpolations from the course interpolator. There is no joint fixed grid frame for data exchange between the two interpolators. Control means operates in time independence from the coarse interpolator and controls the fine interpolator with its memory to perform the fine interpolation steps and the outputting of parameters S and K in real time.