System and method for maintenance and repair of cnc machines

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed providing improved maintainability for CNC machine tools with serviceable parts. An electronic manual with video, audio, and textual information is stored in memory on a computer system integrated with the CNC tool control. A first register in computer system memory stores predetermined cycle value for at least one serviceable part. A service clock accumulates information collected from tool movement data monitored using the CNC machine tool control in a second register. Maintenance events are indicated for at least one serviceable part based on a comparison of first and second register contents. A graphical display with a graphical representation of the CNC machine shows where the maintenance event has occurred and where maintenance is required with an accompanying alarm indication. Such an indication may be a visual alarm indication superimposed on the graphical display in proximity to location of maintenance event. Text, video, and audio information and instructions representative of steps involved in maintenance event are retrieved from the electronic manual in response to an alarm indication and displayed on a computer screen including a graphical display. Information from the electronic manual is further accessed in a general access mode for training or general information purposes using Hypertext link search.