Multi-level energy demand optimizer system for machine tool controls

The need to increase resource and energy efficiency for a sustainable production has led to saving potential analyses and afterwards saving strategies in a multitude of disciplines: product design, supply chain management, process chain design, production process development, energy-optimal machine or component control and even machine tool and component design. Each of those strategies resulted in numerous improvements, however, they still lack reciprocal consideration. To overcome this deficit, a machine-independent energy control system to include any control- or operation-based energy optimizer will be introduced in this paper. It is based on real-time control information from the machine and software-based energy demand optimizers targeting the machining process, the machine tool components control as well as the overlaying production process. The control system itself ensures the correct cooperative operation of the three optimizer types, to enable the much needed reciprocal consideration of the optimizer's effects.