Tool exchange optimization system

Abstract

To provide a technique which prevents deterioration of productivity and an operation rate of a processing machine caused by delay in tool exchange in the processing machine.SOLUTION: A tool exchange optimization system includes a processing machine, a plurality of tools, a display part which instructs a worker to perform tool exchange, and a first control unit which acquires a processing schedule of the processing machine. The processing schedule includes, in a planned processing period, information of a planned tool use period in the processing machine and a planned work period including a period in which tool exchange is preformed by the worker. The worker performs tool exchange based on the planned work period before the planned use period. The first control unit determines, based on life time and use records of the tools, a life residual time set as a period until the tool exchange is needed, determines a tool exchange deadline based on the life residual time and the planned use period, and determines an exchange schedule in which tool exchange of the tools including a first tool having the closest exchange deadline is preferentially instructed to display the exchange schedule on the display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tool change optimization system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the conventional flexible manufacturing system, there is a technique for adjusting the order of processing, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1. In the following description, the flexible manufacturing system is also called FMS (Flexible Manufacturing System). In the FMS, a cell controller controls a conveyor to convey workpieces to a processing machine based on a preset production plan. Patent Document 1 further describes that when a processing machine becomes unable to perform processing due to the end of a tool's life or breakage, the cell controller warns an operator of the abnormality. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6427866 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an abnormality warning such as tool life or tool breakage is received, tool replacement is necessary. However, when multiple tool replacements become necessary, the worker must determine the priority of tool replacement. The priority of tool replacement is determined based on the tool life and the timing of tool use. Furthermore, when multiple processing machines are present, the worker must also consider the priority between the processing machines. Conventionally, the priority of tool replacement has been determined by the worker's judgment.

[0005] Therefore, depending on the experience and ability of the worker, delays in tool replacement may occur, resulting in a deterioration in productivity and the operating rate of the processing machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0007] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a tool change optimization system is provided. The tool change optimization system includes one or more processing machines that process a plurality of workpieces, a plurality of tools used in the one or more processing machines and that are targets of the tool change, a display unit that instructs an operator to change the tools, and a first control unit that acquires a processing schedule of the one or more processing machines. The processing schedule includes at least information on a planned use period of each of the plurality of tools in each of the one or more processing machines during a predetermined planned processing period, and a planned work period that includes a period during which the operator will perform the tool change. The operator performs the tool change based on the planned work period before the planned use period. The first control unit determines a remaining life time of the tool as the period until the tool needs to be replaced based on a predetermined life time of the tool and the usage history obtained from the machining schedule, determines a replacement deadline for the tool in the planned machining period based on the remaining life time and the planned usage period, on the condition that the remaining life time is shorter than the total time of the planned usage period, determines a replacement schedule that gives priority to the tool replacement of one or more tools among the multiple tools, including a first tool whose replacement deadline is closest, and displays the replacement schedule on the display unit. The remaining life time until tool replacement is required can be determined from the period of tool usage history. Therefore, the first control unit in the tool replacement optimization system determines the remaining life time of the tool from the life time of each tool and usage history. Furthermore, the first control unit can determine the replacement deadline until tool replacement is required by acquiring a machining schedule including the planned future tool usage period. Therefore, the first control unit can instruct tool replacement to be prioritized based on the replacement deadline. Therefore, by adopting such a form, the tool replacement optimization system disclosed herein can instruct tool replacement regardless of the experience or ability of the worker, thereby preventing a deterioration in productivity and the operating rate of the processing machine. (2) In the above embodiment, the first control unit may display the machining schedule and the replacement schedule in parallel on the display unit. By adopting such a configuration, the tool replacement optimization system of the present disclosure displays the machining schedule and the replacement schedule in parallel. Therefore, an operator can compare the two at the same time, and can easily determine the timing of tool replacement while taking the machining schedule into consideration. (3) In the above embodiment, the first control unit may further display the specifications of the tool when the display unit displays the tool replacement schedule. With this configuration, the tool replacement optimization system of the present disclosure facilitates tool replacement when the tool specifications need to be confirmed at the time of tool replacement. (4) In the above embodiment, the one or more processing machines may be a plurality of processing machines, the one or more tools including the first tool may be a plurality of tools including the first tool, and the first control unit may prioritize one or more second tools to be used next by a first processing machine that uses the first tool first among the plurality of tools including the first tool, over a third tool other than the first tool and the second tool among the plurality of tools. By adopting such a configuration, when replacing the first tool that is due for replacement soon, the worker can also replace the second tool used in the same processing machine. Therefore, the tool replacement optimization system disclosed herein may be able to reduce the preparation period associated with tool replacement that occurs for each processing machine, for example, when replacing a tool. (5) In the above embodiment, the machining schedule may further include information on a planned frequency of use of the tools, the one or more tools including the first tool may be a plurality of tools including the first tool, and the first control unit may prioritize one or more tools including a tool with the highest frequency of use among the plurality of tools including the first tool. With this configuration, the tool replacement optimization system of the present disclosure prioritizes tools with a high frequency of use for tool replacement, thereby reducing the possibility of not being able to secure a period for tool replacement within a planned machining period. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanation showing a system configuration of a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device. [Diagram 3] 1 is a table showing a processing schedule. [Figure 4] 1 is a flow chart showing process steps of the tool change optimization system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing remaining life time. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an exchange deadline and an exchange schedule. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of a display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A. First embodiment: A1. System configuration: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a system according to a first embodiment. A tool change optimization system 11 is realized by the configuration of a flexible manufacturing system. A flexible manufacturing system is a manufacturing system capable of handling the production of a wide variety of products and small quantities of products. That is, the flexible manufacturing system produces a plurality of types of workpieces W based on a predetermined production plan. The tool change optimization system 11 instructs the replacement of a tool 120 used in the flexible manufacturing system. FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a flexible manufacturing system including the configuration of the tool change optimization system 11.

[0010] The tool change optimization system 11 includes a processing machine 110 , a tool 120 , a display unit 130 , a pallet 140 , a shelf for storing the pallet 150 , a conveying device 160 , a loading station 170 , and a control device 180 .

[0011] The processing machine 110 processes a plurality of unmachined workpieces W. For example, the processing machine 110 is a machining center. That is, the processing machine 110 uses a plurality of tools 120. The processing machine 110 is connected to a control device 180, which will be described later. The processing machine 110 performs processing according to instructions from the control device 180. The processing machine 110 is made up of two machines, a first processing machine 111 and a second processing machine 112.

[0012] The tool 120 is used by the processing machine 110 to process the workpiece W. The tool 120 is, for example, a cutting tool such as a drill or a milling cutter. In processing by the processing machine 110, a plurality of tools 120 are used. The plurality of tools 120 are shared by the first processing machine 111 and the second processing machine 112.

[0013] The tool 120 is a target of tool replacement by the tool replacement optimization system 11. This tool replacement is performed by the operator H according to the state of the tool 120. More specifically, this tool replacement is performed for the tool 120 that needs to be replaced due to wear of the tool 120. Therefore, this tool replacement is not a replacement of the tool 120 automatically performed by the processing machine 110 according to the workpiece W. For example, the operator H replaces the tool 120 stored in the tool magazine 110a. Then, the tool 120 is attached to the tool spindle of the processing machine 110 from the tool magazine 110a by the automatic tool changer (ATC) of the processing machine 110. The tool storage device may be a turret type or the like.

[0014] The tool 120 has a predetermined life time D190a. The life time D190a is the time until the life of the tool 120 is reached due to wear. Therefore, the tool is replaced before the life time D190a ends. The life time D190a is stored in the control device 180 before the tool 120 is used for the first time. In the description of this embodiment, the "period" is used as information including time and duration. Furthermore, the "time" is used as information indicating the length of the period.

[0015] A management number is set for the tool 120. The management number is a number for identifying the tool 120. The management number is set by the control device 180, which will be described later. In the description of this embodiment, the tool 120 is composed of a first tool 121, a second tool 122, and a third tool 123. In the description of this embodiment, the reference numerals of each tool 120 are also used as the management number.

[0016] The loading station 170 is a place where an operator H performs an operation of attaching and detaching an unprocessed workpiece W to and from a pallet 140. In the first embodiment, two loading stations 170 are provided, a first loading station 171 and a second loading station 172. An operator H is positioned at each loading station 170.

[0017] The display unit 130 instructs the worker H at the loading station 170 to perform the work. More specifically, the display unit 130 instructs the worker H to attach and remove the unmachined workpiece W from the pallet 140. Furthermore, the display unit 130 instructs the worker H to change tools. The display unit 130 is, for example, a monitor. The display unit 130 is installed at the loading station 170. The display unit 130 is connected to the control device 180. Thus, in response to an instruction from the control device 180, the display unit 130 displays information indicating the time for tool change. The information indicating the time for tool change is a machining schedule D190c and a change schedule D190f, which will be described later.

[0018] The pallet storage shelf 150 stores a plurality of pallets 140. The pallets 140 are tables for fixing the workpieces W. In Fig. 1, the pallets 140 on which the workpieces W are placed are hatched.

[0019] The transport device 160 transports the pallets 140. More specifically, the transport device 160 exchanges the pallets 140 between the pallet storage shelf 150, the loading station 170, and the processing machine 110. In Fig. 1, the transport device 160 moves along rails Ra laid to the respective positions of the pallet storage shelf 150, the loading station 170, and the processing machine 110.

[0020] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 180. The control device 180 controls a flexible manufacturing system. For example, the control device 180 is a cell controller. More specifically, the control device 180 generates information related to processing by the processing machine 110 and work by the worker H. This information includes a processing schedule D190c. The processing schedule D190c will be described in detail later. The control device 180 instructs processing based on the processing schedule D190c.

[0021] The control device 180 is connected to the processing machine 110, the display unit 130, and the transport device 160. The control device 180 includes a processor 181, a ROM 182, and a RAM 183.

[0022] The processor 181 realizes the functions of each unit by executing various programs stored in the ROM 182. The processor 181 stores information required for processing using the RAM 183. The processor 181 includes a first control unit 181a as a functional unit that controls the tool change optimization system 11. The specific functions of the first control unit 181a will be described in detail later.

[0023] The ROM 182 is a read-only semiconductor memory, and stores a control program for controlling the tool change optimization system 11 in advance.

[0024] The RAM 183 includes a main memory which is a semiconductor memory, and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk or a solid state drive. The RAM 183 stores information related to the processing by the processing machine 110 and the work by the worker H described above.

[0025] The above-mentioned life time D190a and usage record D190b are stored in advance in the RAM 183. The usage record D190b is a usage record D190b obtained from a machining schedule D190c so far for the tool 120 determined by the control device 180. More specifically, the usage record D190b is information determined as the usage record D190b by the control device 180 by storing an accumulation of a period based on the machining schedule D190c so far for each tool 120.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a table showing the processing schedule D190c. The processing schedule D190c shows the period of processing by the processing machine 110 and work by the worker H. More specifically, the processing schedule D190c is information including a planned work period D190ca and a planned use period D190cb. In the drawings, in order to facilitate understanding of the technology, the first loading station 171 and the second loading station 172 are represented as LD1 and LD2, respectively. Similarly, the first processing machine 111 and the second processing machine 112 are represented as MC1 and MC2, respectively. The control device 180 periodically generates the processing schedule D190c. For example, the control device 180 generates the processing schedule D190c every minute.

[0027] In FIG. 3, the planned processing period in the processing schedule D190c is a predetermined period related to processing by the worker H or the processing machine 110. For example, the planned processing period is determined based on the working hours of the worker H. The planned work period D190ca and the planned use period D190cb are set between the planned processing period. In this embodiment, in order to facilitate understanding of the technology, the planned processing period is set to three hours starting from 13:00. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the period set based on the planned processing period is set in 15-minute increments.

[0028] The planned work period D190ca is a period including a period during which the worker H performs tool replacement. More specifically, the planned work period D190ca represents a period during which the worker H performs work at the loading station 170 and a period during which the worker H does not perform work. The tool replacement work is performed during a period during which the worker H does not perform work at the loading station 170. That is, the worker H performs the tool replacement work when there is an empty space in the work at the loading station 170. The hatching in FIG. 3 indicates a period during which the worker H does not perform work at the loading station 170. That is, the planned work period D190ca includes information on a plurality of start dates and lengths of time in the planned machining period.

[0029] The planned use period D190cb represents a period during which each of the multiple tools 120 in each of the multiple processing machines 110 is used. That is, the planned use period D190cb is also a period during which the workpiece W is processed by each of the processing machines 110, the first processing machine 111 and the second processing machine 112. Hatching in FIG. 3 represents a period during which the tool 120 is used. Furthermore, in FIG. 3, the symbols of each tool are shown to represent the period for each of the first tool 121 to the third tool 123. That is, the planned use period D190cb includes information on multiple start dates and time lengths in the planned processing period.

[0030] The period during which the tool 120 is used includes the period required for machining by the processing machine 110 and the preparation period for the same. That is, even during the period during which the tool 120 is used, the worker H may change the tool. Preparation for machining by the processing machine 110 includes, for example, changing the pallet 140 or the tool 120.

[0031] A2. About the process of tool change optimization system: 4 is a flowchart showing the process of the tool exchange optimization system 11. The tool exchange optimization system 11 optimizes tool exchange on the condition that the machining schedule D190c is acquired. That is, the first control unit 181a starts the process when the control device 180 generates the machining schedule D190c.

[0032] 4, the first control unit 181a acquires a processing schedule D190c. More specifically, the first control unit 181a acquires a period during which the worker H does not work at the first loading station 171 and the second loading station 172, based on the planned work period D190ca. Furthermore, the first control unit 181a acquires a period during which the workpiece W is processed by each of the first processing machine 111 and the second processing machine 112, based on the planned use period D190cb.

[0033] In step S120 of Fig. 4, the first control unit 181a acquires the life time D190a for each of the multiple tools 120 pre-stored in the control device 180. In the following description, the life times D190a of the first tool 121 to the third tool 123 are represented as life times D191a to D193a, respectively. For example, the first control unit 181a acquires the life time D191a of the first tool 121. Similarly, in the following description, the contents of the process will be described using the first tool 121 as a representative example.

[0034] 4, the first control unit 181a acquires usage history D190b for each of the multiple tools 120 pre-stored in the control device 180. In the following description, the usage history D190b for the first tool 121 to the third tool 123 are respectively referred to as usage history D191b to usage history D193b. The first control unit 181a acquires the usage history D191b for the first tool 121.

[0035] 4, the first control unit 181a determines a remaining life time D190d as a period until tool replacement is required based on the life time D190a and the usage history D190b. In the following description, the remaining life times D190d of the first tool 121 to the third tool 123 are respectively represented as remaining life times D191d to D193d.

[0036] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the remaining life time D190d. More specifically, the first control unit 181a calculates the remaining life time D190d by subtracting the usage record D190b from the life time D190a. In Fig. 5, the remaining life time D190d of each of the first tool 121 to the third tool 123 is illustrated. Thus, the first control unit 181a determines the remaining life time D191d for the first tool 121.

[0037] In step S150 of FIG. 4, the first control unit 181a compares the remaining life time D190d with the total time of the planned use period D190cb. The total time of the planned use period D190cb is the total length of the period in the planned processing period. If the remaining life time D190d is shorter than the total time of the planned use period D190cb, the first control unit 181a advances the process to step S160. If the remaining life time D190d is longer than the total time of the planned use period D190cb, the first control unit 181a advances the process to step S120.

[0038] 4, the first control unit 181a determines a replacement deadline D190e of the tool 120 in the planned machining period based on the remaining life time D190d and the planned use period D190cb. More specifically, the first control unit 181a determines the start of a period in the planned use period D190cb that is immediately before a period that reaches the same length of time as the remaining life time D190d, as the replacement deadline D190e.

[0039] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the replacement deadline D190e and the replacement schedule D190f. For example, in FIG. 6, the period in which the first tool 121 reaches the same length of time as the remaining life time D191d is between 13:30 and 13:45. In this case, the first control unit 181a determines the replacement deadline D190e to be 13:30, which is the start time immediately before. Furthermore, the period in which the second tool 122 reaches the same length of time as the remaining life time D192d is between 14:15 and 14:30. Therefore, the first control unit 181a determines the replacement deadline D190e to be 14:15, which is the start time immediately before. In the row of the replacement deadline D190e in FIG. 6, the end of the hatched range represents the replacement deadline D190e of each tool 120.

[0040] The replacement deadline D190e indicates a time point until the remaining life time D190d is reached during the planned processing period. That is, the worker H needs to replace the corresponding tool 120 among the multiple tools 120 by the replacement deadline D190e.

[0041] 4, the first control unit 181a checks the remaining tools 120 for which the replacement deadline D190e has not been determined among the multiple tools 120. If there are any remaining tools 120, the first control unit 181a advances the process to step S120. If there are no remaining tools 120, the first control unit 181a advances the process to step S180.

[0042] In step S180 in FIG. 4, the first control unit 181a determines an exchange schedule D190f that gives priority to instructing tool exchange of the multiple tools 120 including the tool 120 with the nearest exchange deadline D190e among the multiple tools 120. For example, in FIG. 6, the tool 120 with the nearest exchange deadline D190e is the first tool 121. Therefore, the first control unit 181a gives priority to instructing the tool 120 including the first tool 121. In FIG. 6, the exchange schedule D190f is divided based on the exchange deadline D190e for each tool 120. That is, the first control unit 181a instructs tool exchange of the multiple tools 120 including the first tool 121 at the earliest time in the planned machining period.

[0043] More specifically, the first control unit 181a determines the priority order of the multiple tools 120 including the first tool 121 according to the length until the replacement deadline D190e. The length until the replacement deadline D190e is longest in the order of the first tool 121 to the third tool 123. Therefore, the first control unit 181a determines the priority order in the order of the first tool 121 to the third tool 123 so that the tool replacement is prioritized for the tool 120 whose replacement deadline D190e is close. In the replacement schedule D190f of FIG. 6, the higher the tier, the higher the priority order.

[0044] The first control unit 181a performs the same process in a period after the replacement deadline D190e of the first tool 121. That is, the first control unit 181a instructs, with priority, tool replacement of the multiple tools 120 including the second tool 122 whose replacement deadline D190e is the closest in a period after the replacement deadline D190e of the first tool 121. Furthermore, the first control unit 181a determines the priority order of the multiple tools 120 according to the length of the replacement deadline D190e.

[0045] In step S190 of FIG. 4, the first control unit 181a displays the replacement schedule D190f on the display unit 130. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of the display unit 130. More specifically, the first control unit 181a displays the processing schedule D190c including the planned work period D190ca and the planned use period D190cb and the replacement schedule D190f in a state of being arranged in parallel. The state of being arranged in parallel is a state in which the time series of the processing schedule D190c and the time series of the replacement schedule D190f are matched.

[0046] In FIG. 7, the replacement schedule D190f is displayed adjacent to the planned work period D190ca so that the worker H can easily check the planned work period D190ca and the replacement schedule D190f.

[0047] As described above, the remaining life time D190d until tool replacement is required can be determined from the period as the usage record D190b of the tool 120. Therefore, the first control unit 181a in the tool replacement optimization system 11 determines the remaining life time D190d of the tool 120 from the life time D191a and usage record D190b of each tool 120. Furthermore, the first control unit 181a can determine the replacement deadline D190e until tool replacement is required by acquiring the processing schedule D190c including the future planned usage period D190cb of the tool 120. Therefore, the first control unit 181a can instruct the tool replacement to be prioritized based on the replacement deadline D190e. Therefore, by adopting such a form, the tool replacement optimization system 11 of the present disclosure can instruct tool replacement regardless of the experience or ability of the worker H, thereby preventing the productivity and the operating rate of the processing machine 110 from deteriorating.

[0048] Furthermore, the tool change optimization system 11 of the present disclosure displays the machining schedule D190c and the change schedule D190f in parallel. Therefore, the worker H can compare the two at the same time, and can easily determine the timing of tool change while taking into account the machining schedule D190c.

[0049] B. Other embodiments: In the above embodiment, the first control unit 181a may cause the display unit 130 to display the specifications of the tool 120 when the replacement schedule D190f is displayed by the display unit 130. For example, the control device 180 includes an input unit such as a mouse, and the first control unit 181a displays the specifications of the tool 120 in response to a command from the worker H. More specifically, the first control unit 181a displays the specifications of the tool 120 in response to the worker H selecting a tool number on the screen of the display unit 130. The specifications of the tool 120 include, for example, the type and size of the tool 120, and a detailed time of the replacement deadline D190e.

[0050] By adopting such a configuration, the tool change optimization system 11 of the present disclosure facilitates tool change when it is necessary to check the specifications of the tool 120 at the time of tool change.

[0051] C. Other embodiments: In the above embodiment, the first control unit 181a determines the priority order of the multiple tools 120 including the first tool 121 according to the length of the replacement deadline D190e. However, the first control unit 181a may determine the priority order in another manner.

[0052] C1. Alternative embodiment 1: The first control unit 181a prioritizes the second tool 122, which is used next after the first tool 121 by the first processing machine 111 that uses the first tool 121 first among the multiple tools 120 including the first tool 121 with the closest replacement deadline D190e, over the third tool 123 among the multiple tools 120 other than the first tool 121 and the second tool 122. In other words, the first control unit 181a may determine the priority order of tool replacement so that the tools 120 used by the same processing machine 110 are prioritized.

[0053] With this configuration, when changing the first tool 121 whose replacement deadline D190e is the nearest, the operator H can also change the second tool 122 used in the same processing machine 110. Therefore, the tool change optimization system 11 disclosed herein may be able to reduce the preparation time required for tool change for each processing machine 110, for example.

[0054] C2. Alternative embodiment 2: The first control unit 181a may determine the priority order of tool replacement based on the scheduled use frequency of the tool 120. The scheduled use frequency of the tool 120 is the frequency of use of the tool 120 that is scheduled in the future, which is determined in advance based on the frequency of use of the tool 120 obtained from the machining schedule D190c so far. For example, the scheduled use frequency of the tool 120 for the next month is determined based on the frequency of use of the tool 120 for one month. That is, since the machining schedule D190c also includes the scheduled use frequency of the tool 120, the first control unit 181a prioritizes the multiple tools 120 including the tool 120 with the highest frequency of use among the multiple tools 120 including the first tool 121. For example, when the frequency of use decreases in the order of the first tool 121 to the third tool 123, the first control unit 181a may determine the priority order in the order of the first tool 121 to the third tool 123.

[0055] By adopting this configuration, the tool replacement optimization system 11 disclosed herein prioritizes tool replacement of frequently used tools 120, thereby reducing the possibility of not being able to secure time for tool replacement within the planned processing period.

[0056] C3. Alternative embodiment 3: As another embodiment, for example, the first control unit 181a may determine the priority order in the order of the tool 120 having the shortest life time D190a. Furthermore, the priority order may be determined in the order of the tool 120 management numbers by determining the management numbers of the tools 120 in advance according to the types and applications of the tools 120.

[0057] D. Other embodiments: (1) In the above embodiment, the tool exchange optimization system 11 is realized by the configuration of a flexible manufacturing system. However, the tool exchange optimization system 11 may be realized by a single processing machine 110 by providing a control device of the processing machine 110 with the first control unit 181a. Furthermore, the tool exchange optimization system 11 may be realized by a VPP (Virtual Power Plant). In the VPP system, the object of exchange corresponding to the tool is a storage battery. For example, the tool exchange optimization system in the VPP system determines the exchange deadline and exchange schedule of the storage battery based on the period of output planned by the storage battery and the remaining life time of the storage battery. In the tool exchange optimization system in the VPP system, a control unit corresponding to the first control unit 181a is provided in a cloud server that controls the VPP system. The control unit instructs the worker to exchange by displaying the exchange schedule on a display unit of the equipment that manages the storage battery. (2) In the above embodiment, the first control unit 181a is a functional unit in the processor 181 of the control device 180. However, the first control unit 181a may be included in another control device connected to the control device 180. For example, the first control unit 181a may be realized by a general-purpose computer different from the control device 180. (3) In the above embodiment, the processing machine 110 is a machining center, but it may be another machine tool. For example, the processing machine 110 may be an NC machine tool that does not automatically switch the tool 120, or a manually operated shearing machine. Furthermore, the processing machine 110 may be a machine tool that uses a tool other than a cutting tool. For example, the processing machine 110 may be a welding machine that uses an electrode as the tool 120, or a press machine that uses a die as the tool 120. (4) In the above embodiment, two processing machines 110, a first processing machine 111 and a second processing machine 112, are used. However, the number of processing machines 110 may be one or more. In other words, the number of processing machines 110 may be one or three. (5) In the above embodiment, the other period set based on the scheduled processing period is set in 15-minute increments. However, this other period is not limited to 15-minute increments. This other period may be set in 1-minute increments or 1-second increments. (6) In the above embodiment, the first control unit 181a displays the processing schedule D190c and the replacement schedule D190f in a state where they are arranged side by side on the display unit 130. However, the first control unit 181a does not have to display them in a state where they are arranged side by side. In other words, the first control unit 181a may display the replacement schedule D190f in a state where the time series of the processing schedule D190c and the replacement schedule D190f do not match. For example, the first control unit 181a may display the processing schedule D190c and the replacement schedule D190f on different display screens.

[0058] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 11...Optimization system, 110...Processing machine, 110a...Tool magazine, 111...First processing machine, 112...Second processing machine, 121...First tool, 122...Second tool, 123...Third tool, 130...Display unit, 140...Pallet, 150...Pallet storage shelf, 160...Transport device, 170...Loading station, 171...First loading station, 172...Second loading station, 180...Control device, 181...Process 181a...first control unit, 182...ROM, 183...RAM, D190a, D191a to D193a...life time, D190b, D191b to D193b...usage record, D190c...machining schedule, D190ca...planned work period, D190cb...planned use period, D190d, D191d to D193d...remaining life time, D190e...replacement deadline, D190f...replacement schedule, H...operator, Ra...rail, W...workpiece

Claims

1. 1. A tool change optimization system, comprising: One or more machines for processing a plurality of workpieces; A plurality of tools to be used in the one or more processing machines, the plurality of tools being targets of the tool replacement; A display unit that instructs an operator to replace the tool; A first control unit that acquires a processing schedule of the one or more processing machines, The processing schedule includes, during a predetermined processing planned period, A planned usage period of each of the plurality of tools in each of the one or more processing machines; and A planned work period including a period during which the worker performs the tool change, The worker performs the tool replacement based on the planned work period before the planned use period, The first control unit is determining a remaining life of the tool as a period until the tool needs to be replaced based on a predetermined life of the tool and a usage record obtained from the machining schedule; determining a replacement deadline for the tool during the planned machining period based on the remaining life time and the planned use period, on the condition that the remaining life time is shorter than a total time of the planned use periods; determining a tool replacement schedule that gives priority to the tool replacement of one or more tools including a first tool having the closest replacement due date among the plurality of tools; A tool replacement optimization system that displays the replacement schedule on the display unit.

2. 2. The tool change optimization system of claim 1, A tool replacement optimization system, wherein the first control unit displays the machining schedule and the replacement schedule in parallel on the display unit.

3. 3. The tool change optimization system according to claim 2, The first control unit further displays specifications of the tools when the tool replacement schedule is displayed by the display unit.

4. A tool change optimization system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: The one or more processing machines are a plurality of processing machines, The one or more tools including the first tool are a plurality of tools including the first tool, The first control unit is configured to select, from among a plurality of tools including the first tool, A tool replacement optimization system that gives priority to one or more second tools to be used next by a first machining machine that uses the first tool first, over a third tool other than the first tool and the second tool among the multiple tools.

5. A tool change optimization system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: The machining schedule further includes information on a planned frequency of use of the tool, The one or more tools including the first tool are a plurality of tools including the first tool, The first control unit is configured to select, from among a plurality of tools including the first tool, A tool change optimization system that prioritizes one or more tools, including the most frequently used tool.

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