NC program automatic generation system

The NC program automatic generation system addresses the challenge of automatically generating tool paths for sloped surfaces with tapered tools by converting sloped surfaces to stepped surfaces and replacing tapered tools with cylindrical tools, thereby shortening lead times in NC program creation.

JP2025148848APending Publication Date: 2025-10-08HITACHI GE NUCLEAR ENERGY LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024049173
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-26
Publication Date
2025-10-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing NC program generation systems struggle to automatically generate tool paths for machining sloped surfaces with tapered tools on 3-axis machining equipment, requiring manual intervention and prolonging lead times due to the difficulty in recognizing and processing inclined surfaces.

Method used

An NC program automatic generation system that includes a 3D model generation unit to convert sloped surfaces to stepped surfaces, a tool model generation unit to replace tapered tools with cylindrical tools, and a tool path generation unit to create tool paths for machining sloped shapes using these tools.

Benefits of technology

This system allows for the automatic generation of NC programs for machining sloped shapes with tapered forming tools, significantly reducing lead times compared to manual methods by automating the process of generating tool paths.

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Abstract

To provide an NC program automatic generation system capable of automatically generating an NC program for machining the inclined surface shape of a workpiece using a tapered shape universal tool.SOLUTION: The NC program automatic generation system includes a 3D model generation unit that generates 3D models of a workpiece and material, a tool model generation unit that generates a model of a tool shape, a tool path generation unit that generates a tool path, and an NC program conversion unit that converts the tool path into an NC program. When manufacturing a workpiece having an inclined surface shape, the 3D model generation unit generates a 3D model of the workpiece with its inclined surface shape modified into a stepped shape. The tool model generation unit generates a tool model by replacing a tapered tool with a cylindrical tool. The tool path generation unit uses the material 3D model, the workpiece 3D model, and the tool model to generate a tool path for creating the inclined surface shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic NC program generation system for automatically generating an NC program using a 3D model. [Background technology]

[0002] Automatic generation of NC programs using 3D models is mainly targeted at 3-axis machining equipment, and is used to machine shapes composed of surfaces perpendicular to the tool axis. Therefore, it is difficult to recognize surfaces that intersect diagonally with the tool axis, and even if they can be recognized, they are machined using a ball end mill. When machining a sloped surface using a ball end mill, obtaining a machined surface with a small cusp height requires a large number of tool paths (paths along which the tool moves), which results in a long machining time.

[0003] A V-groove for welding is an example of a part shape with a sloped surface. The sloped shape of a V-groove is welded on the surface, so finishing is not required and it can be completed with rough processing. To machine the sloped shape of a V-groove efficiently with fewer tool paths, a formed tool with a tapered shape at the same angle as the V-groove is used. Therefore, it is necessary to generate a tool path that takes into account the formed tool.

[0004] Patent Document 1 is known as an apparatus for automatically generating a tool path (tool trajectory) using CAD. Patent Document 1 states that "the intermediate body shape data creation device is a shape data creation device for an intermediate body in which machining allowances are added to surfaces of a final body that is to be finished by cutting processing, and creates intermediate body shape data based on final body shape data in which attributes are assigned to each surface, and is characterized by having an attribute list, which is a pre-prepared list, in which machining allowance amounts are set for each attribute, and intermediate body shape data creation means, which creates intermediate body shape data in which machining allowances in amounts corresponding to the attributes are added to each surface of the final body shape based on the final body shape data and the attribute list." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-272387 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the aforementioned Patent Document 1, in the production of casting materials, it is possible to automatically assign a machining allowance amount according to each surface of the final body that is to be finished by cutting, thereby reducing human error such as forgetting to specify the machining allowance amount or specifying the wrong amount, and also making it possible to create a tool trajectory according to the shape of the intermediate body. However, in Patent Document 1, the surfaces to which machining allowance is applied are vertical and horizontal surfaces, and no examples of inclined surfaces are found. Furthermore, it is estimated that it would be difficult to create a movement trajectory for a tapered tool.

[0007] In addition, the dimensions (size) of the welded parts must be adjusted to match the parts they are attached to. Therefore, to create a tool path before converting it into an NC program, it is necessary to modify the 3D model and generate a tool path using the modified 3D model and a forming tool with a tapered shape. When automatically generating NC programs for 3-axis machining equipment, it is difficult to recognize surfaces that intersect diagonally with the tool axis and formed tools that have tapered shapes, so manual work is required to generate the NC programs. Furthermore, since the 3D model also needs to be modified, the lead time becomes longer, which is an issue.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an NC program automatic generation system that can automatically generate an NC program for machining a sloped surface shape with a tapered forming tool in the automatic generation of an NC program for three-axis machining.

[0009] The above and other objects of the present invention and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The NC program automatic generation system of the present invention is a system that automatically generates an NC program for a machining device, and includes a 3D model generation unit that generates a 3D model of the workpiece and a 3D model of the material, a tool model generation unit that generates a model of the tool shape, a tool path generation unit that generates a tool path that becomes the tool movement trajectory, and an NC program conversion unit that converts the tool path into an NC program. When the NC program automatic generation system of the present invention generates an NC program for processing a material to produce a workpiece having a sloped surface, the 3D model generation unit generates a 3D model of the workpiece by changing the sloped surface of the workpiece to a stepped surface, the tool model generation unit generates a tool model by replacing the tapered formed tool with a cylindrical tool, and the tool path generation unit uses the 3D model of the material, the 3D model of the workpiece, and the tool model to generate a tool path for producing the sloped surface using the tapered formed tool. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention described above, in the automatic generation of an NC program for machining the inclined surface shape of a workpiece with a tapered forming tool, a 3D model generation unit generates a 3D model of the workpiece in which the inclined surface shape of the workpiece is changed to a stepped shape, a tool model generation unit generates a tool model in which the tapered forming tool is replaced with a cylindrical tool, and a tool path generation unit generates a tool path for creating the inclined surface shape using the 3D model of the material, the 3D model of the workpiece, and the tool model. This allows the automatic generation of NC programs for machining sloped shapes with tapered forming tools, thereby shortening lead times compared to manually modifying 3D models and generating tool paths.

[0012] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become clear from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic NC program generation system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a workpiece having an inclined surface shape according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a 3D model of a workpiece in which the inclined surface shape of Example 1 is changed to a staircase shape. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view of a staircase shape of a 3D model of a workpiece in which the inclined surface shape of Example 1 is changed to a staircase shape. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view of a 3D model of a blank corresponding to the workpiece in Example 1 in which the slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a forming tool having a tapered shape used in Example 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing replacement of the tapered forming tool of Example 1 with a cylindrical tool. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a workpiece in which the inclined surface shape of Example 1 has been changed to a stepped shape is machined with a cylindrical tool. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a workpiece in which the slope shape of Example 1 has been changed to a staircase shape, and a tool path generated using a corresponding material and a cylindrical tool. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing machining of the inclined surface shape with a tapered forming tool using an NC program generated using a workpiece in which the inclined surface shape of Example 1 has been changed to a stepped shape, a corresponding material, and a cylindrical tool. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining a GUI screen of the NC program automatic generation system according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following describes embodiments and examples of the present invention using text and drawings. However, the structures, materials, and other specific configurations shown in the present invention are not limited to the embodiments and examples described here, and can be appropriately combined or improved within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustrations.

[0015] The NC program automatic generation system of the present invention is a system that automatically generates an NC program for a machining device. The NC program automatic generation system of the present invention includes a 3D model generation unit that generates a 3D model of a workpiece and a 3D model of a blank, a tool model generation unit that generates a model of a tool shape, a tool path generation unit that generates a tool path that is the movement trajectory of the tool, and an NC program conversion unit that converts the tool path into an NC program. When the NC program automatic generation system of the present invention generates an NC program for processing a material to produce a workpiece having a sloped surface, the 3D model generation unit generates a 3D model of the workpiece by changing the sloped surface of the workpiece to a stepped surface, the tool model generation unit generates a tool model by replacing the tapered formed tool with a cylindrical tool, and the tool path generation unit uses the 3D model of the material, the 3D model of the workpiece, and the tool model to generate a tool path for producing the sloped surface using the tapered formed tool.

[0016] According to the NC program automatic generation system of the present invention, when generating an NC program for producing a workpiece having a sloped shape, the 3D model generation unit generates a 3D model of the workpiece by changing the sloped shape of the workpiece having a sloped shape to a stepped shape, the tool model generation unit generates a tool model by replacing the tapered formed tool with a cylindrical tool, and the tool path generation unit uses the 3D model of the material, the 3D model of the workpiece, and the tool model to generate a tool path for producing the sloped shape using the tapered formed tool. This allows the automatic generation of NC programs for machining sloped shapes with tapered forming tools, thereby shortening lead times compared to manually modifying 3D models and generating tool paths.

[0017] The above-mentioned NC program automatic generation system can further be configured to include a memory unit that stores information on the dimensions of the workpiece, information on the dimensions of the blank, information on the dimensions of the formed tool, information on the processing conditions, information on the 3D model, information on the tool model, information on the tool path, and information on the NC program. In this configuration, various types of information are stored in the storage unit, and the information stored in the storage unit can be read out as needed and used to generate an NC program.

[0018] In an NC program automatic generation system of this configuration, the 3D model generation unit can further be configured to generate a staircase shape of a 3D model of the workpiece, in which the inclined surface shape of the workpiece is changed to a staircase shape, based on information on the dimensions of the workpiece and the axial cutting depth from the processing condition information. With this configuration, it is possible to easily generate a staircase shape of a 3D model of the workpiece based on information about the dimensions of the workpiece and the axial cutting depth.

[0019] In the above-described NC program automatic generation system, the tool model generation unit may be configured to make the diameter of the cylindrical tool the same as the diameter of the cutting edge tip of the tapered formed tool. In this configuration, the diameter of the cylindrical tool (tool model) is the same as the diameter of the cutting edge tip of the formed tool, so the cylindrical tool (tool model) can be easily matched to the formed tool.

[0020] In the above-described NC program automatic generation system, the 3D model generation unit can be configured to generate a 3D model of the raw material in a shape corresponding to a 3D model of the workpiece in which the slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically recognize the machining area by calculating the difference between the 3D model of the raw material and the 3D model of the workpiece in which the slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape. [Example]

[0021] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the automatic NC program generation system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Example 1 In this embodiment, an example of an NC program automatic generation system is described in which a 3D model of the workpiece and blank is automatically generated based on inputted numerical data such as dimensions, the sloped surface shape of the workpiece is changed to a stepped shape based on the axial cutting depth of the forming tool, and the tapered forming tool is further replaced with a cylindrical tool to automatically generate an NC program for machining the material with a tapered forming tool to create the sloped surface shape of the workpiece, in an NC program automatic generation targeting three-axis machining.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic NC program generation system according to a first embodiment.

[0024] The NC program automatic generation system main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured on a general-purpose computer. The hardware configuration of this NC program automatic generation system main body 1 includes a processing unit 2, a storage unit 3, an input unit 16, a display unit 17, a communication unit 18, and the like. The processing unit 2 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The storage unit 3 is configured by a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive) using a flash memory, or the like. The input unit 16 is composed of input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display unit 17 is configured by a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display, various output devices, and the like. The communication unit 18 is configured by a NIC (Network Interface Card), an input / output interface device, etc. The communication unit 18 is connected to a processing device, a server, etc. via a wired network or a wireless network, or via an individual dedicated cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, etc.

[0025] The processing unit 2 includes a 3D model generating unit 4, a tool model generating unit 5, a tool path generating unit 6, and an NC program converting unit . The processing unit 2 also uses workpiece dimension information 8, blank dimension information 9, tool dimension information 10, and machining condition information 11 stored in the storage unit 3 to perform each process. 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software is used for the 3D model generation unit 4. CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software is used for the tool model generation unit 5, tool path generation unit 6, and NC program conversion unit 7. The 3D CAD software and CAM software may be separate or integrated, as long as they can be linked together in the NC program generation system.

[0026] The memory unit 3 has memory areas for storing each piece of information: workpiece dimension information 8, raw material dimension information 9, tool dimension information 10, machining condition information 11, 3D model information 12, tool model information 13, tool path information 14, and NC program information 15.

[0027] Next, the processing procedure performed by the NC program automatic generation system 1 shown in Fig. 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the first embodiment.

[0028] 2, the NC program automatic generation system 1 is started to operate, and automatic generation of the NC program is started. Specifically, for example, the automatic generation of the NC program is started by pressing the START button on the GUI screen of the NC program automatic generation system (described later) displayed on the display unit 16.

[0029] Next, in step S02, information on workpiece dimensions, blank dimensions, tool dimensions, and machining conditions that has been input in advance into the GUI screen of the NC program automatic generation system, which will be described later, displayed on the display unit 16, is read.

[0030] Next, in step S03, 3D models of the workpiece whose slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape and the corresponding material are automatically generated based on the information on the workpiece dimensions, blank dimensions, tool dimensions, and machining conditions read in step S02. The generated 3D models are stored in the 3D model information 12 in the memory unit 3.

[0031] Next, in step S04, a tool model is generated by replacing the tapered formed tool with a cylindrical tool based on the tool dimension information read in step S02. The generated tool model is stored in the tool model information 13 in the storage unit 3.

[0032] Next, in step S05, a tool path for machining the stepped shape of the workpiece with the cylindrical tool is generated using the 3D model of the workpiece and blank in which the slope shape stored in the 3D model information 12 in the storage unit 3 has been changed to a stepped shape, the cylindrical tool stored in the tool model 13 in the storage unit 3, and the machining condition information 11 in the storage unit 3. The generated tool path is stored in the tool path information 14 in the storage unit 3.

[0033] Next, in step S06, the tool path stored in the tool path information 14 in the storage unit 3 is converted into an NC program using a post-processor suited to the machining device to be used. The converted NC program is stored in the NC program information 15 in the storage unit 3. The NC program stored in the NC program information 15 can be transferred to the machining device, a server, etc. via the communication unit 18.

[0034] By the processing procedure described above, an NC program is automatically created and the processing ends. After that, the created NC program is executed to perform the actual machining.

[0035] Next, the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a workpiece having a sloped surface shape according to this embodiment. One of the side surfaces of the workpiece 20, that is, the side surface on the near side in Fig. 3, is a sloped surface 21. This sloped surface 21 is formed by machining using a tapered forming tool. The other three side surfaces of the workpiece 20 may be vertical or inclined, and if they are inclined, the inclination angle may be the same as or different from the inclination angle of the inclined surface 21 on the front side.

[0037] 4 is a perspective view showing a 3D model of the workpiece in this example in which the slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape. The 3D model 22 shown in FIG. 4 is a 3D model in which the slope 21 shown in FIG. 3 has been changed to a staircase shape 23.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a side view of the staircase shape 23 of the 3D model 22 shown in Fig. 4. The height 24 of one step of the staircase shape 23 is set to a size that matches the axial cutting depth when machining with a tapered forming tool. 5, the staircase shape 23 is given to the slope 21 so that the apex 25 of the recess of the staircase shape 23, shown by a black circle in Fig. 5, comes into contact with the slope 21 shown by the dotted line in Fig. 5. The slope 21 shown by the dotted line in Fig. 5 corresponds to the slope 21 on the side surface of the workpiece 20 shown in Fig. 3.

[0039] 6 is a side view of a 3D model of a blank corresponding to the workpiece material that has been changed to a staircase shape. 3D model 26 of the blank has a shape that extends staircase shape 23 in the horizontal and vertical directions, and is the same shape as 3D model 22 of the workpiece material whose slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape, except for the staircase shape.

[0040] The difference 27 between the 3D model 26 of the material shown in FIG. 6 and the 3D model 22 of the workpiece in which the slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape (see FIG. 5) is the machining area.

[0041] The tool path generation unit 6 of the processing unit 2 of the NC program automatic generation system automatically calculates the difference 27 between the 3D model 22 of the workpiece, in which the slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape, and the 3D model 26 of the raw material, and recognizes the machining area. In this case, the shape is different from the shape of the raw material used in machining, which will be described later, so that one tool path is generated for each step of the staircase shape. The material shape may be the same as the material shape used in machining, or may be a different shape, as long as the desired tool path is generated.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a forming tool having a tapered shape used in this example. 7, a tapered formed tool 30 has a tapered cutting edge 31 on the outer periphery of its lower end. The inclination angle of this tapered cutting edge 31 is the same as the inclination angle of the slope of the workpiece 20. A slope shape with the same angle as the tapered cutting edge 31 is machined on the workpiece 20.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing replacement of the tapered forming tool of this embodiment with a cylindrical tool. 8, the dashed line represents the tapered formed tool 30, and the solid line represents the cylindrical tool 32 that replaced the tapered formed tool. In this example, the diameter 33 of the cylindrical tool 32 was set to the same diameter as the diameter of the bottom end of the tapered cutting edge 31 of the tapered formed tool 30 shown by the dashed line.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a workpiece having a stepped slope according to this embodiment is machined with a cylindrical tool. 9, the solid line with a staircase shape is a 3D model 26 of the material corresponding to the workpiece whose slope has been changed to a staircase shape, and the chain double-dashed line with a staircase shape is a 3D model 22 of the workpiece whose slope has been changed to a staircase shape. The difference 27 between these 3D models 22 and 26 is the machining area. As shown in Fig. 9, a cylindrical tool 32 processes the processing area of ​​the first step of the staircase shape, forming a staircase shape 23. The processing is performed so that the lower right corner 34 of the cylindrical tool 32 comes into contact with the slope 21. As a result, when processing is performed using a tapered forming tool 30 in actual processing, a slope shape, rather than a staircase shape, is formed along the slope 21. In this example, each step of the staircase shape is machined with one tool path, and the staircase shape is formed with a total of four tool paths.

[0045] Fig. 10 shows a workpiece in this embodiment whose slope has been changed to a stepped shape, and a tool path automatically generated using the corresponding blank and a cylindrical tool. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 10. In Figs. 10 and 11, the automatically generated tool path 36 is indicated by a dashed line. The tool path 36 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is the movement locus of the tip center point 35 of the cylindrical tool 32 shown in FIG. In Figure 10, the tool moves from the right side of the workpiece to the left side. The right side is the tool path as the tool approaches the workpiece, and the left side is the tool path after the tool has machined the workpiece. 10, the tool approaches the workpiece from above the top surface so as not to come into contact with the workpiece, and then descends to a machining height at a position where it does not come into contact with the workpiece even in the horizontal direction.The tool then moves from just in front of the workpiece at a set cutting speed to begin machining the workpiece, and after the tool has finished machining the workpiece and moved to a position where it does not come into contact with the workpiece, it rises above the top surface of the workpiece. In FIG. 10, one tool path is generated for each step of the staircase shape as intended, and a total of four tool paths are automatically generated for the four-step staircase shape 23.

[0046] Figure 12 shows the workpiece in this example, whose slope has been changed to a stepped shape, and the corresponding 3D model of the material, and the machining of the slope shape using a tapered forming tool by an NC program generated using a cylindrical tool.

[0047] FIG. 12 shows the operation during machining of an NC program that processes the first step of a staircase shape. The NC program is obtained by converting the tool path in the NC program conversion unit 7 of the processing unit 2 and storing it in the NC program information 15 of the storage unit 3. The shape of the blank 42 is rectangular, unlike the 3D model 26 of the blank corresponding to the workpiece that has been changed to a stepped shape. The slope 41 can be formed by machining the workpiece 22, whose slope shape has been changed to a stepped shape, with a cylindrical tool 32 using an NC program. Similarly, a sloped surface can be formed by machining using a tapered forming tool 30 with an NC program that converts the tool paths of the second to fourth steps of the staircase shape.

[0048] In addition, when machining the workpiece 22 whose sloped shape has been changed to a staircase shape using an NC program generated with a cylindrical tool 32 using a tapered forming tool 30, it is necessary to confirm whether the staircase shape is machined in the order from top to bottom. If the third step of the staircase shape is mistakenly placed first, the first three steps will be machined in the first machining pass, which will increase the machining load on the tapered forming tool 30 and may result in tool damage, etc. It is also necessary to check that the machining conditions are set to those using the tapered forming tool 30, rather than those for a cylindrical tool.

[0049] Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the contents displayed on the display unit 17 in the automatic NC program generation system 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen of the display unit 17 in the NC program automatic generation system 1 shown in FIG.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 13, the GUI screen 101 includes a START button 121 for starting the automatic generation of an NC program in the NC program automatic generation system, a workpiece / material dimension input area 102 for inputting the workpiece material and material dimensions, and a tool dimension / processing condition input area 103 for inputting the tool dimensions and processing conditions.

[0051] In the workpiece / material dimension input area 102, a value 104 of the workpiece dimension X, a value 105 of the workpiece dimension Y, a value 106 of the thickness t, a value 107 of the slope angle θw, and a horizontal extension amount 108 and a vertical extension amount 109, which are the extension amounts from the staircase shape of the material dimensions, are input.

[0052] In the tool dimension / cutting condition input area 103, a numerical value 110 of the tool tip diameter Da, a numerical value 111 of the tool outer diameter Db, a numerical value 112 of the tool shank diameter Dc, a numerical value 113 of the tool length L, a numerical value 114 of the tool taper angle θt, and the cutting conditions of the rotation speed 115, the feed rate 116, and the axial cutting amount 117 are input. As described above, the cutting conditions of the rotation speed 115, the feed rate 116, and the axial cutting amount 117 are input as cutting conditions for a formed tool having a tapered shape.

[0053] Also, when pressing the START button 121, if the value 107 of the slope angle θw of the workpiece dimensions and the value 114 of the taper angle θt of the tool dimensions are different, an alert indicating that the values ​​are different is displayed (not shown).

[0054] In FIG. 13, the input values ​​are just examples.

[0055] Based on the numerical values ​​input by changing the dimensions, the 3D model generation unit 4 and the tool model generation unit 5 automatically generate a 3D model 22 of the workpiece whose slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape, a corresponding 3D model 26 of the raw material, and a cylindrical tool 32, respectively. Then, the tool path generating unit 6 creates a tool path 36 based on the input machining conditions. Thereafter, the NC program conversion unit 7 converts the data into an NC program, and the NC program is automatically generated.

[0056] An NC program was actually automatically generated based on the workpiece material, material dimensions, tool dimensions, and processing conditions entered in Figure 13. It took approximately four minutes to create the NC program. On the other hand, it would have taken approximately 40 minutes to manually create a 3D model and then an NC program. Therefore, it was confirmed that automatic NC program generation could reduce the lead time to approximately one-tenth.

[0057] According to this embodiment, in the automatic generation of an NC program for machining the sloped surface of a workpiece using a tapered formed tool, a 3D model of the workpiece and blank is automatically created based on input dimensions and other numerical data. The sloped surface of the workpiece is then converted to a stepped shape based on the axial cutting depth of the formed tool, and the tapered formed tool is replaced with a cylindrical tool. This makes it possible to automatically generate an NC program for machining a sloped surface using a tapered formed tool in the automatic generation of an NC program for three-axis machining. Therefore, compared to manual work, the lead time from creating the 3D model to creating the NC program is shortened.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the tool path is generated based on the center of the tool tip of the cylindrical tool 32, but it may be generated based on the outer diameter of the tool tip. In that case, it is necessary to input the tool tip diameter into the tool diameter compensation value and compensate using the tool diameter compensation function of the processing device.

[0059] Although the first embodiment shows an example in which there is one slope, two or more slopes can be used. Furthermore, even when the slope angles are different, it is possible to accommodate this by changing the aspect ratio of each step of the staircase shape.

[0060] Furthermore, since the information on the generated tool path 36 shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the tool path information 14 of the storage unit 3, it can be confirmed after the NC program is automatically generated.

[0061] In addition, the information on the generated tool path 36 may be displayed on the screen of the CAM software used in the NC program automatic generation system after the NC program is automatically generated, or a diagram of the generated tool path 36 may be displayed on the operation screen 101 of the NC program automatic generation system shown in Figure 13.

[0062] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the described configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...NC program automatic generation system main body, 2...processing unit, 3...storage unit, 4...3D model generation unit, 5...tool model generation unit, 6...tool path generation unit, 7...NC program conversion unit, 8...workpiece dimension information, 9...material dimension information, 10...tool dimension information, 11...machining condition information, 12...3D model information, 13...tool model information, 14...tool path information, 15...NC program information, 16...input unit, 17...display unit, 18...communication unit, 20...workpiece, 21...slope, 22...3D model of workpiece with slope shape changed to staircase shape, 23...staircase shape, 24...height of staircase shape, 25...apex of recess of staircase shape, 26...3D model of material, 27...machining area, 30...form tool with tapered shape, 31...tapered shape Cutting edge, 32... cylindrical tool, 33... diameter of cylindrical tool, 34... lower right corner of cylindrical tool, 35... center point of tip of cylindrical tool, 36... tool path, 41... slope, 42... material, 101... GUI screen, 102... work material and material dimension input area, 103... tool dimension and machining condition input area, 104... horizontal dimension of work material, 105... vertical dimension of work material, 106... thickness of work material, 107... slope angle of work material, 108... horizontal extension amount from staircase shape of material dimension, 109... vertical extension amount from staircase shape of material dimension, 110... tool tip diameter, 111... outer diameter of tool, 112... tool shank diameter, 113... tool length, 114... tool taper angle, 115... rotation speed, 116... feed rate, 117... axial cutting amount

Claims

1. A system for automatically generating an NC program for a machining device, The present invention comprises a 3D model generation unit that generates a 3D model of a workpiece and a 3D model of a blank, a tool model generation unit that generates a model of a tool shape, a tool path generation unit that generates a tool path that is a movement trajectory of the tool, and an NC program conversion unit that converts the tool path into the NC program, When generating the NC program for machining the material to fabricate the workpiece having a sloped surface, the 3D model generation unit generates a 3D model of the workpiece by changing the inclined surface shape of the workpiece having the inclined surface shape into a staircase shape; the tool model generation unit generates a tool model in which a tapered formed tool is replaced with a cylindrical tool; The tool path generation unit generates a tool path for creating a sloped surface shape using a forming tool having the tapered shape, using the 3D model of the raw material, the 3D model of the workpiece, and the tool model. An NC program automatic generation system characterized by:

2. 2. The NC program automatic generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores information on the dimensions of the workpiece, information on the dimensions of the blank, information on the dimensions of the formed tool, information on machining conditions, information on the 3D model, information on the tool model, information on the tool path, and information on the NC program.

3. 3. The NC program automatic generation system according to claim 2, wherein the 3D model generation unit generates the staircase shape of the 3D model of the workpiece, in which the inclined surface shape of the workpiece is changed to the staircase shape, based on information on dimensions of the workpiece and an axial cutting depth among the information on the machining conditions.

4. 2. The NC program automatic generation system according to claim 1, wherein the tool model generation unit sets a diameter of the cylindrical tool to be the same as a diameter of a cutting edge tip of the tapered formed tool.

5. 2. The NC program automatic generation system according to claim 1, wherein the 3D model generation unit generates the 3D model of the blank as a shape corresponding to a 3D model of the workpiece in which the slope shape has been changed to a staircase shape.

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