File management device

Abstract

The present invention provides a file management device connected to a plurality of manufacturing machines or a plurality of robots via a communication network, the file management device (1) comprising: an input unit (14) for a user to input a file deletion command, the file deletion command including the file name of a file to be deleted; and a file deletion unit (17) which responds to the file deletion command input via the input unit (14) and deletes the files to be deleted having the same file name stored in the plurality of manufacturing machines or the plurality of robots.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a file management device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a device for automatically creating a backup file of an electronic file stored in a numerical control (CNC) device of a machine tool or the like (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-070268

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-018429

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-020368 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] In EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Service) companies that mass-produce the same type of goods, there may be a situation where multiple machine tools are operated according to the same processing program. When the processing program is more complicated, the capacity of the program file becomes larger. In addition, there is an upper limit to the storage capacity of the CNC device of the machine tool. Therefore, there may be a situation where the available capacity of the memory of the CNC device for storing new program files is insufficient, and unnecessary files need to be deleted from multiple CNC devices.

[0010] Means used to solve problems

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure is a file management device connected to multiple manufacturing machines or multiple robots via a communication network, the file management device comprising: an input unit for a user to input a file deletion command, the file deletion command including the file name of a file to be deleted; and a file deletion unit, which responds to the file deletion command input through the input unit and deletes the files to be deleted that have the same file name and are stored in multiple manufacturing machines or multiple robots. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an example of a system including a file management device and a plurality of machine tools.

[0013] Figure 2 A block diagram showing the structure of a file management device.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining how a file is transmitted from a file management device to a plurality of machine tools.

[0015] Figure 4 A diagram for explaining backup of files in a plurality of machine tools performed by a file management device.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the file management device.

[0017] Figure 6 The figures are for explaining the processing of backing up and deleting files to be deleted, wherein (a) shows a process of inputting a file deletion command, (b) shows a process of backing up files to be deleted, and (c) shows a process of deleting files.

[0018] Figure 7 The figures are for explaining the process of restoring a deleted file, wherein (a) shows a step of inputting a file transmission command, and (b) shows a step of restoring a file.

[0019] Figure 8 A block diagram showing the structure of another example of the file management device.

[0020] Fig. 9 This is a structural diagram of another example of a system including a file management device and a plurality of machine tools. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, a file management device 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the file management device 1 is connected to a plurality of machine tools (manufacturing machines) 2A, 2B, and 2C via a communication network 4. The communication network 4 is, for example, a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet. The file management device 1 sends and receives files and various requests between the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C via the communication network 4, thereby remotely managing electronic files (hereinafter, simply referred to as "files") stored in the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0023] The machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C are, for example, machining centers that have a tool library for holding a variety of tools and a function of automatically changing tools between a spindle and the tool library. The numerical control (CNC) devices 3A, 3B, and 3C of each machine tool 2A, 2B, and 2C include a storage unit (not shown) having RAM and ROM, etc., in which files required for the operation of the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C are stored, such as files of machining programs, files related to tool offset information, and files related to the setting of workpiece coordinate systems. Multiple machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C are set up in, for example, a factory of an EMS company that mass-produces the same type of goods, and the workpieces are machined according to the same machining program. Therefore, files of the same machining program are stored in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, and 3C.

[0024] The file management device 1 is composed of, for example, a personal computer (PC) and an input device connected to the PC. The input device is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or a microphone.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the file management device 1 includes a storage unit 11, a display unit 12, a communication unit 13, an input unit 14, a file sending unit 15, a backup unit 16, and a file deleting unit 17. The processing described below performed by the file sending unit 15, the backup unit 16, and the file deleting unit 17 is implemented by, for example, a processor built into a PC executing processing according to a file management program.

[0026] The storage unit 11 includes a RAM, a ROM, and other storage devices. The storage unit 11 stores files input to the file management device 1 by a user and backup files received from the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C as described below.

[0027] The display unit 12 is, for example, a monitor of a PC.

[0028] The communication unit 13 communicates with the CNC devices 3A, 3B, 3C of the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C via the communication network 4 to transmit files and various requests to the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C and receive files from the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0029] The input unit 14 is a device for the user to input commands related to the operation of files in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, and 3C to the file management device 1, and is composed of any of the above-mentioned input devices. The user can input a file sending command and a file deleting command by operating the input unit 14. The file sending command is a command for sending the same file from the file management device 1 to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C and storing it. The file deleting command is a command for deleting files with the same file name from the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, and the file deleting command includes the file name of the file to be deleted.

[0030] For example, the user can input a file transmission command by displaying a list of files in the storage unit 11 on the display unit 12 and selecting a file from the list using a mouse. In addition, the user can input a file deletion command by displaying a list of file names of files in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, and 3C on the display unit 12 and selecting a file name from the list using a mouse.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, the file transmission unit 15 responds to the file transmission command input to the input unit 14, and transmits the file F in the storage unit 11 to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C via the communication unit 13 at the same time, and stores the file F in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, 3C. Thus, the same file F is stored in the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C at the same time.

[0032] For example, the file sending unit 15 reads the file F specified by the file sending command from the storage unit 11, and sends the read file F together with the storage request to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C. The machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C store the file F received from the file management device 1 in the storage units of the CNC devices 3A, 3B, 3C, respectively, according to the storage request.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, in response to a file deletion command input to input unit 14 , backup unit 16 creates, in storage unit 11 , backup files of files F1 , F2 , and F3 to be deleted and having the same file name and stored in machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0034] For example, the backup unit 16 simultaneously sends a transmission request to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, and the transmission request is a request to send a file having a file name included in the file deletion command. The machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C send the files F1, F2, and F3 to the file management device 1 respectively according to the transmission request. The backup unit 16 obtains the files F1, F2, and F3 from the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C via the communication unit 13, and stores the files F1, F2, and F3 in the storage unit 11. Thus, a backup file of the files F1, F2, and F3 to be deleted is created.

[0035] In response to the file deletion command input to the input unit 14 , the file deletion unit 17 causes the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C to delete the files F1 , F2 , and F3 to be deleted, respectively.

[0036] For example, the file deletion unit 17 simultaneously sends a deletion request to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, and the deletion request is a request to delete a file having a file name included in the file deletion command. Each machine tool 2A, 2B, and 2C deletes the files F1, F2, and F3 in the CNC device 3A, 3B, and 3C according to the deletion request. As a result, the files F1, F2, and F3 having the same file name stored in the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C are deleted simultaneously.

[0037] Here, after the backup unit 16 completes the creation of backup files of the files F1, F2, F3 to be deleted in all the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C, the file deletion unit 17 deletes the files F1, F2, F3 in the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0038] Next, refer to Figures 5 to 7 The operation of the file management device 1 will be described.

[0039] The user can operate files in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, and 3C of the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C through the file management device 1 .

[0040] For example, when a new machining program file is to be stored in the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, the user stores the machining program file in the storage unit 11 of the file management device 1, and uses the input unit 14 to input a file sending command to the file management device 1, where the file sending command is a command to send the machining program file (step S1). The file sending unit 15 responds to the file sending command and sends the machining program file in the storage unit 11 to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C (step S2), and stores it in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, and 3C of the respective machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C (step S3). Thus, the same machining program file is stored in the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C at the same time.

[0041] When deleting a file stored in machine tools 2A, 2B, or 2C, the user inputs a file deletion command including the file name of a file to be deleted into file management device 1 using input unit 14 (step S4 ).

[0042] In response to a file deletion command, first, Figure 6 As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 , the backup unit 16 creates backup files of the files F1, F2, and F3 to be deleted in the storage unit 11. That is, the backup unit 16 obtains the files F1, F2, and F3 to be deleted from the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively (steps S5 and S6), and stores the obtained files F1, F2, and F3 to be deleted in the storage unit 11 as backup files (step S7). After the creation of the backup files is completed, as shown in FIG. Figure 6As shown in (c) of FIG. 1 , file deleting unit 17 deletes files F1 , F2 , and F3 to be deleted stored in machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C (steps S8 and S9 ).

[0043] The user can restore the files F1 , F2 , and F3 deleted from the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C in each of the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C by operating the file management device 1 .

[0044] That is, the user uses the input unit 14 to input a file sending command into the file management device 1, where the file sending command is a command including the file names of the files F1, F2, and F3 to be restored (step S10). Figure 7 As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 , the file sending unit 15 responds to the file sending command, sends the backup files F1, F2, and F3 stored in the storage unit 11 to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C (step S11), and stores them in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, and 3C of the respective machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C (step S12). Thus, the files F1, F2, and F3 with the same file name that were deleted in the past are restored at the same time in the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0045] As described above, the user can operate a single file management device 1 to simultaneously store the same file in multiple machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, or simultaneously delete files with the same file name from multiple machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C. The operation of operating multiple machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C one by one to store or delete files is a heavy burden for the user. According to this embodiment, the amount of user operations and operation time required for file management in multiple machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C can be greatly reduced.

[0046] In addition, before the files stored in the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C are deleted simultaneously, a backup file of the file to be deleted is automatically created in the file management device 1. Therefore, in a case where, for example, the files in the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C are deleted simultaneously by mistake, when it is necessary to restore the deleted files, the user can easily restore the deleted files in the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C by simultaneously sending the backup file in the file management device 1 to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0047] In addition, the backup file is created in the file management device 1, not in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, 3C of the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C. Therefore, compared with the case where the backup file is created in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, 3C, the storage capacity of the CNC devices 3A, 3B, 3C can be reduced.

[0048] In addition, there may be a case where the user adds changes to the contents of files stored in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, and 3C. For example, there may be a case where the processing program is additionally modified based on the processing results of the workpiece by the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C. According to this embodiment, a backup file of the latest file before it is deleted can be created. In other words, a more useful backup file can be created by the user.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the backup unit 16 creates a backup file in response to a file deletion command from the user, but instead, the backup unit 16 may periodically create a backup file of the files stored in the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C. For example, the backup unit 16 may create a backup file at a predetermined time of the day or a predetermined day of the week according to a schedule preset by the user. In addition, the backup unit 16 may create a backup file of a file having a file name preset by the user.

[0050] When there are many machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C or the file to be deleted has a large capacity, it may take a long time to create a backup file. By regularly creating a backup file, it is not necessary to back up the file before it is deleted. Therefore, after the user inputs a file deletion command, the deletion of the file in the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C can be started quickly.

[0051] In this case, the backup unit 16 may confirm whether the content of the file to be deleted in each of the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C is the same as the content of the corresponding backup file in the storage unit 11 in response to the file deletion command.

[0052] Whether the content of the file to be deleted is the same as the content of the backup file is determined by, for example, comparing the last update date / time of the two or comparing the content of the two. If the content is the same, the file deletion unit 17 continues to delete the file. On the other hand, if the content is not the same, the backup unit 16 creates or updates the backup file of the file to be deleted, and then the file deletion unit 17 deletes the file again.

[0053] Thus, when the user makes additional changes to the contents of a file to be deleted in machine tools 2A, 2B, or 2C after the last backup is performed, a latest backup file of the file to be deleted can be created.

[0054] In the above embodiment, preferably, the backup unit 16 associates each backup file with the corresponding machine tool 2A, 2B or 2C and creates the backup file. For example, each machine tool 2A, 2B, 2C has unique identification information. The backup unit 16 simultaneously obtains the file and identification information to be deleted from each machine tool 2A, 2B, 2C, associates the file and the identification information with each other, and stores them in the storage unit 11.

[0055] When the backup files are sent to the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C in order to restore the deleted files, the file sending unit 15 sends each backup file to the corresponding machine tool 2A, 2B, or 2C based on the identification information, for example.

[0056] As described above, there may be a case where a user adds or changes files stored in the machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C. Therefore, files obtained from multiple machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C for backup may have different contents even though the file names are the same. By associating the backup files with the corresponding machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C in advance, it is possible to restore files with the same contents as the files before deletion in each machine tool 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0057] In the above embodiment, for example, when it is desired to add the same change to the machining programs in the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C, there is a case where it is desired to overwrite the files in the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C with a new file. When a file having the same file name as the file to be sent already exists in the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C, the file sending unit 15 may overwrite the file to be sent with the existing file. In this case, the backup unit 16 may also create a backup file of the existing file before overwriting.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the backup unit 16 may determine whether the backup file can be created based on the available capacity of the storage unit 11 required for creating the backup file and the current available capacity of the storage unit 11 before starting to create the backup file.

[0059] For example, the backup unit 16 obtains the capacity information of the files to be deleted from each machine tool 2A, 2B, 2C, and calculates the available capacity required for creating the backup file based on the total capacity of the files to be deleted. When the required available capacity is less than the current available capacity, the backup unit 16 determines that the backup file can be created and starts to create the backup file. On the other hand, when the required available capacity is larger than the current available capacity, the backup unit 16 determines that the backup file cannot be created due to insufficient available capacity.

[0060] In this case, if Figure 8As shown, preferably, the file management device 1 further includes a notification unit 18 for notifying a user that the available capacity of the storage unit 11 is insufficient.

[0061] The notification unit 18, for example, creates a notification message for notifying that the available capacity is insufficient, and displays the notification message on the display unit 12. In addition to the insufficient available capacity of the storage unit 11, the notification unit 18 may also notify the user of a request to delete a file stored in the storage unit 11. In addition, the notification unit 18 may also notify the user of the available capacity of the storage unit 11 required for creating a backup file and the current available capacity of the storage unit 11.

[0062] In the above embodiment, if Figure 8 As shown, the file management device 1 may further include a required time calculation unit 19 for calculating the time required to create the backup file, and the display unit 12 may display the required time calculated by the required time calculation unit 19 .

[0063] When creating a backup file depending on the size of the file to be deleted, etc., the time required to create the backup file varies, and thus the time from when the user inputs a file deletion command to when the file in machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C is deleted also varies.

[0064] The user can predict the time when the file deletion is completed based on the required time displayed on the display unit 12. In addition, during the backup of the file sent from the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C to the file management device 1, it is preferable that the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C are not operating, so there may be a case where the user temporarily interrupts the operation of the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C. In such a case, the user can predict the time when the operation of the machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C can be resumed based on the required time displayed on the display unit 12.

[0065] The required time calculation unit 19 may calculate the remaining time for creating the backup file and display the remaining time on the display unit 12. Based on the remaining time displayed on the display unit 12, the user can recognize that the file is being backed up.

[0066] The file management device 1 may also display the required time or remaining time calculated by the required time calculation unit 19 on the display unit of each machine tool 2A, 2B, 2C. The transmission and reception of files between each machine tool 2A, 2B, 2C and the file management device 1 conflicts with the transmission of files to be deleted for backup. By displaying the required time or remaining time for backup on the display unit of each machine tool 2A, 2B, 2C, the user of each machine tool 2A, 2B, 2C is notified that the files to be deleted are being backed up, and the user is prompted to take appropriate measures, such as limiting the transmission and reception of files between the machine tool 2A, 2B, 2C and the file management device 1.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the backup unit 16 may create backup files of other files according to the contents of the machining program when creating the backup file of the machining program file.

[0068] In one example, when the tools used in the machining are different among the multiple machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, the backup unit 16 may also simultaneously obtain the machining program file and the tool data file from each machine tool 2A, 2B, and 2C, and associate the machining program file and the tool data file with each other and store them in the storage unit 11. In other examples, when the workpiece coordinate system is different among the multiple machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, the backup unit 16 may also simultaneously obtain the machining program file and the file related to the setting of the workpiece coordinate system from each machine tool 2A, 2B, and 2C, and associate the machining program file and the file related to the setting of the workpiece coordinate system with each other and store them in the storage unit 11.

[0069] In the above embodiment, when the files acquired from the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C include two or more files with the same content, the backup unit 16 may create backup files of the two or more files as a single backup file.

[0070] According to this configuration, duplicate creation of backup files with the same content can be prevented, thereby saving the usage of the storage unit 11 .

[0071] In the above embodiment, the file management device 1 and the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, 2C are different devices, but instead, as Fig. 9 As shown, among the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, the CNC device 3A of one machine tool 2A may function as the file management device 1 .

[0072] In this case, the CNC device 3A as the file management device 1 is connected to all other machine tools 2B and 2C via the communication network 4 .

[0073] In the above embodiment, the file management device 1 is connected to the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C, but may alternatively be connected to other types of manufacturing machines used in processing or manufacturing workpieces, such as injection molding machines, wire-cut electrical discharge machines, and stamping machines.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the file management device 1 may be connected to a plurality of robots operating according to the same operating procedure. In the case where the manufacturing machine and the robot work in cooperation, the file management device 1 may be connected to a plurality of manufacturing machines and a plurality of robots. In this case, the file management device 1 performs the backup, deletion, and restoration of files in the control devices of the plurality of robots, similar to the backup, deletion, and restoration of files in the CNC devices 3A, 3B, and 3C of the plurality of machine tools 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0075] Description of Reference Numerals

[0076] 1: File management device

[0077] 2A, 2B, 2C: Machine tools (manufacturing machinery)

[0078] 3A, 3B, 3C: CNC device

[0079] 4: Communication Network

[0080] 11: Storage

[0081] 12: Display unit

[0082] 13: Ministry of Communications

[0083] 14: Input section

[0084] 15: File sending department

[0085] 16: Backup Department

[0086] 17: File Deletion Department

[0087] 18: Notification Department

[0088] 19: Required time calculation section

[0089] F, F1, F2, F3: File

Claims

1. A file management device connected to a plurality of manufacturing machines or a plurality of robots via a communication network, wherein the file management device comprises: An input unit for a user to input a file deletion command, wherein the file deletion command includes a file name of a file to be deleted; as well as A file deleting unit deletes the files to be deleted that have the same file name and are stored in a plurality of the manufacturing machines or a plurality of the robots in response to the file deletion command input through the input unit.

2. The file management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: include: A storage unit, which stores files; as well as A backup unit that creates, in the storage unit, a backup file of files stored in the plurality of the manufacturing machines or the plurality of the robots.

3. The file management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The backup unit creates the backup file of the file to be deleted in response to the file deletion command input to the input unit, The file deleting unit deletes the file to be deleted after the backup unit completes the creation of the backup file.

4. The file management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The backup unit creates the backup file periodically.

5. The file management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The backup unit responds to the file deletion command, confirms whether the content of the file to be deleted stored in multiple manufacturing machines or multiple robots is the same as the content of the backup file of the file to be deleted stored in the storage unit, and creates or updates the backup file of the file to be deleted if they are not the same.

6. The file management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The backup unit creates each of the backup files by associating each of the backup files with the corresponding manufacturing machine or the robot.

7. The file management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: A user inputs a file sending command for sending the file stored in the storage unit into the input unit, The file management device includes a file sending unit, and the file sending unit sends and stores the backup file stored in the storage unit to the plurality of manufacturing machines or the plurality of robots in response to the file sending command.

8. The file management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The backup unit associates each of the backup files with the corresponding manufacturing machine or robot and creates each of the backup files. The file sending unit sends and stores each of the backup files to the corresponding manufacturing machine or the robot.

9. The file management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: When a file having the same file name as the file to be sent exists in a plurality of the manufacturing machines or the plurality of the robots, the file sending unit overwrites the file to be sent on the existing file. The backup unit creates a backup file of the existing file before overwriting.

10. The file management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: Before starting to create the backup file, the backup unit determines whether the backup file can be created based on the available capacity of the storage unit required for creating the backup file and the current available capacity of the storage unit. The file management device includes a notification unit configured to notify a user that the available capacity of the storage unit is insufficient when the backup unit determines that the backup file cannot be created.

11. The file management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The file management device comprises: a required time calculation unit that calculates the required time required to create the backup file; and A display unit displays the required time calculated by the required time calculation unit.

12. The file management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The file management device is connected to a plurality of the manufacturing machines. The backup unit creates a backup file of at least one of a file of a machining program, a file related to offset information of a tool, and a file related to setting of a workpiece coordinate system.

13. The file management device according to claim 12, characterized in that: When creating the backup file of the machining program file, the backup unit also creates backup files of other files based on the content of the machining program.

14. The file management device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: When the files to be deleted stored in the plurality of the manufacturing machines or the plurality of the robots include two or more files having the same contents, the backup unit creates backup files of the two or more files as a single backup file.

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