Assistive devices

Abstract

The present invention provides an auxiliary device that can more easily find optimal machining conditions. The auxiliary device includes: a program management unit that associates verification results obtained by verifying machining conditions using multiple verification functions with machining programs and stores them in a verification result storage unit; a determination unit that determines whether each verification result meets a time target for a workpiece; and a suggestion unit that, if any of the verification results does not meet the time target for the workpiece, prompts correction of the machining conditions based on machining condition-related information related to the workpiece's machining conditions, the verification results, and the verification functions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to assistive devices. Background Art

[0002] In industrial machinery such as CNC (computerized numerical control) machine tools, in order to determine machining time, it is necessary to analyze machining conditions using verification functions such as machining simulations to find the optimal machining conditions. To find these optimal machining conditions, the operator of the industrial machinery changes various settings based on machining manuals, past experience, and other factors, and then executes the machining program or performs simulations. Simulations used to analyze machining conditions in such industrial machinery are already known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-102632 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, since the operator changes various settings based on the processing manual, past experience, etc., it takes time to find the optimal processing conditions. Therefore, an auxiliary device that can more easily find the optimal processing conditions is desired.

[0008] Means for solving problems

[0009] An auxiliary device of one embodiment of the present invention is used to determine the processing conditions of a workpiece in an industrial machine that processes the workpiece according to a processing program. The auxiliary device comprises: a program management unit, which associates the verification results obtained by verifying the processing conditions through multiple verification functions with the processing program and stores them in a verification result storage unit; a judgment unit, which judges whether each verification result meets the time target value of the workpiece; and a suggestion unit, which prompts to correct the processing conditions based on processing condition association information related to the processing conditions of the workpiece, the verification result and the verification function when any one of the verification results does not meet the time target value of the workpiece.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to more easily find the optimal processing conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an outline of the assist device according to this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a figure which shows the example of a verification result.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of presenting correction processing conditions.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the processing of the assist device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0017] Figure 1 This figure shows an overview of an assist device 1 according to this embodiment. The assist device 1 assists in executing various simulations related to industrial machinery such as CNC machine tools. The assist device 1 may be incorporated into the industrial machinery or may be a separate computer device from the industrial machinery.

[0018] Industrial machines such as CNC machine tools have various simulation functions (verification functions) related to processing and operation. Industrial machines execute these simulation functions as needed.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the support device 1 includes a control unit 11 and a storage unit 12 .

[0020] The control unit 11 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as a program management unit 111 , a determination unit 112 , a suggestion unit 113 , an input unit 114 , an output unit 115 , and an editing unit 116 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 12 .

[0021] The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores an OS (Operating System) and application programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive that stores other various information, or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0022] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 includes a verification result storage unit 121 , a target value storage unit 122 , and an advice information storage unit 123 .

[0023] Furthermore, if the auxiliary device 1 is a computer device independent of the industrial machine, the auxiliary device 1 includes a communication unit (not shown) for conducting wired or wireless communication with the industrial machine via a network. The communication unit includes a processor, connector, circuitry, and other components for performing communication. The communication unit performs prescribed processing on communication signals received from the industrial machine to obtain data, and then inputs the obtained data into the control unit 11. Furthermore, the communication unit performs prescribed processing on data input from the control unit 11 to generate a communication signal, and then transmits the generated communication signal to the industrial machine.

[0024] The program management unit 111 stores the verification results of the machining conditions verified by the plurality of verification functions in the verification result storage unit 121 in association with the machining program.

[0025] Verification functions include machining time predictions based on tool path simulation in CAM (computer-aided manufacturing), machining time predictions based on CNC (computerized numerical control) machining simulation, and machining time results based on motor feedback. Furthermore, the motor feedback-based machining time results represent machining time results based on motor feedback for machining operations that do not involve a workpiece.

[0026] The verification conditions include CNC parameter conditions prepared in advance by the CNC manufacturer, operation conditions of industrial machinery prepared in advance by the industrial machinery manufacturer, and independent conditions related to tools, etc. defined by the operator.

[0027] The determination unit 112 determines whether each verification result stored in the verification result storage unit 121 satisfies the workpiece time target value stored in the target value storage unit 122. Here, the target value storage unit 122 stores the workpiece time target value for machining the workpiece in advance.

[0028] In the determination unit 112 , when any of the verification results does not meet the time target value of the workpiece, the suggestion unit 113 suggests correcting the machining conditions based on machining condition-related information related to the workpiece machining conditions, the verification results, and the verification function.

[0029] For example, in the judgment unit 112, when any of the verification results does not meet the time target value of the workpiece, the suggestion unit 113 displays information prompting the operator to correct the processing conditions (for example, suggestions to the operator) on the display unit (not shown) of the auxiliary device 1 based on the processing condition related information.

[0030] Here, the processing condition-related information is stored in the advice information storage unit 123. Specifically, the advice information storage unit 123 associates the verification function corresponding to the verification result that does not meet the time target value of the workpiece with information prompting the correction of the processing condition corresponding to the verification function, and stores the associated processing condition information.

[0031] The input unit 114 inputs verification results obtained by verifying machining conditions using a plurality of verification functions for each machining program. For example, the input unit 114 receives input of verification results from an external source for each machining program and transmits the received verification results to the program management unit 111.

[0032] The output unit 115 outputs the verification results obtained by verifying the machining conditions using a plurality of verification functions for each machining program. For example, the output unit 115 outputs the verification results stored in the verification result storage unit 121 to an external device for each machining program.

[0033] In addition, a machining program may be executed by calling a subroutine file from a main program file. Therefore, a machining program is composed of one or more files.

[0034] The editing unit 116 edits the verification conditions in the verification results stored in the verification result storage unit 121 and the time target values ​​stored in the target value storage unit 122. Thus, the verification conditions and time target values ​​can be set and customized by an operator using the industrial machine.

[0035] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the verification result. Figure 2 As shown, in the verification result storage unit 121 , verification results obtained by verifying the machining conditions using the plurality of verification functions 1 to 3 are associated with the machining programs 1 and 2 .

[0036] In addition, regarding the verification conditions a to d, the verification result includes data of the verification result for each of the verification functions 1 to 3 .

[0037] In addition, Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the example, verification function 1 is the machining time prediction achieved through tool path simulation in CAM, verification function 2 is the machining time prediction achieved through machining simulation in CNC, and verification function 3 is the machining time result based on motor feedback.

[0038] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of presenting correction processing conditions.

[0039] Figure 3The illustrated example includes an example of corrected machining conditions suggested by the suggestion unit 113 when any of the verification results does not satisfy the time target value of the workpiece.

[0040] In Example 1, regarding verification condition a, the determination unit 112 determines that the verification results for verification functions 1 to 3 do not satisfy the time target value of the workpiece (error).

[0041] Then, the suggestion unit 113 refers to the suggestion information storage unit 123 and presents the corrected machining conditions based on the verification function corresponding to the verification result that does not satisfy the target shape value of the workpiece and the information indicating the corrected machining conditions corresponding to the verification function.

[0042] In Example 1, it is determined that the verification results for verification functions 1 to 3 do not meet the time target value for the workpiece. Therefore, for example, the suggestion unit 113 presents information for prompting correction of the CAM program as information for prompting correction of machining conditions corresponding to verification functions 1 to 3. The information for prompting correction of the CAM program includes, for example, changes in speed or cutting depth, changes in tools, and corrections to the trajectory.

[0043] Similarly, in Example 2, regarding verification condition a, the determination unit 112 determines that the verification result for verification function 1 meets the workpiece time target (OK), and determines that the verification results for verification functions 2 and 3 do not meet the workpiece time target (Error).

[0044] Since it is determined that the verification results for verification functions 2 and 3 do not meet the time target value of the workpiece, the suggestion unit 113 presents information for prompting setting and adjusting CNC control as information for prompting correction of machining conditions corresponding to verification functions 2 and 3 .

[0045] The information used to prompt the setting and adjustment of CNC control includes, for example: enabling various high-speed machining functions such as the overlap function (the function of starting the next program block before completing the deceleration of the previous program block) or the high-speed function of the tapping cycle, increasing acceleration and deceleration, increasing the time constant of the acceleration and deceleration filters, increasing the rapid feed rate, etc.

[0046] Similarly, in Example 3, regarding verification condition a, the determination unit 112 determines that the verification results for verification functions 1 and 2 meet the workpiece time target (OK), and determines that the verification result for verification function 3 does not meet the workpiece time target (Error).

[0047] If it is determined that the verification result for the verification function 3 does not satisfy the time target value of the workpiece, the suggestion unit 113 may present information for prompting setting and adjusting the motor control as information for prompting correction of machining conditions corresponding to the verification function 3 .

[0048] The information for prompting the setting and adjustment of the motor control includes, for example, enabling the function for improving the followability of the servo motor during rapid feed and using a machining cycle based on the servo control.

[0049] Furthermore, when there is no verification result data for any of the verification functions 1 to 3 , the verification result data is insufficient, and therefore the suggestion unit 113 may present information for prompting additional verification as information prompting correction of the processing conditions.

[0050] Figure 4 1 is a flowchart showing the processing of the support device 1 .

[0051] In step S1 , each verification function verifies a machining condition, and the input unit 114 inputs verification results of the machining conditions verified by the plurality of verification functions in units of machining programs.

[0052] In step S2 , the program management unit 111 stores the verification results obtained by verifying the machining conditions using the plurality of verification functions in association with the machining program in the verification result storage unit 121 .

[0053] In step S3 , the determination unit 112 determines whether each verification result stored in the verification result storage unit 121 satisfies the time target value of the workpiece stored in the target value storage unit 122 .

[0054] If each verification result satisfies the time target value of the workpiece (Yes), the process ends. If each verification result does not satisfy the time target value of the workpiece (No), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0055] In step S4 , the suggestion unit 113 presents corrections to the machining conditions based on the machining condition-related information related to the machining conditions, verification results, and verification functions of the workpiece.

[0056] As described above, according to this embodiment, the support device 1 includes: a program management unit 111 that associates the verification results obtained by verifying machining conditions using multiple verification functions with the machining program and stores them in a verification result storage unit 121; a determination unit 112 that determines whether each verification result meets the workpiece's time target; and a suggestion unit 113 that, if any of the verification results does not meet the workpiece's time target, suggests correcting the machining conditions based on machining condition-related information related to the workpiece's machining conditions, the verification results, and the verification functions. Thus, the support device 1 can comprehensively determine the verification results of multiple verification functions and suggest correcting machining conditions to meet the time target. Therefore, by using this support device 1, industrial machine operators can more easily find optimal machining conditions for achieving the optimal machined shape without having to change various settings based on machining manuals, past experience, or the like.

[0057] The support device 1 also includes a suggestion information storage unit 123, which associates the verification function corresponding to the verification result that does not meet the workpiece time target value with information prompting a correction of the corresponding machining condition, storing the information as machining condition association information. This allows the support device 1 to more easily find optimal machining conditions by providing information prompting correction of machining conditions.

[0058] The support device 1 also includes an input unit 114 for inputting verification results per machining program, and an output unit 115 for outputting verification results per machining program. This allows the support device 1 to externally input and output verification results. Furthermore, by outputting verification results per machining program, external equipment can utilize the verification results.

[0059] The support device 1 also includes an editing unit 116 that edits the verification conditions and time target values ​​in the verification results. This allows the support device 1 to allow an operator using industrial machinery to set and customize the verification conditions and time target values.

[0060] Furthermore, the verification function includes machining time predictions through tool path simulation in CAM, machining simulation in CNC, and machining time results based on motor feedback. This allows the assist device 1 to use appropriate verification functions to suggest correct machining conditions for optimal machined shapes.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the suggestion information storage unit 123 associates the verification function corresponding to the verification result that does not meet the target workpiece shape value with information prompting a correction of the corresponding processing condition, and stores the information as processing condition association information. However, for example, a priority order may be set between the verification functions. Furthermore, when the verification results for multiple verification functions do not meet the target workpiece shape value, the suggestion unit 113 may prompt a correction of the processing condition for the verification function with the higher priority.

[0062] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments are merely examples of the most preferred effects produced by the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described in the embodiments.

[0063] Explanation of symbols

[0064] 1 Auxiliary devices

[0065] 11 Control Unit

[0066] 12 Storage

[0067] 111 Program Management Department

[0068] 112 Judgment Department

[0069] 113 Recommendation Department

[0070] 114 Input

[0071] 115 Output

[0072] 116 Editorial Department

[0073] 121 Verification result storage unit

[0074] 122 Target value storage unit

[0075] 123 Recommended Information Storage Department.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for determining a processing condition of a workpiece in an industrial machine that processes the workpiece according to a processing program, characterized in that: The auxiliary device comprises: a program management unit that associates a verification result obtained by verifying the processing conditions using a plurality of verification functions with the processing program and stores the result in a verification result storage unit; a determination unit for determining whether each verification result satisfies a time target value of the workpiece; a suggestion unit configured to, when any one of the verification results does not meet the time target value of the workpiece, prompt the user to correct the processing condition based on processing condition-related information related to the processing condition of the workpiece, the verification result, and the verification function; a suggestion storage unit that associates the verification function corresponding to the verification result that does not meet the time target value of the workpiece with information that prompts the verification function to correct the processing condition, and stores them as the processing condition association information; The verification functions include: a first verification function, which is a machining time prediction achieved through tool path simulation in computer-aided manufacturing (CAM); a second verification function, which is a machining time prediction achieved through machining simulation in computer numerical control (CNC); and a third verification function, which is a machining time result based on motor feedback. When the verification results of the first verification function, the second verification function, and the third verification function do not meet the time target value of the workpiece, the suggestion unit prompts information to correct the CAM program as information to remind the correction of the processing conditions corresponding to the first verification function, the second verification function, and the third verification function. When the verification results of the second verification function and the third verification function do not meet the time target value of the workpiece, the suggestion unit prompts the user to set and adjust the CNC control as information prompting the user to correct the machining conditions corresponding to the second verification function and the third verification function. The suggestion unit may provide information prompting setting and adjusting motor control as information prompting correction of machining conditions corresponding to the third verification function when the verification result of the third verification function does not satisfy the time target value of the workpiece.

2. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that The support device further includes an input unit for inputting the verification result in units of the machining program.

3. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that The support device further includes an output unit configured to output the verification result in units of the machining program.

4. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that The support device further includes an editing unit that edits the verification conditions and the time target value in the verification result.

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