Control device

Abstract

The control device includes a setting detection unit that detects the values ​​of setting items related to the control of industrial machinery, and a notification unit that notifies users of information related to the settings. The setting detection unit can detect settings based on MDI programs, settings based on machining programs, settings based on external signals, and settings from a higher-level management server. Furthermore, the notification unit provides notifications via guidance messages, pop-up windows, sounds, external signals, or information sent via a network. Therefore, even on a screen that does not display information related to settings, information related to changes in setting items can be confirmed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device. Background Art

[0002] When controlling industrial machinery such as machine tools and robots using a control device, the values ​​of setting items such as parameters and tool data required for controlling the industrial machinery are set on the control device. Examples of setting items include workpiece coordinate values, feed rates, gain values, and offset values. These setting items are displayed on a setting screen installed on the control device, and the operator sets appropriate setting values ​​based on the specifications of the industrial machinery to be controlled and the content of the control operation to be performed (Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] On the setting screen, if the value of a setting item is set normally, a message on the screen will be displayed to notify you of this. On the other hand, if the value of a setting item is not set normally, for example, if the format of the setting value is incorrect, if the setting value is outside the predetermined settable range, or if the setting cannot be made due to a conflict with the value set in another setting item, a message on the screen will be displayed to notify you that the setting cannot be made.

[0004] On the other hand, there are other methods for setting control settings besides using the setting screen described above. For example, when using an MDI (Manual Data Input) program to measure workpiece coordinates and tool offsets through a measurement cycle, commands such as G2025 and G10 are sometimes used to directly set the values ​​of setting items without using the setting screen. When setting the values ​​of setting items using this method, the MDI program execution screen does not display a message indicating whether the setting value was successfully set. The same applies to settings made through so-called machining programs, etc.

[0005] Furthermore, when the value of a setting item is changed by input of an external signal, a message indicating that the value of the setting item has been set by the signal is not displayed on the screen of the control device viewed by an operator working on site.

[0006] Furthermore, when multiple industrial machines installed in a factory are connected to a higher-level management computer via a network, the values ​​of setting items in the control devices that control each industrial machine may be set via the network based on a production plan generated by the management computer. In such cases, a message indicating that the setting item values ​​have been set is not displayed on the screen of the control device being viewed by an operator working on-site.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-119021 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] Thus, if the values ​​of the control device's setting items are set outside of the setting screen, the operator operating the control device cannot confirm whether the settings have been made correctly. Therefore, when setting items through the MDI program, for example, it is necessary to call up the setting screen where the set items can be confirmed to confirm the set values. This operation is troublesome for the operator and causes extended work time.

[0012] Furthermore, when settings are made from external signals or a higher-level management computer, the operator may not be aware that the settings have been made. Furthermore, if the operator starts operating the industrial machinery without noticing that the value of the setting item has changed, the industrial machinery may behave unexpectedly, potentially causing a malfunction.

[0013] Therefore, a configuration is desired in which information related to changes in setting items can be confirmed even on a screen where information related to settings is not displayed.

[0014] Means for solving problems

[0015] A control device according to the present invention monitors the settings of setting items related to the control of industrial machinery. When the setting of a setting item is detected, the device notifies the operator of information related to the setting of the setting item, thereby solving the aforementioned problem. This notification may include information such as the name of the setting item, the set value, the success / failure of the setting, and the source of the setting update request. Furthermore, the notification may be provided by displaying a guidance message on the currently displayed screen, providing guidance audio, providing an external signal, or transmitting information via a network.

[0016] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention is a control device that controls an industrial machine, the control device including: a setting detection unit that detects a setting value of a setting item related to control of the industrial machine; and a notification unit that notifies information related to the setting.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a setting item value is changed, a user is prompted to provide information related to the change, even if the screen does not display information related to the setting. This allows the operator to confirm the change without switching to another screen. This reduces the operator's burden and improves the visibility of the setting-related actions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic hardware configuration diagram of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of notification based on a guidance message.

[0022] Figure 4 This figure shows an example of notification using a pop-up window.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the control device according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example display of the setting history.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the control device according to the third embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a display example of a workpiece coordinate setting screen.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a display example of the tool offset setting screen.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing a display example of a workpiece coordinate setting screen in which the values ​​of setting items are emphasized. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 1 is a schematic hardware configuration diagram showing the main parts of the control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control device 1 of the present invention can be implemented as a control device that controls an industrial machine 3 based on a control program, for example.

[0031] The CPU 11 included in the control device 1 of this embodiment is a processor that performs overall control of the control device 1. The CPU 11 reads a system program stored in the ROM 12 via the bus 22 and controls the entire control device 1 according to the system program. The RAM 13 temporarily stores temporary calculation data, display data, and various data input from the outside.

[0032] The non-volatile memory 14 is composed of, for example, a battery-backed memory (not shown) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and maintains its stored state even when the control device 1 is powered off. The non-volatile memory 14 stores control programs and data read from an external device 72 via the interface 15, control programs and data input from the input device 71 via the interface 18, and control programs and data obtained from other devices such as the fog computer 6 and the cloud server 7 via the network 5. The data stored in the non-volatile memory 14 may include, for example, the position, speed, acceleration, and load of each motor included in the industrial machine 3, as well as other data related to various physical quantities detected by sensors (not shown) installed in the industrial machine 3. The control programs and data stored in the non-volatile memory 14 may also be expanded into the RAM 13 during execution / use. Furthermore, various system programs, such as well-known analysis programs, are pre-written in the ROM 12.

[0033] The interface 15 is an interface for connecting the CPU 11 of the control device 1 to an external device 72 such as an external storage medium. For example, control programs and setting data used in controlling the industrial machine 3 are read from the external device 72. In addition, the control programs and setting data edited in the control device 1 can be stored in an external storage medium such as a CF card or USB memory (not shown) via the external device 72. The PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 16 executes the ladder program and outputs signals to the industrial machine 3 and its peripheral devices (for example, tool changers, actuators of robots, etc., and sensors such as temperature sensors and humidity sensors installed on the industrial machine 3) via the I / O unit 19 to control the industrial machine 3. In addition, the PLC 16 receives signals from various switches and peripheral devices on the operating panel of the main body of the industrial machine 3 and transmits them to the CPU 11 after performing the required signal processing.

[0034] Interface 20 is used to connect the CPU of control device 1 to a wired or wireless network 5. Network 5 can communicate using, for example, serial communication such as RS-485, Ethernet (registered trademark), optical communication, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and other technologies. Network 5 connects to other machines and higher-level management computers such as fog computers 6 and cloud servers 7, allowing data to be exchanged with control device 1.

[0035] The display device 70 outputs and displays data read into the memory and data obtained as a result of executing a program, etc., via the interface 17. Furthermore, the input device 71, which includes a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., transmits instructions and data based on operator operations to the CPU 11 via the interface 18.

[0036] The axis control circuit 30 for controlling the axis of the industrial machine 3 receives the axis movement instruction from the CPU 11 and outputs the axis instructions to the servo amplifier 40. The servo amplifier 40 receives the instruction and drives the servo motor 50 that moves the driving part of the industrial machine 3 along the axis. The servo motor 50 of the axis has a built-in position / speed detector (not shown), and the position / speed feedback signal from the position / speed detector is fed back to the axis control circuit 30 to perform position / speed feedback control. In addition, Figure 1 In the hardware configuration diagram, only one axis control circuit 30, servo amplifier 40, and servo motor 50 are shown. However, in reality, a number corresponding to the number of axes included in the industrial machine 3 to be controlled is provided.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the functions of the control device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as a schematic block diagram. The functions of the control device 1 according to this embodiment are shown in FIG. Figure 1 This is achieved by the CPU 11 included in the control device 1 executing a system program to control the operation of each unit of the control device 1 .

[0038] The control device 1 of this embodiment includes a setting detection unit 100, a display detection unit 110, and a notification unit 120. Furthermore, a setting information storage unit 200 is provided in the RAM 13 or the nonvolatile memory 14 of the control device 1. This setting information storage unit 200 is an area for storing values ​​set for various setting items in the control device 1.

[0039] Setting detection unit 100 by Figure 1The CPU 11 of the control device 1 shown executes the system program read from the ROM 12, and is mainly realized by the CPU 11 performing arithmetic processing using the RAM 13 and the non-volatile memory 14. The setting detection unit 100 detects the setting of the value of the setting item related to the control of the industrial machinery. The setting detection unit 100, for example, monitors the update request (write, change, etc. request) for the value of the setting item of the setting information storage unit 200. In addition to being made from the setting screen, the update request of the value of the setting item is also sent through various paths such as instructions from the MDI program or the processing program, external signals, and instructions from other devices such as the management device via the network. However, the update of the value of the setting item itself is performed by a common processing program, so by monitoring the operation of the processing program, it is possible to easily monitor the update request of the value of the setting item of the setting information storage unit 200.

[0040] When an update request is detected for the settings information storage unit 200, the settings detection unit 100 obtains information related to the settings, such as the name of the item being set, the set value, success / failure of the setting, and the source of the setting update request, based on the content of the update request and the response. The settings detection unit 100 notifies the notification unit 120 of the information related to the settings obtained.

[0041] The display detection unit 110 is displayed by Figure 1 The control device 1 shown is implemented by the CPU 11 executing a system program read from the ROM 12. The CPU 11 performs arithmetic processing using the RAM 13 and nonvolatile memory 14, and input / output processing using the interface 17. The display detection unit 110 monitors whether a display related to an update of the value of a setting item detected by the setting detection unit 100 is being displayed on the display screen of the display device 70. If a display related to an update is not being displayed, the notification unit 120 is notified of this fact.

[0042] The notification unit 120 Figure 1 The control device 1 shown is implemented by a CPU 11 executing a system program read from a ROM 12. The CPU 11 performs arithmetic processing using the RAM 13 and nonvolatile memory 14, and input / output processing using the interface 17. The notification unit 120 notifies the outside of information regarding the settings of the setting items notified from the setting detection unit 100. For example, the notification unit 120 may also notify information regarding the settings by displaying a guidance message on the display screen of the display device 70.

[0043] Figure 3 This is an example of notification based on guidance message. Figure 3In the example, the operator is notified that the value of the setting item has been updated by displaying a guidance message 310 on the normal MDI screen. The notification unit 120 may also notify the operator of information related to the setting by displaying a pop-up window on the display screen of the display device 70, for example.

[0044] Figure 4 is an example of a pop-up window-based notification. Figure 4 In the example shown, a pop-up window 320 is displayed on the normal MDI screen to notify the operator of updated values ​​for the setting items. Using a pop-up window for notifications allows the operator to be notified of more information. Furthermore, the notification unit 120 may also output voice guidance, for example, to notify the operator of information related to the setting. The notification unit 120 may also use notification sounds, lights, and the like. Furthermore, notifications may be based on external signals, output to external files, or information sent via the network 5.

[0045] The notification unit 120 may also determine whether to notify information related to settings based on the content of the notification from the display detection unit 110. For example, the notification unit 120 may notify information related to settings for a setting item only when the display detection unit 110 detects that no display related to an update of the setting item's value is being displayed. This approach can prevent redundant notifications by, for example, notifying the user when a setting screen is opened and settings are being made. Instead, notifications related to settings for a setting item are only made when an MDI program or machining program instruction, an external signal, or a request to update a setting item from a higher-level management device is received.

[0046] When a setting item value is changed, the control device 1 having the above-described structure provides guidance and notification regarding the change in the setting item, even if the screen displaying the setting-related information is not displayed. This allows the operator to confirm the change without switching to another screen. This reduces the burden on the operator and improves the visibility of the setting-related operation.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the functions of the control device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention as a schematic block diagram. The functions of the control device 1 according to this embodiment are shown in FIG. Figure 1 This is achieved by the CPU 11 included in the control device 1 executing a system program to control the operation of each unit of the control device 1 .

[0048] The control device 1 of this embodiment includes, in addition to the setting detection unit 100, the display detection unit 110, and the notification unit 120, a setting history notification unit 130. Furthermore, the RAM 13 or the nonvolatile memory 14 of the control device 1 includes a setting information storage unit 200, which is an area for storing values ​​set for each setting item in the control device 1, and a setting history storage unit 210, which is an area for storing a history of setting values ​​for the setting items.

[0049] When the setting detection unit 100 of this embodiment detects the setting of a value for a setting item related to the control of industrial machinery, it stores the acquired information related to the setting as a history in the setting history storage unit 210. The setting history storage unit 210 stores the information related to the setting acquired by the setting detection unit 100 in association with information such as the date and time when the update request was made. The remaining functions of the setting detection unit 100, as well as the functions of the display detection unit 110 and the notification unit 120, are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0050] The setting history notification unit 130 Figure 1 The control device 1 shown is implemented by CPU 11 executing a system program read from ROM 12. The CPU 11 performs arithmetic processing using RAM 13 and nonvolatile memory 14, and input / output processing using interface 17. The setting history notification unit 130 notifies the user of the history of information related to settings stored in the setting history storage unit 210.

[0051] Figure 6 This example shows a history of information related to settings being notified on the display screen of display device 70. For example, when soft key 330 for "Setting History" displayed on the display screen is touched, setting history notification unit 130 reads a predetermined number of recently performed settings from setting history storage unit 210 and displays them in chronological order in setting history window 340. This display allows the operator to review settings made to date in chronological order, thereby enabling the operator to confirm, for example, any settings that were missed, the extent of settings made, or any settings not yet made by the operator.

[0052] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the functions of the control device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention as a schematic block diagram. The functions of the control device 1 according to this embodiment are shown in FIG. Figure 1 This is achieved by the CPU 11 included in the control device 1 executing a system program to control the operation of each unit of the control device 1 .

[0053] The control device 1 of this embodiment includes a setting screen display unit 140 in addition to a setting detection unit 100, a display detection unit 110, a notification unit 120, and a setting history notification unit 130. Furthermore, the RAM 13 or the nonvolatile memory 14 of the control device 1 includes a setting information storage unit 200, which is an area for storing values ​​set for each setting item in the control device 1, and a setting history storage unit 210, which is an area for storing a history of setting values ​​for the setting items.

[0054] The functions of the setting detection unit 100 , the display detection unit 110 , the notification unit 120 , and the setting history notification unit 130 in this embodiment are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0055] The setting screen display unit 140 is configured by Figure 1 The control device 1 shown is implemented by the CPU 11 executing a system program read from the ROM 12. The CPU 11 mainly performs arithmetic processing using the RAM 13 and nonvolatile memory 14, and input / output processing using the interface 17. When information related to settings indicated by the setting history notified by the setting history notification unit 130 is selected, the setting screen display unit 140 displays a setting screen for setting the setting items set by the setting information on the display screen of the display device 70.

[0056] For example, in Figure 6 In the illustrated setting history window 340, when information related to setting when setting the workpiece coordinates is selected, the window Figure 8 The workpiece coordinate setting screen is shown in the example. Figure 6 In the illustrated setting history window 340, when information related to the setting when setting the tool offset is selected, the Figure 9 The tool offset setting screen shown in the example. The setting screen display unit 140 may also highlight the value of the setting item updated by the information related to the selected setting when displaying the setting screen. For example, Figure 6 In the example, when selecting information related to the setting "Workpiece coordinate G54 X10.0 Y20.0 2020 / 9 / 310:30", Figure 10 As illustrated, the positions of the X-axis and Y-axis of the workpiece coordinates set by the G54 command can be highlighted.

[0057] This configuration allows users to directly access a settings screen for confirming and updating information related to each setting from a settings history notification, enabling simple operation to confirm and modify settings. Furthermore, the displayed settings screen highlights items related to information related to the settings in the selected history, allowing operators to easily identify which items to focus on, potentially improving the efficiency of settings-related operations.

[0058] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the example of the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms by adding appropriate changes.

[0059] Description of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1. Control device

[0061] 3Industrial machinery

[0062] 5. Network

[0063] 6. Fog Computer

[0064] 7 Cloud Servers

[0065] 11CPU

[0066] 12ROM

[0067] 13 RAM

[0068] 14 Non-volatile memory

[0069] Interfaces 15, 17, 18, and 20

[0070] 16PLC

[0071] 19I / O units

[0072] 22 bus

[0073] 30-axis control circuit

[0074] 40 servo amplifier

[0075] 50 servo motor

[0076] 70 display device

[0077] 71 Input device

[0078] 72 external devices

[0079] 100 Setting detection unit

[0080] 110 display detection unit

[0081] 120 Notification Department

[0082] 130 Setting history notification unit

[0083] 140 Setting screen display unit

[0084] 200 Setting information storage unit

[0085] 210 sets the history storage unit.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling industrial machinery, characterized in that: The control device comprises: a setting detection unit that detects a setting value of a setting item related to control of the industrial machine; a notification unit for notifying information related to the setting; as well as a display detection unit that detects whether information related to the setting detected by the setting detection unit is displayed on the display screen of the control device; The notification unit notifies the display screen of the information related to the setting only when the display detection unit detects that the information related to the setting is not displayed on the display screen.

2. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that The notification by the notification unit is at least one of display of a guidance message and display by a pop-up window.

3. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that The setting detected by the setting detection unit is at least one of a setting based on execution of an MDI program, a setting based on execution of a machining program, a setting based on an external signal, and a setting from a higher-level computer via a network.

4. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control device further comprises: a setting history storage unit that stores a history of information related to the setting detected by the setting detection unit; and The setting history display unit displays the history of information related to the setting stored in the setting history storage unit.

5. The control device according to claim 4, characterized in that The control device further includes a setting screen display unit that displays a setting screen for setting a setting item set by information related to a setting selected from the setting history displayed by the setting history display unit.

6. The control device according to claim 5, characterized in that The setting screen display unit highlights a setting value set by the information related to the setting on the setting screen.

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