Method for data management of a power tool, in particular an operating mechanism of a power tool, and operating

Abstract

In a method for data management of a machine tool, in particular of an operating mechanism of a machine tool, data of the operating mechanism (23, 28, 29) of the machine tool (20) is detected and stored at least with regard to its identification. According to the invention, the data management is carried out when the machine tool (20) is used for producing a gear wheel and / or machining a tooth part, in particular a dressing tool, a clamping mechanism, a grinding tool and / or the like is used as the operating mechanism (23, 28, 29). The operating mechanisms (23, 28, 29) are each provided with at least one transponder (23 ', 28', 29 ') for detecting, in particular their identification and preferably further parameters, such as valid data and geometric data. The transponders (23 ', 28', 29 ') can communicate with at least one transmitting / reading unit (30) assigned to the machine tool (20) in order to wirelessly transmit data signals. By means of this data management, the production of precisely manufactured gears can be achieved with significantly lower error rates and thus improved quality standards can be achieved and this can be achieved with the maximum service life of the machining tool.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for data management of a machine tool, in particular of an operating mechanism of a machine tool, wherein data of the operating mechanism of the machine tool are detected and stored at least with respect to its identification, wherein the operating mechanism is a machining tool, a clamping and centering mechanism for at least one machining tool and / or for a workpiece (according to the preamble of claim 1), and the present invention also relates to an operating mechanism and a machine tool.

[0002] In known operating mechanism management of machine tools, in particular for gear manufacturing or toothed parts processing, the parameters of operating mechanisms, such as tools, clamping mechanisms, etc., are usually entered by the operator individually during data detection of the machine tool and after use in a register card or the like. However, this type of detection of operating mechanism parameters lacks a central superior evaluation and accordingly only allows limited access and data collection over longer periods is not possible or can only be done in a laborious manner. Furthermore, only limited exchanges can take place between the machine and tool manufacturer on the one hand and the gear manufacturer using the machine and tool on the other hand.

[0003] When machine tools are operated by means of tumbling, profile grinding, gear honing, hobbing, hobbing or the like, a basic prerequisite is that the tools used for this are manufactured with the utmost precision and are therefore correspondingly expensive in terms of cost. It is therefore sought to achieve the maximum service life with these tools and to always use them optimally.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the object of further improving the method for data management of operating means so that data of operating means of a machine tool, such as tools, clamping means, etc., can be automatically detected and evaluated during the production process without manual entry or the like.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1 .

[0006] According to the present invention, data management of operating mechanisms is applied in the case where a machine tool is used for manufacturing gears and / or machining toothed parts, wherein as operating mechanisms in particular dressing tools, clamping mechanisms, grinding tools and / or the like are used, which are each equipped with at least one transponder for detecting in particular their identification and preferably further parameters, such as effective data and geometric data, wherein these transponders can each communicate with at least one transmitting / reading unit assigned to the machine tool for contactless reading and / or transmission of data signals.

[0007] Utilize according to the data management of the present invention can realize the production of gears of accurate manufacture under the situation of significantly lower error rate and can realize improved quality standard thereby and this can realize under the situation of maximum service life of processing tool.In addition, can reduce or optimize production time according to requirement.

[0008] Very advantageously, an RFID tag is used in each case for the integrated transponder in the operating mechanism, which communicates with a transmitting / reading unit assigned to the machine tool using a frequency in the UHF wave range. As a result, data stored in the transponder can be read by the transmitting / reading unit, or conversely, data and energy can be sent from the transmitting / reading unit to the transponder and stored in the transponder.

[0009] Furthermore, the signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit and the transponder takes place via at least one antenna assigned to the transmitting / reading unit and, if necessary, via an additional auxiliary antenna. The auxiliary antenna is fixedly or adjustably arranged in the machine tool in such a way that the signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit and the one or more operating elements is fully and therefore always ensured. The at least one antenna can be arranged separately from the cable connection to the transmitting / reading unit or integrated therein.

[0010] Before the actual machining process with the operating elements to be used is carried out by setting up the machine tool, a program-controlled automated detection of the data of the operating elements is carried out by the transmitting / reading unit. These data are detected, distributed, visualized, stored and / or analyzed in another way by the evaluation unit. In the case of clamped workpieces being set up before honing or machining, incorrect manipulation can be almost completely ruled out.

[0011] After a partial or complete machining process of a workpiece by a machine tool with the operating device used, a program-controlled automated detection of specific data, such as machining time for determining the service life of the tool used, is also performed, which are determined by the transmitting / reading unit and detected and stored by the evaluation unit.

[0012] The invention and its further advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using exemplary embodiments.

[0013] Figure 1 A perspective view of a machine tool according to the invention for machining a toothing of a workpiece using a grinding tool; and

[0014] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a machine tool according to the invention for producing a gear wheel using a planing tool is shown.

[0015] Figure 1 A machine tool 10 for machining a toothed part of a workpiece 18 is shown, the machine tool 10 comprising: a machine base 17; a tool turret 24 rotatably mounted on the machine base about a vertical axis; a mechanism 16 arranged next to the tool turret and comprising a single center probe; and a tool slide 25 horizontally guided and adjustable on the machine base 17, the tool slide 25 having a rotatably mounted machining tool 14. A clamping mechanism 12 for the workpiece 18 is arranged in the portal with the tool turret 24, and furthermore a dressing device 11 with a dressing tool, a tailstock device 15 for centering the workpiece arranged in a height-adjustable manner above the workpiece 18, and a motor drive 19 is arranged on top. The motor drive 19 can be used to rotate the tool turret 24 together with the workpiece table as a portal. An adjustable cooling nozzle device 13 assigned to the tool 14 and other components of the clamping mechanism and their supports are also provided. The tool 14 designed as a grinding wheel is rotatable about a horizontal axis, but can naturally also be arranged rotatable about an inclined axis.

[0016] As operating elements of the machine tool 10 , in particular the machining tool 14 , the clamping element 12 , a dressing tool, the tailstock tip of the tailstock device 15 and the nozzles of the cooling nozzle device 13 are provided.

[0017] The machine tool 10 shown can be used to carry out machining in a known manner by means of continuous grinding, partial grinding, discontinuous or continuous contour grinding of the workpiece or dressing of the tool.

[0018] Figure 2 The machine tool 20 is schematically shown with a workpiece table 22 having a clamping device 23 for a workpiece (not shown in detail) and a tool slide 26 which is preferably movable in the X and Z directions and has a bearing support 21 and a tool support 28 for a machining tool 29. The machining tool 29, which is designed as a planing tool, is rotated by a rotary drive (not shown in detail) and can be moved upward and downward for rolling.

[0019] As operating means of the machine tool 20 , for example, the tool holder 28 and the machining tool 29 are provided on the one hand, and the clamping means 23 is provided on the workpiece side on the other hand.

[0020] Not all details of these machine tools 10 , 20 are illustrated, but rather only those machine parts or operating mechanisms that are relevant to the present invention are shown.

[0021] However, it may also be a machine tool which is operated by means of tooth honing, hobbing or a combined production and machining of gear wheels.

[0022] According to the invention, in the case of these machine tools 10, 20 designed for manufacturing gears or machining toothed parts of workpieces, data management is performed, wherein data, in particular of their operating mechanisms, are detected at least with respect to their identification. For this detection, these operating mechanisms 23, 28, 29 are each equipped with at least one transponder 23', 28', 29', which can communicate with a transmitting / reading unit 30 assigned to the machine tool 10, 20 - for example, Figure 2 The corresponding transponder and the sending / reading unit can be similarly arranged in accordance with Figure 1 The operating mechanism of the power tool 10 is shown in FIG.

[0023] The transponders 23', 28', 29', which are preferably arranged on the outside of the operating mechanism 23, 28, 29, are very advantageously manufactured as RFID tags, which communicate with the transmitting / reading unit 30 assigned to the machine tool 20 using frequencies in the UHF wave range. As transponders of known manufacturers, both the transmitting / reading unit and the UHF tag are involved. These transponders 23', 28', 29' are only implicitly Figure 2 The operating mechanism 23, 28, 29 is explained, but not in accordance with Figure 1 The operating mechanism is explained in FIG. 1 , but this can be set up in the same way.

[0024] The transponders 23', 28', 29' are respectively fastened, for example glued, on the outer side of the operating mechanism 23, 28, 29. Advantageously, the transponders can be fastened in grooves on the outer side to the respective housings of the operating mechanisms 23, 28, 29, wherein the transponders respectively protrude to the outer side or are placed flush with the operating mechanism. A transponder can be provided in each case, or a plurality of transponders can be provided on the outer circumference and / or the end side of the respective operating mechanism 23, 28, 29. For fixing or as a protective layer against impact or cooling fluids, the transponders 23', 28', 29' can be cast on the outer side with a non-conductive material, such as a resin.

[0025] The invention is also characterized in that the signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit 30 and the transponders 23', 28', 29' is carried out via an antenna assigned to the transmitting / reading unit 30 and at least one additional auxiliary antenna 31. The auxiliary antenna 31 is fixedly or adjustably arranged in the machine tool 20 in such a way that the signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit 30 and one or more operating mechanisms 23, 28, 29 is ensured at all times or at least at certain positions of the operating mechanisms.

[0026] Advantageously, the auxiliary antenna 31 is preferably placed near the transponder 23', 28', 29' without any other components located in between. The transponder 23', 28', 29' itself is positioned accordingly in the operating mechanism 23, 28, 29 in such a way that the transponder is oriented toward the auxiliary antenna 31. The spacing between the auxiliary antenna 31 and the transponder preferably varies in the millimeter range, especially when setting up the machine tool before or after the machining process, wherein the data of the operating mechanism 23, 28, 29 are read and sent to the evaluation unit via the transmission / reading unit 30 for its evaluation and storage.

[0027] Advantageously, a transmitting / reading unit 30 with its antenna is arranged laterally in the processing area near the operating mechanism 23, 28, 29, and an auxiliary antenna 31 is arranged directly next to the transponder 23', 28', 29' on each stationary part 27, 32 of the machine tool as described above. This placement of the transmitting / reading unit and the auxiliary antenna can vary depending on the type of machine. Thus, at least one antenna of the transmitting / reading unit can be arranged behind the processing space or on the top side. Likewise, the auxiliary antenna can be positioned so that it can move towards the corresponding transponder or away from these transponders, or the operating mechanism with the transponder can move towards or away from the fixed auxiliary antenna.

[0028] Sometimes, the range of the signal transmission power of the transponder is increased by means of the auxiliary antenna 31. This is necessary if the transponder cannot be read well due to the geometrical properties of the operating mechanism or due to the ambient conditions in the machine tool. The geometrical properties of the operating mechanism have an effect in such a way that they act like an extension of the antenna for the transponder. The elongated geometry of the operating mechanism is better suited to the range of the signal transmission power of the transponder. However, since the external geometry cannot be changed in some operating mechanisms, these auxiliary antennas are used within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] The data can be forwarded by the evaluation unit to a control center of the machine tool 20 and detected, tested and connected by the control center in at least one database in a program-controlled manner for the processing process. These forwarded data signals can be detected, distributed, stored, visualized and / or analyzed in other ways by a computer program accordingly.

[0030] In addition, data can be exchanged between the operating machine tools 10, 20 and forwarded via the network to an external location, such as preferably to the machine and tool manufacturer, where these data can be analyzed and the operating mechanisms 23, 28, 29 can be adapted and optimized, and thus the quality assurance of production can be improved. These analyzed data can then be transmitted from the external location to the corresponding machine tool at the manufacturer. The gear manufacturer can also optionally access these data.

[0031] The auxiliary antenna 31 is formed by a rod, by a flexible longitudinal element, such as a spring or a wire, or by another suitable form. The auxiliary antenna can also be telescopic and / or consist of a plurality of arms connected to each other by means of an articulated connection. It goes without saying that preferably, a plurality of auxiliary antennas can also be provided for each operating mechanism at different positions determined in or on the machine tool, which can communicate with the corresponding one or more transmitting / reading units by means of one or more antennas.

[0032] Preferably, when the machine tool 20 is set up for processing with the necessary operating mechanisms 23, 28, 29, program-controlled automated processing of the data signals transmitted from the transponders 23', 28', 29' to the transmission / reading unit 30 and the evaluation unit is performed, and these data signals are correspondingly detected, distributed, visualized, stored, analyzed and / or forwarded in other ways. It goes without saying that these data can also be called up and checked manually. In addition, these data should advantageously be able to be supplemented, corrected and / or processed manually at any time, whether directly at the evaluation unit on the machine or from outside via a network.

[0033] After a partial or complete machining process has been performed by the machine tool 20 with the identified operating elements 23, 28, 29, a program-controlled automated processing of specific data, such as machining times for determining the service life of the used tool 29, can be performed again. The data can be forwarded by the evaluation unit to a control center of the machine tool 20 and stored and connected in a program-controlled manner by the control center for further machining processes.

[0034] During the detection by these transponders 23', 28', 29' belonging to the operating mechanism 23, 28, 29, in the case of identification, at least the product and serial number of the operating mechanism and, if possible, its further data, such as index, repair or version number, are transmitted. In addition, the valid data and geometric data of the operating mechanism 23, 28, 29 can be entered in the corresponding transponders 23', 28', 29' or called up by these transponders. As valid data, in particular, the actually achieved service life or the limit values ​​of the service life can be detected, which can be set by the gear manufacturer according to the situation. Geometric data are nominal data, which are used, for example, for the design of tools and are determined to be the same for all products with the same product number; and are actual data, which are measured and detected after production.

[0035] In the case of a planing tool as an operating element 29, the durability or number of slices during the processing of the workpiece and also the number of workpieces processed using the planing tool 29 can be determined by corresponding measuring devices, for example by means of the stroke movement per time unit and the application duration, and these can be detected and stored in the transponder via the sending / reading unit 30.

[0036] In the case of the machining tool 14 as a grinding wheel, the following important identifications are automatically detected by the machine tool and taken into account in a simple and safe manner when set up, without any incorrect input occurring as in the case of manual reading: whether it is a CBN grinding hob, a single grinding disk, a set of grinding disks, a grinding disk set or the like.

[0037] In the case of a dressing tool as an operating element, certain useful data, such as the number of dressing cycles, the dressing amount, the dressing length and others, can be calculated, written to the transponder and stored there.

[0038] In certain machine tools, the jaws of the clamping mechanism or the basic fixture and various so-called holders as operating means with transponders can also be provided on the workpiece side together with the tailstock tip 15. These are supports on which the workpieces can be placed or fixed, or separators for grinding oil, stations for reading DMC codes applied to the workpieces, or shelves for workpieces that are to be measured or not measured sufficiently.

[0039] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to equip tool or workpiece magazines, loading modules for automated loading of workpieces or additional operating devices for measuring, trimming or other machining activities with an operating device according to the invention having a transponder and a transmitting / reading unit which communicates, for example, with a control center of a machine tool or with a separate evaluation unit. This may also be a device for supplying grinding oil.

[0040] The present invention has been fully explained with the above-described exemplary embodiments, but it can also be explained with further variants.

[0041] In principle, instead of UHF tags, low-frequency or high-frequency tags can be used, depending on requirements and the configuration of the auxiliary antenna, which likewise allow unambiguous identification compared to UHF tags, but have a shorter range in the millimeter range and comparatively more storage space.

[0042] An alternative to UHF tags is to use SHF (Super high frequency) tags.

[0043] In principle, the identification can be realized, detected and stored by means of a UHF transponder and additional data detection elements on a second high-frequency transponder arranged on the operating mechanism. Alternatively, these additional data can be provided on a data carrier, a DMC code or an RFID transponder (card, tag or the like) of different frequencies. In addition, it is possible that these additional data located on the operating mechanism can be loaded onto the machine tool from a database at the machine tool, at the gear manufacturer or in the cloud.

[0044] If the transponder has sufficient storage capacity, all data can be stored on it and read or called from there. This will allow: the system can be operated without an additional database. In the case of a transponder with only limited storage space, only a part of the operating mechanism data can be stored on the transponder, for example identification data and the selected service life actually achieved in the case of a processing tool. Further data (such as geometric data, boundary data) are detected via a network or another data carrier. This can be achieved by a network between the machine, the gear manufacturer and / or the machine tool manufacturer. In addition to the usual design, the gear to be processed can also be a sector gear, a worm gear or the like.

[0045] In principle, sufficient transmission power can also be achieved without an auxiliary antenna, for example in the case of a small machine tool. Likewise, the transmitting / reading unit and the evaluation unit can be placed as separate operating mechanisms on or next to the machine tool.

Claims

1. A method for data management of a machine tool, in particular of operating mechanisms of a machine tool, wherein data of operating mechanisms (23, 28, 29) of the machine tool (10, 20) are detected and stored at least with respect to their identification, wherein the operating mechanisms (23, 28, 29) are, for example, machining tools, clamping and centering mechanisms for holding the machining tools and workpieces, characterized in that The data management is carried out in the case of a machine tool (10, 20) for manufacturing gears and / or machining toothed parts, wherein in particular a dressing tool, a clamping device, a grinding tool and / or the like is used as an operating device (23, 28, 29), and the operating devices (23, 28, 29) are respectively equipped with at least one transponder (23', 28', 29') for detecting in particular their identification and preferably other parameters such as effective data and geometric data, wherein the transponders (23', 28', 29') can communicate with at least one transmitting / reading unit (30) assigned to the machine tool (10, 20) for wireless transmission of data signals.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Preferably, when the machine tool (10, 20) is set up for processing with the operating mechanism to be used, a program-controlled automated detection of the data signals transmitted between the transponder (23', 28', 29') and the transmitting / reading unit (30) is carried out, and the data are detected, distributed, visualized, stored and / or analyzed in another way by an analysis unit.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: After a partial or complete machining process performed by the machine tool (10, 20) with identified operating elements, a program-controlled automated detection of certain data, such as machining time, is performed in order to determine the service life of the tool used.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: An evaluation unit connected to the transmitting / reading unit (30) is integrated in the control center in a switch cabinet or the like of the machine tool (10, 20) and data can be exchanged or processed between them via a computer program.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The data are transmitted via a network to at least one external location or vice versa from the location to the corresponding machine tool (10, 20), for example preferably to or from a machine and tool manufacturer as an external location, wherein the data can be analyzed and processed and the operating mechanism (23, 28, 29) can be adapted and optimized.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that Transponders (23', 28', 29') as RFID tags respectively integrated in the operating elements (23, 28, 29) communicate with the transmitting / reading unit (30) using frequencies in the UHF wave range.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit (30) and the transponder (23', 28', 29') is carried out via an antenna assigned to the transmitting / reading unit (30) and at least one additional auxiliary antenna (31), wherein the auxiliary antenna (31) is fixedly or adjustably arranged in the machine tool (10, 20) in such a way that the signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit and the one or more operating mechanisms is ensured.

8. An operating device for a machine tool for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The operating mechanism (23, 28, 29) is in particular a dressing tool and a clamping mechanism of the machine tool (10, 20) or a grinding tool, a milling tool, a planing tool, a boring tool, a clamping mechanism, a centering mechanism, a grinding oil nozzle or the like, for manufacturing a gear and / or machining a toothed part, wherein the operating mechanism is in particular equipped with at least one transponder (23', 28', 29') on its respective outer side in such a way that the operating mechanism can communicate with the transmitting / reading unit (30) assigned to the machine tool via at least one antenna.

9. The operating mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The respective transponder (23', 28', 29') is fastened in a recess, for example by means of resin, on the outer side of the actuating member (23, 28, 29) and projects relative to the outer side or lies flush with the actuating member.

10. The operating mechanism according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: A transponder is produced which is respectively integrated in the operating mechanism (23, 28, 29) as an RFID tag with an operating frequency in the UHF or SHF wave range.

11. A machine tool for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the machine tool being equipped with an operating mechanism (23, 28, 29), such as a machining tool, a clamping and centering mechanism for holding the machining tool and a workpiece, characterized in that The machine tool (10, 20) is constructed for manufacturing gears and / or machining toothed parts, wherein as an operating mechanism, in particular a dressing tool, a clamping mechanism, a grinding tool and / or the like can be used, and the operating mechanism is respectively equipped with at least one transponder (23', 28', 29') for detecting in particular its identification and other parameters, such as effective data and geometric data, in at least one database, wherein at least one transmitting / reading unit (30) is integrated, which is operatively connected to the transponder on the one hand for wireless transmission of data signals and on the other hand to an analysis unit in the control center of the machine tool (10, 20), and the forwarded data signals are detected, distributed, stored, visualized and / or analyzed and processed in other ways by means of a computer program.

12. The machine tool according to claim 11, characterized in that At least one antenna assigned to the transmitting / reading unit (30) and an additional auxiliary antenna (31) are present in the machine tool (10, 20), wherein the auxiliary antenna (31) is fixedly or adjustably arranged in the machine tool (10, 20) in such a way that the signal transmission between the operating mechanism and the transmitting / reading unit is ensured.

13. The machine tool according to claim 12, characterized in that The auxiliary antenna (31) is made of a rod, a flexible longitudinal element such as a spring, a wire or other suitable form and is positioned near the transponder (23', 28', 29').

14. The machine tool according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The transmitting / reading unit (30) with its antenna is arranged in the processing area near the operating mechanism (23, 28, 29), and the auxiliary antenna (31) is arranged on the stationary part (27, 32) of the machine tool (10, 20) directly next to the transponder (23', 28', 29').

15. The machine tool according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The auxiliary antenna is positioned in such a way that it can be moved toward or away from the corresponding transponder (23', 28', 29') and / or the operating mechanism with the transponder can be moved toward or away from the fixed auxiliary antenna.

16. The machine tool according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that Continuous tumbling, partial tumbling, discontinuous or continuous profile grinding, tooth honing, hobbing and / or hobbing can be performed by means of a machine tool (10, 20) designed for producing gear wheels and / or machining toothing.

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