Machining time estimation device for layer provided with reading spindle, machining time estimation method, and computer readable medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a machining time estimation device, a machining time estimation method, and a computer-readable medium storing a machining time estimation program for a lathe provided with an opposite main shaft, and provides a technology capable of appropriately eliminating estimation unevenness of machining time caused by different estimation of machining directions in the lathe provided with the opposite main shaft. On the basis of restriction condition data (303) indicating restriction conditions for front surface processing (first processing) and / or back surface processing (second processing), and product data (302), a processing direction determination unit (153) determines whether the orientation of a product (82) is a processing direction in which the orientation is either a first orientation (DR1) along a material center line (AX1) or a second orientation (DR2) opposite the first orientation (DR1). An estimated time output unit (154) calculates a first estimated time (TT1) required for front surface machining and a second estimated time (TT2) required for back surface machining in the machining direction on the basis of machining condition data (304), material data (301), and product data (302), said machining condition data (304) indicating machining conditions (including machining speeds) performed by tools used in front surface machining and back surface machining. And outputs an estimated time required to manufacture the article (82) on the basis of the first estimated time (TT1) and the second estimated time (TT2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machining time estimation device for a lathe equipped with opposing spindles, a machining time estimation method, and a computer-readable medium storing a machining time estimation program. Background Art

[0002] Customers who are considering purchasing NC (Numerical Control) lathes use the estimated processing time as a factor in their decision making when purchasing, in addition to being able to process specific parts with the lathe they plan to purchase. In addition, when a parts processing manufacturer that owns an NC lathe is asked by a customer to estimate the cost of a part, it presents the estimated processing time based on the part to the customer. The estimated processing time is manually created by a technician who is familiar with lathe processing methods and derives the optimal processing procedures and processing conditions based on past experience.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a processing-related information generating device that generates tool path data based on CAD (Computer Aided Design) data.

[0004] [Background Technology Literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-189510 Summary of the invention

[0007] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In a spindle-opposing lathe, the "machining direction" indicating which side of the left or right side the material is to be machined relative to the product shape, that is, which direction along the center line of the material the product is to be oriented, is determined by the technician based on his or her own experience. Therefore, the estimated results of the machining direction vary depending on the technician's knowledge and proficiency, and as a result, the estimated machining time also varies.

[0009] The processing-related information generating device does not consider the determination of the processing direction in a spindle-opposing type lathe.

[0010] The present invention discloses a technology capable of appropriately eliminating the estimated deviation of machining time caused by different estimated machining directions in a lathe equipped with opposing spindles.

[0011] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0012] The processing time estimation device of the present invention has the following aspects, which estimates the time required for a lathe to manufacture a product, wherein the lathe performs a first processing on a workpiece held on a first spindle with a material center line as the center, and performs a second processing on the workpiece that has undergone the first processing and is held on a second spindle opposite to the first spindle; and the processing time estimation device comprises:

[0013] a material data input accepting unit for accepting input of material data, wherein the material data at least indicates a shape of a material used for the workpiece;

[0014] A product data input accepting unit accepts input of product data, wherein the product data at least represents the shape of each region of the product obtained from the material;

[0015] a processing direction determining unit that determines whether to set the orientation of the product to a first orientation along the center line of the material or to a processing direction of a second orientation opposite to the first orientation based on constraint condition data indicating a constraint condition of at least one of the first processing and the second processing and the product data; and

[0016] An estimated time output unit calculates a first estimated time required for the first processing and a second estimated time required for the second processing according to the processing direction based on processing condition data representing processing conditions including processing speeds performed by each tool used in the first processing and the second processing, the material data, and the product data, and outputs an estimated time required to manufacture the product based on the first estimated time and the second estimated time.

[0017] In addition, the processing time estimation method of the present invention has the following aspects, which estimates the time required for a lathe to manufacture a product, wherein the lathe performs a first processing on a workpiece held on a first spindle with a material centerline as the center, and performs a second processing on the workpiece that has undergone the first processing and is held on a second spindle opposite to the first spindle; and the processing time estimation method comprises:

[0018] A material data input acceptance step for accepting input of material data, wherein the material data at least indicates a shape of a material used for the workpiece;

[0019] a product data input acceptance step for accepting an input of product data, wherein the product data at least represents a shape of each region of the product obtained from the material;

[0020] a processing direction determining step for determining whether to set the orientation of the product to a first orientation along the center line of the material or to a processing direction of a second orientation opposite to the first orientation based on constraint condition data indicating a constraint condition of at least one of the first processing and the second processing and the product data; and

[0021] The estimated time output process calculates a first estimated time required for the first processing and a second estimated time required for the second processing according to the processing direction based on processing condition data representing processing conditions including processing speeds performed by each tool used in the first processing and the second processing, the material data, and the product data, and outputs the estimated time required to manufacture the product based on the first estimated time and the second estimated time.

[0022] In addition, the processing time estimation program of the present invention has the following aspects, which is used to estimate the time required for a lathe to manufacture a product, the lathe performing a first processing on a workpiece held on a first spindle with a material centerline as the center, and performing a second processing on the workpiece that has undergone the first processing and is held on a second spindle opposite to the first spindle; and the processing time estimation program enables a computer to implement the following functions:

[0023] A material data input accepting function for accepting input of material data, wherein the material data at least indicates the shape of the material used for the workpiece;

[0024] A product data input acceptance function for accepting input of product data, wherein the product data at least represents the shape of each region of the product obtained from the material;

[0025] a processing direction determination function for determining whether to set the orientation of the product to a first orientation along the center line of the material or to a processing direction of a second orientation opposite to the first orientation based on constraint condition data indicating a constraint condition of at least one of the first processing and the second processing and the product data; and

[0026] The estimated time output function calculates a first estimated time required for the first processing and a second estimated time required for the second processing according to the processing direction based on processing condition data representing processing conditions including processing speeds of each tool used in the first processing and the second processing, the material data, and the product data, and outputs the estimated time required to manufacture the product based on the first estimated time and the second estimated time.

[0027] [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology capable of appropriately eliminating the estimation deviation of machining time due to the difference in estimation of machining directions in a lathe equipped with opposing spindles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a lathe equipped with opposing spindles.

[0030] Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows an example of a processing direction, and the processing direction indicates in which direction along the center line of the material the product obtained from the material is oriented.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a machining time estimation device.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit configuration of a server included in the machining time estimation device, an example of the configuration of a machining time estimation program, and an example of a data group.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a diagram schematically showing a structural example of product data.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a diagram schematically showing a structural example of constraint data.

[0035] Figure 7 It is a diagram schematically showing a structural example of processing condition data.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a flowchart schematically showing an example of machining time estimation processing.

[0037] Fig.9A , Fig. 9B This is a diagram schematically showing an example of determining a processing direction.

[0038] Fig.10 This is a diagram schematically showing an example of determining a machining direction when there is no restriction on machining.

[0039] Fig.11 This is a diagram schematically showing an example of a machining time estimate sheet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Of course, the following embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention, and all features shown in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0041] (1) Overview of the technology included in the present invention:

[0042] First, refer to Figures 1 to 11 The examples shown illustrate the outline of the technology included in the present invention. In addition, the figures of this application are schematic diagrams of examples, and the magnifications of the directions shown in these figures are sometimes different, and the figures sometimes do not match. Of course, the elements of this technology are not limited to the specific examples shown by the symbols.

[0043] In addition, in the present application, the numerical range "Min to Max" means a range from a minimum value Min to a maximum value Max.

[0044] [Aspect 1]

[0045] A processing time estimation device 1 according to one aspect of the present technology is as follows Figure 1 As shown in the examples of FIG. 1 , the time required for a lathe 2 to manufacture a product 82 is estimated, and the lathe 2 performs a first processing (e.g., front processing) on ​​a workpiece W1 fixed on a first spindle (e.g., front spindle 11) with a material center line AX1 as the center, and performs a second processing (e.g., back processing) on ​​the workpiece W1 after the first processing and fixed on a second spindle (e.g., back spindle 21) opposite to the first spindle (11). The processing time estimation device 1 is as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in the example, it includes a material data input receiving unit 151, a product data input receiving unit 152, a processing direction determining unit 153, and an estimated time output unit 154. The material data input receiving unit 151 receives input of material data 301, and the material data 301 at least represents the shape of the material 81 used for the workpiece W1. The product data input receiving unit 152 receives input of product data 302, and the product data 302 at least represents the shape of each area (for example, areas A1 to A3) of the product 82 obtained from the material 81. The processing direction determining unit 153 is as shown in FIG. Figure 2 , 8 As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 10, based on the constraint condition data 303 indicating the constraint condition of at least one of the first processing and the second processing and the product data 302, it is determined whether the orientation of the product 82 is set to the first orientation DR1 along the material center line AX1 or to the processing direction of the second orientation DR2 opposite to the first orientation DR1. The estimated time output unit 154 calculates the first estimated time TT1 required for the first processing according to the processing direction and the second estimated time TT2 required for the second processing based on the processing condition data 304 indicating the processing conditions including the processing speed performed by each tool (for example, tools TO1, TO2) used in the first processing and the second processing, the material data 301, and the product data 302. The estimated time output unit 154 outputs the estimated time required to manufacture the product 82 based on the first estimated time TT1 and the second estimated time TT2.

[0046] In the first aspect, first, a machining direction indicating the direction along the material center line AX1 in which the orientation of the product 82 is set is automatically determined. Estimated times (TT1, TT2) required for the first machining and the second machining are automatically calculated according to the machining direction, and the estimated time required to manufacture the product 82 is output based on these estimated times (TT1, TT2). Therefore, the first aspect can provide a machining time estimation device that can appropriately eliminate the estimation deviation of the machining time caused by the difference in the estimation of the machining direction in a lathe equipped with opposing spindles.

[0047] Various examples can be considered for the described aspects.

[0048] For example, the first main axis may be movable in the material centerline direction along the material centerline, or may not be movable in the material centerline direction. The second main axis may also be movable in the material centerline direction, or may not be movable in the material centerline direction.

[0049] The lathe may be provided with a guide bushing supporting the workpiece protruding from the first spindle.

[0050] The processing time estimation device may be composed of a server computer and one or more terminals, or may be a stand-alone computer.

[0051] The shape of a material is a concept that includes the size of the material. In addition, the material data may include material data indicating the material quality of the material in addition to the data indicating the shape of the material. When the material data is data indicating at least the shape and material quality of the material, the estimated time required for processing can be calculated according to the preferred processing conditions considering the material quality of the material.

[0052] The shape of a product is a concept that includes the size of the product.

[0053] The machining time estimation device 1 includes a shape data input receiving unit for receiving input of shape data integrating the material data 301 and the product data 302, and also includes a material data input receiving unit 151 and a product data input receiving unit 152.

[0054] In the present application, “first” and “second” are terms used to identify components included in two components having similarities to each other, and do not imply order.

[0055] The above-mentioned remarks also apply to the following aspects.

[0056] [Aspect 2]

[0057] like Figure 6As illustrated, the processing direction determination unit 153 may also determine the processing direction in a manner that satisfies the priority condition based on the constraint condition data 303 representing the constraint condition including a priority condition that prioritizes either the first processing or the second processing, and the product data 302.

[0058] In the above case, since the machining direction is determined so as to satisfy the priority condition, it is possible to provide a suitable example of estimating the machining direction.

[0059] [Aspect 3]

[0060] The product data input accepting unit 152 may also accept input of the product data 302 including processing accuracy. The processing direction determining unit 153 may also determine the processing direction so as to satisfy the processing accuracy based on the constraint condition data 303 indicating the constraint condition including the priority condition giving priority to the first processing and the product data 302.

[0061] In the above case, since the machining direction is determined so as to satisfy the condition of the first machining priority with respect to the machining accuracy, a more appropriate example of estimating the machining direction can be provided.

[0062] [Aspect 4]

[0063] like Figure 8 , 10 As illustrated, when the product data 302 does not include data indicating that the orientation of the product 82 should be set to one of the first orientation DR1 and the second orientation DR2, the first processing or the second processing may be assigned to each of the regions in such a manner as to reduce the difference between the first estimated time TT1 and the second estimated time TT2. This aspect can provide a suitable example of estimating the processing time when there is no restriction on the processing direction.

[0064] [Aspect 5]

[0065] However, a processing time estimation method according to one aspect of the present technology is as follows, which estimates the time required for a lathe 2 to manufacture a product 82, wherein the lathe 2 performs a first processing on a workpiece W1 fixed on a first spindle (11) with a material center line AX1 as the center, and performs a second processing on the workpiece W1 that has undergone the first processing and is fixed on a second spindle (21) opposite to the first spindle (11), such as Figure 8 As illustrated, the machining time estimation method includes the following steps.

[0066] (a1) Material Data Input Accepting Step ST1 accepts input of material data 301 indicating at least the shape of the material 81 used for the workpiece W1.

[0067] (a2) Product Data Input Accepting Step ST2 accepts input of product data 302 , and the product data 302 at least indicates the shape of each region of the product 82 obtained from the material 81 .

[0068] (a3) The processing direction determination step ST3 determines whether to set the orientation of the product 82 to a first orientation DR1 along the material center line AX1, or to a second orientation DR2 opposite to the first orientation DR1, based on the constraint condition data 303 indicating the constraint conditions of at least one of the first processing and the second processing, and the product data 302.

[0069] (a4) Estimated time output process ST4 calculates a first estimated time TT1 required for the first processing and a second estimated time TT2 required for the second processing according to the processing direction based on the processing condition data 304 representing the processing conditions including the processing speed of each tool used in the first processing and the second processing, the material data 301, and the product data 302, and outputs the estimated time required to manufacture the product 82 based on the first estimated time TT1 and the second estimated time TT2.

[0070] The fifth aspect can provide a machining time estimation method that can appropriately eliminate the estimation deviation of the machining time caused by the difference in estimation of the machining direction in a lathe having opposing spindles.

[0071] [Aspect 6]

[0072] In addition, a processing time estimation program PR1 according to one aspect of the present technology is as follows: Figure 4 As illustrated, a computer (e.g., server 100) implements a material data input accepting function FU1 corresponding to a material data input accepting unit 151, a product data input accepting function FU2 corresponding to a product data input accepting unit 152, a processing direction determining function FU3 corresponding to a processing direction determining unit 153, and an estimated time outputting function FU4 corresponding to an estimated time outputting unit 154. This aspect can provide a processing time estimating program that can appropriately eliminate the estimated deviation of the processing time caused by the different estimated processing directions in a lathe having opposing spindles.

[0073] In addition, the present technology can be applied to a system including the machining time estimation device, a machining time estimation method used in the system, a computer-readable non-transitory medium recording the machining time estimation program, etc. The machining time estimation device can also be composed of a plurality of dispersed parts.

[0074] (2) Examples of lathes with opposing spindles:

[0075] Figure 1 The structure of a lathe equipped with opposing spindles is schematically illustrated. Figure 1 The lathe 2 shown is a main spindle-opposing type NC automatic lathe provided with an NC (numerical control) device 70 for numerically controlling the machining of a workpiece W1.

[0076] Figure 1 The control axes of the lathe 2 shown include an X-axis represented by "X", a Y-axis represented by "Y", and a Z-axis represented by "Z". The Z-axis direction is a horizontal direction along the material center line AX1, which is the center line of the spindle that becomes the rotation center of the workpiece W1. The material center line AX1 is the center line of the material used for the workpiece W1. The X-axis direction is a vertical direction orthogonal to the Z-axis. The Y-axis direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the Z-axis. In addition, the Z-axis and the X-axis may not be orthogonal as long as they intersect, the Z-axis and the Y-axis may not be orthogonal as long as they intersect, and the X-axis and the Y-axis may not be orthogonal as long as they intersect. In addition, the drawings referenced in this specification only represent examples used to illustrate the present technology and do not limit the present technology. In addition, the description of the positional relationship of each part is only an example. Therefore, the opposite left and right, or the opposite rotation direction, etc. are also included in the present technology. In addition, the sameness of direction or position, etc. is not limited to strict consistency, and includes situations where they deviate from strict consistency due to errors.

[0077] Figure 1 The lathe 2 shown includes a front spindle stock 10, a front spindle stock drive unit 13, a rear spindle stock 20, a rear spindle stock drive unit 23, a first tool rest 30, a first tool rest drive unit 31, a second tool rest 40, a second tool rest drive unit 41, an NC device 70, etc.

[0078] The front spindle 11 that releasably holds the workpiece W1 with the material center line AX1 as the center, and the motor 12 (for example, a built-in motor) that rotates the front spindle 11 with the material center line AX1 as the center are assembled on the front spindle table 10. The back spindle 21 that releasably holds the workpiece W1 with the material center line AX1 as the center, and the motor 22 (for example, a built-in motor) that rotates the back spindle 21 with the material center line AX1 as the center are assembled on the back spindle table 20. The back spindle 21 is an opposing spindle that is opposite to the front spindle 11 along the material center line AX1. In this specific example, the front spindle 11 is an example of a first spindle, and the back spindle 21 is an example of a second spindle.

[0079] Figure 1 The lathe 2 shown is a spindle-moving lathe, and both the front spindle table 10 and the back spindle table 20 move in the Z-axis direction. The front spindle table driving unit 13 moves at least the front spindle table 10 in the Z-axis direction according to the command from the NC device 70. The back spindle table driving unit 23 moves at least the back spindle table 20 in the Z-axis direction according to the command from the NC device 70. The back spindle table driving unit 23 can also move the back spindle table 20 in at least one of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in order to discharge the product formed by the workpiece W1. In addition, the lathe 2 can be a spindle-fixed lathe in which the front spindle table 10 does not move, or it can be a spindle-fixed lathe in which the back spindle table 20 does not move and the front spindle table 10 moves.

[0080] A tool TO1 for performing at least front processing of a workpiece W1 held on the front spindle 11 is mounted on the first tool rest 30. A tool TO2 for performing at least back processing of a workpiece W1 held on the back spindle 21 is mounted on the second tool rest 40. The first tool rest 30 and the second tool rest 40 may be bow-shaped tool rests or turret tool rests, etc. In this specific example, the front processing is an example of the first processing, and the back processing is an example of the second processing. The first tool rest drive unit 31 moves the first tool rest 30 in, for example, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction according to instructions from the NC device 70. The second tool rest drive unit 41 moves the second tool rest 40 in, for example, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction according to instructions from the NC device 70.

[0081] When a long strip of material is used for the workpiece W1, the rear end of the front spindle 11 (at Figure 1 The workpiece W1 is fed to the front spindle 11. In this case, the front side of the front spindle 11 (at the left end) can be Figure 1 The front spindle 11 is provided with a guide sleeve (right side in the center) to support the workpiece W1 so that it can slide in the Z-axis direction. When a short material is used for the workpiece W1, the workpiece W1 can be supplied to the front spindle 11 from the front end of the front spindle 11. The material can be a rod-shaped material including a cylindrical, cylindrical, prism-shaped, etc. The lathe 2 performs front processing by cutting the workpiece W1 held on the front spindle 11 with the material center line AX1 as the center with the tool TO1. The workpiece W1 after the front processing is transferred from the front spindle 11 to the back spindle 21, and is processed into a product through the back processing. When the material is a long strip, the lathe holds the front processed workpiece W1 held by the front spindle 11 with the back spindle 21, separates the front processed workpiece W1 from the front spindle 11 with a cutting turning tool installed on the first tool holder 30, and cuts the front processed workpiece W1 held on the back spindle 21 with the tool TO2, thereby performing back processing.

[0082] Figure 2The lathe 2 shown is capable of performing front side machining and back side machining simultaneously and in parallel.

[0083] (3) Description of processing direction:

[0084] Next, refer to Figure 2 , the “processing direction” indicating the direction along the center line of the material in which the product is oriented is explained. Figure 2 The schematic diagram shows a concept of forming a product 82 from a long material 81 according to product data 302 that at least shows the shape of each region of the product 82 obtained from the material 81.

[0085] Figure 2 The product data 302 shown shows the shape of a product 82 in which a relatively small outer diameter region A1, a relatively large outer diameter region A2, and a relatively small outer diameter region A3 are arranged in order along the material center line AX1. In this case, as a method of manufacturing the product 82 with the lathe 2, there are a method of forming the product 82 in a first direction DR1 in which the regions A3, A2, and A1 are arranged in order from the front end of the material 81 toward the supply source, and a method of forming the product 82 in a second direction DR2 in which the regions A3, A2, and A1 are arranged in the opposite order. When forming the product 82 in the first direction DR1, the front side is usually processed from the region A3 side with a tool TO1 for front processing, and then the back side is processed from the region A1 side with a tool TO2 for back processing. When forming the product 82 in the second direction DR2, the front side is usually processed from the region A1 side with a tool TO1 for front processing, and then the back side is processed from the region A3 side with a tool TO2 for back processing. If there are no restrictions on both front and back processing, the processing of areas A1 to A3 can be allocated so that the time required for front processing and the time required for back processing are as close as possible, thereby shortening the cycle time of workpiece processing as much as possible.

[0086] However, depending on the shape, geometric tolerance, dimensional tolerance, etc. of the product 82, sometimes there are restrictions on at least one of the front processing and the back processing. This is because the number of tools that can be installed in the tool holder for front processing and the tool holder for back processing is different, the types of processing that can be done in front processing and back processing are different, and the processing accuracy of the front side and the back side is different due to differences in rigidity, etc. The processing capacity of the lathe is mostly better for front processing than back processing. In this case, consider allocating front processing to areas with complex shapes or areas that require high processing accuracy in the product 82, and allocating back processing to the remaining areas. In addition, because it is also assumed that when the workpiece W1 is replaced from the front spindle 11 to the back spindle 21, the position of the workpiece W1 held by the back spindle 21 is slightly offset, it is also considered that the accuracy of the back processing may be lower than that of the front processing.

[0087] When a person estimates the processing time including the processing direction, technical experience is required. Therefore, the technician estimates the processing time including the processing direction. For example, a customer who intends to purchase an NC lathe will use the results of the NC lathe's ability to process or the estimated processing time when manufacturing a specific part as a judgment material at the time of purchase. Customers sometimes compare the estimated processing time of multiple lathe manufacturers to select a manufacturer or model. In addition, when a parts processing manufacturer estimates the cost of a part on behalf of a customer, it uses the estimated processing time of the NC lathe it owns, plus necessary expenses such as material costs or labor costs, to calculate the estimated amount of the part and present it to the customer.

[0088] When making a processing time estimate, a technician derives the processing procedure or processing conditions that are considered to be optimal based on past experience, and manually calculates the estimated processing time. However, when deciding the processing procedure, due to the technician's knowledge or proficiency, the judgment results of the processing procedure are sometimes different, and the judgment of the processing direction is also different. If the judgment of the processing direction is different, then as a result, the estimation of the processing time will also be biased. In addition, the actual time it takes for a technician to make a processing time estimate also depends on the technician's knowledge or proficiency, and it is easy to have individual differences. Moreover, it takes several years to train talents who can make processing time estimates. In addition, in the manufacturing industry, due to aging or resignation, the shortage of technicians is more serious, and the man-hours for making processing time estimates are also insufficient.

[0089] As a result, the quality of the product may be lower than the customer's expectation, the cost may be longer than the expected time, and the delivery time may be longer than the expected time. These may lead to failure to receive the order or loss of trust.

[0090] In this specific example, the processing direction determination unit 153 determines whether to set the orientation of the product 82 to the first orientation DR1 along the material center line AX1 or to the processing direction of the second orientation DR2 opposite to the first orientation DR1 based on the product data 302 and the like. Thus, the estimated deviation of the processing time caused by the different estimated processing directions can be appropriately eliminated in the lathe 2 with the opposing spindles. In this specific example, the estimation of the processing direction includes determining to what extent the processing is performed on the front side.

[0091] (4) Specific example of processing time estimation device:

[0092] Figure 3 A configuration example of a machining time estimation device is schematically shown. Figure 4 Schematically showing the method for implementing Figure 3 An example of the circuit configuration of a server (server computer) of the machining time estimation device 1, an example of the configuration of a machining time estimation program, and an example of a data group are shown.

[0093] Figure 3 The processing time estimation device 1 shown includes a server 100, one or more terminals 210 for a sales person in charge 218, and one or more terminals 220 for a technical person in charge 228. The server 100 includes an estimation order DB (estimation order database) 110 and a main DB (main database) 120. The terminals 210 and 220 can be connected to the server 100 via a network connection such as the Internet or an intranet. The terminal 210 is a computer having an input unit 211 such as a keyboard and a pointing device, an output unit 212 such as a display, and a communication interface with the server 100. The terminal 220 is a computer having an input unit 221 such as a keyboard and a pointing device, an output unit 222 such as a display, and a communication interface with the server 100.

[0094] The estimate order DB 110 stores estimate request information 111 input by, for example, the sales person in charge 218, shape information 113 input by, for example, the technical person in charge 228, estimate result information 114 generated based on the shape information 113, and an estimate order 115 generated based on the estimate result information 114. The estimate request information 111 includes material data 301 (see FIG. 301 ) indicating at least the shape of the material 81 used for the workpiece W1. Figure 4 ), digital information representing the drawings (e.g., drawings) of the product presented by the customer, that is, the drawing information 112, etc. For example, the sales person in charge 218 can digitize the drawings presented by the customer through an image acquisition mechanism such as a scanner or a camera, and transmit the drawing information 112 together with other estimation request information 111 from the terminal 210 to the server 100. The server 100 transmits the estimation request information 111 including the drawing information 112 to the terminal 220. The technical person in charge 228 can view the estimation request information 111 received by the terminal 220, view the drawing information 112, and transmit the shape information 113 representing at least the shape of each area of ​​the product 82 from the terminal 220 to the server 100. The server 100 generates estimation result information 114 based on the estimation request information 111, the shape information 113, and the information stored in the master DB, generates a digital estimation form 115 according to the estimation result information 114, and transmits the estimation form 115 to the terminal 220. The technical person in charge 228 can view the estimate sheet 115 received by the terminal 220, and when it is determined that the estimate sheet 115 can be handed over to the sales person in charge 218, the technical person in charge 228 requests the server 100 to send the estimate sheet 115 to the terminal 210. When the server 100 sends the estimate sheet 115 to the terminal 210, the sales person in charge 218 can view the estimate sheet 115 received by the terminal 210, and can show the estimate sheet 115 to the customer.

[0095] The main DB 120 stores information indicating a judgment criterion for determining a machining direction, information indicating a machining pattern, information indicating machining conditions of each tool, information indicating machining accuracy, information indicating mechanical constraints, information indicating a shape name, information indicating a machining distance, information indicating a criterion for determining an idle time, information indicating a tool type, etc. This information is used to generate the estimated result information 114, etc.

[0096] like Figure 4 As shown, the server 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 132, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 133, a storage device 134, an input device 135, an output device 136, an I / F (interface) 137, etc. These elements (131 to 137) are electrically connected and can input and output information to each other. The server 100 may have all the components in one housing, but may also be composed of a plurality of devices that are divided so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0097] The storage device 134 stores a processing time estimation program PR1, material data 301, product data 302, constraint condition data 303, processing condition data 304, etc. The storage device 134 can use a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, etc. The processor, i.e., the CPU 131, appropriately reads the information stored in the storage device 134 to the semiconductor memory, i.e., the RAM 133, and executes the read program, thereby performing various processes. The input device 135 can use a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. The output device 136 can use a display, a printer, etc. The I / F 137 inputs and outputs information between the terminals 210, 220, etc.

[0098] The machining time estimation program PR1 enables the server 100 to realize the material data input acceptance function FU1, the product data input acceptance function FU2, the machining direction determination function FU3, and the estimated time output function FU4. The CPU 131 performs processing corresponding to the functions (FU1 to FU4) by executing the machining time estimation program PR1 read out to the RAM 133. It can be said that the machining time estimation program PR1 enables the server 100 to function as the material data input acceptance unit 151, the product data input acceptance unit 152, the machining direction determination unit 153, and the estimated time output unit 154. The computer-readable non-transitory medium storing the machining time estimation program PR1 is not limited to the storage device inside the server 100, but may also be a recording medium outside the server 100. The server 100 can automatically realize the functions (FU1 to FU4) by reading the machining time estimation program PR1 from the external recording medium.

[0099] The material data 301 only needs to be data that minimally represents the shape (including dimensions) of the material 81 used for the workpiece W1. Therefore, the material data 301 at least represents the shape of the material 81. The shapes of the material 81 include cylindrical, cylindrical, prismatic, etc. The material data 301 includes dimension data that represents the dimensions of the material 81 according to the shape of the material 81. For example, the dimension data means the outer diameter of a cylindrical material, the outer diameter and inner diameter of a cylindrical material, etc. The material data 301 may also include material data that represents the material (for example, rigidity) of the material 81, etc. The material data 301 includes Figure 3 However, the information may be input from the terminal 220 for the technical person in charge 228 separately from the estimate request information 111 and stored in the estimate order DB 110 .

[0100] The product data 302 only needs to be data that minimally represents the shape (including size) of each region of the product 82 obtained from the material 81. Therefore, the product data 302 at least represents the shape of each region of the product 82. The shapes of each region include cylindrical shapes represented by the outer diameter, cylindrical shapes represented by the inner diameter, conical shapes, truncated cone shapes, prism shapes, pyramid shapes, truncated cone shapes, and the like. The product data 302 may also include data representing shape-related conditions such as dimensional tolerances of regions, and processing accuracy data such as processing accuracy of regions or geometric tolerances between regions. Geometric tolerances include shape tolerances such as roundness or cylindricality of regions, posture tolerances such as right angles between regions, and position tolerances such as coaxiality between regions. The product data 302 corresponds to Figure 3 The shape and other information 113 are shown.

[0101] Figure 5 The following schematically shows an example of the structure of the product data 302. Figure 5 In the figure, in area A1, the outer diameter Da1 is specified as the shape, and the dimension tolerance (outer diameter) is specified as -ΔDa1 to +ΔDa1 as its processing accuracy (condition). Between areas A1 and A2, the coaxiality φa12 is specified as its processing accuracy.

[0102] The constraint condition data 303 indicates the constraint condition of at least one of the front processing and the back processing. The constraint condition may include a priority condition that prioritizes either the front processing or the back processing.

[0103] Figure 6 An example of the structure of the constraint condition data 303 is schematically shown. Figure 6 The constraint data 303 shown shows a constraint including a priority condition of giving priority to front processing with respect to processing accuracy. The constraint data 303 has a plurality of items Q1, Q2, ... for determining the processing direction, and a determination criterion is associated with each item. Figure 6 In the , the judgment criterion of item Q1 is to prioritize front processing when the specified value of processing accuracy is below threshold value T1, and the judgment criterion of item Q2 is to prioritize front processing when the specified value of processing accuracy is below threshold value T2. Priority is assigned to each item. The higher the priority, the smaller the priority number, and sometimes there are multiple items with the same priority. Figure 6 , priority 1 is assigned to items Q1 and Q2, priority 2 is assigned to items Q3 and Q4, and priority 3 is assigned to items Q5 and Q6. For example, item Q1 is coaxiality, and item Q3 is dimensional tolerance (outer diameter). When the coaxiality is below the threshold value T1 (satisfying the judgment criterion), the processing direction determination unit 153 determines the processing direction by giving priority to the judgment related to the coaxiality over the judgment related to the dimensional tolerance (outer diameter). When the judgment result related to the coaxiality is the first direction DR1 and the judgment result related to the dimensional tolerance (outer diameter) is the second direction DR2, the processing direction is determined to be the first direction DR1. When the coaxiality is greater than the threshold value T1 or is not specified, and the absolute value of the dimensional tolerance (outer diameter) is below the threshold value T3 (satisfying the judgment criterion), the processing direction determination unit 153 determines the processing direction by giving priority to the judgment related to the dimensional tolerance (outer diameter).

[0104] The processing condition data 304 indicates the processing conditions of each tool used for the front surface processing and the back surface processing. The processing conditions include the processing speed, and vary according to the characteristics of the material 81.

[0105] Figure 7 The following schematically shows an example of the structure of the processing condition data 304. Figure 7 In the figure, the tool TO1 for front processing includes "Txx1", "Txx2", ..., and the tool TO2 for back processing includes "T2xx1", "T2xx2", .... When the material 81 is a long strip, the tool "Txxx" for cutting is included in the processing condition data 304. When estimating the processing time, the cutting process is not included in either the front processing or the back processing. Figure 7 In the figure, the processing speed Vxx1 and the like are associated with the tool "Txx1" as processing conditions, and the processing speed V2xx1 and the like are associated with the tool "T2xx1" as processing conditions.

[0106] Figure 8 Schematically showing Figure 3 , 4 The example of the processing time estimation process performed by the server 100 shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 7 Explain the processing of machining time estimation.

[0107] exist Figure 8, step S102 corresponds to the material data input acceptance process ST1, the material data input acceptance unit 151, and the material data input acceptance function FU1. Step S104 corresponds to the product data input acceptance process ST2, the product data input acceptance unit 152, and the product data input acceptance function FU2. Steps S106 to S112 correspond to the processing direction determination process ST3, the processing direction determination unit 153, and the processing direction determination function FU3. Steps S114 to S116 correspond to the estimated time output process ST4, the estimated time output unit 154, and the estimated time output function FU4. In the following, the description of "step" is sometimes omitted, and the symbols of the steps are expressed in parentheses.

[0108] After receiving a request to register the estimated processing time from the terminal 210 for the sales person 218, the server 100 receives input of the estimated request information 111 including the material data 301 and the attached drawing information 112 from the terminal 210 (S102). For example, the server 100 causes the terminal 210 to display an estimated request input screen having an input field for the estimated request information 111 including the material data 301 and the attached drawing information 112 together with an order button, and receives input of the estimated request information 111 to the input field from the terminal 210 until the order button is pressed. The input field for the material data 301 includes a field for selecting the shape of the material 81, an input field for the size of the material 81, and may also include an input field for the material of the material 81. Therefore, the server 100 receives input of the shape (including the size) of the material 81 in the input field for the material data 301, and may also receive input of the material of the material 81. The drawing information 112 may be image data obtained by digitizing the drawing through an image acquisition mechanism, or may be CAD (Computer Aided Design) data, etc. After the entrustment button is pressed, the server 100 stores the received estimate entrustment information 111 in the estimate order DB 110, and sends the estimate entrustment information 111 including the material data 301 and the drawing information 112 to the terminal 220 facing the technical person in charge 228. The technical person in charge 228 who has viewed the estimate entrustment information 111 at the terminal 220 logs the shape information 113 to the estimate order DB 110 via the terminal 220. As described above, the shape information 113 corresponds to the product data 302 indicating the shape of each region of the product 82 obtained from the material 81.

[0109] When the material data 301 is not included in the estimate request information 111 , the server 100 accepts input of the material data 301 from the terminal 220 for the technical person in charge 228 .

[0110] After receiving a login request for the shape information 113 from the terminal 220 for the technical person in charge 228, the server 100 receives input of the product data 302 including the processing accuracy from the terminal 220 (S104). For example, the server 100 causes the terminal 220 to display a product data input screen having an input field for the product data 302 together with a calculation button, and receives input of the product data 302 to the input field from the terminal 220 until the calculation button is pressed. The input field for the product data 302 includes a selection field for the shape of each area of ​​the product 82, an input field for the size of each area, and may also include an input field for shape-related conditions (such as processing accuracy). Therefore, the server 100 receives input of the shape (including size) of each area of ​​the product 82 in the input field for the product data 302, and may also receive input of shape-related conditions, etc. After the calculation button is pressed, the server 100 stores the received product data 302 as the shape information 113 in the estimated order DB 110, and the process enters S106. Therefore, the technical officer 228 can make the server 100 generate a processing time estimate including processing direction, processing steps and processing time simply by pressing a calculation button displayed on the terminal 220 .

[0111] In S106, the server 100 checks whether the processing direction is constrained according to the priority of the constraint data 303 based on the constraint data 303 and the product data 302. The server 100 branches the process according to whether there is a constraint (S108). When any of the priorities 1, 2, 3, ... has a constraint, the server 100 determines the processing direction according to the constraint (S110). When there is no constraint at any priority, the server 100 determines the processing direction in a manner that reduces the difference in estimated time between the front processing and the back processing (S112).

[0112] First, an example of the processing of determining the machining direction in S110 will be described.

[0113] For example, in Figure 6 In the constraint condition data 303 shown, coaxiality has priority 1. Figure 2 , 5 In the product data 302 shown, the coaxiality φa12 between the regions A1 and A2 is less than the threshold value T1 of the constraint data 303. In this case, the server 100 determines that the coaxiality φa12 of priority 1 is constrained according to the constraint data 303, and assigns the front processing to the regions A1 and A2. If the region A3 is not constrained, then Fig.9AAs shown in FIG. 3 , the server 100 assigns front processing and back processing to the product data 302, and determines the processing direction to be the second direction DR2. In addition, the coaxiality (set as φa23) between the regions A2 and A3 in the product data 302 is less than the threshold value T1. In this case, the server 100 determines that the coaxiality φa23 of priority 1 is constrained according to the constraint condition data 303, and assigns the front processing to the regions A2 and A3. If the region A1 is not constrained, then Fig. 9B As shown, the server 100 assigns front processing and back processing to the product data 302, and determines the processing direction to be the first direction DR1.

[0114] In addition, in the constraint data 303, the dimensional tolerance (outer diameter) is priority 2, and in the product data 302, it is not specified whether the coaxiality φa12 is greater than the threshold value T1, and the absolute value of the dimensional tolerance (outer diameter) ΔDa1 of the area A1 is less than the threshold value T3 of the constraint data 303. In this case, the server 100 determines that the item with priority 1 has no constraint, and the dimensional tolerance (outer diameter) ΔDa1 with priority 2 has a constraint according to the constraint data 303. If the area A3 has no constraint, then, for example, Fig.9A As shown, the server 100 assigns front processing and back processing to the product data 302, and determines the processing direction to be the second direction DR2. In addition, the absolute values ​​of the dimensional tolerances (outer diameters) ΔDa2 and ΔDa3 of the regions A2 and A3 in the product data 302 are below the threshold value T3. In this case, the server 100 determines that there are constraints on the dimensional tolerances (outer diameters) ΔDa2 and ΔDa3 of priority 2 according to the constraint condition data 303, and assigns front processing to the regions A2 and A3. If there is no constraint on region A1, then Fig. 9B As shown, the server 100 assigns front processing and back processing to the product data 302 and determines the processing direction to be the first direction DR1.

[0115] As exemplified above, the processing direction determining unit 153 determines whether to set the processing direction of the product 82 to the first direction DR1 or the second direction DR2 based on the constraint data 303 and the product data 302 so as to satisfy the processing accuracy as a priority condition.

[0116] Next, an example of the processing for determining the processing direction in S112 is described. When the product data 302 does not contain data indicating that the orientation of the product 82 should be set to one of the first orientation DR1 and the second orientation DR2, the processing of S112 is performed. In this case, the server 100 first calculates the estimated time required for processing for each area (for example, areas A1 to A3) of the product 82 based on the processing condition data 304, the material data 301, and the product data 302. For example, the server 100 only needs to calculate the time required for processing at the processing speed shown in the processing condition data 304 for each area shown in the product data 302. The processing distance may be calculated based on the material data 301 and the product data 302, such as the depth of cutting from the material 81, or calculated based on the product data 302 without using the material data 301, such as the distance the tool is moved along the material center line AX1. When the processing speed is fixed, the estimated time required for processing is the value obtained by dividing the processing length of the area by the processing speed. Fig.10 In the example shown, the estimated time required for processing area A1 is Ta1, the estimated time required for processing area A2 is Ta2, and the estimated time required for processing area A3 is Ta3. Then, the server 100 allocates whether to perform front processing or back processing to each area in a manner that reduces the difference between the first estimated time TT1 required for front processing and the second estimated time TT2 required for back processing.

[0117] like Fig.10 As shown in the example, the total estimated time Ta1+Ta2 required for processing areas A1 and A2 is approximately equal to the estimated time Ta3 required for processing area A3, and Ta1<Ta2+Ta3. In other words, the difference between the total estimated time Ta1+Ta2 and the estimated time Ta3 is smaller than the difference between the total estimated time Ta3+Ta2 and the estimated time Ta1. In this case, the server 100 assigns one of the front processing and the back processing to areas A1 and A2, and the other processing to area A3. When the server 100 assigns the front processing to areas A1 and A2, the processing direction is determined to be the second direction DR2, and when the back processing is assigned to areas A1 and A2, the processing direction is determined to be the first direction DR1. Although it is only an example, when the judgment criterion is determined by assigning the front processing to the longer area A3 of the opposite areas A1 and A3 in the direction along the material centerline AX1, the server 100 determines the processing direction to be the first direction DR1.

[0118] Here, a variable for identifying a set of one or more areas that can be assigned to processing of one of the front processing and the back processing is set to i, an estimated time of the set i is set to T1i, and an estimated time of the set of one or more areas that can be assigned to processing of the other is set to T2i. The server 100 only needs to perform a process of assigning the set with the smallest |T1i-T2i| in the set i to the processing of one of the front processing and the back processing. Assigning the set i to the front processing or the back processing is only an example, but it is sufficient to assign the set i to the front processing according to a predetermined judgment criterion such as when the area of ​​the end included in the set i is longer than the area of ​​the end not included in the set i.

[0119] As described above, the processing direction is determined by allocating front processing or back processing to each region so that the difference between the first estimated time TT1 required for front processing and the second estimated time TT2 required for back processing is reduced.

[0120] After the processing direction determination process of S110 or S112, the server 100 calculates the first estimated time TT1 required for front processing and the second estimated time TT2 required for back processing according to the determined processing direction based on the processing condition data 304, the material data 301 and the product data 302 (S114). First, the server 100 calculates the estimated time required for processing for each area (for example, areas A1 to A3) of the product 82 based on the processing condition data 304, the material data 301 and the product data 302. The calculation is performed as described in the processing direction determination process of S112. Of course, when the processing direction determination process of S112 has been performed, the calculation of the estimated time for each area can be omitted. Fig.9A , 9B In the example shown, the estimated time required for processing the areas A1, A2, and A3 is Ta1, Ta2, and Ta3, respectively. Then, the server 100 calculates the first estimated time TT1 required for processing the front side of one or more areas assigned for processing the front side, and the second estimated time TT2 required for processing the back side of one or more areas assigned for processing the back side. Fig.9A In the example shown, the first estimated time TT1 is Ta1+Ta2, and the second estimated time TT2 is Ta3. Fig. 9B In the example shown, the first estimated time TT1 is Ta3 + Ta2 , and the second estimated time TT2 is Ta1 .

[0121] After calculating each estimated time (TT1, TT2), the server 100 calculates the estimated time (set as TT) required for manufacturing the product 82 based on the first estimated time TT1 and the second estimated time TT2 (S116). Fig.11As shown in the example, the server 100 generates a processing time estimate sheet ( Figure 3 The estimated sheet 115 shown in the figure is output to the terminals 210 and 220. Fig.11 The following is an explanation using the example of a machining time estimate sheet.

[0122] Fig.11 The machining time estimate sheet shown has a drawing of the product 82 in the upper section, a list of cutting times for each process in the middle section, and a list of non-cutting time (idle time) in the lower section. Fig.11 It is shown that the cutting time for the front processing of the cross saw is 18.0 seconds, the cutting time for the cutting processing is 7.5 seconds, the cutting time for the back processing of the end saw is 6.6 seconds, and the cutting time for the back processing of the cross saw is 10.3 seconds. Therefore, the first estimated time TT1 required for the front processing is 18.0 seconds, the second estimated time TT2 required for the back processing is 6.6+10.3=16.9 seconds, and the estimated time required for the cutting processing is 7.5 seconds. Because the front processing and the back processing can be carried out in parallel at the same time, the cutting time of the back processing that is completed in a shorter time than the front processing is expressed in brackets in the processing time estimation sheet. The cutting time of the front processing, the cutting processing and the back processing combined becomes the cutting time of 25.5 seconds, which is the cutting time of 18.0 seconds for the front processing plus the cutting time of 7.5 seconds for the cutting processing.

[0123] One cycle of workpiece machining also includes actions performed during non-cutting time. Non-cutting time includes the opening and closing time of the chuck (not shown) of the front spindle 11 or the back spindle 21, the rapid feed time of the tools TO1 and TO2, the replacement time of the tools TO1 and TO2, the time to change the rotation speed of the front spindle 11 or the back spindle 21, the time to align the back spindle 21 with the material center line AX1, the time to discharge the product 82 from the back spindle 21, etc. These non-cutting times are stored in the PID as information representing the basis for determining the idling time. Figure 3 Therefore, the server 100 refers to the information indicating the criteria for determining the idle time, determines each non-cutting time, and indicates it on the machining time estimate sheet. Fig.11 The total non-cutting time is 8.1 seconds in FIG. 3. The estimated time TT required to manufacture the product 82 is 33.6 seconds, which is the sum of the cutting time (25.5 seconds) including the front processing, the cutting processing, and the back processing, plus the non-cutting time (8.1 seconds).

[0124] The technical person in charge 228 can determine whether the processing time estimate (115) can be handed over to the sales person in charge 218 by checking the digital processing time estimate (115) sent from the server 100 at the terminal 220. When the technical person in charge 228 requests the server 100 to send the processing time estimate (115) to the terminal 210 facing the sales person in charge 218, the server 100 sends the processing time estimate (115) to the terminal 210. As a result, the sales person in charge 218 can check the processing time estimate (115) at the terminal 210 and can show the processing time estimate (115) to the customer. In addition, the technical person in charge 228 can also send a request for correction of the processing time estimate (115) from the terminal 220 to the server 100. In this case, the server 100 can send a request for correction to the technical person in charge 228 again. Figure 8 The process time estimation process shown in the figure. The technical person in charge 228 can request the server 100 to create a new process time estimation sheet (115) by changing the product data 302 or the material data 301.

[0125] As above, Figure 8 The machining time estimation process shown is completed.

[0126] According to the above, even the technical person in charge 228 does not need to have processing knowledge, processing experience or knowledge of operating methods of NC lathes, nor does he need to have knowledge of tool information or material property information used. Because there is no need to generate a tool path in the present processing time estimation device 1, there is no need to set or log in detailed conditions of tools or fixtures in advance, and the calculation load is also light. Therefore, in terms of quality, the estimated content can be made uniform. In addition, in terms of quality and cost, people other than technicians who are familiar with processing methods can also make a processing time estimate in a short time. For example, the sales person in charge who makes the letter of entrustment without having processing technical knowledge directly inputs the product data 302 into the processing time estimation device 1, and the processing time estimate can be automatically made. Moreover, in terms of cost and delivery time, the operation time is almost the time to input the shape of the product 82. Since there is no need to generate a tool path, the calculation can be completed in a short time, which can greatly shorten the operation time for making a processing time estimate.

[0127] In the specific example, first, in the lathe 2 having the back spindle 21, the important processing direction is automatically determined based on the constraints such as the processing accuracy. On this basis, the estimated time (TT1, TT2) required for the front processing and the back processing is automatically calculated according to the processing direction, and the estimated time TT required for manufacturing the product 82 is output based on these estimated times (TT1, TT2). Therefore, the present processing time estimation device 1 can appropriately eliminate the estimated deviation of the processing time caused by the different estimation of the processing direction in the lathe 2 having the back spindle 21. In particular, the present processing time estimation device 1 can also appropriately eliminate the estimated deviation of the processing time caused by the different judgments on the extent of processing to be performed on the front side.

[0128] (5) Variations:

[0129] The present invention can be conceived of various variations.

[0130] When the material 81 is short and no cutting process is performed, the cutting time of the workpiece W1 becomes the longer cutting time of the front and back processing, and the time obtained by adding the non-cutting time to the cutting time becomes the estimated time TT required to manufacture the product 82.

[0131] In addition to the processing accuracy, the constraint condition may also include a priority condition that prioritizes one of the front processing and the back processing. For example, when the rotary tool for performing the side punching of the workpiece W1 only has the first tool holder 30 for the front processing, the judgment criterion for performing the front processing may be associated with the side punching item in the constraint condition data 303.

[0132] Furthermore, the constraint condition may include a priority condition for back processing in addition to or instead of the priority condition for front processing. For example, when the rotary tool for performing side punching of the workpiece W1 has only the second tool holder 40 for back processing, the judgment criterion for performing back processing may be associated with the side punching item in the constraint condition data 303.

[0133] exist Figure 3 In the machining time estimation device 1 shown, when the technical person 228 receives the estimate request form 115 from the customer, the technical person 228 may input the material data 301 and the product data 302 into the terminal 220 and request the server 100 to prepare the estimate form 115. Of course, when the sales person 218 who has the technical ability to understand the contents of the drawings receives the estimate request form 115 from the customer, the sales person 218 may input the material data 301 and the product data 302 into the terminal 210 and request the server 100 to prepare the estimate form 115 even if the sales person 218 does not have machining knowledge of NC lathes.

[0134] Furthermore, the technical person in charge 228 who receives the request for the estimate sheet 115 from the customer may directly input the material data 301 and the product data 302 to the server 100 without using a terminal and request the production of the estimate sheet 115 . Figure 4 The server 100 shown can accept input of material data 301 and product data 302 in the input device 135, and can output the estimate sheet 115 through display, printing, etc. from the output device 136. Of course, in order to output the estimate sheet 115, the server 100 determines the processing direction and generates the estimate sheet 115 including the estimated time TT according to the processing direction.

[0135] According to the above description, a single server 100 can also correspond to the processing time estimation device 1.

[0136] In the case where the constraint condition indicated by the constraint condition data 303 is required to produce a constraint that at least one of the regions of the product 82 is subjected to front processing or back processing, Figure 8 In the machining time estimation process shown, the processes of S108 and S112 are not performed. Although it is just an example, it is considered that the item with the lowest priority in the constraint condition data 303 is set as the area with the longest machining distance, and the judgment criterion of the item is set as front machining.

[0137] (6) Summary:

[0138] As described above, according to the present invention, from various aspects, a technology can be provided that can appropriately eliminate the estimated deviation of the machining time caused by the different estimated machining directions in a lathe equipped with opposing spindles. Of course, even in a technology that only includes the constituent elements of an independent technical solution, the above-mentioned basic functions and effects can be obtained.

[0139] Furthermore, it is also possible to implement a configuration in which each configuration disclosed in the above examples is replaced with or modified in combination, a configuration in which each configuration disclosed in the known technology and the above examples is replaced with or modified in combination, and the present invention also includes these configurations.

[0140] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0141] 1 Processing time estimation device

[0142] 2 Lathe

[0143] 10 Front spindle table

[0144] 11 Frontal spindle (example of the first spindle)

[0145] 20 Back spindle table

[0146] 21 Back spindle (example of second spindle)

[0147] 30 First tool rest

[0148] 40 Second tool holder

[0149] 81 Materials

[0150] 82 products

[0151] 100 servers

[0152] 110 Estimated Order DB

[0153] 120 Main DB

[0154] 151 Material Data Input Acceptance Department

[0155] 152 Product data input acceptance department

[0156] 153 Processing direction determination department

[0157] 154 Estimated time output unit

[0158] 210,220 Terminal

[0159] 218 Sales Responsible

[0160] 228 Technical Responsibility

[0161] 301 Material Data

[0162] 302 Product data

[0163] 303 Constraint Data

[0164] 304 Processing condition data

[0165] Area A1 to A3

[0166] DR1 First Direction

[0167] DR2 Second Direction

[0168] AX1 Material Centerline

[0169] PR1 Machining time estimation program

[0170] TO1,TO2 Tools

[0171] TT1 First estimated time

[0172] TT2 Second estimated time

[0173] W1 artifact.

Claims

1. A processing time estimation device for estimating the time required for a lathe to manufacture a product, wherein the lathe performs a first processing on a workpiece held on a first spindle with a material center line as the center, and performs a second processing on the workpiece that has undergone the first processing and is held on a second spindle opposite to the first spindle; and the processing time estimation device comprises: A material data input accepting unit that accepts input of material data, wherein the material data at least indicates a shape of a material used for the workpiece; A product data input accepting unit accepts input of product data, wherein the product data at least represents the shape of each region of the product obtained from the material; a processing direction determining unit that determines whether to set the orientation of the product to a first orientation along the center line of the material or to a processing direction of a second orientation opposite to the first orientation based on constraint condition data indicating a constraint condition of at least one of the first processing and the second processing and the product data; and An estimated time output unit calculates a first estimated time required for the first processing and a second estimated time required for the second processing according to the processing direction based on processing condition data representing processing conditions including processing speeds performed by each tool used in the first processing and the second processing, the material data, and the product data, and outputs an estimated time required to manufacture the product based on the first estimated time and the second estimated time.

2. A processing time estimation device according to claim 1, wherein the processing direction determination unit determines the processing direction in a manner that satisfies the priority condition based on the constraint condition data representing the constraint condition including a priority condition that prioritizes either the first processing or the second processing, and the product data.

3. The processing time estimation device according to claim 2, wherein the product data input accepting unit accepts input of the product data including processing accuracy; and The processing direction determination unit determines the processing direction so as to satisfy the processing accuracy based on the constraint condition data indicating the constraint conditions including the priority condition giving priority to the first processing and the product data.

4. A processing time estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing direction determination unit allocates whether to perform the first processing or the second processing to each of the areas in a manner that reduces the difference between the first estimated time and the second estimated time when the product data does not contain data indicating that the orientation of the product should be set to one of the first orientation and the second orientation.

5. A method for estimating processing time, estimating the time required for a lathe to manufacture a product, wherein the lathe performs a first processing on a workpiece held on a first spindle with a material centerline as the center, and performs a second processing on the workpiece that has undergone the first processing and is held on a second spindle opposite to the first spindle; and the method for estimating processing time comprises: A material data input acceptance step for accepting input of material data, wherein the material data at least indicates a shape of a material used for the workpiece; a product data input acceptance step for accepting an input of product data, wherein the product data at least represents a shape of each region of the product obtained from the material; a processing direction determining step for determining whether to set the orientation of the product to a first orientation along the center line of the material or to a processing direction of a second orientation opposite to the first orientation based on constraint condition data indicating a constraint condition of at least one of the first processing and the second processing and the product data; and The estimated time output process calculates a first estimated time required for the first processing and a second estimated time required for the second processing according to the processing direction based on processing condition data representing processing conditions including processing speeds performed by each tool used in the first processing and the second processing, the material data, and the product data, and outputs the estimated time required to manufacture the product based on the first estimated time and the second estimated time.

6. A computer-readable medium storing a processing time estimation program, the processing time estimation program being used to estimate the time required for a lathe to manufacture a product, the lathe performing a first processing on a workpiece held on a first spindle with a material centerline as the center, and performing a second processing on the workpiece that has undergone the first processing and is held on a second spindle opposite to the first spindle; and the processing time estimation program causing a computer to implement the following functions: A material data input accepting function for accepting input of material data, wherein the material data at least indicates the shape of the material used for the workpiece; A product data input acceptance function for accepting input of product data, wherein the product data at least represents the shape of each region of the product obtained from the material; a processing direction determination function for determining whether to set the orientation of the product to a first orientation along the center line of the material or to a processing direction of a second orientation opposite to the first orientation based on constraint condition data indicating a constraint condition of at least one of the first processing and the second processing and the product data; and The estimated time output function calculates a first estimated time required for the first processing and a second estimated time required for the second processing according to the processing direction based on processing condition data representing processing conditions including processing speeds of each tool used in the first processing and the second processing, the material data, and the product data, and outputs the estimated time required to manufacture the product based on the first estimated time and the second estimated time.

Images