Coordinate measuring machine with operating state display system

Abstract

The invention provides a coordinate measuring machine with an operating state display system. A coordinate measuring machine comprising a movable unit (3) adapted to move a measuring head (15) in a measuring volume (V) and an operating status display system comprising a first status indicator (18) located in a top (12) of the coordinate measuring machine (1) and visible from a distance of 360 DEG, and a display (17) defining a graphical user interface (GUI) (20); the status indicator lamp (18) is configured to present a color representing a different status of the coordinate measuring machine (1), and the GUI (20) comprises at least one indicator (21) visible from a distance and representing a status of the coordinate measuring machine (1), and an information area (22), the information region is visible by an operator in close proximity to the coordinate measuring machine (1) and contains operational details relating to a state of the coordinate measuring machine (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coordinate measuring machine, and in particular to a coordinate measuring machine provided with a system for displaying an operating status of the coordinate measuring machine. Background Art

[0002] Coordinate measuring machines provided with a display system are known. Such a display system, which may include, for example, one or more LED light indicators or a display, can provide a user with light signals or information reflecting the operating status of the coordinate measuring machine. A machine with such an indicator light is disclosed in patent EP0694158 B.

[0003] The information provided to the operator by the known display systems is often limited and does not allow the user to easily and quickly understand possible problems that are occurring. The limitations of the known display systems are particularly evident in highly automated production environments, where measuring machines are integrated in production lines and are operated in an integrated manner with other machines that are part of the production line. In such industrial environments, measuring machines are often not assisted by a professional operator, but a single operator may manage several machines and therefore be in a remote and disadvantageous position with respect to them. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate measuring machine provided with an improved display system which is able to solve the problems associated with known display systems of the above-mentioned type.

[0005] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a coordinate measuring machine, which comprises: a movable unit, which is suitable for moving a measuring head in a measuring volume; and an operating status display system, which comprises a first status indicator light located in the top of the machine and visible from a distance of 360°, the status indicator light being suitable for assuming colors representing different states of the machine; and a display, which defines a graphical user interface (GUI), which comprises at least one indicator visible from a distance and representing the state of the machine and an information area visible to an operator in close proximity to the machine and containing operational details related to the state of the machine.

[0006] Advantageously, the machine may comprise a control system configured to obtain a current state of the machine and / or operational details related to the current state of the machine. Thus, the control system may be configured to control the display and the first status indicator light so as to display the current state of the machine to an operator standing anywhere near and at a distance around the machine, and to display operational details related to the current state of the machine to an operator standing near the machine. Preferably, the current state of the machine is one of several states of the machine, comprising or consisting of a limited number of different predefined states of the machine.

[0007] In this way, the operator can check the general operating status of the machine even from a remote location and have a complete indication of said operating status as soon as he / she arrives in the vicinity of the machine.

[0008] Preferably, the movable unit comprises: a first carriage movable along a first axis, a second carriage carried by the first carriage and movable relative to the first carriage along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a spindle carried by the second carriage, the spindle movable relative to the second carriage along a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis and suitable for supporting the spindle of the measuring head.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the machine further comprises at least a second indicator light, which is located on the spindle or on the measuring head and can be activated in response to an operating condition of the measuring head. The measuring head can be configured to orient the measuring probe relative to the movable unit (in particular relative to the spindle) according to at least one axis of rotation so as to facilitate the performance of the measuring operation to measure the complex object.

[0010] In this way, the operator can immediately understand if the machine has problems with the measurement system and act accordingly.

[0011] Advantageously, the measuring head and / or the measuring probe are configured to be automatically or semi-automatically exchangeable from the machine in order to allow the use of various measuring heads and / or measuring probes deemed suitable for the measuring operation.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control system is configured to acquire the operating condition of the measuring head and control the display and the first status indicator of the machine in such a way that the operating condition of the measuring head can be displayed to an operator standing at any remote location around the machine. Advantageously, the second indicator light and the GUI indicator when switched on are the same colour as the first status indicator light.

[0013] Preferably, the first status indicator light, the second indicator light and the GUI indicator are suitable for presenting at least a first color (e.g., red) corresponding to an alarm indication, a second color (e.g., yellow) corresponding to a warning indication, and a third color (e.g., green and / or blue) corresponding to a normal operation indication.

[0014] In this way, according to what is known as a "color code", there is an immediate indication of the need for intervention and any critical problems, regardless of the operator's position and relative distance with respect to the machine.

[0015] Preferably, the first indicator light comprises a front LED which gradually lights up from bottom to top, indicating the speed at which the machine is operating as a percentage of the maximum available speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coordinate measuring machine according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A larger scale view of the details of the machine;

[0019] Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 3c , Figure 3d , Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 4c , Figure 4d , Figure 5a , Figure 5b , Figure 5c , Figure 5d An example of the configuration of a graphical user unit of the machine of the invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 6a , Figure 6b is a table showing the configuration of the machine operation status display system; and

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Block diagram of the control system of the machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , numeral 1 represents a coordinate measuring machine as a whole.

[0023] The measuring machine 1 comprises a base 2 and a measuring sensor 16 ( Figure 2)'s movable unit 3.

[0024] The base 2 conveniently consists of a rectangular granite slab and delimits a measurement volume V at the bottom.

[0025] The mobile unit 3 comprises a main bridge-like carriage 5 movable on the base 2 along a pair of guides 6 parallel to a first horizontal axis Y, parallel to the longer sides of the base. The main carriage 5 is provided with a pair of uprights 7, 8 and a cross-member 9 supported at its ends by the uprights 7, 8 and provided with guides 10 parallel to a second horizontal axis X orthogonal to the axis Y.

[0026] The mobile unit 3 also comprises a second carriage 11 carried by the cross member 9 and movable along the guide 10 in a direction parallel to the axis X. The second carriage 11 carries a tower 12 extending vertically upwards, being hollow inside and supporting inside a column 13 movable along the vertical axis Z. The column 13 (having a lower end protruding downwards from the tower 12) defines a spindle 14 for connecting a measuring head 15 provided with a measuring probe which is arranged at Figure 2 14 is represented by a measuring sensor 16. The measuring head shown here is configured to orient the measuring probe 16 relative to the spindle 14 according to two rotation axes, one perpendicular to the other. Advantageously, the measuring head and / or the measuring probe are configured to be replaceably mounted on the machine so as to allow the machine to have a selection of different measuring heads and / or measuring probes to facilitate the measuring operations, in particular when dealing with complex or delicate objects. The measuring probe can be of any type, contact or non-contact, for point-to-point measurement or for scanning.

[0027] According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises a display 17, a plurality of status LEDs 18 and a plurality of spindle LEDs 19, wherein the display 17 is located in the front region of the machine, and preferably in the lower front region of the tower 12, the status LEDs 18 are located in the top region of the machine 1, for example in the upper region of the tower 12, and the spindle LEDs 19 are positioned close to the spindle 14, as better described below.

[0028] According to the example shown herein, the status LEDs 18 are conveniently arranged in four strips, located on the four sides of the tower 12 near its top. For example, the front status LED strip 18 may be vertical and the side LED strips may be horizontal, but other arrangements are obviously possible. The status LEDs 18 are conveniently visible 360° from a distance (i.e., from a distance of at least 10m, preferably at least 20m).

[0029] The status LED 18 can be in different colors and is suitable for providing a general indication of the operating status of the machine to allow the user to recognize whether the operation is correct and / or whether the operator must take some action. For example, the status LED 18 can be red in the case of an alarm, yellow in the case of a warning, and green or blue in the case of normal operation.

[0030] Preferably, the front status LED 18 illuminates gradually from bottom to top, for example on a scale from 1 to 10, indicating the speed at which the machine is operating as a percentage of the maximum available speed. This is intended to allow the supervisor to verify that the machine is being used as efficiently as possible and that unnecessary speed limits are not being erroneously maintained.

[0031] In the example shown here, the spindle LEDs 19 are conveniently configured as four horizontal strips, located on the four sides of the column 13 near the lower end 14, and are suitable for signaling the status of the measuring head and the measuring sensor. The spindle LEDs 19 may also present different colors depending on the operating state. The LEDs 19 are conveniently visible 360° from a medium distance (i.e., from a distance of at least 5m).

[0032] The status LED 18 and spindle LED 19 may also assume a fixed configuration, an on / off configuration, or a breathing configuration with variable intensity in a continuous manner.

[0033] The display 17 is configured to define a graphical user interface (GUI) 20 ( FIG. 1 ) adapted to provide a more detailed description of the status of the machine 1. Figures 3a to 6b ).

[0034] GUI 20( Figure 3a ) may include: a status indicator 21, such as a circular indicator, which is adapted to present a color corresponding to the status LED 18; a notification panel 22, which is adapted to describe in detail the status of the machine 1; and an information panel 23, which is provided with a series of information pictograms 24, which may represent, for example, the presence or absence of software / firmware modules or notifications to be read. The size of the indicator 21 allows it to be seen by a remote operator, as opposed to the details represented by the notification panel 22, which is seen by an operator standing near the machine (i.e., at a distance of less than 2 meters).

[0035] An example of an alarm configuration of the GUI 20 where the status indicator 21 is red is shown in Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 3c , Figure 3d The alarm configuration indicates a critical condition that prevents the machine 1 from operating properly and requires immediate operator intervention to restore operation.

[0036] An example of a warning configuration of the GUI 20 where the status indicator 21 is yellow is shown in FIG. Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 4c , Figure 4d The warning configuration indicates abnormal but non-critical conditions that require operator attention.

[0037] exist Figure 5a , Figure 5b , Figure 5c , Figure 5d An example of an information configuration of the GUI 20 is shown in , where the status indicator 21 is green and indicates a normal operating condition of the machine.

[0038] exist Figure 6a and Figure 6b Possible configurations of the GUI 20 of the display 17 and the corresponding configurations of the status LEDs 18 and the spindle LEDs 19 are shown in the table divided between FIG.

[0039] In particular, in a series of alarm configurations, the status indicator 21 of the GUI 20, the status LED 18, and the spindle LED 19 (if on) are red.

[0040] In each of the above configurations, the notification panel 22 provides an indication of the status of the machine, such as:

[0041] -Ethernet connection lost;

[0042] - System failure;

[0043] - Motor off;

[0044] - high / low air pressure;

[0045] -Sensor collision;

[0046] -Machine collision;

[0047] -Frame collision (collision with tool holder frame);

[0048] - E-Stop is pressed (Emergency button 25 is pressed, see Figure 7 );

[0049] - In the case where the machine is an automation line, its units are connected via an automation hub 26 ( Figure 7 ) In the case where the parts are connected to each other via Ethernet, for example, and the emergency stop is caused by the stop of another unit of the line, the external E-stop is activated (external emergency stop is activated).

[0050] In one set of warning configurations, the status indicator 21 of the GUI 20, the status LED 18 and the spindle LED 19 (if on) are yellow; examples of warning configurations are:

[0051] - Low / high ambient temperature;

[0052] - Ambient temperature time gradient;

[0053] -Spatial gradient of ambient temperature;

[0054] - Low / high ambient temperature;

[0055] - The sensor detaches when turned on;

[0056] -Sensor out of range;

[0057] - rack failure (failure of the tool holder);

[0058] - The sensor needs calibration;

[0059] -Please note that the motor is turned on;

[0060] -The system requires maintenance.

[0061] In a series of configurations representing normal operation of the machine 1, the status indicator 21 of the GUI 20, the status LED 18, and the spindle LED 19 (if on) are green; examples of these configurations are the following:

[0062] - Sensor preheating;

[0063] - Boot (initialize the machine);

[0064] - Ready;

[0065] - Measurement (ongoing measurement);

[0066] - The machine is set to the parking position (the machine is parked in a position to interact with external automation).

[0067] In a series of waiting configurations, the status indicator 21 of the GUI 20, the status LED 18, and the spindle LED 19 (if on) are blue; examples of waiting configurations are:

[0068] - The system needs to be homed (the machine must be set to a predetermined rest position);

[0069] - Standby (the machine has been inactive for more than 5 minutes);

[0070] - Upgrades (software / firmware updates);

[0071] - Calibration (sensor calibration);

[0072] - Prepare to replace the sensor.

[0073] Obviously, this is an exemplary list of configurations, which may be modified, integrated or reduced as desired.

[0074] Furthermore, the disclosed configurations as a whole are not to be considered a predetermined combination of features, but rather a list of individual features that can be used alone or in combination with each other.

[0075] Figure 7 A block diagram of a control system 29 of the machine 1 is shown, the control system 29 consisting of a central control unit 30 , which is conveniently integrated in the base 2 , and a peripheral control unit 31 carried by the tower 12 .

[0076] The central control unit 30 is responsible for the general control of the machine 1 and constitutes the interface of the machine 1 to the outside and in particular to the automation hub 26 of the line; the peripheral control unit 31 is connected to the central control unit 30 and is configured to act as an interface between the central control unit and the devices / sensors carried by the carriage 11 so as to rationalize and minimize the electrical wiring of the machine 1.

[0077] In particular, the peripheral control unit 31 is connected to the measuring head 15, the measuring sensor 16 and a plurality of sensors S1, S2, ..., Sn carried by the carriage 11 or by the column 12 including, for example, a temperature probe. The peripheral control unit 31 controls the display 17, the status LED 18 and the spindle LED 19 in response to input signals I1, I2, ..., In received from the sensors S1, S2, ..., Sn and input signals Ic received from the central control unit 30. A camera 27 is also connected to the peripheral control unit 31, conveniently fixed to the back of the cross member 9 and having the purpose of monitoring the measurement volume V.

[0078] In particular, the control system 29 may be connected to a controller of the measuring head 15 and / or the measuring probe 16 (not shown) by means of a peripheral control unit 31, so as to be able to acquire operating conditions of the measuring head and / or the measuring probe. The control system 29 may be configured to control the display 17 and the first status indicator light 18 of the machine, so as to allow the operating conditions to be displayed to an operator located in an unfavorable position (i.e. at a distance and / or behind the machine).

Claims

1. A coordinate measuring machine comprising a movable unit (3) adapted to move a measuring head (15) in a measuring volume (V), characterized in that The coordinate measuring machine includes an operating status display system, which includes: a first status indicator light (18) arranged in the top (12) of the coordinate measuring machine (1) and remotely visible at 360°, the first status indicator light (18) being configured to present colors representing different states of the coordinate measuring machine (1); and a display (17) defining a graphical user interface GUI (20), the GUI (20) including at least one indicator (21) that is remotely visible and represents the state of the coordinate measuring machine (1) and an information area (22) that is visible to an operator in close proximity to the coordinate measuring machine (1) and contains operating details related to the state of the coordinate measuring machine (1).

2. A coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, comprising a control system (29) configured to acquire a current state of the coordinate measuring machine and / or operational details related to the current state of the coordinate measuring machine; The control system is configured to control the display (17) and the first status indicator light (18) in the following manner: the current status of the coordinate measuring machine is displayed to an operator located at any position and a distance near the coordinate measuring machine, and the operation details related to the current status of the coordinate measuring machine are displayed to an operator located near the coordinate measuring machine.

3. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 2, wherein: The movable unit (3) comprises a first slide (5) capable of moving along a first axis (Y), a second slide (11) carried by the first slide (5) and capable of moving relative to the first slide along a second axis (X) orthogonal to the first axis (Y), and a spindle (14) carried by the second slide (11) and capable of moving relative to the second slide along a third axis (Z) orthogonal to the first axis (Y) and the second axis (X) and suitable for supporting the measuring head (15).

4. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 3, further comprising at least a second indicator light (19) located on one of the spindle (14) and the measuring head (15) and operable in response to an operating condition of the measuring head (15).

5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein: The control system (29) is configured to acquire the operating status of the measuring head and control the display (17) and the first status indicator light (18) in such a way that the operating status of the measuring head can be displayed to an operator located at any remote location around the coordinate measuring machine; preferably, the measuring head is configured to orient the measuring probe relative to the mobile unit according to at least one rotation axis; preferably, the measuring head and / or the measuring probe is configured to be automatically or semi-automatically replaceable from the coordinate measuring machine.

6. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 5, wherein: When turned on, the second indicator light (19) and the GUI indicator (21) are the same color as the first status indicator light (18).

7. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 6, wherein: The first status indicator light (18), the second indicator light (19) and the GUI indicator (21) (20) are configured to present at least a first color corresponding to an alarm indication, a second color corresponding to a warning indication and a third color corresponding to a normal operation indication.

8. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 7, wherein: The alarm indication is generated in response to detection of one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of: loss of Ethernet connection, system failure, motor shutdown, air pressure not within a predetermined range, impact of the coordinate measuring machine, measuring head or spindle, impact with the tool rack, emergency stop by a push button or by an external signal from a connected machine.

9. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 7, wherein: The warning indication is generated in response to detecting one or more conditions selected from the group including: ambient temperature not within a predetermined value range, spatial gradient of ambient temperature not within a predetermined value range, temporal gradient of ambient temperature not within a predetermined value range, workpiece temperature not within a predetermined value range, sensor measuring disconnected without shutting it off, sensor measuring outside a predetermined operating range, malfunction of the tool magazine, need for machine calibration, need for motor to be turned on, need for maintenance.

10. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 7, wherein: The indication of normal operation is generated in response to detecting one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of: sensor warm-up, machine initialization, machine ready, measurement in progress, machine arranged in a parked position.

11. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 7, wherein: The first status indicator light (18), the second indicator light (19) and the GUI indicator (21) are configured to present a corresponding fourth color in response to detecting one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of: the coordinate measuring machine needs to be placed in a static position, an idle machine, a software / firmware update, a sensor calibration, and the machine is ready for a sensor change.

12. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 4, wherein: The control system (29) comprises a central control unit (30) stationary with respect to the measurement volume (V) and a peripheral control unit (31) carried by the second carriage (11) and connected to the central control unit (30), the peripheral control unit (31) being connected to the display (17), the first status indicator light (18) and the second indicator light (19) to control them in response to signals (I1, I2, ..., In) received from corresponding sensors carried by the carriage (11) and signals (Ic) received from the central control unit (30).

13. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 12, wherein: The central control unit (30) is configured to be connected to an automation hub (26) of an automation line of which the coordinate measuring machine is a part.

14. The coordinate measuring machine according to claim 3, characterized in that The coordinate measuring machine is a bridge machine and the top of the coordinate measuring machine (1) is a tower (12) carried by the second carriage (11) and housing a column (13) that is vertically movable and defines the spindle (14).

Images