Cutter life management method and system

Abstract

The invention provides a cutter service life management method. The cutter service life management method comprises the steps that the shaft number and plate layout of a target cutter are obtained; the target tool machining information is obtained based on the number of the shafts and the plate layout; and independently calculating the cutter service life value of each shaft based on the target cutter machining information, and timely replacing the cutter which has reached the service life. The invention further provides a tool service life management system, the service life of each shaft tool in any machine type is independently managed, the service life of each tool is independently calculated, tool use is maximized, tool waste is reduced, and machining efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of circuit board processing equipment technology, and in particular to a tool life management method and system. Background Technology

[0002] PCB drilling machines are the main processing equipment for PCB board manufacturing. They use drills of different diameters to create holes for mounting components. As the variety and quantity of products increase, the processing pressure gradually increases, and the tool wear rate accelerates accordingly. The total cutting time from the start of processing with a new tool until it is worn out and scrapped is called tool life. In PCB board manufacturing, to ensure that the tool life on the cutter head is sufficient to complete the entire board processing, new tools are replaced when the tool life is exhausted or earlier.

[0003] Currently, for PCB drilling machines with multi-axis machining on a single table, depending on the board layout, after the machining of all axes is completed, some axes are machined while others are not. During machining, all axes grip the tool simultaneously, and after machining is completed, the tools of the machined and unmachined axes retract together. When the tool of the machined axis reaches the end of its lifespan, even though the tool of the unmachined axis has not reached the end of its lifespan, it is also marked as having reached the end of its lifespan after tool replacement, resulting in a waste of the corresponding tool lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tool life management method and system to at least solve the problem of tool waste caused by replacing existing tools before they reach the end of their service life.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a tool life management method, comprising:

[0006] Obtain the number of axes of the target tool and the layout of the sheet metal;

[0007] The target tool machining information is obtained based on the number of shafts and the sheet metal layout.

[0008] Based on the target tool machining information, the tool life value for each axis is calculated individually, and tools that have reached the end of their lifespan are replaced in a timely manner.

[0009] Optionally, in the tool life management method, when the sheet metal layout is an integer multiple of the axes, the tool life of each machining axis is calculated separately and cumulatively.

[0010] Optionally, in the tool life management method, when the sheet metal layout is a non-integer multiple of the axis, the tool life of each machining axis is calculated separately, while the tool life of non-machining axes remains unchanged.

[0011] Optionally, in the tool life management method, each axis has independent tool magazine information for its corresponding tool magazine, and the tool magazine information is used to independently store the life information of the corresponding tool.

[0012] Optionally, in the tool life management method, the timely replacement of tools that have reached the end of their life includes: software calculating the life information of machining axis tools, and triggering a tool replacement mechanism when the life of the machining axis tool reaches a preset value.

[0013] Optionally, in the tool life management method, the tool replacement mechanism includes:

[0014] Control the target tools to return to their respective tool magazines for simultaneous tool changing or only change the tools that have reached the end of their service life;

[0015] Update the tool magazine information for each axis tool magazine accordingly;

[0016] Replace tools that have reached the end of their service life in the tool magazine based on tool magazine information.

[0017] The present invention also provides a tool life management system for controlling tool changing in multi-axis machine equipment, comprising:

[0018] The software control unit is used to set the tool life information for each axis, independently calculate the tool life for each axis, and calculate and adjust the tool life value according to the tool machining status.

[0019] The tool magazine management unit is used to manage the tool inventory and tool life status for each axis;

[0020] The tool change control unit is used to trigger a tool change action when the machining axis tool has reached the end of its service life.

[0021] Optionally, in the tool life management system, when the sheet layout is an integer multiple of the number of axes, the tool life of all axes is calculated independently and cumulatively.

[0022] When the sheet metal layout is a non-integer multiple of the number of axes, the tool life of the machining axes is calculated separately and cumulatively, while the tool life of the non-machining axes remains unchanged.

[0023] Optionally, in the tool life management system, tools that have reached the end of their lifespan are replaced according to the tool life status in the tool magazine.

[0024] Optionally, in the tool life management system, the system is applicable to equipment with different numbers of axes, including dual-axis, three-axis and four-axis, and the tool life management of each axis in each type of equipment is completely independent.

[0025] The tool life management method and system provided by this invention calculates the tool life of each axis separately during the machining process and sets independent tool magazine information for each corresponding axis, marking and storing the corresponding tool life, thus managing the tools in each tool magazine individually. Once the tool on the machining axis reaches its lifespan, only the tool that has reached its lifespan needs to be replaced; tools that have not yet reached their lifespan continue to be used, maximizing tool utilization, reducing tool waste, and solving the problem of tool waste caused by replacing tools that have not yet reached their lifespan due to uniformly marking tool lifespans. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a circuit board processing equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a circuit board processing equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the machining stroke of the four axes in a four-axis machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a tool life management method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 A flowchart of a four-axis machine tool life management method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure label:

[0033] 10-Worktable; 20-Spindle assembly; 30-Crossbeam; 40-Base; 21-First spindle; 22-Second spindle; 11-Machining station; 110-Machining area; 111-First tool; 112-Second tool; 113-First tool magazine; 114-Second tool magazine; 115-First tool holder; 116-Second tool holder; 12-Target circuit board. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The tool life management method and management system proposed in this invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of this invention. Furthermore, the structures shown in the drawings are often part of the actual structure. In particular, different figures may emphasize different aspects and sometimes use different proportions.

[0035] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects in order to describe embodiments of the invention, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such uses of terminology are interchangeable where appropriate. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0036] Currently, PCB drilling machines are generally classified into single-axis, two-axis, four-axis, five-axis, and six-axis machines based on the number of spindles. Multiple drilling machines share a single guide rail, and X-axis displacement is achieved through an X-axis drive assembly. This X-axis drive assembly is mostly mounted on a marble crossbeam, forming a single-table, multi-axis PCB processing equipment. When processing a specific area of ​​the PCB, multiple spindles simultaneously work together with their cutting tools to process the board, and then retract simultaneously after processing. Figures 1 to 2This is a partial structural diagram of a two-axis circuit board processing machine, including a base 40, a crossbeam 30, a spindle assembly 20, and a worktable 10. The worktable 10 is mounted on the base 40. The crossbeam 30 is mounted above the worktable 10, and at least one spindle assembly 20 is slidably connected to the crossbeam 30. The at least one spindle assembly 20 moves along a first direction (X-direction) on the crossbeam 30. Each spindle assembly 20 includes a first spindle 21 and a second spindle 22. The bottom end of the first spindle 21 holds a first tool 111, and the bottom end of the second spindle 22 holds a second tool 112. The worktable 10 is on the base 40 and moves along a second direction (Y-direction). The worktable 10 has at least one processing station 11, and each processing station 11 holds a target circuit board 12. Each spindle assembly 20 corresponds one-to-one with each target circuit board 12. The first spindle 21 clamps the first tool 111, and the second spindle 22 clamps the second tool 112, moving along a third direction (Z direction) to process the corresponding target circuit board 12. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. In the context of this invention, the circuit board processing equipment can be implemented as a drilling equipment, a forming equipment, a milling machine, a drilling and milling integrated machine, etc., and is not limited thereto.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the circuit board processing equipment includes a worktable 10 with six processing positions 11. Each processing position 11 has a processing area 110 containing a target circuit board 12. The target circuit boards 12 come in various types, differing in material, size, thickness, and hardness, exhibiting significant differences in physical properties. However, all target circuit boards 12 are fixed within the processing area 110 of the worktable, and a high-speed spindle clamps a cutting tool to process the circuit boards. Various methods exist for fixing the circuit boards on the worktable, including but not limited to: pneumatic clamps, bakelite boards, and suction devices. These methods ensure that the target circuit boards 12 are stably and reliably fixed within the processing area 110 of the worktable 10, preventing displacement during the high-speed cutting tool's processing of the target circuit boards 12.

[0038] Specifically, each spindle assembly 20 includes a first spindle 21 and a second spindle 22, which synchronously replicate and process a first area of ​​the target circuit board 12. The first spindle 21 has a first robotic arm mounted on its base plate, which transfers a first tool 111 at its bottom end via a first tool holder 115 on the worktable 10. Similarly, the second spindle 22 has a second robotic arm mounted on its base plate, which transfers a second tool 112 at its bottom end via a second tool holder 116 on the worktable 10. A first tool magazine 113 is used to replace the first tool 111 with the first spindle 21, and a second tool magazine 114 is used to replace the second tool 112 with the second spindle 22. The structure and function of the first robotic arm, the second robotic arm, the first tool holder 115, the second tool holder 116, the first tool magazine 113, and the second tool magazine 114 are not described in detail here.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the target circuit board 12 has 6 sub-circuit boards arranged along the first direction, and 2 axes. The number of axes is an integer multiple of the number of sub-circuit boards arranged in the target circuit board 12. The first spindle 21 and the second spindle 22 are both machining axes. During the machining process, they can correspond one-to-one with the board material, so that the machining information of the tool corresponding to each spindle is the same, realizing synchronous replication machining. The tool life value calculated by the first spindle 21 and the second spindle 22 separately is consistent with the tool life value calculated by the two axes simultaneously. When the number of sub-circuit boards arranged along the first direction of circuit board 12 is 7, the number of axes is not an integer multiple of the number of sub-circuit boards. At this time, the movement of the spindle clamping tool cannot correspond one-to-one with the board material. There are machining axes and non-machining axes. That is to say, when the first spindle 21 clamps the first tool 111 to process the sub-circuit board, the second spindle 22 clamps the second tool 112 but does not process it, or when the second spindle 22 clamps the second tool 112 to process the sub-circuit board, the first spindle 21 clamps the first tool 111 but does not process it. This causes a difference in the service life value of the first tool 111 and the second tool 112. If the maximum service life is used for uniform calculation, the tool of the non-machining axis will be marked as having reached its service life even though it has not reached its service life, which will cause unnecessary waste of tools.

[0040] As the size of processed PCB boards increases and customer demand for production capacity grows, multi-axis PCB drilling machines are currently being developed. This is achieved by increasing the number of spindles on a single machine, employing a single-table, multi-axis machining method. The entire processing area on the table is completed through the coordinated operation of multiple axes, maximizing single-machine capacity, improving processing efficiency, and maximizing space utilization. The number of spindle assemblies 20 in the PCB processing equipment can be one, two, three, four, five, six, ten, twelve, etc., and each spindle assembly 20 can include one, two, three, four, etc., without any limitation. This application provides a tool life management method and system that independently controls the tool life of each spindle, avoiding tool waste.

[0041] Example 1:

[0042] Taking a PCB drilling machine with four spindles in the PCB spindle assembly 20 (i.e., a single-table four-axis machining system) as an example, such as... Figure 3As shown, the four axes are denoted as A, B, C, and D, each with a machining stroke of two-thirds of the entire table surface. The sheet metal is machined within the movement range of each axis. When the sheet metal layout is a multiple of four, all axes machine, maintaining a consistent tool life. When the layout is not a multiple of four, some axes machine while others do not, resulting in inconsistent tool life. Furthermore, when all axes simultaneously engage and disengage, and tool life is calculated concurrently, some tools wear due to lack of continuous machining, leading to inconsistent tool life. Replacing all tools after a tool change indirectly reduces the lifespan of tools on non-machined axes, resulting in wasted tool life. To reduce tool waste, a tool life management method is proposed, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the tool life management method includes:

[0043] S1: Obtain the number of axes of the target tool and the sheet metal layout. The software obtains the number of axes of the target tool on this equipment, such as two-axis, three-axis, four-axis, etc.; and obtains the sheet metal layout information, acquiring the layout information of the sheet metal to be processed this time.

[0044] S2: Obtain the machining information of the target tool based on the number of axes and the sheet metal layout. When the sheet metal layout is an integer multiple of the number of axes, the target tool and the sheet metal can be machined one-to-one, and the machining information of the tool corresponding to each axis is the same. When the sheet metal layout is not an integer multiple of the number of axes, the target tool and the sheet metal do not correspond one-to-one, and the machining information of the tool corresponding to each axis is different, resulting in some axes being machined while others are not. By obtaining the number of target tool axes and the sheet metal layout information, the machining information of the sheet metal corresponding to the target tool can be obtained, that is, the information of all machined axes and all unmachined axes in this machining, which facilitates the separate calculation and management of the tool life of each machining axis.

[0045] S3: Calculate the tool life value for each axis individually based on the target tool machining information.

[0046] By acquiring the target tool's machining information, the machining status of each axis tool is obtained. Based on the machining status of different tools, the lifespan of each tool is independently calculated, yielding the actual lifespan value of the tool corresponding to each axis. Each tool is then managed independently. In other words, the software calculates the lifespan of different tools based on different machining information of the axis tools. When the axis is being machined, the tool lifespan of that axis decreases accordingly; when the axis is not being machined, the tool lifespan remains unchanged. By independently calculating the lifespan value (used lifespan value or remaining lifespan value) of each axis tool and independently managing the tool lifespan information in the tool magazine, tools that have reached their lifespan are replaced promptly, ensuring the utilization rate of each tool, maximizing tool usage savings, and avoiding waste.

[0047] Furthermore, each axis has its own independent tool magazine information, which is used to independently store the lifespan information of the corresponding tool. Specifically, during machining, only the tool lifespan of the machining axis increases cumulatively, or the remaining lifespan decreases cumulatively, while the tool lifespan of the non-machining axis remains unchanged. Based on the machining information of the target tool, the software calculates the cumulative used lifespan or the cumulative remaining lifespan of the tool corresponding to each axis. After tool retraction, the tool lifespan information of each axis is stored in the corresponding tool magazine information. The tool magazine information for each axis changes in real time with the machining status of the tool, updating the stored tool lifespan information in real time, which allows operators to understand the tool usage status in a timely manner and replace tools that have reached the end of their lifespan promptly.

[0048] S4: Timely replacement of tools that have reached the end of their service life. The software calculates the lifespan information of the machining axis tools. When the lifespan of a machining axis tool reaches a preset value, the tool replacement mechanism is triggered to replace the tool that has reached the end of its service life in a timely manner. The tool lifespan of each machining axis is calculated independently, which can accurately and timely monitor the tool lifespan status. When the lifespan of a machining axis tool reaches the preset value, the tool replacement mechanism is activated to replace the tool in a timely manner. The preset value of tool lifespan is a set value. Depending on the required replacement state of the tool, the preset value is set to zero remaining tool lifespan, or a certain remaining service life value is set when a new tool needs to be replaced in advance. The preset value can be adjusted and is not specifically limited here. In this embodiment, the preset value is zero tool lifespan.

[0049] Furthermore, when the software calculates that the tool life of the machining axis has reached the preset value, it controls the target tool to simultaneously retract to the corresponding tool magazine for tool changing. The retracted tool is placed in the tool magazine's tool head. At this time, the tool magazine information for each axis is updated in a timely manner to store the tool life information. Based on the tool magazine information for each corresponding axis, the operator promptly replaces the tools that have reached their lifespan, while tools that have not yet reached their lifespan are not replaced temporarily and will be used in the next machining operation after the machining axis is picked up again. Since the tool magazine information is updated and stored with the tool information of the replaced tools in the tool head and the tool information of other tools in the tool head, regardless of which tool is picked up for machining, the software recalculates the tool life value based on the different tool life values ​​in the tool magazine information and the machining status of the axis tools. This ensures precise control of the lifespan of each tool and maximizes tool utilization. The tool changing process does not affect the machine's machining, thus improving machining efficiency.

[0050] In this embodiment, taking a single-table four-axis drilling machine as an example, the processing flow is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the number of axes of the target tool is obtained before machining. It is four axes. The software sets four tool magazines based on this number, each corresponding to one of the four axes. The layout information of the sheet metal is then obtained to determine the machining information for the target tool.

[0051] When the sheet metal layout information is a multiple of four, all axes process the material. The tool life for each axis is consistent, and the software independently calculates the tool life for each axis. Since the processing conditions are the same across all four axes, the tool life calculated individually for each axis is consistent with the tool life calculated simultaneously for all four axes. This means the tool life for all four axes is the same until any one of the axes reaches its preset tool life. At this point, the tool replacement mechanism for all axes is triggered, causing all axes to return their tools to their respective tool magazines and be replaced simultaneously. Each independent tool magazine stores the tool life value independently based on the software calculations. Operators will then replace the tools in the tool magazine that have reached their preset lifespans according to the tool magazine information.

[0052] When the layout information of the sheet metal is not a multiple of four, the tools are still grabbed simultaneously. The lifespan of the drilling tools on the machining axes is accumulated separately, and the lifespan of the tools on the non-machining axes is also accumulated separately. Since the tools are not being machined, the accumulated lifespan value of the tools on the non-machining axes remains unchanged. When the software calculates that the lifespan of a tool on a machining axis has reached a preset value, it controls all axes to change tools together. The target tool is returned to the tool magazine, and the lifespan information of the corresponding tools is independently updated and stored through their respective tool magazine information. The operator will replace the tools in the tool magazine that have reached the preset value according to the tool magazine information. Tools that have not reached the preset value are not replaced temporarily and will be used again when the tool is grabbed next time. During the next use, the software continues to accumulate and calculate the tool lifespan value through the tool lifespan information stored in the tool magazine information until the tool lifespan information reaches the preset value, at which point the tool is changed. In this embodiment, the preset value is that the tool lifespan is zero.

[0053] After tool change, the system checks if machining is complete. If so, the machining session ends; otherwise, it grabs the next tool and continues machining. The system then retrieves the machining and unmachined axis information based on the next tool's machining information. The tool lifespan for both the machining and unmachined axes is calculated separately. When the software calculates that the tool lifespan for a machining axis has reached a preset value, it triggers the tool change mechanism again until machining is complete. After each tool change, the corresponding tool magazine information is updated with the stored tool lifespan information. Operators then replace the tool with one of the correct lifespans based on this updated information. Tool lifespan management is performed independently for each of the four axes, maximizing tool lifespan conservation and ensuring 100% tool efficiency.

[0054] The present invention also provides a tool life management system for controlling tool replacement in multi-axis machine equipment, the tool life management system comprising:

[0055] The software control unit is used to set the tool life information for each axis, independently calculate the tool life for each axis, and calculate and adjust the tool life value according to the tool machining status.

[0056] The tool magazine management unit is used to manage the tool inventory and tool life status for each axis;

[0057] The tool change control unit is used to trigger a tool change action when the machining axis tool has reached the end of its service life.

[0058] The software control unit independently calculates the tool life of each axis, and calculates the tool life value of each axis independently based on the working status of the machining axis and the non-machining axis, calculating the tool life value of each axis in real time. If the sheet metal layout is an integer multiple of the number of axes, the tool life of each axis is calculated and accumulated separately, and the accumulated life value of each axis is consistent with the tool life of all axes. If the sheet metal layout is not an integer multiple of the number of axes, the tool life of the machining axes is calculated and accumulated separately, while the tool life of the non-machining axes remains unchanged. The software control unit controls the reduction of the tool life of the machining axes according to the machining status of the target tool, while the tool life of the non-machining axes remains unchanged.

[0059] When the software control unit detects that the machining axis tool has reached the end of its lifespan, it controls all tool axes to retract into the tool magazine. The tool magazine management unit manages the tool inventory for each axis, ensuring that there are spare tools in the magazine and that their lifespan is not zero. After a tool change, a tool that has not yet reached its lifespan can be retrieved to continue machining. Simultaneously, the tool magazine management unit manages the lifespan status of each tool. Tools that have been retracted but have not yet reached their lifespan can still be used. The remaining lifespan of retracted tools is stored, facilitating the retrieval of tools for subsequent machining and the cumulative calculation of tool lifespan values, thus accurately controlling the usage of each tool.

[0060] The tool changing control unit triggers a tool changing action under specific conditions. In this embodiment, the specific conditions are that the software control unit calculates and monitors that the tool life of the machining axis has reached a preset value, triggering the tool changing action. All the tools of the axes are returned to their respective tool magazines for replacement. If the machining is not completed after replacement, the machining continues to maintain machining efficiency.

[0061] Furthermore, the system is applicable to equipment with different numbers of axes, including dual-axis, three-axis, and four-axis equipment. The tool life management of each axis in each type of equipment is completely independent. By acquiring the number of processing axes of different equipment and the corresponding layout information of the sheet metal, the tool life of the processing axis or the non-processing axis is calculated separately. When the remaining service life of the tool on the processing axis reaches zero, the tool is changed. The tools in the tool magazine that have reached the end of their service life are replaced. Tools that have not reached the end of their service life are not replaced temporarily and are used next time. This effectively avoids the waste of tool life caused by calculating the service life of the tool even when it is not processing.

[0062] Example 2:

[0063] The tool life management method provided in Example 2 obtains the machining information of the target tool by acquiring the number of axes and the layout of the sheet metal. Based on the machining information, the tool life of each axis is calculated independently. The method for timely replacement of tools that have reached their lifespan is the same as described above and will not be repeated here. The difference between this example and Example 1 is that when the software detects that the tool life of an axis has reached a preset value, it controls all target tools of all axes to return to their respective tool magazines. Only tools that have reached their lifespan are replaced. Tools that have not reached their lifespan are not returned and new tools are picked up, and they continue to be used until they reach their lifespan. Only then are they returned and new tools picked up.

[0064] The tool management system provided in this embodiment differs from the tool management system in Embodiment 1 in that, after triggering the tool changing action, the tool changing control unit retracts all the tools of all axes into the tool magazine, and only changes the tools of the machining axes that have reached the end of their lifespan. Tools of non-machining axes that have not reached the end of their lifespan are not changed until the machining lifespan reaches a preset value, at which point the tool changing action is triggered again to change the tools.

[0065] The tool life management method and system provided by this invention calculates the tool life of each axis separately and independently sets the tool magazine information for each corresponding axis, respectively marking and storing the life of the corresponding tools, thus achieving individual management of the tools in each tool magazine. Once the tools on a machining axis reach the end of their lifespan, only the tools that have reached their lifespan need to be replaced; tools that have not yet reached their lifespan can continue to be used. The provided tool life management method and system are applicable to multi-axis circuit board processing equipment such as two-axis, three-axis, and four-axis machining, maximizing tool utilization, reducing tool waste, and improving processing efficiency.

[0066] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. In addition, different parts between embodiments can also be combined with each other, and this invention does not limit this.

[0067] The above description is merely a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the above disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A tool life management method, characterized in that, include: Obtain the number of axes of the target tool and the layout of the sheet metal; The target tool machining information is obtained based on the number of shafts and the sheet metal layout. Based on the target tool machining information, the tool life value for each axis is calculated individually, and tools that have reached the end of their lifespan are replaced.

2. The tool life management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the sheet metal layout is an integer multiple of the axis, the tool life of each machining axis is calculated separately and cumulatively.

3. The tool life management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the sheet metal layout is a non-integer multiple of the axis, the tool life of each machining axis is calculated separately, while the tool life of non-machining axes remains unchanged.

4. The tool life management method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Each axis has independent tool magazine information, which is used to independently store the life information of the corresponding tool.

5. The tool life management method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The timely replacement of tools that have reached the end of their service life includes: software calculating the life information of machining axis tools, and triggering a tool replacement mechanism when the life of the machining axis tool reaches a preset value.

6. The tool life management method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The tool changing mechanism includes: Control the target tools to return to their respective tool magazines for simultaneous tool changing or only change the tools that have reached the end of their service life; Update the tool magazine information for each axis tool magazine accordingly; Replace tools that have reached the end of their service life in the tool magazine based on tool magazine information.

7. A tool life management system for controlling tool changing in multi-axis machinery, characterized in that, include: The software control unit is used to set the tool life information for each axis, independently calculate the tool life for each axis, and calculate and adjust the tool life value according to the tool machining status. The tool magazine management unit is used to manage the tool inventory and tool life status for each axis; The tool change control unit is used to trigger a tool change action when the machining axis tool has reached the end of its service life.

8. The tool life management system according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the sheet metal layout is an integer multiple of the number of axes, the tool life of all axes is calculated independently and cumulatively. When the sheet metal layout is a non-integer multiple of the number of axes, the tool life of the machining axes is calculated separately and cumulatively, while the tool life of the non-machining axes remains unchanged.

9. The tool life management system according to claim 7, characterized in that, Replace the tools that have reached the end of their service life according to the tool life status in the tool magazine.

10. The tool life management system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The system is applicable to equipment with different numbers of axes, including dual-axis, three-axis and four-axis equipment, and the tool life management of each axis in each type of equipment is completely independent.

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