Tool management system and tool changing method

Abstract

The invention discloses a tool management system, which comprises a tool library information base, a machine tool processing information base and a tool real-time residual life information base, and is characterized in that tools of the same type in the tool information base are acquired to serve as a category tool group; obtaining cutters with the same cutter diameter in the category of cutters as a same-diameter cutter set; tools with the same tool length in the same-diameter tool set are obtained to serve as a same-length tool set; numbering all tools in the same-length tool set according to a sequence; the accumulated machining duration of each cutter on the machine tool in the cutter information base corresponding to the machine tool machining information base is obtained; the tool delivery life of each tool in the tool information base is obtained, the tool real-time remaining life of the tools is obtained by subtracting the accumulated machining duration of the tools on the machine tool from the delivery life of the tools, the remaining life information of the tools can be well managed, and complete tool management is achieved. The invention further discloses a tool changing method based on the tool management system, continuous tool changing can be achieved, and the machining efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of tool management and tool changing methods in CNC machine tools, specifically to a tool management system and a tool changing method. Background Technology

[0002] The tool magazine system is an important component of a CNC system. Existing tool magazine systems typically include tool type information and tool size information (tool diameter information and tool length information), but do not include information on the remaining service life of each tool.

[0003] Based on the aforementioned tool magazine system, engineers typically assume the remaining tool life is the same as the tool's original life when programming the machining program for a workpiece. Therefore, when machining a workpiece on a CNC machine tool, all tools in the tool holder need to be replaced, and the replaced tools are either used on a manual machine tool or scrapped. This demonstrates that existing tool magazine systems still cannot comprehensively manage crucial tool information, leading to limitations in CNC programming. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a tool management system and a tool changing method, wherein the tool management system can effectively manage the remaining life information of the tool to achieve perfect tool management, and when applied to the tool changing method, it is not necessary to replace the tool holder and the tool.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A tool management system includes a tool information database, a machine tool processing information database, and a tool real-time remaining life information database;

[0007] The tool information database is used to identify tools of the same type as a category tool group, defined as Tn; tools with the same diameter in category tool Tn are identified as a set of tools with the same diameter, defined as TnCn; tools with the same length in the set of tools with the same diameter TnCn are identified as a set of tools with the same length, defined as TnCnLn; all tools in the set of tools with the same length TnCnLn are numbered sequentially, and each tool is defined as TnCnLnDn.

[0008] The machine tool processing information database is used to obtain the cumulative processing time tx of each tool TnCnLnDn in the tool information database on the machine tool.

[0009] The tool real-time remaining life information database is used to obtain the tool life t of each tool TnCnLnDn in the tool information database. The tool life t of tool TnCnLnDn is subtracted from its cumulative machining time tx on the machine tool to obtain the real-time remaining life of tool TnCnLnDn, which is defined as ts.

[0010] Furthermore, the cutting tool TnCnLnDn has a tip region p, a circumferential arc region q, and a circumferential side region c;

[0011] Obtain the factory life tp of the center region corresponding to the center region p of the tool TnCnLnDn, the factory life tq of the circumferential arc region corresponding to the circumferential arc region q, and the factory life tc of the circumferential side region corresponding to the circumferential side region c.

[0012] When the cutting tool TnCnLnDn is working on the machine tool, obtain the cumulative machining time txp corresponding to the center point p, the cumulative machining time txq corresponding to the circumferential arc region q, and the cumulative machining time txc corresponding to the circumferential side region c.

[0013] The real-time remaining lifespan tsp of the corresponding tip region p is obtained from the difference between the factory lifespan tp of the tool TnCnLnDn and its cumulative machining time txp.

[0014] The real-time remaining lifespan tsq of the corresponding circumferential arc region q is obtained from the difference between the factory lifespan tq of the tool TnCnLnDn and its cumulative machining time txq.

[0015] The real-time remaining lifespan tsc of the corresponding circumferential side zone c is obtained from the difference between the factory lifespan tc of the tool TnCnLnDn and its cumulative machining time txc.

[0016] Furthermore, the range formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn tilting at an angle of 0-5° towards the tool axis is the tip region p;

[0017] The range formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn tilting at an angle of 5-30° toward the tool axis is the circumferential arc region q.

[0018] The range formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn at an angle of 30-45° toward the tool axis is the circumferential side region c.

[0019] Furthermore, the time for machining a workpiece with the machine tool equipped with the cutting tool TnCnLnDn and the cutting tool tip angle of 0-5° is the cumulative machining time txp of the center region p corresponding to the cutting tool TnCnLnDn;

[0020] The time for machining a workpiece with a cutting tool TnCnLnDn and a tool tip tilt angle of 5-30° is the cumulative machining time txq of the circumferential arc region q corresponding to the cutting tool TnCnLnDn;

[0021] The time for machining a workpiece with a cutting tool TnCnLnDn and a tool tip tilt angle of 30-45° is the cumulative machining time txc of the circumferential side area c corresponding to the cutting tool TnCnLnDn.

[0022] A tool changing method includes steps one, two, and three;

[0023] Step 1: Obtain the machine tool processing program and the tool management system. Obtain the processing time tj corresponding to the current process through the machine tool processing program. Obtain the real-time remaining tool life ts of the tool TnCnLnDn currently working on the machine tool through the tool management system. When the real-time remaining tool life ts of the working tool TnCnLnDn is exhausted and the current process is not completed, obtain the remaining processing time ty of the current processing process, and then proceed to the next step.

[0024] Step 2: Select another tool TnCnLnDn from the tool management system, which has the same type Tn, diameter Cn, and length Ln as the tool TnCnLnDn in Step 1, and the real-time remaining tool life ts of this tool TnCnLnDn is greater than the remaining machining time ty of the current machining process;

[0025] Step 3: After removing the working tool TnCnLnDn from the machine tool head, replace it with the tool TnCnLnDn obtained in Step 2 to complete the tool change operation.

[0026] Furthermore, in step one, when the real-time remaining tool life ts of the working tool TnCnLnDn is exhausted, according to the requirements of the machine tool machining program, the remaining time for the machine tool head to perform clearance work at the required tilt angle is obtained, namely the remaining machining time t1 for a tool head tilt angle of 0-5°, the remaining machining time t2 for a tool head tilt angle of 5-30°, and the remaining machining time t3 for a tilt angle of 30-45°.

[0027] Furthermore, in step two, when selecting tool TnCnLnDn from the tool management system, the real-time remaining lifespan tsp of the corresponding tip region p, the real-time remaining lifespan tsq of the corresponding circumferential arc region q, and the real-time remaining lifespan tsc of the corresponding circumferential side region c of the tool are simultaneously obtained, and these three real-time remaining lifespans tsp, tsq, and tsc are respectively greater than the remaining time t1, t2, and t3 of the machine tool head needing to tilt at an angle to avoid airflow in step one.

[0028] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] 1) The tool management system of this invention classifies and sorts each tool in the tool magazine according to type Tn, diameter Cn, length Ln, and sequence Dn through a tool information database. This ensures that each tool has a unique identifier in the machine tool, facilitating easy retrieval of the corresponding tool and easy marking of information on the tool. Simultaneously, by using the machine tool machining information database and the real-time remaining tool life, the system obtains the real-time remaining tool life ts for each tool. Therefore, when using a corresponding tool, its real-time remaining tool life ts can be used to determine whether the tool has been used up. Furthermore, even after the tool is removed, its remaining service life remains clear, thus facilitating effective management of tool life information and achieving comprehensive tool management.

[0030] 2) The tool changing method of the present invention utilizes the aforementioned tool management system. Therefore, during tool changing, the remaining time ty of the machining process corresponding to the tool TnCnLnDn can be obtained through the machine tool machining program. Simultaneously, multiple tools TnCnLnDn of the same type, diameter, and length as the previously exhausted tool TnCnLnDn, but with different serial numbers, can be selected from the tool management system. The real-time remaining lifespan ts of these tools TnCnLnDn is obtained, and a tool with a real-time remaining lifespan ts greater than the remaining time ty of the corresponding machining process is selected and replaced with a tool on the machine tool head for continued use. Compared to existing tool changing methods, the tool changing method of the present invention can replace usable tools TnCnLnDn based on system information, while existing technologies can only replace or update new tools. Therefore, it has the advantages of saving production costs and improving intelligent machining. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tool management system of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tip region p, circumferential arc region q, and circumferential side region c in the cutting tool of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the tool changing method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Terms such as “upper,” “inner,” “middle,” “left,” “right,” and “one” used in this specification are merely for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the invention.

[0035] Please see Figures 1 to 2A tool management system includes a tool information database, a machine tool processing information database, and a tool real-time remaining life information database;

[0036] The tool information database is used to identify tools of the same type as a category tool group, defined as Tn; tools with the same diameter in category tool Tn are identified as a set of tools with the same diameter, defined as TnCn; tools with the same length in the set of tools with the same diameter TnCn are identified as a set of tools with the same length, defined as TnCnLn; all tools in the set of tools with the same length TnCnLn are numbered sequentially, and each tool is defined as TnCnLnDn.

[0037] The machine tool processing information database is used to obtain the cumulative processing time tx of each tool TnCnLnDn in the tool information database on the machine tool.

[0038] The tool real-time remaining life information database is used to obtain the tool life t of each tool TnCnLnDn in the tool information database. The tool life t of tool TnCnLnDn is subtracted from its cumulative machining time tx on the machine tool to obtain the real-time remaining life of tool TnCnLnDn, which is defined as ts.

[0039] Specifically, the tool information database categorizes and groups each tool in the tool magazine according to its type (Tn), diameter (Cn), length (Ln), and sequence (Dn), ensuring that each tool has a unique identifier on the machine tool. This facilitates easy retrieval of the corresponding tool and allows for easy marking of information on the tool. Simultaneously, by using the machine tool machining information database and real-time remaining tool life data, the real-time remaining tool life (ts) of each tool is obtained. Therefore, when using a tool, its remaining life (ts) can be used to determine whether the tool has been used up. Furthermore, even after the tool is removed, its remaining service life remains clear, enabling efficient management of tool life information and achieving comprehensive tool management.

[0040] For a cutting tool TnCnLnDn with a hemispherical tip, the tool head is tilted to allow the tool tip to machine the workpiece at different positions. This is done to define the different positions of the tool tip for machining the workpiece, and to obtain the corresponding factory life, cumulative machining time on the machine tool, and real-time remaining life of the tool tip at each position.

[0041] Please see Figure 2 The cutting tool TnCnLnDn has a tip region p, a circumferential arc region q, and a circumferential side region c;

[0042] Obtain the tool information database the top point area life tp corresponding to the top point area p, the circumferential arc area life tq corresponding to the circumferential arc area q, and the circumferential side area life tc corresponding to the circumferential side area c.

[0043] The cumulative machining time txp corresponding to the center point p, the cumulative machining time txq corresponding to the circumferential arc area q, and the cumulative machining time txc corresponding to the circumferential side area c are obtained from the machine tool machining information database when the tool TnCnLnDn is working on the machine tool.

[0044] The real-time remaining lifespan tsp of the tool TnCnLnDn is obtained by calculating the difference between the factory lifespan tp of the tip region p and its cumulative machining time txp. Similarly, the real-time remaining lifespan tsq of the tool TnCnLnDn is obtained by calculating the difference between the factory lifespan tq of the tool TnCnLnDn's circumferential arc region q and its cumulative machining time txq. Finally, the real-time remaining lifespan tsc of the tool TnCnLnDn's circumferential side region c is obtained by calculating the difference between the factory lifespan tc of the tool TnCnLnDn's circumferential side region c and its cumulative machining time txc. These real-time remaining lifespans for the tip region p, circumferential arc region q, and circumferential side region c are then stored in the tool real-time remaining lifespan information database.

[0045] To define the specific positions of the tip region p, circumferential arc region q, and circumferential side region c in the cutting tool TnCnLnDn, the area formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn at an angle of 0-5° towards the tool axis is defined as the tip region p; the area formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn at an angle of 5-30° towards the tool axis is defined as the circumferential arc region q; and the area formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn at an angle of 30-45° towards the tool axis is defined as the circumferential side region c.

[0046] Based on the aforementioned limitations regarding the corresponding position of the tool tip TnCnLnDn, in order to understand the machining time of the tool in the corresponding area by measuring the swing angle of the machine tool head, the machining time of the workpiece when the machine tool is equipped with tool TnCnLnDn and the tool tip inclination angle is 0-5° is the cumulative machining time txp of the center area p corresponding to tool TnCnLnDn; the machining time of the workpiece when the machine tool is equipped with tool TnCnLnDn and the tool tip inclination angle is 5-30° is the cumulative machining time txq of the circumferential arc area q corresponding to tool TnCnLnDn; and the machining time of the workpiece when the machine tool is equipped with tool TnCnLnDn and the tool tip inclination angle is 30-45° is the cumulative machining time txc of the circumferential side area c corresponding to tool TnCnLnDn. Therefore, by converting the time taken for the machine tool head to swing at a corresponding angle and then process the workpiece through the cutting tool TnCnLnDn into the processing time at different positions on the corresponding cutting tool TnCnLnDn, the advantage of simplified statistics can be achieved.

[0047] Please see Figures 1 to 3 A tool changing method includes the following three steps:

[0048] Step 1: Obtain the machine tool processing program and the tool management system. Obtain the processing time tj corresponding to the current process through the machine tool processing program. Obtain the real-time remaining tool life ts of the tool TnCnLnDn currently working on the machine tool through the tool management system. When the real-time remaining tool life ts of the working tool TnCnLnDn is exhausted and the current process is not completed, obtain the remaining processing time ty of the current processing process, and then proceed to the next step.

[0049] In step one, when the real-time remaining tool life ts of the working tool TnCnLnDn is exhausted, according to the requirements of the machine tool machining program, the remaining time for the machine tool head to tilt at an angle to avoid the air is obtained, namely the remaining machining time t1 for a tool head tilt angle of 0-5°, the remaining machining time t2 for a tool head tilt angle of 5-30°, and the remaining machining time t3 for a tilt angle of 30-45°.

[0050] Step 2: Select another tool TnCnLnDn from the tool management system, which has the same type Tn, diameter Cn, and length Ln as the tool TnCnLnDn in Step 1, and the real-time remaining tool life ts of this tool TnCnLnDn is greater than the remaining machining time ty of the current machining process;

[0051] In step two, when selecting tool TnCnLnDn from the tool management system, the real-time remaining lifespan tsp of the corresponding tip region p, the real-time remaining lifespan tsq of the corresponding circumferential arc region q, and the real-time remaining lifespan tsc of the corresponding circumferential side region c of the tool are simultaneously obtained. These three real-time remaining lifespans tsp, tsq, and tsc are respectively greater than the remaining time t1, t2, and t3 of the machine tool head needing to tilt at an angle to avoid airflow in step one.

[0052] Step 3: After removing the working tool TnCnLnDn from the machine tool head, replace it with the tool TnCnLnDn obtained in Step 2 to complete the tool change operation.

[0053] Specifically, the tool changing method of the present invention utilizes the aforementioned tool management system. Therefore, during tool changing, the remaining time ty of the machining process corresponding to the tool TnCnLnDn can be obtained through the machine tool machining program. Simultaneously, multiple tools TnCnLnDn of the same type, diameter, and length as the previously exhausted tool TnCnLnDn, but with different serial numbers, can be selected from the tool management system. The real-time remaining lifespan ts of these tools is then obtained, and a tool with a real-time remaining lifespan ts greater than the remaining time ty of the corresponding machining process is selected and replaced with a tool on the machine tool head for continued use. Compared to existing tool changing methods, the tool changing method of the present invention can replace usable tools TnCnLnDn based on system information, while existing technologies can only replace or update new tools. Therefore, it has the advantages of saving production costs and improving intelligent machining.

[0054] Furthermore, the tool changing method of the present invention can select different corresponding tools TnCnLnDn based on the time of the machine tool head tilt angle in the remaining process of the machining operation. The three real-time remaining lifespans tsp, tsq, and tsc of the tool are greater than the remaining time t1, t2, and t3 of the machine tool head needing to tilt angle for clearance work in step one, respectively. Therefore, it can reduce the repeated tilting of the machine tool head during machining, thus having the beneficial effect of improving work efficiency.

[0055] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Based on the above description of the present invention, and using common technical knowledge and conventional means in the field, the present invention can be modified, replaced or combined in various other forms without departing from the basic technical idea of ​​the present invention, and all such modifications, replacements or combinations fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tool management system, characterized in that, include: Tool information database: Obtain tools of the same type from the tool information database, classify them as tool groups, and define them as Tn; Obtain tools with the same diameter from the tool category Tn, and define them as a set of tools with the same diameter, and define them as TnCn; obtain tools with the same length from the set of tools with the same diameter TnCn, and define them as a set of tools with the same length, and define them as TnCnLn; number all tools in the set of tools with the same length TnCnLn in sequence, and define each tool as TnCnLnDn; The machine tool processing information database is used to obtain the cumulative processing time tx of each tool TnCnLnDn in the tool information database on the machine tool. The tool real-time remaining life information database is used to obtain the tool life t of each tool TnCnLnDn in the tool information database. The tool life t of tool TnCnLnDn is subtracted from its cumulative machining time tx on the machine tool to obtain the real-time remaining life of tool TnCnLnDn, which is defined as ts.

2. The tool management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cutting tool TnCnLnDn has a tip region p, a circumferential arc region q, and a circumferential side region c; Obtain the factory life tp of the center region corresponding to the center region p of the tool TnCnLnDn, the factory life tq of the circumferential arc region corresponding to the circumferential arc region q, and the factory life tc of the circumferential side region corresponding to the circumferential side region c. When the cutting tool TnCnLnDn is working on the machine tool, obtain the cumulative machining time txp corresponding to the center point p, the cumulative machining time txq corresponding to the circumferential arc region q, and the cumulative machining time txc corresponding to the circumferential side region c. The real-time remaining lifespan tsp of the corresponding tip region p is obtained from the difference between the factory lifespan tp of the tool TnCnLnDn and its cumulative machining time txp. The real-time remaining lifespan tsq of the corresponding circumferential arc region q is obtained from the difference between the factory lifespan tq of the tool TnCnLnDn and its cumulative machining time txq. The real-time remaining lifespan tsc of the corresponding circumferential side zone c is obtained from the difference between the factory lifespan tc of the tool TnCnLnDn and its cumulative machining time txc.

3. The tool management system as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The area formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn at an angle of 0-5° toward the tool axis is the tip region p; the area formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn at an angle of 5-30° toward the tool axis is the circumferential arc region q; and the area formed by the tip of the cutting tool TnCnLnDn at an angle of 30-45° toward the tool axis is the circumferential side region c.

4. The tool management system as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The time for machining a workpiece with the tool TnCnLnDn and the tool tip tilt angle of 0-5° is the cumulative machining time txp of the center region p corresponding to the tool TnCnLnDn; The time for machining a workpiece with a cutting tool TnCnLnDn and a tool tip tilt angle of 5-30° is the cumulative machining time txq of the circumferential arc region q corresponding to the cutting tool TnCnLnDn; The time taken for the machine tool to process the workpiece with the tool TnCnLnDn and the tool tip tilt angle of 30-45° is the cumulative processing time txc of the circumferential side area c corresponding to the tool TnCnLnDn.

5. A tool changing method, characterized in that, include: Step 1: Obtain the machine tool processing program and the tool management system as described in any one of claims 2-4. Obtain the processing time tj corresponding to the current process through the machine tool processing program. Obtain the real-time remaining tool life ts of the tool TnCnLnDn currently working on the machine tool through the tool management system. When the real-time remaining tool life ts of the working tool TnCnLnDn is exhausted and the current process is not completed, obtain the remaining processing time ty of the current processing process, and then proceed to the next step. Step 2: Select another tool TnCnLnDn from the tool management system, which has the same type Tn, diameter Cn, and length Ln as the tool TnCnLnDn in Step 1, and the real-time remaining tool life ts of the tool TnCnLnDn is greater than the remaining machining time ty of the current machining process; Step 3: After removing the working tool TnCnLnDn from the machine tool head, replace it with the tool TnCnLnDn obtained in Step 2 to complete the tool change operation.

6. The tool changing method as described in claim 5, characterized in that: In step one, when the real-time remaining tool life ts of the working tool TnCnLnDn is exhausted, according to the requirements of the machine tool machining program, the remaining time for the machine tool head to tilt at an angle to avoid the air is obtained, namely the remaining machining time t1 for a tool head tilt angle of 0-5°, the remaining machining time t2 for a tool head tilt angle of 5-30°, and the remaining machining time t3 for a tilt angle of 30-45°. In step two, when selecting tool TnCnLnDn from the tool management system, the real-time remaining lifespan tsp of the corresponding tip region p, the real-time remaining lifespan tsq of the corresponding circumferential arc region q, and the real-time remaining lifespan tsc of the corresponding circumferential side region c of the tool are simultaneously obtained. These three real-time remaining lifespans tsp, tsq, and tsc are respectively greater than the remaining time t1, t2, and t3 of the machine tool head needing to tilt at an angle to avoid airflow in step one.

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