Production equipment

Abstract

A production facility (10) is provided with: a machine tool (12) capable of machining a workpiece (W) having a size less than or equal to a first workpiece size limit; a tray supply device (16) which accommodates a plurality of trays (P) on which workpieces (W) are placed and carries in and out the trays (P); a storage device (60) for presetting a second workpiece size limit less than or equal to the first workpiece size limit, and storing whether the size of the workpiece (W) exceeds the second workpiece size limit for each of the plurality of trays (P); and a control device (62) for controlling the tray supply device (16) so as to prevent the workpieces (W) placed on the adjacent trays (P) from interfering with each other on the basis of the information on the dimensions exceeding the second workpiece dimension limit stored in the storage device (60).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a production equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In production equipment, to efficiently handle large quantities of workpieces, pre-selected workpieces are typically kept near the machine tool. For this purpose, a pallet supply device is sometimes installed adjacent to the machine tool to hold the pallets containing the workpieces. According to the production plan, workpieces of various sizes are secured to the pallets held in the pallet supply device. Therefore, to ensure safe and efficient processing of workpieces of various sizes secured to the pallets, care must be taken to prevent interference between workpieces on adjacent pallets during pallet transfers at workpiece setting stations and between the processing chamber and the pallet supply device; that is, monitoring and confirmation are necessary.

[0003] However, for example, in a machine tool system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, which has a photographing device that takes pictures of a workpiece fixed to a tray from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary table, it is only used to confirm the positional relationship between a tray and the workpiece fixed to the tray and the spindle tool. Therefore, it is impossible to confirm the interference between the workpieces fixed on adjacent trays.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6563037 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a production device that, in a pallet supply device capable of accommodating different workpieces of the largest possible size, can prevent or suppress the stagnation of the production device due to interference from the workpieces.

[0009] means for solving problems

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a production apparatus is provided, comprising: a machine tool capable of processing workpieces with dimensions below a first workpiece size limit; a pallet supply device that receives a plurality of pallets carrying workpieces and moves the pallets carrying workpieces into or out of the machine tool; a storage device that pre-sets at least one second workpiece size limit below the first workpiece size limit and stores, for each of the plurality of pallets, whether the size of the workpiece placed on the pallet exceeds the second workpiece size limit; and a control device that controls the pallet supply device based on information stored in the storage device regarding sizes exceeding the second workpiece size limit to prevent workpieces placed on adjacent pallets from interfering with each other.

[0011] The effects of the invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a production apparatus includes a pallet supply device that holds multiple pallets on which workpieces within a first workpiece size limit that can be processed by a machine tool are placed. The pallet supply device moves the pallets containing the workpieces into or out of the machine tool. Furthermore, the production apparatus includes a storage device and a control device. The storage device pre-sets at least one second workpiece size limit below the first workpiece size limit, and stores, for each of the multiple pallets, whether the size of the workpiece placed on the pallet exceeds the second workpiece size limit. The control device can control the pallet supply device based on the information stored in the storage device regarding sizes exceeding the second workpiece size limit, to prevent workpieces placed on adjacent pallets from interfering with each other. This prevents or suppresses production equipment stagnation due to workpiece interference. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 A top view of the production equipment involved in the embodiment is shown.

[0014] Figure 2 A top view of a production equipment that increases the number of pallets housed in a pallet supply device by reducing the size limitation of the second workpiece.

[0015] Figure 3 A top view of a production facility showing a mixture of workpieces with different size limitations in a pallet feeding device.

[0016] Figure 4 A top view of a production facility showing a workpiece exceeding the second workpiece size limit being placed on a pallet.

[0017] Figure 5A side view of a camera device for photographing workpieces on a tray is shown.

[0018] Figure 6 An example of an image captured by a camera and displayed on an operating screen is shown.

[0019] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating the control method of the pallet supply device.

[0020] Figure 8 A top view of the production equipment involved in the first modified example with a workpiece loading station is shown.

[0021] Figure 9 A top view of the production equipment involved in the second variation where the pallet warehouse is fixed is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The production equipment involved in the embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or corresponding elements will be labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. For ease of understanding, the scale of the drawings may sometimes be changed for illustration.

[0023] Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic top view of a production equipment 10 for processing various workpieces of various sizes. The production equipment 10 includes a processing chamber 14, which is equipped with a processing chamber for processing the workpiece W (see reference 10). Figure 4 and Figure 6 The machine tool 12 performs processing; and a pallet supply device 16, which is arranged adjacent to the processing chamber 14 and has a pallet magazine 18 for storing and fixing the pallet P of the workpiece W. The processing chamber 14 and the pallet supply device 16 are configured to be accessible via a processing chamber door 20 that is openable and closable at the boundary.

[0024] Here, the machine tool 12 is a horizontal machining center, equipped with a bed 22 fixed to the ground at its installation location (factory, etc.) and a column 24 disposed on the upper surface of the bed 22. Furthermore, on the front side of the column 24 at the upper surface of the bed 22 (the side of the pallet supply device 16 in the figure), the machine tool 12 has a pair of Z-axis guideways 26 extending in the front-rear direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction, and a Z-axis slider 28 configured to reciprocate along the Z-axis guideways 26. Alternatively, the Z-axis slider may also be configured as a rotary table capable of rotating the pallet P placed on it.

[0025] Furthermore, the machine tool 12 has a pair of X-axis guideways 30 extending in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) on the upper surface of the bed 22, and the column 24 is disposed on the X-axis guideways 30 so that it can reciprocate along the X-axis guideways 30. In addition, the machine tool 12 has a pair of Y-axis guideways (not shown) extending in the up-down direction (Y-axis direction) in front of the column 24, and a Y-axis slider 32 configured to reciprocate along the Y-axis guideways. Furthermore, the machine tool 12 has an X-axis feed device for driving the column 24 along the X-axis guideways 30, a Y-axis feed device for driving the Y-axis slider 32 along the Y-axis guideways, and a Z-axis feed device for driving the Z-axis slider 28 along the Z-axis guideway 26 (all not shown).

[0026] A spindle head 34 is disposed in front of the Y-axis slider 32, and the spindle head 34 supports a spindle 36 configured to rotate about a central axis in the horizontal direction. A cutting tool TL for machining workpiece W is detachably mounted in front of the spindle 36. The machine tool 12 is electrically connected to the spindle head 34 and is equipped with an NC (numerical control) device 38 for controlling the machining process, configured to control the machining of workpiece W using the cutting tool TL. The machine tool 12 is configured to machine workpiece W with dimensions reaching a maximum machining size MP, which is a first workpiece size limitation.

[0027] The production equipment 10 includes: a tool magazine 40 for storing multiple cutting tools TL required for machining in the machine tool 12; and a tool exchange device 42 electrically connected to the NC device 38, which exchanges a cutting tool TL stored in the tool magazine 40 with a cutting tool TL mounted on the front end of the spindle 36 of the machine tool 12 based on instructions from the NC device 38.

[0028] Adjacent to the front side of the processing chamber 14, a pallet supply device 16 with a pallet magazine 18 is arranged, which is used to store pallets P. An openable and closable outer door 44 is formed on the outer wall 16a of the pallet supply device 16, allowing entry and exit from the outside of the pallet supply device 16. Thus, the operator can open the outer door 44 to replenish pallets P into the pallet magazine 18 and use clamps (not shown) to secure workpiece W to pallet P.

[0029] The pallet storage unit 18 includes: a storage body 46 that is circular in top view; and a plurality of placement platforms 48 disposed on the storage body 46 for placing pallets P. The placement platforms 48 are configured to move circumferentially within the storage body 46 by means of a drive device (not shown) (arrow in the figure), allowing them to move towards the processing chamber door 20 and the outer door 44. Therefore, handover between the processing chamber 14 and the outer side of the pallet supply device 16 and the pallets P already placed or to be placed on the placement platforms 48 is possible.

[0030] The pallet supply device 16 can set a maximum workpiece size MS on the pallet as a second workpiece size limit for each of the plurality of mounting tables 48 disposed on the pallet body 46, that is, the maximum size (dimension) of the workpiece W fixed on the pallet P placed on the mounting table 48. Here, the maximum workpiece size MS on the pallet is set to be less than the maximum processing size MP.

[0031] The pallet supply device 16 can set the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the pallet for each loading table 48, therefore, as Figure 2 As shown, by setting the maximum size MS of the workpiece on each tray of the mounting stage 48 to a smaller value, the number of trays P and workpieces W on the mounting stage 48 placed on the storage body 46 can be increased without causing adjacent workpieces W to interfere with each other. Figure 2 (In the case of 8). Furthermore, by setting different maximum dimensions MS of the workpiece on the tray for each stage 48, such as... Figure 3 As shown, workpieces W of different sizes can be placed on the mounting platform 48 of the storage body 46 without causing adjacent workpieces W to interfere with each other. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, by using the control device 62 described later, the pallet supply device 16 can fix a workpiece W smaller than the maximum processing size MP on the pallet to the pallet P without interfering with the workpiece W on the adjacent pallet P, even if the size exceeds the maximum processing size MS of the workpiece on the pallet.

[0032] An arm 50 is disposed inside the annular pallet body 46. The arm 50 includes: a support shaft 52 that extends vertically at the center of the pallet supply device 16 and is rotatable about an axis in the vertical direction; and an arm body 54 that is movably mounted on the support shaft 52 and configured to extend and retract horizontally. Furthermore, a gripping part 56 for gripping the pallet P is mounted at the front end of the arm body 54. Therefore, by rotating the gripping part 56 toward the pallet P to be gripped and extending and retracting the arm body 54, the front-back, left-right, and vertical positions of the gripping part 56 can be adjusted to stably grip the pallet P.

[0033] The robotic arm 50 is configured such that, while holding the pallet P on the side of the processing chamber door 20, the arm body 54 can be extended and retracted onto the Z-axis slider 28. This allows the pallet P, which holds the workpiece W before and after processing, to be transferred and fixed between the pallet supply device 16 and the machine tool 12.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, a camera 58, serving as a photographing device, is positioned at a predetermined location on the pallet supply device 16 to photograph the workpiece W placed on the pallet P. The predetermined location includes all positions where the pallet P can be photographed from above, and where it can be determined whether the size or position of the workpiece W fixed to the pallet P or the clamp (not shown) used to fix the workpiece W exceeds the maximum size MS or maximum processing size MP of the workpiece on the pallet. Furthermore, although the case where one camera 58 is positioned on the side of the outer door 44 within the pallet supply device 16 is described, this is not a limitation; the camera may be positioned at multiple locations, including the side of the processing chamber door. Moreover, although the case where the camera 58 photographs the workpiece W from above the pallet P is described, this is not a limitation; for example, the camera may be positioned on the side of the pallet instead of above, photographing the workpiece from the side.

[0035] Figure 5 The image shows a side view of a camera 58 that captures an image of a workpiece W (not shown) on a pallet P. The camera 58 can be a ToF (Time of Flight) camera, a stereo camera, or similar device. This allows for a three-dimensional understanding of the shape of the workpiece W and determines whether its size exceeds the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the pallet. Alternatively, a three-dimensional laser displacement meter can be used instead of a camera to acquire the three-dimensional shape of the workpiece W as three-dimensional point cloud data. The size of the workpiece W can be determined based on whether a certain number of points in the point cloud data exist at positions exceeding the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the pallet.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the pallet supply device 16 of the production equipment 10 includes a storage device 60 and a control device 62 for preventing interference between adjacent workpieces W on the storage body 46. The storage device 60 can pre-set and store the maximum size MS of the workpiece W on the pallet for each loading platform 48 and the pallet P loaded on that loading platform 48. Furthermore, the storage device 60 can set and store multiple such maximum sizes MS of workpieces on pallets. Therefore, when workpieces W of different sizes are mixed and loaded in the pallet supply device 16, different maximum sizes MS of workpieces on pallets can be set for each pallet P, allowing workpieces W of different sizes to be loaded onto the loading platform 48 on the storage body 46 without causing interference between adjacent workpieces W. Furthermore, the storage device 60 is configured to compare the size data of the workpiece W on the pallet P acquired by the camera 58 with the maximum size MS of workpieces on pallets for each pallet P, determine the size relationship, that is, determine whether the size of the workpiece W exceeds the maximum size MS of workpieces on the pallet, and store the size relationship.

[0037] The control device 62 is configured to control the pallet supply device 16 based on the size relationship between the workpiece W on the pallet P stored in the storage device 60 and the maximum workpiece size MS on each pallet P, so as to avoid interference between workpieces W placed on adjacent pallets P. Specifically, the control device 62 is configured to issue a warning to the operator based on whether the size of the workpiece W obtained from the camera 58 exceeds the maximum workpiece size MS or the maximum processing size MP on the pallet, and to notify the operator of the risk of interference between the workpiece W and the components constituting the machine tool 12. Furthermore, the pallet supply device 16 is configured such that even if the size of the workpiece W exceeds the maximum workpiece size MS on the pallet, the operator who receives the notification may permit such a large workpiece W to remain on the pallet P. When the operator makes such a permission, the control device 62 is configured to limit the size of the workpiece W on adjacent pallets P, prohibit the placement of workpieces W exceeding the limit size on the pallets, and issue a warning.

[0038] Furthermore, the control device 62 can calculate the weight of the workpiece W based on the dimensional data of the workpiece W obtained from the camera 58, and optimize the circumferential movement speed of the platform 48, on which the tray P holding the workpiece W is fixed, within the storage body 46 based on the weight of the workpiece W. This prevents or suppresses vibration and swaying when the workpiece W on the tray P moves circumferentially, and avoids interference between adjacent workpieces W.

[0039] The pallet supply device 16 of the production equipment 10 is equipped with a display device 64 for displaying images of the pallet P and workpiece W obtained from the camera 58 on the operation screen DP of the machine tool 12 and the pallet supply device 16, so that the operator can easily confirm and judge. Figure 6 The image shown is an example of an image displayed on the operation screen. The operation screen DP can display information including images of the workpiece W and the tray P, the tray number, the date and time of the photograph, and the size determination result. The size determination result is displayed with concise text and simple graphics for easy understanding by the operator. If the size of the workpiece W is less than or equal to the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the tray, for example, "Within Range" is displayed, with a dotted cylindrical graphic below it and a checkmark (check mark) superimposed on the cylindrical graphic. Conversely, if the size of the workpiece W exceeds the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the tray, the portion exceeding the size is replaced with... Figure 6Within the specified range, the display shows, for example, "Exceeds (height)," "Exceeds (width)," and "Exceeds (height and width)," and emphasizes the exceeded parts with a cylindrical graphic. Specifically, for example, if the height exceeds the limit, the top surface of the cylindrical graphic is painted yellow; if the width exceeds the limit, the side surface of the cylindrical graphic is painted yellow; or, if both the height and width exceed the limit, both the top surface and side surface of the cylindrical graphic are painted yellow for emphasis. Furthermore, if the measurement of workpiece W fails, "Measurement failed" can be displayed, and an exclamation mark "!" can be superimposed on the cylindrical graphic drawn with dashed lines. Additionally, if no measurement is taken, "Measurement incomplete" can be displayed, and a question mark "?" can be superimposed on the cylindrical graphic drawn with dashed lines. The operator can immediately confirm and determine the status of the workpiece W's dimensions based on these images and information.

[0040] Below, through the analysis of Figure 7 The flow of control of the pallet supply device 16 by the control device 62 is explained, and the effects of the production equipment 10 involved in this embodiment are explained.

[0041] If the control device 62 successfully acquires the three-dimensional data (3D data of the workpiece in the figure) of the workpiece W based on the image captured by the camera 58 to a degree sufficient to determine the size of the workpiece W, it proceeds to step S10. If step S10 is entered, the control device 62 activates the storage device 60 to determine whether the acquired size of the workpiece W exceeds the maximum size MS or the maximum processing size MP of the workpiece on the pallet, and stores this size relationship in the storage device 60. If the acquired size of the workpiece W exceeds the maximum processing size MP, the control device 62 proceeds to steps S20 and S30, prohibiting the pallet P from being moved out of the processing chamber 14 and from being moved into the processing chamber 14, and issues a warning display.

[0042] If the size of the acquired workpiece W is smaller than the maximum processing size MP, but exceeds the maximum processing size MS of the workpiece on the pallet, the control device 62 proceeds to step S40 and issues a warning to the operator. Here, if the operator allows the workpiece W, exceeding the maximum processing size MS, to be fixed to the pallet P via the operation screen DP, the control device 62 proceeds to step S50, predicting, based on the data stored in the storage device 60, whether there is a possibility of interference between the workpiece W and the fixture fixing the workpiece W with other workpieces W and fixtures.

[0043] If interference with other workpieces W and fixtures is predicted, proceed to steps S60 and S70, prohibiting the return of the tray P containing the machined workpiece W and fixtures to the mounting table 48 near the tray P containing other workpieces W and fixtures where interference is predicted, and issuing a warning to the operator regarding the predicted interference. On the other hand, if interference with other workpieces W and fixtures is not predicted at all, proceed to steps S80 and S90, not prohibiting the return of the tray P containing the machined workpiece W and fixtures to the mounting table 48 near the tray P containing other workpieces W and fixtures.

[0044] Even if the size of the workpiece W is smaller than the maximum processing size MP, but exceeds the maximum processing size MS on the pallet, if the operator does not allow the workpiece W, which exceeds the maximum processing size MS, to be fixed on the pallet P, and conveys this intention to the control device 62 through the operation screen DP, then the control device 62 enters steps S100 and S110, where the camera 58 is set at the outer door 44 and utilizes... Figure 8 In different locations of the workpiece setting station (WSS) described later, the tray P containing the workpiece W and the clamp is returned to the workpiece W preparation position in front of the outer door 44, or, if a workpiece setting station (WSS) is available, it is returned to the workpiece setting station WSS.

[0045] If the size of the workpiece W obtained does not exceed the maximum size MS of the workpiece being processed on the pallet, the control device 62 enters step S120, and based on the data stored in the storage device 60, predicts whether there is any possibility of interference between the workpiece W and the fixture that fixes the workpiece W and other workpieces W and fixtures.

[0046] If interference with other workpieces W and fixtures is predicted, proceed to steps S130 and S140, prohibiting the return of the tray P containing the machined workpiece W and fixtures to the nearby platform 48 containing other workpieces W and fixtures predicted to cause interference, and issuing a warning to the operator regarding the predicted interference. On the other hand, if no interference with other workpieces W and fixtures is predicted, proceed to steps S150 and S160, allowing complete movement of the tray P containing the workpiece W and fixtures without issuing any warning.

[0047] Furthermore, if the control device 62 determines, based on the image captured by the camera 58, that it has failed to obtain the three-dimensional data (3D data of the workpiece W in the figure) of the workpiece W to a degree sufficient to determine its dimensions, it proceeds to steps S200 and S210, notifying the operator that the acquisition of the three-dimensional data of the workpiece W has failed. If the operator ignores this notification, the control device 62 proceeds to steps S220 and S230, allowing complete movement of the tray P, which holds the workpiece W and the clamp, without imposing any constraints. On the other hand, if the operator, after receiving this notification, instructs the control device 62 via the operation screen DP to attempt to re-capture the workpiece W, it proceeds to steps S240 and S250, whereby the control device 62 activates the camera 58 to re-capture the workpiece W, attempting to acquire its three-dimensional data again.

[0048] According to the production equipment 10 of this embodiment, a pallet supply device 16 is provided. The pallet supply device 16 receives multiple pallets P on which workpieces W with dimensions less than or equal to the maximum machining size MP that can be processed by the machine tool 12 are placed in and removed from the machine tool 12. Furthermore, the production equipment 10 includes a storage device 60 and a control device 62. The storage device 60 pre-sets the maximum size MS of the workpiece on at least one pallet that is less than or equal to the maximum machining size MP, and stores, for each of the multiple pallets P, whether the size of the workpiece W placed on the pallet P exceeds the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the pallet. The control device 62 can control the pallet supply device 16 based on the information stored in the storage device 60 regarding sizes exceeding the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the pallet, to prevent workpieces W placed on adjacent pallets P from interfering with each other. Thus, it is possible to prevent or suppress the production equipment 10 from stalling due to interference from workpieces W.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the production equipment 10 of this embodiment, a camera 58 for photographing the workpiece W placed on the pallet P is arranged at a predetermined position on the pallet supply device 16. This allows for easy determination of whether the size of the workpiece W exceeds the maximum size MS of the workpiece being processed on the pallet. Additionally, the control device 62 can calculate the weight of the workpiece W based on the size data obtained from the camera 58, and optimize the circumferential movement speed of the platform 48, on which the pallet P with the workpiece W fixed, is placed, within the storage body 46 based on the weight of the workpiece W. This prevents or suppresses vibration and swaying of the workpiece W on the pallet P during circumferential movement, and avoids interference between adjacent workpieces W.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the production equipment 10 of this embodiment, the pallet supply device 16 of the production equipment 10 includes a display device 64. The display device 64 is used to display images of the pallet P and the workpiece W obtained from the camera 58 on the operation screen DP of the machine tool 12 and the pallet supply device 16, so that the operator can easily confirm and judge them. Thus, information including images of the workpiece W and the pallet P, the size determination result, etc., can be displayed on the operation screen DP, and the operator can immediately confirm and judge the size status of the workpiece W based on these images and information.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the production equipment 10 of this embodiment, the control device 62 can issue a warning based on whether the size of the workpiece W obtained from the camera 58 exceeds the maximum size MS or maximum processing size MP of the workpiece on the tray. Therefore, the operator can be notified of the risk of interference between the workpieces W and between the workpiece W and the processing chamber 14 housing the machine tool 12. Thus, in the tray supply device 16, it is possible to prevent or suppress the machine tool 12 from stalling due to interference between the workpiece W and other components.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the production equipment 10 of this embodiment, the pallet supply device 16 can set the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the pallet for each loading platform 48. Therefore, by setting the maximum size MS of the workpiece on the pallet of each loading platform 48 to a smaller value, the number of pallets P and workpieces W placed on the loading platform 48 of the storage body 46 can be increased without causing adjacent workpieces W to interfere with each other. In addition, by setting different maximum size MS of the workpiece on the pallet for each loading platform 48, workpieces W of different sizes can be placed on the loading platform 48 of the storage body 46 without causing adjacent workpieces W to interfere with each other. Thus, workpieces W of different sizes can be stored in the pallet supply device 16 without interference according to the production plan.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the production equipment 10 of this embodiment, even if the size of the workpiece W is smaller than the maximum processing size MP but exceeds the maximum processing size MS of the workpiece on the pallet, the operator can confirm this and process the workpiece W that exceeds the maximum processing size MS based on a prediction of the possibility of interference with other workpieces W and the clamps. Thus, workpieces W of different sizes can be stored in the pallet supply device 16 without interference, according to the production plan.

[0054] As explained above, the production equipment 10 of this embodiment, in the pallet supply device 16 that can accommodate different workpieces W of different sizes, can prevent or suppress the stagnation of the production equipment 10 due to interference from the workpieces W.

[0055] (First variation)

[0056] Hereinafter, a first variation of the production equipment 10 will be described. Reference numerals that are the same as or correspond to those in this embodiment will be omitted from repeated descriptions.

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown, the pallet supply device 80 of the production equipment 10 involved in the first modification example has a storage body 82 that is rectangular in shape with rounded corners when viewed from above. Furthermore, an arm 84 is disposed within the pallet supply device 80, opposite to the processing chamber door 20. Adjacent to the pallet supply device 80, a workpiece setting station 86, serving as a workpiece preparation device, is provided for the operator to prepare, i.e., place the pallet P and workpiece W to be transferred to the pallet supply device 80. The workpiece setting station 86 is configured to transfer the pallet P to the storage body 82. Thus, the operator can open the station door 88 of the workpiece setting station 86 to place the workpiece W before processing on the pallet P, or remove the processed workpiece W from the pallet P, thereby transferring the workpiece W between the pallet supply device 80 and the workpiece W.

[0058] A camera 90, serving as an imaging device, is positioned at a predetermined location within the workpiece setting station 86 to photograph the workpiece W placed on the tray P within the workpiece setting station 86. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether the size of the workpiece W placed on the tray P exceeds the maximum size MS of the workpiece to be processed on the tray. Thus, even if the size of the workpiece W transferred to the workpiece setting station 86 is smaller than the maximum processing size MP but exceeds the maximum size MS of the workpiece to be processed on the tray, the operator can confirm this and process the workpiece W exceeding the maximum size MS of the workpiece to be processed, based on a prediction of the possibility of interference with other workpieces W and the clamps.

[0059] As explained above, the production equipment 10 involved in the first modification, in the pallet supply device 80 that can accommodate different workpieces W of the largest size, can prevent or suppress the stagnation of the production equipment 10 due to interference from the workpieces W.

[0060] (Second variation)

[0061] Hereinafter, a second variation of the production equipment 10 will be described. Reference numerals that are the same as or correspond to those in this embodiment will be omitted from repeated descriptions.

[0062] like Figure 9As shown, in the second variation, the pallet supply device 100 of the production equipment 10 has multiple fixed sheds 101 arranged inside. These fixed sheds 101 are formed in multiple stages along the vertical direction with mounting platforms (not shown) for placing pallets P and workpieces W. Furthermore, a workpiece setting station 102, serving as a workpiece preparation device, is provided adjacent to the pallet supply device 100 for the operator to place the pallets P and workpieces W to be transferred to the pallet supply device 100. Therefore, the operator can open the station door 104 of the workpiece setting station 102 to place the workpiece W, before processing, onto the pallet P in the fixed shed 101, or remove the processed workpiece W from the pallet P in the fixed shed 101, thereby transferring the workpiece W between the operator and the pallet supply device 100.

[0063] The pallet P, moved from the workpiece setting station 102, is transferred by the arm 50 to the fixed shelf 101 within the pallet supply device 80. Furthermore, the pallet P and workpiece W on the fixed shelf 101 are exchanged between the gripping part 56 of the arm 50 and the exchange arm 112 of the pallet exchanger 108 located in the processing chamber 14. The pallet exchanger 108 is rotatable about the exchanger rotation axis 110, allowing the workpiece W held by the exchange arm 112 to rotate between the arm 50 and the Z-axis slider 28 within the pallet supply device 80.

[0064] A camera 106, serving as an imaging device, is positioned at a predetermined location within the workpiece setting station 102 to photograph the workpiece W placed on the tray P of the fixed shelf 101 within the workpiece setting station 102. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether the size of the workpiece W placed on the tray P exceeds the maximum size MS of the workpiece being processed on the tray. Thus, even if the size of the workpiece W transferred to the workpiece setting station 102 is smaller than the maximum processing size MP but exceeds the maximum size MS of the workpiece being processed on the tray, the operator can confirm this and process the workpiece W exceeding the maximum size MS based on a prediction of the possibility of interference with other workpieces W and the clamps.

[0065] As explained above, the production equipment 10 involved in the second modification, in the pallet supply device 100 that can accommodate different workpieces W of the largest size, can prevent or suppress the stagnation of the production equipment 10 due to interference from the workpiece W.

[0066] In addition, this section describes the case where the first workpiece size is limited to the maximum processing size MP and the second workpiece size is limited to the maximum workpiece size MS on the pallet. However, it is not limited to this case. The first workpiece size limit and the second workpiece size limit can also be set to a size smaller than the maximum size that can be machined and a size smaller than the maximum size that can be placed on the pallet.

[0067] The embodiments of the production equipment 10 have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In addition to the above, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the above embodiments.

[0068] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0069] 10 Production Equipment

[0070] 12 machine tools

[0071] 16 Pallet supply device

[0072] 58. Camera (shooting device)

[0073] 60 storage devices

[0074] 62 Control device

[0075] 80 Pallet Supply Device

[0076] 86. Workpiece setting station (workpiece preparation device)

[0077] 90 Camera (shooting device)

[0078] 100 pallet supply device

[0079] 102 Workpiece setting station (workpiece preparation device)

[0080] 106 Camera (Shooting Device)

[0081] DP operation screen

[0082] MP Maximum machining size (limited by the size of the first workpiece)

[0083] Maximum size of workpiece on MS pallet (second workpiece size limit)

[0084] P tray

[0085] W: Workpiece (workpiece)

Claims

1. A production equipment, wherein, have: Machine tool, said machine tool being capable of processing workpieces whose dimensions are below a first workpiece size limit; A pallet supply device that receives multiple pallets carrying the workpieces and moves the pallets carrying the workpieces into or out of the machine tool. A storage device that pre-sets at least one second workpiece size limit below the first workpiece size limit, and stores, for each of the plurality of trays, whether the size of the workpiece placed on the tray exceeds the second workpiece size limit; as well as A control device that controls the tray supply device based on information stored in the storage device regarding dimensions exceeding the second workpiece size limit, to prevent workpieces placed on adjacent trays from interfering with each other.

2. The production equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The first workpiece size is limited to the maximum processing size of the machine tool, and the second workpiece size is limited to the maximum size of the workpiece on the pallet placed on the pallet, wherein the maximum size of the workpiece on the pallet is below the maximum processing size.

3. The production equipment according to claim 2, wherein, A photographing device for photographing the workpiece placed on the pallet is provided at a designated position of the pallet supply device or on a workpiece preparation device located adjacent to the pallet supply device.

4. The production equipment according to claim 3, wherein, The production equipment is configured to issue a warning based on whether the size of the workpiece obtained by the imaging device exceeds the maximum size of the workpiece on the tray or the maximum processing size, and to notify the operator of the risk of interference with the workpiece and other components within the production equipment.

5. The production equipment according to claim 4, wherein, The production equipment is configured such that, when the size of the workpiece exceeds the maximum size of the workpiece on the pallet, the operator can, based on their judgment, allow the placement of the workpiece exceeding the maximum size of the workpiece on the pallet.

6. The production equipment according to claim 5, wherein, The production equipment is configured to display the images obtained by the imaging device on the operation screen of the machine tool and the pallet supply device.

7. The production equipment according to claim 6, wherein, The storage device stores the maximum dimensions of the workpieces on a plurality of the trays, each tray being set to any one of the stored maximum dimensions of the workpieces on the plurality of trays.

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