Control device and computer-readable recording medium

Abstract

This control device is provided with: an operation information acquisition unit that acquires information relating to an operation by a user; a machine state acquisition unit that acquires information pertaining to a machine state, which is information pertaining to a control state of the industrial machine to be controlled; and a log output unit that outputs log data in which the information pertaining to the operation, the information pertaining to the machine state, and the date and time at which the information pertaining to the operation is acquired are associated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to control devices and computer-readable recording media. Background Technology

[0002] Due to the declining birth rate and aging population, the manufacturing industry faces a severe labor shortage. There is a need for beginners to be able to immediately utilize industrial machinery such as machine tools and industrial robots. Therefore, while safety is essential, ease of use is also crucial, meaning high availability is necessary.

[0003] As one of the usability evaluation methods, there is the NEM (Novice Expert Ratio Method). NEM efficiently identifies usability problems by calculating the ratio of the operation time of designers to that of novice users (NE ratio) (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-145728 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] Manually calculating the NE ratio using a stopwatch is inefficient. Therefore, tools that measure the NE ratio based on log data are needed. Commonly known tools include those with user interfaces such as web sites. However, industrial machinery has its own user interface. Furthermore, sometimes the possible operations are limited by the state of the industrial machinery, such as when a cycle cannot be started during an emergency stop. Therefore, general measurement tools cannot handle the diverse states of industrial machinery.

[0009] In the manufacturing process, a mechanism is expected to be used to calculate the NE ratio for auxiliary industrial machinery.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] The control device for industrial machinery disclosed herein outputs log data that associates date and time information, information related to the machine's state, and information indicating the change in operation or signal when a change occurs in the industrial machinery, thereby solving the aforementioned problem.

[0012] Furthermore, one aspect of this disclosure is a control device comprising: an operation information acquisition unit that acquires information related to user operations; a machine state acquisition unit that acquires information related to the control state of industrial machinery as the controlled object, i.e., machine state-related information; and a log output unit that outputs log data that associates the operation-related information, the machine state-related information, and the date and time of acquiring the operation-related information. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic hardware structure diagram of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the general functions of the control device in the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing how the address of an object is obtained as a signal, stored in the object address storage section.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of log data produced by the log output department.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating another example of log data produced by the log output department.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating the general functions of the control device in the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram representing an example of an associated address stored in the associated address storage section.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating another example of log data produced by the log output department. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following is related to the appendix. Figure 1 The following description will illustrate embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, in the following description, structures having the same or similar functions will be labeled with the same symbols. Also, repeated descriptions of these structures will sometimes be omitted.

[0022] In this application, "based on XX" means "at least based on XX," including cases where it is based on other elements besides XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to directly using XX, but also includes cases based on results obtained from operations or processing of XX. "XX" can be any element (e.g., any information).

[0023] [First Implementation Method]

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic hardware structure diagram showing the main parts of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The control device 1 of the present disclosure can be implemented as a control device for controlling industrial machinery such as machine tools and robots. Hereinafter, the control device 1 for a machine tool that controls the machining of workpieces by controlling the relative position of the tool and the workpiece will be described as an example.

[0025] The CPU 11 of the control device 1 disclosed herein is the processor that controls the entire control device 1. The CPU 11 reads the system program stored in the ROM 12 via the bus 22 and controls the control device 1 as a whole according to the system program. Temporary calculation data, display data, and various data input from external sources are temporarily stored in the RAM 13.

[0026] The non-volatile memory 14 is composed of, for example, a memory backed up by a battery (not shown) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and maintains its storage state even when the power supply to the control device 1 is disconnected. The non-volatile memory 14 stores control programs and data read from the external device 72 via the interface 15, data and control programs input via the input device 71, and various data obtained from the industrial machinery 3. The control programs and data stored in the non-volatile memory 14 can also be expanded in the RAM 13 during execution / use. Furthermore, various system programs, such as known parsing programs, are pre-written into the ROM 12.

[0027] Interface 15 is used to connect the CPU 11 of the control device 1 to external devices 72 such as USB memory, CompactFlash (registered trademark), and SD card. It can read, for example, control programs and various data for controlling the industrial machine 3 from the external device 72. Furthermore, control programs and various data edited within the control device 1 can be stored on the external device 72. The PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 16 outputs signals and performs control via I / O unit 17 to the industrial machine 3, its control panel, and peripheral devices (e.g., tool changers, robot actuators, sensors installed on the industrial machine 3) through a sequence of programs built into the control device 1. Additionally, the PLC 16 receives signals from various buttons, dials, switches, machine door keys, personal authentication devices, peripheral devices, and other industrial machines that cooperate with the industrial machine 3 on the control panel of the main body of the industrial machine 3, performs necessary signal processing, and then transmits them to the CPU 11.

[0028] In the display device 70, data read into the memory, data obtained as a result of executing control programs, system programs, etc., are output and displayed via the interface 18. In addition, the input device 71, which consists of pointing devices such as keyboards, mice, and touch panels, transmits instructions and data based on the operator's operation to the CPU 11 via the interface 19.

[0029] Interface 20 is used to connect the CPU 11 of the control device 1 to a wired or wireless network 5. The network 5 can communicate using technologies such as RS-485 serial communication, Ethernet, optical communication, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Other industrial machinery 4, fog computers 6, cloud servers 7, and PCs (Personal Computers) 8 are connected to the network 5, exchanging data with the control device 1.

[0030] The axis control circuit 30, used to control the control axes of the industrial machinery 3, receives position commands for the control axes from the CPU 11 and outputs the commands for those control axes to the servo amplifier 40. The servo amplifier 40 receives these commands to drive the servo motors 50 of the control axes, causing each component of the industrial machinery 3 to move along its respective control axis. Each servo motor 50 has a built-in position detector, and feeds back position feedback signals from these detectors to the axis control circuit 30. The axis control circuit 30 performs feedback control of the servo motors 50 based on these position feedback signals. Furthermore, in... Figure 1 In the hardware structure diagram, one axis control circuit 30, one servo amplifier 40, and one servo motor 50 are shown, but in reality, the number of control axes of the industrial machine 3 that is to be controlled is much larger. For example, in the case of controlling a typical machine tool with three linear axes and two rotary axes, five sets of axis control circuits 30, servo amplifiers 40, and servo motors 50 are prepared to move the spindle on which the tool is mounted and the workpiece relative to each other in the directions of the three linear axes and the two rotary axes (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, A-axis, and C-axis).

[0031] The spindle control circuit 60 receives a spindle rotation command and outputs a spindle speed signal to the spindle amplifier 61. The spindle amplifier 61 receives this spindle speed signal and causes the spindle motor 62 of the industrial machine 3 to rotate at the commanded speed, driving the spindle. The spindle motor 62 is coupled to a position encoder 63. The position encoder 63 outputs feedback pulses synchronously with the spindle rotation, and these feedback pulses are read by the CPU 11.

[0032] Figure 2 This diagram is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the control device 1 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. The functions of the control device 1 of this embodiment are described in... Figure 1 The control device 1 shown is implemented by having a CPU 11 that executes system programs and controls the actions of each part of the control device 1.

[0033] The control device 1 of this embodiment includes a program parsing unit 100, a control unit 110, a display unit 120, an operation information acquisition unit 130, a machine status acquisition unit 140, and a log output unit 150. Furthermore, a control program 200 for controlling the industrial machinery 3 is stored in the RAM 13 or non-volatile memory 14 of the control device 1. Moreover, an object address storage unit 210 is provided in the RAM 13 or non-volatile memory 14 of the control device 1, which pre-stores the addresses of signals that are the targets of log acquisition.

[0034] The program parsing unit 100 sequentially reads and parses the instruction blocks contained in the control program 200. Then, based on the parsed results, it generates instructions to control various parts of the control device 1 and the industrial machinery 3, and outputs them to the control unit 110. The instruction blocks contained in the control program 200 may include instruction blocks that indicate movement related to a predetermined control axis, instruction blocks that indicate rotation of the spindle motor 62, instruction blocks that indicate input and output of various signals, and instruction blocks that contain other known instructions.

[0035] The control unit 110 controls the various parts of the control device 1 and the industrial machine 3 according to various instructions input from the program parsing unit 100. For example, the control unit 110 drives the servo motors 50 of each control axis of the industrial machine 3 according to instructions related to the movement of the servo motors 50 related to the axes input from the program parsing unit 100. In addition, for example, it drives the spindle motor 62 of the industrial machine 3 according to instructions related to the rotation of the spindle motor 62. Moreover, for example, it controls the input and output of signals in the PLC 16 according to instructions related to the control of peripheral equipment of the industrial machine 3. In addition, the control unit 110 obtains information related to the status of each part of the control device 1 and information related to the status of the industrial machine 3.

[0036] Display unit 120 displays user interface screens related to the operation of control device 1 and industrial machinery 3 to display device 70. Furthermore, based on information regarding the status of each component of control device 1 obtained by control unit 110, information regarding the status of industrial machinery 3, and information related to user operations, display unit 120 displays the status of control device 1 and industrial machinery 3 to display device 70. By operating input device 71 while referring to the screens displayed on display unit 120 to display device 70, the operator can instruct control device 1 and industrial machinery 3 to perform predetermined processes.

[0037] The operation information acquisition unit 130 acquires information related to user operations. The operation information acquisition unit 130 includes an event input processing unit 132 and a signal input processing unit 134. The event input processing unit 132 acquires inputs related to operations using input devices 71 such as keyboards, mice, and touch panels as event data. The signal input processing unit 134 uses signals related to user operations such as those from the control panel of the industrial machinery 3, keys, personal authentication devices, peripheral devices, and other industrial machinery as addresses of monitored objects, and acquires information related to the signals at those addresses. Furthermore, the operation information acquisition unit 130 outputs this event data and signal information as operation information to the log output unit 150.

[0038] The signal input processing unit 134 determines the address of the object from which the signal is acquired by referring to the object address storage unit 210. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the address of the object stored in the object address storage unit 210 as a signal for obtaining the object's address. Figure 3 In the example, signal addresses such as "G8.4" and "E1.0" are stored in the object address storage unit 210 as objects for obtaining signal-related information. The signal input processing unit 134 can, for example, retrieve information related to a signal at the address stored in the object address storage unit 210 when the signal at the address "G8.4" or "E1.0" changes. While the signal input processing unit 134 can retrieve information related to signals at all addresses, retrieving only signals at object addresses stored in the object address storage unit 210 allows for efficient use of the resources of the control device 1's memory, etc. Preferably, the object address storage unit 210 should at least pre-store the addresses of signals that change when the user operates the mechanical control panel, peripheral devices, or associated machinery. Default addresses can also be pre-registered in the object address storage unit 210 by the manufacturer, etc. Furthermore, manufacturers of peripheral devices or users can add object addresses as needed.

[0039] The machine status acquisition unit 140 acquires information related to the control status of the industrial machine 3 from the control unit 110. This information includes, for example, the operating status and coordinate values ​​of each axis of the industrial machine 3, the operating status of the spindle, the operating status (stop, running, emergency stop, etc.), and information about the user operating the industrial machine 3. The machine status acquisition unit 140 outputs this acquired information as machine status information to the log output unit 150.

[0040] The log output unit 150 generates log data that associates the operation information input from the operation information acquisition unit 130 and the information related to the machine state input from the machine state acquisition unit 140 with date and time information indicating the date and time of acquiring the operation information. Then, the generated log data is output. The log output unit 150 can also send the log data to other computers such as the fog computer 6, cloud server 7, and PC 8 via the network 5. The sent logs can be used for NEM parsing, etc., in the fog computer 6, cloud server 7, and PC 8. Alternatively, the logs can be output to the log recording area of ​​the RAM 13 or non-volatile memory 14 of the control device 1. The recorded logs can then be taken out to other computers via external devices such as 72 for parsing.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of log data produced by the log output unit 150. For example... Figure 4 As illustrated, the log data produced by the log output unit 150 is data that associates date and time information, information related to the machine's status, and operational information. Figure 4 In the example, input from input device 71 is represented by characters enclosed in triangular brackets. Furthermore, regarding signal status, addresses are enclosed in square brackets, with the signal status or change indicated next to them, thus showing the status or change of the signal at that address. For example, at 19:25:00 on June 28, 2023, industrial machine 3 is in an emergency stop state. At this time, the user operates the "right arrow" key on input device 71. Next, the user operates the "1" key, the "0" key, and then the "Enter" key. Then, at 19:25:05 on June 28, 2023, the signal status of address G8.4 changes from 0 to 1. The log output unit 150 thus creates log data that associates date and time information, machine status information, and operation information, and outputs it externally.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of log data produced by the log output unit 150. For example... Figure 5 As illustrated, the log data generated by the log output unit 150 can include not only date and time information, information related to the machine status, and operation information, but also information related to the screen displayed on the display device 70.

[0043] The control device 1 of this embodiment, equipped with the above-described structure, can retain information related to the mechanical state of the industrial machine 3 in log data. Therefore, by parsing the log data, it is possible to understand the changes in the state of the industrial machine 3 corresponding to user operations. Furthermore, since signal information can be retained as operation information in the log data, it can handle a variety of input methods, including various buttons, dials, switches, keys, personal authentication devices, peripheral devices, and signal states from other industrial machines. Moreover, when operating the industrial machine, sometimes not only is the machine operated, but also peripheral devices located nearby and multiple industrial machines operating in cooperation are operated. However, the sequence of operations performed on these multiple machines can be understood based on the order in which signals are received. Therefore, usability measurements can be performed without requiring special structures for the equipment associated with the industrial machine 3.

[0044] [Second Implementation]

[0045] The control device according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described below.

[0046] Figure 6 This diagram is a schematic block diagram showing the functions of the control device 1 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. The functions of the control device 1 in this embodiment are the same as those in the control device 1 of the first embodiment, and are achieved through… Figure 1 The control device 1 shown is implemented by having a CPU 11 that executes system programs and controls the actions of each part of the control device 1.

[0047] The difference between the control device 1 in this embodiment and the control device 1 in the first embodiment is that it obtains information not only for the signal of the object address but also for the signal of the associated address.

[0048] The control device 1 of this embodiment includes a program parsing unit 100, a control unit 110, a display unit 120, an operation information acquisition unit 130, a machine status acquisition unit 140, and a log output unit 150. Furthermore, a control program 200 for controlling the industrial machinery 3 is stored in the RAM 13 or non-volatile memory 14 of the control device 1. Moreover, the RAM 13 or non-volatile memory 14 of the control device 1 includes an object address storage unit 210, which pre-stores the address of the signal that is the object to be acquired by the log, and an association address storage unit 220, which pre-stores the address of the signal associated with the object address.

[0049] The program parsing unit 100, control unit 110, display unit 120, machine status acquisition unit 140, and log output unit 150 of this embodiment have the same functions as those in the first embodiment.

[0050] The operation information acquisition unit 130 acquires information related to the user's operation in the same way as the operation information acquisition unit 130 in the first embodiment. The event input processing unit 132 included in the operation information acquisition unit 130 of this embodiment is the same as the event input processing unit 132 in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the signal input processing unit 134 determines the address of the object to be acquired as the reference object address storage unit 210, and determines the associated address to be added to the acquired signal by referring to the associated address storage unit 220. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the associated addresses stored in the associated address storage unit 220. The associated address storage unit 220 stores, in association with each object address stored in the object address storage unit 210, the address of the signal associated with that object address, i.e., the associated address. Figure 7 In the example, for object address "G8.4", "R0.0" and "R1.0" are stored as associated addresses in associated address storage unit 220. Additionally, for object address "E1.0", "E1.1", "E1.2", and "R0.0" are stored as associated addresses in associated address storage unit 220. When the signals for addresses such as "G8.4" and "E1.0" stored in object address storage unit 210 change, signal input processing unit 134 obtains information related to the signals of that object address, and, referring to associated address storage unit 220, obtains information related to the signals of associated addresses associated with the object address that received the signal. Then, the obtained information related to the signals of the object address and the status of the signals associated with the associated addresses are output to log output unit 150. Preferably, at least the addresses of signals associated with user operations are pre-stored in associated address storage unit 220. Default addresses may also be pre-registered in associated address storage unit 220 by the manufacturer, etc. Furthermore, peripheral device manufacturers or users can add associated addresses as needed.

[0051] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of log data produced by the log output unit 150. Figure 8 In the example, at 19:25:05 on June 28, 2023, the signal state of address "G8.4" changed from 0 to 1. At this time, the signal information of the associated addresses "R0.0" and "R1.0" was also recorded.

[0052] In addition to the signal information that serves as operation information, the control device 1 of this embodiment with the above structure can also store the signal information associated with the operation in the log data. Therefore, it can grasp the more detailed status of the user's operation and perform availability measurement without setting up a special structure for the associated equipment.

[0053] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above, but this disclosure is not limited to the various embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, and partial deletions can be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, or without departing from the idea and spirit of this disclosure derived from the content described in the claimed scope and its equivalents. For example, in the embodiments described above, the order of each action and the order of each process are shown as an example and are not limited thereto. The same applies to the use of numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas in the description of the embodiments described above.

[0054] The following are notes regarding embodiments of this disclosure.

[0055] (Note 1)

[0056] One aspect of the control device 1 disclosed herein includes: an operation information acquisition unit 130 that acquires information related to user operations; a machine status acquisition unit 140 that acquires information related to the control status of the industrial machinery 3, which is the object of control, i.e., information related to the machine status; and a log output unit 150 that outputs log data that associates the operation-related information, the machine status-related information, and the date and time of acquiring the operation-related information.

[0057] (Note 2)

[0058] The operation information acquisition unit 130 of the control device 1 of other embodiments of the present disclosure includes: an event input processing unit 132, which acquires input related to the operation of the input device 71 as event data; and a signal input processing unit 134, which takes the address of the signal related to the user's operation as the address of the monitored object, and acquires information related to the signal at that address. The operation information acquisition unit acquires the event data and the information related to the signal as operation-related information.

[0059] (Note 3)

[0060] The control device 1 of other embodiments of this disclosure further includes: an object address storage unit 210, which stores the address of the signal that will be monitored as an object address; and an association address storage unit 220, which stores an association address associated with the object address. When the signal of the object address changes, the signal input processing unit 134 obtains information related to the signal of the object address, and determines the association address associated with the object address by referring to the association address storage unit 220, and obtains information related to the signal of the determined association address.

[0061] (Note 4)

[0062] The signal input processing unit 134 of the control device 1 of other embodiments of this disclosure also acquires signals input from other industrial machinery 4, which is different from the industrial machinery 3.

[0063] (Note 5)

[0064] One aspect of this disclosure includes a computer-readable recording medium recording a program that causes a computer to operate as the following units: an operation information acquisition unit 130 that acquires information related to user operations; a machine status acquisition unit 140 that acquires information related to the control status of the industrial machinery 3, which is the controlled object, i.e., information related to the machine status; and a log output unit 150 that outputs log data that associates the operation-related information, the machine status information, and the date and time of acquiring the operation-related information.

[0065] Symbol Explanation

[0066] 1. Control device;

[0067] 3, 4 Industrial machinery;

[0068] 5. Network;

[0069] 6 fog computers;

[0070] 7 cloud servers;

[0071] 8 PC;

[0072] 11 CPUs;

[0073] 12 ROM;

[0074] 13 RAM;

[0075] 14. Non-volatile memory;

[0076] Interfaces 15, 18, 19, and 20;

[0077] 16 PLCs;

[0078] 17 I / O units;

[0079] 22 bus;

[0080] 30-axis control circuit;

[0081] 40 servo amplifier;

[0082] 50 servo motors;

[0083] 60 spindle control circuit;

[0084] 61 spindle amplifier;

[0085] 62 spindle motor;

[0086] 63-position encoder;

[0087] 70 display devices;

[0088] 71 Input device;

[0089] 72 External devices;

[0090] 100 Program Analysis Department;

[0091] 110 Control Department;

[0092] 120 Display Unit;

[0093] 130 Operation Information Acquisition Department;

[0094] 132 Event Input Processing Unit;

[0095] 134 signal input processing unit;

[0096] 140 Mechanical Status Acquisition Unit;

[0097] 150 log output units;

[0098] 200 control program;

[0099] 210 Object Address Storage Section;

[0100] 220 Associated Address Storage Department.

Claims

1. A control device, characterized in that, have: The operation information acquisition unit acquires information related to the user's operations; The machine status acquisition unit acquires information related to the control status of the industrial machinery being controlled, i.e., information related to the machine status; and The log output unit outputs log data that associates information related to the operation, information related to the machine's state, and the date and time on which the information related to the operation was obtained.

2. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operation information acquisition unit has the following features: The event input processing unit acquires input related to the operation of the input device as event data; and The signal input processing unit uses the address of the signal related to the user's operation as the address of the monitored object, and obtains information related to the signal at that address. The operation information acquisition unit acquires the event data and information related to the signal as operation-related information.

3. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control device also includes: The object address storage unit stores the address of the signal that will become the monitored object as the object address; and The associated address storage unit stores the associated addresses that are associated with the address of the object. When the signal of the object address changes, the signal input processing unit obtains information related to the signal of the object address, and determines the associated address associated with the object address by referring to the associated address storage unit, and obtains information related to the signal of the determined associated address.

4. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The signal input processing unit also acquires signals from other industrial machinery that is different from the industrial machinery in question.

5. A computer-readable recording medium, characterized in that, The system contains programs that cause the computer to perform the following actions: The operation information acquisition unit acquires information related to the user's operations; The machine status acquisition unit acquires information related to the control status of the industrial machinery being controlled, i.e., information related to the machine status; and The log output unit outputs log data that associates information related to the operation, information related to the machine's state, and the date and time on which the information related to the operation was obtained.

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