Server and system

Abstract

A server (10) connected via a network (20) to one or more machines (30) performing cutting operations, wherein a database (16) shared by the respective machines (30) is stored in the server, the database (16) containing at least processing result information used in steps included in a cutting operation performed by the machine (30), and information on the frequency of use of the processing result information, wherein the frequency of use is the number of machining programs generated based on the processing result information; a processing result information presentation request for presenting processing result information that meets cutting conditions, entered by an operator of the machine (30), is received from the machine (30) when the processing result information presentation request is received.The machining result information, which fulfills the cutting conditions, is extracted from the database (16) and presented to the machine; based on the frequency of use of the machining result information, a machining program is generated based on the machining result information, which is selected by the operator from parts of the machining result information from the machine (30) and presented to the machine (30); the machining result information includes configuration information of the machine (30), a workpiece material, a type of one-step cutting operation included in the cutting operation process, a type of tool used in the cutting operation, a tool material and a tool diameter, a cutting speed during the cutting operation, and a feed rate during the cutting operation.and the cutting conditions include at least one of the machine configuration information, a workpiece material, a type of cutting operation in a step included in the cutting operation process, a type of tool used in the cutting operation, a material of the tool, and a tool diameter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of invention The present invention relates to a server and a system. State of the art Conventionally, when cutting-related settings are entered from a numerical control of a machine tool, or a machine in which a machine tool and a numerical control are integrated, values ​​that meet the desired conditions relating to a workpiece material, a cutting operation type, a tool type, and a tool material input are retrieved from a setting database for that machine and displayed as cutting conditions. If values ​​that meet the desired conditions are not found as the retrieval results, a value input field in a cutting-related settings input screen will remain empty, and the operator will be required to enter values ​​manually. If values ​​that meet the desired cutting conditions are not found in a setting database for a given machine, a value that serves as a guide to a setting related to cutting operations is generally not presented to the operator. Especially if the operator is a beginner, it takes considerable time to search for setting values ​​related to cutting operations that are appropriate for the workpiece material and tool. In this respect, a conventional technique for extracting machining result information from a machining result information database of each machine, collected by a server in ascending order of machining time and descending order of machining accuracy, is known, for example, as a NC machining support system disclosed in patent document 1. See also patent documents 1-6. Patent document 1: WO 02 / 003156 A1Patent document 2: EP 1 296 211 A1Patent document 3: US 2017 / 0 285 614 A1Patent document 4: US 2005 / 0 246 040 A1Patent document 5: US 2016 / 0 346 950 A1Patent document 6: WO 02 / 003 156 A1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As described above, although a technique exists for extracting machining result information in ascending order of machining time and descending order of machining accuracy, it is not always true that the values ​​of machining result information arranged in ascending order of machining time and descending order of machining accuracy will yield a satisfactory machining result. Furthermore, it is not possible to present machining result information that has been generally rated as "satisfactory" by an expert operator, or machining result information that is commonly used in the field. As a result, for example, it takes a considerable amount of time for a novice or similar operator to search for settings appropriate for the materials of a workpiece and a tool, which is inefficient. One object of the present invention is to provide a server and a system that are able to allow a novice operator to easily determine machining conditions that will produce a satisfactory machining result, compared to conventional techniques. This task is solved by the server according to the independent patent claims. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a server and a system that are able to allow a novice operator to determine easy machining conditions that produce a satisfactory machining result, compared to conventional techniques. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control unit contained in a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating information stored in a common database contained in the server according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention.Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention.Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a system according to a modification of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14 to Fig. 15. (1. Configuration of the invention) Fig. 1 illustrates an overall configuration of a system 1. The system 1 includes a server 10, a network 20, and one or more machines 30 connected to the server 10 via the network 20. The number of machines 30 is not particularly limited. Although Fig. 1 illustrates an example in which two machines, including a first machine 30A and a second machine 30B, are present as machine 30, the present invention is not limited thereto. The server 10 includes a CPU 11 and a server-side storage unit 12 that stores interactive programming software (hereinafter referred to simply as "interactive software") 121. The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the entire server 10. The CPU 11 reads a system program stored in ROM and the interactive software 121 via a bus and controls the entire server 10 based on the system program and the interactive software 121 such that the CPU 11 implements the functions of a setting unit 111 and an evaluation receiving unit 112, which are illustrated in the functional block diagram of Fig. 2. Although Fig. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram, the functional block of the server 10 is not limited to this. For example, the server 10 can contain individual functional blocks for each of the functions of the setting unit 111 or the evaluation receiving unit 112. The server 10 can contain a single functional block that includes both the setting unit 111 and the evaluation receiving unit 112.The functions of the corresponding function blocks will be described later by reference to the screen transition diagrams of Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13 to Fig. 14. Server 10 includes a first process memory unit 15A, which stores processes of the interactive software 121 for the first machine; a first setting value memory unit 14A, which stores setting values; and a first machining program memory unit 13A, which stores a generated machining program corresponding to the first machine 30A. Similarly, Server 10 includes a second process memory unit 15B, which stores processes of the interactive software 121 for the second machine; a second setting value memory unit 14B, which stores setting values; and a second machining program memory unit 13B, which stores a generated machining program corresponding to the second machine 30B. The processes of the interactive software 121 run on the server's CPU 11 and the first and second process memory units 15A and 15B, which are main memory. A shared database 16 is a database that is shared by one or more machines 30 and mainly stores machining result information used for past cutting operations performed by one or more machines 30. Figure 3 illustrates an example of information stored in the common database 16. The common database 16 contains at least information about setting values ​​related to the cutting operation for each cutting operation step, as the machining result information, and stores the frequency of use of the setting value related to the cutting operation in correlation with the machining result information. The common database 16 stores at least some operator evaluation information on the results of the cutting operation performed using the setting values ​​related to the cutting operation, in correlation with the machining result information. The common database 16 stores these pieces of information for each step of the cutting operation process. The information about the setting values ​​relating to the cutting operation includes configuration information for each machine 30, the material of a target workpiece, the type of operation, the type of tool used for the operation, the material of a tool, a tool diameter, and a cutting speed and feed rate during the cutting operation. Hereinafter, the configuration information for each machine 30, the material of a target workpiece, the type of operation, the type of tool used for the operation, the material of a tool, and a tool diameter are also referred to as cutting conditions. As described later, the cutting conditions are extraction conditions for extracting machining result information from the common database 16.As will be described later, these setting values ​​can be stored in the common database 16 based on setting value information that is stored in each setting value storage unit, for example, if the setting values ​​are stored in each setting value storage unit of each machine, for respective machining steps during the generation of a machining program. The usage frequency of cutting-related settings is the number of machining programs generated based on those settings. Specifically, Server 10 records the usage frequency by adding 1 to the usage frequency each time a machining program is generated using the machining result information containing the setting. Details of this are described later. The operator evaluation information includes details about the operator's knowledge level, evaluation viewpoint, and the degree of evaluation (hereinafter referred to as the "processing result") of a processing result, based on the evaluation viewpoint. Here, the information about the operator's knowledge level indicates whether the operator is a veteran, an intermediate operator, or a beginner in the processing task, for example. The evaluation viewpoint refers to the standpoint (a point) from which an operator evaluates a processing result.More specifically, when an operator evaluates a machining result, the operator may evaluate the result from, for example, a machining time standpoint (such an evaluation standpoint is referred to as "machining time"), a machining accuracy standpoint (such an evaluation standpoint is referred to as "accuracy"), a surface quality standpoint (such an evaluation standpoint is referred to as "quality"), a tool life standpoint (such an evaluation standpoint is referred to as "tool life"), and a tool price standpoint (such an evaluation standpoint is referred to as "tool price"). The machining result represents a level of evaluation at which an operator evaluates the machining result based on the evaluation standpoint described above.Specifically, evaluation grades of excellent, good, usable, and scrap can be used. For example, a machining result can be rated as an evaluation grade such that it is excellent from the standpoint of machining time, good from the standpoint of machining accuracy, usable from the standpoint of machining quality, good from the standpoint of tool life, and excellent from the standpoint of tool cost. Specifically, as described later, the evaluation information (i.e., information about an operator's level of knowledge, a highlight point (an evaluation standpoint) related to machining, and a machining result) about the machining result is input by a machining program, based on the cutting-related setting values ​​for each step included in the high-speed machining process.This results in the accumulation of machining result information (including setting value information relating to cutting operations used by a machining program), usage frequency, and evaluation information (information about an operator's knowledge level, a machining-related highlight point, and a machining result) in the shared database 16. The details of this are described later. The operator's knowledge level, the evaluation standpoint, and the described machining result are only examples and are not intended to be limited to these. For example, the operator's knowledge level could be numerical information such as years of experience. Furthermore, other viewpoints besides the evaluation standpoints exemplified above could be added, and, for example, a rank of up to 100 could be assigned to the exemplified evaluation level. The machining result information and the evaluation information accumulated in the shared database 16 are used when the server 10 presents machining result information to the machine 30 during the execution of the interactive software 121. More specifically, when an operator sets the parameters (for example, a cutting speed, a feed rate, and the like for each axis) relating to cutting operations for each step in a cutting operation process during the generation of a machining program, the operator can adjust the parameters by referencing machining result information obtained by performing the same or similar cutting operations as the current cutting conditions.Specifically, Server 10 can provide processing result information obtained by performing the same or similar cutting operations as the current cutting conditions by searching the shared database 16 based on the current cutting conditions, in response to a request from the operator. The details of this will be described later. The first machine 30A includes a first CPU 31A, which is a first machine-side processor, a first machine-side memory unit 32A, which stores the relay software 321A, a first authentication information memory unit 34A, which stores authentication information for the first machine 30A, and a first configuration information memory unit 35A, which stores the configuration information for the first machine. Similarly, the second machine 30B includes a second CPU 31B, which is a second machine-side processor, a second machine-side memory unit 32B, which stores the relay software 321B, a second authentication information memory unit 34B, which stores the authentication information for the second machine, and a second configuration information memory unit 35B, which stores the configuration information for the second machine. The first CPU 31A, a processor of the first machine 30A, runs the relay software 321A, which distributes display and operating data to the interactive software 121 on server 10. Similarly, the second CPU 31B, the second machine-side processor, runs the relay software 321B, which distributes display and operating data to the interactive software 121 on server 10. Here, the display data is output data to the first machine 30A (or the second machine 30B) of the interactive software 121 and includes, for example, specific data for displaying an input screen for entering cutting condition data related to the cutting operation, which will be described later, on the first machine 30A (or the second machine 30B).The operating data are input data to the interactive software 121, which are entered from the first machine 30A (or the second machine 30B) via keys, a touch panel, or a mouse, and are specifically cutting condition data relating to cutting operations, which are entered via an input screen. Examples of authentication information stored in authentication information storage units 34A and 34B include a CNC (Central CNC) ID, a machine (MAC) ID, and the like. Examples of configuration information stored in the first and second configuration information storage units 35A and 35B include the number of axes of the first and second machines 30A and 30B, axis names, option functions, parameters, and the like. [2. Operation of the system] The following describes in detail an operation of system 1 according to the present invention (in particular, an operation for generating a machining program to allow the first machine 30A to perform cutting operations). Although Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 to 14 illustrate an example of main screens when the first machine 30A (or the second machine 30B) generates a machining program, a dialog screen of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, input and output data displayed on a plurality of screens can be displayed on one screen. Conversely, input / output data displayed on one screen can be distributed across a plurality of screens. [2.1 Preliminary Process] First, as a preliminary step in executing the interactive software 121, server 10 reads the interactive software 121 into server-side storage unit 12, and the first machine 30A reads the relay software 321A into the first machine-side storage unit 32A. Furthermore, the relay software 321A sends the authentication information stored in the first authentication information storage unit 34A of the first machine 30A to server 10 to activate the interactive software 121. [2.2 Generation of processing program] The server 10 (the interactive software 121) receives the configuration information of the first machine 30A, which performs cutting operations, which is entered by a user from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), (or is entered from the first configuration information storage unit 35A by the relay software 321A) as the setting value of the machining program. Server 10 (interactive software 121) receives information about the material of a workpiece, which is entered by a user from the first machine 30A (relay software 321A) as the setting value of the machining program. Here, the workpiece material is, for example, AL, S45C, SC, FC, or SUS. Server 10 (the interactive software 121) receives part shape information, which is the shape of a part to be machined, entered by a user, from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) as the setting value of the machining program. Here, the part shape information can be figure data generated beforehand by a CAD program, or it can be cutting location data (CL data) generated, for example, by a CAM program. The process, until the interactive software 121 receives the partial form information after the configuration information of the first machine 30A has been received, is known to experts and its detailed description is omitted. When server 10 (the interactive software 121) receives the part shape information, server 10 (the setting value setting unit 111) causes the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display a setting step list screen 51. The setting step list screen 51 is a screen for setting machining steps, and it primarily sets information about a machining type, machining shape, tool type, tool material, and tool diameter for each machining step. Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the setting step list screen 51. Here, the machining type specifies, for example, hole machining (drilling, punching, thread cutting, countersinking, chamfering, and the like), turning (rough machining, finishing, slot rough machining, slot finishing, thread cutting, and the like), and milling (contour milling, pocket milling, groove milling, surface finishing, and the like).The tool type specifies, for example, a center drill, a drill bit, a milling cutter, a tap, a universal insert, a threading bit, a round bit, an end mill, a face mill, and the like. The tool material specifies, for example, high-speed steel (HSS), carbide, cermet, ceramics, polycrystalline CNB, and the like. The server 10 (the setting value setting unit 111) receives information about the machining type, the tool type, the tool material, and the tool diameter for each machining step, which is entered by the user via the setting step list screen 51 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), as the setting value of the machining program. Server 10 (the setting unit 111) can display a step detail setting screen 52 for setting the details of a step selected by the user from the setting step list screen 51 in the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A). This means that Server 10 (the setting unit 111) causes the first machine 30A (the relay software 321) to display the step detail setting screen 52 based on the step selected by the user. Here, the step detail setting screen 52 is a screen for setting a cutting direction in the step and the setting value (also referred to as "step detail information"), which relates, for example, to cutting. Fig. 5 illustrates an example of the step detail setting screen 52. The server 10 (the setting unit 111) receives the step detail information of the step, which is entered by the user via the step detail setting screen 52 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), as the setting value of the machining program. Once all step detail information has been entered by the user via the step detail setting screen 52 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), the server 10 (the setting value setting unit 111) can cause the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display a tool information setting screen 53 for setting the tool information details for that step. Here, the tool information setting screen 53 is a screen for setting tool information (for example, information about a tool type, tool material, tool dimensions (including a tool diameter), machining purpose, and mounting position). Fig. 6 illustrates an example of the tool information setting screen 53. The server 10 (the setting value setting unit 111) receives the tool information of the step, which is entered by the user via the tool information setting screen 53, from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) as the setting value of the machining program. When all parts of the tool information for the step have been entered by the user via the tool information setting screen 53 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), the server 10 (the setting value setting unit 111) can cause the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display the cutting speed setting screen 54 for setting the cutting speed. The cutting speed setting screen 54 is a screen for setting, for example, a cutting speed and a feed rate in the step and is also a screen that provides a "Note" button, which is one of the features of the present invention. Here, the feed rate can include a feed rate in a cutting direction, a feed rate in a cutting depth direction, and a feed rate in an up-cutting direction. The cutting speed can include a maximum spindle speed. Fig.Figure 7 illustrates an example of the cutting speed setting screen 54. Server 10 (the setting unit 111) receives information about the cutting speed and feed rate, entered by the user via the cutting speed setting screen 54 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), as the setting value of the machining program. However, if the user cannot enter suitable setting values ​​as the information about the cutting speed and feed rate, and if a "Note" button is pressed by the user via the cutting speed setting screen 54 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), and Server 10 (the setting unit 111) receives a request to display a note screen 55, Server 10 (the setting unit 111) can cause the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display the note screen 55.Server 10 (the setting unit 111) can cause the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display the warning screen 55 if the cutting speed and feed rate information is not received, even if a predetermined time has elapsed after the cutting speed setting screen 54 was displayed (sent) to the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A). This makes it possible to generate the machining program in an efficient and user-friendly manner.The information screen 55 is a screen for entering cutting conditions for querying server 10 (the setting value setting unit 111). The processing result information is retrieved according to a setting value that an experienced operator has rated as generally "satisfactory," a setting value frequently used in the field, and a point emphasized by the cutting condition (for example, machining quality and tool life are highlighted), such as the setting value relating to the cutting speed and the feed rate of the cutting operation. Fig. 8 illustrates an example of the information screen. A user can request server 10 (the setting unit 111) to extract machining result information from the shared database 16 with the same or similar cutting conditions as the cutting conditions of the current machining program and to make the extracted machining result information available via the information screen 55. Specifically, the user can specify a highlight point when generating the current machining program via the information screen 55. Examples of highlight points include machining time, accuracy, quality, tool life, and tool cost related to machining. These points correspond to the evaluation points in the operator evaluation information corrected with the machining result information recorded in the shared database 16.Which point is highlighted during the generation of the current processing program can be determined based on whether each point is highlighted or not (on or off), for example. The degree of importance (e.g., most important, important, normal, not important, or the like) can be specified for each point. Although Fig. 8 illustrates the former case, the present invention is not limited to it. This allows the server 10 (the setting value control unit 111) to receive additional conditions, which are highlighted in the step, entered by the user via the information screen 55 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A). When a point highlighted in the step is entered by the user via the information screen 55 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), the server 10 (the setting unit 111) extracts machining result information from the common database 16 that has the same cutting condition as the cutting condition of the current machining program. More specifically, the server 10 (the setting unit 111) retrieves and extracts machining result information where the previously received cutting conditions (the configuration information of a machine, a workpiece material, a machining type, a tool type, a tool material, and a tool diameter) are the same as the setting values ​​of the machining program.If the machining result information with the same cutting conditions is not available, the machining result information with the same cutting conditions, which exclude the machine configuration information (i.e., a workpiece material, a machining type, a workpiece type, a workpiece material and a workpiece diameter), can be retrieved and extracted as alternatives, for example. When a large number of extracted processing result information parts are available, Server 10 (the setting unit 111) can calculate the priority order for providing the processing result information to the user based on usage frequency and / or evaluation information. Specifically, Server 10 (the setting unit 111) can calculate the priority level of each piece of processing result information based on its usage frequency and any additional conditions entered by the user, such as the point in the step at which it is highlighted, and can preferentially provide the processing result information with the highest priority level.Here, the priority level can be calculated, for example, by adding a value obtained by multiplying the evaluation level of the processing result information at an evaluation standpoint corresponding to a point emphasized by the additional condition by a weighting factor, a value obtained by multiplying the evaluation level of the processing result information at an evaluation standpoint corresponding to an unemphasized point by zero, and a rank value corresponding to the application frequency. A priority level calculation method is not limited to this. The priority level can be calculated such that the processing result information with a higher evaluation level at an evaluation standpoint corresponding to an emphasized point has a higher priority level. Server 10 (the setting unit 111) causes the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display a retrieval results screen 56 to provide machining result information based on the priority level calculated in this way. The retrieval results screen 56 displays the cutting speed and feed rate in the machining result information with the same (or similar) cutting conditions as the cutting conditions of the current machining program, based on the priority level. One or more parts of the machining result information can be displayed on the retrieval results screen 56. Fig. 9 illustrates an example of the retrieval results screen 56. Server 10 (the setting unit 111) receives the cutting speed and feed rate information in the step where it sets the machining program value based on the machining result information selected by the user via the retrieval results screen 56 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A). Server 10 (the setting unit 111) can then instruct the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display the cutting speed setting screen 54, where the cutting speed and feed rate are set. Server 10 (the setting unit 111) can set all the settings of the machining step in the manner described above. Server 10 (the interactive software 121) then generates a machining program based on the settings of the machining step. A procedure for generating the machining program after the settings have been configured is known to experts in the field, and a detailed description of it is omitted. Server 10 (interactive software 121) instructs the first machine 30A to perform cutting operations using the generated machining program. During cutting operations, "1" can be added to the usage frequency of the selected machining result information recorded in the shared database 16. If selected machining result information is not available and new setting information is configured, Server 10 (interactive software 121) generates new machining result information based on the new setting information, adds the generated machining result information to the shared database 16, and sets an initial value for the application frequency information in the machining result information. [2.3 Evaluation of processing results] After the machining program generated by Server 10 (the interactive software 121) is executed to cause the first machine 30A to perform cutting operations, Server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) updates the machining result information selected during the generation of the machining program recorded in the shared database 16 by adding operator evaluation information about the machining result obtained by the current machining program. Next, a process for updating the machining result information selected during the generation of the machining program by adding operator evaluation information about the machining result obtained by the current machining program is described. Server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) causes the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display a completed step list screen 58 in response to an evaluation request from an operator. The completed step list screen 58 mainly contains information about a machining type, machining form, tool type, tool material, and tool diameter. Fig. 11 illustrates an example of the completed step list screen 58. Server 10 (error information 112) causes the first machine 30A (relay software 321A) to display an evaluation screen 59 for setting the evaluation information about the processing result obtained by the processing program of the step selected by the user via the completed step list screen 58. Evaluation screen 59 includes information about the cutting speed and the feed rate as evaluation target setting information. Fig. 12 illustrates an example of evaluation screen 59. Server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) can cause the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display an evaluation input screen 60 after the operator confirms the information about the cutting speed and the feed rate. The evaluation input screen 60 is a screen for displaying information about the tool and the cutting speed and for entering operator evaluation information (information about an operator's knowledge level, an evaluation standpoint, and an evaluation grade (machining result) about the machining result, based on the evaluation standpoint) as evaluation reference information.The server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) can display a "beginner" button, an "intermediate operator" button and a "veteran" button, which pre-determine the knowledge level of an operator on the evaluation input screen 60 and cause a user to press any of the buttons to receive the operator's knowledge level from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A).Similarly, the server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) can pre-display a "Do Not Evaluate" button on the evaluation input screen 60, indicating whether or not an "evaluation standpoint" (e.g., "machining time," "machining accuracy," "machining quality," "tool life," and "tool price") is highlighted. It can also display an evaluation grade button (e.g., "excellent," "good," "usable," and "failure") corresponding to the evaluation standpoint and prompt the user to press any of these buttons to receive an evaluation standpoint and an evaluation grade (machining result) based on the machining result from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A). This allows the user to easily enter the evaluation information. Fig. 13 illustrates an example of the evaluation input screen 60. Server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) receives the evaluation information entered by the user via the evaluation input screen 60 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A). Upon receiving the evaluation information entered by the user, Server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) can cause the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) to display an evaluation confirmation screen 61. The evaluation confirmation screen 61 is a screen that is displayed to confirm the evaluation information entered by the user. Server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) can receive, via the evaluation confirmation screen 61 from the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A), whether the addition and updating of evaluation information is approved (OK), locked, or modified. Fig. 14 illustrates an example of the evaluation confirmation screen 61. When the evaluation is confirmed by the operator, the server 10 (the evaluation receiving unit 112) adds the evaluation information to the shared database 16, correlated with the evaluation target machining result information, in order to update the shared database 16. In this way, the user can easily generate the machining program to perform cutting operations in the first machine 30A by processing the server 10 (the interactive software 121) and easily enter evaluation information about the machining result determined by the generated machining program. Next, the process flow of System 1 is described. Fig. 15 illustrates a flowchart relating to the processing of System 1. Referring to Fig. 15, in step S1, one or more machines 30 and a server 10 are first connected to the network 20, and the interactive software 121 is read into the server-side storage unit 12. In step S2, the relay software 321A, which distributes display data and operating data to the interactive software 121, is read into the first machine-side storage unit 32A of the first machine 30A. In step S3, the first machine 30A (the relay software 321A) sends the authentication information stored in the first authentication information storage unit 34A of the first machine 30A to the server 10 to activate the interactive software 121. In step S4, the server 10 (the interactive software 121) specifies the first machine 30A based on the authentication information. In step S5, the server 10 (the interactive software 121) captures information about the configuration information of the first machine 30A, a workpiece material, a material shape, the shape of the machining target part and a machining step. In step S6, if server 10 (the interactive software 121) has received the editing result information presentation request (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to step S7. If the editing result information presentation request is not received (S6: No), the process proceeds to step S8. In step S7, the interactive software 121 extracts the machining result information from the shared database 16 based on the cutting conditions and presents the machining result information of the first machine 30A. An operator selects one of the presented parts of the machining result information. In step S8, the server 10 (the interactive software 121) records the setting values ​​of each step. In step S9, if server 10 (the interactive software 121) has recorded the settings for all steps (S9: Yes), the process proceeds to step S10. If server 10 (the interactive software 121) has not recorded the settings for all steps (S9: No), the process proceeds to step S6. In step S10, server 10 (interactive software 121) generates a machining program using the recorded setting values. Furthermore, server 10 (interactive software 121) sends the generated machining program to the first machine 30A. In step S11, the first machine 30A performs cutting operations using the received machining program. In step S12, the server 10 (the interactive software 121) captures evaluation information about the cutting processing results of each step. In step S13, if server 10 (the interactive software 121) has collected the evaluation information about the cutting results of all steps (S13: Yes), the process ends. If server 10 (the interactive software 121) has not collected the evaluation information about the cutting results of all steps (S13: No), the process proceeds to step S12. [4. Advantages of embodiment] In the embodiment described above, the server can extract candidates for machining information from the common database 16, which is shared by the corresponding machines 30, rather than from the first setting value storage unit 14A, which is dedicated to the first machine 30A, and presents the extracted machining information to the machine 30. In this way, a novice operator can easily determine information about the machining conditions that will lead to a satisfactory machining result, compared to conventional techniques.In particular, even if the setting values ​​that meet the desired machining conditions are not found in the setting value storage unit 14 corresponding to machine 30, optimal machining result information from parts of machining result information from other machines 30, accumulated in the common database 16, can be presented as a guide for the cutting operation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort an operator has to search for appropriate setting value information related to the machining operation. In the embodiment described above, server 10 can receive operator evaluation information about the cutting result and present optimal machining result information to machine 30 based on this evaluation information. In this way, since a recommendation for machining information based on the operator evaluation of the cutting result can be presented, it is easy to use setting values ​​that have been rated as generally satisfactory, as well as setting values ​​with a high frequency of use. [5th ​​modification] [5.1 Modification 1] Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a system 1A according to a modification of the present invention. The system 1A of this modification differs from the system 1 of the embodiment described above in that relay software 411 is stored in a memory unit 41 of a mobile terminal 40, which is a communication device, and the mobile terminal 40 communicates with the server 10A to generate machining programs for a plurality of machines. The other configuration of the system 1A of the modification is the same as the configuration of the system 1 according to the embodiment described above, and its detailed description is omitted. In system 1A according to the modification of the present invention, the mobile device 40 accesses the server 10A and enters a username and password to log in to the server 10A. The server 10A grants access from the mobile device 40 by comparing the username and password with the user information stored in a user information storage unit 17. The mobile device 40 includes a machine information storage unit 42, which stores machine information. This machine information includes information about the first machine 30A, information about a connection to the authentication information of the first machine 30A, and the like. The mobile device 40 selects a machine 30 that generates a machining program. A case in which the first machine 30A is selected is described as an example. The mobile device 40 captures the authentication information of the first machine 30A based on the machine information. Subsequently, the relay software 411 of the mobile device 40 sends the authentication information of the first machine 30A to the server 10A to activate the interactive software 121, which then executes the interactive software 121 process for the first machine 30A. The configuration information of the first machine 30A is captured based on the interactive software 121 process. The captured configuration information is stored on the server 10A. The interactive software 121 automatically adjusts its settings based on the captured configuration information. The display data of the interactive software 121 is shown on the mobile device 40, the necessary operation is performed by the mobile device 40, and the display data is sent to the server 10A. In this way, server 10A generates a processing program according to the process of interactive software 121 and sends the generated processing program to the first machine 30A. The first machine 30A performs processing of a target object according to the received processing program. According to system 1A of the modification of the present invention, since the machining program can be generated using the mobile terminal 40, it is possible to perform an operation at a location spaced away from the machine 30. [5.2 Modification 2] In the embodiment described above, when an operator enters a machining result information presentation request via the information screen 55 and the machining result information presentation request is sent to the setting unit 111 together with the cutting conditions, the setting unit 111 extracts machining result information that meets the cutting conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if an operator has not entered anything on the cutting speed setting screen 54 for a certain period of time, the setting unit 111 can extract machining result information that meets the cutting conditions. [5.3 Modification 3] In the embodiment described above, the interactive software 121 can be a web application in server 10 or server 10A, and the relay software 321A and the relay software 411 of modification 1 can be a browser. While the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The effects described in the present embodiment are only examples of the most preferred effects produced by the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the present embodiment. A control procedure by Server 10, 10A is implemented by software. When the procedure is implemented by software, the programs that constitute the software are installed on a computer (the Server 10, 10A). These programs can also be recorded on a removable medium and distributed to users, or distributed by downloading them to a user over a network. Alternatively, these programs can be provided to a user computer (the Server 10, 10A) as a web service over a network without requiring a download. EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE MARKS 1, 1A System 10, 10A Server 11 CPU 12 Server-side storage unit 16 Shared database 20 Network 30, 30A, 30B Machine 31A First CPU 31B Second CPU 32A First storage unit 32B Second storage unit 121 Interactive software 321 Relay software

Claims

A server (10) connected via a network (20) to one or more machines (30) performing cutting operations, wherein a database (16) shared by the respective machines (30) is stored in the server, the database (16) containing at least processing result information used in steps included in a cutting operation performed by the machine (30), and information on the frequency of use of the processing result information, wherein the frequency of use is the number of machining programs generated based on the processing result information; a processing result information presentation request for presenting processing result information that meets cutting conditions, entered by an operator of the machine (30), is received from the machine (30) when the processing result information presentation request is received.The machining result information, which fulfills the cutting conditions, is extracted from the database (16) and presented to the machine; based on the frequency of use of the machining result information, a machining program is generated based on the machining result information, which is selected by the operator from parts of the machining result information from the machine (30) and presented to the machine (30); the machining result information includes configuration information of the machine (30), a workpiece material, a type of one-step cutting operation included in the cutting operation process, a type of tool used in the cutting operation, a tool material and a tool diameter, a cutting speed during the cutting operation, and a feed rate during the cutting operation.and the cutting conditions include at least one of the machine configuration information, a workpiece material, a type of cutting operation in a step included in the cutting operation process, a type of tool used in the cutting operation, a material of the tool, and a tool diameter. Server (10) according to claim 1, wherein, if a machining program is generated based on the selected machining result information, 1 is added to the frequency of use of the selected machining result information, or if the machining result information is not selected and a machining program is generated based on newly set machining information, machining result information is generated based on the machining information and an initial value is set to the information on the frequency of use of the machining result information. Server (10) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein when the machining program is executed by the machine, evaluation information, including an operator's skill level, an operator-emphasized point, and an operator's evaluation grade for the machining result of the machining program, is stored in correlation with the machining result information contained in the database (16). Server (10) according to claim 3, wherein the emphasis point included in the evaluation information includes a processing time, a processing accuracy, a processing quality, a tool life or a tool price. Server (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the machining result information presentation request further includes an emphasis point relating to machining, and when the machining result information which satisfies the cutting condition is extracted from the database (16), the machining result information is presented to the machine based on the emphasis point. Server (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein if the cutting process includes a plurality of stages, the processing result information presentation request is received in the step, and the processing result information is presented. Server (10A) connected via a network (20) to a mobile terminal (40) and one or more machines performing cutting operations, wherein a database (16) shared between the respective machines (30) is stored in the server (10A), wherein the database (16) contains at least one processing result information used in steps included in a cutting operation performed by the machine (30), and information on the frequency of use of the processing result information, wherein the frequency of use is the number of machining programs generated based on the processing result information, and a processing result information presentation request for presenting processing result information that meets cutting conditions entered by an operator of the machine (30) is received from the mobile terminal (40).When the machining result information presentation request is received, the machining result information that meets the machining conditions is extracted from the database (16) and presented to the mobile device (40) based on the frequency of use of the machining result information; a machining program is generated based on the machining result information selected by the operator from parts of the machining result information from the mobile device (40) and presented to the machine; the machining result information includes the machine configuration information (30), a workpiece material, a type of one-step cutting operation included in the cutting operation process, a type of tool used in the cutting operation, a tool material, and a tool diameter.a cutting speed during the cutting operation and a feed rate during the cutting operation, and the cutting conditions include at least one of the configuration information of the machine, a workpiece material, a type of cutting operation in a step included in the cutting operation process, a type of tool used in the cutting operation, a material of the tool and a tool diameter. System (1, 1A) comprising: the server (10, 10A) according to claim 1; and one or more machines (30) connected to the server via the network (20).

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