Device system with a first database and a second database

Abstract

Device system (1) comprising a first database (3) in which a first data record (7) is stored and a second database (5) in which a second data record (9) is stored, wherein a plurality of unique identification codes is provided and each of the unique identification codes is assigned to a corresponding object of a plurality of objects such that each object is uniquely identifiable by a corresponding identification code, wherein for each object both the first data record (7) and the second data record (9) each contain both a corresponding identification code and corresponding object-related information assigned to the corresponding identification code, wherein each object is a tool or a workpiece, wherein the device system (1) comprises at least one manufacturing device, wherein the at least one manufacturing device comprises a machining device.which is adapted to perform at least one machining step on each workpiece and has means adapted to record machining data associated with the at least one machining step, wherein the at least one manufacturing device has a measuring device adapted to perform at least one measuring step on each workpiece and has means adapted to record measurement data associated with the at least one measuring step, and wherein the object-related data includes the machining data and / or the measurement data.

Description

The present invention relates to a device system comprising a first database and a second database. Device systems comprising a first database containing a first data record and a second database containing a second data record are known from the prior art. The data records often contain information relating to specific objects. In general, with such device systems, it is desirable that the object-related information relating to a specific object can be stored decentrally and yet be easily accessible. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device system in which information relating to a particular object can be stored decentrally and yet be made available in a simple manner.According to a first aspect of the invention, the aforementioned problem is solved by a device system with the features of claim 1. The device system comprises a first database in which a first data record is stored and a second database in which a second data record is stored. The device system can also have more than two databases, with a corresponding data record stored in each of the databases. The features, technical effects, and / or advantages described in connection with a database and a data record also apply, at least analogously, to each database and each data record, so that a corresponding repetition is omitted here. A plurality of unique identification codes is provided.Each of the unique identification codes is assigned to a corresponding item from a multitude of items such that each item is uniquely identifiable by a corresponding identification code. In particular, the unique identification codes are chosen such that no two identification codes are identical. Each item can be, for example, a tool or a workpiece. For each item, both the first and second data records each contain a corresponding identification code as well as corresponding item-related information assigned to the respective identification code. Each item is a tool or a workpiece. The device system includes at least one manufacturing device.The at least one manufacturing facility includes a machining unit adapted to perform at least one machining step on each workpiece and has means adapted to record machining data associated with that at least one machining step. The at least one manufacturing facility also includes a measuring device adapted to perform at least one measurement step on each workpiece and has means adapted to record measurement data associated with that at least one measurement step. The object-related data includes the machining data and / or the measurement data. The core of the present invention lies in the fact that, with the help of unique identification codes, object-related information can be stored decentrally, i.e., object-related information relating to a specific object can be stored in at least two databases and yet be easily accessible, since both the first and second data records contain object-related information assigned to a corresponding identification code. Using the identification code, all information relating to a specific object for which the identification code is provided can be retrieved from the device system. A user of the device system can therefore easily retrieve all object-related information for an object. In summary, it can be stated that a device system is provided in which information relating to a specific object can be stored decentrally and yet be easily accessible. In one embodiment, the object-related information in the first data record differs for each object from the object-related information in the second data record. For a given amount of data, very little storage space is required, since no multiple copies of the object-related information components are provided for the objects. In one embodiment, the device system for manufacturing a component from a workpiece comprises at least one manufacturing unit, wherein the manufacturing unit is configured to communicate with the first database, the second database, or both. Preferably, the manufacturing unit is configured to transmit data to the first database and to receive data from both the first and second databases. Alternatively, preferably, the manufacturing unit is configured to transmit data to the second database and to receive data from both the first and second databases.In both alternatives, the product-related information can be transmitted from the manufacturing facility to only one database, and all product-related information assigned to a specific product can be transmitted from all databases to the manufacturing facility using the unique identification code. According to the invention, at least one manufacturing device comprises a machining device adapted to perform at least one machining step on the workpiece and includes means adapted to acquire machining data associated with the at least one machining step. For example, the machining device can be a milling machine adapted to perform a milling operation on the workpiece. For example, during the milling operation, teeth can be formed on a workpiece, which, after further steps, form the teeth of a gear. The means adapted to acquire machining data associated with the at least one machining step can, for example, acquire a unique identifier of the tool used in the machining step, so that it can be deduced from the machining data which tool was used in the machining step. In one embodiment, the manufacturing device is configured to transmit the acquired processing data to either the first or the second database. Alternatively, the manufacturing device can also be configured to transmit the acquired processing data to both the first and the second databases. By configuring the manufacturing device to transmit the acquired processing data to either the first or the second database, a particularly space-efficient device system is thus provided. According to the invention, at least one manufacturing device comprises a measuring device adapted to perform at least one measuring step on the workpiece and includes means adapted to acquire measurement data associated with the at least one measuring step. For example, the manufacturing device is adapted to measure the geometry of teeth formed by a milling operation on the workpiece. The means adapted to acquire measurement data associated with the at least one measuring step can, for example, acquire a unique identifier of the tool used in the measuring step, so that it is possible to deduce from the measurement data which tool was used in the measuring step. In one embodiment, the manufacturing device is configured to transmit the acquired measurement data to either the first or the second database. Alternatively, the manufacturing device can also be configured to transmit the acquired measurement data to both the first and the second databases. By configuring the manufacturing device to transmit the acquired measurement data to either the first or the second database, a particularly space-efficient device system is thus provided. In one embodiment, the workpiece is one of the objects. If the workpiece is one of the objects, information relating to the workpiece can be stored decentrally and yet be easily accessible. In one embodiment, at least one manufacturing device comprises a machine tool with a tool that is one of the objects. If the tool is one of the objects, information relating to the tool can be stored decentrally and yet be easily accessible. In one embodiment, the machine tool has a measuring device adapted to perform at least one measuring step on the tool and has means adapted to acquire measurement data associated with the at least one measuring step. For example, the measurement data includes the number of times the tool was used for a specific step, such as a machining step or a measuring step, so that the frequency with which the corresponding tool was used for a particular step can be deduced from the measurement data. In the context of the present invention, a distinction must be made between a measuring device that performs a measuring step on the tool and one that performs a measuring step on a workpiece, and the resulting measurement data must also be distinguished.The measuring device that performs a measurement step on the tool serves primarily to monitor the tool. The measuring device that performs a measurement step on a workpiece serves primarily for quality control in the manufacture of components, such as gears. In one embodiment, the device system is configured to transmit the workpiece identification code and / or the tool identification code to the first database and / or the second database along with the machining data and / or measurement data, and to add the machining data and / or measurement data to the first and / or the second data record. When the workpiece identification code and / or the tool identification code is transmitted to the first and / or the second database along with the machining data and / or measurement data, and the machining data and / or measurement data are added to the first and / or the second data record, the machining data and / or measurement data can be added to other data already assigned to the same identification code and stored together in the first and / or the second data record. In one embodiment, the device system has a user interface through which object-related information associated with an identification code can be displayed. A user of the device system can easily retrieve, for a specific object, the sum of all object-related information stored in the device system that pertains to that particular object. Further features, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the figures. All features described and / or illustrated, individually and in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, independent of their composition in the individual claims or their cross-references. In the figures, the same reference numerals denote identical or similar objects. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device system according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device system 1 according to the invention. The device system 1 comprises a first database 3 and a second database 5. Furthermore, the device system 1 comprises additional databases, which are symbolically represented by dots. A first data record 7 is stored in the first database 3, and a second data record 9 is stored in the second database 5. A third data record 11 is also stored in the first database 3, and a fourth data record 13 is stored in the second database 5. Additional data records, symbolically represented by dots, are also stored in the first database 3. Furthermore, additional data records, symbolically represented by dots, are also stored in the second database 5. The fixture system 1 comprises two manufacturing devices 15, each designed as a machine tool. Each machine tool has a tool 17. Two workpieces 19 are also shown, each from which a component is manufactured. Furthermore, the fixture system 1 comprises additional manufacturing devices 15, which are symbolized by the dots. In this case, the component is a gear, and the workpieces 19 represent different configurations that can be adopted during the manufacturing process. The manufacturing device 15 shown on the left in Fig. 1 is adapted to perform a milling operation on the workpiece 19, also shown on the left, so that after this operation, teeth are formed on the workpiece 19, which, after further steps, become the teeth of the gear. The manufacturing device 15 shown on the left in Fig. 1 is therefore an example of a machining device adapted to perform a machining step on the workpiece 19. For this machining step, the manufacturing device 15 includes the tool 17, which is a milling tool. The manufacturing device 15 shown on the right in Fig. 1 is adapted to measure the geometry of the teeth on the workpiece 19, also shown on the right.The manufacturing device 15 shown on the right in Fig. 1 is therefore an example of a measuring device adapted to perform a measuring step on the workpiece 19. For this measuring step, the manufacturing device 15 includes the tool 17, which is a measuring tool. As already described, the device system 1 includes further manufacturing devices 15, which are symbolically represented by the dots. For example, one or more further manufacturing devices may be provided between the manufacturing device 15 shown on the left in Fig. 1 and the manufacturing device 15 shown on the right in Fig. 1, such as a manufacturing device that hardens the formed teeth and / or a manufacturing device that grinds the hardened teeth. Each workpiece 19 thus first passes through the manufacturing device 15 shown on the left in Fig. 1, then through the manufacturing device arranged between the left and right-hand devices, and finally through the manufacturing device 15 shown on the right in Fig. 1, so that a gear is ultimately produced. During the machining step, which is performed on the workpiece 19 by the manufacturing device 15 shown on the left in Fig. 1, machining data associated with the machining step is acquired by means of the manufacturing device 15. This machining data includes a unique identifier of the tool 17 used in the machining step, so that it can be deduced from the machining data which tool 17 was used in the machining step. Furthermore, during the measuring step, which is performed on the workpiece 19 by the manufacturing device 15 shown on the right in Fig. 1, measurement data associated with the measuring step is acquired by means of the manufacturing device 15. This measurement data includes a unique identifier of the tool used in the measuring step, so that it can be deduced from the measurement data which tool 17 was used in the measuring step. Furthermore, each machine tool has a measuring device adapted to perform at least one measuring step on its tool 17. Each machine tool also has means adapted to acquire measurement data associated with this at least one measuring step. For example, in the case of the machining device, the measurement data includes the number of machining steps performed, so that the frequency with which the corresponding tool 17 was used for a machining step can be deduced from the measurement data. Furthermore, in the case of the measuring device, the measurement data includes the number of measurement steps performed, so that the frequency with which the corresponding tool 17 was used for a measuring step can be deduced from the measurement data. Accordingly, several tools 17 and several workpieces 19 are provided. The present invention relates generally to objects, wherein the tools 17 and the workpieces 19 each represent an example of an object. Each tool 17 and each workpiece 19 is assigned a corresponding unique identification code from a plurality of such identification codes. Thus, a plurality of unique identification codes is provided, and each of the unique identification codes is assigned either to a tool 17 or to a workpiece 19. Each tool 17 and each workpiece 19 is therefore uniquely identifiable by a corresponding identification code. It is particularly preferred that a corresponding identification code is attached to each tool 17 and each workpiece 19. As already described, machining steps can be carried out on each workpiece 19, and corresponding machining data can be recorded.Furthermore, 19 measurement steps can be performed on each workpiece and corresponding measurement data recorded. Additionally, 17 measurement steps can also be performed on each tool and corresponding measurement data recorded. The manufacturing equipment 15 is configured to communicate with the databases, i.e., to communicate with both the first database 3 and the second database 5. The communication paths are shown schematically with dashed lines. The manufacturing equipment 15 is configured to transmit the recorded machining data and the recorded measurement data, for both each tool 17 and each workpiece 19, to the databases, i.e., to both the first database 3 and the second database 5. Preferably, each manufacturing equipment 15 transmits the machining data and / or measurement data it has recorded to only one database, so that all the recorded machining data and / or all the recorded measurement data are stored in at least one of the databases. The device system 1 is configured to transmit the identification codes of the workpieces 19 and the tools 17 to the databases along with the machining data and / or measurement data, and to add the machining data and measurement data to the data records, including the first data record 7 and the second data record 9. In particular, the assignments of the machining data and measurement data to the unique identification codes are also included in the data records, so that the unique identification codes allow conclusions to be drawn about which tool 17 or workpiece 19 the corresponding data belongs to. Preferably, the machining data and measurement data are each included only once in a corresponding data record, so that there are no multiple copies of the machining data or measurement data in the data records.In particular, it is provided that each manufacturing facility 15 transmits the processing data and / or the measurement data to only one database 3, 5, so that a corresponding database 3, 5 is assigned to each manufacturing facility 15 for the transmission. For each tool 17 and each workpiece 19, each data record, including the first data record 7 and the second data record 9, can contain both a corresponding identification code and corresponding machining data and / or measurement data, which can also be referred to as object-related information, wherein the stored machining data and / or measurement data are assigned to a corresponding identification code. Since each manufacturing facility 15 preferentially transmits the machining data and / or measurement data to a corresponding database 3, 5, the object-related information in the data records in the databases differs for each tool 17 and each workpiece 19. Device system 1 has a user interface through which the object-related information associated with an identification code can be output. For example, each of the manufacturing devices 15 can have a corresponding user interface. A user can enter an identification code. Device system 1 searches the data records, such as data records 7, 9, 11, 13, for the identification code and outputs the object-related information associated with this identification code. The present invention therefore has the advantage that the processing data and / or measurement data acquired at the manufacturing equipment 15 can be stored decentrally and can be assigned to specific tools 17 and workpieces 19 via corresponding identification codes, so that a user of the device system 1 can easily have the sum of all object-related information stored in the device system 1 relating to a specific tool 17 or a specific workpiece 19 displayed. It should be further noted that "having" does not exclude any other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be noted that features described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features of other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as a limitation. Reference symbol 1 Device system 3 First database 5 Second database 7 First record 9 Second record 11 Third record 13 Fourth record 15 Manufacturing equipment 17 Tool 19 Workpiece

Claims

Device system (1) comprising a first database (3) in which a first data record (7) is stored and a second database (5) in which a second data record (9) is stored, wherein a plurality of unique identification codes is provided and each of the unique identification codes is assigned to a corresponding object of a plurality of objects such that each object is uniquely identifiable by a corresponding identification code, wherein for each object both the first data record (7) and the second data record (9) each contain both a corresponding identification code and corresponding object-related information assigned to the corresponding identification code, wherein each object is a tool or a workpiece, wherein the device system (1) comprises at least one manufacturing device, wherein the at least one manufacturing device comprises a machining device.which is adapted to perform at least one machining step on each workpiece and has means adapted to record machining data associated with the at least one machining step, wherein the at least one manufacturing device has a measuring device adapted to perform at least one measuring step on each workpiece and has means adapted to record measurement data associated with the at least one measuring step, and wherein the object-related data includes the machining data and / or the measurement data. Device system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein for each item the item-related information in the first data set (7) differs from the item-related information in the second data set (9). Device system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device system (1) for manufacturing a component from a workpiece (19) comprises at least one manufacturing device (15), wherein the manufacturing device (15) is configured to communicate with the first database (3) or with the second database (5) or with both the first database (3) and the second database (5). Device system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the manufacturing device (15) is configured to transmit the recorded processing data to the first database (3) or to the second database (5). Device system (1) according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the manufacturing device (15) is configured to transmit the recorded measurement data to the first database (3) or to the second database (5). Device system (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one manufacturing device (15) comprises a machine tool with a tool (17) which is one of the items. Device system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the machine tool has a measuring device adapted to perform at least one measuring step on the tool (17) and has means adapted to acquire measurement data associated with the at least one measuring step. Device system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device system (1) is configured to transmit the workpiece identification code (19) and / or the tool identification code (17) together with the machining data and / or measurement data to the first database (3) and / or to the second database (5) and to add the machining data and / or measurement data to the first data record (7) and / or the second data record (9). Device system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device system (1) has a user interface via which the object-related information associated with the identification code can be output using an identification code.

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