machine tool

Abstract

A machine tool according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a machining mechanism having a plurality of drive axes and performing a machining operation; an intrusion detection device that detects the intrusion of a worker into an operating area of ​​the machining mechanism; and a control device that can be connected to a control panel and controls the machining mechanism. The control device includes: an automatic execution control unit that automatically executes the machining mechanism; a control panel detection unit that detects the connection to the control panel; and a control panel detection unit that detects the connection to the control panel.detects the connection of the control panel; an intrusion information acquisition unit that captures intrusion information from the intrusion detection device, indicating whether or not an intrusion has occurred by a worker; and an automatic execution authorization unit that enables automatic operation of the processing mechanism if the control panel is not connected or plugged in and worker intrusion has not been detected.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machine tool. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] There is a case where a detachable control panel is provided in a control device of a machine tool. If an emergency stop switch is provided on the control panel, it has been proposed to provide a circuit to deactivate the emergency stop switch so that a movement stop does not occur erroneously due to the detection of the disconnection or removal of the control panel as an activation of the emergency stop switch (see, for example, patent document 1). List of prior art patent documents

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese unexamined patent application, publication number 2018-122397 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] Even if the circuitry for disabling the emergency stop switch is provided, the switch must be manually activated. If this activation is performed incorrectly, the machine tool will enter an emergency stop when the control panel is removed. Therefore, a machine tool that allows for reliable removal of the control panel is desirable. Means of solving the problems

[0005] A machine tool according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a machining mechanism that includes a plurality of drive axes and is configured to perform machining; an intrusion detection device that is configured to detect the intrusion of an operator into a movement area of ​​the machining mechanism; and a control device that is connectable to an operator panel and configured to control the machining mechanism. The control device comprises: an automatic execution control unit that is configured to automatically execute the machining mechanism; an operator panel detection unit that is configured to connect to an operator panel; and a control panel detection unit that is configured to connect to an operator panel.to detect a control panel connection; an intrusion information acquisition unit configured to acquire intrusion information indicating the presence or absence of operator intrusion from the intrusion detection device; and an automatic execution authorization unit configured to activate automatic execution of the processing mechanism when the control panel is not connected or plugged in and operator intrusion is not detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a machine tool according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. PREFERRED MODE FOR EXECUTING THE INVENTION

[0006] In the following, an embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to the drawing. Fig.Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a machine tool 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The machine tool 1 includes a machining mechanism 10, an intruder detection device 20, and a control device 30.

[0007] The machining mechanism 10 incorporates a plurality of drive axes and machines a workpiece by moving the workpiece and the machining head relative to each other. The type of machining is not particularly limited, and examples include cutting, grinding, and welding. The axis configuration of the machining mechanism 10 is also not particularly limited.

[0008] The intrusion detection device 20 detects the possibility of an operator entering the movement area of ​​the processing mechanism 10. The intrusion detection device 20 can detect the intrusion of an operator or the like using a laser sensor or the like, or it can include a safety fence, safety cover, or the like around the processing mechanism 10 and can determine that the operator or the like has entered when the opening of the safety fence, safety cover, or the like is detected. The safety fence or the like can be equipped with an interlocking device that is activated by the control device 30 to deactivate or prevent opening.

[0009] The control device 30 controls the movement of the machining mechanism 10. The control device 30 includes a memory, a processor and an input / output interface and can be implemented by one or more computer devices that execute corresponding control programs.

[0010] The control device 30 is configured to be connectable to an operator panel 40, which allows an operator to input data into the control device 30. The connection of the operator panel 40 can be made via short-range communication or the like, but a physical connection with electrical contact is preferred. Therefore, the control device 30 can be configured to include a connector 41. The position to which the operator panel 40 is connected is preferably outside the safety fence or the like. The control device 30 can be configured to be connected to an external device 50, such as a management computer that manages a plurality of machine tools, via a network 51.Control device 30 can be connected to the control panel 40, which can be connected to another or different machine tool 1 or to a machine tool of the same type. That is, several machine tools 1 can share one or more control panels 40.

[0011] The control device 30 includes an operator panel recognition unit 31, an operator authorization unit 32, a network operating unit 33, a motion setting unit 34, an intrusion information acquisition unit 35, an automatic execution control unit 36, and an automatic execution authorization unit 37. These components belong to categorized functions of the control device 30 and do not need to be uniquely distinguishable with respect to either physical or program configuration.

[0012] The control panel recognition unit 31 detects the connection or connection of the control panel 40. The control panel recognition unit 31 is preferably configured to identify each individual control panel 40 that is connected. Therefore, a serial number, an ID, or the like can easily be recorded on the control panel 40.

[0013] The operator authorization unit 32 allows operation via the control panel 40 only if the previously registered control panel 40 is connected. The operator authorization unit 32 can be configured to set an operating function for each individual control panel 40. This means that the control panel 40 can be provided with a function that acts as a certificate, specifying the operator's scope of authority. For example, each operator's scope can be easily managed by preparing one control panel 40 for use by a group of facility managers and another for use by a group of on-site operators. The operator authorization unit 32 can also be configured to unlock the security fence or similar devices when the previously registered control panel 40 is connected.This allows for easy management of an operator's access to the movement area of ​​processing mechanism 10.

[0014] The network control unit 33 receives an operation from the external device 50 via the network 51. Preferably, the network control unit 33 is configured to receive an operation from the external device 50 via the network 51 when the control panel 40 is not connected. This prevents the local operation by the control panel 40 and the remote operation by the external device 50 from competing with each other.

[0015] The motion control unit 34 sets the movement of the machining mechanism 10 according to an input from the control panel 40 or the external device 50. The movement of the machining mechanism 10 can be recorded as a machining program described in a language such as G-code. When setting the movement of the machining mechanism 10 using the control panel 40, it is preferred that the machining mechanism 10 actually moves and that an operator can confirm the movement and correct the input value.

[0016] The intrusion information acquisition unit 35 acquires intrusion information indicating the presence or absence of an intrusion by an operator from the intrusion detection device.

[0017] The automatic execution control unit 36 ​​for the machining mechanism 10 is automatically activated. That is, the automatic execution control unit 36 ​​controls the machining mechanism 10 so that the movement set by the motion setting unit 34 is executed. Preferably, the automatic execution control unit 36 ​​has a function of waiting for the start of automatic execution until authorization is granted by the automatic execution authorization unit 37, as described below.

[0018] If the control panel 40 is not connected and the intrusion of an operator is not detected, the automatic execution authorization unit 37 activates the automatic execution of the processing mechanism 10. That is, the automatic execution authorization unit 37 allows the automatic execution of the processing mechanism 10 by the automatic execution control unit 36 ​​only if two conditions are met, namely the removal of the control panel 40 and the intrusion information does not indicate the intrusion of an operator or the like.

[0019] The control panel 40 must include an input device for entering information to the control device 30 and preferably also includes a display device for configuring a user interface capable of correctly entering the required information. The control panel 40 preferably includes an emergency stop switch that immediately stops the machining mechanism 10 if the machining mechanism 10 performs an unintended movement during input operation. The emergency stop switch of the control panel 40 is preferably a normally closed switch that forms a circuit integrated with the control device 30. It should be noted that the control panel 40 can be implemented by installing dedicated application software on a universal, portable electronic device.

[0020] In the machine tool 1 with the configuration described above, it is possible to prevent human errors such as starting automatic execution while the operator is in the movement area of ​​the machining mechanism 10 or near it, and preventing the automatic execution of the machining mechanism 10, by managing the connection of the control panel 40, which indicates whether an operator is in or near the movement area, and by preventing the automatic execution of the machining mechanism 10.

[0021] Additionally, with machine tool 1, by using the control panel 40 as authentication to identify the operator's attributes, it is possible to simplify the confirmation of operating authorization, in particular to simplify the operator's work on site in order to avoid accidents caused by shortcomings or negligence in the safety check, etc.

[0022] The following additional information is also disclosed with regard to the embodiment and modifications described above. (Additional note 1)

[0023] A machine tool (1) includes: a machining mechanism (10) which incorporates a plurality of drive axes and is configured to perform machining; an intrusion detection device (20) which is configured to detect the intrusion of an operator into a movement area of ​​the machining mechanism (10); and a control device (30) which is connectable to an operator panel (40) and configured to control the machining mechanism (10). The control device (30) includes: an automatic execution control unit (36) which is configured to automatically execute the machining mechanism (10); an operator panel detection unit (31) which is configured to establish a connection to the operator panel (40).to detect a connection of the control panel (40); an intrusion information acquisition unit (35) configured to acquire intrusion information indicating the presence or absence of operator intrusion from the intrusion detection device (20); and an automatic execution authorization unit (37) configured to activate automatic execution of the processing mechanism (10) when the control panel (40) is not connected or plugged in and operator intrusion is not detected. (Additional note 2)

[0024] In the machine tool (1) according to additional note 1, the operator panel recognition unit (31) can identify a single one of the connected or linked operator panel(s) (40). The control device (30) can also include an operator authorization unit (32) configured to allow operation by the operator panel (40) only if the operator panel (40) has been previously registered and connected or linked. (Additional note 3)

[0025] In the machine tool (1) according to additional note 2, the operator authorization unit (32) can set an operating function for each of the control panels (40). (Additional note 4)

[0026] In the machine tool (1) according to one of the additional notes 1 to 3, the control device (30) may also include a network operating unit (33) which is configured to receive operation via a network (51) when the control panel (40) is not connected. (Additional note 5)

[0027] In the machine tool (1) according to one of the additional notes 1 to 4, the control device (30) can be connected to the operating panel (40), which can be connected to another machine tool. (Additional note 6)

[0028] In the machine tool (1) according to one of the additional notes 1 to 5, the control panel (40) can be implemented by installing dedicated application software on a universal, portable electronic device.

[0029] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, replacements, modifications, partial deletions, and the like may be made to these embodiments without deviating from the core of the present disclosure or the concept of the present disclosure as derived from the content disclosed in the claims and their equivalents.

[0030] For example, in the machine tool according to the present disclosure, the operator authorization unit and the network control unit are optional components. EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 machine tool 10 Processing mechanism 20 Intruder detection device 30 Control or regulating device 31 Control panel recognition unit 32 Operator authorization unit 33 Network operating unit 34 Motion adjustment unit 35 Intrusion Information Acquisition Unit 36 Automatic execution control unit 37 Automatic Execution Authorization Unit 40 Control panel 41 connectors 50 External Device 51 Network QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2018-122397

[0003]

Claims

[1] Machine tool, comprising: a machining mechanism comprising a plurality of drive axes and configured to perform machining; an intruder detection device configured to detect an operator entering a movement area of ​​the processing mechanism; and a control or regulating device that can be connected to and configured with a control panel to control or regulate the processing mechanism, the control or regulating device comprises: an automatic execution control unit that is configured to automatically execute or have executed the processing mechanism; a control panel detection unit that is configured to detect a connection or port of the control panel; an intrusion information acquisition unit configured to acquire intrusion information indicating the presence or absence of operator intrusion from the intrusion detection device; and An automatic execution authorization unit configured to activate automatic execution of the processing mechanism when the control panel is not connected or plugged in and operator intrusion is not detected. [2] Machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the control panel recognition unit identifies a single one of the connected or linked control panel(s) and wherein the control device further comprises an operator authorization unit configured to allow operation by the control panel only if the control panel has been previously registered and connected or linked. [3] Machine tool according to claim 2 wherein the operator authorization unit sets an operating function for each of the control panels. [4] Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device further comprises a network control unit configured to receive operation via a network when the control panel is not connected. [5] Machine tool according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device is connectable to the control panel which is connectable to another machine tool. [6] Machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control panel can be implemented by installing dedicated application software on a universal portable electronic device.

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