Data management method, in particular for equipment of a machine tool, and equipment and machine tool for performing the method

Abstract

In a data management method, in particular for equipment of a machine tool, data from equipment (23, 28, 29) of the machine tool (20), at least with regard to the identification thereof, are acquired and stored. According to the invention, this data management takes place in a machine tool (20) for the production of gearwheels and / or the machining of tooth systems in which in particular dressing tools, clamping means, grinding tools and / or the like are used as equipment (23, 28, 29), these each being equipped with at least one transponder (23', 28', 29') in order to acquire in particular the identification thereof and preferably further parameters, such as payload data and geometry data. These transponders (23', 28', 29') are able to communicate with at least one transmission / reading unit (30) assigned to the machine tool (20) in order to wirelessly transmit data signals. This data management makes it possible to produce precisely manufactured gearwheels with significantly lower defect rates and thus makes it possible to achieve an improved quality standard while maximizing the service lives of the machining tools.

Description

[0001] Method for data management, in particular of operating resources of a machine tool, as well as operating resources and machine tools for carrying out the method

[0002] The invention relates to a method for data management, in particular of operating resources of a machine tool, in which the data of operating resources of the machine tool are recorded and stored, at least with regard to their identification, wherein the operating resources are machining tools, clamping and centering means for at least one machining tool and / or for a workpiece, according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as operating resources and a machine tool. In known operating resource management systems for machine tools, in particular for gear wheel production or the machining of gears, the parameters of the operating resources, such as tools, clamping devices, etc., are usually entered and registered individually by the operating personnel in the data acquisition system of the machine tool and, after use, individually in registers or the like.However, this method of recording equipment parameters lacks a centralized, overarching evaluation, allowing only limited access and making it difficult or impossible to collect data over a longer period of time. Furthermore, there is only limited communication between the machine and tool manufacturers on the one hand and the gear manufacturers who use them on the other.

[0003] For machine tools that operate using generating grinding, profile grinding, gear honing, hobbing, skiving, or similar processes, a basic requirement is that the tools used are manufactured with the utmost precision and are therefore correspondingly expensive to produce. Therefore, the goal is to achieve maximum service life with these tools and to ensure that they are always used optimally.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the object of further developing a method for the data management of the operating resources, so that the data of the operating resources of a machine tool, such as the tools, clamping devices, etc., can be automatically recorded and evaluated during the production process without manual entries or the like.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, the data management of operating resources is used in a machine tool for the production of gears and / or the machining of gear teeth, in which the operating resources used are in particular dressing tools, clamping devices, grinding tools, and / or the like, which are each equipped with at least one transponder for the recording in particular of their identification and preferably further parameters, such as user and geometric data, wherein this transponder can each communicate with at least one transmitting / reading unit assigned to the machine tool for the contactless reading and / or transmitting of data signals.

[0007] With this innovative data management system, the production of precisely manufactured gears with significantly lower error rates and thus an improved quality standard can be achieved, all while maximizing the service life of the machining tools. Furthermore, production times can be reduced or optimized depending on requirements.

[0008] The RFID tags integrated into the equipment are very advantageously used for the transponders, which communicate with the transmitting / reading unit assigned to the machine tool at a frequency in the UHF waveband. This allows the transmitting / reading unit to read data stored in the transponders, or conversely, to send data and energy from the transponders to the transponders and store them in them.

[0009] In addition, the signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit and the transponders takes place via at least one antenna assigned to the transmitting / reading unit and, if required, an additional auxiliary antenna. The latter is positioned in the machine tool in a fixed or adjustable manner so that the signal transmission performance between the transmitting / reading unit and the equipment(s) is sufficient and thus always guaranteed. The at least one antenna can be placed separately with a cable connection to the transmitting / reading unit or integrated into it.

[0010] When setting up the machine tool with the equipment to be used prior to the actual machining operation, the equipment data is automatically and programmatically acquired by the transmitting / reading unit. This data is then checked, assigned, visualized, stored, and / or otherwise evaluated by an evaluation unit. This virtually eliminates incorrect manipulation during setup prior to the actual grinding, milling, peeling, or honing of clamped workpieces.

[0011] After a partial or complete machining process of workpieces by the machine tool with the equipment used, an automated program-controlled recording of specific data takes place, such as the machining time for determining the service life of the tools used, which is determined by the transmitting / reading unit and this data is recorded and stored by this evaluation unit.

[0012] The invention and further advantages thereof are explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine tool according to the invention for machining a gear tooth of a workpiece with a grinding tool; and

[0014] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a machine tool according to the invention for producing a gear with a skiving tool.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a machine tool 10 for machining gears on a workpiece 18, comprising a machine bed 17, a tool turret 24 mounted thereon for rotation about a vertical axis, a device 16 arranged adjacent thereto with a centering probe, and a tool carriage 25 adjustable horizontally on the machine bed 17 and with a rotatably mounted machining tool 14. This gantry with the tool turret 24 contains a clamping device 12 for the workpiece 18, as well as a dressing device 11 with a dressing tool, a tailstock device 15 arranged vertically adjustable above the workpiece 18 for centering the workpiece, and a motor drive 19 at the top. This motor drive 19 allows the tool turret 24, with the workpiece table as a gantry, to be rotated. An adjustable cooling nozzle device 13 associated with the tool 14 and other components of a clamping device and bearings thereof are also provided.This tool 14, designed as a grinding wheel, is rotatable about a horizontal axis, but could of course also be arranged to rotate about an inclined axis.

[0016] The operating means of the machine tool 10 are in particular this machining tool 14, the clamping device 12, the dressing tool, the tailstock center of this tailstock device 15 and the nozzle of the cooling nozzle device 13.

[0017] The machine tool 10 shown can be used in a known manner by means of continuous generating grinding, partial generating grinding, discontinuous or continuous profile grinding of workpieces or dressing of tools.

[0018] Fig. 2 schematically shows a workpiece table 22 of a machine tool 20 with a clamping means 23 for a workpiece (not shown in detail) and a tool carriage 26, which is preferably movable in the X and Z directions, with a bearing support 21 and a tool holder 28 for a machining tool 29. This machining tool 29, designed as a skiving tool, is rotated by a rotary drive (not shown in detail) and is arranged to be movable up and down for the skiving process.

[0019] The operating means of this machine tool 20 include, for example, this tool holder 28 and the machining tool 29, on the one hand, and this clamping device 23 on the workpiece side, on the other. Not all details of these machine tools 10, 20 are explained; only those machine components or operating means relevant to the invention are presented.

[0020] However, they could just as well be machine tools that work by means of gear honing, hobbing or a combined manufacturing and machining of gears.

[0021] According to the invention, data management is carried out in these machine tools 10, 20, which are designed for the production of gears or the machining of gear teeth on workpieces, in which the data, in particular of their operating resources, is recorded at least with regard to their identification. For this recording, these operating resources 23, 28, 29 are each equipped with at least one transponder 23', 28', 29', which can communicate with a transmit / read unit 30 assigned to the machine tool 10, 20, as shown in Fig. 2, for the wireless transmission of data signals. Corresponding transponders and a transmit / read unit can be provided analogously in the operating resources of the machine tool 10 according to Fig. 1, although this is not shown.

[0022] These transponders 23', 28', 29', preferably arranged on the outside of the operating devices 23, 28, 29, are very advantageously manufactured as RFID tags that communicate with the transmitting / reading unit 30 assigned to the machine tool 20 at a frequency in the UHF wave range. These transmitting / reading units and UHF tags are transponders from well-known manufacturers. These transponders 23', 28', 29' are only schematically illustrated for the operating devices 23, 28, 29 according to Fig. 2, but not for those according to Fig. 1, which, however, could be provided in the same way.

[0023] The transponders 23', 28', 29* are each attached, such as glued, to the outside of the equipment 23, 28, 29. They can advantageously be mounted in an external recess in the respective outer casing of the equipment 23, 28, 29, whereby they are positioned either protruding from the outer surface or flush with it. One or more transponders can be mounted on the outer circumference and / or on a front side of a respective equipment 23, 28,

[0024] 29. For fixing or as a protective layer against impacts or coolant, the transponders 23', 28', 29' can be encapsulated on the outside with a non-conductive material, such as resin.

[0025] The invention is further characterized in that the signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit 30 and the transponders 23', 28', 29' takes place via an antenna assigned to the transmitting / reading unit 30 and at least one additional auxiliary antenna 31. This auxiliary antenna 31 is placed in the machine tool 20 in such a fixed or adjustable manner that this signal transmission between the transmitting / reading unit

[0026] 30 and the equipment(s) 23, 28, 29 is guaranteed at all times or at least in certain positions of the equipment.

[0027] This auxiliary antenna 31 is expediently placed close to the transponders 23', 28', 29', preferably without any other components in between. The transponders 23', 28', 29' are in turn positioned accordingly in the operating devices 23, 28, 29 so that they are aligned with the auxiliary antenna 31. The distance between the auxiliary antenna 31 and the transponders is preferably in the millimeter range, particularly when setting up the machine tool before or after a machining process in which the data from the operating devices 23, 28, 29 is read and sent via the transmit / read unit 30 to an evaluation unit for evaluation and storage.

[0028] Advantageously, the transmitting / reading unit 30 with its antenna is arranged laterally near the machining zone near the operating equipment 23, 28, 29, and the auxiliary antenna 31, as mentioned above, is arranged directly next to the transponders 23', 28', 29' on a stationary part 27, 32 of the machine tool. These placements of the transmitting / reading unit and the auxiliary antenna can be varied depending on the machine type. Thus, at least one antenna of the transmitting / reading unit can be arranged behind the machining area or on the ceiling. Likewise, the auxiliary antenna can be positioned such that it can be moved toward or away from a respective transponder, or such that the operating equipment with the transponder can be moved toward or away from the fixed auxiliary antenna.

[0029] This auxiliary antenna 31 can sometimes increase the range of the transponder's signal transmission performance. This is necessary when a transponder is difficult to read due to the geometric nature of the device or the ambient conditions in the machine tool. This geometric nature of the device has the effect that it acts like an antenna extension for the transponder. Elongated device geometries are better suited to the range of the transponder's signal transmission performance. However, since the external geometries of some devices cannot be changed, these auxiliary antennas are used within the scope of the invention.

[0030] Data can be forwarded from the evaluation unit to the control center of the machine tool 20, where it can be programmatically recorded in at least one database, checked, and integrated into the machining process. These forwarded data signals can be checked, assigned, stored, visualized, and / or otherwise processed by a computer program.

[0031] In addition, the data can be exchanged between the operating machine tools 10, 20 and forwarded via a network to external locations, preferably to the machine and tool manufacturer, where this data can be evaluated and the operating resources 23, 28, 29 can be adapted and optimized, thus improving production quality assurance. This evaluated data can then be transmitted from this external location to the respective machine tool at the manufacturer. The gear manufacturer can optionally also have access to this data.

[0032] This auxiliary antenna 31 is formed from a rod, a flexible longitudinal element, such as a spring or a wire, or another suitable shape. It could also be telescopic and / or consist of several arms joined together with articulated joints. Of course, several auxiliary antennas could also be provided, preferably for each piece of equipment, at different specific positions in or on the machine tool. These antennas could communicate with one or more antennas of one or more transmitting / reading units.

[0033] When setting up the machine tool 20 for machining with the necessary operating resources 23, 28, 29, the data signals transmitted from the transponders 23', 28', 29' to the transmitting / reading unit 30 and to the evaluation unit are preferably processed automatically and programmatically. These signals are then checked, assigned, visualized, stored, otherwise evaluated, and / or forwarded accordingly. This data can, of course, also be retrieved and viewed manually. Furthermore, it should advantageously be possible to manually supplement, correct, and / or edit them at any time, either directly at the evaluation unit on the machine or externally via the network.

[0034] After a partial or complete machining operation by the machine tool 20 with the identified resources 23, 28, 29, an automated, program-controlled processing of specific data, such as the machining time for determining the service life of the tools 29 used, can be carried out. Data can be forwarded from the evaluation unit to the control center of the machine tool 20, where it can be stored program-controlled and integrated into further machining processes.

[0035] During identification by these transponders 23', 28', 29' belonging to the equipment 23, 28, 29, at least the article and serial number of the equipment and, if applicable, other data about it, such as the index, repair or revision number, are communicated. In addition, the useful and geometric data of the equipment 23, 28, 29 can be entered into or retrieved from the respective transponder 23', 28', 29'. Effective service life or limit values ​​for service life, which the gear manufacturer can set themselves as required, can be recorded as useful data. The geometric data comprises target data used, for example, for the design of tools, which are defined the same for all items with the same article number, as well as actual data which is measured and recorded after production.

[0036] When using the peeling tool as operating equipment 29, the tool life or the number of cuts during machining of a workpiece can be determined, for example, based on the stroke movements per unit of time and the duration of use, as well as the number of workpieces machined with the one peeling tool 29 using appropriate measuring equipment and can be recorded and stored in the transponder of the same via the transmitting / reading unit 30.

[0037] In the case of the machining tools 14 as grinding wheels, the important identification that it is a CBN grinding worm, a single profile wheel, a set of profile wheels, a set of profile wheels or the like can be automatically detected by the machine tool and taken into account in a simple and reliable manner during setup, without the risk of incorrect inputs as can occur with manual input.

[0038] When dressing tools are used as operating resources, specific user data such as the number of dressing cycles, dressing volume, dressing lengths and more can be calculated, written to the transponder and stored there.

[0039] On certain machine tools, in addition to the tailstock center 15, gripper jaws or base grippers of the clamping devices, as well as various so-called holders, can be equipped with transponders as operating equipment on the workpiece side. This includes holders on which the workpiece can be placed or held, or grinding oil centrifuges, a station for reading DMC codes applied to the workpiece, or storage areas for workpieces that need to be measured or are insufficient.

[0040] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, tool or workpiece magazines, loading modules for automated loading of workpieces, or additional devices for measuring, dressing, or other work activities can be equipped with operating devices according to the invention with transponders and transmit / read units that communicate, for example, with the control center of the machine tool or with separate evaluation units. These devices can also be used for the grinding oil supply.

[0041] The invention is sufficiently illustrated by the above embodiments. However, it could be further explained by further variants.

[0042] In principle, LF or HF tags could be used instead of UHF tags, depending on the requirements and the provision of auxiliary antennas. These tags also provide unique identification compared to UHF tags, but have a shorter range in the millimeter range, but more storage space.

[0043] An alternative to UHF tags would be the use of SHF tags (super high frequency).

[0044] In principle, identification could be performed via a UHF transponder, and further data could be captured and stored on a second HF transponder attached to the equipment. Alternatively, this additional data could be provided on data carriers, DMC codes, or RFID transponders (cards, tags, or similar) of different frequencies. It would also be possible for this additional data stored on the equipment to be loaded onto the machine tool from a database at the machine tool, at the gear manufacturer, or in a cloud.

[0045] If the transponder has sufficient storage capacity, all data can be saved on it and read or retrieved from there. This would allow the system to be operated without an additional database. If the transponder has limited storage space, only some of the equipment data can be saved on the transponder, such as the identification data and selected effective service lives for machining tools. The remaining data (e.g. geometric data, limit values) is recorded either via a network or another data storage device. This can be from the network between the machines, the gear manufacturer and / or the machine tool manufacturer. The gears to be machined can be of the usual types, as well as gear segments, worm gears or the like.

[0046] In principle, sufficient transmission performance could be achieved without auxiliary antennas, for example, in smaller machine tools. This transmitter / reader unit and the evaluation unit could also be placed as separate devices on or next to the machine tool.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A method for data management, in particular of the operating equipment of a machine tool, in which the data of the operating equipment (23, 28, 29) of the machine tool (10, 20) are recorded and stored, at least with regard to their identification, wherein the operating equipment (23, 28, 29) are, for example, machining tools, clamping and centering devices holding these and workpieces, characterized in that the data management is carried out in a machine tool (10, 20) for the production of gears and / or the machining of gear teeth, in which the operating equipment (23, 28, 29) are, in particular, dressing tools, clamping devices, grinding tools and / or similar, which are each equipped with at least one transponder (23', 28', 29') for recording, in particular, their identification and preferably further parameters, such as usage and geometry data, wherein these transponders (23', 28', 29') are connected to at least one of the machine tool (10,20) associated transceiver / reader unit (30) for wireless transmission of data signals.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that preferably during the setup of the machine tool (10, 20) for machining with the equipment to be used, an automated program-controlled acquisition of the transmitted data signals between the transponders (23', 28', 29') and the transmit / read unit (30) takes place and these data are checked, assigned, visualized, stored and / or otherwise evaluated by an evaluation unit.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after a partial or complete machining operation by the machine tool (10, 20) with the identified operating resources, an automated program-controlled recording of specific data, such as the machining time for determining the service life of the tools used, is carried out.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the evaluation unit connected to the transmit-read unit (30) is integrated in the control center in a control cabinet or the like of the machine tool (10, 20) and the data can be exchanged or processed between them by a computer program.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data are transmitted via a network to at least one external location or vice versa from this location to the respective machine tool (10, 20), preferably to or from the machine and Tool manufacturers as an external body where this data can be evaluated and the equipment (23, 28, 29) can be adapted and optimized.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transponders (23', 28', 29') integrated in the operating means (23, 28, 29) communicate as RFID tags with this transmitting / reading unit (30) at a frequency in the UHF wave range.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the signal transmission between the transmit / read unit (30) and the transponders (23', 28', 29') takes place via an antenna assigned to the transmit / read unit (30) and at least one additional auxiliary antenna (31), wherein this auxiliary antenna (31) is placed in the machine tool (10, 20) in such a fixed or adjustable manner that this signal transmission between the transmit / read unit and the operating equipment is ensured.

8. Operating equipment of a machine tool for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operating equipment (23, 28, 29) is in particular dressing tools and clamping devices, or also grinding, milling, peeling, honing tools, clamping, centering devices, grinding oil nozzles or the like of the machine tool (10, 20) for the manufacture of gears and / or the machining of gear teeth, wherein these operating equipment Driving means are equipped, in particular on their respective outer sides, with at least one transponder (23', 28*, 29') such that they can communicate with the transmitting / reading unit (30) assigned to the machine tool via at least one antenna.

9. Equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that the respective transponders (23', 28', 29') are attached in a recess on the outside of an equipment (23, 28, 29), for example by resin, and are placed protruding from the outer surface or flush with it.

10. Equipment according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the transponders integrated in the equipment (23, 28, 29) are manufactured as RFID tags with an operating frequency in the UHF or SHF wave range.

11. Machine tool for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, which is equipped with operating means (23, 28, 29), such as machining tools, clamping and centering means holding these and workpieces, characterized in that the machine tool (10, 20) is designed for the manufacture of gears and / or the machining of gear teeth, in which, in particular, dressing tools, clamping means, grinding tools, and / or similar can be used as operating means, each of which is equipped with at least one transponder (23', 28', 29') for recording in at least one database, in particular their identification and further parameters, such as usage and geometry data, wherein at least a transmit / read unit (30) is integrated, which is connected on the one hand to the transponders for wireless transmission of data signals and on the other hand to an evaluation unit in the control center of the machine tool (10, 20), through which the forwarded data signals are checked, assigned, stored, visualized and / or otherwise evaluated by a computer program.

12. Machine tool according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one antenna assigned to the transmitting / reading unit (30) and an additional auxiliary antenna (31) are provided in the machine tool (10, 20), wherein this auxiliary antenna (31) is positioned in the machine tool (10, 20) in such a fixed or adjustable manner that this signal transmission between the operating equipment and the transmitting / reading unit is ensured.

13. Machine tool according to claim 12, characterized in that this auxiliary antenna (31) is formed from a rod, from a bendable longitudinal element, such as a spring, a wire or from another suitable shape and is positioned near the transponders (23', 28', 29').

14. Machine tool according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the transmit / read unit (30) with its antenna is located in the machining zone near the operating equipment (23, 28, 29) and the auxiliary antenna (31) is located directly next to the transponders (23', 28', 29') on a stationary part (27, 32) of the machine tool (10, 20), 15. Machine tool according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the auxiliary antenna is positioned such that it can be moved towards or away from a respective transponder (23', 28', 29'), and / or that the operating device with the transponder can be moved towards or away from the fixedly arranged auxiliary antenna.

16. Machine tool according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that continuous gear grinding, partial gear grinding, discontinuous or continuous profile grinding, gear honing, gear milling and / or gear skiving can be carried out by means of the machine tool (10, 20) designed for the manufacture of gears and / or the machining of gear teeth.

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