Machine management method and machine arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine management method (16) for performing planned activities (68) and unplanned activities (80) on a machine (12), wherein workpieces (26) are manufactured and sorted according to a predetermined schedule (28), wherein a manufacturing time for the workpieces (26) is predetermined by a machine management system (14) on the basis of manufacturing process data of the machining apparatus (18), and a removal time for sorting the workpieces (26) is predetermined by the machine management system (14) on the basis of removal process data, and wherein the schedule (28) for the planned activities (68) is changed by the machine management system (14) on the basis of a comparison of the manufacturing time with the removal time and is transferred to a controller (46, 48) of the machine (12). The invention further relates to a machine arrangement (10) configured to carry out the machine management method (16).

Description

[0001] Machine management procedures and machine arrangement

[0002] Background of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a machine management method for performing activities on a machine, wherein workpieces are manufactured by a processing device during a scheduled activity of the machine according to a predetermined schedule, and manufactured workpieces are removed from a removal area of ​​the machine into a storage area of ​​the removal device during a further scheduled activity of the machine according to the predetermined schedule. The invention further relates to a machine arrangement with a machine management system for implementing such a machine management method.

[0004] Such methods and machines are sufficiently known to the applicant from the prior art, although this prior art has not necessarily been published.

[0005] Machine downtime and breakdowns usually result in significant monetary and productive losses. Therefore, machines are typically operated according to predetermined schedules to reduce time losses due to manual operation and increase the level of automation.

[0006] Typically, the predetermined schedules are tightly timed and optimized with respect to the desired productivity of the respective machine to prevent downtime. As a result, important condition-maintaining activities, such as maintenance, cleaning, diagnostics, and / or calibration activities on the machines, are often inadequately considered, increasing the risk of machine failure and / or inadequate production quality. Furthermore, even with predetermined schedules, unavoidable machine downtimes occur, for example, if raw materials need to be prepared for production or finished workpieces need to be removed from the machine.

[0007] Furthermore, predetermined schedules only allow for an inadequate prediction of the actual course of machine operation. For example, unforeseen circumstances, malfunctions, necessary maintenance, or diagnostic measures can lead to unplanned downtime, necessitating costly changes to the schedule. In this process, condition-maintaining activities are often eliminated from the modified schedule during the reorganization in favor of increased machine productivity.

[0008] Prior art outside this category is known from DE 10 2013 217 911 A1, which describes a tool head with an integrated operating data acquisition device. An operating data acquisition device collects data to plan maintenance intervals for the tool head. The downtime can be recorded.

[0009] Object of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device by which downtimes can be avoided and productivity is kept high.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention by a machine management method according to claim 1. The object is further achieved by a machine arrangement according to claim 14.

[0013] In other words, the underlying object is achieved by a machine management method for carrying out planned activities on a machine, wherein workpieces are manufactured by a processing device according to a predetermined schedule during a planned activity of the machine, and manufactured workpieces are sorted from a removal area of ​​the machine to a storage area during a further planned activity of the machine according to the predetermined schedule, wherein a production time of the workpieces is predetermined by a machine management system on the basis of production process data of the processing device, and a removal time for the sorting of the workpieces is predetermined by the machine management system on the basis of removal process data,and wherein the schedule for the planned activities is changed by the machine management system based on a comparison of the production time with the removal time and transmitted to a control system of the machine.

[0014] The method according to the invention thus provides for the predetermination of the start time, end time, and duration of the machine's activities, allowing the actual machine sequence to be determined more precisely. The predetermination can reveal deviations from the planned sequence by comparing it with the predetermined sequence. The deviations can occur in the form of downtimes of the machine or at least of subcomponents of the machine and can subsequently be used to improve productivity, production quality, and / or the machine's condition by modifying the schedule.

[0015] Compared to conventional machine management methods, machine process data is used to predict production and removal times. This allows the machine management system to predict production and removal times much more accurately. Furthermore, it can be specified that a loading time for loading the machine with raw material is taken into account when comparing production and removal times. Process data from the machine can be used to predict the loading time.

[0016] A planned activity is defined as an activity to be performed by the machine, as defined in the predetermined schedule. A planned activity typically involves value-added activities, such as the production of workpieces and / or the removal of workpieces. Non-value-added activities, such as condition-maintaining activities such as maintenance, diagnostics, cleaning, and / or calibration activities, can also be planned.

[0017] The removal process data, the loading process data, and the production process data typically originate from the machine whose actual sequence is to be predetermined by the machine management system. The removal process data, the loading process data, and / or the production process data can, for example, be recorded manually and / or stored in the machine and / or the machine management system.

[0018] The finished workpieces can be removed from the machine manually or by hand by an operator. Preferably, the finished workpieces are sorted by a removal device. The finished workpieces can be removed from a removal area of ​​the machine and placed in a storage area of ​​the removal device. This can further increase the level of automation of the machine.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the machine management method, the manufacturing of the workpieces by the machining device takes place simultaneously with the removal of the manufactured workpieces, in particular by the removal device. For this purpose, the manufactured workpieces are preferably transferred from the machining area of ​​the machining device to a spatially spaced removal area of ​​the machining device. The vacated machining area can then be occupied by a new sheet or raw material from which the workpieces are manufactured. This enables the parallel sorting of already manufactured workpieces while further workpieces are being manufactured. This can significantly increase productivity compared to a sequential process.

[0020] A further preferred embodiment of the machine management method is one in which the schedule is changed by adjusting the production time of the processing device to the removal time, in particular of the removal device. This is particularly important in cases where the production time is significantly shorter than the removal time. By adjusting the production time or slowing down the production of workpieces by the processing device, the production quality of the workpieces can be increased. In addition, process reliability can be increased by a lower production speed of the machine. Furthermore, the machine can be operated in a lower-consumption operating range, which can have a positive effect, for example, on power and / or water consumption, cooling, and the use of other media. In an analogous manner, the removal time can be adapted to a significantly longer production time.In this way, process reliability when removing workpieces from the removal area can be increased, removal errors can be prevented and the use of energy and / or media can be reduced.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the machine management method, it is provided that a downtime of the processing device and / or a removal device is / are predetermined by the machine management system, wherein the machine management system modifies the schedule by adding at least one unplanned activity during the downtime. A downtime preferably includes a duration of the downtime and a start time at which the downtime occurs. To prevent the expected downtime, it is provided in this case that an additional activity is performed by the machine and / or the operator during this period. The unplanned activity can, for example, consist of the production of additional workpieces, whereby the productivity of the machine can be further increased.

[0022] An unplanned activity represents an additional activity to be performed by the machine and / or the operator that is not included in the predetermined schedule. Planned activities can also be added to the schedule in the form of an unplanned activity. Unplanned activities are typically cyclical functions that ensure the machine can operate under optimal conditions.

[0023] Preferably, the machine management system can add an unplanned activity over several unrelated downtimes. For example, it can be provided that, during an axis diagnosis of several machining axes of the machine, an individual diagnosis of each machining axis of the machine is performed during a downtime. This can further improve productivity.

[0024] A preferred development of the machine management method is one in which the machine management system increases the downtime by temporally shifting, in particular by changing the process sequence or the sequence of the planned activities, successive planned activities of the processing device and / or the removal device in order to carry out the at least one added unplanned activity. In other words, the planned activities are shifted such that two predetermined downtimes coincide in a common period. This allows an unplanned activity to be added to the schedule without any loss of production, which lasts too long for the period of just one predetermined downtime. The period for carrying out the unplanned activity can also overlap with planned activities of the machine that are not related in terms of process technology.For example, it can be provided that a diagnostic activity overlaps the period of a pallet change activity, since the diagnosis is independent of the pallet change.

[0025] A preferred further development of the machine management method also provides for the addition of an unplanned activity in the form of an activity that monitors and / or maintains the condition of the machine, in particular in the form of a diagnostic activity, a cleaning activity, a calibration activity, and / or a lubrication activity. Using a diagnostic activity in the form of an unplanned activity, an impending machine failure can be remedied at an early stage. A maintenance activity can contribute to the preventive prevention of damage to the machine. This allows required maintenance measures to be carried out at the appropriate time without any loss of production. Long downtimes due to postponed condition-maintaining activities are avoided.

[0026] Likewise, it may be planned that subsequent production following an unforeseen event is carried out as part of an unplanned secondary activity. This can effectively prevent rescheduling of previously established schedules.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the machine management method, the production process data and / or the removal process data are recorded during machine operation and evaluated by the machine management system. This enables even more precise prediction of downtimes and flexible adaptation to possible malfunctions that occur during machine operation.

[0028] Furthermore, an embodiment of the machine management method is preferred in which the production time of at least one additional machine is determined by the machine management system based on the production process data of the additional machine, and the removal time of the additional machine is determined by the machine management system based on the removal process data of the additional machine, and wherein the machine management system modifies the schedules of the planned activities based on the determined production times and the determined removal times and transmits them to the controllers of the respective machines. In other words, the machine management system can be used for two or more, in particular a plurality of, machines simultaneously. This allows the costs for the machine management system to be reduced.

[0029] In a preferred development of the machine management method, the machine management system transfers at least one planned activity from the machine's schedule as an unplanned activity to the schedule of the other machine, with at least one unplanned activity being added to the machine's schedule in place of the transferred planned activity. This allows the execution of activities to be organized across multiple machines. This enables the redistribution of activities during production peaks, in the event of machine malfunctions, and / or the execution of urgent condition-maintaining activities. A loss of productivity can be reduced or completely prevented.

[0030] Furthermore, an embodiment of the machine management method is preferred in which the production time is determined based on a workpiece material, a workpiece thickness, a workpiece geometry, at least one production parameter of the machining device during the production of a workpiece, a production time, a state of a workpiece support, a position of a sheet on a pallet changer, an error occurring during production, and / or manual interruptions during the production of a workpiece. Furthermore, the use of further production process data can be provided. However, the aforementioned production process data have proven particularly advantageous in predicting the production time.

[0031] Furthermore, an embodiment of the machine management method is preferred in which the removal time is determined based on a workpiece material of a removed workpiece, a workpiece thickness of a removed workpiece, a number of removed workpieces, a number of different workpiece geometries of the removed workpieces, a workpiece geometry, a position of a panel on the pallet changer, a movement sequence of the removal device over the panel during the removal of workpieces, and / or a number of workpiece removals. Furthermore, the use of further removal process data can be provided. However, the aforementioned removal process data have proven particularly advantageous in predicting the removal time.

[0032] More preferably, the removal time can be based on a raw material, a dimension, in particular a thickness, of the raw material and / or a position of the raw material on the pallet changer. Furthermore, the use of further loading process data can be provided. However, the aforementioned loading process data have proven to be particularly advantageous in predetermining the loading time. Preferably, a loading time for loading the machine with a raw material can be taken into account when comparing the production time with the removal time. The loading time can be partially or fully allocated to the removal time and / or the production time. The loading time can vary depending on the raw material, in particular the dimensions of the raw material. Preferably, the loading time, in particular the raw material, can be determined by means of an upcoming planned production of the workpieces by the machine.This allows downtime to be predicted even more precisely.

[0033] Further preferred is an embodiment of the machine management method in which the machine management system has a self-learning algorithm, in particular a neural network. This allows the inclusion of a multitude of influencing variables or process data on the production and removal time to be predicted, thereby making the prediction even more accurate. Furthermore, the self-learning algorithm can be used to incorporate a multitude of influencing variables or process data on a possible loading time. This can further improve the prediction accuracy.

[0034] The self-learning algorithm is preferably trained using a large number of production process data and removal process data whose effect on a predetermined production time, a loading time, and / or a predetermined removal time is known. In order to determine the effect of the process data on the production time, the loading time, and / or the removal time, the machine's predetermined schedule can, for example, be used as a basis. In this case, the time theoretically required from the predetermined schedule can, for example, be compared with the actually measured time for an activity, and the deviation can be evaluated as the effect of the influencing factors on the production time, the loading time, and / or the removal time. The process data are preferably collected over a large number of process cycles in order to improve the accuracy of the prediction.The process data can be provided manually by an operator or automatically by the machine. The process data is preferably transmitted from a plurality of machines and / or operators by means of known data transmission to a central data storage device, which serves as the basis for the self-learning algorithm. In a preferred embodiment of the machine management method, the machine management method is adapted for implementation on a flatbed machine tool, in particular a laser beam cutting device or a punching device.

[0035] The underlying object is further achieved by a machine arrangement having at least one machine and a machine management system, wherein the machine has a processing device which is designed to manufacture workpieces according to a predetermined sequence plan, wherein the machine management system is set up to carry out the machine management method described above.

[0036] Preferably, the machine has a removal device designed to sort workpieces from a removal area of ​​the machine into a storage area of ​​the removal device. This allows the degree of automation to be increased.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the machine arrangement, the machine is designed as a flatbed machine tool, in particular as a laser beam cutting device or as a punching device. The above-described devices are particularly suitable for implementing the machine management method.

[0038] Further preferred is an embodiment of the machine arrangement in which the machine arrangement has two or more, in particular a plurality of, machines. This allows the costs of the machine management system to be reduced and the effectiveness of the machine management method to be increased. Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the description, the claims, and the drawings. According to the invention, the features mentioned above and those further explained can each be used individually or in groups in any expedient combination. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as an exhaustive list, but rather are exemplary in nature for describing the invention.

[0039] Detailed description of the invention and drawing

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a machine arrangement according to the invention with a machine and a machine management system in a perspective view.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows the method according to the invention in a schematic flow diagram.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary predetermined schedule for a machine with planned activities in a schematic representation.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows a real sequence of planned activities on a machine in a schematic representation.

[0044] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary modified schedule with unplanned activities added by a machine management system.

[0045] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary modified schedule with time-shifted planned activities and an added unplanned activity.

[0046] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a third exemplary modified schedule with partial schedules of two machines, wherein a planned activity of one machine is transferred to the other machine.

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a machine arrangement 10 with a machine 12 and a machine management system 14 for illustrating a machine management method 16 according to the invention (see Fig. 2). The machine 12—here a flatbed machine tool—has a processing device 18 in the form of a laser cutting machine, a removal device 20, a removal area 22 of the processing device 18, and a storage area 24 of the removal device 20. The machine 12 shown in Fig. 1 is to be understood as an exemplary embodiment. The descriptions of features made here and below can be applied, for example, to a punching machine.

[0048] The exemplary processing device 18 is designed to manufacture workpieces 26 according to a predetermined sequence plan 28 (see Fig. 3) (for reasons of clarity, only one workpiece 26 is provided with a reference symbol). To monitor the manufacture of the workpieces 26, the processing device 18 has a monitoring sensor system 30. The monitoring sensor system 30 can have several measuring devices (not shown in detail) that are configured to measure various manufacturing process data during the manufacture of the workpieces 26. For example, a workpiece material, a workpiece thickness, a workpiece geometry, the condition of a workpiece support 32, and / or a position of a panel 34 on a pallet changer 36 can be determined.In addition, it can be provided that these and other manufacturing process data such as a manufacturing time, manufacturing parameters stored for the manufacture of the workpieces 26, errors occurring during manufacturing and / or manual interruptions of the machine 12, in particular the processing device 18 and / or the removal device 20, are provided.

[0049] According to the illustration in Fig. 1, the workpieces 26 previously manufactured in the processing device 18 are positioned on the workpiece support 32 in the removal area 22. The workpiece support 32 has, for example, a web support, as shown. The exemplary removal device 20 has a gripper 38, which is movably arranged on a boom 40 and can be moved along an axis 44 between the removal area 22 and the storage area 24 via a rail guide 42. The gripper 38 can be moved translationally and rotationally relative to the boom 40.

[0050] The sorting of the workpieces 26 is predetermined in the flow chart 28 and is carried out by the gripper 38, which is moved by a removal control 46 of the removal device 20 until the workpieces 26 are removed from the removal area 22 and deposited in the storage area 24. The gripper 38 moves, for example, along the axis 44 across the removal area 22 and is deflected in the vertical direction until it reaches the workpieces 26. The gripper 38 then, for example, grips one of the workpieces 26 and is subsequently moved upwards in the vertical direction. The gripper 38 is then moved along the axis 44 into the storage area 24 and deflected there in a similar manner in order to deposit the picked-up workpiece 26.

[0051] The machine management system 14 is designed as a standalone component, as shown in Fig. 1. It can also be provided that the machine management system 14 is integrated into the machine 12, in particular into the removal control 46 and / or into a processing control 48 of the processing device 18. In any case, the machine management system 14 is configured and designed for communication with the machine 12. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the machine management system 14 forms a central control of the machine 12, in particular of the processing device 18 and the removal device 20.

[0052] The predetermined sequence plan 28 can be stored for the entire machine 10 or can provide partial sequence plans. For example, a partial sequence plan 50 (see Fig. 3) can be present as a production plan 52 (see Fig. 3) and stored in the processing control 48 of the processing device 18, and another partial sequence plan 50 can be present as a removal sequence plan 54 (see Fig. 3) and stored in the removal control 46 of the removal device 20.

[0053] A typical method for manufacturing and removing workpieces 26 by machine 12 can provide a sequence plan 28 in which the workpieces 26 are manufactured according to plan within the processing device 18 lying on a pallet, while already manufactured workpieces 26 lying on another pallet are systematically sorted by the removal device 20. In other words, the manufacturing and removal of the workpieces 26 can take place simultaneously or in parallel to one another. Once the planned activities of machine 12 have been completed, the completely removed pallet can be stored in a magazine 56. The pallet with manufactured workpieces 26 can then, via the pallet changer 36, assume the position in the removal area 22 of the processing device 18, and another pallet with workpieces 26 to be manufactured from a sheet 34 is fed to the processing device 18. Such a method exhibits particularly high production rates.

[0054] In addition to the automatic removal by the removal device 20 shown in Fig. 1, it can also be provided that a scheduled sorting of finished workpieces 26 is carried out manually by an operator of the machine 12. A removal device 20 can be omitted.

[0055] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary sequence of the machine management method 16 according to the invention in a schematic representation.

[0056] According to a method step 58, a production time for manufacturing the workpieces 26 (see Fig. 1) by the processing device 18 (see Fig. 1) is predetermined. For this purpose, production process data is provided, on the basis of which the machine management system 14 determines or calculates the production time. In other words, an actual production time for removing the workpieces 26 can be determined, which may differ from a production time assumed in the predetermined schedule 28. The predetermined production time can include a forecast of the start of production, the end of production, and / or the duration of production.

[0057] In a further method step 60, a removal time for removing the workpieces 26 by the removal device 20 (see Fig. 1) is predetermined. For this purpose, removal process data is provided, on the basis of which the machine management system 14 determines or calculates the removal time. In other words, an actual removal time for removing the workpieces 26 can be determined, which may differ from a removal time assumed in the predetermined schedule 28 (see Fig. 3). The predetermined removal time can include a forecast of the start of the removal, the end of the removal, and / or the duration of the removal.

[0058] The predetermined removal time and the predetermined production time make it possible to take into account influences such as disturbances and / or deviations in the processing or removal speeds during machine operation that were not known before the start of production or removal.

[0059] The order of method steps 58, 60 is to be understood as an example and can, for example, be reversed. Furthermore, it can be provided that method steps 58, 60 run simultaneously.

[0060] The predetermination of the production time and the removal time according to method steps 58, 60 is followed by a method step 62 in which the predetermined production time is compared with the predetermined removal time. Deviations from the predetermined schedule 28 can be determined.

[0061] In a further method step 64, it is then provided that the predetermined schedule 28 is modified by the machine management system 14. For this purpose, the machine management system 14 can, for example, directly access the stored schedule 28 and modify it, in particular automatically, during execution by the machine 12. Another embodiment provides that a change to the predetermined schedule 28 takes place only after approval by the operator of the machine 12.

[0062] It can also be provided that the machine management system 14 creates a modified schedule 66 (see Fig. 5). This can then be stored, for example, by the machine management system 14 in the machine 12, in particular automatically. Furthermore, it can be provided that the modified schedule 66 must first be confirmed by the operator of the machine 12.

[0063] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary predetermined schedule 28 for a machine 12 with two partial schedules 50. The schedule 28 provides, or the partial schedules 50 provide, planned activities 68. The first partial schedule 50 is implemented as a production schedule 52, and the second partial schedule 50 is implemented as a removal schedule 54. The production schedule 52 has three production activities 70. The production activities 70 each begin, for example, with the production of a first workpiece 26 from a sheet 34 newly fed to the processing device 18 and end with the production of a last workpiece 26 from this sheet 34.

[0064] The removal flow plan 54 has three removal activities 72. The removal activities 72 each begin, for example, with the removal of a first manufactured workpiece 26 and end with the removal of the last workpiece 26 located in the removal area 22.

[0065] The production activities 70 and the removal activities 72 are planned in chronological order according to the illustrated flow chart 28 and are each separated by pallet changing activities 74. The pallet changing activities 74 each comprise the steps of storing an absorbed pallet in the magazine 56 (see Fig. 1), positioning a pallet with finished workpieces 26 in the removal area 22, and feeding a new sheet 34 into the processing device 18.

[0066] The production times of the production activities 70 are coordinated with the removal times of the removal activities 72 according to the shown schedule 28. In other words, the predetermined schedule 28 represents an ideal sequence of production and removal.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary real process 76 of the production and removal of workpieces 26 with the partial process plan 50 designed as a production process plan 52 and the second partial process plan 50 designed as a removal process plan 54. The removal activities 72 and the production activities 70 are each spaced from one another by a pallet changing activity 74.

[0068] The removal activities 72 have a removal time that is significantly shortened compared to the production time of the production activities 70. The shortened removal time can be predetermined by the machine management system 14 (see Fig. 1), and a downtime 78 can be determined, including the time and duration of the downtime 78.

[0069] The predetermined schedule 28 can subsequently be modified by the machine management system 14. For example, the production speed of the processing device 18 can be increased, allowing a larger number of workpieces 26 to be produced by the machine 12.

[0070] In another real sequence 76, however, it may happen that the production time is significantly shortened compared to the removal time. For example, provision may be made here to reduce the production speed of the processing device 18, thereby achieving a higher production quality of the workpieces 26. Fig. 5 shows the schedule 66 modified by the machine management system 14 on the basis of the real sequence 76 shown in Fig. 4. An unplanned activity 80 during the downtime 78 (see Fig. 4) is added to the removal schedule 54 by the machine management system 14. The unplanned activity 80 may, for example, be in the form of a maintenance activity, a cleaning activity, a calibration activity, and / or a diagnostic activity.

[0071] The unplanned activity 80 can be distributed over several downtimes 78. Furthermore, a different unplanned activity can be scheduled for each downtime 78.

[0072] Fig. 6 shows a further exemplary modified schedule 66, which is based on a production time of the production activity 70 that is significantly shortened compared to the removal time of the removal activity 72.

[0073] The removal activities 72 of the removal schedule 54 are unchanged compared to a predetermined schedule 28. The production schedule 52 is modified such that the start of the second production activity 70 occurs later than planned. This results in an extended period of time between the first and second production activities 70, which is available for the execution of a more time-intensive unplanned activity 80. The unplanned activity 80 can be selected such that the pallet change activity 74 can be carried out without interference.

[0074] Fig. 7 shows a further exemplary modified flow chart 66 with four partial flow charts 50, wherein a production flow chart 52a and a removal flow chart 54a as well as a production flow chart 52b and a removal flow chart 54b are each carried out on different machines 12.

[0075] The machine management system 14 can, according to Fig. 7, downtimes 78 in

[0076] Production flow plan 52a can be predefined. The predefined downtimes 78 can be used to transfer activities 68—here, a production activity 70 and a pallet change activity 74. This can create a period of time for performing an unplanned activity 80 in production flow 52b. Particularly advantageously, required maintenance, calibration, diagnostics, and / or cleaning can be performed in this way without any production downtime.

[0077] List of reference symbols

[0078] Machine arrangement 10; axis 44;

[0079] Machine 12; removal control 46 of the

[0080] Machine management system 14; removal device 14;

[0081] Machine management procedure 16; processing control 48 of the

[0082] Processing device 18; Processing device 18;

[0083] Removal device 20; partial flow plan 50 of the flow plan

[0084] Removal area 22 of machine 28; 12; production flow plan 52, 52a, 52b;

[0085] Storage area 24 of the removal flow plan 54, 54a, 54b;

[0086] Removal device 20; Magazine 56;

[0087] Workpiece 26; process steps 58, 60, 62, 64;

[0088] Schedule 28; amended schedule 66;

[0089] Monitoring sensors 30; planned activity 68;

[0090] Workpiece support 32; Manufacturing activity 70;

[0091] Table 34; Withdrawal activity 72;

[0092] Pallet changer 36; pallet changing activity 74;

[0093] Gripper 38; real sequence 76;

[0094] Boom 40; Downtime 78;

[0095] Rail guidance 42; unplanned activity 80.

Claims

Patent claims Machine management method (16) for carrying out planned activities (68) on a machine (12), wherein workpieces (26) are manufactured by a processing device (18) according to a predetermined schedule (28) during a planned activity (68) of the machine (12) and manufactured workpieces (26) are absorbed from a removal area (22) of the machine (12) into a storage area (24) during a further planned activity (68) of the machine (12) according to the predetermined schedule (28), wherein a production time of the workpieces (26) is predetermined by a machine management system (14) on the basis of production process data of the processing device (18), and a removal time for the sorting of the workpieces (26) is predetermined by the machine management system (14) on the basis of removal process data,and wherein the schedule (28) for the planned activities (68) is modified by the machine management system (14) based on a comparison of the production time with the removal time and is transmitted to a controller (46, 48) of the machine (12). The machine management method (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that the production of the workpieces (26) by the processing device (18) takes place simultaneously with the removal of the finished workpieces (26). The machine management method (16) according to claim 2, characterized in that the schedule (28) is modified by adjusting the production time of the processing device (18) to the removal time. Machine management method (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a downtime (78) of the processing device (18) and / or of a removal device (20) is predetermined by the machine management system (14), wherein the machine management system (14) modifies the schedule (28) by adding at least one unplanned activity (80) during the downtime (78). Machine management method (16) according to claim 4, characterized in that the machine management system (14) increases the downtime (78) by temporally shifting successive planned activities (68) of the processing device (18) and / or the removal device (20) to carry out the at least one added unplanned activity (80).Machine management method (16) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the unplanned activity (80) is added in the form of an activity monitoring and / or maintaining the condition of the machine (12), in particular in the form of a diagnostic activity, a cleaning activity, a calibration activity, and / or a lubrication activity. Machine management method (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production process data and / or the removal process data are recorded during operation of the machine (12) and evaluated by the machine management system (14). Machine management method (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production time of at least one further machine (12) is determined by the machine management system (14) on the basis of the production process data of the further machine (12), and the removal time of the further machine (12) is determined by the machine management system (14) on the basis of the removal process data of the further machine (12), and wherein the machine management system (14) changes the schedules (28) of the planned activities (68) based on the determined production times and the determined removal times and transmits them to the controllers (46, 48) of the respective machines (12).Machine management method (16) according to claim 8, characterized in that the machine management system (14) transfers at least one planned activity (68) from the schedule (28) of the machine (12) as an unplanned activity (80) into the schedule (28) of the further machine (12), and wherein at least one unplanned activity (80) is added in the schedule (28) of the machine (12) instead of the transferred planned activity (68).Machine management method (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production time is determined based on a workpiece material, a workpiece thickness, a workpiece geometry, the production parameters of the processing device (18) during production of the workpieces (26), a production time, a state of the workpiece support (32), a position of a panel (34) on a pallet changer (36), an error occurring during production and / or a manual interruption during production of the workpieces (26). Machine management method (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removal time is determined based on a workpiece material of the removed workpiece (26), a workpiece thickness of the removed workpiece (26), a number of removed workpieces (26), a number of different workpiece geometries of removed workpieces (26), a workpiece geometry, a position of a panel (34) on the pallet changer (36), a movement sequence of the removal device (20) over the panel (34) during the removal of workpieces (26), and / or a number of workpiece removals. Machine management method (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine management system (14) has a self-learning algorithm, in particular a neural network.Machine management method (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine management method (14) is adapted for implementation on a flatbed machine tool, in particular a laser beam cutting device or a punching device. Machine arrangement (10) with at least one machine (12) and a machine management system (14), wherein the machine (12) has a processing device (18) designed to manufacture workpieces according to a predetermined sequence plan (28), wherein the machine management system (14) is configured to implement the machine management method (16) according to one of the preceding claims. Machine arrangement (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the machine (12) is designed as a flatbed machine tool, in particular as a laser beam cutting device or as a punching device. Machine arrangement (10) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the machine arrangement (10) has two or more, in particular a plurality of, machines (12).

Images