Program and machine tool system

Abstract

To provide a program to be executed on a machine tool having a control board, the program reducing power consumption of a mist collector by controlling operation of the mist collector.SOLUTION: Provided is a program to be executed on a machine tool 100 having a control board 101. A mist collector 300 is attached to the machine tool 100. The mist collector 300 collects mist generated by coolant from inside the machine tool 100, and ON / OFF operation is controlled in response to a control signal from the control board 101. The program causes the control board 101 to execute a process of accepting a selection of an amount of generated mist as a customization setting for controlling the operation of the mist collector 300, generating a control signal for controlling the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 in response to the received amount of mist, and transmitting the control signal to the mist collector 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program and a machine tool system, for example, a program and a machine tool system for controlling the operation of a mist collector installed in a machine tool to reduce the power consumption of the mist collector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a mist collector has been installed in a machine tool that processes a workpiece using a coolant liquid (coolant) supplied from a coolant device, to collect and remove from the machine tool the mist (oil mist) generated by the coolant used when processing the workpiece. The configuration of this mist collector is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The mist collector described in Patent Document 1 includes a fan, a motor for driving the fan, and a filter for collecting mist, and is connected to a cover (main body) of a machine tool via a duct. The mist collector is adapted to suck in air containing mist (oil mist) formed by coolant turning into mist from the machining area of ​​the machine tool by driving the fan. The mist collector then collects the mist contained in the sucked air using a filter, and discharges clean air from which the mist has been removed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7295342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Meanwhile, while the inventor of the present application was conducting research into reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in a machine tool system that includes a machine tool (mother machine), a coolant device that supplies coolant to the machine tool, and a mist collector, he investigated the amount of power consumed during one cycle of operation of the machine tool system. As a result, the ratio of power consumed by the coolant device to the total power consumed by the machine tool system was approximately 65.4%, the ratio of power consumed by the mist collector was 17.5%, and the ratio of power consumed by the machine tool was 17.1%. In other words, it was found that the power consumption of the coolant device accounts for a large proportion of the power consumption of the entire machine tool system, but that the power consumption of the mist collector also accounts for approximately the same proportion as that of the machine tool.

[0006] Therefore, while researching the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) in machine tool systems, the inventors of the present application focused on the power consumption of mist collectors and decided to examine methods of reducing the power consumption of mist collectors. The inventor of the present application noticed that, depending on the tool (blade) or workpiece determined by the machining program of the machine tool (mother machine), some tools generate little mist or no mist even when coolant is sprayed. For example, a tool that processes a workpiece at a slow rotation speed (e.g., a tap) does not generate mist even when coolant is sprayed. Also, depending on the machining content performed by the machine tool, some tools generate a lot of mist and some do not generate much mist. However, in current machine tool systems, the mist collector is designed to operate continuously even when the machine tool (mother machine) is not machining a workpiece. Naturally, it is in operation even when the workpiece is being machined with a tool that does not generate mist, or when the machining content does not generate much mist. Therefore, the inventors of the present application came up with the idea that in a machine tool system, if the operation (operation) of the mist collector is controlled in response to the amount of mist generated by the machine tool (mother machine), the power consumption of the mist collector can be reduced. For example, if the operation of the mist collector is controlled to be stopped when the amount of mist generated inside the machine tool is small, the power consumption of the mist collector can be reduced.

[0007] However, in current machine tool systems, there is no known method or system for controlling the operation of a mist collector in accordance with the amount of mist in the machine tool (mother machine) with a focus on reducing the power consumption of the mist collector.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a program executed on a machine tool having a control board for controlling the operation of a mist collector to reduce the power consumption of the mist collector, and a machine tool system including a machine tool and a mist collector provided on the machine tool, and having a function of reducing the power consumption of the mist collector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is a program executed by a machine tool having a control board equipped with a CPU and a memory, the machine tool is connected to a coolant device that supplies coolant and is equipped with a mist collector, the machine tool selects a corresponding tool according to a preset machining program, and machines a workpiece by mounting the selected tool on a spindle, and is configured to spray the coolant supplied from the coolant device onto the tool and the workpiece, and the mist collector is turned ON when its own operation switch is turned ON, and circulates the mist generated by the coolant from inside the machine tool. and when the operation switch receives a control signal transmitted from the control board while the operation switch is in the ON state, the ON / OFF operation is controlled in accordance with the control signal, and the program is stored in the memory of the control board, and the program causes the control board to execute a first process of accepting a selection of the amount of mist to be generated as a customization setting for operational control of the mist collector, a second process of generating the control signal that controls the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector in accordance with the accepted amount of mist when the amount of mist is accepted in the customization setting, and a third process of sending the control signal to the mist collector.

[0010] In this way, the program of the present invention causes a control board equipped with a CPU and memory to execute a first process of accepting a selection of the amount of mist generated by the machine tool as a customized setting for controlling the operation of the mist collector, a second process of generating the control signal that controls the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector according to the accepted amount of mist when the amount of mist is accepted in the customized setting, and a third process of transmitting the control signal to the mist collector. In other words, according to the program of the present invention, the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector is controlled according to the amount of mist received from the user, which reduces power consumption and contributes to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to conventional technology that continuously operates the mist collector regardless of the amount of mist generated by the machine tool.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first process accepts a selection of one of a large, medium, or small amount of mist to be generated, and that the second process, when a setting of a small amount of mist is accepted, generates the control signal to turn off and stop the mist collector while the tool is being used, and when a setting of a medium amount of mist is accepted, generates the control signal to turn on the mist collector while the spindle to which the tool is attached is rotating and for a predetermined time after the rotation of the spindle has stopped, and turns off and stops the mist collector after the predetermined time has elapsed, and when a setting of a large amount of mist is accepted, generates the control signal instructing the mist collector to be turned on.

[0012] According to the above configuration, when the control board receives the setting of "low mist amount," the mist collector is controlled in response to a control signal from the control board so that the operation of the mist collector stops while the machine tool is using a tool. In addition, when the control board of the machine tool receives the setting of "medium amount of mist," the mist collector is controlled in accordance with a control signal from the control board to turn ON to collect mist while the machine tool's spindle is rotating and for a predetermined time after the spindle stops rotating, and to stop operating after the predetermined time has elapsed. Furthermore, when the control board of the machine tool receives the setting of "high mist amount," the mist collector is brought into an ON operating state in response to a control signal from the control board. In other words, according to the present invention, instead of operating the mist collector continuously as in the prior art, the mist collector can be turned on and off as needed in response to the amount of mist generated by the machine tool, thereby reducing power consumption and efficiently removing mist.

[0013] Further, in the machining program executed by the machine tool, a tool number is defined which identifies a tool used in the machining program, and in the customization setting of the first process, when a selection of the mist amount is accepted, customization setting priority information indicating whether or not the operation of the mist collector is controlled by the customization setting for each tool number which identifies a tool mounted on the machine tool can be accepted. When the customization setting priority information is accepted in addition to the selection of the mist amount, in the second process, using the accepted customization setting priority information, it is determined whether or not the mist collector is to be controlled by the customization setting for each tool having a tool number defined in the corresponding machining program of the machine tool, and when the workpiece is machined using a tool having a tool number for which it has been determined that the mist collector is to be controlled by the customization setting, it is preferable to generate the control signal according to the mist amount, and when the workpiece is machined using a tool having a tool number for which it has been determined that the mist collector is not to be controlled by the customization setting, generate the control signal instructing an ON operation of the mist collector.

[0014] According to the above configuration, even if a customized setting is used to control the mist collector depending on the amount of mist, it is possible to set whether or not to control the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector using the customized setting for each tool number (tool). Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to set whether to control the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector according to the amount of mist depending on the tool used to process the workpiece, or to operate the mist collector continuously as in the conventional technology.

[0015] Furthermore, in the customization setting of the first process, when the selection of the mist amount is accepted, it is desirable to be able to further accept, for each tool number identifying a tool mounted on the machine tool, the setting of the predetermined time for which the mist collector is to be kept in ON operation after the machining operation by the tool having that tool number is completed. According to this configuration, when the setting of "medium amount of mist" is accepted in the customization setting, the time for which the mist collector remains ON even after the rotation of the spindle has stopped can be set for each tool.

[0016] Furthermore, the customized setting of the first process can accept a setting of a time before the end of the machining program operation, which is the time for operating the mist collector before the end of the machining program operation, and a setting of a time after the end of the machining program operation, which is the time for operating the mist collector after the end of the machining program operation. In the second process, when a setting of the time before the end of the machining program operation is accepted in the customized setting, the control signal is generated including a command to turn on the mist collector for the accepted time before the end of the machining program operation before the scheduled end time of the machining program, and when a setting of the time after the end of the machining program operation is accepted in the customized setting, the control signal is generated including a command to turn on the mist collector for the accepted time after the scheduled end time of the machining program.

[0017] The present invention also provides a machine tool system including a machine tool to which coolant is supplied from a coolant device, and a mist collector attached to the machine tool, wherein the machine tool is configured to select a corresponding tool in accordance with a preset machining program, and to machine a workpiece by mounting the selected tool on a spindle, and is configured to spray the coolant supplied from the coolant device onto the tool and the workpiece, and the mist collector is configured to turn ON when its operation switch is turned ON to collect mist generated by the coolant from inside the machine tool, and when the operation switch is turned ON and receives a control signal transmitted from the control board, the ON / OFF operation is controlled in accordance with the control signal, and the machine tool is configured to be able to accept a selection of any one of a large, medium, or small amount of mist generated as a customization setting for controlling the operation of the mist collector, and when the mist amount is received in the customization setting, the machine tool has a mist collector power suppression unit that generates the control signal for controlling the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector in accordance with the received amount of mist, and a communications processing unit that transmits the control signal to the mist collector. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program executed on a machine tool having a control board, for controlling the operation of a mist collector to reduce the power consumption of the mist collector. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a machine tool system including a machine tool and a mist collector provided on the machine tool, the machine tool system having a function of reducing the power consumption of the mist collector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a machine tool system including a machining center and a mist collector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between a tool attached to a spindle of a machining center of a machine tool system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a workpiece to be machined, and coolant supplied from a coolant device. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a mist collector provided in the machine tool system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 13 is a schematic diagram showing a screen for accepting customized settings for the ON / OFF operation of a mist collector provided by a machining center of the machine tool system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a data configuration of a customization setting priority information database provided in a control unit of the machining center according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0020] Below, we will explain with reference to the drawings a machine tool system equipped with a machining center and a mist collector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a program executed in a machining center having a control board equipped with a CPU and memory, which controls the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector provided in the machining center to reduce power consumption of the machine tool system.

[0021] <<Overall configuration of machine tool system>> First, a schematic configuration of a machine tool system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a machine tool system including a machining center and a mist collector according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between a tool attached to a spindle of a machining center of the machine tool system according to this embodiment, a workpiece to be machined, and a coolant supplied from a coolant device. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a mist collector provided in the machine tool system according to this embodiment.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the machine tool system of this embodiment includes a machining center (machine tool) 100, a coolant device 200 connected to the machining center 100 and operating in response to a coolant control signal sent from the machining center 100 to supply coolant (coolant liquid) to the machining center 100, and a mist collector 300 that collects mist generated by the coolant from the machining center 100.

[0023] The machining center 100 also has a control unit 101 consisting of a control board with a CPU and memory and a control device, a display unit 102 consisting of an LCD display or the like, an operation unit 103 consisting of operation buttons and the like, and a machine tool unit 104 equipped with an automatic tool changing function.

[0024] 2, the machine tool section 104 of the machining center 100 is equipped with a spindle 1 on which a tool 2 is attached. The machine tool section 104 also includes a center through coolant nozzle (not shown) for supplying center through coolant (SPC) to the cutting edge of the tool 2 through a through hole in the spindle 1 and the tool 2, a cutting nozzle 3 for spraying cutting coolant (CUTC) onto the workpiece W being machined, and a bed cleaning nozzle 4 for spraying bed cleaning coolant (BEDC) for cleaning a bed B that stores used coolant. Furthermore, the machine tool unit 104 is capable of automatically changing the tool 2 attached to the spindle 1 in accordance with the machining program by using an automatic tool changing function.

[0025] The control unit 101 controls the operation of the machine tool unit 104 to machine the workpiece W with the tool 2 defined in the machining program. Specifically, the control unit 101 selects a corresponding tool 2 in accordance with a preset machining program, and mounts the selected tool 2 on the spindle 1 to machine the workpiece W. When the control unit 101 causes the machine tool unit 104 to machine the workpiece W, it also transmits a coolant control signal to the coolant device 200 to control the operation of the coolant device 200 and receive a supply of coolant required for the machining. During machining of the workpiece W, coolant is sprayed from the center through coolant nozzle and the cutting nozzle 3 onto the tool 2 and the workpiece W. At this time, inside the machining center 100, mist (oil mist) is generated by the coolant sprayed onto the tool 2 and the workpiece W.

[0026] In addition, the control unit 101 can accept a selection from the user of "large," "medium," or "small" amounts of mist generated for each processing program as a customization setting for the operational control of the mist collector 300. In addition, when the control unit 101 receives the mist amount in the customized setting, it generates a mist collector control signal (control signal) that controls the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 according to the received mist amount, and transmits the generated mist collector control signal to the mist collector 300. The mist collector 300 receives a mist collector control signal sent from the control unit 101, and the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 is controlled in accordance with the received mist collector control signal.

[0027] The control unit 101 of the machining center 100 of this embodiment includes a machine control unit 110 for controlling the operation of the machine tool unit 104, a coolant control unit 111 for generating a coolant control signal for controlling the operation of the coolant device 200, a setting processing unit 112 for receiving various settings from a user, a communication processing unit 113 for transmitting and receiving various information to and from external devices (the coolant device 200, the mist collector 300), a mist collector power suppression unit 115 for generating a mist collector control signal for controlling the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300, and a storage unit 120. The storage unit 120 also stores a mist amount setting database 121 and a customized setting priority information database 122.

[0028] The control unit 110 is configured, for example, by a control board (a control board having the functions of a computer) equipped with a CPU, memory (main storage device, auxiliary storage device), an I / O interface, and a communication interface.

[0029] Among the components of the control unit 101, the "machine control unit 110, coolant control unit 111, setting processing unit 112, and communication processing unit 113" are those that are installed in existing machining centers 100 as standard specifications. In this embodiment, a mist collector power suppression unit 115 that suppresses the power consumption of the mist collector 300 is added to the configuration of the control units (machine control unit 110, coolant control unit 111, setting processing unit 112, communication processing unit 113) that are installed in the machining center 100 as standard specifications, and control information (mist amount setting database 121, customized setting priority information database 122) for controlling the mist collector 300 received from the user is added. The portion enclosed by the dashed line in Fig. 1 (portion indicated by symbol A) is the configuration added to the machining center 100 of the standard specifications.

[0030] That is, the machine tool system of this embodiment is realized by installing a program (power consumption reduction program) for realizing the function of the mist collector power reduction unit 115 for reducing the power consumption of the mist collector 300 in the control units (machine control unit 110, coolant control unit 111, setting processing unit 112, communication processing unit 113) that are installed as standard in the machining center 100. In this manner, in this embodiment, a program (power consumption reduction program) for realizing the function of the mist collector power reduction unit 115 can be retrofitted to the control unit (control board or control device) 101 of an existing machine tool, thereby contributing to reducing the power consumption of the existing machine tool system.

[0031] <<Configuration of Mist Collector 300>> Next, the configuration of the mist collector 300 constituting the machine tool system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a mist collector provided in the machine tool system of the present embodiment. Since the mist collector 300 of this embodiment uses existing technology, only the parts related to the features of the present invention will be described.

[0032] 3, the mist collector 300 includes an operation switch (not shown) that accepts ON / OFF operations, a control board 310 that controls the operation of the entire device (mist collector 300), a fan 320, a motor 330 for driving the fan 320, and a filter 340 for collecting mist. The mist collector 300 is connected to a cover body (main body) of a machining center via a duct (not shown). When the mist collector 300 is turned on, the motor 330 operates the fan to suck in air containing mist (oil mist) formed by the coolant turning into mist from the machining area of ​​the machine tool. The mist collector 300 then uses a filter to capture the mist contained in the sucked air, and discharges clean air from which the mist has been removed.

[0033] Moreover, when the operation switch of the mist collector 300 is turned on, the mist collector 300 operates to collect air containing mist generated by the coolant from inside (the machining area) of the machining center 100. When the mist collector 300 receives a mist collector control signal transmitted from the machining center 100 with the operation switch in the on state, the mist collector 300 is controlled to turn on / off according to the received mist collector control signal.

[0034] Specifically, the control board 310 of the mist collector 300 has a control unit 311 that drives the motor 330 to rotate the fan 320 when the operation switch of the mist collector 300 is turned on, and a communication processing unit 312 that receives a mist collector control signal transmitted from the machining center 100. In addition, when the control unit 311 receives a mist collector control signal via the communication processing unit 312 while the operation switch is in the ON state, it controls the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 in accordance with the received mist collector control signal.

[0035] Configuration of the coolant device 200 Next, the configuration of the coolant device 200 constituting the machine tool system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the coolant device 200 of this embodiment uses existing technology, only the parts related to the features of the present invention will be described.

[0036] The coolant device 200 has a control board 201 that receives coolant control signals sent from the machining center 100 and controls the operation of the entire device, a coolant tank 205 that stores coolant liquid, a center through coolant (SPC) pump 202 for supplying center through coolant (SPC) to the machining center 100, a cutting coolant (CUTC) pump 203 for supplying cutting coolant (CUTC) to the machining center 100, a BEDC pump 204 for supplying bed cleaning coolant (BEDC) to the machining center 100, and an inverter control board 220 for controlling the SPC pump 203.

[0037] The SPC pump 202 is connected to a center through coolant nozzle of the machining center 100 by a pipe 230. The SPC pump 202 operates under the control of an inverter control board 220 that receives a command signal from a control board 201, pumps up the coolant stored in a coolant tank 205, and supplies the SPC to the machining center 100 via the pipe 230.

[0038] In the coolant device 200 of this embodiment, since there is a risk of the SPC pump 202 breaking down if it frequently performs ON / OFF operations, an inverter control board 220 is provided and the SPC pump 202 is operated by inverter control rather than ON / OFF control. Specifically, an opening and closing valve is provided in the piping (piping inside the coolant device 200) to which the SPC pump 202 is connected. Only when SPC is supplied from the SPC pump 202 to the machining center 100, the on-off valve is opened and the inverter control board 220 causes the SPC pump 202 to operate at an increased rotation speed. On the other hand, when the SPC is not supplied from the SPC pump 202 to the machining center 100, the on-off valve is closed and the inverter control board 220 operates the SPC pump 202 at a slower rotation speed. At this time, the coolant pumped up from the SPC pump 202 cannot flow beyond the on-off valve and is returned to the coolant tank 205.

[0039] Moreover, the CUTC pump 203 is connected to the cutting nozzle 3 of the machining center 100 by a pipe 231. The CUTC pump 203 operates in response to a command signal (operation command) from the control board 201 to pump up the coolant stored in the coolant tank 205 and supply the CUTC to the machining center 100 via the piping 231. Furthermore, when the operating CUTC pump 203 receives a command signal (stop command) from the control board 201, it stops operating and stops supplying the CUTC to the machining center 100.

[0040] The BEDC pump 204 is connected to the bed cleaning nozzle 4 of the machining center 100 via a pipe 232. The BEDC pump 204 operates in response to a command signal (operation command) from the control board 201 to pump up the coolant stored in the coolant tank 205 and supply the BEDC to the machining center 100 via the piping 233. Furthermore, when the operating BEDC pump 204 receives a command signal (stop command) from the control board 201, the pump 204 stops operating and stops supplying BEDC to the machining center 100.

[0041] In addition, the coolant tank 205 is connected via a return pipe 235 to "bed B in which used coolant is stored" provided in the machine tool section 104 of the machining center 100, so that the used coolant stored in bed B flows into the coolant tank 205 via the return pipe 235. Although not shown in the figure, the coolant device 200 is provided with a purification device (e.g., a purification filter) that purifies the "used coolant" flowing in from the machining center 100. The used coolant flowing in from bed B is returned to the coolant tank 205 after impurities such as cutting chips and shavings are removed by the purification device.

[0042] In addition, the control board 201 is connected to the control unit 101 of the machining center 100 by wire or wirelessly, and is configured to transmit and receive various types of information to and from the machining center 100. The control board 201 receives coolant device control signals transmitted from the machining center 100, and controls the pumps (the pump 202 for SPC, the pump 203 for CUTC, and the pump 204 for BEDC) and the inverter control board 220 in accordance with the received coolant device control signals.

[0043] <<Explanation of the characteristic configuration of the machining center 100>> Next, the characteristic configuration of the machining center 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, as well as FIGS. Here, Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a screen for accepting customized settings for the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector provided by the machining center of the machine tool system of this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the data configuration of a customized setting priority information database provided in the control unit of the machining center of this embodiment.

[0044] The machining center 100 of this embodiment is characterized by the configuration of the control unit 101 that controls the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 (mist collector power suppression unit 115, control information received from the user (mist amount setting database 121, customized setting priority information database 122)), and the other configurations (machine control unit 110, coolant control unit 111, setting processing unit 112, and communication processing unit 113 in the control unit 111) are the same as those of existing technologies. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the configuration of the control unit 101 for controlling the operation of the mist collector 300 will be described in detail, and the other configurations will be described in a simplified manner (or will not be described at all).

[0045] As described above, the control unit 101 is composed of, for example, a control board (a control board with computer functions) equipped with a CPU, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, an I / O interface, and a communication interface, or a control device (computer). The auxiliary storage device also stores a standard specification program for implementing the functions of each unit (machine control unit 110, coolant control unit 111, setting processing unit 112, and communication processing unit 113) and a power consumption reduction program for implementing the function of the mist collector power reduction unit 115. A storage unit 120 is also formed in a predetermined area of ​​the auxiliary storage device.

[0046] The functions of each part of the control unit 101 (machine control unit 110, coolant control unit 111, setting processing unit 112, communication processing unit 113) are realized by the CPU loading the standard specification program stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executing it. Also, the function of the mist collector power reduction unit 115 is realized by the CPU loading the power consumption reduction program stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executing it. In other words, each of the above programs is configured to cause the control unit (control board, or control device) 101 to execute processing to realize the functions of each unit (machine control unit 11-, coolant control unit 111, setting processing unit 112, communication processing unit 113, and mist collector power suppression unit 115).

[0047] Specifically, the machine control unit 110 controls the operation of the machine tool unit 104 in accordance with the set machining program, and causes the machine tool unit 104 to machine the workpiece W. In addition, the machine control unit 110 notifies the coolant control unit 111 and the mist collector power reduction unit 115 of the machining program set by the user. In addition, a machining program defines a tool number that identifies the tool 2 used in that machining program. The machine control unit 110 mounts the tool 2 corresponding to the machine tool unit 104 on the spindle 1, and controls the operation of the machine tool unit 104 in accordance with the machining program.

[0048] The coolant control unit 111 generates a coolant control signal for controlling the operation of each pump (the SPC pump 203, the CUTC pump 204, and the BEDC pump 205) of the coolant unit 200 according to a predetermined "default control setting (default control setting) of the coolant unit 200" in accordance with a machining program executed by the machine tool unit 104. In addition, the coolant control unit 111 transmits the coolant control signal to the coolant unit 200 via the communication processing unit 113.

[0049] The setting processing unit 112 displays a screen on the display unit 102 for accepting various settings such as settings of the machine tool unit 104 (settings of a tool number for identifying the tool 2 to be mounted and settings of a machining program) and accepts various settings from the user via the operation unit 103. The setting processing unit 112 also stores the various accepted settings in memory (auxiliary storage device, main storage device).

[0050] In addition, the mist collector power suppression unit 115 has a function of accepting customized settings for the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300. Moreover, the mist collector power reduction unit 115 has a function of controlling the operation of the mist collector 300 in accordance with the above-mentioned accepted customization setting.

[0051] <<Function to accept customized settings>> Next, among the functions of the mist collector power suppression unit 115, a function of accepting customized settings for the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 will be described. Specifically, the mist collector power reduction unit 115 displays the customization setting screen 400 for the mist collector 300 shown in Figure 4 on the display unit 102 consisting of an LCD display or the like, and accepts customization settings for the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 via the operation unit 103 consisting of operation buttons, a keyboard, etc.

[0052] The illustrated customization setting screen 400 includes an area 401 for accepting settings for the machining program, an area 402 for accepting the amount of mist generated by the machining performed by the machining center 100, and an area 403 for accepting customization setting priority information indicating whether or not the operation of the mist collector 300 is to be controlled by the customization setting for each tool number identifying the tool 2.

[0053] Area 401 of the customization setting screen 400 is provided to accept input of information identifying a processing program (information such as a processing program number), and is capable of accepting customization settings for the mist collector 300 for each processing program. The machining program is determined, for example, as follows: "A machining process with tool T01 → B machining process with tool T02 → C machining process with tool T03 → . . . → N machining process with tool T010." The machining center 100 selects tool 2 of the tool number according to the machining program, mounts the selected tool 2 on the spindle 1, and drives the spindle 1 to machine the workpiece W.

[0054] An area 402 of the customization setting screen 400 is provided for receiving the amount of mist generated by the machining center 100 . Specifically, in area 402, the amount of mist in the processing program received in area 401 can be selectively set to one of three amounts: “large,” “medium,” or “small.” When a setting for the amount of mist in area 402 is received as "large," "medium," or "small," the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector is controlled according to the amount of mist received.

[0055] When the mist collector power reduction unit 115 receives a mist amount (either "high", "medium", or "low") for each processing program in areas 401, 402 of the customization setting screen 400, it generates a mist amount setting database 121 in which the received processing program number is associated with the received mist amount (either "high", "medium", or "low"), and stores it in the memory unit 120.

[0056] When the mist collector power reduction unit 115 receives a setting of "large (high)" mist amount for a certain machining program in areas 401 and 402 of the customization setting screen 400, it controls the mist collector 200 to operate normally (operation that prioritizes machine settings) when machining the workpiece W with that machining program. In this embodiment, the control of the normal operation (operation prioritizing machine settings) of the mist collector 300 refers to control of the mist collector 300 to be continuously in "ON operation."

[0057] Furthermore, when the mist collector power reduction unit 115 receives a setting of "medium (intermediate)" mist amount for a certain machining program in areas 401, 402 of the customization setting screen 400, when machining a workpiece W with that machining program, the mist collector 300 is turned ON while the spindle 1 on which the tool 2 specified in the machining program is attached is rotating and for a predetermined time (a time set for each tool 2) after the rotation of the spindle 1 on which the tool 2 is attached has stopped, and then (after the predetermined time has elapsed) the mist collector 300 is turned OFF and stopped.

[0058] In addition, when the mist collector power reduction unit 115 receives a setting of "low (little)" mist amount for a certain machining program in areas 401, 402 of the customization setting screen 400, when machining the workpiece W with that machining program, the mist collector is controlled to be turned off and stopped while the tool 2 specified in the machining program is being used.

[0059] In addition, area 403 of the customization setting screen 400 is configured to receive, when a customization setting for controlling the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 according to the amount of mist for each machining program is received in the above-mentioned areas 401 and 402, information indicating whether or not the operation of the mist collector 300 is controlled by the customization setting for each tool number identifying the tool 2 can be received.

[0060] In the illustrated example, area 403 of customization setting screen 400 is provided with area 403a for receiving information (either "ON" or "OFF") indicating whether or not the operation of mist collector 300 is to be controlled by the customization setting for each tool number identifying tool 2, and area 403b for receiving a predetermined time for which mist collector 300 is to be kept operating ON after rotation of spindle 1 to which tool 2 is attached has stopped. Moreover, an area 403c is provided at the bottom of the area 403 of the customization setting screen 400. In this area 403c, it is possible to receive a setting for a time before the end of the processing program operation, which is a time for operating the mist collector 300 before the end of the processing program operation, and a setting for a time after the end of the processing program operation, which is a time for operating the mist collector 300 after the end of the processing program operation.

[0061] When not setting the time before the machining program operation ends in the area 403c, "0 seconds" is input in the corresponding section of the area 403c. When not setting the time after the machining program operation ends in the area 403c, "0 seconds" is input in the corresponding section of the area 403c.

[0062] Then, if "ON" is set for a certain tool number in area 403a, while the workpiece W is being processed with the tool 2 of that tool number in the processing program of the processing program number received in area 401, the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 is controlled by the customized setting (control setting of the ON / OFF operation according to the set amount of mist). Also, if "OFF" is set for a certain tool number, while machining is being performed with the tool 2 of that tool number in the machining program of the machining program number accepted in the area 401, the mist collector 200 is controlled to operate normally (operation with priority given to the machine setting) rather than to control the ON / OFF operation according to the set mist amount. That is, the mist collector 300 is controlled to operate "ON" continuously.

[0063] In addition, in the area 403b of the customization setting screen 400, only when the amount of mist is set to "Medium (medium level)" in the area 402 and "ON" is set in the area 403a, it is possible to set a predetermined time for which the mist collector 300 continues to operate ON after the rotation of the spindle 1 to which the tool 2 is attached has stopped. In other cases, "0 seconds" is automatically input because the mist collector 300 is controlled to operate continuously or is controlled to stop when the tool 2 is used.

[0064] In addition, when a setting is made in area 403c of the customization setting screen 400 for a period of time before the end of the processing program operation, the mist collector power reduction unit 115 controls the mist collector 300 to be turned on for a period of time before the end of the accepted processing program operation, based on the scheduled end time of the corresponding processing program. In addition, when a time period after the end of the processing program operation is set in area 403c of the customization setting screen 400, the mist collector power reduction unit 115 controls the mist collector 300 to be turned on for a time period after the end of the accepted processing program operation, based on the scheduled end time of the corresponding processing program.

[0065] In addition, when the mist collector power reduction unit 115 receives settings in area 403 of the customization setting screen 400, such as "information indicating whether or not to control the operation of the mist collector 300 with the customization setting for each tool number, and a specified time for which the mist collector 300 is kept operating ON after the rotation of the spindle 1 stops", "time before the end of the machining program operation", and "time after the end of the machining program operation", the mist collector power reduction unit 115 generates a customization setting priority information database 122 in which the received information is registered, and stores it in the memory unit 120.

[0066] Specifically, the customization setting priority information database 122 is provided with a table-format database for each accepted machining program number, as shown in FIG. In addition, the customized setting priority information database 122 associates with each tool number (tool 2) information (either "ON" or "OFF") indicating whether the customized setting (control of the mist collector 300 according to the received mist amount) is prioritized or not, and also associates with each tool 2 a "predetermined time for which the mist collector 300 is kept operating ON after the rotation of the spindle 1 stops" and registers the same. In addition, in the illustrated customization setting priority information database 122, at the bottom end, "time before machining program operation ends" and "time after machining program operation ends" are registered.

[0067] <Function to control the operation of the mist collector 300> Next, the function of controlling the operation of the mist collector 300 will be described.

[0068] When the machine control unit 110 operates the machine tool unit 104 in accordance with the machining program, the mist collector power suppression unit 115 acquires information (machining program number) for identifying the corresponding machining program from the machine control unit 109. Furthermore, the mist collector power reduction unit 115 accesses the mist amount setting database 121 stored in the storage unit 120, and reads out the mist amount associated with the acquired machining program number. In addition, the mist collector power reduction unit 115 reads out the customization setting priority information (table-format database) in which the acquired machining program number is registered from the customization setting priority information database 122 stored in the storage unit 120. In order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed here that the read customization setting priority information has "0 seconds" registered in the "time before machining program operation ends" and "time after machining program operation ends."

[0069] When the machine control unit 110 controls the machine tool unit 104 to select a tool 2 according to a machining program and machine a workpiece W, the mist collector power reduction unit 115 obtains from the machine control unit 110 the tool number of the tool 2 to be selected according to the corresponding machining program. The mist collector power reduction unit 115 refers to the read "customization setting priority information corresponding to the machining program number" and the acquired tool number, and determines whether or not to prioritize the customization setting of the mist collector 300 (control of the mist collector according to the received mist amount) when machining with the tool 2 of the corresponding tool number. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 5, "ON" is associated with "tool number: T01", so it is determined that the customized settings are prioritized when machining with tool 2 with tool number "T01". Also, in the example shown in Fig. 5, "OFF" is associated with "tool number: T07", so it is determined that the customized settings are not prioritized when machining with tool 2 with tool number "T07".

[0070] Below, we will explain two cases: when the customization settings are given priority when machining with tool 2 of the corresponding tool number, and the operation of the mist collector 300 is controlled by the customization settings, and when the customization settings are not given priority, and the operation of the mist collector 300 is controlled by the contents of the machine settings (default operation settings) of the mist collector 300.

[0071] When it is determined that customization settings are to be prioritized: When the mist collector power reduction unit 115 determines that the customized settings should be prioritized for the corresponding tool 2, it generates a mist collector control signal that controls the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 according to the received amount of mist when machining the workpiece W with the tool 2, and transmits the mist collector control signal to the mist collector 300 via the communication processing unit 113. Below, the cases where the customized settings are prioritized will be described for each received mist amount.

[0072] <When the amount of mist received is large> When the "amount of mist associated with the processing program number" read from the mist amount setting database 121 is "large," the mist collector power suppression unit 115 generates a mist collector control signal that commands the mist collector 200 to "operate ON" continuously, and transmits the mist collector control signal to the control board 310 of the mist collector 300 via the communication processing unit 113. When the mist collector 300 receives the mist collector control signal while the mist collector 300 is in an ON state, the mist collector 300 continues to be in an ON state. Also, if the mist collector 300 receives this mist collector control signal while the mist collector 300 is stopped, for example, due to a machining step performed prior to this machining program, the mist collector will start continuous operation.

[0073] When the amount of mist received is medium (medium) When the "amount of mist associated with the machining program number" read from the mist amount setting database 121 is "medium (medium level)", the mist collector power suppression unit 115 generates a mist collector control signal instructing the machine tool unit 104 to turn on the mist collector 300 while the spindle 1 to which the corresponding tool 2 is attached is rotating and for a predetermined time (the time set for the corresponding tool 2) after the spindle 1 to which the corresponding tool 2 is attached has stopped rotating, and then (after the predetermined time has elapsed) to turn off the mist collector 300 and stop it, and transmits the mist collector control signal to the control board 310 of the mist collector 300 via the communication processing unit 113. In addition, when the mist collector 300 receives this mist collector control signal while in ON operation, it temporarily stops operating and then operates according to the command content of the mist collector control signal.

[0074] When the amount of mist received is small When the "amount of mist associated with the machining program number" read from the mist amount setting database 121 is "small (little)", the mist collector power suppression unit 115 generates a mist collector control signal that commands the mist collector to be turned off and stopped while the corresponding tool is in use, and transmits the mist collector control signal to the control board 310 of the mist collector 300 via the communication processing unit 113. When the mist collector 300 receives this mist collector control signal while in an OFF operating state (stopped state), the mist collector 300 continues to be stopped.

[0075] <When it is determined that customization settings are not prioritized> When the mist collector power suppression unit 115 determines that the customized setting for the tool 2 of the corresponding tool number is not to be prioritized, it generates a mist collector control signal for continuously turning on the mist collector 300 when machining the workpiece W with the tool 2 of the corresponding tool number, and transmits the mist collector control signal to the control board 310 of the mist collector 300. Then, the mist collector power suppression unit 115 transmits the generated mist collector control signal to the mist collector 300 via the communication processing unit 113. When the mist collector 300 receives this mist collector control signal while the mist collector 300 is in an ON state, the mist collector 300 continues to operate continuously. Furthermore, when the mist collector 300 receives this mist collector control signal while in an OFF operating state (stopped state), the mist collector 300 starts continuous operation.

[0076] <When the time before the end of the machining program is set> Next, a process performed by the mist collector power reduction unit 115 in a case where "time before machining program operation ends" is registered in the customization setting priority information database 122 will be described. In this case, the mist collector power suppression unit 115 generates a mist collector control signal including a command to turn on the mist collector 300 for a period of time before the end of the accepted machining program operation, based on the scheduled end time of the corresponding machining program. Then, the mist collector power suppression unit 115 transmits the generated mist collector control signal to the mist collector 300 via the communication processing unit 113.

[0077] With this configuration, when the mist collector 300 receives the above-mentioned mist collector control signal, it continues to operate ON for a period of time before the scheduled end of the machining program of the machine tool 100, and then stops operating.

[0078] <When the time is set after the machining program finishes> Next, a process performed by the mist collector power reduction unit 115 in a case where "time after the end of the machining program operation" is registered in the customization setting priority information database 122 will be described. In this case, the mist collector power suppression unit 115 generates a mist collector control signal including a command to turn on the mist collector 300 for 1 hour after the end of the accepted processing program operation, based on the scheduled end time of the processing program. The mist collector power suppression unit 115 also transmits the generated mist collector control signal to the mist collector 300 via the communication processing unit 113.

[0079] With this configuration, when the mist collector 300 receives the above-mentioned mist collector control signal, it continues to operate ON for a certain amount of time after the end of the accepted machining program operation, based on the scheduled end time of the machining program of the machine tool 100, and then stops operating.

[0080] In this way, the "power consumption reduction program" for realizing the function of the mist collector power reduction unit 115 in this embodiment causes the control unit (control board) 101 of the machining center 100 to execute the following processes: accepting a selection of the amount of mist generated by the machining center 100 as a customized setting for the operation control of the mist collector 300; if the mist amount is accepted in the customized setting, generating a mist collector control signal that controls the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 according to the accepted mist amount; and transmitting the mist collector control signal to the mist collector 300. As a result, according to the power consumption reduction program of this embodiment, the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 is controlled according to the amount of mist received from the user, which reduces power consumption and contributes to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to the conventional technology where the mist collector is continuously operated regardless of the amount of mist generated by the machining center 100. That is, according to this embodiment, the mist collector 300 can be turned ON / OFF as necessary according to the amount of mist generated by the machining center 100, so that the mist generated by the machining center 100 can be efficiently removed while reducing power consumption.

[0081] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the customized setting is set to control the mist collector 300 depending on the amount of mist, it is possible to set whether or not to control the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector using the customized setting for each tool number that identifies the tool 2 mounted on the machining center 100. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to set whether to control the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 according to the amount of mist, or to operate the mist collector continuously as in the conventional technology, depending on the tool 2 that processes the workpiece W. For example, this is useful in cases where almost no mist is generated in the entire process of a machining program, but a large amount of mist is generated only in a process using a certain tool 2 in the machining program. In this case, the amount of mist set for each machining program can be set to "low (or medium)," and the tool 2 in the process that generates a large amount of mist can be set to "not control the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector in the customized setting."

[0082] In addition, in this embodiment, when the selection of the mist amount is accepted in the customization settings, it is further possible to accept the setting of a predetermined number of seconds for which the mist collector 300 is to remain ON after the machining operation by the tool 2 of the tool number is completed, for each tool number that identifies the tool 2 mounted on the machining center 100. According to this configuration, when a setting of “medium amount of mist” is accepted in the customization settings, the time for which the mist collector remains ON even after the rotation of the spindle 1 has stopped can be set for each tool 2.

[0083] As described above, according to this embodiment, a program (power consumption reduction program) can be provided that is executed in a machining center (machine tool) 100 having a control board 101, and that controls the operation of the mist collector 300 to reduce the power consumption of the mist collector 300. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a machine tool system can be provided that includes a machining center (machine tool) 100 and a mist collector 300 provided in the machining center 100, and that has a function of reducing the power consumption of the mist collector 300.

[0084] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0085] For example, in the above embodiment, the mist collector power suppression unit 115 is configured to receive the mist amount for each processing program, but is not limited to this. The mist collector power suppression unit 115 may be configured to receive the mist amount setting regardless of the processing program.

[0086] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the mist collector power reduction unit 115 accepts the amount of mist for each machining program as a customization setting, and further accepts, for each tool, whether or not to perform control based on the accepted customization setting, but this is not particularly limited to this. For example, the mist collector power suppression unit 115 may receive the amount of mist for each tool and control the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector 300 according to the received amount of mist for each tool. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1...Spindle 2...Tools 3…Cutting nozzle 4…Bed cleaning nozzle B…Bed W…Work 100...Machining center (machine tool) 101...Control unit 102...Display section 103...Operation unit 104…Machine tool department 110...Machine control unit 111...Coolant control unit 112...setting processing unit 113...Communication processing unit 115...Mist collector power suppression section 120...Storage section 121…Mist volume setting database 122…Customization settings priority information database 200…Coolant unit 201...Control board 202…SPC pump 203…CUTC pump 204…BEDC pump 205…Coolant tank 220...Inverter control board 230, 231, 232...Piping 235…Return pipe 300…Mist collector 310…Control board 311...Control unit 312...Communication processing unit 320…Fan 330…Motor 340…Filter

Claims

1. A program executed on a machine tool having a control board equipped with a CPU and a memory, A coolant device for supplying coolant is connected to the machine tool, and a mist collector is attached to the machine tool. The machine tool is configured to select a corresponding tool in accordance with a preset machining program, mount the selected tool on a spindle, and machine a workpiece, and to spray the coolant supplied from the coolant device onto the tool and the workpiece. When an operation switch of the mist collector is turned on, the mist collector is turned on to collect mist generated by the coolant from inside the machine tool, and when the operation switch is turned on and a control signal is received from the control board, the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector is controlled in response to the control signal. The program is stored in the memory of the control board, The program is written on the control board. A first process of accepting a selection of the amount of mist to be generated as a customization setting for operational control of the mist collector; A second process of generating the control signal for controlling an ON / OFF operation of the mist collector according to the mist amount received in the customized setting; and a third process of transmitting the control signal to the mist collector.

2. In the first process, a selection of a large amount of mist, a medium amount of mist, or a small amount of mist is accepted, In the second process, When the setting of the small amount of mist is received, the control signal is generated to turn off the mist collector and stop it while the tool is being used, When a medium mist amount setting is received, the control signal is generated to turn on the mist collector while the spindle to which the tool is attached is rotating and for a predetermined time after the rotation of the spindle has stopped, and to turn off the mist collector after the predetermined time has elapsed, 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein when the setting of the large amount of mist is received, the control signal is generated to instruct an ON operation of the mist collector.

3. A machining program executed by the machine tool defines a tool number that identifies a tool used in the machining program, In the customization setting of the first process, when the selection of the mist amount is accepted, customization setting priority information indicating whether or not the operation of the mist collector is controlled by the customization setting can be accepted for each tool number identifying a tool mounted on the machine tool, In addition to the selection of the mist amount, when the customization setting priority information is received, in the second process, Using the received customization setting priority information, it is determined whether or not to control the mist collector with the customization setting for each tool having a tool number defined in the corresponding machining program of the machine tool; When the workpiece is machined by the tool having the tool number determined to control the mist collector in the customization setting, the control signal is generated according to the amount of mist; 3. The program according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the workpiece is machined using a tool having a tool number for which the customization setting has determined that the mist collector is not to be controlled, the control signal is generated to instruct the mist collector to be turned on.

4. 4. The program according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that in the customization setting of the first process, when the selection of the mist amount is accepted, the program can further accept, for each tool number identifying a tool mounted on the machine tool, a setting of the predetermined time for keeping the mist collector in an ON state after a machining operation by the tool having that tool number is completed.

5. In the customization setting of the first process, a setting of a time before the end of the machining program operation, which is a time for operating the mist collector before the end of the machining program operation, and a setting of a time after the end of the machining program operation, which is a time for operating the mist collector after the end of the machining program operation, can be accepted. In the second process, When a setting of a time before the end of the machining program operation is accepted in the customization setting, the control signal is generated including a command to turn on the mist collector for the time before the end of the machining program operation, before the scheduled end time of the machining program, based on the time point of the scheduled end time of the machining program; 4. The program according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when a setting of a time after the end of the machining program operation is accepted in the customization setting, the control signal is generated including a command to turn on the mist collector for the accepted time after the end of the machining program operation, based on a point in time when the machining program is scheduled to end.

6. A machine tool system including a machine tool to which a coolant is supplied from a coolant device and a mist collector attached to the machine tool, The machine tool is configured to select a corresponding tool in accordance with a preset machining program, mount the selected tool on a spindle, and machine a workpiece, and to spray the coolant supplied from the coolant device onto the tool and the workpiece. When an operation switch of the mist collector is turned on, the mist collector is turned on to collect mist generated by the coolant from inside the machine tool, and when the operation switch is turned on and a control signal is received from the control board, the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector is controlled in response to the control signal. The machine tool comprises: A mist collector power suppression unit that is configured to be able to accept a selection of a large amount of mist, a medium amount of mist, or a small amount of mist as a customization setting for controlling the operation of the mist collector, and that generates the control signal for controlling the ON / OFF operation of the mist collector according to the accepted amount of mist when the mist amount is accepted in the customization setting; a communication processing unit that transmits the control signal to the mist collector.

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