Integrated control device for managing machining plan of machine tool

Abstract

To enable an operator to easily understand a task that cannot be executed when a consumable article reaches a set life or the consumable article for a machine tool is out of stock, and a machining plan after change.SOLUTION: An integrated control device: generates a processing plan including a plurality of tasks in association with working hours and non-working hours of an operator; displays a processing plan chart in which each of the plurality of tasks is arranged and displayed in a time-series order by an individual icon; if there is the un-executable task that cannot be executed since a consumable reaches a set life, changes a display mode of an icon of an un-executable task in the processing plan chart; if the start time of the un-executable task is within the working hours of the operator, allows the operator to select whether to skip the un-executable task or to execute the maintenance of the consumable; and if the start time of the un-executable task is within the non-working hours, skips the un-executable task.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated control device that manages machining plans in a production facility equipped with one or more machine tools. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in production facilities such as FMS, machine tools are used to machine workpieces for 24 hours in accordance with a machining plan registered in advance. In such production facilities, since workpieces are machined for a long period of time, when a consumable reaches the life of a previously input item, the machine tool must be stopped. As an example of such production facilities, Patent Document 1 describes a scheduled operation method for a machine tool, in which the number of non-executed machining programs is minimized and scheduled operation can be continued even if a tool becomes unusable due to breakage or the like during scheduled operation, or if a tool shortage occurs due to a tool presetting error. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-109002 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the method for scheduled operation of a machine tool in Patent Document 1, if there is a shortage of tools, the execution order of the machining program is skipped. Also, in the method for scheduled operation of a machine tool in Patent Document 1, it is described that the replacement of the shortage of tools is prompted when an operator is present.

[0005] In the method for scheduled operation of a machine tool in Patent Document 1, if there is a shortage of tools, a warning of the shortage of tools is given to the operator, but the execution sequence of the machining program is skipped. However, the method for scheduled operation of a machine tool in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the operator cannot easily understand when and where the skip is made and how the machining plan is changed.

[0006] Furthermore, when a shortage of tools occurs, workpieces that require production as a priority should not be skipped, but in situations where it is difficult to arrange and prepare the shortage of tools for the time being, it is better to skip and produce other workpiece types without stopping the machine tool. It is also necessary to consider whether the operator has the leeway to replace the shortage of tools. For these reasons, it is preferable to allow the operator to choose whether or not to skip the execution sequence of the machining program. It is also preferable to make it easier for the operator to replace the shortage of tools.

[0007] The present invention has as its technical objective the resolution of such problems in the prior art, and aims to provide an integrated control device that enables an operator to more easily understand which tasks can no longer be performed when the usage status of a consumable item reaches its set lifespan, and at the same time enables the operator to easily understand the modified machining plan. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an integrated control device for managing machining plans for a machine tool includes a plan generation unit that receives a production command and generates a machining plan including a plurality of tasks in association with an operator's working hours and non-working hours, a display unit that displays a machining plan chart in which each of the plurality of tasks is arranged in chronological order with an individual icon, a display mode change unit that changes the display mode of the icons, a consumable life management unit that performs life management to determine whether or not consumables required for machining in the machining plan will reach a set life, and a task that cannot be executed because the usage status of the consumables reaches the set life among the plurality of tasks is determined to be an inexecutable task, and if an inexecutable task exists, a display unit that displays the inexecutable task in the machining plan chart. An integrated control device is provided, comprising: a task execution feasibility determination unit that instructs the display mode change unit to change the display mode of a task icon; and a skip mode switching unit that switches between a work time skip mode and a non-work time skip mode regarding the skipping of the unexecutable task on and off, wherein the plan generation unit allows an operator to select whether to skip the unexecutable task or to perform maintenance of consumables when the work time skip mode is on, an unexecutable task exists, and the start time of the unexecutable task is within the operator's work hours, and skips the unexecutable task when the non-work time skip mode is on and the start time of the unexecutable task is within the non-work hours. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, since a plurality of tasks are displayed in chronological order using individual icons, the operator can easily understand the machining plan after skipping the inoperable task. Furthermore, when an inoperable task exists during working hours, the operator can select whether to skip the task or to perform maintenance on the consumables that make the task inoperable, which allows the operator to flexibly set his / her own work plan. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a production facility to which the present invention is applied and an integrated control device for managing the production facility. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a chart displaying working hours, processing plans, and setups in chronological order. [Diagram 3] 3 is a chart similar to FIG. 2, showing a display mode in a case where an unexecutable task exists during a working time period. [Figure 4] 3 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing detailed information about consumables causing inoperable tasks and the location of replacement parts for consumable maintenance. [Diagram 5] 3 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a task continuation dialog box; [Figure 6] 3 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing the Skip dialog box; [Figure 7] 7 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a display state when an unexecutable task is skipped from the state of FIG. 6; [Figure 8] 3 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a display mode in the case where an unexecutable task occurs during non-working hours. [Figure 9] 9 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a display state when an unexecutable task is skipped from the state of FIG. 8; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In Fig. 1, the production facility 100 includes at least one machine tool MC1, MC2, at least one setup station WSS1, WSS2, a pallet stocker 102, and a transfer device 110 as main components. In the example of Fig. 1, the machine tools MC1, MC2 are horizontal machining centers having a rotating spindle S, and include a table (not shown) for fixing a pallet P1, a pallet changer PC, and a feed device (not shown) for relatively moving the table and the rotating spindle S at least in three orthogonal axial directions of X, Y, and Z. The feed device may include a rotary feed device (not shown). The pallet changer exchanges the pallet P1 on which a machined workpiece is attached with the pallet P2 on which an unmachined workpiece is attached.

[0012] The machine tools MC1, MC2 may further include a tool magazine (not shown) that stores a plurality of tools used in machining, an automatic tool changer (not shown) that changes tools between the tool magazine and the rotating spindle S, a coolant supplying device (not shown) that supplies coolant to the machining area of ​​the machine tools MC1, MC2, etc. The machine tools MC1, MC2 further include an NC device that controls the drive motor of the rotating spindle S and the drive motor of the feed axis device, and a machine control device that controls peripheral devices such as the pallet changer, the tool magazine, the automatic tool changer, and the coolant supplying device.

[0013] At the setup stations WSS1 and WSS2, an operator can attach and detach workpieces to and from the pallets. The pallet stocker 102 can be equipped with shelves (not shown) for storing the pallets P with the workpieces W attached thereto or the pallets P without the workpieces W attached thereto. The transport device 110 transports the pallets P with the workpieces W attached thereto between the machine tools MC1 and MC2, the pallet stocker 102, and the setup stations WSS1 and WSS2. The transport device 110 may be configured to transport only the pallets P without the workpieces W attached thereto, or to directly transport the workpieces W not attached to the pallets P. The transport device 110 may be configured to transport articles other than the workpieces W or the pallets P, such as tools. The transport device 110 and the setup stations WSS1 and WSS2 can be equipped with their own control devices (local control devices).

[0014] The production facility 100 is controlled by an integrated control device 10. The integrated control device 10 includes a plan generation unit 12, a display unit 14, a display mode change unit 16, a task execution feasibility determination unit 18, a life management unit 20, an input unit 22, and a skip mode switching unit 24 as main components. The integrated control device 10 can be configured from a computer and associated software including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), a communication device, an input / output port, and a bidirectional bus that interconnects these. The integrated control device 10 further includes a display device such as a touch panel (not shown). The integrated control device 10 can be connected to the NC devices or machine control devices of the machine tools MC1 and MC2, the conveying device 110, and the local control devices of the setup stations WSS1 and WSS2 via a network (not shown) that conforms to a communication standard such as IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) or IEEE 802.11 (wireless LAN). When the integrated control device 10 is equipped with a touch panel as a display device, the input unit 22 can include the touch panel in addition to the above-mentioned communication device, input / output port, and input device connected to the input / output port.

[0015] The plan generating unit 12 generates a machining plan for each of the machine tools MC1 and MC2, which is composed of tasks (machining tasks) that are information associating a pallet number, a machining start time, and a machining time required for machining, based on a production command input by an operator from the input unit 22 or a production command input from an external source such as a higher-level management system. The plan generating unit 12 further generates a setup plan for each of the setup stations WSS1 and WSS2, which is composed of tasks (setup tasks) that are information associating a pallet number, a setup start time for setting up the workpiece W on the pallet P, and a setup time required for the setup. The machining plan and setup plan generated by the plan generating unit 12 are displayed on the display unit 14 in the form of a machining plan chart 14a and a setup chart 14b, as shown in Figs. 2 to 9, in association with a working time chart 14c showing the working hours of the operator of the production facility 100.

[0016] The task execution feasibility determination unit 18 performs a lifespan determination as to whether or not a tool, which is a consumable required for machining in a task included in a machining plan, will reach a preset threshold (lifespan). Based on the determination result, when a task included in a machining plan generated by the plan generation unit 12 includes a process (machining) that uses a tool that will reach a set lifespan, the task execution feasibility determination unit 18 further instructs the display mode change unit 16 to change the display mode of the icon of the task including this process. The display mode change unit 16 changes the display mode of the icon according to the instruction from the task execution feasibility determination unit 18.

[0017] The lifespan management unit 20 stores the lifespan of each of the tools, oils, seal parts, and other consumables used in the machine tools MC1 and MC2. The lifespan (set lifespan) of each consumable can be directly input by an operator through the input unit 22, or can be input to the lifespan management unit 20 from a higher-level management system (not shown) or server (not shown) that manages the entire factory in which the production facility 100 is installed. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the lifespan of each of the tools used in the machine tools MC1 and MC2 is stored in the tool management unit 20a, the lifespan of oils and seal parts is stored in the seal part management unit 20c. Instead of an integrated control device, the machine tools MC1 and MC2 may each be provided with a lifespan management unit so that they can manage the lifespan of each of their consumables.

[0018] In the tool management unit 20a, the cutting distance, which is the distance traveled by the tool center point during machining of a workpiece, is accumulated and stored for each tool as the usage status of the tool. For example, the tool management unit 20a can calculate the cutting distance of the tool used in machining by analyzing the currently executed NC program, accumulate this, and determine the tool life based on whether or not the cutting distance set as the tool life (set life) has been reached. The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may each be provided with a tool management unit that manages each of the tools.

[0019] The lubricant management unit 20b stores, for each lubricant, the time that the machine power has been turned on (accumulated time) since the last time the lubricant was changed as the usage status of the consumables. This accumulated time is compared with the change time as the lifespan inputted in advance by the operator for each lubricant, and it is determined whether or not the time to change the lubricant has arrived. The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may each include an lubricant management unit that manages each lubricant.

[0020] Similarly, the sealing part management unit 20c stores the machine power-on time (accumulated time) accumulated since the last time each sealing part was replaced as the usage status of the consumables. This accumulated time is compared with the replacement time as the lifespan inputted in advance by the operator for each sealing part, and it is determined whether or not the replacement time for the sealing part has arrived. The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may each include a sealing part management unit that manages each sealing part.

[0021] The skip mode switching unit 24 switches between the working time skip mode and the non-working time skip mode on / off by the operation of the operator via the input unit 22. When the working time skip mode is on, as described below, if the start time of the infeasible task is within the operator's working hours (i.e., if the operator is in the vicinity of the machine tools MC1 and MC2), the operator can select whether to skip the infeasible task or to perform maintenance of consumables, and when the non-working time skip mode is on, if the start time of the infeasible task is outside the working hours (i.e., if the operator is not in the vicinity of the machine tools MC1 and MC2), the infeasible task can be automatically skipped. When the working time skip mode or the non-working time skip mode is off, no processing is performed regarding the skipping of the infeasible task, and production stops and the machine tools MC1 and MC2 stop unless maintenance of consumables is performed.

[0022] The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 shows an example of a processing plan chart 14a, a setup chart 14b, and a working time chart 14c that are generated by the plan generating unit 12 and displayed on the display unit 14. In FIG. 2, the working time chart includes working hours shown in white and non-working hours shown in hatching. The working hours include 8:00 (8:00 a.m.) to 12:00 (12:00 noon) and 13:00 (1:00 p.m.) to 17:00 (5:00 p.m.).

[0023] A machining plan chart is generated for each of the machine tools MC1 and MC2, and each machining plan chart includes a plurality of task icons (machining task icons) arranged in chronological order. In the example of Fig. 2, the machining plan chart for the machine tool MC1 is shown by nine task icons T11 to T19, and the machining plan chart for the machine tool MC2 is shown by four task icons T21 to T24 arranged in chronological order. In addition, in the example of Fig. 2, the task icons T11 to T19 and the task icons T21 to T24 are assigned the pallet numbers of the pallets on which the workpieces to be machined by the machine tools MC1 and MC2 are attached.

[0024] More specifically, the task icon T11 in the machining plan chart for the machine tool MC1 indicates that the workpiece attached to the 7th pallet, which was performed before 8:00, the start time of the working hours, is machined, and then the task icon T12 indicates that the workpiece attached to the 1st pallet is machined. Similarly, the task icons T13 to T19 indicate that the workpieces attached to the 2nd pallet, the 3rd pallet, the 6th pallet, the 1st pallet, the 2nd pallet, the 3rd pallet, and the 7th pallet are machined in sequence. In the machining plan chart for the machine tool MC2, the task icon T21 indicates that the workpiece attached to the 4th pallet, which was performed before 8:00, the start time of the working hours, is machined, and then the task icon T22 indicates that the workpiece attached to the 5th pallet is machined. Similarly, the task icons T23 and T24 indicate that the workpieces attached to the 4th pallet and the 9th pallet are machined in sequence.

[0025] The setup chart 14b displays task icons (setup task icons) as a setup plan. In FIG. 2, the setup work (attaching and detaching work of workpieces) for pallet No. 1 is started at 8:00, which is the start time of the working hours (i.e., when the operator becomes able to perform the setup work), the setup work for pallet No. 2, 3, 6, 5, 7, 8, 1, and 9 is completed in the morning, the setup work for pallet No. 2 is performed when machining of the workpiece attached to pallet No. 2 is completed in the afternoon by machine tool MC1, the setup work for pallet No. 3 is performed when machining of the workpiece attached to pallet No. 3 is completed by machine tool MC1, the setup work for pallet No. 4 is performed when machining of the workpiece attached to pallet No. 4 is completed by machine tool MC2, and the setup work should be completed by 17:00, which is the end of the working day. By referring to the setup chart 14c, the operator can perform the setup work at the appropriate timing and on the appropriate pallet. In addition, the operator is informed of information instructing which workpieces should be attached to which pallets by corresponding pallet numbers with the types of workpieces, for example, instructions, which are displayed on the display unit.

[0026] 2 to 9, only setup station WSS1 is shown, but setup station WSS2 can be displayed in a similar manner. Furthermore, when the operator has completed the setup of the workpieces on each pallet, he or she can operate the operation panels (not shown) of setup stations WSS1 and WSS2 to send a notification of the completion of the setup to integrated control device 10, and have the transfer device 110 transfer the pallet to pallet stocker 102 or machine tools MC1 and MC2.

[0027] While the production facility 100 is operating, the task execution feasibility determination unit 18 continues to determine whether there are any consumables whose lifespans set in the lifespan management unit 20 are reaching their set lifespans, which in this embodiment are tools, oils, greases, and sealing parts. When there are any consumables whose lifespans reach their set lifespans, a task occurs that makes it impossible to perform machining by the machine tools MC1 and MC2. In this embodiment, when the machining plan generated by the plan generation unit 12 includes a task in which the usage status of a consumable reaches its set lifespan, the display mode of the task is changed in the machining plan chart of the machine tool MC1 or the machine tool MC2 to display that the task is an inexecutable task.

[0028] When the task execution possibility determination unit 18 determines that the usage of a certain consumable reaches the set life, the determination result is output to the display mode change unit 16. Specifically, when the usage of the consumable in the task (if the consumable is a tool, the processing distance, the number of machined workpieces, the number of machined holes, etc.) is accumulated and exceeds the set life, the set life is reached in the task, and therefore the task can be determined to be an inexecutable task. The display mode change unit 16 changes the display mode of the icon of the machining plan chart 14a displayed on the display unit 14 based on the determination result of the task execution possibility determination unit 18. As an example, in FIG. 3, in the machining plan chart of the machine tool MC1, the execution of the task icons T14, T16, and T18, that is, the processing of the workpieces attached to the third pallet and the first pallet, is displayed by hatching because the usage of the consumable reaches the set life. In practice, by changing the color, shape, or size of an inexecutable task icon, or by changing the color, thickness, size, or type of font displayed on the icon, it is possible to notify the operator that the usage of a consumable required to execute the task corresponding to the icon has reached a set lifespan, i.e., that the task is an inexecutable task.

[0029] Also, the display unit may display the stop time when the machine tool stops because there is a task in which the usage of the consumables reaches the set life. In Figs. 3 and 4, the stop icon IC1 indicates that the machine tool MC1 will stop at 14:04 when the task (machining the workpiece attached to the third pallet) corresponding to the task icon T14, in which the usage of the consumables reaches the set life, is started. Stop is displayed.

[0030] In this example, the stop time, which indicates when the task will stop, is displayed as a stop icon IC Stop However, the remaining time until the task is stopped or the stop date and time may be displayed. The stop time, the remaining time until the task is stopped, and the stop date and time may be displayed on the chart when the task icon whose display mode has been changed is selected, or may be displayed separately in a portion of the display unit 14 other than the chart.

[0031] At this time, when the operator selects a task icon that indicates that the usage status of the consumables has reached the set life, detailed information on the usage status of the consumables is displayed. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, a subwindow WS is displayed in the display unit 14, and the consumables that have reached their life can be displayed in the subwindow WS. In FIG. 4, it is shown that the machining distance of the tool T1025 required for machining the workpiece attached to the third pallet, which is the task corresponding to the task icon T14, reaches the set threshold (life). In addition, in order to allow the operator to easily replace the tool whose machining distance has reached its set life, the storage location of the replacement tool may be displayed in the subwindow WS. In the example of FIG. 4, the texts "First Tool Room," "Second Tool Shelf," and "Fourth Drawer Shelf from the Top" are displayed in the subwindow WS as the storage locations of the tool T1025 to be replaced. Instead of displaying the text, the storage location of the target tool may be displayed with a simplified map of the factory plan view and a symbol.

[0032] In addition, when displaying task icons corresponding to tasks that cannot be executed due to the use of consumables reaching their set life, the task icons corresponding to tasks that cannot be executed for the same reason can be connected to each other with a connection icon. In the example of FIG. 3, a common tool T1025 is used for machining the workpiece attached to the 3rd pallet and the workpiece attached to the 1st pallet. When the machining distance of the tool T1025 reaches its set life, machining of the workpiece attached to the 3rd pallet and machining of the workpiece attached to the 1st pallet become impossible, so the task icon T14 and the task icon T16 are connected to each other with the connection icon IC_Connect 1. Furthermore, the task icon T16 is connected to the task icon T18 with the connection icon IC_Connect 2. In this way, by connecting task icons corresponding to tasks that cannot be executed for the same reason with each other with a connection icon, the operator can easily understand which task in the machining plan is affected by the consumables that reach their set life.

[0033] The operator can select a task icon from the input unit 22. If the integrated control device 10 has a touch panel as the display unit 14, the selection operation can be performed by tapping a task icon displayed as "unexecutable." If the display unit 14 is a normal panel display, the selection operation can be performed using an input device such as a keyboard (not shown) or a mouse (not shown) as the input unit 22. In this way, according to this embodiment, the operator can easily determine on the machining plan chart which tasks are unexecutable when the usage status of a certain consumable has reached the set lifespan.

[0034] Here, when the work time skip mode is on, if the operator further taps the task icon T14 representing an unexecutable task, the tool management unit 20a of the life management unit 20 refers to the NC program supplied to the machine tool MC1, and calculates, based on the NC program, when the machine tool MC1 will stop in accordance with when the machining process using the tool T1025 that is reaching the end of its set life, among the tasks corresponding to the task icon T14, will start, and outputs the calculation result to the display mode change unit 16.

[0035] The display mode change unit 16 displays these pieces of information in a sub-window WS shown in Fig. 5. In the example of Fig. 5, machining using the tool T1025 is started at 15:43, and it is displayed in the dialog box DB1 that the machining process up to that point is executable, and it is displayed in the dialog box DB2 that the machining distance of the tool T1025 has reached the set life, and therefore the machining process using the tool T1025 cannot be executed.

[0036] At the same time, the display mode change unit 16 displays a task continuation dialog box DB_Continue in the sub-window WS, asking the operator whether to continue machining without interrupting the task itself. The task continuation dialog box DB_Continue can display the time when machining using a tool that has reached its set life (here, tool T1025) will start, and the tools used in the processes before and after the tool that has reached its set life. The operator can select not to interrupt machining in the machine tool MC1 on the premise that the tool T1025 in the tool magazine will be replaced. In other words, when the operator taps the "Yes" button in the task continuation dialog box DB_Continue, the machine tool MC1 executes machining until just before 15:43 when machining using the tool T1025 starts. This provides the operator with the time from 14:04 to 15:43 as a grace period for preparation and replacement of the tool T1025, allowing the operator to easily replace the tool T1025, and immediately execute the remaining machining, here, machining of the tool T1013 and subsequent tools, after the tool replacement. However, if the operator fails to replace tool T1025 in the tool magazine by 15:43, which is the start time of machining with tool T1025, machine tool MC1 will stop at the start time of 15:43.

[0037] From the viewpoint of machining accuracy (mainly machining accuracy related to mechanical thermal displacement), since the workpieces should be machined continuously in the same time period, it is preferable that the selection of task continuation described above can be set by task or by type at the discretion of the operator. Also, the continuation of a task may be selected individually each time an inexecutable task occurs due to the usage status of a consumable reaching a set life as described above, or it may be set to continue automatically without individual selection by setting on / off in advance with a parameter.

[0038] When the operator refers to the display in Fig. 5, he or she may determine that the maintenance of the consumables, in this example, the replacement of tool T1025 in the tool magazine, will not be completed by the time the machine tool MC1 is stopped. In this case, if the operator taps the "No" button in the task continuation dialog box DB_Continue, a skip dialog box DB_Skip opens (see Fig. 6) to inquire of the operator whether or not to skip the inexecutable task.

[0039] The skip dialog box DB_Skip includes an individual skip button SB1, a connection skip button SB2, and a skip cancel button SB3. When the individual skip button SB1 is tapped, the selected task, in this example, the task indicated by the task icon T14 (machining the workpiece attached to the third pallet) is skipped, and the start of the task is moved to the end of the machining plan, that is, after the last task in the machining plan at this point. When the connection skip button B2 is tapped, the tasks indicated by the task icons T14, T16, and T18 connected by the connection icons IC_Connect 1 and IC_Connect 2 (machining the workpiece attached to the third pallet, machining the workpiece attached to the first pallet) are moved to the end of the machining plan, in this example, after the task indicated by the task icon T19 (machining the workpiece attached to the seventh pallet) while maintaining the order, as shown in FIG. 7. Note that an inexecutable task may be moved to any order other than the end of the machining plan. If task icon T14 (unexecutable task) is moved after task icon T15, the operator is provided with a grace period for replacing tool T1025 equivalent to the machining time of task icon T15. The timing for skipping the unexecutable task can be selected at will, depending on the timing when consumables requiring maintenance can be arranged, the production priority of the workpiece to be machined by the unexecutable task, and the operator's busyness.

[0040] When the work time skip mode is off, the machine tool MC1 stops at 14:04 when the task (machining) corresponding to task icon T14 is started. Thus, according to this embodiment, by turning on the work time skip mode, the operator can select whether or not to skip the machining plan during work hours depending on the availability of maintenance work, etc.

[0041] When the non-working time skip mode is on, if the start time of an infeasible task is outside working hours because the usage status of the consumables has reached the set life, the task is automatically skipped. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, after 17:00, which is the end time of working hours, the machining distance of the tool T1025 reaches the set life as in the above example, and machining of the workpieces attached to the first pallet (task icon T16) and the third pallet (task icon T18) cannot be performed. If the non-working time skip mode is off, the machine tool MC1 will stop at 19:25, the start time of the task corresponding to the task icon T16. However, by turning on the non-working time skip mode, as shown in FIG. 9, the tasks corresponding to the task icons T16 and T18 are skipped and moved down to after the task corresponding to the task icon T17, which is the end of the machining plan. This makes it possible to complete executable tasks even if there is no operator near the machine tool during non-working hours. In this case, information about the skipped task and the consumables that made the task infeasible can be displayed in the sub-window WS. In this specification, "skipping" means "postponing an infeasible task in the processing plan", but in cases where consumables cannot be procured for the time being, the task may be excluded from the processing plan instead of skipping. If excluded, the task will no longer be displayed on the processing plan chart. In addition, as described above, information about the consumables that caused the infeasible task can be displayed at all times in the sub-window WS. The operator can grasp the existence of the excluded infeasible task, the contents of the task, and details of the consumables that caused it.

[0042] In addition, when there is an unmanned device that can perform maintenance work in place of the operator even during non-working hours, only the non-working time skip mode may be turned off. In addition, for any task, the operator may be able to change the plan by inputting the desired machining completion date and time. For express machining plans, not only the date but also the time can be specified, and the execution of the previous task is postponed. Furthermore, the operator may be able to instruct the plan generation unit 12 to schedule the machining plan so that the usage status of consumables, for example, the cutting distance of the tool, does not reach the set life by the desired date and time. By advancing a workpiece that has a low priority and does not use the tool, the production system can be operated without stopping the machine tools MC1 and MC2. If there is no production instruction that can be advanced and the instructed schedule cannot be performed, the operator may be notified of this, a list of workpieces that do not use the tool may be presented, and an addition of a production instruction may be proposed.

[0043] The integrated control device 10 or the machine tools MC1 and MC2 may further include a tool presence / absence management unit 26 that manages whether or not the necessary tools required for executing a task are possessed. When a production command is issued for a work type to be newly produced in the production facility 100, the machining may not be possible with the tools conventionally stored in the tool magazines of the machine tools MC1 and MC2. The tool presence / absence management unit 26 determines the tools used in the NC program in the task as necessary tools, and compares them with the tools stored in the tool magazines of the machine tools MC1 and MC2. When neither of the machine tools MC1 and MC2 possesses the necessary tools, the task execution feasibility determination unit 18 determines the task as an inexecutable task. This determination can be made separately from the determination of whether or not the tools required for machining have reached their set lifespan.

[0044] The integrated control device 10 or the machine tools MC1 and MC2 may further include a spare tool presence / absence management unit 28 that manages whether or not a spare tool for a necessary tool required for executing a task is held. Here, a spare tool means a tool capable of performing the same processing as the necessary tool. If the same processing as the necessary tool can be performed, the holder, cutting tool, and assembly state may not be exactly the same. If any tool required for executing a task has reached its set life, the integrated control device 10 judges the task as an inexecutable task. However, if the tool magazine of the machine tools MC1 and MC2 holds a spare tool for the tool that has reached its set life, the spare tool can be used in place of the tool that has reached its set life, and the judgment of the inexecutable task is canceled. At this time, the life of the spare tool may also be judged. If the tool magazine of the machine tools MC1 and MC2 does not hold a spare tool, the judgment is maintained. By making a judgment based on the presence or absence of a spare tool in addition to the judgment based on the reaching of the set life, the judgment of the inexecutable task can be made more accurately.

[0045] The integrated control device 10 may further include a work material inventory management unit 30 that manages the inventory of work materials required for executing a task. For example, when a processing instruction for 10 workpieces of the work product W1 is made, if the stock of work material of the work product W1 in the production facility 100 is 8 pieces, the ninth and subsequent pieces cannot be produced. At this time, the task execution possibility determination unit 18 determines that the ninth and subsequent tasks (processing tasks) are impossible tasks. In addition, the setup task for the pallet corresponding to the work product W1 may also be determined to be an impossible task, and the display mode may be changed, or further, the processing task and the setup task, which are impossible tasks, may be connected by a connection icon. The operator can select whether to arrange for the work material or to skip the impossible task. This determination can be made separately from the various determinations related to the consumables described above. The skip mode related to the work material inventory may be common to the skip mode related to the consumables described above, or may be provided separately. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Integrated control device 12 Planning Generation Unit 14 Display section 14a Processing planning chart 14b Production Chart 14c Working Hours Chart 16 Display mode change section 18 Task execution feasibility determination unit 20 Lifespan Management Department 20a Tool management department 20b Oils and Fats Management Department 20c Seal Parts Management Department 22 Input section 24 Skip mode switching section 26 Tool presence management department 28 Spare tool presence management department 100 Production Facilities 102 Pallet Stocker 110 Conveyor

Claims

1. 1. An integrated control device for managing a machining plan for a machine tool, comprising: a plan generating unit that receives a production command, associates the command with an operator's working time and non-working time, and generates a processing plan including a plurality of tasks; a display unit that displays a processing plan chart in which each of the plurality of tasks is displayed in chronological order as an individual icon; A display mode change unit that changes a display mode of the icon; a consumable life management unit that performs life management to determine whether or not a set life of a consumable required for processing in the processing plan will be reached; a task execution feasibility determination unit that determines, among the plurality of tasks, a task that cannot be executed because the usage status of the consumable reaches the set life as an inexecutable task, and instructs the display mode change unit to change a display mode of an icon of the inexecutable task in the processing plan chart when an inexecutable task exists; a skip mode switching unit that switches between a work time skip mode and a non-work time skip mode regarding the skipping of the inexecutable task; Equipped with the plan generation unit allows an operator to choose whether to skip the infeasible task or perform maintenance of a consumable item when the work time skip mode is on, an infeasible task exists, and the start time of the infeasible task is within the operator's work hours, and skips the infeasible task when the non-work time skip mode is on and the start time of the infeasible task is within the non-work time.

2. 2. The integrated control device according to claim 1, wherein the consumable is a tool, and the task execution determination unit determines the life of the tool by comparing an accumulated value of a cutting distance of the tool with a set life, which is a set threshold value.

3. The integrated control device according to claim 1 , wherein the display mode change unit connects a plurality of inexecutable tasks by a connection icon.

4. The integrated control device according to claim 2 , wherein the display mode changing unit causes the machining plan chart to display a time at which machining using the tool that has reached the set life will start.

5. a tool availability management unit that manages whether the machine tool has tools necessary for executing the plurality of tasks, 3. The integrated control device according to claim 2, wherein the task execution possibility determining unit determines, among the plurality of tasks, a task that cannot be executed because the machine tool does not have the necessary tool as an inexecutable task.

6. a spare tool availability management unit that manages whether the machine tool has spare tools for the necessary tools required for executing the plurality of tasks, 3. The integrated control device according to claim 2, wherein the task execution feasibility determination unit cancels the determination of the infeasible task when the machine tool has a spare tool for the tool that has reached the set life, and maintains the determination of the infeasible task when the machine tool does not have a spare tool for the tool that has reached the set life.

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