Program and machine tool system

Abstract

To provide a program that is executed in a machine tool having a control board, which reduces electric power that is consumed by a coolant device.SOLUTION: A program is executed in a machine tool 100 that has a control board 101. A coolant device 200 that operates in accordance with a control signal from the control board 101 is connected to the machine tool 100. The program enables the control board 101 to execute a first process for making the board receive frequency information for operating a pump for SPC when the pump for SPC supplies a center-through coolant to a tool with a tool number, for each tool number for identifying tools of the machine tool 100, as customized settings of the coolant device 200 and a second process for making the board generate a control signal including a command for operating the pump for SPC using the received frequency information corresponding to the tool number, when the machine tool 100 uses the tool with the tool number specified by a processing program.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 coolant device to reduce power consumption of the coolant device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, at manufacturing sites such as factories, coolant devices are used that are connected to machine tools (mother machines) such as machining centers and supply coolant liquid (coolant) to the machine tools.

[0003] The coolant system has a control unit electrically connected to the machine tool for sending and receiving various signals, a tank for storing coolant, a supply pipe for supplying coolant to the machine tool, a return liquid piping for recovering used coolant from the machine tool, a pump (multiple pumps) for drawing up the coolant stored in the tank and supplying it to the machine tool via the supply pipe, and a purification device for cleaning and purifying chips and other shavings contained in the used coolant recovered from the machine tool via the return liquid piping and returning it to the tank.

[0004] There are various types of coolant devices. For example, a machine tool connected to the coolant device is equipped with 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 washing nozzle 4 for supplying bed washing coolant (BEDC) for washing the bed B that stores used coolant, as shown in Fig. 4. In cases such as those described above, a coolant system is generally used that is equipped with a pump (SPC pump) for supplying center through coolant (SPC), a pump (CUTC pump) for supplying cutting coolant (CUTC), and a pump (BEDC pump) for supplying bed wash coolant (BEDC) to the connected machine tool.

[0005] In response to a control signal sent from the machine tool, the coolant device drives the SPC pump to supply center through coolant (SPC) to the machine tool, drives the CUT pump to supply cutting coolant (CUTC) to the machine tool, and drives the BEDC pump to supply bed wash coolant (BEDC) to the machine tool.

[0006] In addition, while conducting research into reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the above-mentioned machine tool system, the inventors of the present application investigated the amount of electricity consumed during operation of the system and found that the amount of electricity consumed by the coolant device that supplies coolant to the machine tool was greater than the amount of electricity consumed by the host machine tool. Therefore, the inventor of the present application invented a program executed on a machine tool having a control board, for controlling the operation of a coolant device to reduce the power consumption of the coolant device, and filed a patent application for the invention (Patent Document 1).

[0007] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a program executed by a machine tool having a control board equipped with a CPU and a memory. A coolant device is connected to the above-mentioned machine tool, and the coolant device is provided with an SPC pump for supplying center through coolant, a CUTC pump for supplying cutting coolant, and a BEDC pump for supplying bed cleaning coolant to the machine tool, and the operation of each pump is controlled according to a control signal sent from the control board of the machine tool. The control board also has a control unit that generates a control signal according to a predetermined default control setting of the coolant device in correspondence with a machining program executed by the machine tool, and a communication processing unit that transmits the generated control signal to the coolant device. The above program also executes a process of causing the control board to accept customized settings for operational control of each pump of the coolant device, and, when the customized settings are accepted, a process of causing the control unit to generate the control signal including content for stopping the operation of the BEDC pump while either the center through coolant or the cutting coolant is being supplied to the machine tool. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7274673 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Generally, high-pressure pumps are used as center through coolant (SPC) pumps in coolant systems. These SPC pumps pump and supply SPC at the same pressure (high pump pressure) to all types of tools, regardless of the type of tools (cutting tools) used in the machine tools. While conducting research into reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in machine tool systems, the applicant of the present application noticed that some tools (cutting tools) installed in machine tools can remove chips during machining of workpieces without the need to supply center-through coolant at high pump pressure. For example, small-diameter tools (cutting tools) have small holes through which the SPC passes, so they need to supply the SPC at high pressure. On the other hand, large-diameter tools (cutting tools) have larger holes through which the SPC passes than small-diameter tools, so it was found that it is sufficient to supply the SPC at a lower pressure than for small-diameter tools. Despite this, in current machine tool systems, SPC is supplied to small-diameter tools (cutting tools) at the same pressure as large-diameter tools (cutting tools), resulting in unnecessary power consumption.

[0010] Therefore, for the SPC pump used to supply SPC, if the SPC is pumped at a pressure appropriate to the type of tool used in the machine tool, it will be possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption by the coolant system; however, at present, no such optional control is known. In addition, in the invention described in Patent Document 1 filed by the same applicant, the coolant device is controlled to pump the sense-through coolant (SPC) at the same pressure (high pump pressure) to all types of tools of the machine tool.

[0011] 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 coolant device to reduce the power consumption of the coolant device, and a machine tool system including a coolant device and a machine tool connected to the coolant device, the machine tool system having a function for reducing the power consumption of the coolant device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a program executed on a machine tool having a control board equipped with a CPU and a memory, wherein a coolant device is connected to the machine tool, and the control board has a first control unit that generates a control signal according to a predetermined default control setting of the coolant device in correspondence with a machining program executed by the machine tool, and a communication processing unit that transmits the generated control signal to the coolant device, and the coolant device has a second control unit that receives the control signal sent from the control board and controls the operation of the coolant device, a pump for SPC for supplying center through coolant to the machine tool, and a control unit that controls the operation of the pump for SPC under the control of the second control unit. and an inverter control board, wherein the program causes the control board to execute a first process of accepting, as a customized setting for operational control of the coolant device, frequency information for operating the SPC pump when the SPC pump supplies the center through coolant to a tool having the tool number, in association with each tool number that identifies a tool used by the machine tool; and a second process of generating, when frequency information is accepted for each tool number in the customized setting, a control signal including a command to operate the SPC pump with the frequency information accepted in association with the tool number when the machine tool uses a tool having the tool number defined in the machining program.

[0013] In this way, the program of the present invention causes the control board of the machine tool to execute a first process of receiving, as a customized setting for operational control of the coolant device, frequency information associated with each tool number identifying a tool used in the machine tool, for operating the SPC pump of the coolant device when the SPC pump supplies center through coolant to the tool having that tool number. Furthermore, when the program of the present invention receives frequency information associated with each tool number in the customized setting, the control board of the machine tool executes a second process of generating a control signal including a command to operate the SPC pump with the frequency information received in association with the tool number when the machine tool uses a tool having a tool number defined in the machining program. According to the above configuration, the operation of the SPC pump when supplying center through coolant (SPC) to each tool (cutter) mounted on the machine tool can be controlled, and SPC can be supplied at a flow rate (pressure) appropriate for the tool. For example, by setting a high (large) frequency (frequency information) for a small-diameter tool (cutter), the SPC pump (pump motor) can be driven at high speed to supply SPC to the small-diameter tool at high pressure. Also, by setting a low (small) frequency (frequency information) for a large-diameter tool (cutter), the SPC pump (pump motor) can be driven at low speed to supply SPC to the large-diameter tool at low pressure. That is, according to the present invention, the operation of the SPC pump can be controlled so as to supply SPC at the required pressure for each tool, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption by the coolant device.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first control unit of the control board is configured to generate a control signal including a command to stop supply of the center through coolant when the supply of the center through coolant to the coolant device is stopped, and the control signal including the supply stop command includes predetermined supply stop frequency information for operating the SPC pump at low output, and the program is configured to cause the control board to execute a third process of accepting frequency information lower than the supply stop frequency information as control information for the SPC pump when the supply of the center through coolant to the coolant device is stopped, and a fourth process of generating the control signal including frequency information lower than the accepted supply stop frequency information as a control signal including a command to stop supply of the center through coolant when frequency information lower than the supply stop frequency information is accepted.

[0015] The above configuration was adopted for the following reasons. The pump for the center through coolant (SPC) that supplies the coolant system's SPC may break down if it is switched on and off frequently. Therefore, an inverter control board is installed in the coolant system to control the speed of the SPC pump. Specifically, an on-off valve is provided in the piping (piping in the coolant device) to which the SPC pump is connected. Then, only when SPC is supplied from the SPC pump to the machine tool, the on-off valve is opened and the inverter control board operates the SPC pump (pump motor) at a high rotation speed. On the other hand, when SPC is not supplied from the SPC pump to the machine tool 100, the on-off valve is closed and the inverter control board operates the SPC pump at a slow rotation speed. In addition, in the coolant device described in Patent Document 1, when SPC is not supplied to the machine tool, the inverter control board operates the SPC pump at a predetermined frequency (supply stop frequency).The inventors of the present application focused on the SPC pump when SPC is not supplied to the machine tool and realized that there is no problem in operating the SPC pump at a frequency lower than the supply stop frequency. Therefore, in the present invention, when the supply of center through coolant is stopped, frequency information lower than predetermined supply stopping frequency information is received, and a control signal including a supply stop command from the SPC is generated that includes frequency information lower than the received supply stopping frequency information. With this configuration, even when SPC is not supplied to the machine tool, the energy consumption of the coolant device can be reduced compared to the default coolant control settings (default control settings).

[0016] The present invention also relates to a machine tool system including a coolant device, and a machine tool connected to the coolant device and controlling operation of the coolant device, wherein the machine tool has a first control unit that generates a control signal in accordance with a predetermined default control setting of the coolant device in correspondence with a machining program executed by the machine tool, a communication processing unit that transmits the generated control signal to the coolant device, and a coolant power suppression unit that receives a customized setting of operation control of the coolant device and causes the first control unit to generate the control signal in accordance with the received customized setting, and the coolant device has a second control unit that receives the control signal sent from the machine tool and controls operation of the entire coolant device, and a SP for supplying center through coolant to the machine tool. and an inverter control board controlled by the second control unit to control operation of the SPC pump, wherein the coolant power suppression unit is configured to be able to accept, as the customization setting, frequency information for operating the SPC pump when the SPC pump supplies the center through coolant to the tool having the tool number, for each tool number identifying a tool used in the machine tool, in association with the tool number, and when the customization setting accepts frequency information in association with the tool number, the control unit is caused to generate a control signal including a command to operate the SPC pump with the frequency information accepted in association with the tool number when the machine tool uses a tool having the tool number defined in the machining program. Effect of the Invention

[0017] 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 coolant device to reduce power consumption of the coolant device. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a machine tool system including a coolant device and a machine tool connected to the coolant device, the machine tool system having a function of reducing power consumption of the coolant device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a machine tool system including a machining center and a coolant device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 13 is a schematic diagram showing a screen for accepting customization settings of a coolant device provided by the machining center according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the data configuration of a default priority setting database provided in a control unit of a machining center according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a tool connected to a spindle of a conventional machine tool and coolant supplied from a coolant device. FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0019] Below, we will explain, with reference to the drawings, a machine tool system equipped with a machining center and a coolant device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a program executed on a machine tool having a control board for controlling the operation of the coolant device and reducing the power consumption of the coolant device.

[0020] <<Overall configuration of machine tool system>> First, a schematic configuration of a machine tool system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a machine tool system including a machining center and a coolant device according to this embodiment.

[0021] As shown in the figure, the machine tool system of this embodiment includes a machining center (machine tool) 100, and a coolant device 200 that is connected to the machining center 100 and operates in response to control signals from the machining center 100 to supply coolant (coolant liquid) to the machining center 100. The machining center 100 is a machine tool with an automatic tool changing function, which automatically changes tools and continuously performs various machining operations such as milling, boring, drilling, and tapping.

[0022] 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.

[0023] As with the one shown in FIG. 4 described above, the machine tool section 104 of the machining center 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a center through coolant nozzle (not shown) for supplying center through coolant (SPC) to the cutting edge of the tool 2 through the through holes 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) to clean the bed B which 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.

[0024] The control unit 101 then controls the operation of the machine tool unit 104 to machine the workpiece W with the tool 2 defined in the machining program. When the control unit 101 causes the machine tool unit 104 to machine the workpiece W, it also transmits a coolant control signal (control signal) to the coolant device 200 to control the operation of the coolant device 200 and receive the supply of coolant required for the machining.

[0025] The control unit 101 of the machining center 100 of this embodiment has a machine control unit 110 that controls the operation of the machine tool unit 104, a coolant control unit (first control unit) 111 that generates control signals that control the operation of the coolant unit 200, a setting processing unit 112 that accepts various settings from a user, a communication processing unit 113 that transmits control signals to the coolant unit 200, a coolant power reduction unit 115 that operates in cooperation with the coolant control unit 110, and a memory unit 120. The memory unit 120 also stores a chip amount setting database 121 and a default / priority setting database 122. 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.

[0026] 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 coolant power reduction unit 115 that reduces the power consumption of the coolant unit 200 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 (chip amount setting database 121, default / priority setting database 122) for controlling the coolant unit 200 received from the user is added. The portion enclosed by the dashed line in the figure (portion indicated by symbol A) is the configuration added to the machining center 100 of standard specifications.

[0027] In other words, the machine tool system of this embodiment is realized by installing a program (application program) for realizing the function of a coolant power reduction unit 115 for reducing power consumption of the coolant device 200 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 (application program) for realizing the functions of the coolant power reduction unit 115 can be retrofitted to the control unit (control board or control device) of an existing machine tool, thereby contributing to reducing the power consumption of the existing machine tool system.

[0028] The coolant device 200 also has a control board (second control unit) 201 that receives control signals sent from the machining center 100 and controls the operation of the entire device, a coolant tank 206 that stores coolant liquid, a center through coolant (SPC) pump 203 for supplying center through coolant (SPC) to the machining center 100, a cutting coolant (CUTC) pump 204 for supplying cutting coolant (CUTC) to the machining center 100, a BEDC pump 205 for supplying bed washing coolant (BEDC) to the machining center 100, and an inverter control board 220 for controlling the SPC pump 203.

[0029] The SPC pump 203 is connected to a center through coolant nozzle of the machining center 100 by a pipe 230. The SPC pump 203 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 206, and supplies the SPC to the machining center 100 via the pipe 230.

[0030] In the coolant device 200 of this embodiment, since there is a risk of the SPC pump 203 breaking down if it frequently performs ON / OFF operations, an inverter control board 220 is provided and the SPC pump 203 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 203 is connected. Only when SPC is supplied from the SPC pump 203 to the machining center 100, the on-off valve is opened and the inverter control board 220 operates the SPC pump 203 at a predetermined operating frequency (e.g., 60 Hz) (the SPC pump 203 (pump motor) is operated at a high rotation speed). On the other hand, when SPC is not supplied from the SPC pump 203 to the machining center 100, the on-off valve is closed and the inverter control board 220 operates the SPC pump 203 at a slower rotation speed. For example, when SPC is not supplied from the SPC pump 203 to the machining center 100, the inverter control board 220 operates the SPC pump 203 at a predetermined supply stop frequency (e.g., 20 Hz). At this time, the coolant pumped up from the SPC pump 203 cannot flow beyond the on-off valve and is returned to the coolant tank 206.

[0031] Moreover, the CUTC pump 204 is connected to the cutting nozzle 3 of the machining center 100 by a pipe 231. The CUTC 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 206 and supply the CUTC to the machining center 100 via the piping 231. Furthermore, when the operating CUTC pump 204 receives a command signal (stop command) from the control board 201, the pump 204 stops operating and stops the supply of the CUTC to the machining center 100.

[0032] The BEDC pump 205 is connected to the bed washing nozzle 4 of the machining center 100 via a pipe 232 . The BEDC pump 205 operates in response to a command signal (operation command) from the control board 201 to pump up the coolant stored in the coolant tank 206 and supply the BEDC to the machining center 100 via the piping 233. Furthermore, when the operating BEDC pump 205 receives a command signal (stop command) from the control board 201, the pump 205 stops operating and stops supplying BEDC to the machining center 100.

[0033] In addition, the coolant tank 206 is connected via a return pipe 235 to "bed B for storing used coolant" 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 206 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 206 after impurities such as cutting chips and shavings are removed by the purification device.

[0034] The control board 201 also has a control unit 211 for controlling the pumps (pump 203 for SPC, pump 204 for CUTC, pump 205 for BEDC) and the inverter control board 220, and a communication processing unit 213 for exchanging various information with the machining center 100.

[0035] The control unit 211 receives control signals transmitted from the machining center 100 via the communication processing unit 213, and controls the pumps (the pump 203 for SPC, the pump 204 for CUTC, and the pump 205 for BEDC) and the inverter control board 202 in accordance with the control signals. Further, the communication control unit 213 is connected to the machining center 100 by wire or wirelessly, and is adapted to transmit and receive various information to and from the machining center 100 .

[0036] <<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 the above-mentioned FIG. 1, and FIGS. Here, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a screen for accepting customization settings of a coolant device provided by the machining center of this embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the data configuration of a default / priority setting database provided in the control unit of the machining center of this embodiment.

[0037] The machining center 100 of this embodiment is characterized by the configuration of the control unit 101 that controls the operation of the coolant device 200 (coolant power reduction unit 115, coolant control unit 111 that cooperates with the coolant power reduction unit 115, and control information received from the user (chip amount setting database 121, default / priority setting database 122)), and the other configurations (setting processing unit 112 and communication processing unit 113 in the control unit 111, display unit 102, operation unit 103, and machine tool unit 104) are the same as those of existing technology. Therefore, in the explanation of this embodiment, the configuration of the control unit 101 that controls the operation of the coolant device 200 will be explained in detail, and the other configurations will be explained in a simplified manner (or will not be explained at all).

[0038] 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 coolant power reduction unit 115. A storage unit 121 is also formed in a predetermined area of ​​the auxiliary storage device.

[0039] 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 coolant 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 (coolant control unit 110, machine control unit 110, setting processing unit 112, communication processing unit 113, and coolant power reduction unit 115).

[0040] 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 of the machining program set by the user, and causes the coolant control unit 111 to generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the coolant device 200. 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.

[0041] The coolant control unit 111 generates control signals for controlling the operation of each pump (pump 203 for SPC, pump 204 for CUTC, pump 205 for BEDC) of the coolant device 200 according to a predetermined "default control setting (default control setting) of the coolant device 200" in accordance with the machining program executed by the machine tool unit 104.

[0042] In this embodiment, the coolant power reduction unit 115, which will be described later, is capable of receiving customized settings other than the default settings from the user for the operation of each pump (the SPC pump 203, the CUTC pump 204, and the BEDC pump 205) of the coolant device 200. Before generating a control signal, the coolant control unit 111 transmits an "inquiry request" to the coolant power reduction unit 115, and generates a control signal according to a "control signal creation command" sent from the coolant control device 115 in response to the "inquiry request".

[0043] The setting processing unit 112 displays a screen for accepting various settings such as settings of the machine tool unit 104 (settings of tool numbers for identifying tools to be mounted and settings of machining programs) on the display unit 102, 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).

[0044] Furthermore, the coolant power reduction unit 115 has a function of accepting customized settings for the operation of each pump of the coolant device 200 (the pump 203 for SPC, the pump 204 for CUTC, and the pump 205 for BEDC) as a pre-processing. In addition, the coolant power reduction unit 115 has the function of generating a "control signal creation command" for generating a control signal for each pump according to the received customization settings, sending the "control signal creation command" to the coolant control unit 111, and causing the coolant control unit 111 to generate a control signal corresponding to the "control signal creation command."

[0045] First, among the functions of the coolant power reduction unit 115, a function of accepting customized settings for the operation of each pump (the SPC pump 203, the CUTC pump 204, and the BEDC pump 205) of the coolant device 200 will be described. Specifically, the coolant power reduction unit 115 displays the customization setting screen 400 for the coolant device 200 shown in FIG. 2 on the display unit 102 consisting of an LCD display or the like, and accepts customization settings for operational control of the coolant device 200 other than the default settings via the operation unit 103 consisting of operation buttons, a keyboard, etc.

[0046] The illustrated customization setting screen 400 includes an area 401 for accepting settings for a machining program, an area 402 for accepting the amount of chips generated by machining performed by the machining center 100, an area 403 for accepting information indicating whether or not to prioritize default coolant control settings (default control settings) for the operation of each pump (SPC pump 203, CUTC pump 204, BEDC pump 205) of the coolant device 200 for each tool number identifying the tool 2, and an area 404 for accepting a frequency value (frequency information) for controlling the operation of the SPC pump 203 when the supply of center-through coolant to the coolant device 200 is stopped.

[0047] Area 401 of the customization setting screen 400 is provided to accept input of information identifying a machining program (information such as a machining program number), and is capable of accepting control settings for the operation of each pump of the coolant device 400 for each machining program. When it is not necessary to control the coolant device 200 for each machining program, the area 401 is left blank.

[0048] An area 402 of the customization setting screen 400 is provided for receiving control settings for the operation of each pump of the coolant device 200 for each amount of chips. Specifically, in area 402, the amount of chips can be selectively set to one of three amounts: "large," "medium," and "small." As will be described later, when a setting of "large," "medium," or "small" is received in area 402 for the amount of chips, the coolant device 200 is controlled in a predetermined manner according to the amount of chips received.

[0049] In addition, when the coolant power reduction unit 115 receives a chip amount (any of three amounts: “large,” “medium,” or “small”) in area 402 of the customization setting screen 400, it generates a chip amount setting database 121 in which the received chip amount (any of “large,” “medium,” or “small”) is registered, and stores it in the memory unit 120. When the coolant power reduction unit 115 receives input of information identifying a machining program (information such as a machining program number) in area 401, it generates a chip amount setting database 121 in which the amount of chips (either "large," "medium," or "small") corresponding to the information identifying the machining program is registered, and stores the database in the memory unit 120.

[0050] In addition, area 403 of the customization setting screen 400 is provided to accept changes in settings for each tool (tool 2) when control settings for the operation of each pump of the coolant device 200 are accepted in the above-mentioned area 402 according to the amount of chips. Furthermore, area 403a of area 403 of customization setting screen 400 is provided for accepting, for each tool (tool 2), the frequency value (frequency information) of the inverter control board 220 that operates the SPC pump 203 of the coolant device 200 when control settings for the operation of each pump of the coolant device 200 are accepted for each amount of chips in area 402 described above.

[0051] Specifically, area 403 of the customization setting screen 400 allows the input of information indicating whether or not to prioritize the default coolant control settings (default control settings) for each tool number (tool 2) and for each pump (pump 203 for SPC, pump 204 for CUTC, pump 205 for BEDC). In the illustrated example, either "ON" or "OFF" can be set for each tool number (tool 2) and for each pump (SPC pump 203, CUTC pump 204, BEDC pump 205). When "ON" is set, the default coolant control setting (default control setting) is prioritized, and when "OFF" is set, the coolant control setting determined according to the amount of cutting chips is performed. In the initial setting, area 403 of the customization setting screen 400 has all of the information corresponding to each tool number (tool 2) and each pump (pump 203 for SPC, pump 204 for CUTC, pump 205 for BEDC) set to “OFF.”

[0052] In addition, area 403a of area 403 on customization setting screen 400 allows the input of a frequency value (frequency information) for operating the SPC pump 203 when supplying center through coolant (SPC) to the tool 2 identified by the tool number, for each tool number that identifies the tool 2. For example, in area 403a, a high frequency value (e.g., 60 Hz) is input for a tool number that identifies a tool 2 that requires the supply of center through coolant (SPC) at high pressure, and a low frequency value (e.g., 30 Hz) is input for a tool number that identifies a tool 2 that requires the supply of center through coolant (SPC) at low pressure. Moreover, in area 403a, the frequency value (e.g., 30, 40, 50 Hz) can be input in detail according to the tool 2, so that center through coolant (SPC) can be supplied for each tool 2 with sufficient pressure so as not to exceed the specifications. In addition, in the default coolant control settings (default control settings), when supplying SPC, the coolant device 200 drives the SPC pump 203 at a predetermined operating frequency for all tools 2, regardless of the type of tool 2.

[0053] In addition, in area 404 of the customization setting screen 400, a frequency (SPC relief) for controlling the operation of the SPC pump 203 when the supply of center through coolant (SPC) is stopped can be received. As described above, the SPC pump 203 may break down if it frequently performs ON / OFF operations, so the inverter control board 220 is provided to control the speed of the SPC pump 203. In the default coolant control setting (default control setting), when SPC is not supplied to the machining center 100, the inverter control board 220 operates the SPC pump 203 at a predetermined supply stop frequency (e.g., 20 Hz) for operating the SPC pump 203 at low output, but here, a frequency lower than the supply stop frequency can be set. This makes it possible to reduce energy consumption compared to the default coolant control setting (default control setting) even when SPC is not supplied to the machining center 100.

[0054] In addition, the coolant power reduction unit 115 accepts input of information indicating whether or not to prioritize the default coolant control settings (default program) for each tool number (tool 2) and for each pump in area 403 of the customization setting screen 400, accepts input of a frequency value for each tool number (tool 2) in area 403a, and accepts input of SPC relief (frequency value) in area 404.The coolant power reduction unit 115 then generates a default and priority setting database 122 in which the accepted information is registered, and stores it in the memory unit 120.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the default and priority setting database 122 stores information indicating whether or not the default coolant control settings (default program) are to be prioritized (either “ON” or “OFF”) for each tool number (tool 2) and for each pump (SPC pump 203, CUTC pump 204, BEDC pump 205). Moreover, in the default and priority setting database 122, a frequency for operating the SPC pump 203 when SPC is supplied to the tool 2 is registered in association with each tool number (tool 2). Also, in the default and priority setting database 122, a frequency (SPC relief) for controlling the operation of the SPC pump 203 when the supply of SPC is stopped is also registered. When the coolant power reduction unit 115 receives input of information identifying a machining program (information such as a machining program number) in the area 401, it generates a default / priority setting database 122 shown in FIG. 3 for each piece of information identifying the received machining program and stores it in the memory unit 120.

[0056] Next, we will explain the functions of the coolant power reduction unit 115, including generating a "control signal creation command" for generating a control signal for each pump according to the received customization settings, sending the "control signal creation command" to the coolant control unit 111, and causing the coolant control unit 111 to generate a control signal corresponding to the "control signal creation command."

[0057] When the coolant power reduction unit 115 receives an "inquiry request" from the coolant control unit 111, it determines whether or not customization settings have been made for the coolant device 200.

[0058] For example, if the chip amount setting database 121 is not registered in the memory unit 120, the coolant power reduction unit 115 determines that the customization setting process has not been accepted, and transmits a response indicating that to the coolant control unit 11. In this case, the coolant control unit 111 generates a 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 of the coolant unit 200" in correspondence with the machining program executed by the machine tool unit 104.

[0059] On the other hand, for example, when the chip amount setting database 121 is registered in the storage unit 120, the coolant power reduction unit 115 determines that the customized setting has been accepted. Below, the case where the customization setting process is accepted will be described in several cases.

[0060] <When only the setting for the amount of cutting chips is accepted> First, the process performed when the coolant power reduction unit 115 has received in advance only a setting for the amount of large chips will be described for each amount of large chips. When it is determined that the customization setting process has been accepted, the coolant power reduction unit 115 refers to the storage unit 120 and reads out the chip amount from the chip amount setting database 121 .

[0061] <When there is a large amount of cutting chips> Here, if the chip amount read from the chip amount setting database 121 is "large", that is, if only the setting of "large" for the chip amount is accepted, the coolant power reduction unit 115 generates a "control signal creation command" specifying coolant control in which the default coolant control setting is prioritized, and sends it to the coolant control unit 111.

[0062] When the coolant control unit 111 receives the above-mentioned "control signal creation command," it generates a 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 in accordance with a predetermined "default control setting of the coolant unit 200" that corresponds to the machining program executed by the machine tool unit 104. In addition, the coolant control device 111 transmits the control signal to the coolant unit 200 via the communication processing unit 113. The coolant device 200 controls the operation of each pump (pump 203 for SPC, pump 204 for CUTC, pump 205 for BEDC) in response to the received control signal, and supplies or stops the supply of coolant in accordance with the operation of the machine tool section 104 of the machining center 100.

[0063] <Chip amount: Medium (medium)> When the chip amount read from the chip amount setting database 121 is "medium (moderate)", that is, when only the "medium (moderate)" setting is accepted for the chip amount, the coolant power reduction unit 115 generates a "control signal creation command" that specifies coolant control such that the default coolant control setting is prioritized for the "SPC pump 203 and the CUTC pump 204", and for the "BEDC pump 205", operation is stopped while either "SPC or CUTC" is being supplied to the machining center 100 from the "SPC pump 203 and the CUTC pump 204", and transmits the generated command to the coolant control unit 111.

[0064] When the coolant control unit 111 receives the above-mentioned "control signal creation command", for the "SPC pump 203 and CUTC pump 204", it generates a control signal according to the pre-defined "default control setting of the coolant device 200" corresponding to the machining program executed by the machine tool unit 104, and for the "BEDC pump 205", it generates a control signal including content to stop operation while either "SPC or CUTC" is being supplied to the machining center 100. In addition, when "SPC and CUTC" are not supplied to the machining center 100 from the "SPC pump 203 and CUTC pump 204", the control signal for the "BEDC pump 205" is based on the predetermined "default control setting of the coolant device 200". In addition, the coolant control device 111 transmits a control signal to the coolant device 200 via the communication processing unit 113 . In response to the received control signal, the coolant device 200 controls the operation of the "SPC pump 203 and the CUTC pump 204" according to default control settings, thereby supplying coolant to the machine tool section 104 of the machining center 100 or stopping the supply of coolant. In addition, the coolant device 200 stops the operation of the "BEDC pump 205" in response to the received control signal while either "SPC or CUTC" is being supplied to the machining center 100.

[0065] <When the amount of cutting chips is small> When the chip amount read from the chip amount setting database 121 is "small", that is, when only the setting of "small" for the chip amount is accepted, the coolant power reduction unit 115 generates a "control signal creation command" that specifies coolant control such that the default coolant control setting is prioritized for the "SPC pump 203", the "CUTC pump 204" stops operation when SPC is supplied, and the "BEDC pump 205" stops operation when either "SPC or CUTC" is supplied, and sends this command to the coolant control unit 111.

[0066] When the coolant control unit 111 receives the above-mentioned "control signal creation command", it generates a control signal for the "SPC pump 203" that corresponds to the predetermined "default control setting of the coolant device 200" in correspondence with the machining program executed by the machine tool unit 104, and for the "CUTC pump 204", it generates a control signal that stops operation while "SPC" is being supplied to the machining center 100 from the "SPC pump 203", and for the "BEDC pump 205", it generates a control signal that stops operation while either "SPC and CUTC" are being supplied to the machining center 100 from the "SPC pump 203 and CUTC pump 204". In addition, when SPC is not supplied from the "SPC pump 203" to the machining center 100, the control signal for the "CUTC pump 204" is based on the predetermined "default control setting of the coolant device 200." In addition, when "SPC and CUTC" are not supplied to the machining center 100 from the "SPC pump 203 and CUTC pump 204", the control signal for the "BEDC pump 205" is based on the predetermined "default control setting of the coolant device 200". In addition, the coolant control device 111 transmits a control signal to the coolant device 200 via the communication processing unit 113 . In response to the received control signal, the coolant device 200 controls the operation of the "SPC pump 203" according to default control settings to supply coolant to the machine tool section 104 of the machining center 100 or stop the supply of coolant. Further, the coolant device 200 stops the operation of the "CUTC pump 204" when the SPC is being supplied (used). Moreover, in response to the received control signal, the coolant device 200 stops the operation of the "BEDC pump 205" while either "SPC or CUTC" is being supplied.

[0067] <When accepting settings for the amount of cutting chips and changes to settings for each tool> Next, a process will be described in which the coolant power reduction unit 115 accepts a setting for the amount of chips to be large and a change in the setting for each tool (tool 2) in advance. In this case, the coolant power reduction unit 115 refers to the storage unit 120 , reads out the chip amount from the chip amount setting database 121 , and also reads out the default / priority setting database 122 .

[0068] Then, the coolant power reduction unit 115 obtains from the machine tool unit 104 a tool number that identifies a tool defined in the corresponding machining program, and using the read default / priority setting database 122 and the obtained tool number, determines whether or not the default coolant control settings are prioritized for each pump of that tool number (the SPC pump 203, the CUTC pump 204, and the BEDC pump 205). For pumps for which the program priority setting information associated with each pump is set to “ON”, the coolant power reduction unit 115 generates a “control signal creation command” in which the default coolant control setting is prioritized, and sends the command to the coolant control unit 111. In addition, for pumps for which "OFF" is set in the program priority setting information associated with each pump, the coolant power reduction unit 115 generates a "control signal creation command" that is set according to the amount of cutting chips, and for the SPC pump 203, specifies the frequency value for controlling the SPC pump set for each tool 2 when SPC is supplied, and when SPC is not supplied, specifies the frequency value when the supply of SPC is stopped (SPC relief), and transmits the command to the coolant control unit 111.

[0069] For example, assume that the set amount of chips is "small," the corresponding tool number is "T01," and the read default and priority setting database 122 has the contents shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the tool number "T01" is set to "SPC is OFF and 50Hz, CUTC is ON, and BEDC is OFF." Also, "15Hz" is registered in the SPC relief.

[0070] In this case, the coolant power reduction unit 115 specifies the default coolant control setting (default program) for switching the ON / OFF operation of the "SPC pump 203" and the frequency for ON operation as "50 Hz", and specifies the frequency for OFF operation (operation without supplying SPC) as "15 Hz", and for the "CUTC pump 204", the default coolant control setting is prioritized in accordance with the default priority setting database 122, and for the "BEDC pump 205", generates a "control signal creation command" that specifies coolant control to stop operation when SPC and CUTC are supplied (used), and sends it to the coolant control unit 111.

[0071] Then, when the coolant control unit 111 receives the above-mentioned "control signal creation command," it generates a control signal for the "SPC pump 203" that corresponds to the machining program executed by the machine tool unit 104, and that performs ON / OFF operation according to the predetermined "default control settings of the coolant device 200," with the frequency for ON operation specified as "50 Hz" and the frequency for OFF operation (operation without supplying SPC) specified as "15 Hz." In addition, when the coolant control unit 111 receives the above-mentioned "control signal creation command", it generates a control signal for the "CUTC pump 204" in accordance with the predetermined "default control setting of the coolant device 200" in correspondence with the machining program executed by the machine tool unit 104. In addition, when the coolant control unit 111 receives the above-mentioned "control signal creation command", it generates a control signal for stopping the operation of the "BECD pump 205" when SPC and CUTC are being supplied (used). Thereafter, the coolant control unit 111 transmits the generated control signal to the communication processing unit 213 of the control board 201 of the coolant device 200 .

[0072] In addition, the control unit 211 of the control board 211 of the coolant device 200 receives a control signal via the communication processing unit 213, and uses the control signal to control the operation of the "SPC pump 203, CUTC pump 204, and BEDC pump 205." For example, when the control unit 211 of the coolant device 200 turns on the operation control of the SPC pump 203, it transmits an operation command specifying a frequency of "50 Hz" to the inverter control board 220 and operates the SPC pump 203 so as to pump out the SPC at a pump pressure corresponding to "50 Hz". As a result, the center through coolant nozzle (SPC nozzle) of the machine tool unit 104 of the machining center 100 is supplied with the SPC delivered at a pump pressure corresponding to "50 Hz". Furthermore, for example, when the control unit 211 turns off the operation control of the SPC pump 203, it closes the open / close valve of the piping to which the SPC pump 203 is connected (the piping in the coolant device 200) and transmits an operation command specifying a frequency of "20 Hz" to the inverter control board 220 to operate the SPC pump 20 at a rotation speed of "15 Hz". At this time, the coolant pumped up from the SPC pump 203 cannot flow beyond the open / close valve and is returned to the coolant tank 206.

[0073] For example, assume that the amount of chips set on the customization setting screen 400 is "Medium", the corresponding tool number is "T02", and the read default and priority setting database 122 has the contents shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, for the tool number "T02", "SPC is set to "OFF" and "40Hz", CUTC is set to "ON", and BEDC is set to "OFF". In this case, the coolant power reduction unit 115 generates a “control signal creation command” that specifies that for the “SPC pump 203”, the default coolant control settings (default program) take precedence for the ON / OFF operation switching timing, specifies the frequency for ON operation to be “40 Hz”, and specifies the frequency for OFF operation (operation without supplying SPC) to be “15 Hz”, and for the “CUTC pump 204”, the default coolant control settings take precedence in accordance with the default priority setting database 122, and for the “BEDC pump 205”, generates a “control signal creation command” that specifies coolant control to stop operation when SPC and CUTC are supplied (used), and sends it to the coolant control unit 111.

[0074] Also, for example, assume that the amount of chips set on the customization setting screen 400 is "Large", the corresponding tool number is "T03", and the read default and priority setting database 122 has the contents shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, for the tool number "T03", "SPC is set to 'ON' and '60Hz', CUTC is set to ON, and BEDC is set to 'ON'." In this case, the coolant power reduction unit 115 generates a "control signal creation command" specifying the coolant control that is prioritized by the default coolant control setting (default program) for each of the "SPC pump 203," "CUTC pump 204," and "BEDC pump 205," and transmits it to the coolant control unit 111.

[0075] In this manner, according to the present embodiment, the operation of the pump 203 for SPC when supplying center through coolant (SPC) to each tool (cutter) 2 mounted on the machining center 100 can be controlled, and SPC can be supplied at a flow rate (pressure) appropriate for the tool 2. For example, by setting a high (large) frequency (frequency information) for a small-diameter tool (cutter) 2, the pump 203 for SPC can be driven at a high speed to supply SPC to the small-diameter tool at high pressure. Also, by setting a low (small) frequency (frequency information) for a large-diameter tool (cutter), the pump 203 for SPC can be driven at a low speed to supply SPC to the large-diameter tool at low pressure. That is, according to this embodiment, the operation of the SPC pump 203 can be controlled so as to supply SPC at a required pressure for each tool 2, thereby making it possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, it is possible to receive a frequency (SPC relief) for controlling the operation of the SPC pump 203 when the supply of center through coolant (SPC) is stopped. In addition, in the default coolant control settings (default control settings), when SPC is not supplied to the machining center 100, the inverter control board 220 operates the SPC pump 203 at a predetermined supply stop frequency (e.g., 20 Hz). In this embodiment, the frequency (SPC relief) for controlling the operation of the SPC pump 203 when the supply of center through coolant (SPC) is stopped can be set to a frequency lower than the supply stop frequency, so that even when SPC is not supplied to the machining center 100, energy consumption can be reduced compared to the default coolant control setting (default control setting).

[0077] As described above, according to this embodiment, a program can be provided that is executed on a machining center 100 having a control board 101, and that controls the operation of the coolant device 200 to reduce the power consumption of the coolant device 200. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a machine tool system comprising a coolant device 200 and a machine tool 100 connected to the coolant device 200, the machine tool system having a function of reducing the power consumption of the coolant device 200.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0079] Specifically, in the embodiment described above, the coolant power reduction unit 115 controls the operation of the coolant device 200 depending on the amount of received chips, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the coolant power reduction unit 115 does not need to have the function of accepting the amount of chips (large, medium, small). In this case, the coolant power reduction unit 115 receives, as a customization setting, frequency information for operating the SPC pump 203 when the SPC pump 203 supplies center through coolant to the tool 2 having the tool number in association with each tool number identifying the tool 2. Furthermore, when the coolant power reduction unit 115 receives frequency information for each tool number, it causes the coolant control unit 111 to generate a control signal including a command to operate the SPC pump 203 with the frequency information received in association with the tool number when the machining center 100 uses a tool having a tool number defined in the machining program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1...Spindle 2...Tools 3…Cutting nozzle 4…Bed cleaning nozzle B…Bed W…Work 100...Machining center (machine tool) 101...Control unit 110...Machine control unit 111...Coolant control unit 112...setting processing unit 113...Communication processing unit 115...Coolant power suppression section 129...Storage section 121…Chip amount setting database 122… Default and preference database 102...Display section 103...Operation unit 104…Machine tool department 200…Coolant unit 201...Control board 211...Control unit 213...Communication processing unit 203…SPC pump 204…CUTC pump 205…BEDC pump 206…Coolant tank 220...Inverter control board 230, 231, 232...Piping 235…Return pipe

Claims

1. A program executed on a machine tool having a control board equipped with a CPU and a memory, A coolant device is connected to the machine tool, the control board has a first control unit that generates a control signal according to a predetermined default control setting of the coolant device in correspondence with a machining program executed by the machine tool, and a communication processing unit that transmits the generated control signal to the coolant device; the coolant device includes a second control unit that receives the control signal sent from the control board and controls operation of the coolant device, an SPC pump for supplying center through coolant to the machine tool, and an inverter control board that is controlled by the second control unit to control operation of the SPC pump, The program is written on the control board. a first process for accepting, as a customized setting of operation control of the coolant device, frequency information for operating the SPC pump when the SPC pump supplies the center through coolant to a tool having a tool number that identifies a tool used in the machine tool, in association with the frequency information; and a second process for generating a control signal including a command to operate the SPC pump with the frequency information received in correspondence with the tool number when the machine tool uses a tool having the tool number defined in the machining program when frequency information is received for each tool number in the customization setting.

2. the first control unit of the control board is configured to generate a control signal including a command to stop supplying the center through coolant when the coolant device is to stop supplying the center through coolant, the control signal including the supply stop command includes predetermined supply stop frequency information for operating the SPC pump at a low output, The program is written on the control board. a third process of receiving frequency information lower than the supply stop frequency information as control information for the SPC pump when the supply of the center through coolant to the coolant device is stopped; and a fourth process for generating a control signal including a command to stop supply of the center through coolant, the control signal including frequency information lower than the received frequency information for stopping supply, when frequency information lower than the frequency information for stopping supply is received.

3. A machine tool system including a coolant device and a machine tool connected to the coolant device and controlling an operation of the coolant device, The machine tool has a first control unit that generates a control signal according to a predetermined default control setting of the coolant device in correspondence with a machining program executed by the machine tool itself, a communication processing unit that transmits the generated control signal to the coolant device, and a coolant power suppression unit that receives a customized setting of an operational control of the coolant device and causes the first control unit to generate the control signal according to the received customized setting, the coolant device includes a second control unit that receives the control signal sent from the machine tool and controls the operation of the entire coolant device, an SPC pump for supplying center through coolant to the machine tool, and an inverter control board that is controlled by the second control unit to control the operation of the SPC pump, The coolant power suppression unit is the customization setting is configured to be able to accept, for each tool number identifying a tool used in the machine tool, frequency information for operating the SPC pump when the SPC pump supplies the center through coolant to the tool having the tool number, in association with the tool number; a control signal including a command to operate the SPC pump with the frequency information received in association with the tool number when the machine tool uses a tool having the tool number defined in the machining program, when the customization setting corresponds to frequency information and receives the frequency information, said control signal including a command to operate the SPC pump with the frequency information received in association with the tool number when the machine tool uses a tool having the tool number defined in the machining program.

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