System, method and program for supporting machining-process design

Abstract

To provide a system for supporting machining-process design allowed to assess machining-process reliability, machining efficiency and environment effect.SOLUTION: A system for supporting machining-process design comprises a processing section that has a function to assess at least any of machining-process reliability, machining efficiency and environment effect from inputted pieces of work-piece information, machining information and machining-record information and an output section that outputs an assessment result in the processing section and an assessment result-based process or condition of machining.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machining process design support system, a machining process design support method, and a machining process design support program.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for accurately predicting the characteristics of a product manufactured in a manufacturing process, there is Patent Document 1. In this document, a predicted value of the characteristics of a target product is calculated using a regression model.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose or suggest evaluating the reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact of a machining process. The design, selection, and evaluation of a machining process have conventionally been subjective and prone to differences among process designers. To solve this problem, the present application aims to provide a machining process design support system, a machining process design support method, and a machining process design support program that can evaluate and display the reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact of a machining process, and support the process designer in designing, selecting, and evaluating the machining process through these evaluations.

[0005] Other objects and effects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the following full text of the specification.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An example of the means for solving the problems of the present invention is as follows. A processing unit having a function of evaluating at least any one of the reliability of a processing process, the processing efficiency, and the environmental impact from the input work information, processing information, and processing result information, and an output unit that outputs the evaluation result in the processing unit and the processing process or processing conditions based on the evaluation result. A processing process design support system.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, appropriate processing conditions can be determined, and defects in finished products, intermediate products, etc. generated by processing can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Fig. 1A

Fig. 1B

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 9A

Fig. 9B

Fig. 9C

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for explaining each embodiment, the same members are basically denoted by the same reference numerals, and the repeated explanations thereof are omitted. In the following description, although the processing may be described with "program" or functional blocks as the subject, since the program performs the defined processing by being executed by the CPU, the subject of the processing may be the CPU instead of the program or functional blocks.

Examples

[0010] <Configuration of Machining Process Design Support System 10> FIG. 1A shows a conceptual configuration of a machining process design support system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] The machining process design support system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention refers to the performance data for a workpiece to be newly machined, and selects a machining process based on similar data, thereby suppressing defects in the finished product or intermediate product after cutting. Here, the defect is a defect caused by machining, and typical ones include deformation or breakage of the workpiece and malfunction of the machine tool. Hereinafter, the object to be machined is referred to as "workpiece". Those having a shape obtained by machining are referred to as "finished product" or "machined product". However, in the following specification, the finished product is an article having a shape obtained by machining, and is not necessarily in the final product form.

[0012] The machining process design support system 10 generates a machining process that suppresses the occurrence of defects and achieves more stable machining by selecting a machining process based on machining result information when machining a workpiece. It evaluates at least any one, preferably all of the reliability, efficiency, and environmental impact of the input machining process, and outputs the evaluation result and the machining process modified based on the evaluation. Here, the machining process is a numerical control program that controls the movement of a machining tool, and an example thereof is an NC (Numerical Control) program for a machine tool control.

[0013] Although it will be described later with reference to the drawings, the machining process design support system 10 has a configuration similar to that of a general computer such as a personal computer. The machining process design support system 10 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that constitutes a processing unit 11 by arithmetic processing, a memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) that constitutes a storage unit 12, a storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel that constitutes an input unit 13, an output device such as a display that constitutes an output unit 14, and a communication module such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) that constitutes a communication unit 15. These may be configured as a single hardware such as a PC, or a combination of a plurality of hardwares such as an input / output terminal and a server. Also, it may be realized by network cooperation such that a part of the components is located on the cloud. In the sense of also including them, the term system is used in this specification.

[0014] The processing unit 11, the memory unit 12, the input unit 13, the output unit 14, and the communication unit 15 are connected to each other by a connection device (not shown) such as a bus. The processing unit 11 constitutes functional blocks of a processing result search unit 111, a processing reliability evaluation unit 112, a processing efficiency evaluation unit 113, an environmental impact evaluation unit 114, a processing condition selection unit 115, and a conversion unit 116. These functional blocks are realized by a computer's processor executing a predetermined program loaded into the memory.

[0015] The processing result search unit 111, the processing reliability evaluation unit 112, the processing efficiency evaluation unit 113, the environmental impact evaluation unit 114, and the processing condition selection unit 115 may each be provided as one process evaluation program. Some or all of these functional blocks may be realized as hardware by an integrated circuit or the like. The communication unit 15 receives the workpiece material information 123 from the outside such as CAD (Computer Aided Design) and the processing process information 122 from the outside such as an NC machine tool, and transmits them to the processing result search unit 111.

[0016] The processing result search unit 111 acquires the processing process information 122 and the workpiece material information 123 via the communication unit 15 and stores them in the memory unit 12. The processing process information 122 is information necessary for determining a processing process, including the movement path of the tool, processing conditions, processing time, equipment specifications, tool shape, tool material, cutting force during processing, and the like.

[0017] The workpiece material information 123 is supplied from an information medium having material information such as a CAD model as information regarding the workpiece material. For example, in addition to the shape of the workpiece material before processing, it is information including the shape and position of the removed portion in the workpiece material, a part or all of the shape of the finished product after cutting, restraint conditions, and the rigidity of the workpiece.

[0018] Also, the machining result search unit searches for data similar to the acquired information from the machining result information 121 by using the acquired machining process information 122 and workpiece material information 123. The machining reliability evaluation unit 112 evaluates the machining reliability based on the machining result information 121, machining process information 122, and workpiece material information 123 acquired from the storage unit 12. The reliability evaluation result includes information such as the presence or absence of workpiece deformation after machining, tool breakage or damage, and the generated stress during machining.

[0019] The machining efficiency evaluation unit 113 evaluates the machining efficiency based on the machining result information 121, machining process information 122, and workpiece material information 123 acquired from the storage unit 12. The machining efficiency evaluation result includes information such as the total machining time, workpiece material machining time, and unprocessed time.

[0020] The environmental impact evaluation unit 114 evaluates the environmental impact based on the machining result information 121, machining process information 122, and workpiece material information 123 acquired from the storage unit 12. The environmental impact evaluation result includes information such as power consumption, removed volume of workpiece material, and material usage.

[0021] The machining condition selection unit 115 evaluates the machining process based on the similar machining result information 121 searched by the machining result search unit 111 and the evaluation results output by the machining reliability evaluation unit 112, machining efficiency evaluation unit 113, and environmental impact evaluation unit 114, and modifies the machining process as necessary.

[0022] The conversion unit 116 converts the machining process selected by the machining condition selection unit into a file format that can be executed by an NC machine tool. If the NC machine tool has the function of the conversion unit 116, the machining process design support system 10 may not have the conversion unit 116. In this case, the machining process information 122 selected by the machining condition selection unit 112 is output to the NC machine tool.

[0023] The storage unit 12 stores the above-described processing result information 121, processing process information 122, and workpiece information 123. Note that the storage unit 12 may store information other than the above-described information. The input unit 13 receives various operations from the user. The output unit 14 displays, for example, the evaluation result of the calculated processing process and a screen (not shown) representing the processing process. The communication unit 15 connects to a computer or the like that outputs a CAD model via a predetermined network such as the Internet or a mobile phone communication network and communicates various data.

[0024] FIG. 1B is a block diagram for explaining an example configuration of a computer that constitutes the machining process design support system 10. Note that the machining process design support system 10 does not necessarily have to be configured by a single piece of hardware and may be configured by a plurality of pieces of hardware. The computer may be a virtual computer on the cloud. The computer may sometimes be referred to as a "calculator".

[0025] The computer 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a non-volatile storage device 54 capable of reading and writing data, a network interface 55, and an input / output interface 56, etc. These are communicably connected to each other via a bus 57. The CPU 51 loads various programs (not shown) stored in the ROM 52 and / or the storage device 54 into the RAM 53 and executes the programs loaded into the RAM 53 to realize various functions. As described above, various programs executed by the CPU 51 are loaded into the RAM 53, and data used when the CPU 51 executes various programs is temporarily stored. The ROM 52 and / or the storage device 54 are non-volatile storage media, and various programs are stored in the ROM 52 and / or the storage device 54. The network interface 55 is an interface for connecting the computer 50 to the network NW1. The input / output interface 56 is an interface for connecting to a keyboard and a display device 220, etc.

[0026] The processing unit 11 is composed of a CPU 51. The machining result search unit 111, the machining reliability evaluation unit 112, the machining efficiency evaluation unit 113, the environmental impact evaluation unit 114, the machining condition selection unit 115, and the conversion unit 116 are composed of programs stored in the ROM 52 and / or the storage device 54. The storage unit 12 is composed of the storage device 54. The machining result information 121, the machining process information 122, and the workpiece material information 123 are composed of these information stored in the storage device 54. The input unit 13 is composed of an input / output interface 56 and input devices (not shown) such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel connected to the computer 50 via the input / output interface 56. The output unit 14 is composed of an output device (not shown) such as a display connected to the computer 50 via the input / output interface 56 and the input / output interface 56. The communication interface is composed of a network interface 55.

[0027] The machining result information stored in the storage unit will be described. The machining result information is information including machining process information, workpiece material information, machining process information, and evaluation results.

[0028] <Machining Process Selection Method> Next, the method for selecting a machining process will be described. Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of machining process selection by the machining process design support system 10.

[0029] The machining process selection process is started at S20. Next, the workpiece shape and machining information are acquired at S21. Next, the performance data having similar characteristics are searched at S22. Next, the machining reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact are evaluated based on the similar data at S23. Next, the evaluation results are output at S24. Next, the machining conditions are selected at S25. Next, the machining process is output at S26. Finally, the end process is performed at S27. This will be described in more detail below.

[0030] In the following, in this specification and the drawings of the present application, S in the flowchart is used as synonymous with step.

[0031] The process of selecting a machining process is started in response to a predetermined operation from the user (S20). First, the machining performance search unit 111 acquires the workpiece material information 123 from an information medium having material information such as, for example, a CAD (Computer Aided Design) model, and stores it in the storage unit 12. Further, the machining performance search unit 111 acquires the machining process information 122 including the tool path and machining conditions from a file including the machining process information 122 of the NC machine tool or a file including the machining process information 122 created by external software associated with the NC machine tool, and stores it in the storage unit 12. At this time, the workpiece shape and machining information are also acquired (S21). Note that the machining information in this specification means the desired shape after various machining processes are performed on the workpiece.

[0032] Next, the machining performance search unit 111 extracts similar data from the machining performance information 121 based on the input workpiece material information 123 and machining process information 122. (S22). Subsequently, the machining reliability evaluation unit 112, the machining efficiency evaluation unit 113, and the environmental impact evaluation unit 114 evaluate the machining process using the workpiece material information 123, the machining process information 122, and the machining performance information 121 (S23). Details of the evaluation methods in each unit will be described later.

[0033] The evaluation target items at this time include at least any one of machining reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact. Of course, a plurality or all of them can also be evaluated.

[0034] From the above steps, the input machining process is evaluated, and the evaluation result is output (S24). Next, the machining condition selection unit selects the machining conditions based on the calculated evaluation result and the machining performance information 121. (S25). Note that details of the method for selecting the machining conditions will be described later. Finally, the machining condition selection unit outputs the selected machining process (S26).

[0035] At this time, the output format of the machining process may be output as a diagram that shows the tool path and machining conditions, or as a controllable program that includes the tool path and machining conditions such as an NC program. Alternatively, it may be in a form displayed on a display device. In addition, when an NC machine tool or the like has the function of the conversion unit 116, in the machining process design support system 10, the machining process information 122 calculated in step 26 may be output to the NC machine tool. In this case, the conversion unit 116 provided in the NC machine tool converts the machining process into a numerical control program. Note that the output machining process is transmitted to the NC machine tool by the communication unit 15. The NC machine tool machines according to the machining process transmitted from the machining process design support system 10 and generates a finished product.

[0036] Further, the machining process may be converted into a program suitable for a machine at an output destination other than the NC program. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress defects in finished products or intermediate products such as finished products and intermediate products generated from the workpiece to be machined.

[0037] <Machining result search method> A method for searching machining results by the machining result search unit 111 will be described.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a search flowchart of machining results by the machining result search unit 111. Note that the machining result search unit 111 executes a machining result search process in S22 of FIG. 2 described above.

[0039] The machining result search process is started at S30. Next, at S31, machining process information and workpiece information are acquired from the storage unit. Next, at S32, machining result information with a shape and rigidity similar to those of the workpiece is searched from the machining result information. Next, at S33, machining result information with a similar machining process is searched from the machining result information. Next, at S34, among the searched machining result information, those with a similarity equal to or higher than the threshold are extracted as similar data from the machining result information. Finally, end processing is performed at S35. This will be described in more detail below.

[0040] The processing result search unit 111 starts the processing result search process from step 31 in FIG. 3, performs processing in the order of step 32, step 33, and step 34, and searches for similar data.

[0041] First, in step 31, the processing process information 122 and the workpiece material information 123 are acquired from the storage unit. Based on the acquired processing process information 122 and workpiece material information 123, similar data is extracted in step 32, step 33, and step 34 described below.

[0042] Step 32: Based on the workpiece material information 123, the processing result search unit 111 sequentially searches the processing result information 121 for processing result information 121 in which the shape and rigidity of the workpiece material are similar. A high score is assigned to the processing result information 121 with a small error rate in shape and rigidity, and a low score is assigned to the processing result information 121 with a large error rate. The workpiece material with a high score is extracted as similar processing result information 121.

[0043] Step 33: Based on the processing process information 122, the processing result search unit 111 sequentially searches the processing result information 121 for processing result information 121 in which the processing process is similar. Among the processing processes, a high score is assigned to the processing result information 121 with a small error rate of the cutting force during processing, and a low score is assigned to the processing result information 121 with a large error rate. The processing process with a high score is extracted as similar processing result information 121.

[0044] Step 34: The processing result search unit 111 extracts, as similar data, the processing result information 121 among the processing result information 121 extracted in step 31 and step 32 whose score exceeds the threshold value. At this time, the threshold value uses a value set from the outside, such as being determined by the user. Then, the similar data is output, and the processing result search process is terminated.

[0045] <Method for evaluating machining reliability> The method for evaluating machining reliability by the machining reliability evaluation unit 112 will be described.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the machining reliability evaluation process. Note that the machining reliability evaluation unit 112 executes the machining reliability evaluation process in S23 of FIG. 2 described above.

[0047] The machining reliability evaluation process starts at S40. Next, it is determined whether there is similar data at S41. If YES, the machining reliability is evaluated based on the similar data at S45. On the other hand, if NO, the processes from S42 to S44 are sequentially performed. At S42, the stress generated during machining is calculated based on the input machining process information and the information on the material to be cut. Next, at S43, it is compared with the machining performance information to evaluate the reliability of the input process. Next, at S44, the machining process information, the information on the material to be cut, and the evaluation result are stored as machining performance information. Finally, the termination process is performed at S46. This will be described in more detail below.

[0048] The machining reliability evaluation unit 112 starts the machining reliability evaluation process from step 41 of FIG. 3, and evaluates the machining reliability by the processes from step 42 to step 44 or the process of step 45. First, at step 41, the similar data searched by the machining performance search unit 111 is referred to. If the similar data is included in the machining performance information 121, it proceeds to step 45 shown below. If not, the processes from step 42 to step 44 are sequentially executed. Step 42: The machining reliability evaluation unit 112 obtains the cutting force generated during machining based on the machining process information 122. Based on the obtained cutting force, the maximum value of the stress generated in the workpiece during machining is calculated.

[0049] Step 43: The machining reliability evaluation unit 112 compares, based on the workpiece material information 123, the value of the stress associated with the machining performance information 121 having a rigidity value close to that of the workpiece material in the machining performance information 121 with the calculated stress value. The error rate of the stress generated by the input machining process with respect to the stress value at which machining was completed without problems is calculated as a score. In this case, it is set such that the higher the score, the lower the probability of occurrence of defects in the input machining process.

[0050] Step 44: The machining reliability evaluation unit 112 stores the machining process information 122, the workpiece material information 123, and the reliability evaluation result in the machining performance information 121.

[0051] Step 45: The machining reliability evaluation unit 112 outputs, as the reliability evaluation result, a score obtained by taking into account the error rate for the evaluation result of the similar data.

[0052] <Machining Efficiency Evaluation Method> The evaluation method of the machining efficiency by the machining efficiency evaluation unit 113 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the machining efficiency evaluation process. Note that the machining efficiency evaluation unit 113 executes the machining efficiency evaluation process in S23 of FIG. 2 described above.

[0053] The machining efficiency evaluation process starts at S50. Next, it is determined whether there is similar data at S51. If YES, the evaluation is performed based on the similar data at S55. On the other hand, if NO, the processes from S52 to S54 are sequentially performed. At S52, the volume of the removed material per unit time (efficiency) is calculated based on the machining process information and the workpiece material information. Next, at S53, the efficiency of the input process is evaluated by comparing it with the machining performance information. Next, at S54, the machining process information, the workpiece material information, and the evaluation result are stored as the machining performance information. Finally, the end process is performed at S56. This will be described in more detail below.

[0054] The machining efficiency evaluation unit 113 starts the machining efficiency evaluation process from step 51 of FIG. 5, and evaluates the machining efficiency by the processes from step 52 to step 54 or the process of step 55. First, at step 51, similar to step 41 in the machining reliability evaluation unit 112, the similar data searched by the machining performance search unit 111 is referred to. If the similar data is included in the machining performance information 121, the process proceeds to step 55 shown below. If not, the processes from step 52 to step 54 are sequentially executed.

[0055] Step 52: The machining efficiency evaluation unit 113 calculates the volume of the workpiece material removed per unit time from the machining process information 122 and the workpiece material information 123.

[0056] Step 53: Based on the workpiece information 123, the machining efficiency evaluation unit 113 compares the value of the volume of the workpiece removed per unit time associated with the machining performance information 121 having a volume of the removed workpiece close to that in the machining performance information 121 with the value of the volume of the workpiece removed per unit time calculated from the machining performance information 121. The error rate with respect to the volume of the workpiece removed per unit time in the machining performance information 121 is calculated as a score. In this case, it is set such that the higher the score, the higher the volume of the workpiece removed per unit time of the input machining process.

[0057] Step 54: The machining efficiency evaluation unit 113 stores the input machining process information 122, the workpiece information 123, and the machining efficiency evaluation result in the machining performance information 121.

[0058] Step 55: The machining efficiency evaluation unit 113 outputs, as the machining efficiency evaluation result, a score that takes into account the error rate for the evaluation result of the similar data.

[0059] <Environmental Impact Evaluation Method> The method for evaluating the environmental impact by the environmental impact evaluation unit 114 will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the environmental impact evaluation process. Note that the environmental evaluation unit 114 executes the environmental impact evaluation process in S23 of FIG. 2 described above.

[0060] The environmental impact evaluation process is started at S60. Next, it is determined whether there is similar data at S61. If YES, the evaluation is performed based on the similar data at S65. On the other hand, if NO, the processes from S62 to S64 are sequentially performed. At S62, the power consumption, the removed volume, and the material usage amount are calculated based on the machining process information and the workpiece information. Next, at S63, the environmental impact of the input process is evaluated by comparing it with the machining performance information. Next, at S64, the machining process information, the workpiece information, and the evaluation result are stored as the machining performance information. Finally, the end process is performed at S66. It will be described in more detail below.

[0061] The environmental impact assessment unit 114 starts the environmental impact assessment process from step 61 in FIG. 6, and evaluates the environmental impact through the processes of steps 62 to 64 or the process of step 65.

[0062] First, in step 61, similar to step 41 in the machining reliability assessment unit 112, the similar data searched by the machining performance search unit 111 is referred to. If the similar data is included in the machining performance information 121, the process proceeds to step 65 as shown below. If it is not included, the processes from step 62 to step 64 are executed in sequence.

[0063] Step 62: The environmental impact assessment unit 114 calculates the power consumption, the volume of the workpiece removed, and the material usage fees for the workpiece and the tool from the machining process information 122 and the workpiece material information 123. Note that the power consumption is calculated from the equipment specifications associated with the machining process information 122 and the machining time.

[0064] Step 63: Based on the workpiece material information 123, the environmental impact assessment unit 114 compares the value of the volume of the workpiece removed per unit time associated with the machining performance information 121 with a close volume of the workpiece removed in the machining performance information 121 and the calculated value of the volume of the workpiece removed per unit time. The error rate with respect to the volume of the workpiece removed per unit time in the machining performance information is calculated as the score. In this case, the higher the score, the higher the volume of the workpiece removed per unit time of the input machining process is set. Furthermore, the machining performance information 121, the power consumption, and the material usage amount are compared, and the error rate is output as the score. In this case, the lower the power consumption and the material usage amount, the higher the score is set.

[0065] Step 64: The environmental impact assessment unit 114 stores the input machining process information 122, the workpiece material information 123, and the environmental impact assessment result in the machining performance information 121.

[0066] Step 65: The environmental impact assessment unit 114 outputs, as the environmental impact assessment result, a score that takes into account the error rate with respect to the evaluation result of the similar data.

[0067] <Method for Determining Processing Process> A method for selecting a processing process by the processing condition selection unit 115 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the processing reliability evaluation process. Note that the processing condition selection unit 115 executes the processing process selection process in S25 of FIG. 2 described above.

[0068] The processing condition selection process is started at S70. Next, it is determined whether there is similar data at S71. If YES, the processing process is determined based on the similar data at S76. On the other hand, if NO, it is determined at S72 whether the evaluation result is equal to or greater than the threshold value. If YES, the processing process is determined at S75. If NO, the processing conditions are adjusted at S73 so that the most prioritized evaluation item exceeds the threshold value based on the priority order. Next, the processing process including the adjusted processing conditions is adopted at S74. Finally, the end process is performed at S77. This will be described in more detail below.

[0069] The processing condition selection unit 115 starts the processing process selection process from step 71 of FIG. 7, and selects the processing process by the process of step 72 to step 74 or the process of step 72 and step 75 or the process of step 76. First, in step 71, similar data searched by the processing result search unit 111 is referred to in the same manner as in step 41 in the processing reliability evaluation unit 112.

[0070] If the similar data is included in the processing result information 121, the process proceeds to the process of step 76 shown below. If not, the processes after step 72 are executed in order. When the similar data is not included in the processing result information 121 in step 71, it is determined at step 72 whether the score of the evaluation result is equal to or greater than the threshold value. This threshold value may be given by the user or may be the minimum value or average value of the evaluation results of the processing results that can be processed without problems. If it exceeds the threshold value, the processing process under consideration is adopted as it is at step 75 (S75). If it is below the threshold value, the processes of step 73 and step 74 shown below are executed in order.

[0071] Step 73: If the threshold is exceeded in Step 72, the processing condition selection unit 115 adjusts the processing conditions according to the priority order of the evaluation results so that the top-priority evaluation item exceeds the threshold. At this time, the priority order is the order of processing reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact, but it may be selected by the user. For example, when improving the score of the processing reliability evaluation, processing condition adjustments such as reducing the cutting force by slowing down the movement speed and rotation speed of the tool are performed.

[0072] Step 74: The processing efficiency evaluation unit 113 adopts and outputs the processing process including the processing conditions adjusted in Step 72.

[0073] Step 76: The processing efficiency evaluation unit 113 selects and outputs a processing process in which the tool path and processing conditions are the same based on the processing process associated with the similar data.

[0074] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, at least any one of the reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact of the processing process, or a plurality or all of them are evaluated and displayed, and through these, a processing process design support system that can support the design, selection, and evaluation of the processing process by the process designer can be provided.

Example

[0075] In this example, an example of the screen display in the processing process design support system in Example 1 will be described.

[0076] FIG. 8 is an example of a screen display as an example of the output result of the processing process design support system of the present invention.

[0077] 61 is the entire display area. 62 is the display area for the machining reliability evaluation result, where the score and its details, or at least either of them, are displayed. 63 is the display area for the machining efficiency evaluation result, where the score and its details, or at least either of them, are displayed. 64 is the display area for the environmental impact evaluation result, where the score and its details, or at least either of them, are displayed. Also, in FIG. 8, 62, 63, and 64 are displayed. However, for items among machining reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact that the process designer does not target for processing in the machining process design support system, they are not displayed, or are displayed as out-of-scope or unprocessed.

[0078] 65 is the display area for the comprehensive evaluation, where the score and its details, or at least either of them, are displayed. 66 is the area where the selected machining process information is displayed.

[0079] At this time, the machining process information may be something that can understand the machining process, such as presenting the tool movement path and machining conditions, or it may be a numerical control program for machining. The expression includes any case, whether it is a graphical expression, numerical values, an NC program, or setting conditions, within the scope of the disclosure of this embodiment. The numerical control program for machining is a program that can be executed on an NC machine tool, and an example thereof is an NC program.

[0080] 71 is the determination button. As an example, when the process designer clicks or selects the button via a pointing device such as a mouse, the machining process displayed in 66 is delivered as determined information and used as the specifications for machining to the factory, design database, or manufacturing database, or the manufacturing condition information of the production control system.

[0081] 72 is a detailed display button. As an example, when the processing process designer clicks or selects the button via a pointing device such as a mouse, it is possible to proceed to the display selection of more detailed information of the information displayed in 62, 63, 664, 65, 66, etc. Thereby, the process designer can verify the appropriateness of the evaluation content of the processing process design support device.

[0082] 73 is a button for NC connection. As an example, when the processing process designer clicks or selects the button via a pointing device such as a mouse, the processing process displayed in 66 is stored in the program database of the NC device planned to be used in manufacturing as an NC program or NC setting conditions. Then, during actual processing, when the operator reads the stored NC program or NC setting conditions in the NC device, the processing operation as designed by the process designer is realized.

[0083] 74 is a condition change button. When for some reason the process designer wants to change the conditions and re - consider, clicking the button leads to the change condition input screen and then proceeds to the re - consideration process. As an example, cases such as changing the material, changing the thickness of the material, changing to a cheaper or more expensive material, changing to a softer or harder material, or changing the shape or accuracy after processing are examples of this.

[0084] In the processing process design support system of the present invention, by enabling a screen display as shown in FIG. 8, the burden of process design on the process designer can be reduced, and the process design work can be made more efficient.

Example

[0085] This example describes the processing process design support systems of Example 1 and Example 2 with respect to an example, along the processing flow using FIG. 9A.

[0086] 200 is the entire machining process design support system. First, an information set 210 is input into the calculation unit of the machining process design support system 200. This can be input from memory, from a database on storage, or from an external input, etc., and its input format has various forms.

[0087] The information set 210 includes machining result information 121, machining process information 122, and workpiece material information 123.

[0088] With respect to the workpiece information 219 of the workpiece to be machined, referring to the information set 210, a machining result search process 211 is performed. Here, the workpiece is used in the sense of including both the information of the workpiece material and the shape after machining, etc. The details of the machining result search here are an example of the content described with reference to FIG. 3 in Example 1.

[0089] Next, an evaluation process 212 is performed. Based on the similar data extracted in the machining result search 211 or the presence or absence of similar data, an evaluation process is performed on the evaluation target items selected by the process designer. The evaluation target can be one, or multiple, or all.

[0090] 213 is machining reliability evaluation, and the machining reliability evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 4 is an example thereof. 214 is machining efficiency evaluation, and the machining efficiency evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 5 is an example thereof. 215 is environmental impact evaluation, and the environmental impact evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 6 is an example thereof.

[0091] Based on the result of the evaluation process 212, a processing condition selection process 216 is performed. An example of the processing condition selection process disclosed in FIG. 7 is this. After that, in the conversion process 217, the output form of the data is adjusted. The process designer selects according to the output destination, such as screen display, parameter list, NC program in the NC machine, set values in the NC machine, etc., or the machining process design support system 200 automatically selects one or more of the output forms, and is converted into an output format suitable for the selected output form. 218 is the output process, and the machining process design support system 200 outputs the processing result, and the machining process design support system achieves a predetermined processing purpose.

[0092] In this embodiment, an example of the machining process design support system of the present invention has been described along the process flow. Of course, the process flow is not limited to the above description, and as long as it is within the scope disclosed through the entire disclosure of this specification, it is included in the processing of the machining process design support system in this application.

[0093] Incidentally, an example of the invention disclosed in this embodiment can be expressed as follows when the words are changed. <The first> A processing unit having a function of evaluating at least any one of the reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact of a machining process from the input workpiece information, machining information, and machining result information, and an output unit that outputs the evaluation result in the processing unit and the machining process or machining conditions based on the evaluation result. A machining process design support system. <The second> In the machining process design support system described in <The first>, when evaluating at least any one of the reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process, a machining process design support system that uses machining process information and work material information together. <The third> In the machining process design support system described in <The second>, the workpiece information includes the shape information and rigidity information of the workpiece, and based on the shape information and rigidity information of the workpiece and the machining information, similar result data is searched from the machining result information. A machining process design support system. <The fourth> In the machining process design support system described in <The third>, the processing unit evaluates the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process, selects or adjusts the evaluation results based on the priority, and the output unit outputs the machining process or machining conditions. A machining process design support system. <The fifth> In the machining process design support system described in <The fourth>, a machining process design support system that converts the machining process into a form that can be displayed on a screen or converts it into a program or parameters for an NC device.

Example

[0094] In this example, when designing the machining process performed by the machining process design support system of Example 1, Example 2, or Example 3, taking the design support method performed by the machining process design support system as an example, the machining process design support method in this example will be described with reference to FIG. 9B.

[0095] 202 is the entire machining process design support method. First, an information set 220 is input to the calculation unit of the machining process design support system 200. This can be input from the memory, from the database on the storage, or from an external input, etc., and its input form has various forms.

[0096] The information set 220 includes machining result information 121, machining process information 122, and workpiece material information 123.

[0097] With respect to the workpiece information 229 of the workpiece to be machined, referring to the information set 220, a machining result search processing step 221 is performed. Here, the workpiece is used in the sense of including both the information of the workpiece material and the shape after machining. The details of the machining result search here are an example of the content described with reference to FIG. 3 in Example 1.

[0098] Next, evaluation processing step 222 is performed. Based on the similar data extracted in the processing result search step 221 or the presence or absence of similar data, evaluation processing is performed on the evaluation target items selected by the process designer. The evaluation target may be one, multiple, or all of them.

[0099] 223 is the processing reliability evaluation step, and an example of the processing reliability evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 4 is an example thereof. 224 is the processing efficiency evaluation step, and an example of the processing efficiency evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 5 is an example thereof. 225 is the environmental impact evaluation step, and an example of the environmental impact evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 6 is an example thereof.

[0100] Based on the result of the evaluation processing step 222, the processing condition selection processing step 226 is performed. An example of the processing condition selection process disclosed in FIG. 7 is an example thereof.

[0101] Thereafter, in the conversion processing step 227, the output form of the data is adjusted. The process designer selects according to the output destination, such as screen display, parameter list, NC program in the NC processing machine, set values in the NC machine, etc., or the processing process design support system 200 automatically selects one or more of the output forms, and converts it into an output format suitable for the selected output form.

[0102] 228 is the output processing step, and by outputting the processing result in the form converted in 227 or to the corresponding output destination, the flow of the processing process design support ends.

[0103] In this embodiment, an example of the processing process design support method of the present invention has been described along the flow of the process. Of course, the flow of the process is not limited to the above description, and as long as it is within the scope disclosed through the entire disclosure of this specification, it is included in the processing process design support method in this embodiment.

[0104] Incidentally, an example of the invention disclosed in this embodiment can be expressed as follows when the words are changed. <The sixth> A machining process design support method that evaluates at least one of the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of a machining process from the input work information, machining information, and machining performance information, creates a machining process or machining conditions based on the result of the evaluation, and outputs the evaluation result and the machining process or the machining conditions. <Its 7> <In the machining process design support method described in item <Its 6>, the work information includes the shape information and rigidity information of the work, and based on the shape information and rigidity information of the work and the machining information, similar performance data is searched from the machining performance information. Machining process design support method. <Its 8> <In the machining process design support method described in item <Its 7>, when evaluating at least one of the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process, machining process information and work material information are used together. Machining process design support method. <Its 9> <In the machining process design support method described in item <Its 8>, the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process are evaluated, the evaluation result is selected or adjusted based on the priority, and then the machining process or the machining conditions are created. Machining process design support method. <Its 10> In the machining process design support method described in claim 9, the machining process is converted into a form that can be displayed on a screen, or converted into a program or parameters for an NC device, and the converted information is output. Machining process design support method.

Example

[0105] This example explains the configuration of a machining process design support program used in the machining process design support system of Example 1, Example 2, or Example 3, or used in the machining process design method of Example 4, using FIG. 9C.

[0106] 203 is the configuration of a program unit of a machining process design support program. 230 is a database reference unit. When the program is processed, necessary data is obtained from memory, or from a database on storage, or from external input, etc. The obtained data is stored in memory or in a storage for temporary storage. The data to be obtained includes machining result information 121, machining process information 122, and workpiece material information 123.

[0107] The workpiece information input unit 239 obtains the workpiece information of the workpiece to be machined. Here, the workpiece is used in the sense of including both the information of the workpiece material and the shape after machining.

[0108] Next, based on the information from the database reference unit 230 and the workpiece information input unit 239, the machining result search unit 231 performs an extraction process of similar data or a determination process of the presence or absence of similar data.

[0109] The details of the process realized by the program calculation in the machining result search unit 231 are exemplified by the content described with reference to FIG. 3 in Example 1.

[0110] Next, the evaluation processing unit 232 performs an evaluation process. Based on the similar data extracted by the machining result search unit 221 or the presence or absence of similar data, an evaluation process is performed on the evaluation target items selected by the process designer. The evaluation target may be one, or a plurality, or all.

[0111] 233 is a machining reliability evaluation unit, and is a program unit for performing the machining reliability evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 4 as an example. 234 is a machining efficiency evaluation unit, and is a program unit for performing the machining efficiency evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 5 as an example. 235 is an environmental impact evaluation unit, and is a program unit for performing the environmental impact evaluation process disclosed in FIG. 6 as an example.

[0112] Based on the results of the evaluation processing unit 232, the processing condition selection processing unit 236 performs processing condition selection processing. The processing condition selection processing disclosed in FIG. 7 is an example of this, and it is a program unit for performing this processing.

[0113] After that, the conversion processing unit 237 performs adjustment processing on the output form of the data. The process designer selects according to the output destination such as screen display, parameter list, NC program in the NC processing machine, set values in the NC machine, etc., or the machining process design support system 200 automatically selects one or more of the output forms, and performs processing to convert to an output format suitable for the selected output form.

[0114] 238 is an output processing unit, and by outputting the processing result in the form converted by 237 or to the corresponding output destination, the processing of the machining process design support program ends.

[0115] In this embodiment, an example of the machining process design support program of the present invention has been described. Of course, the unit configuration of the machining process design support program is not limited to the above description, and as long as it is within the scope disclosed through the entire disclosure of this specification, it is included in the machining process design support program in this embodiment.

[0116] Incidentally, an example of the invention disclosed in this embodiment can be expressed as follows when the words are changed. <Part 11> A processing process design support program having a work information input unit, a database reference unit, a processing result search unit, an evaluation processing unit, a processing condition selection unit, a conversion unit, and an output unit. The work information input unit obtains work information, the database reference unit obtains processing result information, the processing result search unit searches for similar processing results based on inputs from the work information input unit and the database reference unit, the evaluation processing unit evaluates at least one of processing reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact based on the work information and the similar processing results, the processing condition selection unit selects a processing process or processing conditions based on the evaluation results, the conversion unit converts the processing process or processing conditions into an output - capable format, and the output unit outputs the processing process or processing conditions to a specified output destination. <Part 12> <In the processing process design support program according to , the database reference unit also obtains processing process information and workpiece material information. <Part 13> <In the processing process design support program according to , the work information includes work shape information and rigidity information. <Part 14> <In the processing process design support program according to , the evaluation processing unit evaluates the reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact of the processing process. <Part 15> <In the processing process design support program according to , when the output destination in the output unit is a screen display, the conversion unit converts it into a screen - displayable format, and when the output destination in the output unit is an NC device, the conversion unit converts it into a program and parameters for the NC device.

[0117] In the above Examples 1 to 5, the machining process design support system, machining process design support method, and machining process design support program of the present invention have been described. Here, the disclosure content of Patent Document 1 is compared with the present invention again.

[0118] Patent Document 1 does not have a function of evaluating the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental load of a machining process based on the workpiece rigidity of the target product. That is, the conventional technology does not evaluate at least any one of the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process from the input workpiece information, machining information, and machining result information, and does not have a function of outputting the evaluation result and the machining process based on the evaluation result. On the other hand, according to the present invention, as described in detail in the above embodiments, it is possible to provide a machining process design support system, a machining process design method, and a machining process design support program that can suppress defects in finished products, intermediate products, etc. generated by machining.

[0119] In other words, taking an example of the present invention, the machining process design support system of the present invention is a system that evaluates a machining process and supports the design of the machining process by a process designer, and has a processing unit that evaluates at least any one of the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process from the input workpiece information, machining information, and machining result information, and an output unit that outputs the evaluation result in the processing unit and the machining process based on the evaluation result. It is a machining process design support system.

[0120] Explaining another example of the present invention, the machining process design support method of the present invention evaluates at least any one of the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process by a processing unit from the input workpiece information, machining information, and machining result information, and outputs the evaluation result in the processing unit and the machining process based on the evaluation result to an output unit. It is a machining process design support method.

[0121] To explain another example of the present invention, the processing process design program of the present invention includes an input routine that receives input of workpiece information, processing information, and processing result information, an evaluation routine that evaluates at least one of the reliability of the processing process, processing efficiency, and environmental impact, and an output routine that outputs the evaluation result in the evaluation routine or the processing process based on the evaluation result. It is a processing process design support program.

[0122] Note that the workpieces and products to which the processing process design support system, processing process design support method, and processing process design support program of the present invention are applied are not particularly limited. As an example, they can be used for processing hollow materials and long objects. In this case, it is possible to accurately process a hollow long object with high processing accuracy and little deformation in a short time.

[0123] <Effect> As described above, in the present invention, by evaluating the reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact of the processing process, when designing the processing process of the workpiece, a processing process design support system, a processing process design support method, and a processing process design support program that evaluate the reliability, processing efficiency, and environmental impact of the processing process can be provided. As a result, the burden on the processing process designer can be reduced, and a more appropriate and high-level process design can be realized.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0124] 10: Processing process design support system 11: Processing unit 12: Storage unit 13: Input unit 14: Output unit 15: Communication unit 61: Entire display area 62: Display area for processing reliability evaluation result 63: Display area for processing efficiency evaluation result 64: Display area for environmental impact evaluation result 65: Display area for comprehensive evaluation 66: Area where the selected processing process information is displayed 111: Processing result search section 112: Processing reliability evaluation section 113: Processing efficiency evaluation section 114: Environmental impact evaluation section 115: Processing condition selection section 116: Conversion section 121: Processing result information 122: Processing process information 123: Workpiece material information

Claims

1. A machining process design support system having a processing unit that evaluates at least one of the reliability of a machining process, machining efficiency, and environmental impact from input work information, machining information, and machining performance information, and an output unit that outputs an evaluation result in the processing unit and a machining process or machining conditions based on the evaluation result.

2. The machining process design support system according to Claim 1, wherein machining process information and workpiece material information are used together when evaluating at least one of the reliability of the machining process, machining efficiency, and environmental impact.

3. The machining process design support system according to Claim 2, wherein the work information includes work shape information and rigidity information, and similar performance data is searched from the machining performance information based on the work shape information, rigidity information, and the machining information.

4. The machining process design support system according to Claim 3, wherein the processing unit evaluates the reliability of the machining process, machining efficiency, and environmental impact, selects or adjusts the evaluation result based on a priority order, and the output unit outputs a machining process or machining conditions.

5. The machining process design support system according to Claim 4, which converts the machining process into a form that can be displayed on a screen, or converts it into a program or parameters for an NC device.

6. Evaluating at least one of the reliability of a machining process, machining efficiency, and environmental impact from input work information, machining information, and machining performance information, creating a machining process or machining conditions based on the result of the evaluation, and outputting the result of the evaluation and the machining process or the machining conditions. A machining process design support method.

7. The machining process design support method according to Claim 6, wherein the work information includes work shape information and rigidity information, and similar performance data is searched from the machining performance information based on the work shape information, rigidity information, and the machining information.

8. The machining process design support method according to Claim 7, wherein machining process information and workpiece material information are used together when evaluating at least one of the reliability of the machining process, machining efficiency, and environmental impact.

9. In the machining process design support method according to claim 8, the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process are evaluated, the evaluation results are selected or adjusted based on the priority order, and then the machining process or the machining conditions are created.

10. In the machining process design support method according to claim 9, the machining process is converted into a form that can be displayed on a screen, or converted into a program or parameters for an NC device, and the converted information is output.

11. It has a work information input unit, a database reference unit, a machining performance search unit, an evaluation processing unit, a machining condition selection unit, a conversion unit, and an output unit. The work information input unit obtains work information. The database reference unit obtains machining performance information. The machining performance search unit searches for similar machining performances based on the inputs from the work information input unit and the database reference unit. The evaluation processing unit evaluates at least one of machining reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact based on the work information and the similar machining performances. The machining condition selection unit selects a machining process or machining conditions based on the results of the evaluation. The conversion unit converts the machining process or machining conditions into a form that can be output. The output unit outputs the machining process or machining conditions to a specified output destination. A machining process design support program.

12. In the machining process design support program according to claim 11, the database reference unit also obtains machining process information and workpiece material information. A machining process design support program.

13. In the machining process design support program according to claim 12, the work information includes the shape information and rigidity information of the work. A machining process design support program.

14. In the machining process design support program according to claim 13, the evaluation processing unit evaluates the reliability, machining efficiency, and environmental impact of the machining process. A machining process design support program.

15. In the machining process design support program according to claim 14, the conversion unit converts the output destination in the output unit into a format that can be displayed on the screen when the output destination is for screen display, and converts it into a program or parameters for the NC device when the output destination in the output unit is the NC device. A machining process design support program.

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