Processing system, and processing device

Abstract

To provide a simple method with which a tool length determination range can be changed for every NC file.SOLUTION: A processing system comprises: a processing device that has a main shaft that holds a tool for processing a workpiece; and an external device having an input receiving unit 813 that receives, from a user, operations for an NC file that controls the processing device, and an analysis processing unit 812 that analyzes character strings in the NC file. After the input receiving unit 813 receives the NC file, the processing system changes a tool length permission range for the processing device on the basis of a result of the analysis of the NC file carried out by the analysis processing unit 812 and a manufacturer code stored in advance in the external device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machining system for a machining device that performs machining on a workpiece, and to the machining device. [Background technology]

[0002] There are many "open system" dental milling machines that allow users to combine CAD, CAM, and milling machines as they like. Among these machines, there are those that allow users to set the milling conditions and perform milling.

[0003] For example, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, an information code containing processing conditions such as cutting blades is prepared in advance, and the processing conditions are changed by reading the information code. In this way, it is desirable to be able to easily change the processing conditions before processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-024151 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is no mention of a tool length measurement range in Patent Document 1. In a processing device, there are cases where it is desired to change the protrusion amount of the tool depending on the type of material of the workpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a machining device having a spindle that holds a tool for machining a workpiece; an external device including an input receiving unit that receives an operation from a user for an NC file that controls the processing device, and an analysis processing unit that analyzes a character string in the NC file; a machining system characterized in that, after the input receiving unit receives the NC file, the allowable tool length range for the machining device is switched based on the analysis result of the NC file by the analysis processing unit and a manufacturer code that has been pre-stored in the external device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the tool length determination range can be switched for each NC file in a simple manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an external front view of a processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a processing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the machining system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the machining system and an external device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an application unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of an NC file check and a tool length range change according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of a processing system 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0010] [Processing system] The machining system 1 includes a machining device 200 and a coolant supply device 210. In this embodiment, the machining device 200 and the coolant supply device 210 are shown as separate entities, but the coolant supply device 210 may be integrated into the machining device. The machining device 200 machines a workpiece using tools in a machining area 120. The machining device 200 houses the processing machine 100 in an exterior cover 101 serving as a housing. That is, the exterior cover 101 houses a spindle, a tool magazine, and other components described below. An openable door (not shown) is provided at the front opening of the exterior cover 101. When the openable door is open, the interior of the housing, i.e., the machining area 120 described below, is accessible, allowing for workpiece replacement and manual tool replacement.

[0011] The coolant supply device 210 supplies coolant, which is a liquid for cooling workpieces, tools, etc., into the machining area 120 of the machining apparatus 200. The coolant supply device 210 of this embodiment is disposed below the machining apparatus 200 and includes a tank 211, a pump 212, a flow meter 213, and a solenoid valve 214, which are connected by pipes 220 to 224. The arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate the path and direction of coolant flow. The tank 211 contains coolant, and the pump 212 sucks the coolant from the tank 211 via the pipe 220 and sends it to the pipe 221. The coolant sent to the pipe 221 passes through the flow meter 213 via the pipe 222. The flow meter 213 measures the flow rate of the coolant supplied from the pump 212 and sends a signal to a CPU 85 (FIG. 4), which is a main control unit of the machining system 1 (described later). A strainer 215 is provided midway along the pipe 222 to remove foreign matter from within the pipe path.

[0012] The coolant liquid that has passed through the flow meter 213 is sent to a pipe 223 and reaches a solenoid valve 214 provided on the pipe 223. The solenoid valve 214 opens and closes the flow path and is controlled by the above-mentioned CPU 85 to start and stop the supply of the coolant liquid to the machining device 200. The pipe 223 is connected to the machining device 200, and the coolant liquid that has passed through the solenoid valve 214 in an open state is supplied into the machining area 120 via a coolant discharge unit 202 serving as a coolant liquid supply unit provided in a spindle head 201 of the machining device 200. When the solenoid valve 214 is closed, the coolant liquid supplied from the pump 212 is returned to the tank 211 via a pipe 224 branching from the pipe 221.

[0013] The coolant discharge unit 202 is, for example, a nozzle provided around the spindle 11 (FIG. 3) of the spindle head 201, and supplies the coolant toward a tool held by the spindle 11 or a workpiece, which is an object to be machined, by discharging the coolant downward. The coolant supplied from the coolant discharge unit 202 accumulates in the lower part of the machining area 120 and is discharged from the lower part of the machining device 200. A tray 216 (filtering device) is provided below the machining device 200, which receives the coolant discharged from the machining device 200 and returns it to the tank 211. In this way, the machining system 1 of this embodiment uses the coolant to cool the tool or workpiece during machining. Note that this embodiment is provided with an air blow unit 87 (FIG. 4) that blows air toward the tool or the like.

[0014] [Processing machine] Next, the processing machine 100 arranged inside the exterior cover 101 of the processing device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The processing machine 100 includes a frame 1xz as a movement mechanism support member, a first movement mechanism (Z-axis movement mechanism) 10, a second movement mechanism (X-axis movement mechanism) 20, and a third movement mechanism (Y-axis movement mechanism) 30, each supported by the frame 1xz, a support mechanism 40 that supports a workpiece W as a processing target, a first rotation mechanism (rotation device) 50 and a second rotation mechanism 60 as rotation means capable of rotating the support mechanism 40, a tool magazine 70, and an electrical unit 80. The first movement mechanism 10, the second movement mechanism 20, and the third movement mechanism 30 constitute a movement device 100A that serves as movement means for relatively moving a spindle 11 and a holding device 41 (described later) in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z.

[0015] The first movement mechanism 10 is supported by the first frame portion 3 of the frame 1xz via the second movement mechanism 20, and is capable of moving the spindle 11 in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction, first direction). A tool 12 is detachably attached to the spindle 11 via a tool holder. In other words, the spindle 11 is capable of gripping the tool 12. The spindle 11 is rotationally driven by a motor 13. The first movement mechanism 10 has a motor 14 and a guide shaft (not shown) arranged in the Z-axis direction, and is driven by the motor 14 to reciprocate (raise and lower) the spindle 11 in the Z-axis direction along the guide shaft. The spindle 11 is movably supported on the guide shaft via a Z-axis support member (not shown). The guide shaft and the Z-axis support member are covered by a cover 17.

[0016] The second movement mechanism 20, which serves as a movement unit, is supported by the first frame portion 3 of the frame 1xz and is capable of moving the main shaft 11 together with the first movement mechanism 10 in the X-axis direction (predetermined direction, horizontal direction, second direction) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The second movement mechanism 20 has a motor 21, a guide shaft 22 arranged in the X-axis direction, and rails 23 and 24 arranged in the X-axis direction. Driven by the motor 21, the first movement mechanism 10 reciprocates along the guide shaft 22 in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the guide shaft 22, which is a threaded shaft, is inserted into a nut member 19 fixed to a holder 18 that holds the main shaft 11 and the first movement mechanism 10. The holder 18 is also provided with engagement portions 25 and 26 that engage with the rails 23 and 24. When the guide shaft 22 is rotated by the motor 21, the nut member 19, which is threadedly engaged with the guide shaft 22, moves along the guide shaft 22. The holding portion 18 to which the nut member 19 is fixed, and the spindle 11 and first moving mechanism 10 held by the holding portion 18, move in the X-axis direction based on the engagement between the engaging portions 25, 26 and the rails 23, 24. The second frame portion 4 is connected to the lower end of the first frame portion 3 so as to extend in the Y-axis direction, and the first frame portion 3 and the second frame portion 4 are further connected by a reinforcing plate 29.

[0017] The third movement mechanism 30 is supported on the underside of the second frame portion 4 of the frame 1xz, and is capable of moving the support mechanism 40 in the Y-axis direction (horizontal direction, third direction) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction. The third movement mechanism 30 has a motor 32 and a guide shaft (not shown) arranged in the Y-axis direction, and is driven by the motor 32 to move the support mechanism 40 back and forth in the Y-axis direction along the guide shaft. As shown in FIG. 3, the side of the gantry 2 facing the support mechanism 40 in the Y-axis direction is open. The third movement mechanism 30 is capable of moving the support mechanism 40 in the Y-axis direction together with the second rotation mechanism 60 and the first rotation mechanism 50, as will be described in detail later.

[0018] The support mechanism 40 supports a workpiece W, such as a dental prosthesis, as an object to be machined by the tool 12. (Processing section) Such a support mechanism 40 has a holding device 41 as a holding section that holds the workpiece W, and a support section 42 whose both ends are respectively connected to the rotating section 51 of the first rotating mechanism 50 and that supports the workpiece W via the holding device 41.

[0019] The first rotation mechanism 50, which serves as a rotation device, can rotate the support mechanism 40 around the a-axis, which serves as a rotation axis perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the a-axis is parallel to the X-axis direction. The first rotation mechanism 50 includes a support frame 53 that rotatably supports the rotating unit 51 and a motor that rotates the rotating unit 51. The support frame 53 is formed in a generally U-shape so as to surround the periphery of the support mechanism 40, and is composed of a first support part 53a that supports the motor and the rotating unit 51 on one side (the driving side), a second support part 53b that supports the rotating unit on the other side (the driven side), and a connecting part 53c that connects the first support part 53a and the second support part 53b.

[0020] The rotating part 51 supported by the first support part 53a and the rotating part supported by the second support part 53b are arranged to face each other in the a-axis direction and to be rotatable around the a-axis as a rotation axis. Both ends of the support mechanism 40 in the a-axis direction are supported by the rotating parts on both sides. As a result, the first rotation mechanism 50 supports the support mechanism 40 rotatably around the a-axis (X-axis).

[0021] The first rotation mechanism 50 can rotate at least 180° and can turn over the workpiece W supported by the support mechanism 40. In this embodiment, the first rotation mechanism 50 can rotate the support mechanism 40 360° around the a-axis.

[0022] The second rotation mechanism 60 can rotate the support mechanism 40 around the b-axis, which is another rotation axis perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the a-axis. In this embodiment, the b-axis is parallel to the Y-axis direction. The second rotation mechanism 50 has a rotating unit to which the support frame 53 of the first rotation mechanism 50 is attached, and a motor that rotates and drives the rotating unit. The rotating unit is attached to a connecting portion 53c of the support frame 53, and is rotated by the motor to rotate the support frame 53 around the b-axis.

[0023] The tool magazine 70 serving as a tool holder can store a plurality of tools and is disposed adjacent to the first rotation mechanism 50. The tool magazine 70 can be moved in the Y-axis direction together with the support mechanism 40 and the like by the third movement mechanism 30. However, even if the support mechanism 40 rotates around the a-axis, the tool magazine 70 does not rotate, and even if the support mechanism 40 rotates around the b-axis, the tool magazine 70 does not rotate.

[0024] In the tool magazine 70, a plurality of types of tools, each formed integrally with the tool holder 12a, are held and arranged in a plurality of rows along the Y-axis direction, and the tools attached to the spindle 11 are changeable.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, before and after storing or removing the tool, an operation is performed to confirm whether or not the tool 12 is being held by the spindle 11 by bringing the tip of the tool 12 into contact with a touch sensor 96, which serves as tip detection means capable of detecting the tip of the tool 12 held by the spindle 11.

[0026] The electrical unit 80 is attached to the inside of the frame 1xz. That is, the electrical unit 80 is disposed on the upper side of the second frame portion 4, opposite to the side on which the first movement mechanism 10 of the first frame portion 3 is supported. Such an electrical unit 80 controls the machining system 1 or the machining device 200, and includes a control board that controls the drive of the motors of the spindle and each axis, and a plurality of control units that calculate pulses to be output to the motors from signals from the rotary encoders of the corresponding motors and appropriately control the rotation of the corresponding motors.

[0027] The processing machine 100 of this embodiment is an NC processing machine that performs automatic processing under computer control. Specifically, processing data is created by a CAD / CAM system using an external terminal such as a personal computer, and the workpiece W is processed by numerical control based on this data. For this purpose, an external terminal (external device 800) such as a personal computer that issues commands to the processing machine 100 is connected to the processing machine 100. Note that the processing machine 100 itself may be provided with a computer equipped with a CPU and memory capable of numerical control. The control means described below may be provided in either the processing machine or a computer connected to the processing machine.

[0028] For example, when a dental prosthesis (dental material) is produced using the processing machine 100, data of the dental prosthesis measured by a three-dimensional measuring device is transferred to a CAD / CAM system, and processing data is created by the CAD / CAM system. Then, based on this processing data, the processing machine 100 is controlled to cut the workpiece W with the tool 12, thereby producing the dental prosthesis.

[0029] Next, the control configuration within the electrical unit 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The electrical unit 80 includes a CPU 85 as control means (main control unit), an input / output port (I / O) 86i, motor control units 84x, 84y, and 84z, a spindle control unit 84c, an a-axis control unit 84a, and a b-axis control unit 84b. The CPU 85 performs various calculations using memory 86m based on input data and signals, and sends instructions on rotation speed and position to the connected control units 84x, 84y, 84z, 84a, 84b, and 84c, which serve as servo amplifiers.

[0030] The I / O 86i is connected to the compressor 350, the pump 212, the touch sensor 96, the air pressure detection sensor 91, the flow meter 213, and the solenoid valve 214. The compressor 350 supplies air to an air blow unit 87 of the processing device 200. The air blow unit 87 blows the air supplied from the compressor 350 onto the tool 12 attached to the spindle 11 to cool the tool 12 and remove chips adhering to the tool 12. The pressure of the air supplied to the air blow unit 87 is detected by an air pressure detection sensor 91, and a detection signal of the air pressure detection sensor 91 is sent to the CPU 85 via the I / O 86i.

[0031] As described above, the pump 212 supplies coolant to the coolant discharge unit 202. The coolant discharge unit 202 supplies the coolant toward the tool 12 and the workpiece. As described above, the touch sensor (tool length sensor) 96 as a tip detecting means is used to confirm whether or not the tool 12 is held by the spindle 11 during a tool changing operation, and also detects the length of the tool 12 and sends a signal to the CPU 85.

[0032] Motor control units 84x, 84y, and 84z provided in the CPU 85 drive the X, Y, and Z motors based on commands from the CPU 85. Each of the motors 21, 32, and 14 is provided with an encoder as a position detection means. The encoder detects, for example, the number of rotations, rotation angle, and rotation direction of the rotation shaft of each of the motors 21, 32, and 14. The encoder then detects the amount of actual movement of each of the stages x, y, and z (actual position, the relative position of the spindle 11 with respect to the holding device 41) by driving each of the motors 21, 32, and 14.

[0033] The main shaft control unit 84c controls the rotation speed of the main shaft (spindle) by controlling a motor (not shown) that rotates the main shaft 11. Furthermore, the a- and b-axis control units 84a and 84b drive the a-axis and b-axis motors 54 and 62 based on commands from the CPU 85. These motors 54 and 62 are also provided with encoders 54a and 62a, which can detect the rotation angles of the support mechanism 40 around the a-axis and b-axis.

[0034] In this way, the CPU 85 controls each part of the processing machine 100, thereby performing predetermined processing on the workpiece W held as described above. The CPU 85 executes each operation and process described below by loading a program into storage means such as the memory 86m. When detecting the amount of coolant by weight, a tank weight detection sensor 97 may be disposed in the part of the tank that receives the weight, and the amount of coolant may also be measured by a water level gauge or water surface sensor.

[0035] Generally, compared to dry machining equipment, wet machining equipment primarily processes metals, which places a greater load on the machine, making it more susceptible to tool chatter. For this reason, some CAM manufacturers, who determine the conditions for NC output, prefer to use tools with shorter overhangs than dry machining. Machining equipment determines the tool overhang length (tool length determination) before machining, but when machining with dry machining equipment, the tool length determination range is fixed, for example, 25 to 35 mm. The tool lengths that CAM manufacturers want to use for metal machining are often shorter than the fixed tool length measurement range, for example, 15 mm. If the tool length determination method uses a tool length determination range of 25 to 35 mm, a tool length range error will occur at the start of machining. Therefore, for NC files created with CAM that may potentially be used for metal machining, the tool length determination range must be changed.

[0036] 5, the machining system 1 includes a machining apparatus 200 that machines a workpiece, a coolant supply device 210 that supplies coolant to the machining apparatus 200, and an external device 800 that transmits an NC file to the machining apparatus 200. The external device 800 includes an NC generation unit 820 that generates an NC file, and an application unit 810 that operates the machining apparatus 200 using the NC file. As shown in FIG. 6, the application unit 810 includes an input reception unit 813 that receives operations from a user, specifically, that registers an arbitrary NC file and starts and stops machining, an analysis processing unit 812 that analyzes the contents of the NC file, an NC file storage unit 814 that associates the analyzed NC file with analysis information and stores it, and a display processing unit 811 that displays a notification to the user based on the analysis result.

[0037] A flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In S601, the NC file selected by the input receiving unit 813 is read into the analysis processing unit 812. Table 1 shows an example of the NC file.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] In S602, the analysis processing unit 812 obtains the beginning of the NC file read in S601. Furthermore, the manufacturer code character string is obtained from the comment section that contains a specific character string. In Table 1, the specific character string in the comment section is designated as "CAM_CODE." Specifically, the manufacturer code is a number such as 201 or 315 that is assigned to each manufacturer. Depending on the manufacturer code acquired in S602, the tool length used in the interference check performed by the analysis processing unit 812 may also be changed from the normal lower limit to a lower limit, for example, from 25 mm to 15 mm. Also, if the manufacturer code cannot be acquired, the lower limit is not changed.

[0040] In S611, after the NC file analysis in S602 is completed, the NC file and the analysis results are registered in the NC file storage unit 814.

[0041] In S621, after the NC file is registered in the NC file storage unit 814 in S611, the process waits until a machining start operation is performed from the input receiving unit 813. When a machining start instruction is given, the process proceeds to S631.

[0042] In S631, the manufacturer code is referenced from the NC file and analysis results registered in S611 to determine whether the manufacturer allows short tool lengths. If the manufacturer code is allowed, the process proceeds to S641; if the manufacturer code is not allowed, the process proceeds to S651. Specifically, the normal tool length range is set to 25 to 35 mm, and the changed tool length range is set to 15 to 35 mm.

[0043] The permitted manufacturer code is stored in the external device 800, specifically in the computer's memory, and a determination is made by comparing the manufacturer code acquired from the NC file with the manufacturer code stored in the memory to see if they match.

[0044] In S641, in the case of a manufacturer code for which a short tool length is permitted, a setting for switching the lower limit of the allowable tool length range is determined.

[0045] In this example, only the lower limit is changed, but it is also possible to change the upper limit or both. Also, the judgment method can read the material name, such as metal or resin, that is written in advance in the NC file and switch the allowable tool length range depending on the material.

[0046] In S651, if the manufacturer code does not permit a short tool length, the lower limit of the allowable tool length range is determined to be set unchanged. The same process is performed when the manufacturer code cannot be obtained.

[0047] Furthermore, if a short tool length is not permitted in S651, the display processing unit 811 may display a confirmation dialog box to confirm whether the tool length is equal to or greater than the normal lower limit, for example, 25 mm.

[0048] In S661, the settings determined in S641 or S651 are transmitted to the processing device 200 as a command.

[0049] In S671, the first NC file registered in the NC file storage unit 814 is sent to the machining device 200, and machining processing using the NC file is started.

[0050] Another specific method for changing the tool length range is to find the median (30 mm) between the original lower limit value setting (25 mm) and the upper limit value setting (35 mm) at the start of processing, and then use the position 15 mm below that as a temporary lower limit value (15 mm).

[0051] After the input receiving unit 813 receives a machining start operation, the allowable range of tool length to be attached to the spindle is switched based on the analysis results of the NC file by the analysis processing unit 812 and the manufacturer code stored in advance, thereby enabling the tool length determination range to be switched for each NC file in a simple manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 11...Spindle 100...Processing equipment 210 Coolant supply device 800...external device 812 Analysis processing unit 813 Input reception section

Claims

1. a machining device having a spindle that holds a tool for machining a workpiece; an input receiving unit that receives an operation from a user for an NC file that controls the processing device; an analysis processing unit that analyzes the character string of the NC file; and an external device having a machining system characterized in that, after the input receiving unit receives the NC file, the allowable tool length range for the machining device is switched based on the analysis result of the NC file by the analysis processing unit and a manufacturer code that has been pre-stored in the external device.

2. 2. The machining system according to claim 1, wherein when the analysis result of the NC file includes the pre-stored manufacturer code, the lower limit of the allowable tool length range for the machining device is lowered.

3. a machining unit having a spindle that holds a tool for machining a workpiece; an input receiving unit that receives an operation from a user for an NC file that controls the processing device; an analysis processing unit that analyzes the character string of the NC file, a machining device characterized in that, after the input receiving unit receives a machining start operation, the allowable range of tool lengths to be attached to the spindle is switched based on the analysis results of the NC file by the analysis processing unit and a manufacturer code that has been stored in advance.

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