Press machine and operation assistance method for the same

Abstract

To provide a press machine or the like capable of presenting an operation procedure satisfying a condition required by a user.SOLUTION: This press machine comprises: an operation content recording unit that records history data containing an operation content and operation time of an operation performed on the press machine; a database generation unit that extracts data corresponding to a series of operations including operations which are a start and an end of an operation procedure to be operation-assisted to generate a database of the operation procedure; an operation procedure acquisition unit that acquires the operation procedure which satisfies a criterion specified by a user from the database; and an operation procedure output unit that outputs the acquired operation procedure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a press machine and a method for assisting operation of a press machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Technologies that support user operation and decision-making, such as driver assistance technology in automobiles, are becoming increasingly widespread. Furthermore, in press operations, the transfer of skills (operational know-how) from veteran workers is becoming an issue. When operating press machines, procedures can vary depending on the scale of the system and the type of die, forcing users to search for more efficient operating procedures. Or, there are cases where pre-determined automatic operating procedures cannot be improved upon.

[0003] As an operation support method for a press machine, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of outputting individual operation information in a predetermined order to provide guidance on operation procedures. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of presenting operation procedures for production equipment, in which operation procedures are learned and updated based on operation time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-53798 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-67182 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the operation procedure is displayed in one pattern determined by the operator, so it remains unclear whether it is the most efficient operation procedure. Also, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, emphasis is placed only on operation time, so there is a risk that an operation procedure may be omitted or an irregular operation procedure may be adopted.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a press machine and a press machine operation support method that can present operating procedures that meet the conditions desired by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A press machine according to the present invention is a press machine characterized by including: an operation content recording unit that records history data including operation content and operation time of operations performed on the press machine; a database generation unit that extracts, from the recorded history data, data corresponding to a series of operations including an operation that is a start point and an operation that is an end point of an operation procedure that is the target of operation assistance, and generates a database of the operation procedures; an operation procedure acquisition unit that acquires, from the database, the operation procedures that satisfy criteria specified by a user; and an operation procedure output unit that outputs the acquired operation procedures.

[0008] Furthermore, a method of assisting with operation of a press machine according to the present invention is an operation assistance method comprising: an operation content recording step of recording history data including operation content and operation time of operations performed on the press machine; a database generation step of extracting, from the recorded history data, data corresponding to a series of operations including an operation serving as a start point and an operation serving as an end point of an operation procedure that is the target of operation assistance, and generating a database of the operation procedures; an operation procedure acquisition step of acquiring, from the database, the operation procedures that satisfy criteria designated by a user; and an operation procedure output step of outputting the acquired operation procedures.

[0009] According to the present invention, by obtaining and outputting an operation procedure that meets the criteria specified by the user from a database of operation procedures, it is possible to present an operation procedure that meets the conditions desired by the user and provide appropriate operation assistance.

[0010] (2) In the press machine and press machine operation assistance method of the present invention, the judgment criteria that can be specified by the user may be any one of the time required for the operation, the order in which the operations are performed, the frequency of the operations, the stability after completion of the operation, the simplicity of the operation, and the period of time during which the operations are performed.

[0011] (3) In the press machine and the press machine operation assistance method according to the present invention, the database generation unit (in the database generation step) may extract data corresponding to a series of operations including an operation serving as a starting point, an operation serving as a passing point, and an operation serving as an end point of an operation procedure that is the target of operation assistance from the recorded history data.

[0012] (4) In the press machine and press machine operation support method according to the present invention, the operation procedure acquisition unit (in the operation procedure acquisition step) may acquire the operation procedure from the database based on a plurality of prioritized judgment criteria specified by a user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a press machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by a processing unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an ID set in an operation content. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of history data. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of history data. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data of operation procedures stored in a database. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a displayed operation procedure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining selection of an operation procedure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining selection of an operation procedure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining selection of an operation procedure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a press machine (servo press machine) according to this embodiment. The press machine 1 converts rotation of a servo motor 10 into vertical reciprocating motion (reciprocating linear motion, lifting motion) of a slide 17 using an eccentric mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear motion. The vertical reciprocating motion of the slide 17 is used to press a workpiece. The press machine 1 includes a servo motor 10, an encoder 11, a drive shaft 12, a drive gear 13, a main gear 14, a crankshaft 15, a connecting rod 16, the slide 17, a bolster 18, a press controller 30, a control panel 40, and a processing unit 100, a user interface 110, a display 120, and a memory unit 130, which constitute an operation support device. The press machine is not limited to a servo press machine. For example, it may be a mechanical press using a flywheel or a linear-acting press using a ball screw. In this case, the encoder may be provided on the shaft end of the crankshaft 15 or the shaft end of the ball screw.

[0016] A drive shaft 12 is connected to the rotating shaft of the servo motor 10, and a drive gear 13 is connected to the drive shaft 12. A main gear 14 is engaged with the drive gear 13, and a crankshaft 15 is connected to the main gear 14, and a connecting rod 16 is connected to the crankshaft 15. The rotating shafts such as the crankshaft 15 and the connecting rod 16 are supported by bearings (not shown) provided as appropriate. An eccentric mechanism is formed by the crankshaft 15 and the connecting rod 16. This eccentric mechanism enables a slide 17 connected to the connecting rod 16 to move up and down relative to a stationary bolster 18. One or more upper dies 20 are attached to the slide 17, and one or more lower dies 21 are attached to the bolster 18.

[0017] The press controller 30 (control device) controls the operation of the press machine 1 based on operation information from the operation panel 40. The press controller 30 also controls the up-and-down movement of the slide 17 based on a predetermined slide motion stored in a memory unit. The press controller 30 is composed of control devices such as a PLC, servo controller, and servo amplifier, for example. More specifically, the press controller 30 calculates a motor rotational position command value from commands for the position and speed of the slide 17 specified by the slide motion, and controls the rotational position, rotational speed, and current of the servo motor 10 based on the rotational position command. The rotational position of the servo motor 10 is detected by an encoder 11 attached to the servo motor 10.

[0018] The operation panel 40 is used to perform various settings and operations of the press machine 1, and is equipped with input / output devices such as a touch panel, switches with lamps, buttons, etc. Operation information input through the operation panel 40 is output to the press controller 30.

[0019] The user interface 110 (operation unit) is used by the user to input operation information, and outputs the input operation information to the processing unit 100. The functions of the user interface 110 can be realized by hardware such as a keyboard, a mouse, buttons, and a touch panel.

[0020] The display 120 (display unit) displays the image generated by the processing unit 100, and its function can be realized by an LCD, a touch panel that also functions as the user interface 110, or the like.

[0021] The storage unit 130 stores programs and various data for causing the computer to function as each unit of the processing unit 100, and also functions as a work area for the processing unit 100, the function of which can be realized by a hard disk, RAM, etc.

[0022] The processing unit 100 includes an operation content recording unit 101, a database generating unit 102, an operation procedure acquiring unit 103, and an operation procedure output unit 104. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by various processors (such as a CPU) and programs.

[0023] The operation content recording unit 101 records history data including the operation content (input information) and operation time of operations performed on the operation panel 40 of the press machine 1. The recorded history data is stored in the storage unit 130.

[0024] The database generating unit 102 extracts data corresponding to a series of operations including an operation as a starting point and an operation as an end point of an operation procedure that is a target of operation assistance from the history data stored in the storage unit 130, and generates a database of the operation procedure. The generated database is stored in the storage unit 130. The database generating unit 102 may also extract data corresponding to a series of operations including an operation as a starting point, an operation as a pass-through point, and an operation as an end point of an operation procedure that is a target of operation assistance from the history data. The user inputs information for defining each of the operations that are the starting point, the pass-through point, and the end point of the operation procedure to the user interface 110 (or the operation panel 40) in advance.

[0025] The operation procedure acquisition unit 103 acquires the operation procedure from the database stored in the storage unit 130. The operation procedure output unit 104 outputs information for guiding the operation procedures acquired by the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 to the display 120 or the operation panel 40.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the processing unit 100. Steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 2 are processes performed when generating a database of operation procedures. After the start of press work, input information (operation details) of operations performed on the operation panel 40 is primarily stored by the press controller 30, and the operation detail recording unit 101 sequentially receives the operation details from the press controller 30 and records the received operation details in chronological order in association with time information (operation time), thereby generating history data (step S10). As shown in FIG. 3, an ID is assigned to each operation detail, and as shown in FIG. 4, the history data 200 stores the ID corresponding to the operation detail in association with the time (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) at which the operation was performed.

[0027] Next, the database generation unit 102 extracts data from the history data 200 corresponding to a series of operations including an operation that is the starting point of the operation procedure to be supported, an operation that is a passing point, and an operation that is the end point, and generates a database (step S11).

[0028] 5 and 6 show an example of extraction when the operation procedure to be supported is a "mold change operation." In this example, the operation that is the starting point of the operation procedure is defined as "slide adjustment ON (ID: 2400)," the operation that is the passing point is defined as "upper die clamper selection (ID: 2409)," and the operation that is the end point is defined as "continuous preparation button (ID: 1003)." In this case, data corresponding to a series of operations from the operation that is the starting point (ID: 2400) through the operation that is the passing point (ID: 2409) to the operation that is the end point (ID: 1003) is extracted from the history data 200 shown in FIG. 5, and operation procedure data 300 as shown in FIG. 6 is generated. Note that data corresponding to the consecutively overlapping operation (ID: 2402) and data corresponding to operations that have been designated in advance as operations to be excluded (IDs: 11, 21, 41, 1002, 2000) are not extracted. Furthermore, in order to determine the criteria (stability after completion of the operation) described later, information regarding the stability after completion of the operation (for example, the number of operation stoppages within a certain period after the operation as the end point or the number of operations within the certain period) is added to the extracted data 300. Furthermore, the data 300 of the operation procedure shown in Fig. 6 stores the elapsed time (unit: minutes) since the operation as the start point was performed as the time when the operation was performed. In this way, a plurality of pieces of data 300 corresponding to a series of operations including the start point and end point of the operation procedure that is the target of operation assistance are extracted from the history data 200, and a database of the operation procedure is generated.

[0029] 2 are processes performed when providing operation assistance. The operation procedure acquisition unit 103 determines whether an input specifying a criterion has been made to the user interface 110 (step S12), and if such an input has been made (Y in step S12), acquires (selects) an operation procedure that satisfies the criterion specified by the input from the operation procedure database (step S13). The user can specify any of the following as the criterion: (1) the time required for the operation, (2) the order in which the operation is performed, (3) the frequency of the operation, (4) the stability after completion of the operation, (5) the simplicity of the operation, or (6) the period during which the operation is performed.

[0030] When the time required for an operation is specified as a criterion for judgment (1), the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 selects, from the database of operation procedures, the operation procedure that takes the shortest time from the start of the operation to the completion of the operation as the operation procedure that satisfies the criterion for judgment. For example, when selecting from the operation procedures "A" to "C" shown in Fig. 8 stored in the database, the operation procedure "B" is selected, which takes the shortest time from the start operation (ID: 2400) to the end operation (ID: 1003).

[0031] Furthermore, when (2) the order of operations is specified as a criterion for judgment, the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 selects, from the database of operation procedures, the operation procedure with the highest ratio of the order of operations (matching rate with other operation procedures) (i.e., the procedure that has been operated the most) as the operation procedure that satisfies the criterion. For example, when selecting from the operation procedures "A" to "E" shown in FIG. 9 stored in the database, the matching rate between "A" and "B," the matching rate between "A" and "C," the matching rate between "A" and "D," the matching rate between "A" and "E," and the matching rate between "A" and "E" are calculated, and these matching rates are summed to obtain the total matching rate for "A." The total matching rate for operation procedures "B" to "E" is similarly calculated. Then, the operation procedure with the highest total matching rate is selected from "A" to "E." Note that "A" and "B" have a similar flow, so the matching rate is high (80%), while "A" and "E" have different procedures, so the matching rate is low (50%).

[0032] Furthermore, when (3) the frequency of operation is specified as the judgment criterion, the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 selects, from the database of operation procedures, the operation procedure that is least frequently performed from the start of the operation to the completion of the operation (the procedure with the fewest irregular operations in the procedure) as the operation procedure that satisfies the judgment criterion. For example, when selecting from operation procedures "A" to "C" shown in Fig. 8 stored in the database, the operation procedure "A" that is least frequently performed is selected. Note that, among the operation procedures shown in Fig. 8, the operation procedure that is most frequently performed is "C".

[0033] Furthermore, when (4) stability after completion of the operation is specified as a criterion for judgment, the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 selects from the database of operation procedures the operation procedure that has the highest stability after completion of the end-point operation (for example, the operation procedure that has the lowest frequency of stopping operation after restarting operation after the end-point operation is performed, or the smallest number of operations recorded within a certain period after the end-point operation is performed) as the operation procedure that satisfies the judgment criterion.

[0034] Furthermore, when (5) simplicity of operation is specified as a criterion, the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 selects, from the database of operation procedures, the operation procedure with the fewest overlapping operations as the operation procedure that satisfies the criterion. For example, when selecting from operation procedures "A" to "C" shown in Fig. 10 stored in the database, the total number of overlapping operations for each ID for each of "A" to "C" is calculated, and the operation procedure "B" with the smallest total number of overlapping operations is selected.

[0035] Furthermore, if (6) the period during which the operation was performed is specified as a criterion for judgment, the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 selects, from the database of operation procedures, operation procedures consisting of a series of operations recorded during the specified period (for example, March to September 2023) as operation procedures that satisfy the judgment criterion.

[0036] The operation procedure acquisition unit 103 may use a learning model that has been trained by machine learning to select operation procedures that satisfy a judgment criterion from a database when the judgment criterion is input, and may acquire operation procedures that satisfy the specified judgment criterion from the database by inputting the judgment criterion specified by the user into the learning model. AI techniques such as neural networks, deep learning, large-scale language models (LLMs), and random forests can be used as machine learning algorithms.

[0037] The user may also specify multiple criteria with priorities (for example, the first-priority criterion is to specify (3) the frequency of operation, the second-priority criterion is to specify (1) the time required for operation, and the third-priority criterion is to specify (2) the order of operation). In this case, the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 acquires operation procedures from the database based on the multiple criteria with priorities designated by the user. For example, for each of the multiple designated criteria, the top predetermined number of operation procedures that satisfy the criterion are acquired. A predetermined number of selected operation procedures may be selected, and each selected operation procedure may be given a score that increases the higher the priority of the judgment criteria and the higher the ranking (the higher the degree to which the judgment criteria are met), and the operation procedure with the highest total score may be finally selected (acquired). For example, if you select "B" as the first (score: 100) operation procedure that meets the specified criteria for the first priority, "A" as the second (score: 80) operation procedure, and "C" as the third (score: 60) operation procedure, and if you select "A" as the first (score: 50) operation procedure that meets the specified criteria for the second priority, "D" as the second (score: 40) operation procedure, and "C" as the third (score: 30) operation procedure that meets the specified criteria for the second priority, the score of operation procedure "A" will be "130 (80 + 50)", the score of operation procedure "B" will be "100", the score of operation procedure "C" will be "90 (60 + 30)", and the score of operation procedure "D" will be "40", so the operation procedure "A" with the highest score will be selected in the end.

[0038] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 2, the operation procedure output unit 104 monitors the operation on the operation panel 40 and determines whether the operation serving as the starting point in the operation procedure acquired (selected) by the operation procedure acquisition unit 103 has been performed (step S14). When it is detected that the operation serving as the starting point has been performed (Y in step S14), operation assistance is started and the acquired operation procedure is output (step S15). The operation procedure output unit 104 may display an image representing the operation panel 40 on the display 120 and display a guide for the operation procedure (a display indicating the next operation to be performed) on the image, or may use a touch panel or a switch with a lamp on the operation panel 40 to display or light up a guide for the operation procedure. The time interval for displaying the operation procedure is based on the time (operation time) included in the data 300 of the operation procedure. For example, when the operation procedure shown in FIG. 6 is acquired, operation assistance is started when the operation of ID "2400" which is the starting point is detected, and a display guiding the operation of ID "2402" is displayed. At this time, as shown in Fig. 7, for example, the display 120 displays the target time and duration until the next operation, ID "2005: Start operation." The display then counts up the elapsed time from 0:00 to 0:01, and so on, to guide the operation, and when the operation is completed, the count-up for the next operation begins. In this way, a method is conceivable in which the next operation procedure is indicated according to the elapsed time for each operation. In addition, as shown in Fig. 7, for example, a method is conceivable in which the row of ID "2410," which is the current operation target, is highlighted to provide operation support that makes it easier for the operator to visually recognize.

[0039] Next, the operation procedure output unit 104 determines whether to end the operation assistance (step S16), and if the operation assistance is to be continued (Y in step S16), the process proceeds to step S15. If the operation that is the end point of the operation procedure has been reached, or if the user has performed a predetermined operation to cancel the operation assistance (N in step S16), the operation assistance is ended.

[0040] According to this embodiment, by retrieving and outputting an operation procedure that satisfies the criteria specified by the user from a database of past operation procedures, it is possible to present an operation procedure that meets the conditions desired by the user and provide appropriate operation assistance. Also, by defining the start point, pass points, and end points of the operation procedure that is the target of operation assistance and extracting the corresponding data, it is possible to prevent disturbances from entering the operation procedures stored in the database.

[0041] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1...press machine, 10...servo motor, 11...encoder, 12...drive shaft, 13...drive gear, 14...main gear, 15...crankshaft, 16...connecting rod, 17...slide, 18...bolster, 20...upper die, 21...lower die, 30...press Controller, 40... operation panel, 100... processing unit, 101... operation content recording unit, 102... database generation unit, 103... operation procedure acquisition unit, 104... operation procedure output unit, 110... user interface, 120... display, 130... storage unit

Claims

1. an operation content recording unit that records history data including operation content and operation time of operations performed on the press machine; a database generating unit that extracts data corresponding to a series of operations including a start operation and an end operation of an operation procedure that is a target of operation assistance from the recorded history data, and generates a database of the operation procedure; an operation procedure acquisition unit that acquires, from the database, the operation procedure that satisfies a judgment criterion designated by a user; and an operation procedure output unit that outputs the acquired operation procedure.

2. In claim 1, The judgment criteria that can be specified by the user are any one of the time required for operation, the order in which the operations are performed, the frequency of operation, stability after completion of the operation, simplicity of operation, and the period of operation.

3. In claim 1, The database generation unit a press machine, characterized in that data corresponding to a series of operations including an operation serving as a starting point, an operation serving as a pass-through point, and an operation serving as an end point of an operation procedure that is the target of operation assistance is extracted from the recorded history data.

4. In claim 1, The operation procedure acquisition unit The press machine is characterized in that the operating procedure is acquired from the database based on a plurality of judgment criteria with priorities designated by a user.

5. an operation content recording step of recording history data including operation content and operation time of operations performed on the press machine; a database generation step of extracting data corresponding to a series of operations including a start operation and an end operation of an operation procedure to be the target of operation assistance from the recorded history data, and generating a database of the operation procedure; an operation procedure acquisition step of acquiring, from the database, the operation procedure that satisfies a judgment criterion designated by a user; and an operation procedure output step of outputting the acquired operation procedure.

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