Numerical control machine tool and method for inserting tools

Abstract

To provide means for achieving efficient tool management for the purpose of automatic mass production.SOLUTION: A data interface unit 2 includes a first interface module 21 that transmits data to a tool data management device 1, a second interface module 22 that transmits data to controllers 31a and 31b of numerical control machine tools 3a and 3b respectively, and a data processor 23. The data interface unit 2 receives tool data of a tool, which can be used by the numerical control machine tools 3a and 3b, from the tool data management device 1 via the first interface module 21, and transmits the tool data to the controllers 31a and 31b of the machine tools 3a and 3b respectively via the second interface module 22. The second interface module 22 can be connected to the controllers 31a and 31b of the numerical control machine tools.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data interface device for transmitting tool data, a manufacturing system, and a numerically controlled machine tool. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of automated manufacturing, the management of tools used there plays an important role. For example, when machining a workpiece on a machine tool, many different tools are used for each individual machining step. The properties of these tools have a strong influence on each machining step, so in order to achieve high machining quality, it is essential to take the properties of each individual tool into account during workpiece machining.

[0003] For this purpose, numerically controlled machine tools are known from the state of the art, which are provided with tool data for workpiece machining that describe the tools that can be used by the machine tool, for example tool imbalance data.

[0004] Tool data management, which is part of tool management, plays an important role in automated manufacturing: the aforementioned tool data can be taken into account during the control of the machine tool in the process of machining a workpiece in order to correct machining errors caused by a specific tool, thereby improving machining quality. Tool data varies from tool to tool, not only for different tools but also for tools of the same type. As a result, each individual tool usually requires its own set of tool data, which in turn changes constantly during the tool's life, for example due to wear.

[0005] Tool-specific tool data is usually obtained in advance by measuring the tool with a so-called presetting device and provided to the machine tool.

[0006] For example, WO 2019 / 020775 A1 discloses a system including a presetting device for measuring tool imbalance and a numerically controlled machine tool associated with the presetting device. A tool data storage unit of the machine tool is connected to the presetting device via a data interface and receives a set of tool data in the form of a balancing protocol transmitted from the presetting device. The balancing protocol can be evaluated by a control device of the machine tool in the process of selecting a tool for a machining operation to be performed, and the control device is configured to reject the tool scheduled for the machining operation if the balancing data described by the respective balancing protocol is too poor to maintain the intended machining quality.

[0007] In particular, in the field of automated mass production using multiple numerically controlled machine tools, multiple tools can be used on each numerically controlled machine tool, but efficient management across machine tools is lacking, particularly in the field of tool data management, and as a result, machine operators often have to manually input tool data into the control devices of each individual machine tool, which is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for efficient tool management for automated mass production.

[0009] To solve this problem, a data interface device as set forth in claim 1, a manufacturing system as set forth in claim 13, and a numerically controlled machine tool as set forth in claim 18 are provided.

[0010] Each dependent claim refers to a preferred embodiment, which may be provided individually or in any combination.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data interface device for transmitting tool data to a control device of a numerically controlled machine tool. The data interface device includes a first interface module configured for data communication with a tool data management device and a second interface module configured for data communication with a control device of the numerically controlled machine tool, the data interface device being configured to receive tool data of a tool usable in the numerically controlled machine tool from the tool data management device via the first interface module and transmit the tool data to the control device of the machine tool via the second interface module. Thus, the second interface module can be connected to multiple control devices of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the data interface device includes a data processing unit configured to convert a data format of the tool data received via the first interface module into a target data format that can be read by each of the multiple control devices that receives the tool data, thereby enabling the machine tools associated with each control device to be controlled depending on the tool data received by each control device.

[0012] In this way, a data interface device is provided that can link multiple machine tools to the tool data management device without relying on any particular machine-specific data format, allowing control devices from a wide variety of manufacturers to be connected to the data interface device, which acts as a universal translator of tool data and ensures that each control device receives tool data in a data format that it can use.

[0013] Therefore, multiple tool data management devices, each designed for a specific type or design of control device, are not required to provide tool data to the control device. Instead, a single tool data management device, which converts tool data via a data interface device according to the present invention, is essentially sufficient, which is particularly advantageous in the field of automated mass production, where, for example, a tool can be used on several different machine tools. Similarly, the number of tool data management devices, for example in the form of presetting devices, can theoretically be reduced to one presetting device for the entire production hall.

[0014] Depending on the control device, the data format of tool data that can be used or read by the control device (respective target data format) differs due to differences in design, manufacturer, etc. If the tool data is not transferred in the target data format of each control device, the tool data may not be read or may be read incorrectly, which may lead to error messages that, among other things, result in loss of machine tool functionality or a decrease in machining quality.

[0015] Different data formats may represent, for example, individual tool characteristics in different units (centimeters vs. inches, minutes vs. seconds, etc.), types of information, or simply the order in which said tool characteristics are stored. For example, a first controller may ask for the tool radius in centimeters, while a second controller may ask for the tool radius in millimeters, and a third controller may even ask for the tool diameter instead of the tool radius.

[0016] Complex adjustment of tool data that had to be done manually by the machine operator is no longer necessary; therefore, each control device receives tool data that can be evaluated in a simple and efficient way and used to control the machine tool, for example as part of the selection of a tool for a machining operation or for process control during use of the tool described by the tool data.

[0017] In this context, a tool data management device should be understood as any device for managing tool data, preferably also including a storage device, usually consisting of an electronic storage medium, for storing the tool data to be managed, and / or a data processing device configured to modify the tool data, for example to create new data records with tool data in the tool data management device itself, to update existing ones or, if necessary, to delete them.

[0018] The tool data of a tool describes the nature of the tool and includes one or more tool characteristics that describe the associated physical tool. Tool characteristics can be, for example, but not limited to, geometric data (radius, diameter), dynamic data (unbalance, natural frequency), or historical data (total hours of use).

[0019] The tool data management device can be provided in various embodiments. Non-limiting examples include a tool data management device that is provided on a local network for data transmission, or a cloud-based tool data management device in which data transmission to and from the data interface device is performed via an internet connection. In this case, only part of the tool data management device, in particular the storage device, can be cloud-based. Thus, providing a cloud-based tool data management device allows, for example, the use of the tool data management device across different locations.

[0020] A preferred and advantageous embodiment of the data interface device according to the first aspect of the invention will now be described.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device includes a memory unit in which configuration data is stored that assigns, to each of the plurality of control devices, a data format of tool data that can be read by each of the plurality of control devices from among a plurality of data formats, and the data processing unit is configured to select a target data format based on the configuration data stored in the memory unit.

[0022] Thus, the configuration data includes respective conversion instructions in the form of target data formats for multiple control devices, and the data interface device independently selects the target data format based on the configuration data depending on the control device that receives the tool data.

[0023] The configuration data can be expanded at any time to include additional target data types, allowing new control devices to be easily integrated into the manufacturing system and addressed by the data interface device.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device is further configured to receive tool data of tools from the plurality of control devices via the second interface module and to transmit the tool data to the tool data management device via the first interface module, and the data processing unit is configured to convert the data format of the tool data received via the second interface module into a data format readable by the tool data management device.

[0025] In this way, the data interface device is expanded to include bidirectional functionality, and in the process, tool data can also be sent to the tool data management device, with the data interface device acting as a universal translator.

[0026] Changes detected in the machine tool, such as wear status or total usage time, are sent to a tool data manager that acts as a central control point, so that the tool data manager has constantly updated information about the tool and can be used on other machine tools.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the tool data format used by the tool data management device is the OPC-UA data format, and in particular, the entire tool data management device has an OPC-UA architecture.

[0028] OPC-UA stands for Open-Platform-Communications-Unified-Architecture and describes the standard for data exchange as a platform-independent, service-oriented architecture. The basic services defined by OPC are based on abstract method descriptions that are protocol-independent and provide the basis for the entire OPC-UA functionality. In this way, tool data can be managed in a platform-independent tool data management system in a neutral OPC-UA data format that is particularly suitable as a starting point for conversion by data interface devices into control-specific target data formats.

[0029] Preferably, the data interface device also has an OPC-UA architecture that allows smooth, protocol-independent communication between the tool data management device and the data interface module, in particular via the first interface module, so that no additional communication protocols are required at this communication level, including, for example, serialization and deserialization of the tool data to be transmitted.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the second interface module is configured to select a communication protocol to be used by each of the plurality of control devices from a plurality of communication protocols for transmitting data therewith.

[0031] Typically, when a communication protocol is used, the tool data to be transmitted is serialized, and therefore this tool data is transmitted in a sequential format from the transmitter (here, the data interface device) to the receiver (here, the control device), so each receiver must of course be able to use the respective communication protocol. After the tool data transmitted by the communication protocol is received by the control device, it is deserialized and can be used by the control device.

[0032] As non-limiting examples of different communication protocols, mention may be made of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), preferably with binary coding, or the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP).

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the first interface module is configured to access tool data stored in a storage device of the tool data management device.

[0034] In this way, the data interface device itself can access the tool data in the tool data manager as part of a pull function.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device is configured to store tool data of a tool in the storage device of the tool data management device via the first interface module and / or to modify and / or delete tool data of a tool stored therein.

[0036] In this way, the data interface device is also given the authority to modify the tool data stored in the memory device, so that any changes to tool data received by the data interface device from a third party, such as a machine tool measuring device, can be input by the data interface device into the memory device of the tool data management device so that up-to-date tool data can always be provided for a particular tool.

[0037] Typically, storing tool data in a storage device is preceded by the creation of a free data object into which tool data will later be stored if tool data for a particular tool is not already stored in the storage device.

[0038] Therefore, the data interface device is preferably configured to create, via the first interface module, a free data object for the tool in the storage device of the tool data management device and subsequently store the tool data of this tool in the free data object.

[0039] In this way, a separate data object can be created for each new tool to contain the tool data to be saved.

[0040] Such data objects may exist as any object for storing data in a structured manner, for example as a list or an array, especially existing as separate files in a storage device.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device is configured to receive, via the second interface module, a tool ID by which a specific tool can be identified from one of the plurality of control devices, access, via the first interface module, tool data stored in the storage device of the tool data management device and associated with the specific tool based on the received tool ID, and transmit the tool data to the control device via the second interface module.

[0042] In this way, a pull function is provided that originates from the machine tool or its control device, during which tool data for a particular tool can be requested from the tool data management device via the data interface device. In this way, all tool data does not have to be kept in the memory of the control device, but can be requested as needed, which in particular frees up memory and keeps the tool data up to date. In this way, after or before inserting a tool into a processing device or tool converter, tool data related to the tool can be requested and made available to the control device operating the inserted tool.

[0043] Preferably, the tool ID is a tool ID provided by the control device based on an identification unit attached to the tool, which may be, for example, a barcode or QR code or an RFID chip readable by a detection device of the machine tool.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device is configured to further receive, via the first interface module, a machine ID capable of identifying a specific machine tool together with tool data of the tool, and the second interface module is configured to select a control device associated with the specific machine tool based on the received machine ID, and to transmit the tool data received via the first interface module together with the machine ID to the selected control device.

[0045] In this way, a push function originating from the tool data management device is provided, through which tool data can be transferred to a particularly desired or selected machine tool, for example, after creating new tool data in a presetting device of the tool data management device, the new tool data can be transferred directly to a selected machine tool on which the new tool will later be used.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device is configured to access a memory unit of one of the plurality of control devices via the second interface module to store tool data for a tool therein and / or to modify and / or delete tool data for a tool stored therein.

[0047] Typically, storing tool data in the storage unit is preceded by creating a free data object into which the tool data will later be stored if the tool data for a particular tool is not already stored in the storage unit.

[0048] Therefore, the data interface device is preferably configured to create, via the second interface module, a free data object for the tool in the storage of the control device and subsequently store the tool data of this tool in the free data object.

[0049] In this way, a separate data object can be created for each new tool to contain the tool data to be saved.

[0050] In this way, the data interface device is also given the authority to modify the tool data stored in the memory unit, so that further confirmation by, for example, the machine operator is not required on the control device side, and the push function originating from the tool data management device is further improved.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the tool data for a tool includes one or more of the following tool characteristics: -Dynamic and / or static imbalance of the tool -Tool diameter and / or radius -Tool length -Tool weight -Total tool usage time - Tool wear

[0052] In this way, tool characteristics that influence the machining process are provided which can be taken into account when controlling the machine tool, and thus the machining quality can be improved.

[0053] Preferably, the tool data of the tool includes at least one of the following: -Dynamic or static imbalance of the tool -Tool diameter or radius -Tool length

[0054] Particularly preferably, the tool data includes all of the above tool characteristics.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device is partially or wholly cloud-based.

[0056] Thus, some or all of the components of the data interface device may be cloud-based, i.e., implemented not as part of local hardware components but as part of a cloud computing device coupled via a network connection, in particular via the Internet.

[0057] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing system comprising a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools, each of the plurality of numerically controlled machine tools comprising a control device configured to control the machine tool, a tool data management device for managing tool data of tools usable on the numerically controlled machine tool, a first interface module connected to the tool data management device for transmitting data, and a second interface module connected to each control device of the plurality of numerically controlled machine tools for transmitting data, and the data interface device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0058] In this way, a manufacturing system is provided which includes the data interface device according to the invention as described above, thereby introducing the advantages already explained into the manufacturing system.

[0059] The data interface device of the manufacturing system enables linking of multiple machine tools with at least one tool data management device without relying on the data formats specific to each machine. In this way, a manufacturing system can be provided in which control devices from a wide variety of manufacturers are used and connected via the data interface device, and the data interface device acts as a universal translator of tool data, ensuring that each control device receives the tool data in a data format (target data format) that it can use.

[0060] A preferred and advantageous embodiment of the manufacturing system according to the second aspect of the invention will now be described.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the tool data management device includes a presetting device configured to detect at least one tool characteristic of a tool inserted into the presetting device and generate tool data for the inserted tool based thereon.

[0062] Thus, the manufacturing system provides the possibility to generate tool data for new tools based on tool characteristics detected from the actual physical tool and / or to update existing tool data.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the presetting device is configured to transmit the generated tool data of the inserted tool to the data interface device and / or to store it in the storage device of the tool data management device and / or to modify already stored tool data of the inserted tool based on the generated tool data.

[0064] In this way, the tool data generated from the detected tool characteristics can be stored or modified in a storage device for central management or can be sent directly to the data interface device for further transmission, in particular to the control device, thereby providing a push function originating from the presetting device, in the process allowing the tool data to be sent to any receiver originating from the presetting device.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, at least one machine tool of the plurality of machine tools comprises a tool magazine including a plurality of magazine slots each for receiving a tool, and a tool changer configured to insert and remove tools from the magazine slots of the tool magazine, and a control device of the at least one machine tool is configured to select an empty magazine slot from the set of empty magazine slots of the tool magazine based on tool data provided to the control device for a tool to be operated by the tool changer, and to control the machine tool so that the tool to be operated is inserted into the selected empty magazine slot of the tool magazine by the tool changer.

[0066] In this way, the handling of the tool on the machine tool is improved apart from its use during machining operations in the workspace, whereby the storage of targets in the magazine slots can be best suited for this purpose based on the tool data.

[0067] Because tools typically vary in shape and size, for example, particularly large tools, adjacent magazine slots may need to be left free to avoid collisions with the tool therein. Because of this problem, selection of each magazine slot has always been performed manually by the machine operator, who selects the appropriate magazine slot based on knowledge of the tool's dimensions.

[0068] By selecting a magazine slot according to tool data, this process can be automated, allowing the machine tool to independently select a magazine slot suitable for the tool and insert the tool directly into the magazine slot by the tool changer.

[0069] Magazine slots can be selected based on geometric tool characteristics, but also on other tool characteristics. In this way, tools can be automatically placed in magazine slots for specific machining categories, for example, all milling heads in the first section of the tool magazine, all drill bits in the second section, and so on.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the tool data of the tools operated by the tool changer provided to the control device of the at least one machine tool includes at least one geometric dimension of the tool, based on which the control device selects an empty magazine slot.

[0071] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a numerically controlled machine tool comprising a tool magazine including a plurality of magazine slots each for receiving a tool, a tool changer configured to insert and remove tools from the magazine slots of the tool magazine, and a control device configured to control the machine tool, wherein the control device is configured to select an empty magazine slot for a tool to be operated from a set of empty magazine slots of the tool magazine based on tool data including at least a geometric dimension of the tool to be operated by the tool changer, and to control the machine tool so that the tool to be operated is inserted into the selected empty magazine slot of the tool magazine by the tool changer.

[0072] In this way, a machine tool is provided with a tool magazine, which allows for improved manipulation of tools on the machine tool apart from their use during machining operations in the workspace, and allows for the storage of targets in the magazine slots to be best suited for this purpose based on tool data of the tools to be manipulated provided to the control device.

[0073] Because tools typically vary in shape and size, for example, particularly large tools, adjacent magazine slots may need to be left free to avoid collisions with the tool therein. Because of this problem, selection of each magazine slot has always been performed manually by the machine operator, who selects the appropriate magazine slot based on knowledge of the tool dimensions.

[0074] By selecting a magazine slot according to tool data, this process can be automated, allowing the machine tool to independently select a magazine slot suitable for the tool and insert the tool directly into the magazine slot by the tool changer.

[0075] Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the machine tool according to the third aspect of the invention are described below.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, the machine tool comprises a detection device coupled to the control device, the detection device being configured to detect at least one geometric dimension of a tool operated by the tool changer and provide this as tool data to the control device, on the basis of which the control device selects an empty magazine slot.

[0077] In this way, the machine tool itself is configured to obtain tool data describing the tool to be operated and on this basis select the appropriate magazine slot.

[0078] The detection device can be, for example, an optical detection device (laser or camera based) or a tactile detection device.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the machine tool includes a detection device coupled to the control device, the detection device being configured to detect a tool ID capable of identifying a specific tool to be operated by the tool changer and transmit the same to the control device, and the control device being configured to access tool data associated with the tool to be operated, stored in a memory unit of the control device, based on the received tool ID, and use the tool data to select an empty magazine slot.

[0080] In this way, the machine tool is extended with identifiability, based on which it can recognize the tool to be operated and can retrieve the tool data corresponding to the tool from the memory of the control device.

[0081] The tool ID can be detected in different ways: for example, the detection device can be configured to optically detect a tool ID attached to the tool in the form of a barcode and / or a QR code and / or to detect the tool ID in the form of data stored on an RFID chip by means of an RFID reader.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, a control device that receives tool data for a tool is coupled to a data interface device according to the first aspect of the invention and is configured to store the tool data received from the data interface device in a memory unit of the control device.

[0083] In this way, machine tools can be integrated into larger manufacturing systems, for example, where tool data is managed centrally via a tool data management device and distributed via a data interface device, which means that not all tool data needs to be stored in the memory unit all the time.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the tool magazine is designed as a wheel magazine rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the machine bed of the machine tool in order to position the magazine slots relative to the tool changer, the magazine slots being arranged circumferentially and the removal direction of the magazine slots extending radially relative to the rotation axis.

[0085] The wheel magazine, in interaction with the machine tool's tool changer, provides a space-saving and flexible tool storage option that allows tools to be quickly inserted and removed from the magazine slots by rotating the wheel magazine, depending on the tool data provided specifically for the tool being operated, significantly reducing changeover times.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, at least one geometric dimension of the tool that is manipulated is the outer diameter, outer radius, or length of the tool.

[0087] Preferably, the tool data of the tool further comprises one or more of the following tool characteristics: -Dynamic and / or static imbalance of the tool -Tool weight -Total tool usage time - Tool wear

[0088] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting tool data to a controller of a numerically controlled machine tool using a data interface device, particularly the data interface device according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising the steps of: receiving, by the data interface device, tool data for a tool usable in a numerically controlled machine tool from a tool data management device; selecting, from a plurality of controllers connected to the data interface device, a machine tool controller to receive the tool data; converting the received tool data into a target data format by the data interface device; and transmitting the converted tool data to the selected controller by the data interface device, wherein the converting step includes selecting a target data format, the selected target data format being readable by the selected controller that receives the tool data to be transmitted, so that the machine tool associated with the selected controller can be controlled in accordance with the tool data received from the selected controller.

[0089] The method therefore provides the possibility of transmitting tool data to a plurality of control devices in a particularly simple manner for use herein, the tool data being converted into a suitable target data format from a plurality of available data formats so as to provide universal translation between the tool data management device and a plurality of control devices.

[0090] Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention are described below, the advantages of each of which are substantially the same as those of the data interface device according to the first aspect.

[0091] Preferably, the method comprises the steps of providing configuration data to a memory unit of the data interface device, the configuration data assigning to each of the plurality of control devices a data format of tool data readable by the respective control device from among a plurality of data formats, and selecting a target data format based on the configuration data stored in the memory unit.

[0092] Preferably, the tool data received by the tool data management device is tool data in an OPC-UA data format.

[0093] Preferably, the method includes a step in which the data interface device selects a communication protocol from among a plurality of communication protocols, provided that the selected communication protocol is usable by the selected control device, and transmission of the converted tool data is performed using the selected communication protocol.

[0094] Preferably, the step of transmitting the tool data includes storing the transmitted tool data in a memory unit of the selected control device or modifying the tool data stored in said memory unit depending on the transmitted tool data.

[0095] Preferably, the method further comprises a step in which the data interface device receives from one of the plurality of control devices a tool ID via which a particular tool can be identified, and the step of receiving tool data from the tool data management device further comprises selecting tool data to receive from the storage device of the tool data management device depending on the received tool ID, and the step of selecting the control device to receive the tool data further comprises selecting the control device that sent the tool ID.

[0096] Preferably, the step of receiving the tool data further includes receiving a machine ID capable of identifying a particular machine tool, and the step of selecting a control device for receiving the tool data is performed depending on the received machine ID.

[0097] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inserting a tool into a tool magazine of a numerically controlled machine tool, in particular a machine tool according to the third aspect of the present invention, the tool magazine having a plurality of magazine slots each for receiving a tool, thereby comprising the steps of: manipulating a tool by a tool changer of the machine tool; providing tool data for the manipulated tool to a control device of the machine tool for use with the control device of the machine tool, the tool data including at least a geometry of the manipulated tool; selecting an empty magazine slot from a set of empty magazine slots of the tool magazine based on the tool data provided via the control device; and inserting, by the tool changer, the tool to be manipulated into the selected empty magazine slot of the tool magazine.

[0098] The method therefore offers, inter alia, the possibility of automatically managing the tools of the tool magazine of the machine tool based on the provided tool data in order to enable optimal occupancy of the tool magazine without manual intervention of the machine operator.

[0099] The manipulating step may in particular include picking up the tool from a fixture of a work spindle of the machine tool or picking up the tool from a transport device arranged on the machine tool and configured to supply the tool to the machine tool.

[0100] Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention are described below, the advantages of each of which are substantially the same as those of the numerically controlled machine tool according to the third aspect.

[0101] Preferably, the step of providing the tool data includes detecting a geometry of a tool operated by the tool changer, and generating the tool data based on the detected geometry.

[0102] Preferably, the method includes a step of detecting a tool ID capable of identifying a specific tool operated by the tool changer, and the step of providing tool data further includes retrieving the tool data from a memory unit of the control device of the machine tool based on the detected tool ID.

[0103] Preferably, at least one geometric dimension of the tool that is manipulated is the outer diameter, outer radius, or length of the tool.

[0104] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention, as well as more specific embodiments of the aforementioned aspects and embodiments, are described below with reference to the figures illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0105] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a manufacturing system according to the present invention.

[0106] [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a machine tool equipped with a tool magazine according to the present invention;

[0107] [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method for transmitting tool data according to the present invention.

[0108] [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for inserting a tool according to the present invention;

[0109] It is emphasized that the present invention is in no way limited to the example embodiments and their features described below: The present invention also encompasses modifications of said embodiments, in particular modifications resulting from modifications and / or combinations of individual or several features of the described embodiments, within the scope of protection of the independent claims. <Detailed Description of the Drawings>

[0110] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a manufacturing system 1000 according to the present invention, including an embodiment of a data interface device 2 according to the present invention.

[0111] The manufacturing system 1000 includes a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools 3a and 3b, two of which are shown in the figure (first machine tool 3a and second machine tool 3b), a tool data management device 1 that manages tool data for tools that can be used in the numerically controlled machine tools, and a data interface device 2 that transmits tool data between the tool data management device 1 and the control devices 31a and 31b of the machine tools 3a and 3b.

[0112] Each connection between the individual components of manufacturing system 1000 represents a data connection that can be implemented both wired and wirelessly.

[0113] First, an embodiment of the data interface device 2 included in the manufacturing system 1000 will be described.

[0114] The data interface device 2 comprises a first interface module 21 configured for data transmission with the tool data management device 1 and a second interface module 22 configured for data transmission with the control devices 31a, 31b of the machine tools 3a, 3b.

[0115] The data interface device 2 is configured to receive tool data of tools usable in numerically controlled machine tools from the tool data management device 1 via the first interface module 21, and to transmit this data to one or both of the control devices 31a, 31b of the machine tools 3a, 3b via the second interface module 22. Thus, the second interface module 21 is connectable to a plurality of control devices 31a, 31b.

[0116] Furthermore, the data interface device 2 comprises a data processing unit 23 configured to convert the data format of the tool data received via the first interface module 21 into a target data format that can be read by each of the control devices 31a, 31b of the multiple control devices 31a, 31b receiving the tool data, so that the machine tools 3a, 3b associated with the receiving control devices 31a, 31b can be controlled in dependence on the tool data received by the control devices 31a, 31b.

[0117] In the illustrated embodiment, the data format of the tool data received by the first interface module 21 (and the data format used by the tool data management device 1) is the OPC-UA data format, on the basis of which the tool data is managed platform-independently on the part of the tool data management device 1 in a neutral OPC-UA data format, which is particularly well suited as a starting point for conversion by the data interface device 2 or its data processing unit 23 into a control device-specific target data format.

[0118] In the illustrated example, the control devices 31a, 31b process tool data in different data formats, an appropriate one of which is selected by the data interface device 2 as the target data format for transmitting the tool data. The respective data formats that the control devices 31a, 31b can use are typically manufacturer- and / or model-specific. For example, a SIEMENS control device uses a different data format than a HEIDENHAIN control device.

[0119] In the illustrated manufacturing system 1000, the data interface device 2 particularly advantageously functions as a conversion interface between a plurality of machine tools 3a, 3b and the tool data management device 1, i.e., regardless of the data format specific to each machine. In this way, control devices from a wide variety of manufacturers can be connected to the data interface device 2, which acts as a universal translator of tool data and ensures that each control device receives tool data in a data format that it can use or read.

[0120] The data interface device 2 described above is not limited to use in the manufacturing system 1000 shown in FIG. 1, but can be used in manufacturing systems of any design.

[0121] The remaining components of the manufacturing system 1000 are now described.

[0122] The tool data management device 1 comprises a preset device 11 and a storage device 12, the latter of which can be designed as a data management system with an additional data management device.

[0123] The presetting device 11 is configured to detect at least one tool characteristic of a tool inserted into the presetting device and, based on this, generate tool data for the inserted tool, which tool data is either sent directly to the data interface device 2 or stored in the storage device 12 of the tool data management device 1 and, if necessary, sent to one or more control devices 31 a, 31 b via the data interface device 2. This is done by the data interface device 2 itself accessing the tool data in the storage device 12 or by the tool data management device 1 sending the tool data to the data interface device 2.

[0124] In this way, the tool data generated from the detected tool characteristics can be stored or modified in the storage device 12 for central management or sent directly to the data interface device 2 for further transmission, in particular to the control devices 31a, 31b. This provides a push function originating from the presetting device 11, from which the tool data can be sent to any receiver in the process.

[0125] The storage device 12 of the tool data management device 1 and part or all of the data interface device 2 may be cloud-based.

[0126] The control devices 31a, 31b each comprise a memory unit 311a, 311b for storing tool data and a control unit 312a, 312b, each configured to control the actuator 32 of the respective machine tool 3a, 3b in response to the tool data received in the respective target data format and / or the tool data stored in the memory unit 311a, 311b.

[0127] The aforementioned actuator 32 can be, for example, a positioning device of a machine tool, in particular a positioning device for realizing relative movement between a tool and a workpiece during machining, or a work spindle carrying a tool, or other controllable actuator of a machine tool. An actuator typically includes one or more controllable drives. The second machine tool 3b, for example, includes a tool magazine 321 and a tool changer 322 as actuators 32.

[0128] The exemplary tool magazine 321 includes a plurality of magazine slots each for receiving a tool, and the tool changer 322 is configured to insert and change tools into the magazine slots of the tool magazine 321, which may be specifically designed as a wheel magazine.

[0129] The control device 31b or its control unit 312b is preferably configured to select an empty magazine slot for the tool to be operated by the tool changer 322 from the set of empty magazine slots of the tool magazine 321 based on tool data provided to the control device 31b (received directly via the data interface device 2 or stored in the memory unit 311b) and to control the machine tool 3b, in particular the drive device of the tool magazine 321 and / or the tool changer 322, so that the tool to be operated is inserted by the tool changer 322 into the selected empty magazine slot of the tool magazine 321.

[0130] Relying on tool data to select a magazine slot provides an automated process in which the machine tool 3b can independently select a suitable magazine slot for a tool and insert the tool directly into this slot by the tool changer 322, without the intervention of a machine operator.

[0131] The magazine slots may be selected based on geometric tool characteristics, but may also be selected based on other tool characteristics.

[0132] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a machine tool 3 according to the invention having a tool magazine 321 .

[0133] The machine tool 3 can also be used in the manufacturing system shown in Figure 1, for example, if the machine tool 3 or its controller 31 is connected to the data interface device 2 shown in Figure 1 for data transmission.

[0134] The machine tool 3 comprises a control device 31 for controlling the machine tool 3 or for controlling an actuator 32 of the machine tool 3, and the machine tool 3 comprises, inter alia, the aforementioned tool magazine 321 having a plurality of magazine slots 321a-e each for receiving a tool, a work spindle 323, and a tool changer 322 configured to insert and remove tools in the magazine slots 321a-e of the tool magazine 321 and in a receiver of the work spindle 323.

[0135] The possible transverse movements of the actuators are indicated by arrows in Figure 2. Thus, the work spindle 323 is movable vertically and horizontally, the tool changer 322 is movable vertically and rotates, and the tool magazine 321 is movable horizontally, it being understood that the possible movements are merely exemplary and not limiting.

[0136] The control device 31 is configured to select an empty magazine slot 321c for the tool 4 to be operated from the set of empty magazine slots 321b to 321d in the tool magazine 322 based on tool data including at least one shape dimension of the tool 4 to be operated that is provided to the control device 31 (for example, in the memory unit 311 of the control device 3) for the tool 4 to be operated by the tool changer 322, and to control the machine tool 3 or its actuator 32 via the control unit 312 of the control device 31 so that the tool 4 to be operated is inserted by the tool changer 322 into the selected empty magazine slot 321c in the tool magazine 321.

[0137] Thus, the machine tool 3 can improve the operation of the tool 4 on the machine tool 3 apart from the use of the tool 4 in machining operations in the workspace, and selective placement of the tool 4 in the magazine slot 321c best suited for this purpose is made possible based on tool data of the tool 4 being operated provided to the control device.

[0138] Here, the tool 4 to be operated has a large tool radius that extends into the adjacent magazine slots. Therefore, based on the associated tool data, including, for example, the aforementioned information about the tool radius, the central magazine slot 321c of the empty magazine slots 321b-d is selected by the control device 31 to avoid collisions with tools already inserted in magazine slots 321a, 321e.

[0139] In the process of providing tool data for selecting a magazine slot, the machine tool 3 further includes a detection device 33 configured to detect a tool ID of the operated tool 4, via which the specific tool can be identified. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the detection device 33 is configured to read an RFID chip 41 attached to the tool 4 and storing the tool ID. Based on the detected tool ID, the control device 31 is configured to access tool data associated with the operated tool 4 and stored in the memory 311 of the control device 31. If the tool data is not stored in the memory 311, the necessary tool data of the operated tool 4 can be requested and transmitted to the control device 31 via the data interface device, if connected to the tool data management device.

[0140] In this way, the machine tool 3 can independently recognize the tool 4 to be operated, select the associated tool data, and based on this, select an appropriate magazine slot 321c and insert the tool 4 to be operated into the appropriate magazine slot 321c without the intervention of the machine operator.

[0141] FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of one embodiment of a method according to the present invention for transmitting tool data to a controller of a numerically controlled machine tool using a data interface device that functions as an interface between the controller and a tool data management device.

[0142] In step S1, the data interface device receives tool data of a tool that can be used in a numerically controlled machine tool from the tool data management device.

[0143] In step S2, a machine tool control device that receives the tool data is selected from among a plurality of control devices connected to the data interface device.

[0144] In step S3, the data interface device, which includes substeps S3.1 and S3.2, converts the received tool data.

[0145] In substep S3.1, a target data format is selected so that the selected target data format can be read by a selected control device that receives the tool data to be transmitted so that a machine tool associated with the selected control device is controlled in accordance with the tool data received by the selected control device.

[0146] In substep S3.2, the data interface device converts the received tool data into the selected target data format.

[0147] In step S4, the converted tool data is sent to the selected control device by the data interface device.

[0148] 4 is a schematic flow chart of an example of a method according to the present invention in which a tool changer of a machine tool inserts tools into a tool magazine of a numerically controlled machine tool. The tool magazine includes a plurality of magazine slots, each for receiving a tool.

[0149] In step S1, a tool is manipulated by a tool changer of the machine tool. The manipulating step may include, for example, picking up the tool from a fixture of a work spindle of the machine tool or from a transport device configured to supply the tool to the machine tool.

[0150] In step S2, tool data for the tool to be operated is provided for use by the machine tool controller, the tool data including at least the geometry of the tool to be operated.

[0151] In step S3, the control device selects an empty magazine slot for the tool to be operated from a set of empty magazine slots in the tool magazine based on the provided tool data.

[0152] In step S4, the tool to be operated is inserted into a selected empty magazine slot of the tool magazine by the tool changer.

[0153] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples.

[0154] It is emphasized again that the present invention is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments and their features: the present invention further encompasses modifications of the aforementioned embodiments, in particular those resulting from modifications and / or combinations of individual or several features of the described embodiments, within the scope of protection of the independent claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 1. Tool data management device 2 Data Interface Device 3, 3a, 3b machine tools 4 Tools 11 Preset device 12 Storage device of tool data management device 21 First Interface Module 22 Second Interface Module 23 Data Processing Unit 31, 31a, 31b Control device 32 Actuator 33 Detection Device 41 RFID chips 311, 311a, 311b storage section 312, 312a, 312b control section 321 Tool Magazine 321a~e Magazine slot 322 Tool changer 323 Working Spindle 1000 Manufacturing Systems

Claims

1. A tool magazine (321) configured such that each of the multiple magazine slots (321a-e) is configured to accept a tool, A tool changing device (322) configured to insert and remove tools into the magazine slots (321a-e) of the tool magazine (321), A control device (31) for controlling the machine tool (3), A numerically controlled machine tool (3) equipped with, The control device (31) is configured to receive tool data for the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322), The tool data includes at least one shape dimension of the tool (4) operated by the tool changing device (322), The control device (31) is further configured to select an empty magazine slot (321c) from a set of empty magazine slots (321b-d) of the tool magazine (321) based on the at least one shape dimension included in the tool data of the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322), The control device (31) is further configured to control the machine tool (3) such that the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322) is inserted into the empty magazine slot (321c) of the tool magazine (321) selected by the control device (31). Numerical control machine tools (3).

2. The control device (31) is configured to control the drive unit of the tool magazine (321) and the drive unit of the tool changer (322) in order to insert the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322) into the empty magazine slot (321c) of the tool magazine (321) selected by the control device (31), The numerically controlled machine tool (3) according to claim 1.

3. The machine tool (3) is equipped with a detection device coupled to the control device (31), The detection device is The tool changer (322) detects at least one shape dimension of the tool (4) that is operated by the tool changer (322), and The detected at least one shape dimension is provided to the control device (31) as tool data for the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322) so that the control device (31) may use it to select the empty magazine slot (321c). A numerically controlled machine tool (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

4. The machine tool (3) comprises a detection device (33) coupled to the control device (31), and the detection device (33) The tool changer (322) is configured to detect the tool ID of the tool (4) that is operated by the tool changer (322), and the tool ID identifies a specific tool (4). The detection device (33) is configured to transmit the detected tool ID to the control device (31), The control device (31) is Based on the tool ID transmitted from the detection device (33), the control device (31) is configured to access tool data associated with the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322), which is stored in the storage unit (311) of the control device (31). The accessed tool data includes the at least one shape dimension of the tool (4) which is operated by the tool changer (322) so that it is used by the control device (31) to select the empty magazine slot (321c), The numerically controlled machine tool (3) according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control device (31) is coupled to a data interface device (2) for receiving tool data of a tool, The control device (31) is configured to store tool data received from the data interface device (2) in its storage unit (311). The numerically controlled machine tool (3) according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The tool magazine (321) is Designed as a wheel magazine that moves rotatably around a rotation axis relative to the machine bed of the numerically controlled machine tool in order to align the magazine slot with respect to the tool changing device (322), The multiple magazine slots are arranged circumferentially, and the magazine slots extend radially with respect to the axis of rotation. The numerically controlled machine tool (3) according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The at least one shape dimension included in the tool data of the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322) is one of the outer diameter, outer radius, or length of the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322). The numerically controlled machine tool (3) according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The at least one shape dimension included in the provided tool data is the outer radius of the tool (4) operated by the tool changer (322), The control device (31) is configured to select the empty magazine slot (321c) such that when the tool (4) to be operated has such a large outer radius that it protrudes into the magazine slots (321b, 321d) adjacent to the specific magazine slot (321c) when inserted into the specific magazine slot (321c), the central magazine slot (321c) of the three adjacent empty magazine slots (321b-d) is selected. The numerically controlled machine tool (3) according to claim 7.

9. A method for inserting a tool into a tool magazine (321) of a numerically controlled machine tool, The tool magazine (321) comprises a plurality of magazine slots (321a-e), each configured to receive a tool inside it. The aforementioned method, A step of operating a tool (4) using a tool changing device (322) of a machine tool (3), A step of providing tool data for the tool (4) to be operated, which can be used by the control device (31) of the machine tool (3), wherein the tool data includes at least one shape dimension of the tool (4) to be operated. The steps include selecting an empty magazine slot (321c) from a set of empty magazine slots (321b-d) of the tool magazine (321) via the control device (31) based on at least one of the shape dimensions included in the provided tool data, The step of inserting the tool (4) operated by the tool changing device (322) into the selected empty magazine slot (321c) of the tool magazine (321), Methods that include...

10. The numerically controlled machine tool (3) is the numerically controlled machine tool (3) described in Claim 1 or 2. The method according to claim 9.

11. The step of inserting the tool (4) to be operated includes controlling the drive unit of the tool magazine (321) and controlling the drive unit of the tool changer (322), The method according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The step of operating the tool (4) is: Picking up the tool (4) from the fixing device of the work spindle of the machine tool (3), or This includes picking up the tool (4) from a transport device located on the machine tool (3) that is configured to supply tools to the machine tool (3), The method according to claim 9 or 10.

13. The step of providing the tool data is: To detect the shape and dimensions of the tool (4) operated by the tool changing device (322), and The process includes generating tool data based on the detected at least one shape dimension, The method according to claim 9 or 10.

14. A step of detecting a tool ID of the tool (4) to be operated, wherein the tool ID identifies a specific tool (4), The step of providing the tool data further, This includes searching for the tool data from the storage unit (311) of the control device (31) of the machine tool (3) based on the detected tool ID. The method according to claim 9 or 10.

15. The at least one shape dimension included in the provided tool data is one of the outer diameter, outer radius, or length of the tool (4) being operated on. The method according to claim 9 or 10.

16. The at least one shape dimension included in the provided tool data is the outer radius of the tool (4) being operated, Selecting the aforementioned empty magazine slot (321c) means When the tool being operated (4) is inserted into a specific magazine slot (321c), if it has such a large outer radius that it protrudes into the magazine slots (321b, 321d) adjacent to the specific magazine slot (321c), the operation is performed such that the central magazine slot 321c of the three adjacent empty magazine slots (321b-d) is selected. The method according to claim 15.

17. The tool magazine (321) is Designed as a wheel magazine that moves rotatably around a rotation axis relative to the machine bed of the numerically controlled machine tool in order to align the magazine slot with respect to the tool changing device (322), The multiple magazine slots are arranged circumferentially, and the magazine slots extend radially with respect to the axis of rotation. The method according to claim 16.

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