Processing device, processing method, system and computer program

Abstract

This processing device includes: a reception unit that receives, from a cutting tool, an output value from a sensor mounted on the cutting tool; a processing unit that calculates a physical quantity relating to the cutting tool from the output value received by the reception unit; and a display unit that displays an image including a graph representing time-series data pertaining to the physical quantity and a distribution image representing the distribution of the physical quantity.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing device, a processing method, a system, and a computer program. This application claims priority to International Patent Application PCT / JP2022 / 041290 filed on November 7, 2022, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of said International Patent Application. [Background technology]

[0002] Cutting tools (i.e., milling tools and turning tools) equipped with sensors are known. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a cutting tool including a sensor and a wireless communication unit. In this cutting tool, information about the cutting tool measured by the sensor is transmitted to the outside by the wireless communication unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-62746 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] A processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that receives from the cutting tool an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool, a processing unit that calculates a physical quantity related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the receiving unit, and a display unit that displays an image including a graph representing time series data of the physical quantity and a distribution image representing the distribution of the physical quantity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view that typically shows the milling tool shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sensor module attached to the milling tool shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the processing device shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the display device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the processing device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an initial image displayed on the display device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view that typically illustrates the turning tool illustrated in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sensor module attached to the turning tool shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the display device. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the processing device shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an initial image displayed on the display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] [Problem that this disclosure aims to solve] By analyzing the output value of the sensor obtained by cutting, the cutting load (i.e., cutting resistance) on the cutting edge of the cutting blade can be calculated and the cutting state can be evaluated. The evaluation method includes a method of confirming the load condition on each blade in any machining section (i.e., any period in the entire machining period) for a cutting tool having one or multiple cutting blades, or a method of confirming the tendency of the load condition on each blade for the entire machining.

[0007] For example, when checking data of an arbitrary machining section (e.g., physical quantities such as load on a turning tool), it is necessary to check a specific section from a graph showing time-series data, and then use the data from that section to create a distribution image (e.g., an image in which the components of the load on a turning tool are plotted in two dimensions). In addition, in order to adjust the machining section (i.e., the section for identifying the data used to generate one distribution image) to be included in each distribution image, it was necessary to check the distribution image while generating it each time. Even when the temporal change of the distribution image generated from the data of the entire machining was displayed as an animation (e.g., GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) animation), it was necessary to generate each frame image (i.e., distribution image) each time in order to check and adjust the playback speed. This is not limited to turning tools, but is similar for turning tools. In addition, when comparing cutting processes under different machining conditions, it is necessary to individually adjust the machining section and playback speed to be included in each image. In this way, in order to visually grasp the state of the cutting tool from the physical quantity (e.g., load) calculated from the output value of the sensor obtained by the cutting process, complicated data processing was required.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a processing device, a processing method, a system, and a computer program that can easily grasp the state of a cutting tool equipped with a sensor.

[0009] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a processing device, a processing method, a system, and a computer program that can easily grasp the state of a cutting tool equipped with a sensor.

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] The contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described below. At least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0011] (1) A processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that receives from a cutting tool an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool, a processing unit that calculates a physical quantity related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the receiving unit, and a display unit that displays an image including a graph showing time-series data of the physical quantity and a distribution image showing the distribution of the physical quantity. In this way, by simultaneously displaying the graph and the distribution image, the state of the cutting tool mounted with the sensor during cutting can be easily grasped.

[0012] (2) In the above (1), the sensor can be a strain sensor, the output value can be the output value of the sensor during cutting processing by the cutting tool, the processing unit can calculate the cutting resistance as a physical quantity from the output value, and the display unit can generate a distribution image by plotting two components of the cutting resistance calculated from the output value within a predetermined time on a plane, the two components being components of the cutting resistance in two axial directions that intersect in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the cutting tool. This makes it easy to grasp the cutting resistance of the cutting tool equipped with the sensor during cutting processing, and makes it easy to determine chipping or wear of the cutting edge from the shape of the distribution diagram.

[0013] (3) In the above (2), the display unit may display a figure having a width corresponding to a predetermined time by being superimposed on the graph, and the processing device may further include an operation unit for inputting instructions to the display unit, and in response to at least one of the width and the position of the figure on the graph being changed by operating the operation unit, the display unit may generate and display a distribution image representing the distribution of the physical quantity on which the changed figure is superimposed. This makes it possible to generate a distribution image appropriate for understanding the state of the cutting tool equipped with the sensor, and makes it easier to understand the state of the cutting tool equipped with the sensor.

[0014] (4) In the above (3), when a playback command is input from the operation unit, the display unit may update the distribution image while moving the figure along the time axis of the graph. This allows the time-dependent change in the physical quantity related to the cutting tool to be confirmed through an animation of the distribution image, making it easier to grasp the state of the cutting tool equipped with the sensor.

[0015] (5) In the above (4), the operation unit may be operated to specify the amount of movement of the figure in one go. This makes it possible to generate an animation of a distribution image appropriate for grasping the state of a cutting tool equipped with a sensor.

[0016] (6) In the above (4) or (5), the speed at which the distribution image is updated may be specified by operating the operation unit, thereby allowing a playback speed of the animation of the distribution image appropriate for grasping the state of the cutting tool on which the sensor is mounted to be specified.

[0017] (7) A processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving step in which a communication device receives from a cutting tool an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool, a processing step in which a processing device calculates a physical quantity related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the communication device, and a display step in which a display device displays an image including a graph showing time-series data of the physical quantity and a distribution image showing the distribution of the physical quantity. In this way, by simultaneously displaying the graph and the distribution image, the state of the cutting tool mounted with the sensor can be easily grasped.

[0018] (8) A computer program according to a third aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to realize a receiving function of receiving from a cutting tool an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool, a processing function of calculating a physical quantity related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the receiving function, and a display function of displaying an image including a graph showing time-series data of the physical quantity and a distribution image showing the distribution of the physical quantity. In this way, by simultaneously displaying the graph and the distribution image, the state of the cutting tool mounted with the sensor can be easily grasped.

[0019] (9) A system according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor mounted on a cutting tool and any one of the processing devices described above in (1) to (6), the cutting tool including a communication unit that transmits an output value of the sensor to the processing device, thereby making it possible to easily grasp the state of the cutting tool on which the sensor is mounted.

[0020] (10) In any one of the above (4) to (6), the cutting tool may be a milling tool, and the processing unit may adjust the update speed of the distribution image based on the feed speed of the milling tool, or the number of revolutions per unit time of the milling tool and the sampling frequency of the output value. This makes it easy to compare the measurement results of two milling processes at the same time.

[0021] (11) In the above (10), the receiving unit may receive an output value in a first milling process in which the feed rate is a first speed and an output value in a second milling process in which the feed rate is a second speed higher than the first speed, the processing unit may calculate a physical quantity from the output value in the first milling process and the output value in the second milling process, and the processing unit may increase the update speed of the distribution image generated from the output value in the first milling process or decrease the update speed of the distribution image generated from the output value in the second milling process. This makes it possible to easily compare the machining state (i.e., the state of the milling tool) at the same timing (for example, the timing when the same distance is cut) when the same product is machined under machining conditions with different feed rates.

[0022] (12) In the above (10), the receiving unit may receive an output value in a first milling process in which the rotation speed is a first rotation speed and the sampling frequency of the output value is a first frequency, and an output value in a second milling process in which the rotation speed is a second rotation speed and the sampling frequency of the output value is a second frequency, and the processing unit may determine a first time as the predetermined time from the output value in the first milling process, and may determine a second time as the predetermined time from the output value in the second milling process, and if the first time is greater than the second time, may decrease the update speed of the distribution image generated from the output value in the first milling process, or may increase the update speed of the distribution image generated from the output value in the second milling process. This makes it possible to easily compare the machining state (i.e., the state of the milling tool) at the same timing (i.e., the timing when the position of the milling tool is the same) when the same product is machined under machining conditions with different machining rotation speeds. In addition, even if the output value of the sensor is acquired using different sampling frequencies, the machining state (i.e., the state of the milling tool) at the same timing can be easily compared.

[0023] (13) In the above (12), the first rotation speed may be S1, the first frequency may be fs1, the first time may be T1, Z1 may be a positive integer, and N1 may be a natural number satisfying Z1=fs1×(60 / S1)×N1, where N1 is a natural number satisfying Z1=fs1×(60 / S1)×N1, and the second rotation speed may be S2, the second frequency may be fs2, the second time may be T2, Z2 may be a positive integer, and N2 may be a natural number satisfying Z2=fs2×(60 / S2)×N2, where T2 is a natural number satisfying Z2=fs2×(60 / S2)×N2, where T2 is a second time. This makes it possible to appropriately determine a predetermined time for comparing the machining state (i.e., the state of the milling tool) under machining conditions with different machining rotation speeds, or for comparing the machining state when the output value of the sensor is acquired with different sampling frequencies.

[0024] (14) In the above (13), the first time T1 calculated by T1 = (60 / S1) x N1 may be changed to the upper limit value Tl1 if it is greater than a predetermined upper limit value Tl1, or may be changed to the lower limit value Ts1 if it is less than a predetermined lower limit value Ts1, and the second time T2 calculated by T2 = (60 / S2) x N2 may be changed to the upper limit value Tl2 if it is greater than a predetermined upper limit value Tl2, or may be changed to the lower limit value Ts2 if it is less than a predetermined lower limit value Ts2. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the predetermined time is too long, i.e., the moving distance of the milling tool becomes too long, making it difficult to understand local changes, and an increase in the amount of data for the entire animation.

[0025] (15) A processing method according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving step in which a communication device receives from the cutting tool an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool, a processing step in which a processing device calculates a physical quantity related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the communication device, and a display step in which a display device displays an image including a graph showing time-series data of the physical quantity and a distribution image showing the distribution of the physical quantity. In this way, by simultaneously displaying the graph and the distribution image, the state of the cutting tool on which the sensor is mounted can be easily grasped.

[0026] (16) A computer program according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to realize a receiving function for receiving from the cutting tool an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool, a processing function for calculating a physical quantity related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the receiving function, and a display function for displaying an image including a graph showing time-series data of the physical quantity and a distribution image showing the distribution of the physical quantity. In this way, by simultaneously displaying the graph and the distribution image, the state of the cutting tool on which the sensor is mounted can be easily grasped.

[0027] (17) A system according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor mounted on a cutting tool and any one of the processing devices described above in (10) to (14), the cutting tool including a communication unit that transmits an output value of the sensor to the processing device, thereby making it possible to easily grasp the state of the cutting tool on which the sensor is mounted.

[0028] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same, so detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0029] (First embodiment) [Overall configuration] With reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processing device 102, a communication device 104, an operation device 106, a display device 108, and a sensor module 112. The processing device 102 is realized by, for example, a computer. The communication device 104 has a wireless function and receives data transmitted from a sensor module 112 mounted on a cutting tool 110. The communication device 104 functions as a receiving unit for the processing device 102. The cutting tool 110 is mounted on a cutting device 114 and used for cutting a workpiece. The cutting state by the cutting tool 110 is reflected in a measurement value (i.e., an output value of the sensor) by the sensor module 112. The communication device 104 outputs the received output value of the sensor to the processing device 102. The operation device 106 is a device for inputting instructions to the processing device 102. The operation device 106 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like for a computer. The display device 108 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The display device 108 functions as a display unit for the processing device 102. The processing device 102 stores and analyzes output values ​​input from the communication device 104, and displays physical quantities calculated from the output values ​​and their distribution images on the display device 108 in accordance with instructions from the operation device 106, as described below.

[0030] 1 shows a case where the communication device 104, the operation device 106, and the display device 108 are arranged outside the processing device 102, but a configuration in which some or all of them are included in the processing device 102 may be used. For example, a touch panel display may be used for the operation device 106 and the display device 108, and the touch panel display may be included in the processing device 102.

[0031] [Configuration of cutting tools] Referring to FIG. 2, the milling tool 110 is a milling tool having a cutting part 120 at its end. The cutting part 120 is provided with a cutting blade 122 that comes into contact with the object to be cut and cuts the object to be cut. Although one cutting blade 122 is shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of cutting blades (for example, four) may be provided. The cutting blade 122 may be detachably fixed to the cutting part 120. The milling tool 110 has a sensor module 112A, a sensor module 112B, a sensor module 112C, and a sensor module 112D provided on a side surface of the milling tool 110. The interval between adjacent modules in the rotation direction of the sensor module 112A, the sensor module 112B, the sensor module 112C, and the sensor module 112D is 90 degrees around the rotation axis (i.e., the central axis) of the milling tool 110. The sensor module 112A, the sensor module 112B, the sensor module 112C, and the sensor module 112D include the same type of sensor and have the same configuration. Therefore, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as sensor module 112. FIG. 2 shows orthogonal XYZ axes set for cutting tool 110. The rotation axis of cutting tool 110 is set as the Z axis, and the X axis is set in a direction from the rotation axis through sensor module 112A (specifically, the sensor) toward the outside of cutting tool 110. The Y axis is set in a direction from the rotation axis through sensor module 112B (specifically, the sensor) toward the outside of cutting tool 110. Note that the sensors included in each of sensor module 112A, sensor module 112B, sensor module 112C, and sensor module 112D may be disposed on the side surface of cutting tool 110, and the portions of each sensor module other than the sensors may be housed in a cylindrical housing (not shown) disposed around cutting tool 110.

[0032] 3, the sensor module 112 includes a sensor 130, an AD conversion unit 132, a memory 134, a control unit 136, a communication unit 138, a bus 140, and a power supply unit 142. The sensor 130 is disposed at a position corresponding to any one of the sensor modules 112A, 112B, 112C, and 112D shown in FIG. 2. Here, the sensor 130 is a strain sensor. The sensor 130 may be a sensor other than a strain sensor, for example, an acceleration sensor. The AD conversion unit 132 converts an input analog signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal. That is, the AD conversion unit 132 samples the analog signal (i.e., the output value) output from the sensor 130 at a predetermined sampling frequency to generate a digital signal. The generated output value, which is a digital signal, is transmitted to the memory 134 via the bus 140. The memory 134 is, for example, a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and stores data transmitted via the bus 140. Furthermore, the memory 134 stores a computer program (hereinafter simply referred to as a program) that the control unit 136 executes.

[0033] The control unit 136 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 136 reads the output value stored in the memory 134 and outputs it to the communication unit 138. The communication unit 138 transmits the input data to the outside of the sensor module 112, that is, to the communication device 104. The communication unit 138 has a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi. Specifically, the communication unit 138 generates and transmits a communication packet including the data input from the control unit 136, the address of the communication device 104 as a destination address, and the address of the communication unit 138 as a source address. As a result, the communication packet transmitted from the communication unit 138 is received by the communication device 104. The bus 140 transmits data exchanged between the AD conversion unit 132, the memory 134, and the control unit 136. The power supply unit 142 supplies power required for each unit constituting the sensor module 112 to function. The power supply unit 142 is, for example, a battery.

[0034] In the above, the case where one sensor module includes one sensor has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. One sensor module may include multiple sensor modules. For example, one sensor module 112 may include four sensors, and the sensors may be arranged at positions corresponding to the sensor module 112A, the sensor module 112B, the sensor module 112C, and the sensor module 112D shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the sensor module 112 includes a total of four AD conversion units 132 corresponding to each of the four sensors 130. Each AD conversion unit 132 samples the output value of the corresponding sensor 130 to generate a digital output value, and stores the digital output value in the memory 134 as time-series data. When transmitting the output value to the communication device 104 via the communication unit 138, the control unit 136 transmits the output value so that the processing device 102 can distinguish which sensor each transmitted output value is an output value of. For example, when transmitting the output value, the control unit 136 may transmit the output value with information identifying the sensor that output the output value.

[0035] [Processing device configuration] 4, the processing device 102 includes a control unit 160, an IF unit 162, a memory 164, and a bus 166. The control unit 160 is configured to include a CPU. The memory 164 is, for example, a rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory, and stores the program executed by the control unit 160. The memory 164 may be a HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The memory 164 provides a work area for the program executed by the control unit 160.

[0036] The IF unit 162 is an interface for exchanging data with each of the communication device 104, the operation device 106, and the display device 108. The IF unit 162 transmits data (i.e., sensor output values) transmitted from the communication device 104 to the memory 164 via the bus 166 for storage. The IF unit 162 transmits instructions input by operating the operation device 106 to the control unit 160 via the bus 166. In response to this, the control unit 160 executes processing described below and stores the processing results in the memory 164. A part of the memory 164 functions as a video memory for storing video data corresponding to an image to be displayed on the display device 108. The IF unit 162 transmits data in the video memory of the memory 164 to the display device 108 and displays the data on the display device 108 as an image. The memory 164 also stores information about the cutting tool 110 and processing conditions (e.g., rotation speed, feed rate, etc.) during cutting (i.e., cutting). The information about the milling tool 110 includes information such as the shape, dimensions, material (eg, Poisson's ratio), the number of cutting edges, the position of each cutting edge, and the arrangement positions of the sensor modules 112A, 112B, 112C, and 112D.

[0037] The control unit 160 reads out the output values ​​(i.e., strain values) of the sensor modules 112A, 112B, 112C, and 112D stored in the memory 164, and calculates the load (i.e., cutting resistance) and moment applied to the cutting tool 110 from the shape and material (e.g., Poisson's ratio) of the cutting tool 110 and the arrangement positions of the sensor modules 112A, 112B, 112C, and 112D. The control unit 160 stores each component (X component, Y component, and Z component) of the calculated load in the memory 164 as time-series data. The control unit 160 also stores the moment in the memory 164 as time-series data. When the operation device 106 is operated and an instruction is input, the control unit 160 reads out the calculation result from the memory 164 and displays it on the display device 108, for example, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0038] [Screen display] 5, display screen 200 includes areas 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210. Area 202 includes a title 212 indicating the program displaying the screen, and operation buttons displayed on the right edge for the entire display screen 200. The right edge portion of area 202 displays buttons for changing the display mode of display screen 200 (i.e., icon display, window display, and full screen display) and a button for closing display screen 200 (i.e., an exit button).

[0039] The left area of ​​area 206 shows graphs representing time series data of calculated physical quantities related to the milling tool, namely, the XYZ components of the load (represented by Fx, Fy, and Fz, respectively) and the Z component of the torque M (represented by Mz). In both graphs, the horizontal axis represents time (seconds). That is, the upper graph shows the Fx component and the Fy component superimposed. step The graph above represents the Z component Fz, and the graph below represents the Z component Mz of torque. The vertical axis of the upper and middle graphs is in units of N (Newton), and the vertical axis of the lower graph is in units of N·m (Newton·meter). The min, max, ave, and sd shown in the box at the bottom right of each graph respectively represent the maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation of each physical quantity within a specified section of each graph (i.e., Window 250, Window 252, and Window 254).

[0040] In the right area of ​​the area 206, a distribution image relating to the data in the window 250 shown in the graph in the upper part, that is, a distribution image in which a plurality of data in the window 250 are plotted with the horizontal axis Fx and the vertical axis Fy, is displayed. As described later, the width of the window 250 (time width, hereinafter also referred to as section width) can be changed, and the data in the window 250 changes according to the change in the width of the window 250, so a new distribution image is generated accordingly and displayed on the display screen 200. In addition, the window 250 can be moved in the time axis direction by operating the operation device 106. When the window 250 is moved, the data in the window 250 also changes, so a new distribution image is generated accordingly and displayed on the display screen 200. Note that the shape of the window 250 is not limited to a rectangle. It may be any visual information (i.e., a figure, a color, etc.) for indicating the data used to generate the distribution image.

[0041] The area 204 includes a cell 220, a cell 222, a cell 224, a cell 226, a cell 228, a mode selection button 230, a reference button 232, a display button 234, and a display graph save button 236. The cell 220 is a cell for setting a step width, i.e., an amount (in seconds) for moving the window 250. The cell 222 is a cell for setting a window width, i.e., a width (in seconds) of the window 250. The window 250 moves according to a value (for example, T0 (seconds)) set in the cell 220, and one distribution image is generated and displayed using the data in the window 250 as described above. Therefore, the speed at which the distribution image is generated (i.e., the speed at which the distribution image displayed in the area 206 is updated) is 1 / T0 (sheets / second). The cell 224 is a cell for displaying or setting the machining rotation speed of the cutting tool 110 (the number of rotations per unit time of the cutting tool 110, in rpm). Cell 226 is a cell for displaying or setting the feed rate (unit: mm / sec) of the milling tool. Cells 224 and 226 display or set the milling conditions obtained by acquiring the original data (i.e., the sensor output value) for calculating the data (i.e., the physical quantity) displayed in area 206. For example, since the milling conditions are input to cutting device 114, processing device 102 may acquire the milling conditions from cutting device 114 and store them in memory 164. In this case, control unit 160 reads out the milling conditions and displays them in cells 224 and 226. Also, if the milling conditions are not stored in memory 164 of processing device 102, they are set in cells 224 and 226 by operating operation device 106.

[0042] Cell 228 is a cell for setting or displaying the playback speed of the animation (i.e., the speed at which the distribution image is updated, hereinafter also referred to as the playback speed). Each frame of the animation corresponds to one distribution image. Therefore, the playback speed of the animation can be calculated by 1 / T0 (fps) as described above. The playback speed of the animation can be changed (i.e., adjusted) as described later. Mode selection button 230 is a button for selecting the playback standard of the animation. When mode selection button 230 is operated, a pull-down menu including multiple candidates is displayed, and a selection can be made from the multiple candidates. The candidates included in the pull-down menu are, for example, "machining speed", "feed rate", and "manual". When the machining speed is selected (hereinafter referred to as the rotation speed standard), the playback speed is automatically determined (i.e., adjusted) based on the machining speed of cell 224 (i.e., by control unit 160) and displayed in cell 228, as described later. When a feed rate is selected (hereinafter referred to as the feed rate reference), the playback speed is automatically determined (i.e., by the control unit 160) based on the feed rate in cell 226 and displayed in cell 228. Cases in which the playback speed is automatically determined (i.e., adjusted) are referred to as automatic mode. On the other hand, when manual is selected (i.e., manual mode), the playback speed is set in cell 228 by operating the operation device 106. Figure 5 shows a state in which the machining rotation speed has been selected as the playback reference.

[0043] Browse button 232 is a button for reading out data to be displayed in area 206. When browse button 232 is operated, a list including file names of candidates to be read out is displayed in area 210. Display button 234 is a button for instructing that data of a file selected in the list displayed in area 210 be read out and displayed in area 206. Save displayed graph button 236 is a button for instructing that the graph displayed in area 206 be saved. When save displayed graph button 236 is operated, a screen (e.g., a dialog box) for specifying the file name to be saved and the save location is displayed.

[0044] In area 210, a list of file names including data to be displayed in area 206 is displayed by operating browse button 232 as described above. Fig. 5 shows a state in which four files, "data0.csv" to "data3.csv", are listed in area 210, "data1.csv" is selected from among them, and the display button 234 is operated to display the data of "data1.csv" in area 206.

[0045] The area 208 includes a play button 260 and a play cursor 262. The play button 260 is a button for starting an animation display of the distribution image displayed in the area 206. The play cursor 262 indicates the current playback position within the entire playback time of the animation. The window 250 shown in the area 206 moves in accordance with the animation playback of the distribution image. In other words, the window 250 is displayed at a position on the upper graph that includes the data used to generate the displayed distribution image. step In the graph below, similar figures to those in window 250 (namely, windows 252 and 254) are displayed at positions corresponding to the same timing as those in window 250.

[0046] In this way, by simultaneously displaying a graph showing the time-dependent change in physical quantities related to the cutting tool and an image showing the distribution of the physical quantities, the state of the cutting tool equipped with the sensor during cutting processing can be easily grasped.

[0047] By displaying an image in which the X-component Fx and Y-component Fy of the load (i.e., cutting resistance) are plotted as a distribution image, the cutting resistance of the milling tool equipped with the sensor during milling can be easily understood, and the shape of the distribution diagram can easily determine chipping or wear of the cutting blade. For example, if a specific cutting blade among the four cutting blades is chipped or worn, the length cut by that cutting blade will be shortened, and the line segment corresponding to that cutting blade among the four line segments that make up the cross will be shortened.

[0048] In the above, the distribution image is an image in which the X-component Fx and the Y-component Fy of the load (i.e., cutting resistance) are plotted, but the distribution image is not limited to this. For example, the distribution image may be an image in which the Z-component Fz and the X-component Fx or the Y-component Fy are plotted. The distribution image may be an image in which two components of a physical quantity related to a cutting tool and expressed by a vector are plotted.

[0049] As described above, the width of the window 250 can be set by the cell 222, and the window 250 can be moved along the time axis. This makes it possible to generate a distribution image appropriate for grasping the state of the milling tool on which the sensor is mounted, and makes it easy to grasp the state of the milling tool on which the sensor is mounted.

[0050] As described above, by operating the play button 260, the window 250 is moved along the time axis of the graph while updating the distribution image showing the distribution of the physical quantity calculated by the control unit 160. This allows the time-dependent change in the physical quantity related to the cutting tool to be confirmed by an animation of the distribution image, making it easier to grasp the state of the cutting tool equipped with the sensor.

[0051] As described above, the amount of movement of the window 250 per one movement can be specified by the cell 220. This makes it possible to generate an animation of a distribution image suitable for grasping the state of the milling tool on which the sensor is mounted.

[0052] As described above, the playback speed of the animation, i.e., the speed at which the distribution image is updated, can be specified by cell 228. This makes it possible to generate an animation of the distribution image appropriate for grasping the state of the milling tool on which the sensor is mounted.

[0053] [Automatically adjust playback speed] A method for automatically setting the playback speed will be described below. When determining the appropriate machining conditions for milling, milling is performed on the same object (e.g., a plurality of the same products) under different machining conditions, and the results are compared. That is, the state of milling is compared by comparing the physical quantities calculated from the output values ​​of the sensor obtained by milling under different machining conditions.

[0054] <In the case of feed speed standard> When the feed rates of the milling tool are different (other conditions are the same), as shown in FIG. 5, even if the distribution image of the physical quantity is animated, it is difficult to compare them at the same timing in the milling process (for example, when the same distance is cut) due to the difference in feed rate. For example, the feed rates of the two machining conditions are the first feed rate and the second feed rate, and the second feed rate is greater than the first feed rate (i.e., the second feed rate>the first feed rate). In this case, in order to adjust the difference in timing due to the difference in feed rate, for example, the playback speed of the animation of the distribution image of the physical quantity calculated from the output value of the sensor obtained by performing the milling process at the first feed rate is increased. In addition, the difference in timing due to the difference in feed rate can also be adjusted by decreasing the playback speed of the animation of the distribution image of the physical quantity calculated from the output value of the sensor obtained by performing the milling process at the second feed rate. This makes it possible to easily compare the machining state (i.e., the state of the milling tool) at the same timing (for example, when the same distance is cut) when the same product is machined under machining conditions with different feed rates. As described above, the playback speed of the animation can be calculated by 1 / T0 (fps), so T0, that is, the step width, is adjusted.

[0055] <In the case of rotation speed standard> When the rotation speeds of the two machining conditions are different (other conditions are the same), it is necessary to adjust the playback speed of the animation, which is affected by the rotation speed, when simultaneously displaying a graph showing the time change in physical quantity and a distribution image of the physical quantity and displaying the distribution image as an animation, as shown in Fig. 5. In addition, since the playback speed of the animation of the distribution image is affected by the sampling frequency, it is also necessary to adjust the playback speed when the sampling frequencies are different.

[0056] As described later, the optimal interval width (i.e., the width of Window 250 shown in FIG. 5) for any rotation speed and sampling frequency is calculated, and the playback speed of the animation corresponding to a larger interval width is decreased. Alternatively, the playback speed of the animation corresponding to a smaller interval width may be increased. Note that since the playback speed of the animation can be calculated by 1 / T0 (fps) as described above, T0, i.e., the step width, is adjusted.

[0057] (Calculation of section width) The rotation speed of the cutting tool is S (rpm), the sampling frequency is fs (Hz), and the section width T (sec) is set so that one frame of the animation image can be extracted (i.e., generated) for each rotation number at which the position of the rotating cutting tool returns to the position at the start of rotation (hereinafter referred to as the initial position). Specifically, the section width T is determined by T = (60 / S) x N. N is a natural number that satisfies Z = fs x (60 / S) x N, where Z is a positive integer. 60 / S represents the time it takes for the cutting tool to make one rotation. Therefore, fs x (60 / S) represents the number of samples (i.e., the number of data) during one rotation of the cutting tool, that is, the number of sensor output values ​​obtained during one rotation of the cutting tool. Therefore, if the number of samples Z obtained during N rotations of the cutting tool from the initial position is an integer value, sampling is performed at the timing when the position of the cutting tool returns to the initial position. If the section width T is determined as above, one frame of the animation image is generated at each of these timings. However, since there are multiple candidates for N based on the above conditions alone, an appropriate T is determined based on the following constraints.

[0058] That is, if the interval width T is too short, the number of frames will increase and the size of the entire animation (i.e., the amount of data) will become large, so a lower limit value Ts is set for the interval width T, and if T>Ts, T=Ts is set. That is, the value T calculated by T=(60 / S)×N is changed to Ts. This makes it possible to prevent the amount of data for the entire animation from becoming too large. The lower limit value Ts is an arbitrary value, and may be determined in advance based on the capacity of the memory 164 of the processing device 102.

[0059] Also, if the section width T is too large, the moving distance of the cutting tool during that time becomes too long, making it difficult to see local changes. That is, a single distribution image is generated in which the local changes are buried, so even if an animation is played, it is not possible to determine the local changes. Therefore, an upper limit value Tl is set, and if T>Tl, T=Tl is set. That is, the value T calculated by T=(60 / S)×N is changed to Tl. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the specified time is too long, i.e., the moving distance of the cutting tool becomes too long, making it difficult to see local changes. Note that the product of the feed rate and Tl is the moving distance D of the cutting tool, so the upper limit value Tl can be set so that the moving distance D is a value that allows local changes to be determined.

[0060] Therefore, if T=(60 / S)×N is Ts≦T≦Tl, the calculated value T is not changed. In this way, the section width T is determined for the time series data of the physical quantity calculated from the time series data of the sensor output value, in which at least one of the machining conditions, the rotation speed and the sampling frequency, is different, and the playback speed is adjusted for the two determined section widths T as described above. That is, the playback speed of the animation corresponding to the larger section width is decreased, or the playback speed of the animation corresponding to the smaller section width is increased. This makes it easy to compare the machining state (i.e., the state of the cutting tool) at the same timing (i.e., the timing when the position of the cutting tool is the same) when the same product is machined under machining conditions with different machining rotation speeds. Also, even if the same product is machined under machining conditions with the same machining rotation speed and the sensor output value is obtained using different sampling frequencies, it is easy to compare the machining state (i.e., the state of the cutting tool) at the same timing.

[0061] As described above, when the reproduction standard is set to the automatic mode, the update speed of the distribution image is adjusted based on the feed speed of the milling tool 110 or the machining rotation speed of the milling tool 110 (i.e. the number of rotations per unit time of the milling tool) and the sampling frequency of the output value. This makes it easy to compare the measurement results of two milling processes at the same timing.

[0062] [Operation of the processing device] The operation of the processing device 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The process shown in Fig. 6 is realized by the control unit 160 (see Fig. 4) reading and executing a predetermined program from the memory 164 in response to an instruction being input to the processing device 102 by operating the operation device 106. It is assumed that the physical quantity of the cutting tool 110 is calculated by the control unit 160 from the output value of the sensor obtained by the cutting process using the cutting tool 110 by the cutting device 114, and is stored in the memory 164 as time-series data.

[0063] In step 300, control unit 160 displays an initial screen on display device 108. Specifically, image data of the initial screen stored in memory 164 is copied to an area of ​​memory 164 used as a video memory. As a result, display screen 270, which is the initial screen shown in Fig. 7, for example, is displayed on display device 108. Display screen 270 corresponds to the image on display screen 200 shown in Fig. 5 before reference button 232 is operated.

[0064] In step 302, the control unit 160 determines whether or not the reference button 232 shown in Fig. 7 has been operated. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, the control proceeds to step 306. If not, the control proceeds to step 304.

[0065] In step 304, the control unit 160 judges whether or not an instruction to end the program has been received. If it is judged that an instruction to end the program has been received, the control unit 160 ends the program. If not, the control unit 160 returns to step 302. The instruction to end the program is given, for example, by operating the end button on the right end of the area 202 shown in FIG.

[0066] If any of the operation buttons is operated, in step 306, the control unit 160 displays a file list in the area 210 in Fig. 7. Thereafter, the control proceeds to step 308. In the area 210, for example, a file list is displayed as shown in Fig. 5.

[0067] In step 308, control unit 160 determines whether or not a file has been selected from the file list displayed in area 210. If it is determined that a file has been selected, control proceeds to step 310. If not, the process of step 308 is repeated. Note that the selection of a file displayed in area 210 is not limited to one, and multiple files may be selected.

[0068] In step 310, the control unit 160 reads out the data of the file selected in step 308 from the memory 164 and displays it on the display device 108. Thereafter, control proceeds to step 312. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a graph of the time series data and a distribution image are displayed in the area 206. The distribution image is generated, for example, using data within a window whose position and window width are set by initial setting. Note that when multiple files are selected, the data of each file may be displayed in parallel.

[0069] In step 312, the control unit 160 judges whether a numerical value has been input. Specifically, the control unit 160 judges whether any of the cells 220, 222, 224, 226, and 228 has been selected by operating the operation device 106 and a numerical value has been input. If it is judged that a numerical value has been input, the control proceeds to step 314. If not, the control proceeds to step 316. It is assumed that the reproduction standard is set to "manual" by default. Also, as described above, if the machining conditions (i.e., machining speed and feed rate) of the data included in the file read in step 310 are stored in the memory 164, the control unit 160 reads out the machining conditions and displays them in the cells 224 and 226.

[0070] In step 314, the control unit 160 displays the input value detected in step 312 in the corresponding cell. Then, the control proceeds to step 316.

[0071] In step 316, the control unit 160 determines whether or not a button has been operated. Specifically, the control unit 160 determines whether or not any of the mode selection button 230, the reference button 232, the display button 234, the save displayed graph button 236, and the play button 260 has been operated. If it is determined that any of the buttons has been operated, control proceeds to step 318. If not, control proceeds to step 320.

[0072] In step 318, the control unit 160 determines whether the automatic mode is set as the playback standard and two files have been selected in step 308. If it is determined that the automatic mode is set and two files have been selected, control proceeds to step 322. Otherwise, control proceeds to step 320.

[0073] In step 320, the control unit 160 executes the process corresponding to the button determined to have been operated in step 316, as described above. Thereafter, the control proceeds to step 324.

[0074] If the automatic mode is set and two files are selected, the control unit 160 adjusts the playback speed of the animation of the distribution image in step 322. Thereafter, the control proceeds to step 324. Specifically, the control unit 160 adjusts the playback speed of the animation of the distribution image generated from the two time series data as described above, depending on whether the playback reference is the feed speed reference or the rotation speed reference.

[0075] In step 324, the control unit 160 determines whether or not an end instruction has been received, similar to step 304. If it is determined that an end instruction has been received, the program is terminated. If not, control returns to step 312.

[0076] As a result, the control unit 160, in response to an operation of the operation device 106, displays a display screen 200 as shown in Fig. 5 on the display device 108, and executes processing according to the operation. Therefore, by simultaneously displaying the graph and the distribution image, the state of the cutting tool equipped with the sensor during cutting can be easily grasped.

[0077] Second embodiment In the first embodiment, a turning tool is used as a cutting tool, but in the second embodiment, a turning tool is used. Referring to FIG. 8, a system 400 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processing device 102, a communication device 104, an operation device 106, a display device 108, and a sensor module 412. The processing device 102, the communication device 104, the operation device 106, and the display device 108 have the same functions as those included in the above-mentioned system 100 (see FIG. 1), so redundant description will not be repeated. However, the communication device 104 receives data transmitted from a sensor module 412 mounted on the turning tool 410. The turning tool 410 is mounted on a cutting device 414 and is used for turning a cutting object (not shown). The cutting device 414 includes a mechanism (not shown) for gripping the cutting object and rotating it around a predetermined axis, and a mechanism for controlling the sending out of the turning tool 410. The machining state of the turning tool 410 is reflected in the measurement value (i.e., the output value of the sensor) of the sensor module 412.

[0078] [Turning tool configuration] Referring to FIG. 9, the turning tool 410 includes a shank 420 and a plurality of sensor modules 412 (specifically, a sensor module 412A and a sensor module 412B). The cutting blade 422 is detachably attached to the shank 420 by a fixing member 424 and a fixing member 426. The turning tool 410 is a replaceable cutting tool, i.e., a throw-away cutting tool. The cutting blade 422 has a tip 430 that is in contact with the workpiece to be cut, and turns the workpiece. The shank 420 may have a cutting blade instead of being able to mount the cutting blade. FIG. 9 shows orthogonal XYZ axes set for the turning tool 410. The direction of the center axis 432 of the turning tool 410 is the Z axis, and the direction perpendicular to the side surface of the turning tool 410 is the X axis. The turning tool 410 is sent toward the workpiece along the Z axis direction during cutting.

[0079] The sensor module 412A is disposed on the side surface of the shank 420, and the sensor module 412B is disposed on the top surface (upper surface) of the shank 420. Both the sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B are disposed in the center with respect to the width direction of the surface on which they are disposed. FIG. 9 shows an example of the positions of the sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B in the Z axis direction, and the positions of the sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B in the Z axis direction are arbitrary. The sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B may be disposed at the same position with respect to the Z axis direction, or the sensor module 412A may be disposed at a position closer to the cutting edge 422 than the sensor module 412B. The sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B include the same type of sensor and have the same configuration. Therefore, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they are referred to as the sensor module 412. The sensor module 412A may be disposed in a recess formed on the side surface of the shank 420, and the sensor module 412B may be disposed in a recess formed on the top surface of the shank 420. Furthermore, it is sufficient that the sensors included in each of sensor module 412A and sensor module 412B are arranged on the side and top surface (including recesses) of turning tool 410, and the parts of each sensor module other than the sensors may be contained in a housing (not shown) arranged around turning tool 410.

[0080] 10, sensor module 412 includes sensor 130, AD conversion unit 132, memory 134, control unit 136, communication unit 138, bus 140, and power supply unit 142, similar to sensor module 112 (see FIG. 3). The functions of the units constituting sensor module 412 are similar to those of sensor module 112 (see FIG. 3), and therefore will not be described repeatedly. Sensor 130 is disposed at a position corresponding to either sensor module 412A or sensor module 412B shown in FIG. 10. Here, sensor 130 is a strain sensor. Sensor 130 may be a sensor other than a strain sensor, for example, an acceleration sensor.

[0081] In the above, the case where one sensor module includes one sensor has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. One sensor module may include multiple sensor modules. For example, one sensor module 412 may include two sensors, and each sensor may be disposed at a position corresponding to the sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B shown in FIG. 9. In this case, the sensor module 412 includes a total of two AD conversion units 132 corresponding to each of the two sensors 130. Each AD conversion unit 132 samples the output value of the corresponding sensor 130 to generate a digital output value, and stores the digital output value in the memory 134 as time-series data. When transmitting the output value to the communication device 104 via the communication unit 138, the control unit 136 transmits the output value so that the processing device 102 can distinguish which sensor each transmitted output value is an output value of. For example, when transmitting the output value, the control unit 136 may transmit the output value with information identifying the sensor that output the output value.

[0082] [Processing device configuration] As described above, the processing device 102 in Fig. 8 is the same as the processing device 102 in Fig. 1. That is, the processing device 102 in Fig. 8 includes the control unit 160, the IF unit 162, the memory 164, and the bus 166 as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, redundant description will not be repeated. The memory 164 also stores information about the turning tool 410 and processing conditions (e.g., feed rate, etc.) during cutting (i.e., turning). The information about the turning tool 410 includes information about the shape, dimensions, material (e.g., Poisson's ratio), the position of the cutting blade, and the arrangement positions of the sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B.

[0083] The control unit 160 reads out the output values ​​(i.e., strain values) of the sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B stored in the memory 164, and calculates the load (i.e., cutting resistance) applied to the turning tool 410 from the shape and material (e.g., Poisson's ratio) of the turning tool 410 and the arrangement positions of the sensor module 412A and the sensor module 412B. The control unit 160 stores each component (X component and Y component) of the calculated load in the memory 164 as time-series data. When an instruction is input by operating the operation device 106, the control unit 160 reads out the calculation result from the memory 164 and causes the display device 108 to display it, for example, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0084] [Screen display] 11, display screen 500, like display screen 200 (see FIG. 5), includes areas 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210. Therefore, without repeating redundant explanations, the following mainly describes the differences between display screen 500 and display screen 200 due to the difference in the data to be displayed.

[0085] The left area of ​​the area 206 shows the calculated physical properties of the turning tool. amount , that is, graphs showing time series data of the X and Y components of the load (represented by the horizontal and vertical loads, respectively). In each graph, the horizontal axis represents time (seconds). That is, the upper graph represents the change in horizontal load, and the lower graph represents the change in vertical load. In both graphs, the vertical axis uses N (Newton) as the unit. min, max, ave, and sd shown in the box at the bottom right of each graph respectively represent the maximum value, minimum value, average value, and standard deviation of each physical quantity within a specified section of each graph (i.e., Window 502 and Window 504).

[0086] In the right area of ​​the area 206, a distribution image for data within a predetermined section shown in the graph in the left area is displayed. That is, the distribution image is a plot of a plurality of data in the windows 502 and 504 with the horizontal axis representing the horizontal load and the vertical axis representing the vertical load. The window 504 has the same width as the window 502 and is displayed at the same position on the time axis as the window 502. As described later, the width of the window 502 can be changed. Since the data in the windows 502 and 504 change according to the change in the width of the windows 502 and 504, a new distribution image is generated accordingly and displayed on the display screen 500. In addition, the window 502 can be moved in the time axis direction by operating the operation device 106. Since the data in the windows 502 and 504 also change when the windows 502 and 504 are moved, a new distribution image is generated accordingly and displayed on the display screen 500. The shapes of the windows 502 and 504 are not limited to rectangles. Any visual information (i.e., figures, colors, etc.) may be used to indicate the data used to generate the distribution image.

[0087] Area 204 includes cell 220, cell 222, cell 228, reference button 232, display button 234, and save displayed graph button 236. Cell 220 is a cell for setting the step width, i.e., the amount (in seconds) by which window 502 is moved. Cell 222 is a cell for setting the window width, i.e., the width (in seconds) of window 502. Windows 502 and 504 move according to the value (e.g., T0 (seconds)) set in cell 220, and as described above, one distribution image is generated and displayed using the data in windows 502 and 504.

[0088] Cell 228 is a cell for setting or displaying the playback speed of an animation (hereinafter also referred to as playback speed). Each frame of the animation corresponds to one distribution image. Therefore, the playback speed of the animation can be calculated by 1 / T0 (fps) as described above. The playback speed is set in cell 228 by operating the operation device 106.

[0089] Browse button 232 is a button for reading out data to be displayed in area 206. When browse button 232 is operated, a list including file names of candidates to be read out is displayed in area 210. Display button 234 is a button for instructing that data of a file selected in the list displayed in area 210 be read out and displayed in area 206. Save displayed graph button 236 is a button for instructing that the graph displayed in area 206 be saved. When save displayed graph button 236 is operated, a screen (e.g., a dialog box) for specifying the file name to be saved and the save location is displayed.

[0090] In area 210, a list of file names including data to be displayed in area 206 is displayed by operating browse button 232 as described above. Fig. 11 shows a state in which four files, "data10.csv" to "data13.csv", are listed in area 210, "data11.csv" is selected from among them, and the display button 234 is operated to display the data of "data1.csv" in area 206.

[0091] Area 208 includes a play button 260 and a play cursor 262. Play button 260 is a button for starting animation display of the distribution image displayed in area 206. Play cursor 262 indicates the current playback position in the entire playback time of the animation. Windows 502 and 504 shown in area 206 move in accordance with the animation playback of the distribution image. That is, windows 502 and 504 are displayed at positions on the upper and lower graphs, respectively, that include data used to generate the displayed distribution image.

[0092] In this way, by simultaneously displaying a graph showing the time-dependent change in physical quantities related to the turning tool and an image showing the distribution of the physical quantities, the state of the turning tool equipped with the sensor during turning can be easily grasped.

[0093] By displaying an image in which the horizontal and vertical loads (i.e. cutting resistance) are plotted as a distribution image, the cutting resistance of the sensor-mounted turning tool during turning can be easily grasped, and the machining state can be grasped from the shape of the distribution figure. For example, in the case of intermittent cutting, the distribution image is displayed as a line, and in the case of continuous cutting, it is displayed as a dot. In addition, since the thickness (width) of the lines in the distribution image changes according to the vibration, it becomes easy to evaluate the vibration in the machining section.

[0094] In the above, the distribution image is an image in which the horizontal load and the vertical load of the load (i.e., the cutting resistance) are plotted, but the distribution image is not limited to this. The distribution image may be an image in which two components of a physical quantity related to a turning tool and expressed by a vector are plotted.

[0095] As described above, the widths of the windows 502 and 504 can be set by the cell 222, and the windows 502 and 504 can be moved along the time axis. This makes it possible to generate a distribution image appropriate for understanding the state of the turning tool on which the sensor is mounted, and makes it easy to understand the state of the turning tool on which the sensor is mounted.

[0096] As described above, by operating the play button 260, the window 502 and the window 504 are moved along the time axis of the graph, while the distribution image showing the distribution of the physical quantity calculated by the control unit 160 is updated. This allows the time-dependent change in the physical quantity related to the turning tool to be confirmed by an animation of the distribution image, and the state of the turning tool equipped with the sensor can be more easily understood.

[0097] As described above, the amount of movement of each of the windows 502 and 504 can be specified by the cell 220. This makes it possible to generate an animation of a distribution image suitable for grasping the state of a turning tool equipped with a sensor.

[0098] As described above, the playback speed of the animation, i.e., the speed at which the distribution image is updated, can be specified by cell 228. This makes it possible to generate an animation of the distribution image appropriate for grasping the state of the turning tool equipped with the sensor.

[0099] [Operation of the processing device] The operation of the processing device 102 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The process shown in FIG. 12 is realized by the control unit 160 (see FIG. 4) reading and executing a predetermined program from the memory 164 in response to an instruction input to the processing device 102 by operating the operation device 106. It is assumed that the physical quantity of the turning tool 410 is calculated by the control unit 160 from the output value of the sensor obtained by the turning process using the turning tool 410 by the cutting device 414, and stored in the memory 164 as time-series data. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 in which steps 300 and 310 are replaced by steps 600 and 602, respectively, and steps 318 and 322 are deleted. Therefore, the overlapping description will not be repeated, and mainly the different points will be described.

[0100] In step 600, control unit 160 displays an initial screen on display device 108. Display screen 510, which is the initial screen shown in Fig. 13, for example, is displayed on display device 108. Display screen 510 corresponds to an image of display screen 500 shown in Fig. 11 in a state before browse button 232 is operated.

[0101] In step 302, control unit 160 determines whether or not Browse button 232 on display screen 510 (see FIG. 13) has been operated. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, control proceeds to step 306. If not, control proceeds to step 304. As a result, steps 302 and 304 are repeated until Browse button 232 is operated or an end instruction is received.

[0102] If an operation button is operated, in step 306, control unit 160 displays a file list in area 210 of Fig. 13. A file list is displayed in area 210, for example, as shown in Fig. 11. Then, in step 308, control unit 160 waits for a file to be selected from the file list displayed in area 210. When a file is selected, control proceeds to step 602. Note that the selection of a file displayed in area 210 is not limited to one, and multiple files may be selected.

[0103] In step 602, the control unit 160 reads out the data of the file selected in step 308 from the memory 164 and displays it on the display device 108. Thereafter, control proceeds to step 312. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a graph of the time series data of the turning process and a distribution image are displayed in the area 206. The distribution image is generated, for example, using data in a window whose position and window width are set by initial settings. Note that when multiple files are selected, the data of each file may be displayed in parallel, i.e., in different areas. Also, the data of multiple files may be displayed overlapping each other, i.e., in the same area.

[0104] In step 312, the control unit 160 judges whether or not a numerical value has been input. Specifically, the control unit 160 judges whether or not any of the cells 220, 222, and 228 has been selected by operating the operation device 106 and a numerical value has been input. If it is judged that a numerical value has been input, the control proceeds to step 314, and the control unit 160 displays the input value detected in step 312 in the corresponding cell. If not, the control proceeds to step 316, and the control unit 160 judges whether or not a button has been operated. Specifically, the control unit 160 judges whether or not any of the reference button 232, the display button 234, the save displayed graph button 236, and the play button 260 has been operated. If it is judged that any of the buttons has been operated, the control proceeds to step 320, and the control unit 160 executes the process corresponding to the button judged to have been operated in step 316, as described above. If no operation has been performed, the control proceeds to step 324, and the processes from step 312 onwards are repeated until an instruction to end is received.

[0105] Thus, in response to the operation of the operation device 106, the control unit 160 displays a display screen 500 as shown in Fig. 11 on the display device 108 and executes processing according to the operation. Therefore, by simultaneously displaying the graph and the distribution image, the state of the turning tool equipped with the sensor during turning can be easily grasped.

[0106] Each process (each function) of the first and second embodiments may be realized by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The processing circuit may be configured by an integrated circuit or the like in which one or more memories, various analog circuits, and various digital circuits are combined in addition to the one or more processors. The one or more memories store programs (instructions) that cause the one or more processors to execute each of the processes. The one or more processors may execute each of the processes according to the programs read from the one or more memories, or may execute each of the processes according to a logic circuit designed in advance to execute each of the processes. The processor may be various processors suitable for computer control, such as a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0107] Also, a recording medium can be provided that records a program for causing a computer to execute the processes of the processing device 102 (for example, the processes shown in Figs. 6 and 12). The recording medium is, for example, an optical disk (such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)) or a removable semiconductor memory (such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory). Although a computer program can be transmitted via a communication line, the recording medium means a non-temporary recording medium. By having a computer read the program stored in the recording medium, the computer can obtain cutting data and calculate physical quantities (for example, cutting resistance) as described above, and simultaneously display a graph and a distribution image on a display device.

[0108] (Additional Note) That is, the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium is On the computer, a receiving function for receiving an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool from the cutting tool; a processing function for calculating a physical quantity related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the receiving function; A computer program that realizes a display function of displaying an image including a graph representing time-series data of the physical quantity and a distribution image representing a distribution of the physical quantity is stored.

[0109] Although the present disclosure has been described above by explaining the embodiments, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by each claim in the scope of claims, taking into consideration the description of the detailed description of the invention, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100, 400 systems 102 Processing equipment 104 Communication equipment 106 Operating device 108 Display device 110 Turning tools 112, 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 412, 412A, 412B Sensor Modules 114, 414 Cutting equipment 120 Cutting section 122, 422 cutting edge 130 Sensors 132 AD conversion section 134, 164 Memory 136, 160 Control unit 138 Communications Department 140, 166 Bus 142 Power supply section 162 IF Section 200, 270, 500, 510 display screen 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 areas 212 Titles 220, 222, 224, 226, 228 cells 230 Mode selection button 232 Reference button 234 Display button 236 Save displayed graph button 250, 252, 254, 502, 504 Window 260 Play button 262 Playback Cursor 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 600, 602 steps 410 Turning tools 420 Shank 424, 426 Fixing member 430 Tip 432 Central axis X, Y, Z Axes

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool from the cutting tool; a processing unit that calculates a physical quantity including two components related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the receiving unit; a display unit that displays an image including a graph representing time series data of the two components of the physical quantity and a distribution image representing a distribution of the two components of the physical quantity, the two components are components in two axial directions intersecting within a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the cutting tool, the graph includes one graph showing time series data in which the two components are displayed in an overlapping manner, or two graphs showing time series data for each of the two components; the display unit generates the distribution image by plotting on a plane the two components of the physical quantity calculated from the output value within a predetermined time, and displays a figure having a width corresponding to the predetermined time by superimposing it on the graph; Further comprising an operation unit for inputting instructions to the display unit, When the operation unit is operated to change at least one of the width and the position of the figure on the graph, the display unit generates and displays the distribution image representing the distribution of the two components of the physical quantity on which the changed figure is superimposed.

2. the sensor is a strain sensor; the output value is an output value of the sensor during cutting processing by the cutting tool, The processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit calculates a cutting resistance as the physical quantity from the output value.

3. 2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein, in response to a playback instruction being input by the operation unit, the display unit updates the distribution image representing a distribution of the physical quantity calculated by the processing unit while moving the figure along a time axis of the graph.

4. The processing device according to claim 3 , wherein the amount of movement of the graphic in one operation is specified by operating the operation unit.

5. The processing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the speed at which the distribution image is updated is specified by operating the operation unit.

6. a receiving step in which the communication device receives an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool from the cutting tool; a processing step in which a processing device calculates a physical quantity including two components related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the communication device; a display step of displaying, by a display device, an image including a graph representing time series data of the two components of the physical quantity and a distribution image representing a distribution of the two components of the physical quantity; the two components are components in two axial directions intersecting within a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the cutting tool, the graph includes one graph showing time series data in which the two components are displayed in an overlapping manner, or two graphs showing time series data for each of the two components; the display step includes a step of generating the distribution image by plotting, on a plane, the two components of the physical quantity calculated from the output value within a predetermined time, and displaying, by the display device, a figure having a width corresponding to the predetermined time by superimposing it on the graph; The method further includes a receiving step of receiving an operation of an operation device for inputting an instruction to the display device, the display step further includes a step of generating and displaying the distribution image representing the distribution of the two components of the physical quantity on which the changed figure is superimposed, in response to at least one of the width and the position of the figure on the graph being changed by the receiving step.

7. On the computer, a receiving function for receiving an output value of a sensor mounted on the cutting tool from the cutting tool; a processing function for calculating a physical quantity including two components related to the cutting tool from the output value received by the receiving function; a display function for displaying an image including a graph representing time series data of the two components of the physical quantity and a distribution image representing a distribution of the two components of the physical quantity, the two components are components in two axial directions intersecting within a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the cutting tool, the graph includes one graph showing time series data in which the two components are displayed in an overlapping manner, or two graphs showing time series data for each of the two components; the display function includes a function of generating the distribution image by plotting on a plane the two components of the physical quantity calculated from the output value within a predetermined time, and displaying a figure having a width corresponding to the predetermined time by superimposing it on the graph, The computer further realizes a reception function for receiving an instruction for the display function, the display function further includes a function of generating and displaying the distribution image representing a distribution of the two components of the physical quantity on which the changed figure is superimposed, in response to a change in at least one of the width and the position of the figure on the graph by the receiving function.

8. A sensor mounted on the cutting tool; The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The cutting tool includes a communication unit that transmits an output value of the sensor to the processing device.

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