Processing system, search method, and search program

Abstract

A machining system (1) that uses a plurality of tools to machine a workpiece is provided with a display unit capable of displaying a tool search screen (130). The search screen (130) is configured to be able to receive input of a search condition related to the remaining life of a tool. The machining system (1) is further provided with a search unit (54) that, on the basis of the usage of each of the plurality of tools since the brand-new state, searches the plurality of tools for a tool the remaining life or the usage of which meets the search condition. The search screen (130) displays information on tools meeting the search condition as a search result.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to techniques for searching tool information. [Background technology]

[0002] When the number of machine tools to be managed increases, it becomes difficult to manage the tools used by each machine tool. In this regard, Patent Document 1 (International Publication No. 2015 / 029232) discloses a tool management system. The tool management system stores a tool database. The tool data specifies the tool length, tool diameter, etc. for each tool. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 029232 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Tools have a lifespan. It is recommended that tools that have reached the end of their lifespan be replaced with new tools. When the number of tools used increases, the task of replacing the tools becomes a lot of work. For this reason, the task of replacing the tools is carried out collectively during spare time. At this time, in order to increase the efficiency of the task of replacing tools, it is preferable to replace not only tools that have reached the end of their lifespan, but also tools that are close to reaching the end of their lifespan.

[0005] In order to support such tool replacement work, a technology for searching for tool information based on search criteria related to the remaining life of the tool is desired. However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about this technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one example of the present disclosure, a machining system using a plurality of tools to machine a workpiece includes a display unit capable of displaying a search screen for tools. The search screen is configured to be capable of receiving input of search conditions related to the remaining life of the tools. The machining system further includes a search unit for searching for a tool whose remaining life or the amount of usage satisfies the search conditions from among the plurality of tools, based on the amount of usage from a new state for each of the plurality of tools. The search screen displays information on the tools that satisfy the search conditions as search results.

[0007] In one example of the present disclosure, the machining system includes a machine tool, a tool storage unit configured to store a plurality of tools, a work station for an operator to work on the tools, and a transport device for transporting a designated tool among a tool in the machine tool, a tool in the tool storage unit, or a tool in the work station to a designated destination among the machine tool, the tool storage unit, or the work station. Search targets on the search screen include the tools in the machine tool, the tools in the tool storage unit, and the tools in the work station.

[0008] In an example of the present disclosure, the search screen is configured to be able to accept a selection operation for information on each tool displayed as the search result. The machining system further includes a transport control unit for controlling the transport device to transport a tool corresponding to information selected by the selection operation to the work station.

[0009] In one example of the present disclosure, information on each tool displayed as the search result on the search screen includes identification information of the tool and the remaining life or usage amount of the tool.

[0010] In one example of the present disclosure, information about each tool displayed as the search result on the search screen further includes information about the properties of the tool.

[0011] In one example of the present disclosure, information about each tool displayed as the search result on the search screen further includes a classification of the tool.

[0012] In one example of the present disclosure, the search unit searches for a tool whose remaining life satisfies the search condition from among the plurality of tools. The search condition that can be input on the search screen includes at least one of a ratio of the remaining life of the tool to the life of the tool from a new condition and a ratio of the usage amount of the tool to the life of the tool from a new condition.

[0013] In another example of the present disclosure, a search method for searching for a specific tool from among a plurality of tools used in a machining system is provided, the search method includes the steps of displaying a search screen for tools, accepting an input of search conditions related to remaining lifespans of the tools on the search screen, searching for a tool whose remaining lifespan or usage amount satisfies the search conditions from among the plurality of tools based on the usage amount of each of the plurality of tools from a new state, and displaying information on the tool that satisfies the search conditions on the search screen as a search result.

[0014] In another example of the present disclosure, a search program for searching for a specific tool from among a plurality of tools used in a machining system is provided, the search program causes a computer to execute the steps of: displaying a search screen for tools, accepting an input of search conditions related to the remaining life of the tools on the search screen, searching for a tool whose remaining life or the amount of usage satisfies the search conditions from among the plurality of tools based on the amount of usage from a new state of each of the plurality of tools, and displaying information on the tools that satisfy the search conditions on the search screen as a search result.

[0015] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a tool information search process. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a tool transport system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a drive mechanism of the tool transport system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a tool transport system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen. [Figure 6] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of an input to a transport control unit and an output of the transport control unit in response to the input. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a search process according to the first modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a search process according to a second modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a search process according to a third modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 shows the left portion of the search screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the right side of the search screen. [Figure 12] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a flow of a process of carrying a tool holder from a work station to a tool storage section. [Figure 13] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a flow of a process for carrying a tool holder from a tool storage unit to a machine tool. [Figure 14] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a flow of a process for transporting a tool holder from a machine tool to a work station. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a management device. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main hardware configuration of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an operation terminal. [Figure 18] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a tool information search process.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, each embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. Note that each embodiment and each modification described below may be selectively combined as appropriate.

[0018] <A. Overview> With reference to FIG. 1, the overview of the tool search function will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the search process for tool information.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a processing system 1. The processing system 1 is a system capable of processing a workpiece using a plurality of tools. The processing system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 5 and a display 106 (display unit).

[0020] The information processing apparatus 5 is an apparatus for managing the tools used in the processing system 1. The information processing apparatus 5 may be composed of one computer or a plurality of computers. The computer may be a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, or a mobile terminal. As an example, the information processing apparatus 5 is a management apparatus 100 (see FIG. 3) or an operation terminal 200A (see FIG. 3) described later.

[0021] The display 106 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or other display devices. The display 106 may be integrally configured with the information processing apparatus 5 or may be configured separately from the information processing apparatus 5.

[0022] The information processing device 5 stores a tool database 123. Various pieces of information related to tools are defined in the tool database 123. As an example, the tool database 123 associates the maximum usable amount of the tool, the current usage amount of the tool, and the remaining life of the tool with each other according to the identification information of the tool.

[0023] The tool identification information defined in the tool database 123 is information for uniquely identifying a tool. The identification information is assigned in advance to each tool. As an example, the identification information may be indicated by a tool number such as an ID (Identification) or may be indicated by a tool name.

[0024] The maximum usable amount defined in the tool database 123 is an index indicating the amount of use of a tool from a new state to the end of its life. The "maximum usable amount of a tool" includes, for example, the time during which the tool can be used in machining from a new state to the end of its life, the distance the tool can be moved during machining from a new state to the end of its life, and the number of times the tool can be used in machining from a new state to the end of its life.

[0025] The current usage amount defined in the tool database 123 is an index showing the usage amount of the tool from the new state to the present. The "usage amount of the tool" includes, for example, the total time the tool has been used in machining from the new state to the present, the total distance traveled during machining from the new state to the present, and the total number of times the tool has been used in machining from the new state to the present.

[0026] The remaining life defined in the tool database 123 is an index indicating the amount of use of the tool from the present until the end of its life. The "remaining life of a tool" includes, for example, the time during which the tool can be used in machining from the present until the end of its life, the distance that the tool can move during machining from the present until the end of its life, and the number of times the tool can be used in machining from the present until the end of its life.

[0027] The information processing device 5 has a function of searching for tool information. The search function is realized, for example, by a tool information search screen 130. The search screen 130 is displayed on the display 106, for example.

[0028] The search screen 130 accepts input of various search conditions. The search conditions can be input in an input area 131 of the search screen 130. The search conditions can be input in the input area 131 by operating an input device such as a mouse or by a touch operation on the display 106, for example.

[0029] The search screen 130 accepts input of search conditions related to the remaining life of a tool. In the example of Fig. 1, the search screen 130 accepts the ratio of the remaining life of the tool to the maximum usable amount of the tool (hereinafter, also referred to as "remaining life ratio") as a search condition.

[0030] The information processing device 5 identifies tools whose remaining lifespans satisfy the search conditions from among the tools defined in the tool database 123, based on the current usage amount of each tool used in the machining system 1. Thereafter, the search screen 130 displays information on the identified tools in the search result display field 132.

[0031] In the example of FIG. 1, a remaining life ratio of "10% or less" is input as a search condition. In this case, the information processing device 5 identifies tool information having a remaining life ratio of "10% or less" from the tool database 123. In the example of FIG. 1, the remaining life ratio of "tool A" is 90% (=900 / 1000), the remaining life ratio of "tool B" is approximately 67% (=1000 / 1500), the remaining life ratio of "tool C" is 0% (=0 / 1200), and the remaining life ratio of "tool D" is 1.1% (=15 / 1300). Therefore, the search screen 130 displays information on "tool C" and "tool D" in the display field 132.

[0032] In this way, by using the search function of the processing system 1, the operator can search for tool information based on search conditions related to the remaining life. As a result, the operator can grasp not only the tools whose life has ended but also the tools whose life is about to end soon. Consequently, the operator can identify the tools for which it is better to perform the tool replacement work immediately.

[0033] The search function can be used, for example, during the operator's idle time. The idle time includes the time period before the operator hands over to the next operator or the time period before holidays such as Saturdays and Sundays. By replacing not only the tools whose life has ended but also the tools whose life is about to end soon during the idle time, the operator can efficiently perform the tool replacement work.

[0034] Note that the inputtable search conditions are not limited to the remaining life ratio. As an example, the inputtable search conditions include the ratio of the usage amount of the tool to the maximum usable amount of the tool (hereinafter also referred to as the "usage amount ratio"). In this case, the information processing device 5 identifies the tools whose usage amount satisfies the search conditions from among the various tools defined in the tool database 123.

[0035] <B. Tool Transfer System 10> Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a tool transfer system 10, which is an example of the above-described processing system 1, will be described.

[0036] Hereinafter, a tool transfer system 10, which is an example of the processing system 1, will be described, but the processing system 1 is not limited to the tool transfer system 10. The processing system 1 does not necessarily need to have an automatic tool transfer function. As an example, the processing system 1 may be composed of the above-described information processing device 5 and a plurality of machine tools.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the tool transfer system 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the tool transfer system 10 includes a work station 200, a tool storage unit 250, a transfer device 300, and a machine tool 400.

[0038] The work station 200 is a place where an operator works on a tool holder. The tool holder is a pot configured to be able to hold a tool. For example, the operator works at the work station 200 to set the tool holder or to retrieve the tool holder.

[0039] The work station 200 includes an operation terminal 200A. The operation terminal 200A accepts various operations for the tool conveyance system 10.

[0040] A plurality of tool holders can be stored in the tool storage section 250. The tool storage section 250 functions as a temporary storage location for the tool holders.

[0041] The transport device 300 transports a specified tool holder from among a tool holder in the work station 200, a tool holder in the tool storage unit 250, and a tool holder in the machine tool 400 to a specified destination from among the work station 200, the tool storage unit 250, and the machine tool 400.

[0042] In the following, the transport mode in which the transport device 300 transports the tool holder from the work station 200 to the tool storage unit 250 or the machine tool 400, or the transport mode in which the transport device 300 transports the tool holder from the tool storage unit 250 to the machine tool 400, is also referred to as “loading”.

[0043] In addition, the transport mode in which the transport device 300 transports the tool holder from the tool storage unit 250 or the machine tool 400 to the work station 200, or the transport mode in which the transport device 300 transports the tool holder from the machine tool 400 to the tool storage unit 250, is also referred to as "transporting."

[0044] In addition, the term "transport device" in this specification is a concept that includes various devices having a function of transporting a tool holder. In the following, a 4- to 7-axis driven articulated robot will be described as an example of the transport device 300, but the transport device 300 is not limited to an articulated robot. As an example, the transport device 300 may be a 2- to 3-axis driven Cartesian robot (autoloader). Alternatively, the transport device 300 may be a self-propelled robot.

[0045] The transport device 300 includes an arm robot 330, a rail 331, and a carriage 332. The arm robot 330 is fixed onto the carriage 332. The carriage 332 is configured to be movable on the rail 331. The tool storage unit 250 and the machine tool 400 are disposed parallel to each other along the rail 331, with the rail 331 being sandwiched therebetween.

[0046] The machine tool 400 is one of the destinations to which the tool holder is transported by the transport device 300. Although six machine tools 400A to 400F are shown as the machine tools 400 in Fig. 2, the number of machine tools 400 provided in the tool transport system 10 may be one or more. The machine tool 400 machines a workpiece using a specified tool according to a pre-designed machining program.

[0047] In this specification, the term "machine tool" is a concept that includes various devices that have the function of machining a workpiece. The machine tool 400 may be a horizontal machining center or a vertical machining center. Alternatively, the machine tool 400 may be a lathe, an additional processing machine, or another cutting machine or grinding machine.

[0048] The search targets on the above-mentioned search screen 130 include tools in the tool storage unit 250, tools in the work station 200, and tools in the machine tool 400. This allows the worker to search for tools that satisfy the search conditions from among the tools in the tool transportation system 10.

[0049] Note that the tool transfer system 10 may further include a pallet transfer system (not shown). The pallet transfer system is a system for transferring a pallet with a workpiece to a machine tool 400 according to a predetermined processing schedule. Thereby, the tool transfer system 10 has not only an automatic tool transfer function but also an automatic workpiece transfer function.

[0050] <C. Drive Mechanism of Tool Transfer System 10> Next, with reference to FIG. 3, various drive mechanisms in the tool transfer system 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the drive mechanism of the tool transfer system 10.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the tool transfer system 10 includes a control unit 50, remote I / O (Input / Output) units 71 to 73, a work station 200, a transfer device 300, and a machine tool 400.

[0052] As used in this specification, the "control unit 50" means a device that controls the tool transfer system 10. The device configuration of the control unit 50 is arbitrary. The control unit 50 may be composed of a single control unit or a plurality of control units. In the example of FIG. 3, the control unit 50 is composed of a management device 100, a PLC 150, and the above-described operation terminal 200A. Further, the control unit 50 may include a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) 401.

[0053] The management device 100 is an example of the above-described information processing device 5. The management device 100 is a main computer that manages the tool transfer system 10. The management device 100 may be composed of one computer or a plurality of computers.

[0054] The PLC 150 is configured to be communicable with various industrial devices for automating the processing process and controls the industrial devices.

[0055] The operation terminal 200A is an example of the above-mentioned information processing device 5. The operation terminal 200A is a terminal for receiving various operations related to the loading and unloading of the tool holder.

[0056] The management device 100, the PLC 150, and the operation terminal 200A are connected to a network NW1. The management device 100, the PLC 150, and the operation terminal 200A may be connected for communication by wire or wirelessly. EtherNET (registered trademark) or the like is adopted for the network NW1. The management device 100 and the operation terminal 200A send control commands to the PLC 150 via the network NW1. The control commands specify the tool holder to be transported, the destination of the tool holder, start / stop of transport of the tool holder, and the like.

[0057] The remote I / O units 71 to 73 and the PLC 150 are connected to a network NW2. It is preferable to use a field network that performs periodic communication and guarantees the arrival time of data for the network NW2. As a field network that performs such periodic communication, EtherCAT (registered trademark), EtherNet / IP (registered trademark), CC-Link (registered trademark), CompoNet (registered trademark), or the like is used.

[0058] The work station 200 includes one or more motor drivers 234 and one or more motors 235. In the example of Figure 3, two motor drivers 234A, 234B and two motors 235A, 235B are shown.

[0059] A remote I / O unit 71 is installed in or near the work station 200. The remote I / O unit 71 mediates data exchange between various drive units (e.g., motor driver 234) in the work station 200 and the PLC 150. As an example, the motor driver 234 receives a control command from the PLC 150 via the remote I / O unit 71 at regular intervals, and controls the drive of the motor 235 in accordance with the control command.

[0060] The motor 235A controls, for example, the driving of a magazine M1 (see FIG. 12) described below in the work station 200. The motor 235B controls, for example, the driving of an ATC (Automatic Train Control) in the work station 200.

[0061] The motor driver 234 may be, for example, a driver for a servo motor or a driver for a stepping motor, and the motor 235 may be a servo motor or a stepping motor.

[0062] The transport device 300 includes one or more motor drivers 334 and one or more motors 335. In the example of Fig. 3, two motor drivers 334A and 334B and two motors 335A and 335B are shown.

[0063] A remote I / O unit 72 is installed in or near the transport device 300. The remote I / O unit 72 mediates data exchange between various drive units (e.g., motor driver 334) in the transport device 300 and the PLC 150. As an example, the motor driver 334 receives a control command from the PLC 150 via the remote I / O unit 72 at regular intervals, and controls the drive of the motor 335 according to the control command.

[0064] The motor 335A controls, for example, the driving of the above-mentioned cart 332 (see FIG. 2). The motor 335B controls, for example, the driving of the arm robot 330 (see FIG. 2). The motors 335B are provided according to the number of joints of the arm robot 330.

[0065] The motor driver 334 may be, for example, a driver for a servo motor or a driver for a stepping motor, and the motor 335 may be a servo motor or a stepping motor.

[0066] The machine tool 400 includes a CNC 401, one or more motor drivers 411, and one or more motors 412. In the example of FIG. 3, two motor drivers 411A and 411B and two motors 412A and 412B are shown.

[0067] A remote I / O unit 72 is installed inside or around the machine tool 400. The remote I / O unit 72 mediates the data exchange between various drive units (e.g., the CNC 401) inside the machine tool 400 and the PLC 150. Similar to the motor driver 334, the motor driver 411 receives control commands from the PLC 150 via the remote I / O unit 72 at regular intervals and controls the driving of the motor 412 according to the control commands.

[0068] The motor 412A drives, for example, a spindle configured to be able to mount a tool in the axial direction of the spindle. The motor 412B rotationally drives the spindle, for example, in a rotational direction centered on the axial direction of the spindle.

[0069] The motor driver 411 may be, for example, a driver for a servo motor or a driver for a stepping motor. The motor 412 may be a servo motor or a stepping motor.

[0070] <D. Functional Configuration of the Tool Conveying System 10> Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the functional configuration for realizing the conveyance process of the tool holder will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the tool conveying system 10.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, the tool conveying system 10 includes, as functional components, a monitoring unit 52, a search unit 54, and a conveyance control unit 56. These components will be described in order below.

[0072] The functional components may be arranged in any manner. Some or all of the functional components shown in Fig. 4 may be implemented in the above-mentioned management device 100 (see Fig. 2), the above-mentioned PLC 150 (see Fig. 2), the above-mentioned operation terminal 200A (see Fig. 2), or the above-mentioned CNC 401 (see Fig. 2).

[0073] (D1. Monitoring Department 52) First, the function of the monitoring unit 52 shown in Fig. 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The monitoring unit 52 is implemented in the PLC 150 or the CNC 401, for example.

[0074] Monitoring unit 52 monitors machining program 422 of machine tool 400, and counts the usage amount of each tool in machine tool 400 from when it was new to the present. Thereafter, monitoring unit 52 updates tool database 123 shown in Fig. 1 based on the counted usage amount.

[0075] As an example, the workpiece machining program 422 includes a tool exchange command for specifying a tool to be attached to the spindle of the machine tool 400, a drive command for rotating / feeding the spindle or the tool, and the like. When a tool exchange command defined in the machining program 422 is executed, the monitoring unit 52 stores the identification information of the tool. Next, the monitoring unit 52 starts counting the usage amount of the tool based on the execution of a drive command defined in the machining program 422. Next, the monitoring unit 52 stops counting the usage amount of the tool based on the execution of a stop command or a command in the last line defined in the machining program 422. Next, the monitoring unit 52 refers to the tool database 123 and adds the counted usage amount to the current usage amount associated with the stored identification information. In this way, the monitoring unit 52 periodically updates the current usage amount of each tool.

[0076] Furthermore, when updating the current usage amount of each tool defined in the tool database 123, the monitoring unit 52 also updates the remaining life of each tool defined in the tool database 123. Typically, the monitoring unit 52 updates the remaining life based on a result of subtracting the current usage amount of the tool from the maximum usable amount of the tool.

[0077] (D2. Search section 54) Next, the function of the search unit 54 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0078] The search unit 54 is implemented in, for example, the above-mentioned management device 100 or the above-mentioned operation terminal 200A. The search unit 54 searches the tool database 123 for tool information that satisfies the input search conditions, and outputs the search results.

[0079] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen 130. The search screen 130 includes an input area 131, a search result display field 132, and a collect button 133.

[0080] Various search conditions are input into the input area 131. The search conditions are input into the input area 131 by operating an input device such as a mouse or by touching the display 106, for example.

[0081] The search unit 54 identifies a tool that satisfies the input search conditions from among the tools defined in the tool database 123, based on the pressing of a search execution button 131A in the input area 131. After that, the search unit 54 displays information on the identified tool in a search result display field 132. The search result displayed in the display field 132 includes, for example, the identification information of the tool, the available time of the tool, the current use time of the tool, and the remaining life of the tool.

[0082] The search screen 130 is configured to be able to accept a selection operation for each piece of tool information displayed as a search result. In the example of Fig. 5, the selection operation is performed on a check box 132A. The state of the check box 132A switches between a selected state and a non-selected state every time the operator presses the check box 132A.

[0083] The check boxes 132A are provided according to the number of pieces of tool information displayed in the search result display field 132. Typically, the check boxes 132A are displayed next to the pieces of tool information displayed in the search result display field 132.

[0084] When the check box 132A is selected and the recovery button 133 is pressed, the search unit 54 outputs the selected tool information to the transport control unit 56.

[0085] (D3. Transport control unit 56) Next, referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the function of the transport control unit 56 shown in Fig. 4 will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an input to the transport control unit 56 and an output of the transport control unit 56 in response to the input.

[0086] The transfer control unit 56 is implemented, for example, in the above-mentioned PLC 150. The transfer control unit 56 receives, for example, the machining schedule 124 and the storage information 175 as inputs, and outputs a transfer command to the transfer device 300 to transfer the tool holder.

[0087] The machining schedule 124 specifies, for example, the planned timing for machining each workpiece in each of the machine tools 400 and the tools to be used in each machining process. In the example of Fig. 6, the machining schedule 124 for the machine tool 400A is shown.

[0088] The storage information 175 associates, for each storage location of each tool holder within the tool transport system 10, identification information of the tool holder stored in that storage location with identification information of the tool held in that tool holder.

[0089] The storage location defined in the storage information 175 is information for uniquely identifying the location of the tool holder in the tool transport system 10. As an example, the storage location indicates any one of the storage position of the tool holder in the work station 200, the storage position of the tool holder in the tool storage unit 250, the storage position of the tool holder in the transport device 300, and the storage position of the tool holder in the machine tool 400.

[0090] The identification information of the tool holder defined in the storage information 175 is information for uniquely identifying the tool holder. The identification information is assigned in advance to each tool holder. The identification information may be indicated by a tool holder number such as an ID, or may be indicated by a tool holder name.

[0091] The tool identification information defined in the storage information 175 is information for uniquely identifying a tool. The identification information is assigned in advance to each tool. The identification information may be indicated by a tool number such as an ID, or may be indicated by a tool name. The identification information corresponds to the tool identification information defined in the above-mentioned tool database 123 (see FIG. 1).

[0092] The transport control unit 56 refers to the machining schedule 124 and specifies the tool to be used before machining of the workpiece is started by the target machine tool 400. Next, the transport control unit 56 refers to the storage information 175, and if the tool to be used is not present in the target machine tool 400, causes the transport device 300 to carry the tool to be used from the work station 200 or the tool storage unit 250 to the target machine tool 400.

[0093] In addition, the transport control unit 56 controls the transport device 300 to transport, to the work station 200, the tool corresponding to each piece of tool information selected on the display field 132 of the search results.

[0094] The location where the tool holder to be removed is stored is specified based on the storage information 175. More specifically, the conveyance control unit 56 refers to the storage information 175 and specifies the storage location for each tool information selected on the search result display column 132. Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 56 determines the tool holder holding the specified tool as the object to be removed. As a result, tools with expired life or likely to expire are removed from the tool storage unit 250 or the machine tool 400 to the work station 200.

[0095] <E. Variation Example 1 of Search Processing> Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a variation example 1 of the search processing by the search unit 54 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the search processing according to the variation example 1.

[0096] The tool database 123 shown in FIG. 1 described above associated the available time of the tool, the current usage time of the tool, and the remaining life of the tool with respect to the identification information of the tool. In contrast, the tool database 123A according to this variation example further associates information regarding the nature of the tool (hereinafter also referred to as "tool nature information") with respect to the identification information of the tool.

[0097] The tool nature information includes, for example, an index indicating the price of the tool, an index indicating the difficulty level of the measurement work of the tool, an index indicating the skills required for handling the tool, and an index indicating the importance of the tool.

[0098] The index indicating the value of the tool includes the price of the tool and a classification such as high or low. The value of each tool may be set in advance or arbitrarily set by the user.

[0099] The index indicating the difficulty level of the measurement work of the tool includes a numerical value correlated with the difficulty level, a flag indicating whether the measurement work is difficult, and the identification information of the measuring instrument required for the measurement work. The difficulty level of the measurement work of each tool may be set in advance or arbitrarily set by the user.

[0100] An index indicating the skills required for handling a tool includes a numerical value correlated with the difficulty level and identification information of the operator authorized to handle it. The index indicating the skills required for handling a tool may be preset or arbitrarily set by the user.

[0101] The importance of a tool includes a numerical value correlated with the importance level and a flag indicating whether it is important or not. The importance of a tool may be preset or arbitrarily set by the user.

[0102] The search unit 54 receives an input of search conditions and searches the tool database 123A for tool information that satisfies the input search conditions. As an example, the inputtable search conditions include the remaining life ratio of the tool. In this case, the search unit 54 searches the tool database 123A for tool information with a remaining life ratio equal to or less than the input remaining life ratio. The search results are displayed in the display column 132 of the search screen 130A. In the example of FIG. 7, as search results, the identification information of the tool, the available usage time of the tool, the current usage time of the tool, the remaining life of the tool, and the property information of the tool are displayed on the search screen 130A.

[0103] As another example, the inputtable search conditions include tool property information. As an example, when a lower limit value of the price is input as a search condition, the search unit 54 searches the tool database 123A for tool information with a price equal to or higher than the lower limit value. The search results are displayed in the display column 132 of the search screen 130A. Note that the search conditions can be specified as a combination of the remaining life ratio of the tool and the tool property information.

[0104] <F. Variation Example 2 of Search Processing> Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a variation example 2 of the search processing by the search unit 54 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the search processing according to the variation example 2.

[0105] The tool database 123 shown in FIG. 1 associated the available time of the tool, the current usage time of the tool, and the remaining life of the tool with respect to the identification information of the tool. On the other hand, the tool database 123B according to this modification example further associates the classification of the tool with respect to the identification information of the tool. The classification of the tool and the tools belonging to one classification are defined in advance. The classification of the tool includes, for example, a cutter, a reamer, and other classification names.

[0106] The search unit 54 receives an input of search conditions and searches the tool database 123B for tool information that satisfies the search conditions. As an example, the inputtable search conditions include the remaining life ratio of the tool. In this case, the search unit 54 searches the tool database 123B for tool information with a remaining life ratio equal to or less than the input remaining life ratio. The search results are displayed in the display column 132 of the search screen 130B. In the example of FIG. 8, the classification of the tool, the identification information of the tool, the available time of the tool, the current usage time of the tool, the remaining life of the tool, and the property information of the tool are displayed on the search screen 130B.

[0107] As another example, the inputtable search conditions include the classification of the tool. When the classification of the tool is input as the search condition, the search unit 54 searches the tool database 123B for tool information that matches the classification and displays the tool information on the search screen 130B. Note that the search conditions can be specified as a combination of the remaining life ratio of the tool and the classification of the tool.

[0108] <G. Modification Example 3 of Search Processing> Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a modification example 3 of the search processing by the search unit 54 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the search processing according to the modification example 3.

[0109] The search screen 130 shown in FIG. 1 displayed the identification information of the tool, the available time of the tool, the current usage time of the tool, and the remaining life of the tool as search results. On the other hand, the search screen 130C according to this modification example further displays the storage location of the tool as a search result.

[0110] More specifically, the search unit 54 acquires tool information that matches the input search conditions from the tool database 123. Thereafter, the search unit 54 searches for the storage location of each tool from the storage information 175 using the identification information of the tool defined in the tool information as a key. Subsequently, the search unit 54 arranges and displays the information of the tool that matches the search conditions and the storage location of the tool on the search screen 130C.

[0111] <H. Specific Example of Search Screen 130> Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a specific example of the search screen 130 will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the left side portion of the search screen 130. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the right side portion of the search screen 130.

[0112] The search screen 130 includes an input area 131 for search conditions and a display column 132 for search results. The input area 131 for search conditions is composed of input fields 135A to 135F.

[0113] The input field 135A accepts the input of tool classification as a search condition. The tool classification is input, for example, by a group number.

[0114] The input field 135B accepts the input of the conveyance state of the tool as a search condition. The inputtable conveyance states include, for example, "Finished" indicating that the conveyance of the tool is completed, "Ongoing" indicating that the tool is being conveyed, "Not yet" indicating that the conveyance of the tool is not completed, and "Unnecessary" indicating that the conveyance of the tool is not required.

[0115] The input field 135C accepts the input of the tool storage location related to the tool storage unit 250 as a search condition. The inputtable tool storage locations include "In CTS" indicating within the tool storage unit 250, "Floor" indicating a different location other than the tool conveyance system 10, "No Data" indicating that it is not registered as data, and "None" indicating unknown.

[0116] Input field 135D accepts, as a search condition, an input of a tool storage location related to machine tool 400. Tool storage locations that can be input include “All” indicating all machine tools 400, and “MC_01”, “MC_02”, and “MC_03” indicating identification information of a specific machine tool 400.

[0117] An input field 135E receives input of a date and time range for the scheduled processing time. The date and time range is specified by either a start date and time or an end date and time.

[0118] The input field 135F accepts input of the remaining life condition. The remaining life condition is input, for example, as a combination of a numerical value and a unit. The unit includes "% or less," "% or more," "minutes or less," "minutes or more," and the like. For example, when a combination of the numerical value "10" and the unit "% or less" is input as the remaining life condition, the search unit 54 recognizes that a search condition in which the remaining life ratio is "10% or less" has been specified. As another example, when a combination of the numerical value "10" and the unit "minutes or less" is input, the search unit 54 recognizes that a search condition in which the remaining life ratio is "10 minutes or less" has been specified.

[0119] The search unit 54 searches the tool database 123 for tool information that matches the search conditions entered in the input area 131 , and displays the search results in a display box 132 .

[0120] The search result display field 132 includes a display field 141 relating to the machining schedule and a display field 142 relating to tool information.

[0121] In the display field 141, a part or all of the information specified in the above-mentioned machining schedule 124 is displayed as a search result. As an example, the display field 141 includes a sequence number 141A indicating the execution order of the machining tasks, date information 141B indicating the machining date, machining start information 141C indicating the machining start time, identification information 141D of the machine tool performing the machining, classification 141E of the tool used in the machining, and machining time information 141F indicating the time required for the machining.

[0122] In the display column 142, some or all of the information defined in the above-described tool database 123 is displayed as search results. As an example, the display column 142 includes usage amount information 142A indicating the amount used in processing from the new state to the present, storage location information 142B indicating the storage location of the tool, identification information 142C of the tool, remaining life information 142D indicating the remaining life of the tool, and 142E indicating the conveyance state of the tool.

[0123] <I. Process of Loading Tools into Tool Storage Unit 250> Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the process of loading the tool holder from the work station 200 into the tool storage unit 250 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the process of loading the tool holder from the work station 200 into the tool storage unit 250.

[0124] In step S1, the operator sets the tool holder H1 to be loaded into the magazine M1 in the work station 200. The number of tool holders that can be stored in the work station 200 is less than the number of tool holders that can be stored in the tool storage unit 250.

[0125] Near the position where the operator sets the tool holder H1 in the magazine M1, a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) reader (not shown) is provided. The reader reads the barcode or QR code attached to the tool holder H1. Thereby, the identification information of the tool holder H1 to be loaded is read. When the setting of the tool holder H1 is completed, the operator performs a completion operation on the operation terminal 200A.

[0126] Next, in step S2, the control unit 50 controls the motor 235A (see FIG. 3) to drive the magazine M1 in the work station 200. Thereby, the control unit 50 moves the tool holder H1 to be loaded to a predetermined tool exchange position. Near the tool exchange position, an ATC 238 is provided. The ATC 238 removes the tool holder H1 at the tool exchange position from the magazine M1 and rotates it half a turn.

[0127] Next, in step S3, the arm robot 330 removes the tool holder H1 from the ATC 238 and places the tool holder H1 in the temporary placement area 336 on the carriage 332. If there are other tool holders to be carried in, the steps of S1 to S3 are repeated within the range not exceeding the maximum storage number in the temporary placement area 336.

[0128] Next, in step S4, the control unit 50 controls the motor 335A to drive the carriage 332. Thereby, the control unit 50 moves the carriage 332 to the designated tool loading position. The tool loading position is determined based on, for example, the above-described storage information 175 (see FIG. 6).

[0129] The control unit 50 refers to the empty storage locations defined in the storage information 175 and determines the storage destination of the tool holder H1. If there are multiple empty storage locations, the control unit 50 may determine one storage location randomly selected from the multiple empty storage locations as the storage destination, or may determine one storage location closer to the transfer device 300 selected from the multiple empty storage locations as the storage destination.

[0130] Next, in step S5, the arm robot 330 removes the tool holder H1 to be carried in from the temporary placement area 336 and stores the tool holder H1 in the determined storage destination. Thereafter, the control unit 50 updates the storage information 175 by associating the identification information of the tool holder H1 with the corresponding storage location.

[0131] If there are other tool holders to be carried in remaining in the temporary placement area 336, the control unit 50 repeats the steps of S4 and S5 until there are no more tool holders on the temporary placement area 336.

[0132] <J. Tool Loading Process into the Machine Tool 400> Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the tool holder loading process following FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the tool holder loading process from the tool storage unit 250 to the machine tool 400.

[0133] Assume that at a certain timing, the control unit 50 receives an instruction to carry a tool holder into the machine tool 400. The tool to be carried and the destination machine tool 400 are specified by the operator, for example, to the operation terminal 200A. When there are a plurality of tool holders holding the tool specified by the operator in the tool storage unit 250, the control unit 50 identifies the tool holder to be carried. Thus, assume that the tool holder H2 is identified as the tool to be carried. In this case, the control unit 50 identifies the storage location of the tool holder H2 from the above-described storage information 175 (see FIG. 6). Thereafter, the control unit 50 drives the carriage 332 by controlling the motor 335A (see FIG. 3), and moves the carriage 332 in front of the storage location of the tool holder H2.

[0134] Next, in step S11, the arm robot 330 takes out the tool holder H2 to be transported from the tool storage unit 250, and places the tool holder H2 on the temporary placement area 336 on the carriage 332.

[0135] Next, in step S12, the control unit 50 drives the carriage 332 to the position of the destination machine tool 400 by controlling the motor 335A.

[0136] Next, in step S13, the arm robot 330 delivers the tool holder H2 to the ATC 438 provided in the destination machine tool 400. Thereafter, the ATC 438 mounts the tool holder H2 received from the arm robot 330 on the ATC 438 in the machine tool 400. Thereafter, the ATC 438 sets the tool holder H2 in the magazine in the machine tool 400. Thereby, the tool holder H2 becomes available for use in the machine tool 400.

[0137] <K. Process of carrying out the tool to the work station 200> Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the process of carrying out the tool holder will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of the process of carrying out the tool holder from the machine tool 400 to the work station 200.

[0138] Suppose that at a certain timing, the control unit 50 receives a retrieval instruction for the tool holder. Based on this, the control unit 50 identifies the tool holder to be retrieved from among the tool holders stored in the tool storage unit 250 or the machine tool 400. As a result, suppose that the tool holder H3 is identified as the one to be retrieved. The control unit 50 refers to the above-described storage information 175 (see FIG. 6) to identify the storage destination of the tool holder H3. Thereafter, the control unit 50 drives the carriage 332 by controlling the above-described motor 335A (see FIG. 3) and moves the carriage 332 to the storage destination of the tool holder H3. Next, the arm robot 330 takes out the tool holder H3 from the storage destination and places the tool holder H3 in the temporary placement area 336 on the carriage 332. Further, the control unit 50 deletes the identification information of the tool holder H3 from the storage information 175 and rewrites the storage source of the tool holder H3 to an empty state.

[0139] Next, in step S21, the control unit 50 drives the carriage 332 by controlling the above-described motor 335A and moves the carriage 332 from the storage destination of the tool holder H3 to in front of the work station 200.

[0140] Next, in step S22, the arm robot 330 removes the tool holder H3 to be carried out from the temporary placement area 336 and mounts the tool holder H3 on the above-described ATC 238 (see FIG. 12) provided in the work station 200. Thereafter, the ATC 238 mounts the tool holder H3 on the magazine M1 of the work station 200.

[0141] Next, in step S23, the control unit 50 drives the magazine M1 by controlling the above-described motor 235A and moves the tool holder H3 to be carried out to the exit. Thereafter, the operator takes out the tool holder H3 to be carried out from the exit.

[0142] <Hardware Configuration of the Management Device 100> Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the hardware configuration of the management device 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management device 100.

[0143] The management device 100 includes a control circuit 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, a communication interface 104, a display interface 105, an input interface 107, and a storage device 120. These components are connected to a bus 110.

[0144] The control circuit 101 is configured, for example, by at least one integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be configured, for example, by at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one graphics processing unit (GPU), at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination thereof.

[0145] The control circuit 101 controls the operation of the management device 100 by executing various programs such as a search program 122 and an operating system. Based on receiving an execution command for the search program 122, the control circuit 101 reads the search program 122 from the storage device 120 or the ROM 102 to the RAM 103. The RAM 103 functions as a working memory and temporarily stores various data required for the execution of the search program 122.

[0146] A LAN (Local Area Network), an antenna, and the like are connected to the communication interface 104. The management device 100 is connected to a network NW1 via the communication interface 104. As a result, the management device 100 exchanges data with external devices connected to the network NW1. The external devices include, for example, a PLC 150 and a server (not shown).

[0147] A display 106 is connected to the display interface 105. The display interface 105 sends an image signal for displaying an image to the display 106 in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 101 or the like. The display 106 displays, for example, an operation screen for receiving an instruction to collect a tool holder, a selection screen for specifying a tool holder to be carried in, and the like. The display 106 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or other display device. The display 106 may be configured integrally with the management device 100, or may be configured separately from the management device 100.

[0148] An input device 108 is connected to the input interface 107. The input device 108 is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or other device capable of accepting user operations. The input device 108 may be configured integrally with the management device 100, or may be configured separately from the management device 100.

[0149] The storage device 120 is, for example, a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage device 120 stores a search program 122, the above-mentioned tool database 123, the above-mentioned machining schedule 124, etc. The storage location of these is not limited to the storage device 120, and may be stored in a storage area (for example, a cache memory, etc.) of the control circuit 101, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, another device (for example, a server, a PLC 150, or an operation terminal 200A), etc.

[0150] The search program 122 is a program for realizing the above-described search function. The search program 122 may be provided not as a single program but incorporated into a part of any program. In this case, the conveyance control process by the search program 122 is realized in cooperation with any program. Even a program that does not include such a part of the module does not deviate from the gist of the search program 122 according to the present embodiment. Further, part or all of the functions provided by the search program 122 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Further, the management device 100 may be configured in a form such as a so-called cloud service in which at least one server executes a part of the process of the search program 122.

[0151] <Hardware Configuration of M.PLC150> With reference to FIG. 16, an example of the hardware configuration of the PLC150 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the PLC150.

[0152] The PLC150 includes a control circuit 151, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 152, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 153, communication interfaces 154 and 155, and a storage device 170. These components are connected to a bus 160.

[0153] The control circuit 151 is constituted by at least one integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is constituted by, for example, at least one CPU, at least one MPU (Micro Processing Unit), at least one ASIC, at least one FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0154] The control circuit 151 controls the operations of the conveying device 300 and the machine tool 400 by executing various programs such as the control program 172. Based on receiving an execution instruction of the control program 172, the control circuit 151 reads the control program 172 from the storage device 170 into the ROM 152. The RAM 153 functions as a working memory and temporarily stores various data necessary for the execution of the control program 172.

[0155] A LAN, an antenna, etc. are connected to the communication interface 154. The PLC 150 is connected to the network NW1 via the communication interface 154. Thereby, the PLC 150 exchanges data with external devices connected to the network NW1. The external devices include, for example, the management device 100 and a server (not shown).

[0156] The communication interface 155 is an interface for connecting to the network NW2 which is a field network. The PLC 150 exchanges data with external devices connected to the network NW2 via the communication interface 155. The external devices include, for example, the above-mentioned remote I / O units 71 to 73.

[0157] The storage device 170 is a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory, for example. The storage device 170 stores the control program 172 and the above-mentioned storage information 175, etc. The storage locations of the control program 172, the tool information 174, and the storage information 175 are not limited to the storage device 170 and may be stored in the storage area of the control circuit 151 (for example, a cache area), the ROM 152, the RAM 153, an external device (for example, a server), etc.

[0158] <Hardware configuration of the operation terminal 200A> With reference to FIG. 17, the hardware configuration of the operation terminal 200A shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the operation terminal 200A.

[0159] The operation terminal 200A includes a control circuit 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a communication interface 204, a display interface 205, an input interface 207, and a storage device 220. These components are connected to a bus 210.

[0160] The control circuit 201 is configured, for example, by at least one integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be configured, for example, by at least one CPU, at least one GPU, at least one ASIC, at least one FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0161] The control circuit 201 controls the operation of the operation terminal 200A by executing various programs such as the search program 222 and the operating system. Based on receiving an execution command for the search program 222, the control circuit 201 reads the search program 222 from the storage device 220 or the ROM 202 to the RAM 203. The RAM 203 functions as a working memory and temporarily stores various data required for the execution of the search program 222.

[0162] A LAN, an antenna, and the like are connected to the communication interface 204. The operation terminal 200A is connected to the network NW1 via the communication interface 204. As a result, the operation terminal 200A exchanges data with external devices connected to the network NW1. The external devices include, for example, the PLC 150 and a server (not shown).

[0163] A display 206 is connected to the display interface 205. The display interface 205 sends an image signal for displaying an image to the display 206 in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 201 or the like. The display 206 displays, for example, an operation screen for receiving an instruction to collect a tool holder, a tool selection screen for specifying a tool holder to be carried in, or a machine tool selection screen for specifying a machine tool 400 to be carried in. The display 206 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or other display device. The display 206 may be configured integrally with the operation terminal 200A, or may be configured separately from the operation terminal 200A.

[0164] An input device 208 is connected to the input interface 207. The input device 208 is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or other device capable of receiving a user's operation. The input device 208 may be configured integrally with the operation terminal 200A, or may be configured separately from the operation terminal 200A.

[0165] The storage device 220 is, for example, a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage device 220 stores a search program 222 and the like. The storage location of the search program 222 is not limited to the storage device 220, and may be stored in a storage area (for example, a cache memory, etc.) of the control circuit 201, the ROM 202, the RAM 203, the management device 100, the PLC 150, or an external device (for example, a server), etc.

[0166] The search program 222 is a program for realizing the above-described search function. The search program 222 may be provided by being incorporated into a part of an arbitrary program, rather than as a single program. In this case, the conveyance control process by the search program 222 is realized in cooperation with an arbitrary program. Even a program that does not include such a part of the module does not deviate from the gist of the search program 222 according to the present embodiment. Further, some or all of the functions provided by the search program 222 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Further, the operation terminal 200A may be configured in a form such as a so-called cloud service in which at least one server executes a part of the processing of the search program 222.

[0167] <O. Search Flow of Tool Information> Next, with reference to FIG. 18, the search flow of tool information will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the search process of tool information.

[0168] The search process shown in FIG. 18 is performed by the control circuit 101 of the management device 100 executing the above-described search program 122. Alternatively, the search process shown in FIG. 18 may be realized by the control circuit 201 of the operation terminal 200A executing the above-described search program 222. Alternatively, some or all of the processing may be executed by circuit elements or other hardware.

[0169] In step S110, the control circuit 101 determines whether or not it has received the display operation of the above-described search screen 130. As an example, the control circuit 101 determines that it has received the display operation of the search screen 130 based on the execution of the search program 122. When the control circuit 101 determines that it has received the display operation of the search screen 130 (YES in step S110), the control switches to step S112. Otherwise (NO in step S110), the control circuit 101 executes the process of step S110 again.

[0170] In step S112, the control circuit 101 displays the tool information search screen 130 on the display 106. As described above, the search screen 130 is configured to allow input of search conditions for tool information. The search conditions that can be input include, for example, search conditions related to the remaining life of a tool.

[0171] In step S120, the control circuit 101 determines whether or not a search execution operation on the search screen 130 has been accepted. As an example, the search execution operation is performed by pressing a search execution button 131A in the search screen 130. If the control circuit 101 determines that a search execution operation on the search screen 130 has been accepted (YES in step S120), it switches control to step S124. If not (NO in step S120), the control circuit 101 switches control to step S122.

[0172] In step S122, the control circuit 101 determines whether or not a cancel operation on the search screen 130 has been accepted. As an example, the cancel operation is performed by closing the search screen 130. If the control circuit 101 determines that a cancel operation on the search screen 130 has been accepted (YES in step S122), it ends the search process shown in Fig. 18. If not (NO in step S122), the control circuit 101 returns control to step S120.

[0173] In step S124, the control circuit 101 functions as the above-mentioned search unit 54 and acquires tool information satisfying the input search condition from the above-mentioned tool database 123. As an example, when the input search condition is an upper limit of the remaining life ratio, the control circuit 101 acquires the maximum usable amount and the remaining life of each tool by referring to the tool information defined in the tool database 123. Next, the control circuit 101 calculates the ratio of the remaining life to the maximum usable amount for each tool, and searches for tool information in which the ratio is equal to or less than the upper limit.

[0174] In step S126, the control circuit 101 functions as the above-mentioned search unit 54, and displays the result of the search process in step S124 in the display field 132 of the search screen 130. As described above, the search screen 130 is configured to be able to accept a selection operation for each piece of tool information displayed in the display field 132. Each tool related to the selected tool information is recognized as a collection target.

[0175] In step S130, the control circuit 101 determines whether or not a tool retrieval operation on the search screen 130 has been accepted. As an example, the retrieval operation is performed by pressing the retrieval button 133 on the search screen 130. If the control circuit 101 determines that the tool retrieval operation on the search screen 130 has been accepted (YES in step S130), it switches control to step S134. If not (NO in step S130), the control circuit 101 switches control to step S132.

[0176] In step S132, the control circuit 101 determines whether or not a cancel operation on the search screen 130 has been accepted. As an example, the cancel operation is performed by closing the search screen 130. If the control circuit 101 determines that a cancel operation on the search screen 130 has been accepted (YES in step S132), it ends the search process shown in Fig. 18. If not (NO in step S132), the control circuit 101 returns control to step S130.

[0177] In step S134, the control circuit 101 outputs a transfer command to the transfer device 300 to transfer each tool related to the tool information selected in the display field of the search results to the work station 200.

[0178] <P.まとめ> In this manner, the machining system 1 according to the embodiment accepts input of search conditions related to the remaining life of a tool on the tool information search screen 130. Based on the current usage amount of each tool, the machining system 1 identifies a tool whose remaining life satisfies the search conditions from among the tools defined in the tool database 123. Then, the search screen 130 displays information on the identified tool as a search result.

[0179] By using the search function of the machining system 1, the worker can search for tool information using search criteria related to remaining life. This allows the worker to grasp not only tools that have reached the end of their life, but also tools that are close to reaching the end of their life. As a result, the worker can identify tools that should be replaced now.

[0180] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 1 Machining system, 5 Information processing device, 10 Tool transport system, 50 Control unit, 52 Monitoring unit, 54 Search unit, 56 Transport control unit, 71 Remote I / O unit, 72 Remote I / O unit, 73 Remote I / O unit, 100 Management device, 101 Control circuit, 102 ROM, 103 RAM, 104 Communication interface, 105 Display interface, 106 Display, 107 Input interface, 108 Input device, 110 Bus, 120 Storage device, 122 Search program, 123 Tool database, 123A Tool database, 123B Tool database, 124 Machining schedule, 130 Search screen, 130A Search screen, 130B Search screen, 130C Search screen, 131 Input area, 131A Search execution button, 132 Display field, 132A Check box, 133 Collection button, 135A to 135F Input field, 141 Display field, 141A to 141F Sequence number, 142 Display field, 142A Usage information, 142B Storage location information, 142C Identification information, 142D Remaining life information, 151 Control circuit, 152 ROM, 153 RAM, 154 Communication interface, 155 Communication interface, 160 Bus, 170 Storage device, 172 Control program, 174 Tool information, 175 Storage information, 200 Work station, 200A Operation terminal, 201 Control circuit, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 Communication interface, 205 Display interface, 206 Display, 207 Input interface, 208 Input device, 210 Bus, 220 Storage device, 222 Search program, 234 Motor driver, 234A Motor driver, 234B Motor driver, 235 motor, 235A motor, 235B motor, 250 tool storage section, 300 transport device, 330 arm robot, 331 rail, 332 cart, 334 motor driver, 334A motor driver, 334B motor driver, 335 motor, 335A motor, 335B motor, 336 temporary storage area, 400, 400A to 400F machine tools, 411 motor driver, 411A motor driver, 411B motor driver, 412 motor, 412A motor, 412B motor, 422 machining program.

Claims

1. A machining system using a plurality of tools to machine a workpiece, Machine tools and A tool storage section configured to be able to store a plurality of tools; a work station for a worker to perform work on the tool; a transport device for transporting a designated tool among a tool in the machine tool, a tool in the tool storage unit, and a tool in the work station to a designated destination among the machine tool, the tool storage unit, and the work station; a display unit capable of displaying a tool search screen, the search screen being configured to be capable of accepting input of search conditions related to the remaining life of the tool; a search unit for searching for a tool whose remaining life or the usage amount satisfies the search condition from among the plurality of tools based on the usage amount of each of the plurality of tools from a new state; the search screen displays information on tools that satisfy the search conditions as a search result, and search targets on the search screen include tools in the machine tool, tools in the tool storage unit, and tools in the work station; the search screen is configured to be able to accept a selection operation for information of each tool displayed as the search result, The machining system further includes a transport control unit for controlling the transport device to transport a plurality of tools corresponding to the plurality of pieces of information selected by the selection operation to the work station.

2. The machining system according to claim 1 , wherein information on each tool displayed as the search result on the search screen includes identification information of the tool and a remaining life or a usage amount of the tool.

3. The machining system according to claim 2 , wherein information about each tool displayed as the search result on the search screen further includes information about a property of the tool.

4. The machining system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein information on each tool displayed as the search result on the search screen further includes a classification of the tool.

5. The search unit searches for a tool whose remaining life satisfies the search condition from among the plurality of tools, The machining system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the search conditions that can be input on the search screen include at least one of a ratio of the remaining life of the tool to the life of the tool from a new condition, and a ratio of the usage amount of the tool to the life of the tool from a new condition.

6. A search method for searching for a specific tool from among a plurality of tools used in a machining system, comprising: The processing system includes: Machine tools and A tool storage section configured to be able to store a plurality of tools; a work station for a worker to perform work on the tool; a transport device for transporting a designated tool among a tool in the machine tool, a tool in the tool storage unit, and a tool in the work station to a designated destination among the machine tool, the tool storage unit, and the work station, displaying a tool search screen; accepting an input of search conditions related to a remaining life of a tool on the search screen; A step of searching for a tool whose remaining life or the usage amount satisfies the search condition from among the plurality of tools based on the usage amount of each of the plurality of tools from a new state; displaying information on the tool that satisfies the search conditions on the search screen as a search result; Search targets on the search screen include tools in the machine tool, tools in the tool storage unit, and tools in the work station, the search screen is configured to be able to accept a selection operation for information of each tool displayed as the search result, The search method further includes a step of controlling the transport device to transport, to the work station, a plurality of tools corresponding to the plurality of pieces of information selected by the selection operation.

7. A search program for searching for a specific tool from among a plurality of tools used in a machining system, The processing system includes: Machine tools and A tool storage section configured to be able to store a plurality of tools; a work station for a worker to perform work on the tool; a transport device for transporting a designated tool among a tool in the machine tool, a tool in the tool storage unit, and a tool in the work station to a designated destination among the machine tool, the tool storage unit, and the work station, The search program includes: displaying a tool search screen; accepting an input of search conditions related to a remaining life of a tool on the search screen; A step of searching for a tool whose remaining life or the usage amount satisfies the search condition from among the plurality of tools based on the usage amount of each of the plurality of tools from a new state; displaying information on the tool that satisfies the search condition on the search screen as a search result; Search targets on the search screen include tools in the machine tool, tools in the tool storage unit, and tools in the work station, the search screen is configured to be able to accept a selection operation for information of each tool displayed as the search result, The search program further causes the computer to execute a step of controlling the transport device to transport, to the work station, a plurality of tools corresponding to the plurality of pieces of information selected by the selection operation.

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