Machine tool proposal device and proposal method

Abstract

To provide a suggestion device and a suggestion method for proposing adjustment of a set life of a tool, in accordance with what treatment has been applied in the past to the tool whose usage value has reached the set life. [Solution] A proposal device 10 that proposes adjustment of the set life of a tool T of a machine tool 100 is equipped with a tool management unit 12 that stores a set life previously set for each type of tool, an alarm unit 14 that alerts the presence of a tool whose usage value has reached its set life, a reception unit 16 that accepts a reset of the usage value or an extension of usage, an accumulated procedure information memory unit 18 that stores the reset of the usage value or the extension of usage as accumulated procedure information for each individual tool, and a proposal condition memory unit 22 that pre-stores proposal conditions corresponding to the accumulated procedure information, and a proposal unit 20 that proposes an adjustment of the set life of a tool of the type to which the tool that has reached its set life belongs.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suggestion device and a suggestion method for a machine tool that proposes adjustment of a set life of a tool. [Background technology]

[0002] In machine tools, cutting is performed by moving and rotating the tool (a cutting tool attached to a tool holder) and the workpiece relative to each other. Here, the cutting edge of the cutting tool that engages with the workpiece during cutting is constantly wearing out. When wear reaches a certain level, the machining accuracy decreases and the machining load increases, making the tool (cutting tool) unusable for machining and requiring replacement with a new tool. However, frequent tool replacement reduces machining efficiency and increases manufacturing costs. Therefore, it is necessary to predict the lifespan and replace tools at an appropriate frequency.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a tool life estimation device that classifies (clusters) machining information when the tool has sufficient remaining life from other information, and determines which cluster the input machining information belongs to, thereby estimating the remaining life of a tool. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-103284 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The rate at which the cutting edge of a cutting tool wears varies depending on the material of the workpiece and the cutting conditions. Therefore, the tool life estimation device of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to create a cluster of processing information and estimate tool life when the product to be manufactured changes.

[0006] The present invention has as its technical objective to solve the problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a proposal device and proposal method that propose an adjustment of the set life of a tool whose usage value has reached its set life, depending on what treatment has been performed in the past. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a proposing device for proposing adjustment of a set life of a tool of a machine tool includes a tool management unit that stores a set life that is preset for each type of tool, a notification unit that notifies the presence of a tool that has reached the set life and a notification unit that notifies the presence of a tool that has reached the set life. This is performed when it is determined that the tool that has reached its set life has reached its true life as a result of checking the wear state. Reset the usage value or This is performed when it is determined that the set life-reach tool has not yet reached its true life. a reception unit for accepting an extension of use; Information or history related to said reset or said extension of use The present invention provides a proposal device for a machine tool, comprising: an accumulated treatment information storage unit that stores the accumulated treatment information for each individual tool as accumulated treatment information; and a proposed condition storage unit that pre-stores proposed conditions corresponding to the accumulated treatment information for making proposals regarding adjustment of the set life, and a proposal unit that proposes an adjustment of the set life of a tool of the type to which the tool that has reached its set life belongs based on a result of comparing the accumulated treatment information with the proposed condition storage unit.

[0008] Further, according to the present invention, in a method for proposing adjustment of a set life of a tool of a machine tool, a set life is preset for each type of tool, and when there is a tool whose usage value has reached the set life, the presence of the tool that has reached the set life is notified, and when it is determined that the true life has been reached as a result of checking the wear state of the tool that has reached the set life, the tool that has reached the set life is replaced and the usage value of the tool that has reached the set life is reset, or when it is determined that the true life has not been reached as a result of checking the wear state of the tool that has reached the set life, the tool that has reached the set life is replaced without replacing it. ,before The usage value of the tool that has reached the set life is extended, and the reset or previous MemorandumThe present invention provides a method for proposing adjustment of a set life of a tool of a machine tool, which includes accumulating information or history related to the length of the tool as accumulated treatment information for each individual tool, and proposing shortening or extending the set life of a tool of a type that belongs to a tool that has reached its set life, depending on a result of comparing the accumulated treatment information with a proposal condition corresponding to the treatment information for making a proposal regarding adjustment of the set life. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve productivity by proposing adjustment of the set life based on accumulated treatment information, which is a history of treatments performed in the past on tools whose usage values ​​have reached the set life. By accumulating treatments performed on multiple individual tools as accumulated treatment information, it is possible to increase the reliability of the proposal and to propose more appropriate adjustments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a machine tool and a proposed device to which the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] 13 is a diagram showing a tool management screen for notifying that the usage value of one tool has reached a set life. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a tool management screen in which the usage value of a tool whose set life has been reached is reset. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a tool management screen in which a usage extension value for a tool whose usage value has reached a set life is set. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a tool management screen that suggests shortening and extending a set lifespan. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing accumulated treatment information. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a change in the machining process due to a change in the workpiece. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing statistics of accumulated treatment information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a machine tool 100 has a bed 102 as a base fixed to the floor of a factory. A column 104 is provided on the rear end side (left side in FIG. 1) of the bed 102 on the upper surface of the bed 102 so as to be reciprocable in the horizontal left-right direction or the X-axis direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). A tool magazine 112 is disposed adjacent to the column 104. A plurality of tools used for machining are stored in the tool magazine 112. A saddle 106 is provided on the front side of the column 104 so as to be reciprocable in the vertical direction or the Y-axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1). A spindle head 108 is attached to the saddle 106, which supports a spindle 110 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal central axis O. A Z-axis slider 116 is provided on the upper surface of the front part (right side in FIG. 1) of the bed 102 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction parallel to the central axis O or in the Z-axis direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1). A table 114 for fixing a workpiece W is mounted on the Z-axis slider 116 .

[0012] An X-axis servomotor (not shown) is provided on the bed 102 as an X-axis feed device that drives the column 104 to reciprocate in the X-axis direction. A Y-axis servomotor (not shown) is provided on the column 104 as a Y-axis feed device that drives the saddle 106 to reciprocate in the Y-axis direction. A Z-axis servomotor (not shown) is provided on the bed 102 as a Z-axis slider 116 to reciprocate in the Z-axis direction.

[0013] The spindle head 108 is equipped with a spindle servo motor (not shown) that rotates and drives the spindle 110. A tool T, which is a combination of a cutting tool and a tool holder, is attached to the tip of the spindle 110. The cutting tool of the tool T is typically a rotary tool such as an end mill or a drill. In this specification, the term "tool" refers to a cutting tool and a tool holder that are combined together, and in this specification, "wear" refers to wear on the cutting tool.

[0014] 1, the workpiece W is attached to the table 114 via a workpiece fixture 118 such as a tombstone. The workpiece fixture 118 can be fixed to a pallet (not shown) with the workpiece W attached, and attached to the table 114 via the pallet. The workpiece W may also be attached to a pallet without using the workpiece fixture 118, and then attached to the table 114 via the pallet. Alternatively, the workpiece W may be attached directly to the table 114.

[0015] The machine tool 100 may further include peripheral devices such as an automatic tool changer (not shown) for changing tools between the tool magazine 112 and the spindle 110, and a coolant supplying device (not shown) for supplying coolant to the machining area of ​​the machine tool 100. Such peripheral devices may be housed in a cover (not shown) together with the machine tool 100. The machine tool 100 may also include a pallet exchanger (not shown) for exchanging pallets between the table 114. The machine tool 100 may further include a setup station (not shown) where an operator attaches and detaches a workpiece W to and from a pallet or a workpiece fixture 118 on the pallet. The machine tool 100 may further include a pallet transporting device (not shown) for transporting a pallet between the setup station and the pallet exchanger. The pallet transporting device may be configured to transfer and transport pallets to and from a plurality of machine tools 100.

[0016] In the tool magazine 112, the tool T is attached to a tool pot (not shown) with the cutting tool attached to a tool holder, and is held in a tool storage unit such as a tool rack (not shown) in the tool magazine 112. Information on the tools stored in the tool magazine 112 is stored in the tool management unit 12. The tool magazine 112 is provided with a tool setup unit (not shown) as an interface for an operator to take out a tool from the tool magazine or to input a tool.

[0017] The operator of the machine tool 100 prepares tools required to execute each machining process by storing them in the tool magazine 112. At that time, the operator mounts each tool in a tool pot with an appropriate number so that the program tool number, which is the tool number used to call each tool in the machining program, and the pot number in the tool management unit 12 refer to the same tool, and can also edit the contents of the tool management unit 12.

[0018] Typically, a factory is provided with a facility for storing and assembling tools, such as a tool room. Such tool storage facilities include a tool database for managing all types of tools prepared in the factory, and a factory tool number is assigned to each type of tool in the tool database. The factory tool number is a number assigned according to the tool specifications, and is used commonly for all tools in the factory. As a different tool number, there is a program tool number. The program tool number is a tool number used to call individual tools in a machining program, and is a number used locally in the machine tool 100. When a tool with the same factory tool number is used in multiple machine tools 100, different program tool numbers may be assigned to the multiple machine tools 100. As another different tool number, there is a tool individual number. The tool individual number is a number assigned to each individual tool. When there are multiple tools with the same factory tool number, i.e., the same specifications, different tool individual numbers are assigned to each tool.

[0019] In this specification, the "type" of tool is a concept that includes the type of cutting tool, such as a ball end mill, a square end mill, a face mill, a drill, and also the specifications of the cutting tool, such as the tool diameter, the tool length, the number of cutting edges, etc. In other words, even if the tools are the same type, if the tool diameter or the tool length is different, they are different kinds of tools and therefore will be assigned different factory tool numbers.

[0020] The machine tool 100 includes a control device 10 forming a proposal device. The control device 10 includes a tool management unit 12, a notification unit 14, a reception unit 16, an accumulated process information storage unit 18, a proposal unit 20, a display unit 24, an input unit 26, and a statistics unit 28. The tool management unit 12, the notification unit 14, the reception unit 16, the accumulated process information storage unit 18, the proposal unit 20, and the statistics unit 28 can be composed of a computer and related software including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a SSD (Solid State Drive), an input / output port, an RTC (Real-Time-Clock), and a bidirectional bus interconnecting these.

[0021] The control device 10 can be configured in software as part of a machine control device that controls an NC device that controls the spindle servo motor, X-axis servo motor, Y-axis servo motor, Z-axis servo motor, and X-axis scale, Y-axis scale, and Z-axis scale, as well as the tool magazine of the above-mentioned machine tool, an automatic tool changer (not shown), a pallet changer, and a coolant supply device, and further, associated equipment of the machine tool, such as an oil / air supply device (not shown) and a compressed air supply device (not shown).

[0022] The tool management unit 12 stores information related to the tools T stored in the tool magazine 112, particularly the lifespan (set lifespan) previously set for each tool. The notification unit 14, as described later, notifies the operator of the presence of a tool whose usage value has reached a previously set lifespan (a tool that has reached its set lifespan). The reception unit 16 receives an action taken by the operator for a tool that has reached its set lifespan, particularly a reset of the usage value of the tool or an extension of the set lifespan of the tool. The accumulated action information storage unit 18, as described later, accumulates and stores, for each tool, an action taken by the operator for a tool that has reached its set lifespan. The suggestion unit 20, as described later, proposes to the operator an adjustment of the set lifespan (extension or shortening of the set lifespan) for a tool that has reached its set lifespan based on past accumulated action information.

[0023] The display unit 24 can be formed, for example, by a touch panel (not shown) attached to an operation panel (not shown) attached to the above-mentioned cover surrounding the machine tool 100. The input unit 26 can be formed by a keyboard (not shown) and buttons (not shown) arranged on the operation panel. When the display unit 24 is formed by a touch panel, the input unit 26 may be formed by the touch panel. When the control device 10 is connected to a computer device such as a CAD (Computer Aided Design) system, a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) system, or a control device of another machine tool (not shown) via a communication network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) (IEEE 802.3), the input unit 26 can also be formed by such a computer device.

[0024] The tool management unit 12 stores information related to the tool T stored in the tool magazine 112 in association with the factory tool number, program tool number, individual tool number, and pot number corresponding to the storage pot in which the tool T is attached within the tool magazine 112. Such information related to the tool T can be input by the operator via the input unit 26.

[0025] Alternatively, the tool management unit 12 can access a CAD system serving as the input unit 26, analyze the machining program generated by the CAD system, extract the tools described in the machining program, and further search a tool database provided in the factory in which the machine tool 100 is installed from the factory tool number corresponding to the program tool number of the tool, to obtain and store information about the tool, such as its type, tool diameter, tool length, set life, etc.

[0026] Based on the stored tool information, the tool management unit 12 can generate a tool list as shown in Figures 2 to 5. As an example, the tool list shown in Figures 2 to 5 includes, as tool information, the type, tool diameter, tool length, and set life of the tool T.

[0027] 2, an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24 is shown. The tool management screen 200 includes a cursor 201, a tool list 202, a notification area 204, a down button 203, an up button 205, a reset button 206, and a use extension button 208. The tool list 202 is a table that displays a list of tool information of all tools T stored in the tool magazine 112 in association with a factory tool number 217, a program tool number 218, a tool individual number 219, and a storage pot 220. In this embodiment, the tool information includes a tool summary (type of tool) 210, a tool diameter 212, a tool length 214, and a set life 216. The tool list 202 further includes a tool use value 222 and a use extension value 224. The cursor 201 is a display that allows the operator to recognize which tool is currently being targeted when resetting the use value and inputting the use extension value, which will be described later. The operator can use the down button 203 and the up button 205 to move the cursor 201 up or down on the tool list 202 to select a target tool.

[0028] The tool list 202 includes a factory tool number 217, a program tool number 218, and a tool individual number 219. Furthermore, a storage pot 220 is the number of the tool pot in which the tool T is mounted within the tool magazine 112. In Fig. 2, the tool list 202 indicates that the tools with factory tool numbers 1001, 1002, 1003, ... are stored in tool pots No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, ..., respectively.

[0029] Tool overview 210 indicates the type of tool T. In FIG. 2, tool list 202 indicates that tools with factory tool numbers 1001, 1002, 1003, ... are PCD face mills, carbide drills, high speed taps, ... respectively. Tool diameter 212 is the diameter (mm) of the circle traced by the tip of the cutting blade of tool T. In FIG. 2, tool list 202 indicates that tools with factory tool numbers 1001, 1002, 1003, ... have tool diameters of 80 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, ... respectively.

[0030] Tool length 214 is the length (mm) from the reference position of a tool holder (not shown) on which tool T is attached to the cutting edge position of tool T measured along the central axis of tool T. In FIG. 2, tool list 202 indicates that the tool lengths of tools with factory tool numbers 1001, 1002, 1003, ... are 120 mm, 130 mm, 145 mm, ..., respectively. The "cutting edge position" can be set in various ways based on the type of tool T and the operation policy of the machining program. For example, in the case of a drill tool, it may be set to the diameter part, so-called shoulder part, or to the apex part, which is the very tip.

[0031] The set life is a preset value that serves as a guide for replacing the tool T before it becomes unusable due to wear. In this embodiment, a cutting distance (mm) is preset for each tool T as the set life. The set life may be input by an operator of the machine tool 100, or may be input (downloaded) from a tool database provided in the factory. In FIG. 2, the tool list 202 indicates that the cutting distances set as tool lives for tools with factory tool numbers 1001, 1002, 1003, ... are 900000 mm, 720000 mm, 90000 mm, ..., respectively.

[0032] The usage value 222 is a parameter that increases in relation to the use of the tool T, and in this embodiment, it is the actual cutting distance (mm) that the tool T has actually been used to cut the workpiece W. The tool management unit 12 accumulates and stores the cutting distance, which is the movement distance of the tip point of the tool T during machining of the workpiece W, as a usage value. The tool management unit 12 can calculate the actual cutting distance of the tool T used in machining, for example, by analyzing the executed machining program. In FIG. 2, the tool list 202 indicates that the tools with factory tool numbers 1001, 1002, 1003, etc. have already been used for machining at 804331 mm, 720024 mm, 62055 mm, etc. The accumulation and storage of the usage value may be performed when machining by the tool T is completed, or when all steps including machining by the tool T are completed.

[0033] When a tool reaches its set life, the operator generally visually checks the wear state of the tool. If the wear state of the tool is judged to have reached its true life, the operator replaces the tool with an unused new tool and resets the usage value. Here, the true life indicates a state in which the wear state of the tool has progressed to such an extent that the results and accuracy required in the machining of the tool cannot be achieved. As another result, if the wear state of the tool has not reached its true life and the tool is still usable for machining, the operator extends the use of the tool according to the degree of wear state. In the present invention, when the operator selects the extension of the use of a tool, the cutting distance to be extended is input by the operator to the tool management unit and displayed in the tool list 202 as the use extension value 224, as described later. In FIG. 2, it is shown that the use of each tool with the factory tool numbers 1001, 1002, 1003, ... is not extended.

[0034] The notification unit 14 notifies the operator of the presence of a tool whose usage value 222 has reached the set life 216. When the tool usage value 222 of any tool T is updated, the notification unit 14 checks whether the set life 216 has been reached, and if so, notifies the display unit 24 that the tool has reached its set life. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the usage value 222 of the tool with the factory tool number 1002 is 720024 mm, which exceeds the set life 216. At this time, the notification unit 14 notifies the operator of the presence of a tool whose set life has been reached by displaying in the notification area 204 of the tool management screen 200 that the tool usage value (actual cutting length) of the factory tool number 1002 has reached the set life. The notification unit 14 may guide the operator to the machine tool 100 by sound or voice, and then notify the display unit 24 that a tool whose set life has been reached is present.

[0035] The tool management screen 200 includes a reset button 206 and a usage extension button 208 that are used when replacing a tool or when extending the usage of the tool. The reset button 206 and the usage extension button 208 may be displayed at all times, or may be displayed in the tool management screen 200 when a tool reaches the set life of the tool.

[0036] When one tool reaches the set life and the operator selects tool replacement as a result of visual confirmation, the operator replaces the tool stored in the tool magazine 112 with an unused new tool and changes the tool individual number 219 to that of the new tool. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the number has been changed to "1002-202300231". The operator can replace the tool in the tool setup unit with or without stopping the machining by the machine tool 100. After the tool replacement is completed, when the operator aligns the cursor 201 with the tool of the factory tool number 1002 and taps the reset button 206, the reception unit 16 accepts the reset of the usage value for the tool that has reached the set life, and resets the usage value of the tool in the tool management unit 12. That is, the usage value of the tool stored in the tool management unit 12 is set to 0 (zero) (see FIG. 3), and the fact that the tool has been replaced is written to the accumulated treatment information storage unit 18.

[0037] When one tool reaches the set life and the operator selects the use extension as a result of visual confirmation, the operator returns the tool to the tool magazine. Then, the operator sets the use extension value. At this time, when the operator taps the use extension button 208, the reception unit 16 enables the use extension value of the tool management screen 200 to be edited. As a result, in the example of FIG. 2, the use extension value field 224a of the tool of the factory tool number 1002 becomes active, and the operator can input a desired use extension value. When the use extension button 208 is tapped, the reception unit 16 may display a dialog box (not shown) for inputting the use extension value of the corresponding tool, superimposed on the tool management screen 200. Referring to FIG. 4, the use extension 2000 (mm) input by the operator is displayed in the use extension value field 224a of the tool of the factory tool number 1002. When the operator taps the use extension button 208, the reception unit 16 receives the use extension, and then when the operator inputs a use extension value, the reception unit 16 writes in the accumulated procedure information storage unit 18 that the use of the tool, in this embodiment, the tool with factory tool number 1002, has been extended by 2000 (mm). Thus, by inputting the use extension value of 2000 (mm), the tool can continue cutting. Then, when the use value of the tool with factory tool number 1002 reaches the distance obtained by adding the previous set life of 720000 mm and the use extension value of 2000 mm, the notification unit 14 again notifies the operator that a tool has reached its set life.

[0038] In this way, for each of the multiple tools, information or history related to the action taken by the operator when the usage value reaches the set life is stored in the accumulated action information storage unit 18. Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown an example of accumulated action information stored in the accumulated action information storage unit 18. Accumulated action information 300 shown in Fig. 6 includes a tool individual number 302, action 304, usage extension value 306, and action date and time 308.

[0039] The tool individual number 302 is written by adding an identification number to the factory tool number 217 in Figs. 2 to 5. In Fig. 6, the tool individual numbers 302a, 302b, and 302c are the same individual tool having the identification number 202300240, which is the tool (carbide drill) having the factory tool number 1002 in Figs. 2 to 5, and 302e, 302g, and 302h are different individual tools having the same factory tool number 1002 but having an identification number 202300241 different from the identification number 202300240. Similarly, the tool individual numbers 302d and 302f are different individual tools having the same factory tool number 1001 but having different identification numbers 202300188 and 202300189, respectively. The tool individual number is assigned to each tool when it is assembled in the tool room. When a tool is assembled, a tool individual number is written by a tool individual number writing device into an ID chip attached to the tool. Then, when the tool is stored in the tool magazine 112, the tool individual number stored in the ID chip is read by a tool individual number reading device provided in the machine tool 100 and displayed on the display unit 24. After the operator confirms this, the tool individual number is transmitted to the tool management unit 112 and can be input as the tool individual number of the tool in the tool management unit 12. The tool individual number may be printed on the tool body during assembly. When the tool is stored in the tool magazine 112, the operator may rewrite the information in the tool management unit 12 using the input unit 26 while visually checking it.

[0040] The accumulated treatment information 300 in FIG. 6 shows that the tool with the tool individual number 1002-202300240 was extended in use by 2000 (mm) and 1000 (mm) at 11:20:02 on July 24, 2023 and 15:02:18 on July 27, 2023, respectively, and then was determined to be at its true lifespan and replaced with a new tool of the same type at 9:08:45 on August 3, 2023. The new tool that was replaced, that is, the tool with the tool individual number 1002-202300241, was also extended in use by 1500 (mm) and 1000 (mm) at 10:23:41 on August 7, 2023 and 16:19:05 on August 18, 2023, respectively. The accumulated disposition information 300 further indicates that the tool with the tool individual number 1001-202300188 was replaced with a new tool of the same type at 13:30:39 on August 5, 2023. The accumulated disposition information 300 further indicates that the tool with the tool individual number 1003-202300098 was replaced with a new tool of the same type at 9:21:20 on August 23, 2023 due to tool breakage.

[0041] As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, it will be understood that by accumulating the actions taken in the past for tools that have reached their set life, the set life of each tool can be adjusted. For example, two tools having the same factory tool number 1002 have been replaced after their use has been extended twice. This accumulated action information can be considered to be the result of the true life of the tool arriving later than the previous set life. Therefore, by extending the set life 216, the notification to the operator can be adjusted to a timing suitable for tool replacement. As a result, the number of times the operator visually checks and extends the use is reduced, so that the operator's work efficiency can be improved. Alternatively, two different tools having the same factory tool number 1001 have been replaced without their use being extended. This accumulated action information can be considered to be the result of the true life of the tool arriving earlier than the previous set life. Therefore, by shortening the set life 216, the notification to the operator can be adjusted to a timing suitable for tool replacement. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in machining accuracy and machining efficiency due to tool wear.

[0042] For this reason, in the present invention, the proposing unit 20 is adapted to propose an adjustment of the set life based on the accumulated treatment information 300. The adjustment of the set life is an extension or shortening of the set life. For this reason, the proposing unit 20 has a proposed condition storage unit 22 that pre-stores proposed conditions corresponding to the accumulated treatment information 300 for making a proposal regarding the adjustment (increase or decrease) of the set life. Note that, although the adjustment of the set life may be proposed based on the accumulated treatment information of one tool, the reliability of the proposal is improved by proposing the adjustment of the set life based on the accumulated treatment information of multiple tools of the same type, i.e., having the same factory tool number.

[0043] One case of the accumulated treatment information is that the use has not been extended in the past. In other words, when a tool having a certain factory tool number or a certain tool individual number is replaced with a new tool every time the use value reaches the set life without being extended, the suggestion unit 20 can suggest shortening the set life as a suggested condition. Referring to Fig. 5, the proposal display area 230 of the tool management screen 200 displays the shortening of the set life of the tool with the tool number 1001 and the reason for it.

[0044] Moreover, the proposed conditions may be the following conditions 1 to 3. That is, the proposal unit 20 may propose an extension of the set life when any one of conditions 1 to 3 is satisfied. Two or three of conditions 1 to 3 may be combined. That is, the proposal unit 20 may propose an extension of the set life when two of conditions 1 to 3 are satisfied, or when all three are satisfied. The numerical values ​​described in conditions 1 to 3 are not limited to these and may be changed. FIG. 5 shows the extension of the set life of the tool 1002 and the reason for it.

[0045] (Condition 1) For a tool with a certain factory tool number, there are a certain number or more tools that have been extended for use a certain number of times in a certain number of individual tools in the past. For example, there are six or more tools that have been extended for use two or more times in the past ten individual tools. (Condition 2) For a tool having a certain factory tool number, the total number of times that a certain number of individual tools have been extended in use in the past is equal to or greater than a certain number. For example, the total number of times that 10 individual tools have been extended in use in the past is equal to or greater than 15. (Condition 3) For a tool having a certain factory tool number, the average of the extension values ​​of a certain number of individual tools in the past is a certain percentage or more of the set life. For example, the average of the extension values ​​of the past 10 individual tools is 15% or more of the set life.

[0046] According to this embodiment, for a tool whose usage value has reached its set life, a proposal is made to adjust the set life in accordance with the action taken in the past (replacement with a new tool and resetting the usage value, or extension of usage without replacing with a new tool), making it possible to improve the work efficiency of the operator and the productivity of the machine tool 100.

[0047] In the embodiment described above, the proposing unit 20 is configured to propose an adjustment of the set life in relation to the replacement of a tool whose usage value has reached the set life, but when proposing an adjustment of the set life, particularly an extension, it is also possible to provide the operator with an opportunity to reconsider the state of the material of the workpiece W. The "material" here refers to the state of the workpiece W before it is input into the machine tool 100, that is, the state before it is machined. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, due to a change in the material casting process, the surface height of the workpiece in the material state may become lower than the initial state when the set life of the tool for machining the surface of the workpiece in the material state was considered.

[0048] In Figure 7, when the set life of the tool (face mill) TFM was first considered, the workpiece W1 had a height H1, and the plan was to machine the workpiece W1 along three machining paths P1, P2, and P3 using the tool TFM to surface-machine it to a finishing height H0. Later, due to a change in the material casting process, the workpiece W1 was changed to a workpiece W2 with a height H2 lower than the height H1. Therefore, the workpiece W2 could be machined to the finishing height H0 by only two machining paths P4 and P5. Here, the machining paths P4 and P5 are identical to the machining paths P2 and P3, respectively.

[0049] In such a case, in the surface machining process by the tool TFM, among the three machining paths P1, P2, and P3 that are previously adapted to the surface dimensions of the workpiece W1, the tool TFM is in an idle state in the machining path P1, and machining is not performed. Therefore, the actual cutting distance is shortened, and the wear of the tool TFM is reduced. Then, when the usage value reaches the set life, the operator who checks the wear state of the tool TFM notices that the wear is not progressing as expected and tends to select the extension of the use. In other words, when there is a tool with a large distance or number of times of usage extension in the accumulated treatment information 300, the suggestion unit 20 can suggest to the operator that the operator check the material condition in addition to extending the set life. At this time, a message such as "Please check the material condition" can be displayed in the suggestion display area 230. By the suggestion, the operator can check the material condition and change the machining program to omit the machining path P1, so that the tool TFM does not idle. With this improvement, the machining time is shortened, and the timing when the tool reaches the set life is close to the true life, so that the frequency of the operator's visual confirmation and the extension of the usage value can be reduced.

[0050] The statistics unit 28 may perform statistics on the accumulated treatment information 300, visualize it, and present it to the operator. Fig. 8 shows accumulated treatment information statistics 400 in which the statistics unit 28 performs statistics on the number of times for each predetermined treatment type for the accumulated treatment information 300 during an arbitrary period (here, from October 1 to October 31, 2023) and visualizes it. The accumulated treatment information statistics 400 can be displayed on the display unit 24, for example.

[0051] The accumulated procedure information statistics 400 will be described. The tool In statistics 410 show statistics of procedures in which an operator puts a tool into the tool magazine 112. The tool In count 410a shows how many times an operator puts a tool into the tool magazine 112 within an arbitrary period regardless of the reason. This coincides with the total number of times a tool was put into the tool magazine 112 for each reason described later. The number of times of replacement with a new tool when the tool life is reached 410b shows how many times a tool was replaced with a new tool when the set life is reached. The number of times of extension of the usage value 410c shows how many times a specification extension is performed when the set life is reached. The number of times of replacement with a new tool when a tool is broken 410d shows how many times a tool was replaced due to a tool breakage. The occurrence of tool breakage can be stored in the accumulated procedure information storage unit 18 by the reception unit 16 as a replacement with a new tool when a tool is broken, when the operator who is notified of the tool breakage by the notification unit 14 replaces the tool and resets the usage value after the tool breakage device (not shown) equipped in the machine tool 100 detects the breakage of the tool. The number of tool additions at process change 410e indicates the number of times that a machining process and a machining program have been changed and a new tool has been added to an empty pot. The tool out statistics 420 indicate the statistics of the procedure in which the operator removed a tool from the tool magazine 112. The number of tool outs 420a indicates the number of times that the operator removed a tool from the tool magazine 112 within an arbitrary period regardless of the reason. This is equal to the total number of times that a tool was removed for each reason, which will be described later. The number of checks A at end of life 420b indicates the number of times that the operator visually checked the tool within a "predetermined period" after the tool reached its set life. The number of checks B at end of life 420c indicates the number of times that the operator visually checked the tool beyond a "predetermined period" after the tool reached its set life. The predetermined period can be freely set. For example, the predetermined period may be "within four hours from the time the set life is reached". The number of checks due to tool damage 420d indicates the number of times that the tool was removed and checked after tool damage was reported. The tool removal count 420e at the time of process change is the number of times that a tool that is no longer needed due to a change in the machining process and machining program is removed from the tool magazine 112. Here, the tool In count 410a and the tool Out count 420a do not necessarily match. For example, this is because the tool addition count 410e at the time of process change and the tool removal count 420e at the time of process change do not necessarily match.

[0052] Accumulated procedure information statistics 400 can be used to analyze machining and production performed by machine tool 100, and various issues requiring improvement can be discovered. For example, if the number of checks at end of life B 420c is high (e.g., higher than the number of checks at end of life A 420b), it can be understood that operators are taking a long time to check the status of tools even though there are tools that have reached the end of their set life. In other words, it can be assumed that the operator's workload is not appropriate, and this can be used as a trigger for improvement, such as reviewing the number of workers or work shifts. Also, if the number of checks due to tool damage 420d is high, it can be assumed that the machining process or machining conditions are not appropriate, and this can be used as a trigger for improvement, such as reviewing the machining process or machining conditions.

[0053] The accumulated treatment information statistics 400 can also display a treatment breakdown for any type of treatment. For example, the treatment breakdown 430 for the usage value extension count 410c is displayed in FIG. 8. The treatment breakdown 430 is displayed in a pop-up by tapping the area where the usage value extension count 410c is displayed. The treatment breakdown 430 displays the top three types of factory tool numbers with the highest number of usage value extensions, and it can be seen that the usage value extension has been performed 12 times for the tool with factory tool number 2010, which is a higher number of usage value extensions than other tools. In other words, it can be predicted that the set life of the tool with factory tool number 2010 is not appropriate, or that the visual inspection skill of the operator who visually checked the tool with factory tool number 2010 is not appropriate, and this can be used as a trigger for improvement. Of course, the treatment breakdown 430 may be displayed for information other than the usage value extension count 410c, and the information displayed in the treatment breakdown 430 may be the factory tool numbers of the top five types of tools rather than the factory tool numbers of the top three types of tools.

[0054] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements are possible, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. For example, Fig. 1 shows machine tool 100 constituting a horizontal machining center as an example of a machine tool to which the present invention is applied, but the present invention can also be applied to vertical machine tools. Also, machine tool 100 has been described as having three orthogonal linear feed axes, X, Y, and Z, but machine tool 100 may have at least one rotary feed axis in addition to the three orthogonal linear feed axes.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the control device 10 forming the proposed device has been described as being formed as a part of the NC device or machine control device of the machine tool 100, but the control device 10 as the proposed device may be formed by a computer device separate from the NC device or machine control device of the machine tool 100. For example, when a production facility is formed by arranging a plurality of machine tools 100, the control device 10 as the proposed device may be provided for each machine tool 100, or may be provided for the plurality of machine tools 100. Furthermore, the control device 10 may be formed as a part of an integrated control device (not shown) that controls the entire production facility (not shown) including the plurality of machine tools 100.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the set life, the usage value, and the usage extension value are the cutting distance, but they may be the cutting time. In this case, the control device 10 as the proposed device can calculate the cutting time based on the change in the load of the spindle servo motor and the measurement time by the RTC (real-time clock). Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the tool diameter information is the diameter, but it may be the radius.

[0057] When the control device 10 is provided as a suggestion device for a plurality of machine tools 100, the notification unit 14 can display the presence of a tool whose usage value has reached its set life on a display device such as a touch panel of an operation panel provided on each of the plurality of machine tools 100 and / or a display device of an integrated control device that controls the entire production facility. The integrated control device that has received the notification can capture an image of the wear state of the tool T with a camera (not shown) installed in the tool magazine 112 or machining room (not shown) of the machine tool 100 in which the tool whose usage value has reached its set life is present, and can determine whether the true life has been reached from the image data. As a result, when it is determined that the tool T should be replaced, a tool replacement command can be issued from the integrated control device to an operator or an automatic transport device. When it is determined that the tool should be extended without being replaced, the integrated control device instructs the tool management unit 12 of the control device 10 as a suggestion device for the production facility to extend the set life of the tool T. The extent to which the set life is to be extended can be determined according to the wear state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Control device 12 Tool management department 14. Notification Department 16 Reception 18 Accumulated processing information storage unit 20 Proposal Department 22 Suggested condition storage section 24 Display 26 Input section 100 Machine tools 102 Beds 104 Column 106 Saddle 108 Spindle head 110 Main shaft 112 Tool Magazine 114 Table 116 Z-axis slider 118 Work Fixture 200 Tool management screen 202 Tool List 204 Notification Area 206 Reset Button 208 Use extension button 210 Tool overview 212 Tool diameter 214 Tool length 216 Set Life 220 Storage Pot 222 Used value 224 Extended Use Value 230 Suggestion display area 300 Accumulated Treatment Information

Claims

1. A proposal device for proposing adjustment of a set life of a tool of a machine tool, a tool management unit that stores a preset set life for each type of tool; a notification unit that notifies the presence of a tool that has reached the set lifespan when the usage value of the tool has reached the set lifespan; a reception unit that receives a reset of a usage value when it is determined that the tool that has reached the set life has reached its true life as a result of checking the wear state of the tool that has reached the set life, or receives an extension of usage when it is determined that the tool that has reached the set life has not reached its true life; a storage unit for storing information or history related to the reset or the extension of use as storage information for each tool; a proposal unit having a proposed condition storage unit that stores proposed conditions corresponding to accumulated action information for making a proposal regarding adjustment of a set life, and that proposes adjustment of the set life of a tool of the type to which the tool that has reached the set life belongs according to a result of comparing the accumulated action information with the proposed condition storage unit; A proposed device for a machine tool equipped with the above.

2. The suggestion device according to claim 1 , wherein the accumulated treatment information storage unit stores accumulated treatment information for a plurality of individual tools of the same type, and the suggestion unit proposes an adjustment of a set life based on the accumulated treatment information for a plurality of individual tools of the same type.

3. The suggestion device according to claim 1 , wherein the suggestion unit proposes shortening the set lifespan as the adjustment of the set lifespan.

4. The suggestion device according to claim 3 , wherein the suggestion unit is configured to suggest shortening the set life as an adjustment to the set life for a specific type of tool when the tool has not been extended in the past.

5. The suggestion device according to claim 1 , wherein the suggestion unit proposes extending the set lifespan as the adjustment of the set lifespan.

6. The suggestion device according to claim 5 , wherein the suggestion unit suggests extending the set life as an adjustment to the set life when the number or frequency of extensions of use implemented in the past for a specific type of tool is equal to or greater than a predetermined number or frequency.

7. The accumulated processing information storage unit further stores, as the accumulated processing information, a tool replacement due to a tool breakage, a tool addition due to a process change, and a tool removal due to a process change; The suggestion device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a statistics unit that collects statistics on the accumulated treatment information for a given period of time, the type of treatment performed on the tool during the given period, and the total number of times for each type of treatment, and a display unit that displays the results of the statistics.

8. In the proposed method, which proposes adjusting the set life of a tool of a machine tool, The set life is preset for each type of tool. When a tool whose usage value has reached the set life is present, the presence of the tool whose usage value has reached the set life is notified; If it is determined that the true life of the tool that has reached the set life has been reached as a result of checking the wear state of the tool that has reached the set life, the tool that has reached the set life is replaced and the usage value of the tool that has reached the set life is reset, or if it is determined that the true life of the tool that has reached the set life has not been reached as a result of checking the wear state of the tool that has reached the set life, the usage value of the tool that has reached the set life is extended without replacing the tool that has reached the set life; Storing information or history related to the reset or extension as accumulated processing information for each individual tool; A proposal method for proposing adjustment of the set life of a tool of a machine tool, comprising proposing shortening or extending the set life of a tool of a type that belongs to a tool that has reached its set life, based on proposal conditions corresponding to accumulated action information for making proposals regarding adjustment of the set life, depending on a result of comparing the accumulated action information with the proposal conditions.

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