Processing time prediction device

Abstract

To perform updating at a processing time and / or a calculation time needing a calculation time and having high accuracy while estimating a processing time and / or a calculation time at a high speed with a simple calculation.SOLUTION: A processing time prediction device includes a simple prediction part for reading and interpreting an NC command and calculating a first block movement time on the basis of at least a distance and a feeding speed or time of each block, a parameter acquisition part for acquiring a parameter to be used in driving and controlling a numerical control machine tool, a precision prediction part for calculating a second block movement time on the basis of at least the NC command and the parameter, a block movement time update part for updating the first block movement time with the second block movement time to calculate a processing time, and a processing time output part for outputting a processing time. The processing time output part outputs a processing time calculated by updating the first block movement time with the second block movement time on a condition predetermined by the block movement time update part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machining time prediction device that predicts a machining time required for machining performed by driving and controlling a numerically controlled machine tool. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are various situations where it is necessary to estimate the machining time required for machining performed by driving and controlling a numerically controlled machine tool. For example, CAM operators want to estimate the machining time accurately even if it takes some calculation time. On the other hand, on-site workers want to estimate the machining time quickly even if it is somewhat less accurate. In this regard, a technique is known for CAM and machining simulation software that calculates machining time from the movement distance and feed rate of a machining program (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, there is known a technique for estimating an accurate machining time by simulation processing of a numerical control device (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-175439 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-301440 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2018-77778 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, the processing time and / or the calculation time can be estimated only with a predetermined calculation speed and prediction accuracy. Furthermore, in the conventional technology, the exact processing time and / or calculation time cannot be known until the calculation is completed, and the processing time and / or calculation time cannot be estimated with intermediate prediction accuracy and calculation speed.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to estimate the machining time and / or the calculation time quickly using simple calculations, and update the machining time and / or the calculation time with a high accuracy, although it requires more calculation time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the machining time prediction device disclosed herein is a machining time prediction device that calculates and outputs a machining time required for machining performed by driving and controlling a numerically controlled machine tool based on an NC command, and includes a simple prediction unit that reads and interprets the NC command and calculates a first block movement time based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block, a parameter acquisition unit that acquires parameters used when driving and controlling the numerically controlled machine tool, a precise prediction unit that calculates a second block movement time based on at least the NC command and the parameters, a block movement time update unit that updates the first block movement time with the second block movement time to calculate the machining time, and a machining time output unit that outputs the machining time, and the machining time output unit outputs the machining time calculated by the block movement time update unit by updating the first block movement time with the second block movement time under predetermined conditions.

[0007] One aspect of the machining time prediction device disclosed herein is a machining time prediction device that calculates and outputs a machining time required for machining performed by driving and controlling a numerically controlled machine tool based on an NC command, and includes a simple prediction unit that reads and interprets the NC command and calculates a first block movement time based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block, a parameter acquisition unit that acquires parameters used when driving and controlling the numerically controlled machine tool, a precise prediction unit that calculates a second block movement time based on at least the NC command and the parameters, an actual calculation time acquisition unit that acquires a first actual calculation time required for calculation in the simple prediction unit and a second actual calculation time required for calculation in the precise prediction unit, a remaining calculation time calculation unit that calculates a remaining calculation time based on the first actual calculation time and the second actual calculation time, and a remaining calculation time output unit that outputs the remaining calculation time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a machining time prediction device according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a first block movement time in simple prediction and a second block movement time in precise prediction, and a processing time. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a prediction process of the machining time prediction device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a first block movement time in simple prediction and a second block movement time in precise prediction, and a processing time. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a machining time prediction device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between an acquired actual machining time and a calculated remaining machining time; FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a prediction process of the machining time prediction device. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a machining time prediction device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a first actual calculation time of a first block moving time in a simple prediction section and a second actual calculation time of a second block moving time in a precise prediction section based on a predetermined condition. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a prediction process of the machining time prediction device. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a machining time prediction device according to a modified example of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment Hereinafter, the machining time prediction device according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of a machining time prediction device according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the machining time prediction device 1 is a computer, a tablet terminal, or the like, and is connected to a numerical control device (not shown) via a connection interface (not shown) in a wired or wireless manner. The machining time prediction device 1 may be connected to and communicate with a numerical control device (not shown) via a network (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. In this case, the machining time prediction device 1 includes a communication unit (not shown) for mutual communication via such a connection. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1 is a device separate from the numerical control device (not shown), but as will be described later, the machining time prediction device 1 may be included in the numerical control device (not shown).

[0010] The machining time prediction device 1 can be configured with a computer or tablet terminal equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The machining time prediction device 1 also includes a main memory device such as an auxiliary memory device, such as a HDD, that stores various control programs such as application software and an OS (Operating System), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores data temporarily required for the processor to execute a program.

[0011] In the machining time prediction device 1, the arithmetic processing device reads application software and the OS from the auxiliary storage device, and performs arithmetic processing based on the application software and the OS while expanding the read application software and the OS in the main storage device. Also, based on the calculation results, various hardware provided in the machining time prediction device 1 is controlled. In this way, the functional blocks of the simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block movement time update unit 13, and the machining time output unit 14 provided in the machining time prediction device 1 of this embodiment are realized. In other words, this embodiment can be realized by the cooperation of hardware and software.

[0012] The simple prediction unit 10, for example, reads and interprets NC commands of a machining program executed by a numerical control device (not shown), and calculates a first block movement time based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block. Specifically, for example, when an axis movement command is included in a block of an NC command, the simple prediction unit 10 acquires an axis movement amount (distance) and an axis feed rate from the axis movement command. The simple prediction unit 10 predicts the block movement time of the block by dividing the acquired axis movement amount (distance) by the acquired axis feed rate. Note that, when a movement time of one block is directly specified in a block of an NC command, the simple prediction unit 10 predicts the specified time as the block movement time of the block. Also, when an axis feed rate is specified as a cutting feed rate in the block, the value is used, and in the case of a fast-forward command, a fast-forward rate obtained from a parameter used in driving and controlling a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) may be used. The simple prediction unit 10 calculates the first block movement time by summing up the block movement times calculated according to a predetermined condition. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the simple prediction unit 10 sums up the block movement times every time the sequence number advances by 200 as a predetermined condition among the sequence numbers N1 to N1000 of the NC command, and calculates this as the first block movement time.

[0013] As a predetermined condition, the simple prediction unit 10 calculates the first block movement time every time the sequence number advances by 200, but is not limited to this. For example, as a predetermined condition, the simple prediction unit 10 may calculate the first block movement time every time a predetermined number of blocks (e.g., 100 blocks, etc.), a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes, etc.), or a predetermined ratio to the total number of blocks (e.g., 10% etc.) appears. Also, as a predetermined condition, the simple prediction unit 10 may calculate the first block movement time every time any of a program number (e.g., "O0001", etc.), a G code, an S code, a T code, an M code, and a B code appears in an NC command.

[0014] The precise prediction unit 11 calculates a second block movement time based on at least the NC command and parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit 12, which will be described later. Specifically, the precision prediction unit 11 operates a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) in a virtual space based on the NC command and the acquired parameters, similar to an interpolation algorithm executed by a numerical control device (not shown), using a known numerical control simulation method such as those described in Patent Documents 2 and 3. The precision prediction unit 11 accurately calculates a block movement time for each block of the NC command. The precision prediction unit 11 calculates a second block movement time by summing up the block movement times calculated according to predetermined conditions. As shown in FIG. 2, the precise prediction unit 11 sums up the block movement times for each 200 increment of sequence number among NC commands with sequence numbers N1 to N1000 as a predetermined condition, and calculates this as a second block movement time.

[0015] As a predetermined condition, the precise prediction unit 11 calculates the second block movement time every time the sequence number advances by 200, but is not limited to this. For example, as a predetermined condition, the precise prediction unit 11 may calculate the first block movement time every time a predetermined number of blocks (e.g., 100 blocks, etc.), a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes, etc.), or a predetermined ratio to the total number of blocks (e.g., 10% etc.) appears. Also, as a predetermined condition, the precise prediction unit 11 may calculate the second block movement time every time any of a program number (e.g., "O0001", etc.), a G code, an S code, a T code, an M code, and a B code appears in an NC command.

[0016] The parameter acquisition unit 12 acquires parameters used for controlling the drive of a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) from a numerical control device (not shown). The parameter acquisition unit 12 outputs the acquired parameters to the precision prediction unit 11.

[0017] The block movement time update unit 13, for example, updates the first block movement time calculated by the simple prediction unit 10 with the second block movement time calculated by the precise prediction unit 11, and calculates the machining time of a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) based on NC commands. Specifically, since the calculation time of the block movement time by the simple prediction unit 10 is shorter than that by the precise prediction unit 11, the block movement time update unit 13 calculates the total time "60 minutes" of the first block movement times for each 200 increment of the sequence number from "N1" to "N1000" of the NC command as the machining time by the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown), as shown in FIG. 2. When the precise prediction unit 11 calculates the second block movement time from "N1" to "N200" of the NC command, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the first block movement time "10 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 for the block to the second block movement time "12 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. Then, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "60 minutes" to "62 minutes". Furthermore, when the block movement time to the block of NC command sequence number "N400" is calculated by the precise prediction unit 11, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the block movement time from the block of sequence numbers "N201" to "N400" from the first block movement time "8 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 to the second block movement time "10 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "62 minutes" to "64 minutes".

[0018] Furthermore, when the precise prediction unit 11 calculates the block movement time to the block with the NC command sequence number "N600", the block movement time update unit 13 updates the block movement time from the block with the sequence number "N401" to "N600" from the first block movement time "15 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 to the second block movement time "18 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "64 minutes" to "67 minutes". Furthermore, when the block movement time to the block of NC command sequence number "N800" is calculated by the precise prediction unit 11, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the block movement time from the blocks of sequence numbers "N601" to "N800" from the first block movement time "9 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 to the second block movement time "10 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "67 minutes" to "68 minutes". Furthermore, when the block movement time to the block of NC command sequence number "N1000" is calculated by the precise prediction unit 11, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the block movement time from the block of sequence numbers "N801" to "N1000" from the first block movement time "18 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 to the second block movement time "20 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "68 minutes" to "70 minutes". In this way, the machining time prediction device 1 can estimate the machining time quickly using simple calculations, and update it with a highly accurate machining time, although it requires a long calculation time.

[0019] The machining time output unit 14 outputs and displays, for example, the machining time updated (calculated) by the block movement time update unit 13 on a display device (not shown) such as an LCD display included in the machining time prediction device 1 or a numerical control device (not shown).

[0020] <Prediction process of machining time prediction device 1> Next, the flow of the prediction process of the machining time prediction device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the prediction process of the machining time prediction device 1. The flow shown here is executed every time an NC command is received.

[0021] In step S11, the simple prediction unit 10 reads and interprets the received NC command, and calculates a block movement time for each block based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block. The simple prediction unit 10 sums up the block movement times according to predetermined conditions, and calculates a first block movement time.

[0022] In step S12, the block movement time update unit 13 calculates the processing time from the first block movement time.

[0023] In step S13, the precision prediction unit 11 calculates a second block movement time according to a predetermined condition, based on the NC command and the parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit 12.

[0024] In step S14, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the first block movement time with the second block movement time, thereby updating the processing time.

[0025] In step S15, the processing time output unit 14 outputs the processing time updated in step S14.

[0026] In step S16, the precision prediction unit 11 judges whether or not the calculation of the second block movement time for the received NC command is completed. If the calculation of the second block movement time is completed, the machining time prediction device 1 ends the prediction process. On the other hand, if the calculation of the second block movement time is not completed, the process returns to step S13.

[0027] As described above, the machining time prediction device 1 according to the first embodiment can estimate the machining time quickly using simple calculations, and update it with a highly accurate machining time, although it requires a long calculation time. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1 can estimate the machining time with a calculation speed and prediction accuracy other than those determined in advance. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1 can know the exact machining time even if the calculation is not completed, and can estimate the machining time with intermediate prediction accuracy and calculation speed.

[0028] <Modification of the first embodiment> In the first embodiment, the precise prediction unit 11 accurately calculates the block movement time for each block from the sequence number "N1" of the NC command, and calculates the second block movement time by summing up the block movement times calculated according to the predetermined conditions, but is not limited to this. For example, the precise prediction unit 11 may accurately calculate the block movement time for each block from the sequence number "N1000" of the NC command, and calculate the second block movement time by summing up the block movement times calculated according to the predetermined conditions. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the precise prediction unit 11 calculates the second block movement time from the block with the sequence number "N801" to "N1000" of the NC command, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the first block movement time "18 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 in the block to the second block movement time "20 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the processing time from "60 minutes" to "62 minutes". Furthermore, when the block movement time to the block of NC command sequence number "N601" is calculated by the precise prediction unit 11, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the block movement time from the block of sequence numbers "N601" to "N800" from the first block movement time "9 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 to the second block movement time "10 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "62 minutes" to "63 minutes".

[0029] Furthermore, when the block movement time to the block of NC command sequence number "N401" is calculated by the precise prediction unit 11, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the block movement time from the block of sequence numbers "N401" to "N600" from the first block movement time "15 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 to the second block movement time "18 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "63 minutes" to "66 minutes". Furthermore, when the block movement time to the block of NC command sequence number "N201" is calculated by the precise prediction unit 11, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the block movement time from the block of sequence numbers "N201" to "N400" from the first block movement time "8 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 to the second block movement time "10 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "66 minutes" to "68 minutes". Furthermore, when the block movement time to the block with NC command sequence number "N1" is calculated by the precise prediction unit 11, the block movement time update unit 13 updates the block movement time from the block with sequence number "N1" to "N200" from the first block movement time "10 minutes" of the simple prediction unit 10 to the second block movement time "12 minutes" of the precise prediction unit 11. The block movement time update unit 13 updates the machining time from "68 minutes" to "70 minutes".

[0030] <Second embodiment> Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the machining time prediction device 1 reads and interprets the NC command, and updates the first block movement time calculated according to a predetermined condition based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block with the second block movement time calculated according to a predetermined condition based on the NC command and parameters, thereby updating the machining time. In contrast, the machining time prediction device 1A in the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it acquires the actual machining time for which the numerically controlled machine tool actually performed machining after starting machining, and calculates the remaining machining time based on the acquired actual machining time and the calculated machining time. As a result, the machining time prediction device 1A according to the second embodiment can estimate the machining time quickly by simple calculation, and update it with a highly accurate machining time, although it requires a long calculation time. The second embodiment will be described below.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a machining time prediction device according to the second embodiment. Elements having the same functions as those of the machining time prediction device 1 in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] The machining time prediction device 1A can be configured with a computer or tablet terminal equipped with a processor such as a CPU. The machining time prediction device 1A also includes an auxiliary storage device such as a HDD that stores various control programs such as application software and an OS, and a main storage device such as a RAM for storing data temporarily required for the processor to execute the program.

[0033] In the machining time prediction device 1A, the arithmetic processing device reads application software and the OS from the auxiliary storage device, and performs arithmetic processing based on the application software and the OS while expanding the read application software and the OS in the main storage device. Also, based on the calculation result, various hardware provided in the machining time prediction device 1A is controlled. In this way, the functional blocks of the simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block movement time update unit 13, the actual machining time acquisition unit 15, the remaining machining time calculation unit 16, and the machining time output unit 14 provided in the machining time prediction device 1A of this embodiment are realized. That is, this embodiment can be realized by the cooperation of hardware and software. The simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block movement time update unit 13, and the processing time output unit 14 have functions similar to those of the simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block movement time update unit 13, and the processing time output unit 14 in the first embodiment.

[0034] The actual machining time acquisition unit 15 acquires, for example, from a numerical control device (not shown), the actual machining time during which a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) actually performs machining after starting machining based on an NC command. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, for example, the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 acquires from a numerical control device (not shown) the actual machining time that the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) actually took to perform machining from the start of machining to the sequence number of the NC command every time the sequence number of the NC command advances by 10. That is, in the case of Fig. 6, the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 acquires from a numerical control device (not shown) the actual machining time "1 minute" that the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) actually performed machining from the sequence numbers "N1" to "N10" of the NC command. Also, the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 acquires from a numerical control device (not shown) the actual machining time "1.4 minutes" that the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) actually performed machining from the sequence numbers "N1" to "N20" of the NC command. The actual machining time acquisition unit 15 also acquires from a numerical control device, not shown, the actual machining time "12 minutes" that the numerically controlled machine tool, not shown, actually performed machining from NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N200". The actual machining time acquisition unit 15 also acquires from a numerical control device, not shown, the actual machining time "12.5 minutes" that the numerically controlled machine tool, not shown, actually performed machining from NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N210". The actual machining time acquisition unit 15 also acquires from a numerical control device, not shown, the actual machining time "12.9 minutes" that the numerically controlled machine tool, not shown, actually performed machining from NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N220".

[0035] The actual machining time acquisition unit 15 acquires the actual machining time of the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) every time the sequence number of the NC command advances by 10, but is not limited to this. For example, the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 may acquire the actual machining time of the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) every time the sequence number of the NC command advances by a predetermined number other than 10 (for example, 5 or 20), or may acquire the actual machining time of the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) every predetermined number of blocks (for example, 10 blocks), a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), or a predetermined ratio (for example, 1%) to the total number of blocks. The actual machining time acquisition unit 15 may also acquire the actual machining time of the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) every time any of a program number (for example, "O0001", etc.), a G code, an S code, a T code, an M code, and a B code appears in the NC command.

[0036] The remaining machining time calculation unit 16 calculates the remaining machining time based on the actual machining time acquired by the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 and the machining time calculated (updated) by the block movement time update unit 13. Specifically, for example, when machining from sequence numbers "N1" to "N10" of the NC command by a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown), the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the actual machining time "1 minute" from the sequence numbers "N1" to "N10" of the NC command acquired by the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 as shown in FIG. 6. Also, when the second block movement time to the sequence number "N200" is not calculated by the precision prediction unit 11 at the time of machining up to the sequence number "N10" of the NC command by a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown), as shown in FIG. 2, the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the machining time "60 minutes" from the block movement time update unit 13. The remaining machining time calculation unit 16 calculates the remaining machining time "59 minutes" as the machining time by subtracting the actual machining time "1 minute" from the machining time "60 minutes". In addition, when machining is performed from the sequence numbers "N1" to "N20" of the NC command by a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown), the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the actual machining time "1.4 minutes" from the sequence numbers "N1" to "N20" of the NC command acquired by the actual machining time acquisition unit 15. In addition, when machining is performed from the sequence number "N20" of the NC command by a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown), the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the machining time "62 minutes" from the block movement time update unit 13 if the second block movement time to the sequence number "N200" is calculated by the precision prediction unit 11. The remaining machining time calculation unit 16 calculates the remaining machining time "60.6 minutes" as the machining time by subtracting the actual machining time "1.4 minutes" from the machining time "62 minutes".

[0037] Similarly, when machining is performed, for example, from "N1" to "N200" of the NC command by a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown), the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the actual machining time "12 minutes" from the sequence number "N1" to "N200" of the NC command acquired by the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, when the second block movement time to the sequence number "N400" is calculated by the precision prediction unit 11 at the time of machining up to the sequence number "N200" of the NC command by a numerically controlled machine tool (not shown), as shown in FIG. 2, the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the machining time "64 minutes" from the block movement time update unit 13. The remaining machining time calculation unit 16 calculates the remaining machining time "52 minutes" as the machining time by subtracting the actual machining time "12 minutes" from the machining time "64 minutes". In addition, when the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) processes the NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N210", the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the actual machining time "12.5 minutes" from the NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N210" acquired by the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, when the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) processes the NC command sequence number "N210", the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the machining time "64 minutes" from the block movement time update unit 13 if the second block movement time up to the sequence number "N600" has not been calculated by the precision prediction unit 11 as shown in FIG. 2. The remaining machining time calculation unit 16 calculates the remaining machining time "51.5 minutes" as the machining time by subtracting the actual machining time "12.5 minutes" from the machining time "64 minutes". In addition, when the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) processes the NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N220", the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the actual machining time "12.9 minutes" from the NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N220" acquired by the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, when the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) processes the NC command sequence number "N220", the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 acquires the machining time "64 minutes" from the block movement time update unit 13 if the second block movement time to the sequence number "N600" is not calculated by the precision prediction unit 11 as shown in FIG. 2. The remaining machining time calculation unit 16 calculates the remaining machining time "51.1 minutes" as the machining time by subtracting the actual machining time "12.9 minutes" from the machining time "64 minutes". The remaining machining time calculation unit 16 performs the same process until the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) finishes executing the block with the NC command sequence number "N1000".

[0038] <Prediction process of machining time prediction device 1A> Next, the flow of the prediction process of the machining time prediction device 1A will be described with reference to FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the prediction process of the machining time prediction device 1 A. The flow shown here is executed every time an NC command is received. The processes in steps S21 to S25 and steps S27 to S28 are similar to those in steps S11 to S16 in FIG. 3, and therefore will not be described.

[0039] In step S25, the actual machining time acquisition unit 15 acquires, from a numerical control device (not shown), the actual machining time during which the numerically controlled machine tool (not shown) actually performed machining based on the NC command after the machining started.

[0040] In step S26, the remaining machining time calculation unit 16 subtracts the machining time updated in step S24 from the actual machining time acquired in step S25 to calculate the remaining machining time as the machining time.

[0041] As described above, the machining time prediction device 1A according to the second embodiment can estimate the machining time quickly by simple calculation, and update it with a highly accurate machining time, although it requires a long calculation time. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1A can estimate the machining time with a calculation speed and prediction accuracy other than those determined in advance. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1A can know the exact machining time even if the calculation is not completed, and can estimate the machining time with intermediate prediction accuracy and calculation speed.

[0042] <Third embodiment> Next, the third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the machining time prediction device 1 reads and interprets the NC command, and updates the first block movement time calculated according to a predetermined condition based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block with the second block movement time calculated according to a predetermined condition based on the NC command and parameters, thereby updating the machining time. In the second embodiment, the machining time prediction device 1A acquires the actual machining time during which the numerically controlled machine tool actually performs machining after starting machining, and calculates the remaining machining time based on the acquired actual machining time and the calculated machining time. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the machining time prediction device 1B updates the machining time and calculates the remaining calculation time required until the update of the machining time is completed, which is different from the first and second embodiments. Thereby, the machining time prediction device 1B according to the third embodiment can estimate the machining time and / or the calculation time quickly by simple calculation, and update it with a highly accurate machining time and / or calculation time, which requires more calculation time. The third embodiment will be described below.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a machining time prediction device according to the third embodiment. Elements having the same functions as those of the machining time prediction device 1 in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] The machining time prediction device 1B can be configured with a computer or tablet terminal equipped with a processor such as a CPU. The machining time prediction device 1B also includes an auxiliary storage device such as a HDD that stores various control programs such as application software and an OS, and a main storage device such as a RAM for storing data temporarily required for the processor to execute the program.

[0045] In the machining time prediction device 1B, the arithmetic processing device reads application software and OS from the auxiliary storage device, and performs arithmetic processing based on these application software and OS while expanding the read application software and OS in the main storage device. Also, based on the calculation result, various hardware provided in the machining time prediction device 1B is controlled. In this way, the functional blocks of the simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block movement time update unit 13, the machining time output unit 14, the actual calculation time acquisition unit 17, the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18, and the remaining calculation time output unit 19 provided in the machining time prediction device 1B of this embodiment are realized. That is, this embodiment can be realized by the cooperation of hardware and software. The simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block movement time update unit 13, and the processing time output unit 14 have functions similar to those of the simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block movement time update unit 13, and the processing time output unit 14 in the first embodiment.

[0046] The actual calculation time acquisition unit 17 acquires a first actual calculation time required for calculating the first block movement time in the simple prediction unit 10 and a second actual calculation time required for calculating the second block movement time in the precise prediction unit 11. Specifically, the actual calculation time acquiring unit 17 acquires a first actual calculation time required to calculate a first block moving time from the simple prediction unit 10 based on a predetermined condition (e.g., the sequence number advances by 200) as shown in Fig. 9. Also, the actual calculation time acquiring unit 17 acquires a second actual calculation time required to calculate a second block moving time from the precise prediction unit 11 based on a predetermined condition. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the first actual calculation time of the first block movement time in the simple prediction unit 10 and the second actual calculation time of the second block movement time in the precise prediction unit 11 based on a predetermined condition. FIG. 9 illustrates a case where the simple prediction unit 10 calculates from the sequence number "N1" of the NC command to "N1000" indicated by a star in "5 seconds," and the precise prediction unit 11 calculates from the sequence number "N1" of the NC command to "N200" indicated by a star. However, in FIG. 9, the second actual calculation times by the precise prediction unit 11 from the sequence number "N201" to "N400," "N401" to "N600," and "N601" to "N800" of the NC command are shown in parentheses as "2 seconds," "3 seconds," and "6 seconds."

[0047] The remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 calculates the remaining calculation time required for the precise prediction unit 11 to calculate all blocks of the NC command based on, for example, the first actual calculation time and the second actual calculation time. 9, for example, the first actual machining time from NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N200" by the simple prediction unit 10 is "1 second", and the second actual machining time from NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N200" by the precise prediction unit 11 is "5 seconds". In other words, it indicates that the second actual machining time is five times longer than the first actual machining time. Therefore, when the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 obtains the second actual processing time from NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N200" by the precision prediction unit 11, it uses Equation 1 to calculate the remaining calculation time required for calculations by the precision prediction unit 11 up to NC command sequence number "N1000." T r = (S e - C en ) × α (Equation 1) Here, T r indicates the remaining calculation time. S e C indicates the total calculation time for the simple prediction. en C indicates the cumulative calculation time up to sequence number k of the NC command in the simplified prediction. anindicates the cumulative calculation time up to sequence number k of the precise prediction. α indicates the magnification factor, and α = C an / C en k indicates a predetermined condition such as sequence numbers "N200", "N400", "N600", "N800", etc.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the precise prediction unit 11 completes precise prediction for the NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N200", the total calculation time for the simple prediction is S e is "5 seconds", and the cumulative calculation time C en is "1 second", and the cumulative calculation time up to the precise prediction sequence number "N200" C an is "5 seconds" and the magnification α is "5 times". As a result, the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 calculates the remaining calculation time T r is calculated as "20 seconds." In addition, when the precision prediction unit 11 has completed precision prediction for the NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N400", the total calculation time for the simple prediction is S e is "5 seconds", and the cumulative calculation time C en is "1.5 seconds", and the cumulative calculation time up to the precise prediction sequence number "N400" C an The remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 calculates the remaining calculation time T r This is calculated as "16.35 seconds." In addition, when the precision prediction unit 11 has completed precision prediction for the NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N600", the total calculation time for the simple prediction S e is "5 seconds", and the cumulative calculation time C en is "2 seconds", and the cumulative calculation time C an The time required for the remaining calculation is "10 seconds" and the magnification α is "5 times". As a result, the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 calculates the remaining calculation time T r This is calculated as "15 seconds." In addition, when the precision prediction unit 11 has completed precision prediction for the NC command sequence numbers "N1" to "N800", the total calculation time for the simple prediction S e is "5 seconds", and the cumulative calculation time C en is "4 seconds", and the cumulative calculation time up to the precise prediction sequence number "N800" C an The remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 calculates the remaining calculation time T r This is calculated as "4 seconds".

[0049] The remaining calculation time output unit 19 outputs and displays the remaining calculation time calculated by the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 on a display device (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display included in the machining time prediction device 1B or a numerical control device (not shown).

[0050] <Prediction process of machining time prediction device 1B> Next, the flow of the prediction process of the machining time prediction device 1B will be described with reference to FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the prediction process of the machining time prediction device 1 B. The flow shown here is executed every time an NC command is received. The processes in steps S31 to S32, S34 to S35, and S39 are similar to those in steps S11 to S14 and S16 in FIG. 3, and therefore will not be described.

[0051] In step S33, the actual calculation time acquisition section 17 acquires the first actual calculation time required for the simple prediction section 10 to calculate the first block movement time.

[0052] In step S36, the actual calculation time acquisition unit 17 acquires the second actual calculation time required for the precise prediction unit 11 to calculate the second block moving time.

[0053] In step S37, the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 calculates the remaining calculation time required for the precision prediction unit 11 to calculate all blocks of the NC command based on the first actual calculation time and the second actual calculation time, using equation (1).

[0054] In step S38, the machining time output unit 14 outputs the machining time updated in step S35, and the remaining calculation time output unit 19 outputs the remaining calculation time calculated in step S37.

[0055] As described above, the machining time prediction device 1B according to the third embodiment can estimate the machining time and / or calculation time quickly by simple calculation, and update it with a highly accurate machining time and / or calculation time that requires more calculation time. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1B can estimate the machining time and / or the calculation time with a calculation speed and prediction accuracy other than those determined in advance. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1B can know the exact machining time and / or calculation time even if the calculation is not completed, and can estimate the machining time and / or calculation time with intermediate prediction accuracy and calculation speed.

[0056] <Modification of the third embodiment> In the third embodiment, the machining time prediction device 1B outputs the remaining calculation time calculated by the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18 together with the machining time updated by the block movement time update unit 13, but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the machining time prediction device 1B may have functional blocks of a simple prediction unit 10, a precise prediction unit 11, a parameter acquisition unit 12, an actual calculation time acquisition unit 17, a remaining calculation time calculation unit 18, and a remaining calculation time output unit 19, and may output only the remaining calculation time calculated by the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18. The simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block moving time update unit 13, the actual calculation time acquisition unit 17, the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18, and the remaining calculation time output unit 19 have functions similar to those of the simple prediction unit 10, the precise prediction unit 11, the parameter acquisition unit 12, the block moving time update unit 13, the actual calculation time acquisition unit 17, the remaining calculation time calculation unit 18, and the remaining calculation time output unit 19 of the third embodiment. Thereby, the machining time prediction device 1B according to the modified example of the third embodiment can estimate the calculation time at high speed by simple calculation, and update it with a calculation time that requires a long calculation time but is highly accurate. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1B can estimate the calculation time based on factors other than a predetermined calculation speed and prediction accuracy. Furthermore, the machining time prediction device 1B can know the exact calculation time even if the calculation is not completed, and can estimate the calculation time with intermediate prediction accuracy and calculation speed.

[0057] As described above, the machining time prediction devices 1, 1A, 1B according to the first embodiment, the modified example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the modified example of the third embodiment can quickly estimate the machining time and / or the calculation time using simple calculations, and can update the estimated machining time and / or the calculation time with a high accuracy, although it requires more calculation time.

[0058] <Modification> In the first embodiment, the modified example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the modified example of the third embodiment, the machining time prediction devices 1, 1A, and 1B are devices different from a numerical control device not shown, but are not limited to this. For example, the machining time prediction devices 1, 1A, and 1B may be included in a numerical control device (not shown).

[0059] In addition, each function included in the machining time prediction devices 1, 1A, and 1B in the first embodiment, the modified example of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the modified example of the third embodiment can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of these. Here, being realized by software means being realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

[0060] The program can be stored and provided to the computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. The non-transitory computer readable media includes various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs). The program may also be provided to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of the transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer readable media can provide the program to the computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

[0061] The step of writing the program to be recorded on the recording medium includes not only processes performed in chronological order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed in chronological order but are executed in parallel or individually. The step of writing the program may be performed by cloud computing.

[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned individual embodiments. Various additions, replacements, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible for these embodiments within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure, or within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure derived from the contents described in the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples, and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or formulas are used in the description of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0063] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment and modified examples. (Appendix 1) The machining time prediction device (1) is a machining time prediction device that calculates and outputs the machining time required for machining performed by driving and controlling a numerically controlled machine tool based on an NC command, and includes a simple prediction unit (10) that reads and interprets the NC command and calculates a first block movement time based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block, a parameter acquisition unit (12) that acquires parameters used when driving and controlling the numerically controlled machine tool, a precise prediction unit (11) that calculates a second block movement time based on at least the NC command and the parameters, a block movement time update unit (13) that updates the first block movement time with the second block movement time to calculate the machining time, and a machining time output unit (14) that outputs the machining time, and the machining time output unit (14) outputs the machining time calculated by the block movement time update unit (13) by updating the first block movement time with the second block movement time under predetermined conditions. (Appendix 2) In the machining time prediction device (1) of Appendix 1, the predetermined conditions include at least one of a predetermined number of blocks, a predetermined time, a predetermined ratio to the total number of blocks, a program number, a sequence number, a G code, an S code, a T code, an M code, and a B code. (Appendix 3) The machining time prediction device (1A) of Appendix 1 includes an actual machining time acquisition unit (15) that acquires an actual machining time when the numerically controlled machine tool actually performs machining after starting machining, and a remaining machining time calculation unit (16) that calculates a remaining machining time based on the actual machining time and the machining time calculated by the block movement time update unit (13), and the remaining machining time calculation unit (16) calculates the remaining machining time by subtracting the actual machining time from the machining time, and sets the remaining machining time as the machining time. (Appendix 4) The machining time prediction device (1B) of Appendix 1 further includes an actual calculation time acquisition unit (17) that acquires a first actual calculation time required for the calculation in the simple prediction unit (10) and a second actual calculation time required for the calculation in the precise prediction unit (11), a remaining calculation time calculation unit (18) that calculates a remaining calculation time based on the first actual calculation time and the second actual calculation time, and a remaining calculation time output unit (19) that outputs the remaining calculation time. (Appendix 5) The machining time prediction device (1B) is a machining time prediction device that calculates and outputs machining time required for machining performed by driving and controlling a numerically controlled machine tool based on an NC command, and includes a simple prediction unit (10) that reads and interprets the NC command and calculates a first block movement time based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block, a parameter acquisition unit (12) that acquires parameters used when driving and controlling the numerically controlled machine tool, a precise prediction unit (11) that calculates a second block movement time based on at least the NC command and the parameters, an actual calculation time acquisition unit (17) that acquires a first actual calculation time required for calculation in the simple prediction unit (10) and a second actual calculation time required for calculation in the precise prediction unit (11), a remaining calculation time calculation unit (18) that calculates the remaining calculation time based on the first actual calculation time and the second actual calculation time, and a remaining calculation time output unit (19) that outputs the remaining calculation time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1, 1A, 1B Processing time prediction device 10 Simple Prediction Section 11 Precision Prediction Department 12 Parameter acquisition section 13 Block movement time update section 14 Machining time output section 15 Actual processing time acquisition section 16 Remaining machining time calculation section 17 Actual calculation time acquisition section 18 Remaining calculation time calculation unit 19 Remaining calculation time output section

Claims

1. A machining time prediction device that calculates and outputs a machining time required for machining performed by driving and controlling a numerically controlled machine tool based on an NC command of a machining program, a simple prediction unit which sets two or more subsets each including consecutive blocks based on a predetermined condition for consecutive blocks included in the machining program, and sets an order of the two or more subsets such that, when consecutive blocks included in each subset are ordered based on the order of the two or more subsets to form one block set, consecutive blocks included in the one block set and their order match consecutive blocks included in the machining program and their order; reads and interprets the NC command for each block included in the subset, calculates a block movement time for each block based on at least the distance and feed rate or time for each block, and calculates a first block movement time for each subset by summing up the block movement times of all blocks included in the subset; a parameter acquisition unit for acquiring parameters used when driving and controlling the numerically controlled machine tool; a precise prediction unit that calculates a block movement time for each of the subsets based on at least the NC command and the parameters for each of the blocks included in the subset, and calculates a second block movement time for each of the subsets by summing up the block movement times of all the blocks included in the subset; A processing time output unit that outputs the processing time, The processing time prediction device, wherein the processing time output unit outputs a processing time calculated by adding up first block movement times calculated for all subsets, and each time a second block movement time for the subset is calculated, switches to a processing time calculated by replacing the first block movement time for the subset, which is a breakdown of the processing time, with the second block movement time for the subset, and outputs and displays the processing time on a display device.

2. 2. The machining time prediction device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes at least one of: every predetermined number of blocks, every predetermined time, every predetermined ratio to the total number of blocks, every time the sequence number in the NC command advances by a predetermined number, or every time any of a program number, a G code, an S code, a T code, an M code, or a B code appears in the NC command; and the subset is set for every number of blocks included in the condition, every predetermined time, every predetermined ratio to the total number of blocks, every time the sequence number in the NC command advances by a predetermined number, or every time any of a program number, a G code, an S code, a T code, an M code, or a B code appears in the NC command.

3. an actual machining time acquisition unit that acquires an actual machining time that the numerically controlled machine tool has actually performed machining after starting machining; a remaining processing time calculation unit that calculates a remaining processing time by subtracting the actual processing time from the processing time output by the processing time output unit, The machining time prediction device according to claim 1 , wherein the machining time output unit outputs the remaining machining time to the display device for display.

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