Tool selection device, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a tool selecting device, a control method and a control program, which can determine a more suitable tool, in accordance with contents of processing a work-piece.SOLUTION: A tool selecting device, which selects a tool that is used for processing a work-piece on the basis of tool information in which tool diameters of tools. ejection of tools, lengths of cutting edges and shank diameters are memorized while being associated with one another for each type of tools, comprises: a candidate selecting part that selects candidates for tools that can be used for processing the work-piece, on the basis of processing-feature information showing a feature of a shape of the processed work-piece and the tool diameters and the ejection of the tools; and a tool determining part that determines one tool that is used for processing the work-piece, of the candidates for the tools, on the basis of the tool diameters, the lengths of the cutting edges and the shank diameters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool selection device, a control method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a device that identifies a tool to be used in machining based on tool data stored in a database. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a device that identifies the name of a tool to be used in machining by referring to tool management data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-015143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the device of Patent Document 1 merely identifies the name of the tool to be used. Therefore, the device of Patent Document 1 may not necessarily be able to select an appropriate tool depending on the processing content of the workpiece. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 does not consider the selection of a tool depending on the processing content when multiple different sizes of the same type of tool exist.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tool selection device, a control method, and a control program that determine a more appropriate tool in accordance with the machining content of a workpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A tool selection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a tool selection device that selects a tool to be used to machine a workpiece based on tool information in which the tool diameter, tool protrusion, cutting edge length, and shank diameter of each tool type are associated and stored, and is equipped with a candidate selection unit that selects candidate tools that can be used for the machining based on machining feature information that indicates the characteristics of the shape of the workpiece after the machining, and the tool diameter and the tool protrusion, and a tool determination unit that determines one tool to be used for the machining from the candidate tools based on the tool diameter, cutting edge length, and shank diameter.

[0007] A control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for a tool selection device that selects a tool to be used to machine a workpiece based on tool information stored in association with the tool diameter, tool protrusion, cutting edge length, and shank diameter of each tool type, and selects candidate tools that can be used for the machining based on machining feature information that indicates the characteristics of the shape of the workpiece after the machining, and the tool diameter and tool protrusion, and determines one tool to be used for the machining from the candidate tools based on the tool diameter, cutting edge length, and shank diameter.

[0008] A control program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control program for a tool selection device that selects a tool to be used to machine a workpiece based on tool information stored in association with the tool diameter, tool protrusion, cutting edge length, and shank diameter of each tool type, and executes a process of selecting candidate tools that can be used for the machining based on machining feature information that indicates the characteristics of the shape of the workpiece after the machining, and the tool diameter and tool protrusion, and determining one tool to be used for the machining from the candidate tools based on the tool diameter, cutting edge length, and shank diameter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a tool selection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table of tool information related to a drill. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining dimensions of a tool. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining dimensions of a tool. [Figure 3C] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining dimensions of a tool. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a tool selection process executed by the tool selection device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a tool determination process executed by a tool determination unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a tool selection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tool selection device 10 is realized by, for example, a server or a computer. In this embodiment, the tool selection device 10 is configured by a server. Therefore, hereinafter in this specification, the tool selection device 10 will also be referred to as the server 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the server 10 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

[0012] The control unit 11 controls and manages the entire tool selection device 10, including each functional unit of the tool selection device 10. The control unit 11 includes at least one processor and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12 or an external storage medium. The control unit 11 is configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program that defines a control procedure, or a dedicated processor specialized for processing each function.

[0013] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium capable of storing programs and data. The storage unit 12 is configured with an information recording medium such as a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 12 holds, for example, programs executed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also stores, for example, tool information, which will be described later.

[0014] The operation unit 13 accepts operation input from the user of the tool selection device 10. The operation unit 13 is configured with an interface such as a keyboard, a mouse, operation buttons, or operation keys. The operation unit 13 may be configured with a touch screen, and an input area for accepting operation input from the user may be displayed in a part of the display device that is the display unit 14, thereby accepting touch operation input from the user. The operation unit 13 outputs the content of the operation input to the control unit 11 in response to the operation input from the user.

[0015] The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence panel (EL panel), or an inorganic electroluminescence panel. The display unit 14 displays information such as characters, images, symbols, or figures in accordance with instructions from the control unit 11. The display unit 14 may be configured as a touchscreen display that not only has a display function but also a touchscreen function. In this case, the touchscreen detects contact of the user's finger, a stylus pen, or the like with the tool selection device 10.

[0016] The communication unit 15 is a network interface, and transmits and receives information to and from an external device, for example, via a network, in response to an instruction from the control unit 11. The tool selection device 10 is connected to an external terminal device, such as a computer, so as to be able to communicate information with the external terminal device, and the communication unit 15 transmits and receives information to and from the external terminal device.

[0017] Here, the tool information will be described. The tool information is a database of usable tools. Specifically, the tool information database stores information about tools. The storage unit 12 stores tool information for each type of tool. In this embodiment, the following description will be given assuming that the first type of tool is a drill and the second type of tool is an end mill. However, the types of tools are not limited to drills and end mills, and may include other types.

[0018] The storage unit 12 stores tool information for a drill, which is a first type of tool, and an end mill, which is a second type of tool. The storage unit 12 stores the tool information as, for example, a table.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a tool information table related to drills. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the tool information table includes the following items: number, tool name, tool manufacturer, machine number used, tool diameter, tool protrusion, cutting edge length, shank diameter, under-neck length, and under-neck shank diameter. In the tool information table, these items are stored in association with each other for each tool.

[0020] The number is a number used to manage each tool in the tool information table. The tool name is the name of each tool. The tool manufacturer is the name of the company that manufactured each tool. The machine number used is the number of the machine on which each tool is attached when used. Since the table in Figure 2 is a table of tool information related to drills, the machine number used shown in Figure 2 is the number of the machine on which the drill is attached when used. In this specification, the machine on which each tool is attached when used will also be referred to as the "machine used."

[0021] The tool diameter, tool protrusion, cutting edge length, shank diameter, neck length, and neck shank diameter are dimensions for each tool. In the table in Figure 2, the numerical values ​​for the tool diameter, tool protrusion, cutting edge length, shank diameter, neck length, and neck shank diameter are all in millimeters (mm).

[0022] The tool diameter, tool protrusion, cutting edge length, shank diameter, neck length, and neck shank diameter will be described with reference to Figures 3A to 3C. Figures 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining the dimensions of the tool (a drill in this embodiment). Figures 3A to 3C show a state in which the tool 20 is attached to a machine 21 using the tool, and more specifically, show a state in which the tool 20 is held by a tool holder 22 that holds the tool in the machine 21 using the tool.

[0023] The tool diameter is the diameter of the portion of the tool 20 used to machine a workpiece, and in this embodiment, it is the drill diameter R1 of the portion where the drill flutes are formed. The tool protrusion is the length L2 of the portion of the tool 20 that protrudes from the tool holder 22. In other words, the tool protrusion L2 is the length from the tip of the tool holder 22 to the tip of the tool 20. The cutting edge length is the length of the portion of the tool 20 used to machine a workpiece, and in this embodiment, it is the length L1 of the portion where the drill flutes are formed. The shank diameter is the diameter R2 of the handle of the tool 20. The neck length is the neck length L3 of the tool 20. The tool shown in FIG. 3A does not have the neck length L3. The tool shown in FIG. 3B has the neck length L3 equal to the tool protrusion L2. The tool shown in FIG. 3C has the neck length L3 shorter than the tool protrusion L2. As such, the neck length L3 may not exist depending on the shape of the tool, or may coincide with the tool protrusion L2. The under-neck shank diameter is the diameter R3 of the under-neck portion of the handle of the tool 20. The tools shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B do not have an under-neck shank diameter R3, while the tool shown in FIG. 3C does have an under-neck shank diameter R3. Thus, the under-neck shank diameter R3 may not exist depending on the shape of the tool. For example, in the table shown in FIG. 2, the under-neck shank diameter R3 does not exist in any of the tools, so it is not recorded.

[0024] The tool diameter R1, cutting edge length L1, shank diameter R2, neck length L3, and neck shank diameter R3 are values ​​specific to each tool and are determined, for example, by each tool manufacturer. The tool protrusion L2 is determined when the tool 20 is attached to a machine, and therefore may differ depending on the machine to which the tool 20 is attached, or may differ even for the same machine depending on, for example, the purpose of use. The tool protrusion L2 may be a value measured by a specialized engineer after attaching the tool 20 to the machine and maintaining that state.

[0025] The tool information table shown in Fig. 2 is stored in the storage unit 12, for example, by inputting data related to the tools in advance. The table can be updated as needed. For example, new tool data can be input to add new tool information to the table, or existing tool data can be deleted from the table by erasing the tool data.

[0026] The storage unit 12 further stores a table of tool information related to end mills, similar to the table shown in Fig. 2. The storage unit 12 may also store tables of tool information other than drills and end mills.

[0027] The items in the tool information table shown in Fig. 2 are merely an example. The storage unit 12 may store a table having appropriate items according to the type of tool.

[0028] Next, details of the processing executed by the control unit 11 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 11 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a machining feature extraction unit 111, a candidate selection unit 112, and a tool determination unit 113. The control unit 11 selects a tool to be used for machining the workpiece based on the tool information stored in the storage unit 12, using the machining feature extraction unit 111, the candidate selection unit 112, and the tool determination unit 113.

[0029] The processing feature extraction unit 111 extracts processing feature information based on drawing data. The drawing data is a drawing related to processing of an object to be processed, for example, a drawing of the object to be processed after processing. Specifically, the drawing data includes material information representing the material of the object to be processed and shape information representing the shape of the object to be processed after processing. The drawing data is, for example, an STL (Stereolithography) file, which is an intermediate file of CAD (Computer Aided Design), and includes material information in the file name and 3D data of the object to be processed. Note that the format of the drawing data is an example and is not limited to this.

[0030] The processing feature extraction unit 111 can acquire the drawing data by various means. For example, the processing feature extraction unit 111 can acquire the drawing data by reading out the drawing data from the memory unit 12 of the server 10. Alternatively, the processing feature extraction unit 111 can acquire the drawing data by reading out the drawing data that the server 10 has received from an external device via the communication unit 15.

[0031] The machining feature information is information that indicates the characteristics of the shape of the object to be machined after machining has been performed on the object. The machining feature information includes, for example, a machining type and machining dimensions. The machining type indicates the type of machining, such as island-leaving machining, which is a machining method that leaves an island-like shape, blind hole machining, which forms a blind hole, or through hole machining, which forms a through hole. For example, if the machining type is machining to form a hole, the machining dimensions indicate the dimensions of the machining, such as the diameter and depth of the hole.

[0032] The candidate selection unit 112 selects candidate tools that can be used to machine the workpiece based on the machining feature information and the tool information. At this time, the candidate selection unit 112 selects candidate tools using information on predetermined items among the items listed in the tool information table as the tool information. The information on the predetermined items used by the candidate selection unit 112 is hereinafter also referred to as "first information" in this specification. The items that make up the first information are, for example, predetermined.

[0033] The candidate selection unit 112 selects, for example, one or more tools that are capable of performing the machining indicated by the machining feature information from among the tools stored in the tool information table. The number of tools that the candidate selection unit 112 can select may or may not be limited to a predetermined number. If the number of selectable tools is limited, the candidate selection unit 112 selects a predetermined number or less of tools. If the number of selectable tools is not limited, the candidate selection unit 112 may select all tools that are capable of performing the machining indicated by the machining feature information from among the tools stored in the tool information table. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the number of selectable tools is not limited.

[0034] The tool determination unit 113 determines one tool to be used to machine the workpiece from among one or more tool candidates selected by the candidate selection unit 112 based on the tool information. At this time, the tool determination unit 113 selects the tool candidate using information on predetermined items from among the items listed in the tool information table as the tool information. The information on the predetermined items used by the tool determination unit 113 is also referred to as "second information" in this specification. The items constituting the second information are, for example, predetermined. The items included in the first information and the items included in the second information are different. Note that the items included in the first information and the items included in the second information may partially overlap. The tool determination unit 113 determines, for example, one tool suitable for machining the workpiece from among the tool candidates based on the second information.

[0035] Next, a description will be given of an example of a tool selection process executed by the tool selection device 10. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the tool selection process executed by the tool selection device 10.

[0036] First, the machining feature extraction unit 111 of the tool selection device 10 acquires drawing data (step S11). The machining feature extraction unit 111 can acquire drawing data by, for example, reading out drawing data from the storage unit 12 of the server 10 or reading out drawing data received from an external device via the communication unit 15, as described above.

[0037] The processing feature extraction unit 111 extracts processing feature information based on the acquired drawing data (step S12). For example, the processing feature extraction unit 111 calculates dimensional information representing the dimensions of the object in the X, Y, and Z directions as coordinate values ​​based on the acquired drawing data. Specifically, the processing feature extraction unit 111 recognizes the shape of the object and calculates coordinate values ​​in the X, Y, and Z directions representing the shape. The processing feature extraction unit 111 determines the processing type based on the calculated coordinate values. The processing feature extraction unit 111 slices the object in the Z-axis direction based on the calculated dimensional information, and obtains intersections with the XY plane. The processing feature extraction unit 111 also slices the object in each of the X and Y axes, and obtains intersections with the Z axis. The processing feature extraction unit 111 determines the processing type based on the number of obtained intersections. More specifically, for example, the number of intersections and the like and the processing type are stored in association with each other in the memory unit 12 of the server 10, and the processing feature extraction unit 111 determines the processing type based on the acquired number of intersections and the like by referring to the information stored in the memory unit 12. The processing feature extraction unit 111 determines the dimension information and processing type obtained in this way as processing feature information.

[0038] Next, the candidate selection unit 112 selects a tool type based on the machining feature information (step S13). For example, a table in which machining types and tool types are associated is stored in the storage unit 12, and the candidate selection unit 112 refers to the table to select a tool type associated with the machining type of the machining feature information. One or more tool types may be associated with each machining type. If multiple tool types are associated with a machining type, the candidate selection unit 112 selects one of the multiple tool types associated with the machining type as the tool type in step S13. The tool types selected by the candidate selection unit 112 may be prioritized for each machining type. In this case, the candidate selection unit 112 selects a tool type with a high priority from the multiple tool types associated with the machining type.

[0039] For example, suppose the machining type is drilling, which involves drilling holes, such as blind hole drilling or through hole drilling. It is assumed that the storage unit 12 associates two types of tools, a drill and an end mill, with drilling, and that drills have a higher priority than end mills. In this case, the candidate selection unit 112 refers to the storage unit 12 based on the machining type, drilling, of the machining feature information, and selects, as the type of tool, a drill that is associated with drilling and has a higher priority.

[0040] The candidate selection unit 112 selects candidate tools usable for machining the workpiece, of the selected tool type, based on the machining feature information and the tool information (step S14). In this example, the candidate selection unit 112 selects candidate tools usable for machining the workpiece from one or more drills stored in the storage unit 12, based on the machining feature information and first information among the tool information of the selected tool type (drill). When selecting candidate tools usable for machining the workpiece for a drill, the first information is, for example, the tool diameter R1 and the tool protrusion L2. Therefore, in this example, the candidate selection unit 112 selects candidate tools usable for machining, based on the machining feature information, the tool diameter R1, and the tool protrusion L2.

[0041] Specifically, the candidate selection unit 112 acquires information on the diameter and depth of a hole in drilling as dimensional information included in the machining feature information. For example, assume that the hole diameter is 3 mm and the hole depth is 20 mm. The candidate selection unit 112 refers to a table of drill tool information stored in the storage unit 12, and selects a drill that can drill the hole dimensions of the acquired information from among the drills stored in the table.

[0042] For example, the candidate selection unit 112 selects, as a candidate tool usable for machining, a tool whose tool diameter R1 is the same as the diameter of the hole required based on the machining feature information. In this example, the candidate selection unit 112 selects a drill whose tool diameter R1 is 3 mm in the table of tool information for drills. Furthermore, the candidate selection unit 112 selects, as a candidate tool usable for machining, a tool whose tool protrusion L2 is equal to or greater than the depth required based on the machining feature information. In this example, the candidate selection unit 112 selects a drill whose tool protrusion L2 is 20 mm or greater in the table of tool information for drills. In summary, the candidate selection unit 112 selects drills whose tool diameter R1 is 3 mm and whose tool protrusion L2 is 20 mm or greater in the table of tool information for drills. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the drills that satisfy the conditions of a tool diameter R1 of 3 mm and a tool protrusion L2 of 20 mm or greater are named Tool 5, Tool 8, and Tool 10, and therefore the candidate selection unit 112 selects these drills.

[0043] Next, the candidate selection unit 112 determines whether or not there are candidate tools usable for machining for the first type of tool (drill) based on the tool information of the drill, which is the first type of tool (step S15). If one or more tools are selected as candidate tools usable for machining in step S14, the candidate selection unit 112 determines that there are candidate tools usable for machining. On the other hand, if there is no tool selected as a candidate tool usable for machining in step S14, that is, if there is no tool that can perform the machining required based on the machining feature information, the candidate selection unit 112 determines that there are no candidate tools usable for machining.

[0044] If the candidate selecting unit 112 determines that there is no candidate tool usable for machining for the first type of tool (drill) (No in step S15), the candidate selecting unit 112 proceeds to step S13. In this case, in step S13, the candidate selecting unit 112 selects a type of tool other than the first type. For example, as described above, if two types of tools, i.e., a drill and an end mill, are associated with drilling and it is determined that the drill has a higher priority than the end mill, the candidate selecting unit 112 selects a second type of tool (end mill) that has a higher priority than the drill. Then, steps S13 to S15 are executed for the selected type of tool. In this way, if there is no candidate tool usable for machining for the first type of tool based on the tool information of the first type of tool, the candidate selecting unit 112 can select a candidate tool usable for machining based on the tool information of the second type of tool. In other words, if there is no candidate tool usable for machining among the first type of tools, as an alternative, a tool usable for machining can be selected from the second type of tools capable of drilling.

[0045] In this way, in steps S13 to S15, the candidate selection unit 112 selects one or more tools capable of drilling a hole of the required diameter in the drilling process as tool candidates. Also, in steps S13 to S15, the candidate selection unit 112 selects a drill that satisfies the condition that the tool protrusion L2 is 20 mm or more, thereby eliminating drills that are unlikely to be able to drill a hole of the required depth from the options.

[0046] On the other hand, if the candidate selection unit 112 determines that there are candidate tools usable for machining for the first type of tool (drill) (Yes in step S15), the tool determination unit 113 determines one tool suitable for machining from among the candidate tools (step S16). In this embodiment, for example, in the table of Fig. 2, the tools with tool names of tool 5, tool 8, and tool 10 are selected as candidate tools usable for machining, so the tool determination unit 113 determines one tool suitable for machining from among these three tools in step S16.

[0047] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining one tool, which is executed by the tool determination unit 113. That is, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of step S16 in FIG.

[0048] The tool determination unit 113 determines one tool to be used for machining from the tool candidates selected by the candidate selection unit 112 based on the second information. In this embodiment, the second information includes, for example, a cutting edge length L1 and a shank diameter R2. The second information may also include other information. For example, the second information may include a tool diameter R1 and a tool protrusion L2 in addition to the cutting edge length L1 and the shank diameter R2. An example of processing by the tool determination unit 113 will be described in detail below.

[0049] The tool determination unit 113 determines whether or not the target machining is possible for any one of the tool candidates selected by the candidate selection unit 112 (step S21). The target machining is the machining indicated by the machining feature information. The tool determination unit 113 determines whether or not the target machining is possible for the one tool based on the second information.

[0050] Specifically, the tool determination unit 113 determines the effective machining depth for the one tool based on the second information, which is the tool diameter R1, the tool protrusion L2, the cutting edge length L1, and the shank diameter R2. The effective machining depth is the depth at which the tool can perform machining. In other words, the effective machining depth is the maximum depth at which the tool can perform machining.

[0051] For example, the tool determination unit 113 compares the tool diameter R1 with the shank diameter R2. If the tool diameter R1 is larger than the shank diameter R2, the tool determination unit 113 determines the tool protrusion L2 as the effective machining depth. When the tool diameter R1 is larger than the shank diameter R2, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the diameter R1 of the portion of the tool 20 where the drill flute is formed is larger than the diameter R2 of the shank of the tool 20. In this case, when drilling is performed with a drill, a deep hole can be drilled not only in the portion where the drill flute is formed, but also up to the shank of the tool 20. In other words, the length from the tip of the drill, which is the tool 20, to the tool holder 22 is the length (depth) at which drilling is possible. Therefore, the tool determination unit 113 determines the tool protrusion L2 as the effective machining depth.

[0052] On the other hand, when the tool diameter R1 is equal to or less than the shank diameter R2, the tool determination unit 113 determines the cutting edge length L1 as the effective machining depth. When the tool diameter R1 is equal to or less than the shank diameter R2, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the diameter R1 of the portion of the tool 20 where the drill flutes are formed is equal to or less than the diameter R2 of the shank portion of the tool 20. In this case, when drilling is performed with a drill, the shank portion of the tool 20 is thicker than the portion where the drill flutes are formed, so the depth of the hole drilled in the workpiece is the length of the portion where the drill flutes are formed. Therefore, the tool determination unit 113 determines the cutting edge length L1 as the effective machining depth.

[0053] A specific description will be given using the tools shown in the table in FIG. 2 as an example. Tool 5 has a tool diameter R1 of 3 mm and a shank diameter R2 of 3.2 mm. In other words, the tool diameter R1 is equal to or smaller than the shank diameter R2, so the tool determination unit 113 determines the cutting edge length L1 of tool 5 to be 18 mm as the effective machining depth. Tool 8 has a tool diameter R1 of 3 mm and a shank diameter R2 of 3.5 mm. In other words, the tool diameter R1 is equal to or smaller than the shank diameter R2, so the tool determination unit 113 determines the cutting edge length L1 of tool 8 to be 24 mm as the effective machining depth. Tool 10 has a tool diameter R1 of 3 mm and a shank diameter R2 of 2.5 mm. In other words, the tool diameter R1 is larger than the shank diameter R2, so the tool determination unit 113 determines the tool protrusion L2 of tool 10 to be 30 mm as the effective machining depth.

[0054] The tool determination unit 113 compares the depth required based on the machining feature information with the determined effective machining depth. If the effective machining depth is equal to or greater than the depth (hole depth) required based on the machining feature information, the tool determination unit 113 determines that the target machining is possible for the one tool. On the other hand, if the effective machining depth is less than the depth required based on the machining feature information, the tool determination unit 113 determines that the target machining is possible for the one tool. In this way, the tool determination unit 113 determines whether the target machining is possible for the one tool.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the tool determination unit 113 compares the tool diameter R1 and the shank diameter R2 and determines the effective machining depth based on the comparison result. However, the method for determining the effective machining depth is not limited to this. For example, the tool determination unit 113 may determine the effective machining depth based on the tool diameter R1, the shank diameter R2, and the undercut shank diameter R3. In this case, for example, when the undercut shank diameter R3 is larger than the tool diameter R1, the tool determination unit 113 determines the cutting edge length L1 as the effective machining depth; when the undercut shank diameter R3 is equal to or smaller than the tool diameter R1 and the shank diameter R2 is larger than the tool diameter R1, the tool determination unit 113 determines the undercut length L3 as the effective machining depth; and when the undercut shank diameter R3 and the shank diameter R2 are equal to or smaller than the tool diameter R1, the tool determination unit 113 determines the tool protrusion L2 as the effective machining depth. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the under-neck shank diameter R3 is equal to or smaller than the tool diameter R1 and the shank diameter R2 is larger than the tool diameter R1, the tool determination unit 113 determines the under-neck length L3 as the effective machining depth.

[0056] Then, the tool determination unit 113 determines whether or not the determination of whether the target machining is possible has been completed for all the tool candidates (step S22). That is, the tool determination unit 113 determines whether or not the determination in step S21 has been completed for all the tool candidates selected by the candidate selection unit 112.

[0057] If the tool determination unit 113 determines that the determination of whether the desired machining is possible for all tool candidates has not been completed (No in step S22), it performs the determination in step S21 for the tools selected by the candidate selection unit 112 that have not yet been determined as to whether the desired machining is possible.

[0058] In this way, in steps S21 and S22, the tool determination unit 113 extracts, from among the candidate tools, one or more tools that can drill a hole of a required depth in the drilling process.

[0059] For example, in this example, since the hole depth is 20 mm, the tool determination unit 113 determines whether the effective machining depth of the candidate tools is 20 mm or more in steps S21 and S22. The effective machining depths of tools 5, 8, and 10 are 18 mm, 24 mm, and 30 mm, respectively, as described above. Therefore, since the effective machining depth of tool 5 is smaller than the depth required based on the machining feature information, the tool determination unit 113 determines that tool 5 is not capable of the desired machining. On the other hand, since the effective machining depths of tools 8 and 10 are greater than or equal to the depth required based on the machining feature information, the tool determination unit 113 determines that tools 8 and 10 are capable of the desired machining.

[0060] Note that, when the tool determination unit 113 has completed the determination of whether the target machining is possible for all the tool candidates in step S22 and there is no tool candidate capable of the target machining, the process may proceed to step S13 in FIG. 5. In this case, the candidate selection unit 112 selects another type of tool and executes the subsequent flow. For example, when the tool determination unit 113 determines in step S22 that there is no drill capable of the target machining, the candidate selection unit 112 selects an end mill, which is a second type of tool, in step S13 and executes the subsequent flow.

[0061] Then, the tool determination unit 113 determines one tool from among the candidate tools that can perform the target machining based on the machining feature information and the effective machining depth. For example, in this embodiment, the tool determination unit 113 determines one tool from among the candidate tools whose effective machining depth is longer than the depth required based on the machining feature information. In the above example, the drills that satisfy the condition that the effective machining depth is 20 mm or more are the drills 8 and 10, so the tool determination unit 113 determines one drill from among these drills.

[0062] Here, the tool determination unit 113 determines an optimal tool from among the candidate tools determined in step S21 to be capable of performing the target machining. The criteria for determining the optimal tool can be determined as appropriate. In this embodiment, the optimal tool is determined based on the rigidity of the tool.

[0063] That is, in this embodiment, the tool determination unit 113 selects the tool with the highest rigidity from among candidate tools capable of performing the target machining, and determines the selected tool as the single optimal tool (step S23). The tool determination unit 113 can select the tool with the highest rigidity based on, for example, the tool diameter R1 and the shank diameter R2. Specifically, the tool determination unit 113 determines that a tool with a larger ratio of the shank diameter R2 to the tool diameter R1 has higher rigidity than a tool with a smaller ratio. This is because the larger the ratio of the shank diameter R2 to the tool diameter R1, the thicker the other end side (base side) of the tool held by the tool holder 22 is relative to the tip side.

[0064] A specific description will be given using the tools shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B as an example. Here, it is assumed that both the tools shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are capable of the desired machining. In the case of the tool shown in FIG. 3A, the shank diameter R2 is larger than the tool diameter R1, so the ratio of the shank diameter R2 to the tool diameter R1 is greater than 1. On the other hand, in the case of the tool shown in FIG. 3B, the shank diameter R2 is smaller than the tool diameter R1, so the ratio of the shank diameter R2 to the tool diameter R1 is less than 1. Therefore, if the tools shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are capable of the desired machining, the tool determination unit 113 determines that the tool shown in FIG. 3A, which has a larger ratio of the shank diameter R2 to the tool diameter R1, is a tool with higher rigidity. This is because the tool shown in FIG. 3A is thicker at the base end than at the tip end, and therefore has greater strength than the tool shown in FIG. 3B, which is thinner at the base end than at the tip end. Therefore, the tool determination unit 113 selects the tool shown in FIG. 3A. This determines one tool.

[0065] In the example shown in the table of FIG. 2, tool 8 has a tool diameter R1 of 3 mm and a shank diameter R2 of 3.5 mm. Therefore, the ratio of the shank diameter R2 to the tool diameter R1 is 3.5 / 3. On the other hand, tool 10 has a tool diameter R1 of 3 mm and a shank diameter R2 of 2.5 mm. Therefore, the ratio of the shank diameter R2 to the tool diameter R1 is 2.5 / 3. The ratio of the shank diameter R2 to the tool diameter R1 of tool 8 is larger than that of tool 10, so the tool determination unit 113 determines that tool 8 has higher rigidity. That is, in step S23, the tool determination unit 113 selects (determines) tool 8 as the tool with the highest rigidity.

[0066] The control unit 11 of the server 10 displays one tool determined by the tool determination unit 113, for example, on the display unit 14, or displays it on the display screen of an external device by transmitting it to the external device via the communication unit 15. This allows the user who checks the display to confirm the optimum tool that can be used to machine the workpiece from among the tools stored in the database stored in the storage unit 12.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, the candidate selection unit 112 selects candidate tools that can be used for machining based on the machining feature information and the first information, and the tool determination unit 113 determines one tool to be used for machining from the selected candidate tools based on the second information. This allows the candidate selection unit 112 to narrow down the candidates from the tools in the database, and the tool determination unit 113 to determine one tool based on detailed conditions. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a more appropriate tool can be determined according to the machining content of the workpiece.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 may execute the flow shown in Fig. 5 for each machining type. For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the machining type is drilling has been described, but the control unit 11 may execute the tool selection process for other machining types in addition to drilling in accordance with the flow shown in Fig. 5.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiments, a configuration that has the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10 Tool selection device (server) 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Control section 14 Display section 15 Communications Department 20 Tools 21 Machine used 22 Tool holder 111 Machining feature extraction unit 112 Candidate Selection Section 113 Tool determination section L1 cutting edge length L2 Tool protrusion L3 Neck length R1 Tool diameter R2 shank diameter R3 Shank diameter under neck

Claims

1. A tool selection device that selects a tool to be used for machining a workpiece based on tool information that associates tool diameters, tool protrusions, cutting edge lengths, and shank diameters of the tools for each type of tool and stores the information, a candidate selection unit that selects candidates for tools that can be used for the machining based on machining feature information that indicates characteristics of the shape of the workpiece after the machining, the tool diameter, and the tool protrusion; a tool determination unit that determines an effective machining depth, which is a depth at which the machining can be performed, for each of the tool candidates based on the tool diameter, the tool protrusion, the cutting edge length, and the shank diameter, and determines, from among the tool candidates that can perform the machining, a tool with the highest rigidity based on the tool diameter and the shank diameter, as the tool to be used for the machining based on the machining feature information and the effective machining depth; Equipped with The candidate selection unit determining whether or not a candidate tool that can be used for the machining is present among the first type of tools based on the tool information of the first type of tool; When it is determined that the candidate tool usable for the machining is present in the first type of tool, the candidate tool usable for the machining is selected from the first type of tool; A tool selection device that, when it is determined that there are no candidate tools usable for the machining among the first type of tools, selects candidate tools usable for the machining from the second type of tools based on the tool information of the second type of tools.

2. The tool determination unit When the tool diameter is larger than the shank diameter, the tool protrusion is determined as the effective machining depth, and when the tool diameter is equal to or smaller than the shank diameter, the cutting edge length is determined as the effective machining depth; determining the one tool from among the tool candidates whose effective machining depth is longer than the depth required based on the machining feature information; The tool selection device according to claim 1 .

3. The tool selection device according to claim 1 , wherein the tool determination unit determines that a tool having a larger ratio of the shank diameter to the tool diameter has higher rigidity than a tool having a smaller ratio of the shank diameter to the tool diameter.

4. The tool selection device according to claim 1 , wherein the candidate selection unit selects, as the candidate tool, a tool whose tool protrusion is equal to or greater than a depth required based on the machining feature information.

5. A control method for a tool selection device that selects a tool to be used for machining a workpiece based on tool information that associates tool diameters, tool protrusions, cutting edge lengths, and shank diameters for each type of tool and stores the information, comprising: selecting candidates for tools that can be used for the machining based on machining feature information that indicates the characteristics of the shape of the workpiece after the machining, the tool diameter, and the tool protrusion; an effective machining depth, which is a depth at which the machining can be performed, is determined for each of the candidate tools based on the tool diameter, the tool protrusion, the cutting edge length, and the shank diameter; and, based on the machining feature information and the effective machining depth, from among the candidate tools that can perform the machining, a tool with the highest rigidity is determined based on the tool diameter and the shank diameter as the one tool to be used for the machining. A control method comprising: The selection of the tool candidates includes: determining whether or not a candidate tool that can be used for the machining is present among the first type of tools based on the tool information of the first type of tool; When it is determined that the candidate tool usable for the machining is present in the first type of tool, the candidate tool usable for the machining is selected from the first type of tool; When it is determined that there is no candidate tool usable for the machining among the first type of tools, a candidate tool usable for the machining is selected from the second type of tools based on the tool information of the second type of tools. A control method comprising:

6. A control program for a tool selection device that selects a tool to be used for machining a workpiece based on tool information that associates tool diameters, tool protrusions, cutting edge lengths, and shank diameters for each type of tool and stores the information, selecting candidates for tools that can be used for the machining based on machining feature information that indicates the characteristics of the shape of the workpiece after the machining, the tool diameter, and the tool protrusion; an effective machining depth, which is a depth at which the machining can be performed, is determined for each of the candidate tools based on the tool diameter, the tool protrusion, the cutting edge length, and the shank diameter; and, based on the machining feature information and the effective machining depth, from among the candidate tools that can perform the machining, a tool with the highest rigidity is determined based on the tool diameter and the shank diameter as the one tool to be used for the machining. Execute the process, The process of selecting tool candidates includes: determining whether or not a candidate tool that can be used for the machining is present among the first type of tools based on the tool information of the first type of tool; When it is determined that the candidate tool usable for the machining is present in the first type of tool, the candidate tool usable for the machining is selected from the first type of tool; When it is determined that there is no candidate tool usable for the machining among the first type of tools, a candidate tool usable for the machining is selected from the second type of tools based on the tool information of the second type of tools. A control program, including processing.

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