Machine tools and their operation limiting devices

Abstract

To give a user an opportunity for operating a machine tool when relocation of the machine tool is detected and to prevent a large number of components from being machined by the machine tool.SOLUTION: An operation limiting device 30 of a machine tool includes a processor. After relocation of the machine tool is detected and a predetermined operation for temporarily operating the machine tool is accepted, the processor acquires the amount that a machining unit of the machine tool has operated as the amount of performed operation (a parameter integrated value) (S232). When the amount of performed operation (the parameter integrated value) reaches a predetermined determination reference (S224: Yes), the processor transmits information indicating whether or not the amount of performed operation (the parameter integrated value) has reached the predetermined determination reference to a numerical control device of the machine tool (S220) in order to limit the operation of the machining unit of the machine tool (S234).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine tool having a function of restricting the operation of the machine tool when it is detected that the machine tool has been moved from its installation position, and to an operation restriction device for the machine tool. [Background technology]

[0002] There are cases where machine tools are restricted or prohibited from being relocated to specific countries, etc. As a countermeasure against unauthorized relocation of machine tools (hereinafter simply referred to as machines), there is known an operation restriction device for machine tools that includes relocation detection means that detects relocation of the machine, and operation restriction means that, when relocation of the machine is detected by the relocation detection means, restricts operation of the machine until an operation for restarting the machine (hereinafter referred to as predetermined operation 1) is performed. Patent Documents 1 and 2 show configuration examples of machine tools having such operation restriction functions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5101338 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5948154 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An abnormality in the operation of the relocation detection means may result in a false determination (false detection) of the relocation of the machine, in which case it is necessary to request the manufacturer to restart the machine. As a result, the machine cannot be used until a service technician is called and the specified operation 1 is performed, resulting in losses for the user. For example, if a machine owned by a user in an area where it takes time to dispatch a service technician stops working, it will take more time to restart the machine, resulting in greater losses for the user.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which, after a machine has stopped, if a predetermined operation (hereinafter referred to as "predetermined operation 2") is performed to temporarily restart the machine, the machine can be temporarily restarted with a time limit, and the machine is stopped again after the time limit has been reached. However, the time that is monitored before the machine is stopped again is the time. Therefore, there are cases in which sufficient machine operating time cannot be ensured. Furthermore, when the machine's relocation detection is correct (not a false detection), it is possible to process an excessively large amount of parts (workpieces) within the time limit, which is significantly different from the usual processing volume, and there is a possibility that the limit after relocation detection will be insufficient.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a user with an opportunity to operate a machine tool when the relocation of the machine tool is detected, and to prevent a large number of parts from being machined by the machine tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The operation restriction device for a machine tool according to the present invention includes a processor, and after detecting relocation of the machine tool and receiving a predetermined operation for temporarily operating the machine tool, the processor At predetermined timings, parameters based on the operation of the machining unit of the machine tool are acquired from the numerical control device of the machine tool, and the parameter integrated value obtained by integrating the parameters is calculated. , and when the operated amount reaches a predetermined criterion, information indicating whether or not the operated amount has reached a predetermined criterion is transmitted to the numerical control device of the machine tool in order to restrict the operation of the machining unit of the machine tool.

[0009] In the machine tool operation restriction device according to the present invention, the parameter may be an amount of power consumed by operation of the machining section.

[0010] In the machine tool movement restriction device according to the present invention, the parameter may be an amount of movement of a member in an axial direction in the machining portion.

[0011] In the machine tool operation restriction device according to the present invention, the parameter may be a rotation speed of a spindle in the machining section.

[0012] The machine tool of the present invention comprises a numerical control device that controls the machining unit of the machine tool, and an operation limiting device that detects relocation of the machine tool and limits the operation of the machine tool when the relocation is detected, wherein after the relocation of the machine tool is detected and a predetermined operation is performed on the numerical control device to temporarily operate the machine tool, the numerical control device transmits parameters based on the operation of the machining unit of the machine tool to the operation limiting device at predetermined timings, the operation limiting device receives the parameters, accumulates them to obtain a parameter accumulation value, and transmits judgment information to the numerical control device indicating whether the parameter accumulation value satisfies a predetermined judgment criterion, and the numerical control device receives the judgment information and limits the operation of the machining unit of the machine tool if the parameter accumulation value satisfies the predetermined judgment criterion.

[0013] In the machine tool of the present invention, the numerical control device may detect relocation of the machine tool, accept a specified operation to temporarily operate the machine tool, and then restrict the operation of the machining part of the machine tool when relocation of the machine tool is detected again. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, when the relocation of a machine tool is detected, the user can be given an opportunity to operate the machine tool, thereby preventing the machine tool from processing a large number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a normal mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a provisional mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0017] <Machine tool configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a machine tool 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The machine tool 10 is a machine tool equipped with a numerical control device (NC machine tool). The machine tool 10 may be, for example, an NC lathe, an NC milling machine, a machining center, or a multi-tasking machine.

[0018] The machine tool 10 includes a machine main body 20 and a motion limiting device 30. The machine main body 20 includes a numerical control device 21, a machining unit 22 controlled by the numerical control device 21, and an I / F (interface) unit 23 for connecting with peripheral devices. The numerical control device 21 includes a display unit 211 for displaying screen data, an input unit 212 for receiving input from an operator, a CPU 213, a RAM 214, and a ROM 215. The CPU 213 performs various controls by executing programs pre-stored in the ROM 215 using the RAM 214 as a work area. The CPU 213 controls the machining unit 22 based on the programs, control data, instructions received from the input unit 212, and the like. The CPU 213 may include hardware such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and may simply be referred to as a processor.

[0019] The display unit 211 is a display. The input unit 212 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The display unit 211 and the input unit 212 may be integrated into a touch panel. The processing unit 22 includes, for example, a spindle that can rotate while holding a workpiece or a tool, a movement mechanism for moving the tool, etc., various machines, various actuators, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the various units in the machine main body 20 are electrically connected to each other so that they can exchange data with each other.

[0020] The operation restriction device 30 includes an I / F (interface) unit 31 for connecting to the machine main body unit 20, a microcomputer 32, a relocation detection circuit 33, and a non-volatile memory 34. The microcomputer 32 includes a CPU 321, a ROM 322, a RAM 323, a relocation determination unit 324 that determines whether or not relocation has occurred based on data received from the relocation detection circuit 33, and a monitoring unit 325 that monitors whether or not a parameter integrated value 341 satisfies a determination criterion 342. The CPU 321 performs various controls by executing a program pre-stored in the ROM 322 using the RAM 323 as a work area. The relocation determination unit 324 and the monitoring unit 325 may be realized by the CPU 321 executing the program. The CPU 321 may include hardware such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The CPU 321, the relocation determination unit 324, and the monitoring unit 325 are defined as a processor.

[0021] The relocation detection circuit 33 includes a sensor, a GPS, etc., and is a part that detects changes in the installation status of the machine tool using these. The relocation detection circuit 33 transmits the detected changes in the installation status to the relocation determination unit 324. The relocation detection circuit 33 and the relocation determination unit 324 function as relocation detection means.

[0022] The non-volatile memory 34 stores a parameter integrated value 341 (also referred to as an operation amount) and a judgment criterion 342. The parameter integrated value 341 is a value obtained by integrating (summing up) parameters received by the microcomputer 32 from the machine main body unit 20 during a provisional mode (described later). As will be described below, the parameter integrated value 341 is updated every time the microcomputer 32 receives a parameter from the machine main body unit 20 during the provisional mode. The judgment criterion 342 is a predetermined numerical value (for example, a threshold value) for judgment. The components of the operation restriction device 30 are electrically connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data with each other.

[0023] 1, I / F unit 23 of machine body 20 and I / F unit 31 of movement restriction device 30 are communicatively connected. In the operation of machine tool 10 described below, data is transmitted and received between I / F unit 23 of machine body 20 and I / F unit 31 of movement restriction device 30.

[0024] <Operation> Next, the operation of machine tool 10 will be described. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of machine tool 10 in normal mode. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of machine tool 10 in provisional mode. In Figs. 2 and 3, each block to the left of the dashed dotted line is executed by numerical control device 21 of machine main body 20, and each block to the right of the dashed dotted line is executed by microcomputer 32 of operation restriction device 30.

[0025] <Normal mode> The normal mode in Fig. 2 will now be described. In Fig. 2, the area inside the dashed line shows the processing when machine tool 10 is powered on, and when machine tool 10 is powered off in normal mode, the process returns to the beginning of the flow in Fig. 2. When machine tool 10 is powered on, in S100 machine main body 20 requests operation restriction device 30 to determine whether machine tool 10 has been relocated.

[0026] In S102, upon receiving the request, movement restriction device 30 determines whether machine tool 10 has been relocated. Specifically, relocation determination unit 324 of movement restriction device 30 determines whether machine tool 10 has been relocated based on the data received from relocation detection circuit 33. Note that at this time, relocation determination unit 324 may erroneously determine (falsely detect) the relocation of machine tool 10 due to an operational abnormality in relocation detection circuit 33. Then, in S104, movement restriction device 30 transmits the determination result as to whether machine tool 10 has been relocated to machine main body unit 20.

[0027] In S106, machine main body unit 20 receives the above-mentioned determination result. Then, if the above-mentioned determination result in S108 is "not relocated" (S108: No), machine main body unit 20 continues to operate machine tool 10 in the normal mode (S110). On the other hand, if the above-mentioned determination result in S108 is "relocated" (S108: Yes), machine main body unit 20 stops the operation of processing unit 22 and notifies the operator on display unit 211 that the machine has stopped (S112).

[0028] Next, in S114, the machine main body 20 waits for the operator to perform predetermined operation 1 (also referred to as a return operation) or predetermined operation 2 (also referred to as a transition to provisional mode operation). Here, predetermined operation 1 (return operation) is, for example, an operation in which the operator inputs a predetermined password into the input unit 212. Furthermore, predetermined operation 2 (transition to provisional mode operation) is, for example, an operation in which the operator presses the "transition to provisional mode" selection button displayed on the display unit 211 using the input unit 212.

[0029] In S114, when predetermined operation 1 is performed, machine main body 20 releases the stop of the operation of processing unit 22 and restarts machine tool 10 in the normal mode, thereby causing machine tool 10 to operate in the normal mode (S110).

[0030] On the other hand, if predetermined operation 2 is performed in S114, the machine main body 20 transmits a notification to the operation restriction device 30 to indicate that the operation will enter provisional mode (S116). In S118, upon receiving the notification, the operation restriction device 30 starts integrating and monitoring the parameters.

[0031] As will be described below, in the provisional mode, the machine main body unit 20 transmits parameters to the operation restriction device 30 at a predetermined cycle. The operation restriction device 30 receives the parameters from the machine main body unit 20 and accumulates them. Specifically, the microcomputer 32 updates the parameter accumulation value 341 stored in the nonvolatile memory 34 every time it receives a parameter from the machine main body unit 20. When the microcomputer 32 receives the notification of S116 (notification of entering the provisional mode), it initializes the parameter accumulation value 341 in the nonvolatile memory 34.

[0032] Here, the parameter is a parameter whose value changes depending on the operating state of the machine tool 10, and is the operating amount (numerical value) of the machining unit 22 of the machine tool 10. Note that the parameter is not the time that the machining unit 22 has been operating. The parameter indicates the degree to which the machining unit 22 has operated physically or electrically, or the degree of processing performed by the machining unit 22 (processing amount). In this embodiment, the parameter is the number of machining operations (number of cycles) when machining one workpiece is defined as one cycle of machining.

[0033] After sending the notification of S116, machine main body unit 20 releases the suspension of operation of processing unit 22 and restarts machine tool 10 in the provisional mode (S120). This causes machine tool 10 to operate in the provisional mode. Next, machine main body unit 20 proceeds to S226 in FIG. 3.

[0034] <Transitional mode> Next, the provisional mode in Fig. 3 will be described. In Fig. 3, the area inside the dashed line shows the processing when the power of the machine tool 10 is on, and when the power of the machine tool 10 is turned off in the provisional mode, the process returns to the beginning of the flow in Fig. 3. As described above, the machine main body 20 proceeds from S120 in Fig. 2 to S226 in Fig. 3.

[0035] In S226, the machine main body 20 operates the machining unit 22. At this time, the machine main body 20 transmits a parameter indicating the amount of operation of the machining unit 22 at a predetermined period (a predetermined time interval) (S228). This parameter indicates the amount by which the machining unit 22 has been operated since the previous parameter was transmitted (S228). In this embodiment, this parameter is the number of workpieces (number of cycles) machined by the machining unit 22 since the previous parameter was transmitted (S228). Note that the machine main body 20 may transmit the parameter at predetermined timing (in addition to the predetermined period, for example, when machining of a predetermined number of workpieces is completed).

[0036] In S230, the operation restriction device 30 receives the parameters. Then, in S232, the operation restriction device 30 adds the received parameters to the parameter integrated value 341 stored in the non-volatile memory 34 to update the parameter integrated value 341 (S232). Note that the parameter integrated value 341 (operated amount) indicates to what extent the processing unit 22 has physically or electrically operated during the provisional mode, or to what extent the processing unit 22 has processed the parts (processed amount).

[0037] In S214, the machine main body 20 requests the operation restriction device 30 to transmit the parameter monitoring status at predetermined time intervals. Then, in S216, the operation restriction device 30 receives the transmission request and updates the parameter monitoring status (S218). The parameter monitoring status is information indicating whether the parameter integrated value 341 has reached the judgment criterion 342 (e.g., a threshold value), and is stored in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 34 and updated at the timing of S218. Specifically, upon receiving the transmission request, the monitoring unit 325 of the operation restriction device 30 updates the parameter monitoring status using the parameter integrated value 341 and the judgment criterion 342 (S218). Then, in S220, the operation restriction device 30 transmits the parameter monitoring status to the machine main body 20 (numerical control device).

[0038] In S222, the machine main body 20 receives the parameter monitoring status. Then, in S224, if the parameter monitoring status indicates that the "criterion is not met" (the parameter integrated value 341 has not reached the criterion 342) (S224: No), the machine main body 20 allows the machining unit 22 to continue operating (S226).

[0039] On the other hand, if the parameter monitoring status indicates that the "criterion has been met" (parameter integrated value 341 has reached judgment criterion 342) (S224: Yes), machine main body unit 20 stops the operation of machining unit 22 (S234). In S234, machine main body unit 20 notifies the operator on display unit 211 that the machine has been stopped. Then, in S236, machine main body unit 20 waits for the operator to perform predetermined operation 1 (return operation). If predetermined operation 1 has been performed in S236 (S236: Yes), machine main body unit 20 releases the stop of the operation of machining unit 22 and transitions machine tool 10 to normal mode (S238). Then, machine main body unit 20 proceeds to S110 in FIG. 2. As a result, machine tool 10 operates in normal mode (S110).

[0040] If machine tool 10 is powered off in the provisional mode (FIG. 3), the process returns to the beginning of the flow in FIG. 3. In this case, when machine tool 10 is powered on, in S200, machine main body unit 20 displays on display unit 211 a selection screen for selecting whether or not to perform predetermined operation 1. If the operator selects to perform predetermined operation 1 using input unit 212, machine main body unit 20 puts machine tool 10 into a state where it will accept predetermined operation 1 (S202). Then, if predetermined operation 1 is performed by the operator in S202 (S202: Yes), machine tool 10 is restarted in normal mode (S238). This causes machine tool 10 to operate in normal mode (S110 in FIG. 2).

[0041] On the other hand, if in S200 the operator uses input unit 212 to select not to perform predetermined operation 1, in S204 to S210 machine main body unit 20 acquires the determination result as to whether machine tool 10 has been relocated from operation restriction device 30. The processing in S204 to S210 is the same as the processing in S100 to S106 in the normal mode (FIG. 2).

[0042] If the result of the determination in S212 is "no relocation" (S212: No), the machine tool 10 continues to operate in the provisional mode. As described above, during the provisional mode, the parameter integrated value 341 is updated and monitored at predetermined intervals (S214 to S232), and if the parameter integrated value 341 meets predetermined judgment criterion 342 (S224: Yes), the operation of the machining unit 22 is stopped (S234).

[0043] On the other hand, if the determination result in S212 is "relocation has occurred" (S212: Yes), the machine main body 20 stops the operation of the processing unit 22 and notifies the operator that the machine has stopped (S234). In this way, if relocation is detected again during the provisional mode, the processing unit 22 is stopped.

[0044] If the machine operation is stopped during the provisional mode (S234), the processing unit 22 will not operate even if predetermined operation 2 is performed. If the operator performs predetermined operation 1 (S236: Yes), the machine main body unit 20 restarts the machine tool 10 in the normal mode (S238).

[0045] <Summary> As described above in relation to the embodiment of the present invention, machine tool 10 operates as follows. When relocation detection means (relocation detection circuit 33 and relocation determination unit 324) detects machine relocation, the operation restriction means stops the machine. At this time, if predetermined operation 1 (return operation) is performed, the machine is restarted. However, if predetermined operation 2 (provisional mode transition operation) is performed, the machine transitions from normal mode, which has no limit on machine usage, to provisional mode, which has limitations, and the machine is restarted. During provisional mode, a parameter whose value changes depending on the operating state of the machine is integrated, and the machine is stopped again when the integrated value meets a predetermined judgment criterion or when relocation is detected again during provisional mode. If the machine is stopped again, performing predetermined operation 1 (return operation) will restart the machine in normal mode, but performing predetermined operation 2 (provisional transition mode operation) will not restart the machine.

[0046] According to the embodiment described above, even if a machine relocation is erroneously determined (misdetected), by performing predetermined operation 2 (provisional mode transition operation), the time the machine is down can be reduced, thereby minimizing losses caused by the user being unable to perform processing work. Furthermore, by using parameters whose values ​​change depending on the machine's operating status for monitoring, the period until the machine is restarted can be extended if the machine is not operating for a period such as a holiday during the provisional mode, and the period until the machine is restarted can be shortened if the machine is operated for a long period of time per day, such as 24 hours continuously. This prevents the machine from being unusable after restart and from processing an excessively large number of parts after restart.

[0047] <Other embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, the parameter is the number of cycles. However, various indicators representing the operation amount of the machining unit 22 can be used as the parameter. For example, the parameter may be the amount of power consumed by the operation of the machining unit 22. The parameter may also be the amount of movement of a member (workpiece, tool, or both) in the axial direction in the machining unit 22. The parameter may also be the number of rotations of the spindle in the machining unit 22 (number of rotations completed). [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 machine tool, 20 machine main body, 21 numerical control device, 211 display unit, 212 input unit, 213 CPU, 214 RAM, 215 ROM, 22 processing unit, 23 I / F unit, 30 operation limiting device, 31 I / F unit, 32 microcomputer, 321 CPU (processor), 322 ROM, 323 RAM, 324 relocation determination unit (processor), 325 monitoring unit (processor), 33 relocation detection circuit, 34 non-volatile memory, 341 parameter integrated value (amount already operated), 342 judgment criterion.

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: after detecting the relocation of the machine tool and receiving a predetermined operation for temporarily operating the machine tool, acquiring parameters based on the operation of a machining unit of the machine tool at predetermined timings from a numerical control device of the machine tool; The parameter integrated value obtained by integrating the parameters is acquired as the operation amount; When the operated amount reaches a predetermined judgment criterion, information indicating whether or not the operated amount has reached a predetermined judgment criterion is transmitted to a numerical control device of the machine tool in order to restrict the operation of the machining unit of the machine tool. A motion limiting device for a machine tool.

2. 2. The movement limiting device for a machine tool according to claim 1, The parameter is the amount of power consumed by the operation of the processing unit. A motion limiting device for a machine tool.

3. 2. The machine tool movement limiting device according to claim 1, The parameter is a movement amount of a member in an axial direction in the processing portion. A motion limiting device for a machine tool.

4. 2. The movement limiting device for a machine tool according to claim 1, The parameter is the rotation speed of the spindle in the processing unit. A motion limiting device for a machine tool.

5. a numerical control device that controls a machining unit of the machine tool; an operation limiting device that detects relocation of the machine tool and limits operation of the machine tool when the relocation is detected; The numerical control device includes: after detecting the relocation of the machine tool and performing a predetermined operation on the numerical control device to temporarily operate the machine tool, transmitting parameters based on the operation of a machining unit of the machine tool to the operation restriction device at each predetermined timing; The movement limiting device is receiving the parameters and accumulating them to obtain a parameter accumulation value; transmitting judgment information indicating whether the parameter integrated value satisfies a predetermined judgment criterion to the numerical control device; The numerical control device includes: receiving the determination information, restricting the operation of the machining unit of the machine tool when the parameter integrated value satisfies a predetermined judgment criterion; A machine tool characterized by:

6. 6. The machine tool according to claim 5, The numerical control device includes: When relocation of the machine tool is detected and a predetermined operation for temporarily operating the machine tool is accepted, and then relocation of the machine tool is detected again, restricting the operation of the machining part of the machine tool; A machine tool characterized by:

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