Information processing device, program for information processing device, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that can make simulations such as interference checks and output of machining programs used in each process easier to use than before when carrying out process-integrated process design. [Solution] The information processing device 100 comprises a CL data setting unit 1 that sets CL data indicating the paths used in each process corresponding to multiple processes, a post-process execution unit 2 that inputs the multiple CL data set for each process together into a post-processor, generates NC data corresponding to each process, and executes a series of operation simulations for the multiple processes, and an NC data external output unit 3 that outputs the NC data for each process generated by the post-processor externally, divided by process.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device used in connection with a machine tool, a program for the information processing device, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] When manufacturing workpieces of various shapes through machining using machine tools, the production process is first designed. Conventionally, the process is divided into steps and designed so that multiple types of lathes and machining centers are used to machine the workpiece into a predetermined shape. Then, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) generates data indicating the trajectory of the tool tip, such as cutter location data (CL data), based on a 3D CAD (3-dimensional computer-aided design) model of the shape to be machined by each machine tool. A postprocessor then converts the generated CL data into a machining program, such as G-code, tailored to the characteristics of each machine tool, and performs simulations such as interference checks (see Patent Document 1). In other words, simulations such as interference checks are performed separately for each machine tool and each stage, such as rough machining, finish machining, and corrective machining.

[0003] In recent years, the use of 5-axis machines and multi-tasking machines has led to the consolidation of processes, allowing a single machine tool to machine a specified shape. However, the systems used to generate machining programs have been developed on the premise of process division, and are therefore not very user-friendly. Specifically, conventional systems are not user-friendly for simulating interference checks when the machining programs for each process are executed, or for appropriately adjusting the machining programs for each process, assuming process consolidation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-168203 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing device that can make simulations such as interference checks and output of machining programs used in each process easier to use than before when carrying out process-integrated process design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of the present invention comprises a CL data setting unit that sets CL data indicating paths to be used in each process corresponding to a plurality of processes, a post-process execution unit that collectively inputs the plurality of CL data set for each process into a post-processor, generates NC data corresponding to each process, and executes a series of operation simulations for the plurality of processes, and an NC data external output unit that outputs the NC data (Numerical Control Data) for each process generated by the post-processor externally, divided by process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The information processing device of the present invention can easily simulate the operation of a machine tool based on NC data for multiple processes at once. Therefore, even when multiple machining processes are performed on a single multi-tasking machine due to process integration, the behavior of the entire process can be checked immediately, making it easy to use. Furthermore, when actually performing machining, the NC data is output in a state where it is divided into each process, making it easy to adjust the machining program for each process on the actual machine. Therefore, it can be easily used even when processes are integrated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall process of gear machining as an example, and an outline of the programs used in each process. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the display screen of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating the operation when performing simulations based on NC data for a plurality of processes at once. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen when the NC data generated for each process is output to the outside in a state where the data is divided for each process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram of a machining system according to this embodiment. The machining system 300 includes a multi-tasking machine CMT and an information processing device 100. The multi-tasking machine CMT is configured to be able to communicate with the information processing device 100. The communication method may be wired communication or wireless communication. In the machining system 300, various machining processes for machining a workpiece are designed in the information processing device 100, and the information is transmitted to the multi-tasking machine CMT, which then performs machining, measurement, etc. of the workpiece.

[0011] The information processing device 100 of this embodiment is used to design processes for gear machining and measurement integrated into a single multi-tasking machine (CMT), as shown in FIG. 2 . The gear manufacturing processes include a modeling process, a rough machining process, a chamfering process, a finishing process, a measurement process, and a correction machining process. In the modeling process, a 3D CAD model of the gear is created using a machining CAM 10. In the rough machining process, the machining CAM 10 is used to select tools and design movement paths for rough machining, such as turning and gear cutting, based on the 3D CAD model. In the chamfering process, the machining CAM 10 is used to select tools and design movement paths for deburring the roughly machined workpiece. In the finishing process, the machining CAM 10 is used to select tools and design movement paths for heat treatment, post-heat-treated workpiece positioning, tooth surface finishing, and other processes. In the measurement process, the measurement CAM 20 is used to select measuring instruments and design movement paths for inspecting the gear's dimensions and tooth surface accuracy. In the correction machining process, the measurement CAM 20 is used to select measuring instruments and design movement paths for inspecting the dimensions and tooth surface accuracy of gears manufactured by the CMT multi-tasking machine. If necessary, additional processes, such as correction machining, are designed based on the inspection. In this way, the gear manufacturing process is comprised of multiple steps. However, the process described here is merely an example, and the gear manufacturing process is not limited to this. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 100 constitutes part of a gear programming system 200, which controls the simulations and NC data output required for gear machining and measurement.

[0012] The gear programming system 200 includes an information processing device 100 (hereinafter, "information processing device 100"), which is used for the overall gear machining process design and controls the operation of other programs; a machining CAM 10 (hereinafter, "CAM 10"), which generates CL data indicating the tool paths required for gear cutting and other processes based on a CAD model; a measurement CAM 20 (hereinafter, "CAM 20"), which generates CL data indicating the path of a measuring device (spindle) attached to the spindle of the multi-tasking machine (CMT) to measure the accuracy of the machined gear tooth surface; and a postprocessor 30 (hereinafter, "postprocessor 30"), which converts the CL data output from the machining CAM 10 and the measurement CAM 20 into NC data in a format executable by the multi-tasking machine (CMT) and executes a simulation of the gear machining and measurement operations of the multi-tasking machine (CMT) based on the converted NC data. Note that gear measurement is not limited to being performed using a laser measuring device and may also be performed using a touch probe or other device. In this embodiment, the two software programs, the machining CAM 10 and the measurement CAM 20, each generate CL data. However, the number of software programs that generate CL data may be one or more.

[0013] The information processing device 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 100 includes a CL data setting unit 1 that sets CL data indicating paths of devices (tools, measuring instruments, etc.) used in each process, corresponding to each process; a post-process execution unit 2 that collectively inputs the multiple CL data set for each process to a post-processor 30, generates NC data corresponding to each process, and executes a series of operation simulations for the multiple processes; and an NC data external output unit 3 that externally outputs the NC data for each process generated by the post-processor 30 in a state where the data is divided for each process. The functions of each of these units are realized by executing programs stored in memory in a so-called computer that includes a CPU, memory, and various input / output means.

[0014] The information processing device 100 defines each process required for gear manufacturing and associates CL data generated by the machining CAM 10 or the measuring CAM 20 with each of the multiple processes. Specifically, the CL data setting unit 1 calls the machining CAM 10 or the measuring CAM 20 and acquires the CL data generated by the machining CAM 10 or the measuring CAM 20. For example, when the CL data setting unit 1 calls the machining CAM 10 or the measuring CAM 20, it references an area where CL data is saved and acquires the CL data previously saved in that area. The CL data setting unit 1 displays the acquired CL data on the display unit 4. That is, the information processing device 100 collects CL data for each of the multiple processes designed by the machining CAM 10 or the measuring CAM 20 and displays it to the operator. Specific ways of displaying the CL data include, for example, displaying the movement trajectory of the reference point of a tool, the trajectory of the reference point of a measuring instrument, or the trajectory of measurement points measured by a measuring instrument, or displaying it as a data string. This allows the operator to check the CL data generated by the machining CAM 10 or the measuring CAM 20, and select necessary data from the CL data displayed via the input unit 5. The CL data setting unit 1 sets the gear manufacturing process based on input from the input unit 5. The CL data setting unit 1 then assigns corresponding CL data to the set processes and links each process to the CL data. The CL data setting unit 1 transmits information about the defined manufacturing processes and the CL data linked to each process to the post-process execution unit 2. The CL data setting unit 1 receives instructions from the operator via, for example, the input unit 5, and transmits the data to the post-process execution unit 2.

[0015] Upon receiving data from the CL data setting unit 1, the post-processing execution unit 2 calls the post-processor 30 and transmits the CL data associated with each process to the post-processor 30 in a batch to execute post-processing. That is, the multiple CL data associated with each process are converted into NC data readable by the multi-tasking machine (CMT). Possible modes for transmitting the CL data to the post-processor 30 in a batch include inputting multiple CL data sets so that the CL data associated with each process is batch-processed in the post-processor 30, or generating each CL data set as a single CL data set with a delimiter for each process and then inputting it to the post-processor 30. Furthermore, the post-processor 30 performs simulations for interference checks and other operations on the multi-tasking machine (CMT) based on the converted multiple NC data sets. Specifically, simulations are performed for all processes required to manufacture a gear, such as rough machining, finishing, and measurement, all at once. In other words, a consistent simulation can be performed for the entire process from machining a workpiece having the raw shape into a final gear. Videos and other images generated by the simulation may be played back on the post-processor 30 or on the display unit 4 of the information processing device 100.

[0016] In addition, the post-processor 30 does not output the NC data corresponding to the CL data linked to each converted process as a single piece of data, but outputs each piece of NC data individually in a form corresponding to each CL data to the NC data external output unit 3. The NC data external output unit 3 transmits the NC data received from the post-processor 30 to the multi-tasking machine CMT. The multi-tasking machine CMT processes the workpiece in accordance with the NC data received from the NC data external output unit 3.

[0017] The operation and behavior of the information processing device 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a screen displayed on the display unit 4 of the information processing device 100. The user sets each process required for gear machining in a strip-shaped process setting area R1 extending vertically on the left side of the screen. In this embodiment, each process is defined from top to bottom in the order in which it is actually performed. Specifically, the example shows seven processes set: 1. turning, 2. soft milling, 3. heat treatment, 4. adjustment, 5. hard milling, 6. tooth surface measurement, and 7. corrective machining.

[0018] The user can associate one or more CL data (APT files) with each process. The CL data output from the processing CAM 10 is associated with the machining process, and the CL data output from the measurement CAM 20 is associated with the measurement process. The CL data associated with each process is displayed in a CL data setting area R2 that extends vertically in the center of the screen in correspondence with the process setting area R1.

[0019] Additionally, a file name display area R3 is set up in an area extending vertically adjacent to the left of the CL data setting area R2. This area displays the file names that are automatically assigned to the NC data when the CL data is converted into NC data. This file name is assigned by adding the process name set in the process setting area R1 to the order in which the NC data will be executed. In other words, the NC data will be executed on the actual multi-tasking machine CMT in the order of the numbers at the beginning of the file names displayed from top to bottom in this file name display area R3.

[0020] Furthermore, to the right of the CL data setting area R2 is set an NC data storage area R4 in which the NC data generated by the post-processor 30 is stored alongside the corresponding CL data. In Fig. 4, post-processing has not yet been performed, so this NC data storage area R4 is blank.

[0021] Between the process setting area R1 and the file name display area R3, a toggle area R5 with multiple toggles arranged vertically allows the user to select which CL data to enable for post-processing. In Figure 4, the toggles are on for all processes linked to CL data, so when the post-process execution button B1 is selected by the user, all CL data is sent together to the post-processor 30, where it is converted to NC data and simulated. Note that if, for example, you want to perform a simulation for only the processes up to heat treatment, you can achieve this by turning off the toggles for the processes after heat treatment.

[0022] After post-processing is complete and the NC data used for each process is registered in the NC data storage area R4, the user can select the external output button B2 at the bottom right of the screen. A pop-up window W1, as shown in Figure 5, appears on the display unit 4. This window allows the user to select which NC data converted by the post-processor to send to a storage area accessible by the CMT multi-tasking machine. As shown in Figure 5, the NC data converted by the post-processor corresponds to the CL data for each process (linked to multiple processes) and is output separately for each process. In other words, the CMT multi-tasking machine can select and execute NC data for each process individually. For example, after performing idle running for turning and making adjustments, it is easy to individually adjust processes such as soft milling and measurement. The pop-up window W1 in Figure 5 also allows the user to limit the NC data to be output externally by selecting a toggle via the input unit 5. For example, if the user determines that some of the NC data cannot be used on the actual machine as a result of a simulation, the user can use the pop-up window W1 to prevent the NC data for some processes from being sent to the CMT multi-tasking machine.

[0023] As described above, the information processing device 100 of this embodiment allows for the simulation of the operation of a multi-tasking machine (CMT) from the raw workpiece to the final gear in one go when machining a gear using a single multi-tasking machine (CMT). This allows for a bird's-eye view of the entire process and a simple check of the operations of the multi-tasking machine (CMT). After the overall safety and validity of the NC data has been roughly confirmed, the NC data for each process is output individually, allowing for easy fine-tuning of the actual machine on a process-by-process basis. In other words, if the NC program were executed all at once, as in a simulation, the multi-tasking machine (CMT) would not stop until the set series of processes were completed. However, because the NC data is output individually for each process, the multi-tasking machine (CMT) can be stopped at appropriate intervals for actual work, facilitating safe and reliable actual work. Furthermore, because the NC programs are divided into processes, changes tailored to the characteristics of each process can be prevented from being erroneously reflected in NC programs used in other processes.

[0024] When such integrated processes are performed on a single multi-tasking machine CMT, the information processing device 100 of this embodiment can perform simulations all at once, shortening the time required and making it easier to understand the movement of the actual machine throughout the process. Also, when operating the actual machine, the NC programs can be set separately for each process, making it easier to adjust the actual machine for each process.

[0025] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the embodiments, the process design of gears has been described as an example, but the information processing device of the present invention may be used for the process design of other machining processes. Furthermore, the information processing device of the present invention may be used for process design including additive machining as well as removal machining and measurement.

[0026] Furthermore, the design of the machining process using the machining CAM 10 and the design of the measurement process using the measurement CAM 20 in the embodiment may be performed by the information processing device 100, or may be performed by a device (computer) separate from the information processing device 100. In short, the information processing device 100 is only required to be able to execute at least the setting of CL data for each of a plurality of processes, the input of the set plurality of CL data to a post-processor, and the external output of NC data for each process generated by the post-processor, and the information processing device 100 may execute other processes.

[0027] In addition, various modifications of the embodiment may be made as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 100 Information processing device 1 CL data setting section 2. Post-processing execution unit 3. NC data external output section

Claims

1. a CL data setting unit that sets CL data indicating paths used in each of a plurality of different processes in association with each of the processes; and a post-process execution unit that inputs a plurality of CL data set for each process into a post-processor together, generates NC data corresponding to each process, and executes a series of operation simulations for the plurality of different processes.

2. A program used in an information processing device, a CL data setting process for setting CL data indicating paths used in each of a plurality of different processes; A program for an information processing device configured to execute a post-processing execution process that collectively inputs multiple CL data set for each process into a post-processor, generates NC data corresponding to each process, and executes a series of operation simulations for the multiple different processes.

3. An information processing method in an information processing device, a CL data setting step of setting CL data indicating paths used in each of a plurality of different processes; and a post-processing execution step of collectively inputting a plurality of CL data set for each process into a post-processor, generating NC data corresponding to each process, and executing a series of operation simulations for the plurality of different processes.

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