Tool management device for managing tools of a target device having a tool holding mechanism for holding a plurality of tools

Abstract

The tool management device 100 according to the present invention, which manages a tool T with respect to a subject device provided with a tool retention mechanism for retaining a plurality of tools T, includes: an information acquisition unit 110 that acquires configuration information including the current state of tool retention in the tool retention mechanism; a retention position setting unit 120 that, on the basis of the configuration information and tool information about a tool, sets a retention position for retaining the tool in the tool retention mechanism; and a command generation unit 130 that generates a drive command for moving the retention position of the tool retention mechanism to a transfer position at which the tool is transferred.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool management device that manages tools of a target device that has a tool holding mechanism that holds a plurality of tools. [Background technology]

[0002] In a machine tool that performs machining or the like, when multiple tools are used to perform multiple types of machining on a workpiece, in order to have these multiple tools approach the workpiece, it is necessary to change the multiple tools to the spindle head each time the type of machining is changed, which increases the cumbersome work and the time required to change tools.To solve this problem, there is known a machine tool such as a turret lathe that has a rotatable turret with multiple tool mounting surfaces on which multiple tools can be mounted, and that switches the tool that faces the workpiece by rotating the turret.

[0003] As an example of such a machine tool, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a turret tool selection command method for selecting and commanding an arbitrary tool in a turret having multiple turret faces, at least one of which has multiple tools attached, and which is movable and rotatable in an X-axis direction approaching and retracting from a workpiece axis, and a Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and a Z-axis direction along the workpiece centerline, the method comprising: assigning a turret face number to each turret face and a tool number to each tool; pre-setting and storing Y-axis position information corresponding to the tool numbers; simultaneously specifying an arbitrary turret face number and tool number by a single program command when creating a machining program; and executing the machining program, indexing the turret face corresponding to the specified turret face number, reading the Y-axis position information corresponding to the specified tool number, and positioning the tool in the Y-axis direction. This allows turret face indexing and tool selection to be selected by a single program command, facilitating programming and simplifying the program itself.

[0004] On the other hand, a system is known in which a machine tool that performs machining using a plurality of tools is provided with a tool storage device that stores and manages the plurality of tools used in machining together with the machine tool, and an automatic tool changer is disposed between the machine tool and the tool storage device, thereby transferring the plurality of tools between the machine tool and the tool storage device. The tool storage device applied to such a system normally uses an automatic control device for storing the plurality of tools in a predetermined position within the tool storage device.

[0005] As an example of such a tool storage device, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a tool changer for changing tools stored in a tool magazine of a machine tool during setup, the tool changer comprising: a sub-tool magazine adjacent to the tool magazine for storing tools to be used in a next machining operation; tool position recognition means for recognizing the storage positions of the tools stored in the sub-tool magazine; a memory for storing a machining program for the next machining operation and for storing a tool change instruction program in the order of execution of the next machining program and before the start of the next machining operation; and tool changer means for reading the tool change instruction program stored in the memory and replacing the tool stored in the sub-tool magazine recognized by the tool position recognition means with the tool stored in the tool magazine before the start of the next machining operation. This is said to shorten setup time, improve reliability, and provide a low-cost tool changer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-58279 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-172649 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the control device that manages tools for the machine tool equipped with a turret or the tool exchange device equipped with a tool magazine as exemplified above, tool information such as the tool position and size for each of the multiple tools attached to or stored in each target device is stored or saved in advance, which poses a problem that as the number of tools used increases, the amount of memory required to store the tool information also increases.

[0008] Furthermore, since the control device that controls the target device typically runs on a control program that corresponds to the specifications of the turret and tool magazine used in the target device, there is a problem that it cannot respond to specification changes, such as changing the upper limit on the number of tools set at the time of designing the target device, or changes to the target device itself that is the object of control.

[0009] In light of these circumstances, there is a demand for a tool management device that can accommodate changes in the specifications of the target device or the target device itself, and that does not require memory expansion or modification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a tool management device for managing tools for a target device having a tool holding mechanism for holding a plurality of tools is configured to: , from the control unit of the target device a holding position setting unit that sets a holding position for holding the tool in the tool holding mechanism based on the configuration information and the tool information of the tool; and a command generating unit that generates a drive command to move the holding position of the tool holding mechanism to a transfer position where the tool is transferred. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the information acquisition unit acquires configuration information including the current tool holding state of the tool holding mechanism, eliminating the need for a memory for the tool management device itself to constantly store the configuration information of the target device. Furthermore, the holding position setting unit sets a holding position for holding the tool in the tool holding mechanism based on the configuration information and tool information about the tool, and the command generation unit generates a drive command to move the holding position of the tool holding mechanism to a transfer position where the tool is transferred. Therefore, the information acquisition unit sets the holding position and generates the drive command based on the acquired configuration information. This makes it possible to respond to changes in the specifications of the target device or the target device itself, without requiring the addition or modification of memory. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a tool management device and a target device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the specific structure of the target device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation of a machine tool in response to a command from the tool management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation of a machine tool in response to a command from the tool management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation of a machine tool in response to a command from the tool management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a first modified example of the tool management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a second modified example of the tool management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a third modified example of the tool management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a tool management device and a target device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a tool management device and a target device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A representative embodiment of a tool management device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The tool management device manages tools for a target device having a tool holding mechanism for holding the tools.

[0014] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a tool management device and a target device according to a first embodiment, which is a representative example of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an extracted portion of the specific structure of the target device shown in Fig. 1.

[0015] 1, a tool management device 100 according to the first embodiment is connected by wire or wirelessly to a target device (machine tool) 10 that holds a plurality of tools, and is configured as a machining system that exchanges signals and data with the machine tool 10. Here, in the first embodiment, the machine tool 10 includes a swivel turret 16 as a tool holding mechanism.

[0016] As an example, machine tool 10 is configured as a turret lathe including a base section 12, a workpiece holding section 14 that holds a workpiece W rotatably about a predetermined rotation axis, a swivel turret 16 that holds multiple tools T, a turret holding section 18 that incorporates a drive mechanism that rotates the swivel turret 16, and a control section 19 that controls the operation of the entire machine tool 10. In such a turret lathe, multiple tools T are attached to the swivel turret 16 so that their machining blades are exposed radially, and by rotating the swivel turret 16 based on commands from the control section 19, specific tools T are brought into contact with the workpiece W to perform machining.

[0017] 2, the swivel turret 16 has holding mechanisms such as chucks for radially attaching a plurality of tools T1 to T12 at holding positions P1 to P12. In the specific example of FIG. 2, the holding positions P1 to P12 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., 30° intervals) on the outer periphery of the swivel turret 16.

[0018] Furthermore, in the swivel turret 16, the placement positions (angles) of the holding positions P1 to P12 are determined with the angle of the holding position P1 set as a reference angle (0°). Based on this reference angle, a command generating unit 130 of the tool management device 100, which will be described later, determines the amount of rotation (angle) when generating a rotation command for the swivel turret 16. Furthermore, in the swivel turret 16, a transfer position EP is set where the tool T is transferred (i.e., attached and detached).

[0019] 1, the tool management device 100 includes an information acquisition unit 110 that acquires configuration information CI including the current tool holding state in the tool holding mechanism (swivel turret 16) of the machine tool 10, a holding position setting unit 120 that sets holding positions P1-P12 for holding the tools T1-T12 in the swivel turret 16 based on the configuration information CI and tool information TI of the tools T1-T12, and a command generation unit 130 that generates drive commands DC to move the set holding positions P1-P12 to a transfer position EP. Here, the tool information TI includes information such as the total number and specifications of the tools T to be managed, and the type of machining performed by each tool T, and is acquired by manual input by an operator or by the information acquisition unit 110 accessing an external storage device (not shown) or the like.

[0020] On the other hand, configuration information CI includes information such as the structure of turning turret 16 of machine tool 10 and whether or not tools T1-T12 are currently held at each holding position P1-P12, and is normally held by control unit 19 of machine tool 10. As a result, tool management device 100 according to the present invention does not need to have a permanent memory for storing and saving information about the currently held tool T.

[0021] As an example, the information acquisition unit 110 of the tool management device 100 acquires configuration information CI of the machine tool 10 from the control unit 19 of the machine tool 10, and acquires tool information TI for the tool T from the outside, and temporarily stores this information. The information acquisition unit 110 also has a function of extracting all or part of the acquired configuration information CI and tool information TI and sending them to the holding position setting unit 120.

[0022] The holding position setting unit 120 sets holding positions P1 to P12 for the tool T to be newly attached to the turning turret 16 based on the configuration information CI and tool information TI sent from the information acquiring unit 110. Specifically, the holding position setting unit 120 sets holding positions P1 to P12 for each tool T to be attached, taking into consideration the holding status of the tool T in the turning turret 16 in the configuration information CI (i.e., the availability of the holding positions P1 to P12) and the number and specifications (size, etc.) of the tool T to be attached in the tool information TI. Then, information on the set holding positions P1 to P12 is sent to the command generating unit 130.

[0023] Based on the information about the holding position P sent from the holding position setting unit 120, the command generating unit 130 generates a drive command DC for moving the set holding position P in the turning turret 16 to the transfer position EP of the tool T. Specifically, the command generating unit 130 calculates the current angle between the set holding position P and the transfer position EP, and generates a drive command DC for the turret to swing corresponding to the angle. The generated drive command DC is then sent to the control unit 19 of the machine tool 10.

[0024] where: Command generation unit 130When calculating the angle between the set holding position P and the transfer position EP, for example, a method of directly calculating the angle or a method of setting a specific holding position P of the swivel turret 16 as a "reference position" and calculating the angle from the difference between the angle from the reference position to the set holding position P and the angle from the reference position to the transfer position EP may be adopted. That is, for example, if the holding position P1 shown in Fig. 2 is set as the "reference position" of the swivel turret 16, when a holding position P11 is set, the angle from the holding position P11 to the reference position, that is, the holding position P1, is 60°, and the angle from the holding position P1 to the transfer position EP is 90°, so the command angle for the rotation operation is 120°.

[0025] Next, a specific operation of the tool management device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Note that the specific example shown in Figures 3 to 5 illustrates a case where a tool T is about to be attached to the swivel turret 16, but the present invention may also be applied to a case where a specified tool T is to be removed from the swivel turret 16 or replaced with another tool T.

[0026] 3 to 5 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the operation of the machine tool in response to a command from the tool management device according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, in the tool management device 100 according to the first embodiment, the information acquisition unit 110 first acquires configuration information CI about the swivel turret 16 from the control unit 19 of the machine tool 10.

[0027] As described above, the configuration information CI includes, for example, information such as the number and arrangement of the holding positions P1 to P12 provided on the swivel turret 16, the number and numbers of the tools T1 to T12 already attached to the holding positions P1 to P12, and the current angle of the holding position P1 serving as the reference position. Note that the positions at which the above-mentioned tools T1 to T12 are attached may be obtained via the control unit 19 by sensors provided at the respective holding positions P1 to P12 detecting information on the presence or absence of the tool T.

[0028] The information acquiring unit 110 acquires tool information TI related to the tool T to be replaced from the outside together with the configuration information CI. As described above, the tool information TI at this time includes the number and specifications of the tool T to be replaced. Then, the information acquiring unit 110 sends the acquired configuration information CI and tool information TI to the holding position setting unit 120.

[0029] The holding position setting unit 120 selects holding positions P1 to P12 of the swivel turret 16 that are suitable for the tool T to be replaced based on the configuration information CI and the tool information TI, and sends the number information of the holding position to the command generating unit 130. Specifically, in the case of the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, for example, the holding position P2 that is closest to the holding position P1, which is the reference position, and to which the tool T is not attached, is selected.

[0030] The command generating unit 130 calculates the amount of movement by which the swivel turret 16 should move (i.e., the angle by which it should be rotated) so that the holding position P2 for the tool T, which is set by the holding position setting unit 120, is located at the transfer position EP for the tool T, and generates a drive command DC for the control unit 19 of the machine tool 10 to rotate the swivel turret 16 by the calculated amount of movement. Specifically, the command generating unit 130 calculates the rotation angle (60° shown in FIG. 4) from the position of the holding position P2 shown in FIG. 3 to the transfer position EP, generates a clockwise drive command DC corresponding to the rotation angle, and outputs it to the control unit 19.

[0031] When multiple tools T are attached to (or replaced with) the rotating turret 16, the holding position setting unit 120 and the command generating unit 130 repeat the above-described operations based on the already acquired configuration information CI. By performing these operations, the information acquiring unit 110 acquires the configuration information CI including the current tool holding state in the tool holding mechanism (swivel turret 16), so that the tool management device 100 itself does not need to add additional memory to constantly store the configuration information CI of the machine tool 10.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5, if there are multiple holding positions suitable for the tool T to be attached, the holding position that minimizes the amount of movement (i.e., the rotation angle) from the current position to the transfer position EP may be adopted. Specifically, since the amount of movement (rotation angle of 30°) of holding position P5 is smaller than the amount of movement (rotation angle of 60°) of holding position P2, holding position P5 may be selected and a counterclockwise drive command DC may be output. This reduces the attachment time (exchange time) of tool T.

[0033] Next, a modified example of the tool management device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0034] 6 is a schematic diagram showing a first modified example of the tool management device according to the first embodiment. The first modified example shows a case where large diameter tools T1 to T3 and small diameter tools T4 to T10 are attached to a rotating turret 16 of a machine tool 10.

[0035] 6, the swivel turret 16 applied to the tool management device 100 of the first modified example has a plurality of type regions A1, A2 for each type of tool T indicated by the large diameter tools T1 to T3 and the small diameter tools T4 to T10. The holding position setting unit 120 of the tool management device 100 sets a holding position P for each tool T based on the calculated reference positions in the type regions A1 and A2.

[0036] Specifically, for large diameter tools T1-T3, holding positions P1-P3 suited to the large diameter tools are arranged at equal intervals in type area A1, and the movement amount (turning angle) is calculated by setting holding position P1 as the reference position as the calculation reference for the movement amount. Similarly, for small diameter tools T4-T10, holding positions P4-P10 suited to the small diameter tools are arranged at equal intervals in type area A2, and holding position P4 as the reference position as the calculation reference for the movement amount (turning angle) as the calculation reference for the movement amount.

[0037] With this configuration, it becomes possible to simultaneously mount multiple types of tools T with specifications suitable for the material of the workpiece and the type of machining on the swivel turret 16 and selectively perform machining. Note that, although the first modified example shown in Fig. 6 illustrates the case of two types of tools T, large diameter and small diameter, it is possible to deal with three or more types of tools T by increasing the type area.

[0038] 7 is a schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the tool management device according to the first embodiment. The second modified example has a function of changing the configuration information CI stored in the control unit 19 of the machine tool 10 when a change occurs in the mounting state of the tool T on the turning turret 16.

[0039] 7, the tool management device 100 of the second modified example includes, in addition to the information acquiring unit 110, holding position setting unit 120, and command generating unit 130 shown in FIG. 1, a configuration information updating unit 140 that updates configuration information CI based on drive commands DC generated by the command generating unit 130. The configuration information updating unit 140 has a function of changing the configuration information CI acquired by the information acquiring unit 110 in consideration of the drive commands DC to the control unit 19 of the machine tool 10 generated by the command generating unit 130, and returning the changed configuration information CI to the control unit 19.

[0040] 3 and 4, for example, the configuration information CI acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 initially includes information that "the tool T is not attached to the holding position P2." Then, as shown in Fig. 4, when a new tool T2 is attached to the holding position P2, if there is no information that the tool T2 has been attached to the holding position P2 when another tool T is next attached, there is a possibility that the holding position setting unit 120 will repeatedly select and set the holding position P2 to which the tool T2 has already been attached based on the old configuration information CI.

[0041] Therefore, in the second modified example, the configuration information update unit 140 included in the tool management device 100 creates new configuration information CI' by overwriting the configuration information CI acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 with the change information for the holding position P included in the drive command DC output from the command generation unit 130, and transmits the created new configuration information CI' to the control unit 19 of the machine tool 10. This enables tool management that takes into account the latest information on the holding status of the tool T in the turning turret 16. At this time, when the tool T is continuously attached or replaced, it is preferable that the information acquisition unit 110 operates to always acquire the latest configuration information CI.

[0042] 8 is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the tool management device according to the first embodiment. In the third modified example, the tool management device 100 is connected to a plurality of target devices, that is, machine tools 10, 10′, and performs tool management for the plurality of target devices.

[0043] That is, as shown in Fig. 8, the tool management device 100 of the third modified example is connected by wire or wirelessly to machine tools 10 and 10', which are target devices that hold a plurality of tools, and is configured as a machining system that exchanges signals and data with these multiple machine tools 10, 10'. Note that Fig. 9 illustrates an example in which the tool management device 100 is connected to two machine tools 10, 10', but the tool management device 100 may be configured to be connected to three or more target devices.

[0044] In the third modification, when the information acquisition unit 110 of the tool management device 100 attaches or replaces a predetermined tool T, the information acquisition unit 110 individually connects to the multiple machine tools 10, 10', and can manage the tool T by allocating it to the machine tool 10 or 10' according to the tool information TI. In other words, it becomes possible to attach or replace a tool to a machine tool designated for the type of workpiece machining, machining conditions, or tool specifications.

[0045] 8, when a tool T is to be attached to the machine tool 10 or 10', the information acquiring unit 110 of the tool management device 100 first acquires tool information TI of the tool T and also acquires configuration information CI and CI' from the control units 19 and 19' of the machine tools 10 and 10', respectively. Then, the information acquiring unit 110 selects the configuration information CI as appropriate configuration information that matches the acquired tool information TI.

[0046] Next, the holding position setting unit 120 sets a holding position P of the tool T in the turning turret 16 based on the selected configuration information CI and tool information TI. Then, the command generating unit 130 generates a drive command DC to move the set holding position P to the transfer position EP and outputs it to the control unit 19.

[0047] Next, when another tool T' is to be attached to the machine tool 10 or 10', the information acquisition unit 110 of the tool management device 100 acquires the tool information TI' of the tool T'. Then, the information acquisition unit 110 selects the configuration information CI' as appropriate configuration information that matches the newly acquired tool information TI'.

[0048] Next, the holding position setting unit 120 determines the tool position in the swivel turret 16' based on the selected configuration information CI' and tool information TI'. T’ Then, the command generating unit 130 generates a drive command DC' for moving the set holding position P' to the transfer position EP' and outputs the drive command DC' to the control unit 19'.

[0049] By repeatedly performing such operations, it becomes possible to select and install and manage the tool T to be attached or replaced in the appropriate turning turret 16, 16' in consideration of the configuration information CI, CI' of the plurality of machine tools 10, 10'. Note that, in the above specific example, the case where the configuration information CI, CI' of each of the plurality of machine tools 10, 10' is first obtained is illustrated, but the configuration information CI or CI' may also be configured to selectively obtain depending on the obtained tool information TI, TI'.

[0050] With the above-described configuration, the tool management device according to the first embodiment eliminates the need for a memory for constantly storing the configuration information of the target device (machine tool) because the information acquisition unit acquires configuration information including the current tool holding state of the tool holding mechanism (swivel turret). Furthermore, the holding position setting unit sets a holding position for holding the tool in the tool holding mechanism based on the configuration information and tool information, and the command generation unit generates a drive command for moving the holding position of the tool holding mechanism to a transfer position for transferring the tool. Therefore, the tool management device can respond to changes in the specifications of the target device or the target device itself, and does not require the addition or modification of memory.

[0051] <Second embodiment> 9 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a tool management device and target devices according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, components that can adopt the same or common configurations as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are assigned the same reference numerals, and repeated description of these components will be omitted.

[0052] 9, a tool management device 100 according to the second embodiment is configured as a tool storage system that is connected by wire or wirelessly to a target device (tool storage device) 20 that holds a plurality of tools, and exchanges signals and data with the tool storage device 20. Here, in the second embodiment, the tool storage device 20 includes a chain-type tool stocker 24 as a tool holding mechanism.

[0053] As an example, the tool storage device 20 constitutes a tool storage unit including a base section 22, a chain-type tool stocker 24 that holds and stores a plurality of tools T, a pair of pulleys 26 that rotate the chain-type tool stocker 24, a tool stocker holding section 28 that incorporates a drive mechanism that rotates the pair of pulleys 26, and a control section 29 that controls the operation of the entire tool storage device 20. In such a tool storage device 20, a plurality of tools T1 to T14 are held at holding positions (see symbol P1 in FIG. 9 ) of individual chain elements C1 to C14 that make up the chain-type tool stocker 24, and based on a command from the control section 29, the pair of pulleys 26 rotate to rotate the chain-type tool stocker 24, thereby moving a specific tool T to a transfer position EP.

[0054] As an example, the chain-type tool stocker 24 has a plurality of chain elements C1 to C14 rotatably connected by a predetermined connecting mechanism (not shown), and has tool holders (not shown) that hold a plurality of tools T1 to T14 at holding positions P1 to P14, respectively. Here, in the specific example of Fig. 9, the holding positions P1 to P14 are arranged at equal intervals in the connecting direction of the chain-type tool stocker 24.

[0055] In addition, in the chain-type tool stocker 24, the position of holding positions P1 to P14 is set as a reference position, and the placement positions of the holding positions P1 to P14 are determined based on the distance from the reference position. That is, based on the distance (length) from the reference position, the command generation unit 130 of the tool management device 100, which will be described later, calculates the amount of rotation (the movement distance of the chain elements C1 to C14) when generating a rotation command for the chain-type tool stocker 24.

[0056] Next, a specific operation of the tool management device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In the tool management device 100 according to the second embodiment, the information acquisition unit 110 first acquires configuration information CI about the chain-type tool stocker 24 from the control unit 29 of the tool storage device 20.

[0057] Here, the configuration information CI includes, for example, information such as the number and arrangement of holding positions P1 to P14 provided in the chain type tool stocker 24, the number and numbers of tools T1 to T14 already attached to the holding positions P1 to P14, and the current position of holding position P1 serving as the reference position. As in the first embodiment, the positions at which the above-mentioned tools T1 to T14 are attached may be determined by sensors provided at the respective holding positions P1 to P14 detecting information on the presence or absence of tool T, and the information may be acquired via the control unit 29.

[0058] The information acquiring unit 110 acquires tool information TI related to the tool T to be replaced from the outside together with the configuration information CI. As described above, the tool information TI at this time includes the number and specifications of the tool T to be replaced. Then, the information acquiring unit 110 sends the acquired configuration information CI and tool information TI to the holding position setting unit 120.

[0059] The holding position setting unit 120 selects a holding position P1 to P14 of the chain-type tool stocker 24 that is suitable for the tool T to be replaced based on the configuration information CI and the tool information TI, and sends the number information of the holding position to the command generating unit 130. At this time, as in the first embodiment, as an example, the holding position that is closest to the holding position P1, which is the reference position, and to which the tool T is not attached, is selected.

[0060] The command generating unit 130 calculates the amount of movement of the chain element C having the set holding position P so that the holding position P for the tool T set by the holding position setting unit 120 is located at the transfer position EP for the tool T (i.e., how much the chain type tool stocker 24 should rotate), and generates a drive command DC for the control unit 29 of the tool storage device 20 to rotate the chain type tool stocker 24. Specifically, the command generating unit 130 calculates the amount of movement of the set holding position P to the transfer position EP, generates a drive command DC corresponding to the amount of rotation of the pair of pulleys 26 corresponding to the amount of movement, and outputs the drive command DC to the control unit 29.

[0061] When multiple tools T are attached to (or replaced with) the chain-type tool stocker 24, the holding position setting unit 120 and the command generating unit 130 repeat the above-described operations based on the already acquired configuration information CI. By performing these operations, the information acquiring unit 110 acquires the configuration information CI including the current tool holding state in the tool holding mechanism (chain-type tool stocker 24), so the tool management device 100 itself does not need to add additional memory to constantly store the configuration information CI of the tool storage device 20.

[0062] With the above-described configuration, even if the target device in the tool management device according to the second embodiment is changed from a machine tool 10 that performs machining to a tool storage device 20 that stores and manages tools, the information acquisition unit acquires and manages configuration information, including the current tool holding state of the tool holding mechanism (chain-type tool stocker). This eliminates the need for a memory for the tool management device itself to constantly store the configuration information of the target device (machine tool). Furthermore, the holding position setting unit sets a holding position for holding the tool in the tool holding mechanism based on the configuration information and the tool information, and the command generation unit generates a drive command to move the holding position of the tool holding mechanism to a transfer position where the tool is transferred. Therefore, the tool management device can respond to changes in the specifications of the target device or the target device itself, and does not require the addition or modification of memory.

[0063] 9 illustrates a chain-type tool stocker as a tool holding mechanism in the second embodiment, but a well-known structure such as a rack-type magazine or a drum-type magazine may also be used as the tool holding mechanism. Even with these structures, the effects of the present invention can be achieved by calculating the amount of movement between the holding position where the tool is held and the transfer position and outputting a drive command.

[0064] <Third embodiment> 10 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a tool management device and target devices according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, components that can adopt the same or common configurations as those in the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 are assigned the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] 10, the tool management device 100 according to the third embodiment includes, as an example, a machine tool 10 shown in FIG. 1 that holds a plurality of tools T and machines a workpiece W, a tool storage device 20 shown in FIG. 9 that stores a plurality of tools T, and a tool transfer device 30 that transfers tools between the machine tool 10 and the tool storage device 20, all of which are connected by wire or wirelessly. The tool management device 100 according to the third embodiment constitutes a machining system in which signals and data are exchanged between the machine tool 10, the tool storage device 20, and the tool transfer device 30.

[0066] 10, machine tool 10 is configured as a turret lathe including a base 12, a workpiece holder 14, a swivel turret 16, a turret holder 18, and a control unit 19. Tool storage device 20 configures a tool storage unit including a base 22, a chain-type tool stocker 24, a pair of pulleys 26, a tool stocker holder 28, and a control unit 29. A transfer position EP1 of machine tool 10 and a transfer position EP2 of tool storage device 20 are located at opposite positions.

[0067] On the other hand, the tool transfer device 30 is configured as an articulated robot mechanism that includes, for example, a base unit 32, a robot arm 34 formed of multiple arms, a tool gripper 36 provided at one end of the robot arm 34, and a control unit 38 that controls the overall operation of the tool transfer device 30. The tool transfer device 30 is arranged so that the tool T can be exchanged between the machine tool 10 and the tool storage device 20 by the robot arm 34 rotating relative to the base unit 32.

[0068] Next, an operation of exchanging the tool T between the machine tool 10 and the tool storage device 20 by the tool management device 100 according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0069] In the machining system shown in the third embodiment, for example, when a predetermined tool T is to be taken out of the tool storage device 20 and attached to the machine tool 10, the information acquisition unit 110 of the tool management device 100 first acquires the tool information TI of the tool T and also acquires the configuration information CI2 from the control unit 29 of the tool storage device 20. Next, the holding position setting unit 120 determines whether the chain-type tool stocker 24 of the tool storage device 20 contains the tool T corresponding to the acquired tool information TI. If the corresponding tool T is present, the holding position setting unit 120 sets the attached holding position P and sends it to the command generation unit 130.

[0070] Next, the command generating unit 130 generates a drive command DC2 for moving the holding position P set in the chain-type tool stocker 24 to the transfer position EP2, and outputs the drive command DC2 to the control unit 29. This causes the pair of pulleys 26 of the tool storage device 20 to rotate, causing the chain-type tool stocker 24 to turn, and the designated tool T is moved to the transfer position EP2.

[0071] Next, information acquisition unit 110 acquires configuration information CI1 from control unit 19 of machine tool 10. Then, holding position setting unit 120 determines whether or not there is a holding position P corresponding to the specified tool T on turning turret 16 of machine tool 10, sets the holding position P, and sends it to command generation unit 130.

[0072] Next, the command generating unit 130 generates a drive command DC1 for moving the holding position P set in the swivel turret 16 to the transfer position EP1, and outputs the drive command DC1 to the control unit 19. This causes the swivel turret 16 of the machine tool 10 to rotate, and the holding position P for attaching the designated tool T is moved to the transfer position EP1.

[0073] Next, the command generating unit 130 generates and outputs to the control unit 38 of the tool transfer device 30 a drive command DC3 for an operation to transport the tool T from the transfer position EP2 of the tool storage device 20 to the transfer position EP1 of the machine tool 10. At this time, the drive command DC3 may be a command to simply start the transfer operation for the tool transfer device 30, or may be an operation command including the position from the transfer position EP2 to the transfer position EP1 and the movement of the robot arm 34.

[0074] By this operation, it becomes possible to automatically move a predetermined tool T from the chain-type tool stocker 24 of the tool storage device 20 to the swivel turret 16 of the machine tool 10 based on a command from the tool management device 100. Note that by issuing a command in the reverse order of the above operations, it is also possible to remove the predetermined tool T from the swivel turret 16 of the machine tool 10 and move it to the chain-type tool stocker 24 of the tool storage device 20.

[0075] In the above specific example, the drive command DC3 to the tool transfer device 30 is generated and output after the drive command DC1 or DC2 is output to the machine tool 10 or the tool storage device 20, but the drive command DC3 may be generated and output during operation by the drive command DC1 or DC2. This reduces the standby time for the tool transfer device 30 to operate, thereby reducing the time required to move the tool T.

[0076] By being configured as described above, the tool management device according to the third embodiment does not require a memory for constantly storing configuration information of the target device (machine tool) even in a machining system having an automatic tool changing function that includes both the machine tool 10 and the tool storage device 20. Furthermore, as in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to respond to changes in the specifications of the target device or the target device itself, and to eliminate the need to add or change memory.

[0077] The present invention can also be applied by combining the above-described embodiments. For example, by connecting a plurality of the tool storage devices shown in the second embodiment to the tool management device according to the present invention, it is possible to perform tool management for the plurality of tool storage devices. Furthermore, a configuration including the configuration information update unit shown in the second modified example of the first embodiment may be applied to a tool management device connected to the machining system shown in the third embodiment.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Any of the components of the embodiment can be modified or omitted within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 Machine tools 16 Rotating Turret 20 Tool storage device 24 Chain-type tool stocker 30 Tool transfer device 34 Robot Arm 100 Tool management device 110 Information Acquisition Department 120 Holding position setting section 130 Command generation section 140 Configuration information update section

Claims

1. A tool management device for managing tools for a target device having a tool holding mechanism for holding a plurality of tools, an information acquisition unit that acquires configuration information including a current tool holding state in the tool holding mechanism from a control unit of the target device; a holding position setting unit that sets a holding position in the tool holding mechanism to hold the tool based on the configuration information and tool information of the tool; a command generating unit that generates a drive command to move the holding position of the tool holding mechanism to a transfer position where the tool is transferred; A tool management device including:

2. The holding position setting unit sets the holding position so that the amount of movement to the transfer position is minimized. The tool management device according to claim 1 .

3. the tool holding mechanism has a plurality of type regions for each type of tool, The holding position setting unit sets the holding position for each tool based on a calculated reference position in the type area. The tool management device according to claim 1 .

4. a configuration information update unit that updates the configuration information based on the drive command The tool management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The target device is configured as a plurality of devices, The information acquisition unit further has a function of acquiring configuration information corresponding to each of the target devices from the plurality of target devices, and selecting appropriate configuration information from the corresponding configuration information in consideration of the tool information. The tool management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The target device is a machine tool, and the tool holding mechanism is a rotating turret of the machine tool. The tool management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The target device is a tool storage device, and the tool holding mechanism is a tool stocker of the tool storage device. The tool management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. the target device is a machine tool and a tool storage device; the machine tool includes a swivel turret as a first tool holding mechanism; the tool storage device includes a tool stocker as a second tool holding mechanism; the holding position setting unit sets a first holding position based on first configuration information and the tool information for the first tool holding mechanism, and sets a second holding position based on second configuration information and the tool information for the second tool holding mechanism; The command generating unit generates a first drive command to move the first holding position to the transfer position, and generates a second drive command to move the second holding position to the transfer position. The tool management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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