Monitoring device, machining system, monitoring system, and monitoring method

Abstract

This monitoring device for monitoring a plurality of machine tools comprises a display information generation unit that generates display information for displaying a plurality of shapes corresponding to the plurality of machine tools on a display unit, and an information acquisition unit that acquires information on the remaining life of a component provided in each of the plurality of machine tools. The display information generation unit generates the display information on the basis of the information on the remaining life acquired by the information acquisition unit such that the shape is displayed on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life.

Description

Monitoring device, machining system, monitoring system, and monitoring method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring device, a machining system, a monitoring system, and a monitoring method.

[0002] A machine tool is composed of a plurality of parts. When a part breaks down, it is necessary to replace the part with a new part. In relation to part replacement for a machine tool, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-39493 discloses a method for predicting when components constituting each unit of a machine tool will fail and notifying the user when it is time to perform machine maintenance.

[0003] Recently, there has been a demand for a monitoring device that can more appropriately monitor machine tools.

[0004] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a monitoring device that monitors a plurality of machine tools, and includes a display information generation unit that generates display information for displaying a plurality of figures corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on a display unit, and an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the remaining life of parts provided on each of the plurality of machine tools, wherein the display information generation unit generates the display information based on the information regarding the remaining life acquired by the information acquisition unit so that the figures are displayed on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life.

[0005] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a machining system including the monitoring device according to the first aspect and a plurality of the machine tools monitored by the monitoring device.

[0006] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a monitoring system comprising: a monitoring device having an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the remaining life of parts provided on each of a plurality of machine tools; and a monitoring terminal having a display unit that displays a plurality of figures corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on the display unit in a manner according to the remaining life.

[0007] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a monitoring method for monitoring a plurality of machine tools, comprising: a display information generation step for generating display information for displaying a graphic corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on a display unit; and an information acquisition step for acquiring information regarding the remaining life of a part provided on each of the plurality of machine tools, wherein in the display information generation step, the display information is generated based on the information regarding the remaining life acquired by the information acquisition step so that the graphic is displayed on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a machining system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a data table showing an example of remaining life information. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on a display unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on a display unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on a display unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on a display unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displayed on a display unit. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a monitoring method.

[0009] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-39493 describes displaying a list of part names (text information). However, when there are multiple machine tools, simply displaying text information makes it difficult for a user to intuitively determine which machine tool should have parts replaced.

[0010] [One embodiment] A monitoring device, a machining system, a monitoring system, and a monitoring method according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be assigned the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a machining system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0012] The machining system 10 is a system for managing a plurality of machine tools 12 in, for example, a factory. The machining system 10 includes a monitoring system 11 and the plurality of machine tools 12. The monitoring system 11 includes a monitoring terminal 14 and a monitoring device 16.

[0013] Although the number of machine tools 12 shown in FIG. 1 is 16 (machine tools 12A to 12P), the number of machine tools 12 provided in the machining system 10 is not limited to 16. Furthermore, the model of the machine tools 12 is not particularly limited. Although specific illustrations are omitted, each of the multiple machine tools 12 includes a processing machine and a control device. The processing machine is a machine that processes an object to be processed. The control device is a computer that controls the processing machine. The control device includes a processor, memory, an operation touch panel, a communication module, etc. The communication module is connected to the network NW. In other words, each of the multiple machine tools 12 is connected to the network NW.

[0014] The network NW is, for example, a local area network (LAN) established within a factory site, and is established by appropriately combining, for example, a wired LAN and a wireless LAN.

[0015] The monitoring terminal 14 is a terminal device (computer) used by a user who utilizes the machining system 10. The monitoring terminal 14 is, for example, a tablet terminal, but is not limited to this. Although one monitoring terminal 14 is shown in FIG. 1 , the machining system 10 may be provided with multiple monitoring terminals 14. The monitoring terminal 14 includes an operation unit 18, a display unit 20, a communication unit 22, a memory unit 24, and a calculation unit 26.

[0016] The operation unit 18 accepts input operations performed by a user on the monitoring terminal 14. The display unit 20 is provided with a display element (not shown). The display element is, for example, a liquid crystal display element, an organic electroluminescence display element, or the like. At least a part of the operation unit 18 may be realized by a touch panel (not shown) provided with such a display element.

[0017] The communication unit 22 includes, for example, a communication module (not shown) and is connected to a network NW.

[0018] The storage unit 24 includes a volatile memory (not shown) and a nonvolatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory include a random access memory (RAM). Examples of the nonvolatile memory include a read only memory (ROM) and a flash memory.

[0019] The calculation unit 26 includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). That is, the calculation unit 26 may be configured with a processing circuitry. The calculation unit 26 includes a control unit 26 a, a communication control unit 26 b, and a display control unit 26 c.

[0020] The control unit 26a, the communication control unit 26b, and the display control unit 26c can be realized, for example, by the calculation unit 26 executing a program stored in the storage unit 24. The control unit 26a controls the entire monitoring terminal 14. The control unit 26a can control the monitoring terminal 14 in accordance with operations performed by a user using the operation unit 18. The communication control unit 26b controls the communication unit 22. The communication control unit 26b controls the communication unit 22, allowing the monitoring terminal 14 to communicate with the monitoring device 16 via the network NW. The display control unit 26c controls the display unit 20 to display information on the display unit 20.

[0021] The monitoring device 16 is a server (computer) that monitors the multiple machine tools 12. The monitoring device 16 includes a communication unit 28, a storage unit 30, and a calculation unit 32.

[0022] The communication unit 28 includes, for example, a communication module (not shown) and is connected to a network NW.

[0023] The storage unit 30 includes a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory include RAM. Examples of the non-volatile memory include ROM and flash memory. Data and the like may be stored in the volatile memory. Programs, tables, maps, and the like may be stored in the non-volatile memory. At least a portion of the storage unit 30 may be included in a processor, an integrated circuit, or the like, as described below. The storage unit 30 may further include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and the like.

[0024] The storage unit 30 stores a monitoring program 34. The monitoring program 34 is a program for causing a computer to execute a monitoring method according to this embodiment.

[0025] The memory unit 30 also stores remaining life information 36. The remaining life information 36 is information relating to the remaining life of parts provided in each of the multiple machine tools 12. One machine tool 12 is provided with multiple parts. Therefore, the remaining life information 36 can include information relating to the remaining life of each of the multiple parts provided in each of the multiple machine tools 12. The remaining life information 36 can be created by an information acquisition unit 38, which will be described later.

[0026] 2 is a data table showing an example of remaining life information 36. In the following, a case will be described in which machine tool 12A and machine tool 12E are each a wire electric discharge machine.

[0027] The first column in FIG. 2 shows identification information for multiple machine tools 12. The identification information for the machine tool 12 is, for example, an alphanumeric identification number, but is not limited to this. The second column in FIG. 2 shows identification information for multiple parts provided on the machine tool 12. The identification information for the parts is, for example, the name of the part, but is not limited to this. For example, the identification information for the parts may be the model number of the part. Parts provided on the machine tool 12, which is a wire electric discharge machine, include, for example, a die guide, a jet nozzle, a lock nut, a packing, an electrode pin, etc., but are not limited to these. The third column in FIG. 2 shows information indicating the remaining lifespan of each of the multiple parts. The remaining lifespan is expressed using a unit of time, such as, for example, hours or years, but is not limited to these.

[0028] Although not shown, layout information can be stored in the storage unit 30. The layout information is information relating to the layout of the multiple machine tools 12. The layout information includes, for example, floor information of the building on which the multiple machine tools 12 are installed.

[0029] The calculation unit 32 includes a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. That is, the calculation unit 32 may be configured with a processing circuit. The calculation unit 32 includes an information acquisition unit 38, a determination unit 40, a display information generation unit 42, a reception unit 44, and a storage control unit 46.

[0030] The information acquisition unit 38, the determination unit 40, the display information generation unit 42, the reception unit 44, and the storage control unit 46 may be realized, for example, by the calculation unit 32 executing the monitoring program 34. Note that at least a portion of the information acquisition unit 38, the determination unit 40, the display information generation unit 42, the reception unit 44, and the storage control unit 46 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). At least a portion of the information acquisition unit 38, the determination unit 40, the display information generation unit 42, the reception unit 44, and the storage control unit 46 may be realized by an electronic circuit including a discrete device.

[0031] The information acquisition unit 38 acquires information regarding the remaining lifespan of each of the multiple components included in each of the multiple machine tools 12. The information acquisition unit 38 can determine the remaining lifespan of a component based on, for example, the difference between a predetermined service life for the component and the cumulative time the component has been used. For example, a case will be described in which the service life of a die guide is 2000 hours and the cumulative time the die guide included in the machine tool 12A has been used is 100 hours. In this case, the information acquisition unit 38 may determine that the remaining lifespan of the die guide included in the machine tool 12A is 1900 hours. Note that the specific method for acquiring information regarding the remaining lifespan of a component is not limited to this. For example, the information acquisition unit 38 may determine the remaining lifespan of a component based on the difference between a predetermined maximum number of uses for the component and the cumulative number of times the component has been used for machining.

[0032] The determination unit 40 determines whether each of the multiple machine tools 12 is in a state requiring part replacement based on the remaining lifespan of the parts provided in each machine tool 12. For example, the determination unit 40 determines whether the remaining lifespan of the parts is below a predetermined remaining lifespan threshold. If the remaining lifespan of at least one part among the multiple parts provided in the machine tool 12 is below the remaining lifespan threshold, it is determined that part replacement is required for the machine tool 12. If the remaining lifespans of all of the multiple parts provided in the machine tool 12 are not below the remaining lifespan threshold, the determination unit 40 determines that part replacement is not required for the machine tool 12.

[0033] The remaining life threshold is determined in advance, for example, based on experiments. Information indicating the remaining life threshold is stored in advance in the storage unit 30. The remaining life threshold may be determined depending on the type of component. In this case, the determination unit 40 can use different remaining life thresholds depending on the type of component.

[0034] The remaining life threshold may be set to, for example, a value greater than zero. More specifically, the remaining life threshold indicates, for example, a predetermined value that is less than the aforementioned useful life and greater than zero. Furthermore, the remaining life threshold indicates, for example, a predetermined value that is less than the aforementioned maximum number of uses and greater than zero. By using a remaining life threshold that indicates a remaining life greater than zero, the determination unit 40 can determine that a part needs to be replaced in the machine tool 12 before the remaining life of the part becomes zero. That is, the determination unit 40 can determine that a part needs to be replaced in the machine tool 12 before the part's life expires. For illustrative purposes, a case will be described in which the remaining life threshold determined for the die guide indicates a remaining life of 100 hours. In this case, the determination unit 40 determines that the die guide of the machine tool 12A, whose remaining life is greater than the remaining life threshold, does not need to be replaced, but determines that the die guide of the machine tool 12E, whose remaining life is less than the remaining life threshold, needs to be replaced (see also FIG. 2 ).

[0035] The display information generation unit 42 generates display information. The display information is information to be displayed on the display unit 20 provided in the monitoring terminal 14. The display information generation unit 42 controls the communication unit 28 to send the display information to the monitoring terminal 14 via the network NW. The display control unit 26c controls the display unit 20 based on the display information sent from the display information generation unit 42.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 201 displayed on the display unit 20. As shown in FIG.

[0037] The display information generated by display information generation unit 42 includes information for displaying display screen 201 on display unit 20 provided in monitoring terminal 14. Display screen 201 shows a plurality of figures 48 (48A to 48P) each representing a plurality of machine tools 12. Figure 48A shown in Fig. 3 represents machine tool 12A shown in Fig. 1. Similarly, figures 48B, 48C, ..., 48P represent machine tool 12B, machine tool 12C, ..., machine tool 12P, respectively.

[0038] It is preferable that the display information generation unit 42 generates display information based on layout information indicating the layout of the multiple machine tools 12. This allows the display control unit 26c to display a floor map FM simulating the interior of a factory building on the display screen 201, and to display a graphic 48 representing the machine tool 12 at a position on the floor map FM indicating the installation location of the machine tool 12. This allows the user to easily understand the correspondence between the multiple graphics 48 and the multiple machine tools 12.

[0039] The display information generation unit 42 generates display information so that a graphic 48 corresponding to a machine tool 12 is displayed on the display unit 20 in a manner corresponding to the remaining life of a part provided on the machine tool 12. That is, the display information generation unit 42 generates display information so that a plurality of graphics 48 corresponding to each of a plurality of machine tools 12 is displayed on the display unit 20 based on the determination result by the determination unit 40. More specifically, the display information generation unit 42 generates display information so that the display manner of a graphic 48 corresponding to a machine tool 12 that does not require part replacement differs from the display manner of a graphic 48 corresponding to a machine tool 12 that requires part replacement. This makes it possible to change the display manner of a graphic 48 depending on whether the graphic 48 corresponds to a machine tool 12 that requires part replacement. A user can easily distinguish between a machine tool 12 that does not require part replacement and a machine tool 12 that requires part replacement by looking at the display screen 201.

[0040] An example will be described in which it is determined that only machine tool 12E, among the multiple machine tools 12, requires part replacement. In this case, the display information generation unit 42 generates display information such that the display mode of a graphic 48E corresponding to machine tool 12E is different from the display mode of the multiple graphics 48 (48A-48D, 48F-48P) other than graphic 48E. For example, the display information generation unit 42 generates display information such that the color used for graphic 48E is different from the color used for the other graphics 48 (48A-48D, 48F-48P). In the example shown in FIG. 3 , of the multiple graphics 48, only graphic 48E representing machine tool 12E is indicated by a thick line. This allows a user viewing the display screen 201 to easily understand that part replacement is required for machine tool 12E.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 202 displayed on the display unit 20. As shown in FIG.

[0042] The display information generated by the display information generation unit 42 includes information for displaying a display screen 202 on the display unit 20 provided in the monitoring terminal 14. An explanatory diagram 50 showing the location of a part requiring replacement in the machine tool 12 (12E) that requires part replacement is displayed on the display screen 202. A part requiring replacement is a part that is in a state requiring replacement. In other words, a part requiring replacement is a part that has been determined by the determination unit 40 to have a remaining lifespan that is below a remaining lifespan threshold.

[0043] The explanatory diagram 50 includes, for example, a graphic 501 indicating the machine tool 12 and a graphic 502 indicating the location of the part requiring replacement. The explanatory diagram 50 may be displayed together with a floor map FM, a plurality of graphics 48, etc. By displaying the display screen 202 on the display unit 20, the user can specifically imagine the location of the part requiring replacement.

[0044] Display control unit 26c included in monitoring terminal 14 displays display screen 202 in response to a predetermined operation performed by the user using, for example, operation unit 18. Specifically, for example, when the user performs a tap operation on graphic 48E displayed on display screen 201, display control unit 26c displays display screen 202 indicating the location of a part requiring replacement in machine tool 12E.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 203 displayed on the display unit 20. As shown in FIG.

[0046] The display information generated by display information generation unit 42 includes information for displaying display screen 203 on display unit 20 provided in monitoring terminal 14. Display screen 203 displays the location of the part requiring replacement in more detail than display screen 202. For example, an explanatory diagram 503 showing the positional relationship between the part requiring replacement and other parts provided in the vicinity of the part requiring replacement is displayed on display screen 203. This allows the user to more specifically imagine the part of machine tool 12 that requires part replacement.

[0047] The display control unit 26c provided in the monitoring terminal 14 displays the display screen 203 in response to a predetermined operation performed by the user using, for example, the operation unit 18. Specifically, for example, when the user performs a tap operation on the figure 502 displayed on the display screen 202, the display control unit 26c displays the display screen 203.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 204 displayed on the display unit 20. As shown in FIG.

[0049] The display information generated by the display information generating unit 42 includes information for displaying a display screen 204 on the display unit 20 provided in the monitoring terminal 14. The display screen 204 displays information 52 indicating the procedure for performing the replacement work on the part requiring replacement. This reduces the risk that the user will make a mistake in the procedure for the replacement work on the part requiring replacement. The information 52 may include text explaining the replacement work procedure, or may include a diagram explaining the procedure. The information 52 may be displayed together with a floor map FM, multiple figures 48, an explanatory diagram 50, etc.

[0050] As described above, the display information generating unit 42 displays the graphic 48 representing the machine tool 12 on the display unit 20 in a manner corresponding to the remaining lifespan of the parts provided on the machine tool 12. This allows the user to easily determine which machine tool 12 requires part replacement. The display information generating unit 42 also displays a diagram indicating the location of the part requiring replacement on the display unit 20. This allows the user to easily determine which portion of the machine tool 12 requires part replacement. Furthermore, the display information generating unit 42 displays information indicating the procedure for performing replacement work on the part requiring replacement on the display unit 20. This allows the user to accurately perform replacement work on the part requiring replacement.

[0051] The reception unit 44 receives replacement completion information input to the monitoring device 16. The replacement completion information is information indicating that the replacement work on the above-mentioned part requiring replacement has been completed. The replacement completion information is transmitted from the monitoring terminal 14 to the monitoring device 16, for example, via the network NW. The monitoring terminal 14 transmits the replacement completion information to the monitoring device 16 in response to a user instruction given using the operation unit 18.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 204 displayed on the display unit 20. As shown in FIG.

[0053] For example, the display control unit 26c included in the monitoring terminal 14 displays a completion button 521 on the display unit 20. In this case, in response to a tap operation on the completion button 521, the calculation unit 26 included in the monitoring terminal 14 transmits replacement completion information to the monitoring device 16.

[0054] When the replacement completion information is received by the receiving unit 44, the information acquiring unit 38 updates the remaining life information 36 based on the item of the replaced part. An example will be described in which an old die guide provided in the machine tool 12E is replaced with a new die guide. In this case, the information acquiring unit 38 resets the value indicating the remaining life of the die guide provided in the machine tool 12E in the data table shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the value indicating the remaining life of the die guide provided in the machine tool 12E in the data table shown in FIG. 2 can be set to a value greater than the remaining life threshold.

[0055] The display information generating unit 42 included in the monitoring device 16 can generate display information based on the reset remaining life information 36. Therefore, when the replacement completion information is received by the receiving unit 44, the display control unit 26c can display on the display unit 20 a graphic 48 representing the machine tool 12 in a format corresponding to the remaining life of the part provided on the machine tool 12 in place of the part requiring replacement. This allows the user to look at the display unit 20 and confirm that the part replacement has been completed.

[0056] It is preferable that the Finish button 521 be displayed on the display unit 20 only when the user performs a predetermined operation using the operation unit 18. For example, as described above, the display control unit 26c provided in the monitoring terminal 14 displays information indicating the procedure for performing replacement work on the part requiring replacement on the display screen 204. It is preferable that the display control unit 26c display the Finish button 521 after the user has confirmed the information. More specifically, for example, when information indicating the procedure for replacement work on the part requiring replacement is displayed using text, it is preferable that the display control unit 26c display the Finish button 521 after the end of the text is displayed. This reduces the risk that the Finish button 521 will be operated without the user having confirmed the procedure for the replacement work.

[0057] The storage control unit 46 stores the reception time information in the storage unit 30. The reception time information is information indicating the time when the replacement completion information was received by the reception unit 44. This allows the information acquisition unit 38 to acquire the remaining life information 36 based on, for example, the time that has elapsed since the time indicated by the reception time information.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a monitoring method.

[0059] The monitoring device 16 can execute the monitoring method described below based on the monitoring program 34 .

[0060] In the information acquisition step S1 , the information acquisition unit 38 acquires information relating to the remaining lifespan of parts provided in each of the plurality of machine tools 12 .

[0061] Next, the process proceeds to a determination step S2, where the determination unit 40 determines whether the remaining life of the part is below a predetermined remaining life threshold value.

[0062] Next, the process proceeds to a display information generation step S3, in which the display information generation unit 42 generates display information for displaying a plurality of graphics 48 corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools 12 on the display unit 20. The display information generation unit 42 generates the display information based on the determination result by the determination unit 40 so that the graphics 48 representing the machine tool 12 can be displayed on the display unit 20 in a manner corresponding to the remaining life of the parts provided on the machine tool 12.

[0063] Next, the process proceeds to a display control step S4, in which the display control unit 26c displays a plurality of graphics 48 corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools 12 on the display unit 20. The display control unit 26c displays the plurality of graphics 48 on the display unit 20 based on the display information received from the display information generation unit 42 via the network NW. As a result, the display unit 20 displays the plurality of graphics 48 representing the machine tool 12 in a manner corresponding to the remaining lifespan of the parts provided on the machine tool 12. The display control unit 26c also displays the display screens 202 to 204 on the display unit 20 as appropriate.

[0064] Next, the process proceeds to a reception step S5, in which the reception unit 44 receives replacement completion information input to the monitoring device 16. If the replacement completion information is received by the reception unit 44 (S5: YES), a storage control step S6 is initiated. If the replacement completion information is not transmitted from the monitoring terminal 14 and is not received by the reception unit 44 (S5: NO), the display control step S4 and the reception step S5 continue.

[0065] In the storage control step S6, the storage control unit 46 stores the reception time information in the storage unit 30. The reception time information indicates the time when the exchange completion information was received by the reception unit 44. In this way, the monitoring method of FIG. 8 is completed.

[0066] [Modifications] Modifications of the above embodiment are described below. However, descriptions that overlap with the above embodiment will be omitted as appropriate in the following description. Elements already described in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0067] (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the display screens 201 to 204 are displayed on the monitoring terminal 14, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0068] For example, as described above, the control device of machine tool 12 is provided with an operation touch panel or the like. Display screens 201 to 204 may be displayed on the operation touch panel or the like provided in the control device.

[0069] Furthermore, the display screens 201 to 204 may be displayed on a display unit (display) provided in the monitoring device 16 .

[0070] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the graphic 48 is displayed on the display unit 20 in a color corresponding to the remaining life, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0071] The display information generation unit 42 may generate the display information so that the graphic 48 is displayed on the display unit 20 at a size according to the remaining lifespan. For example, the display information generation unit 42 generates the display information so that the shorter the remaining lifespan of a part provided on the machine tool 12, the larger the graphic 48 representing that machine tool 12 is displayed on the display unit 20. This makes it possible to make the graphic 48 representing the machine tool 12 provided with a part having a short remaining lifespan stand out more than the other graphics 48. The display information generation unit 42 may generate the display information so that the shorter the remaining lifespan of a part provided on the machine tool 12, the smaller the graphic 48 representing that machine tool 12 is displayed on the display unit 20. This makes it possible to give the user the impression that the graphic 48 representing the machine tool 12 provided with a part having a short remaining lifespan is different from the other graphics 48.

[0072] The display information generating unit 42 may generate display information such that the graphics 48 flash in accordance with the remaining life. For example, the display information generating unit 42 generates display information such that, among the multiple graphics 48, only the graphics 48 indicating the machine tool 12 equipped with a part whose remaining life is below the remaining life threshold flashes. This makes it possible to make the graphics 48 indicating the machine tool 12 equipped with a part whose remaining life is below the remaining life threshold more noticeable than the other graphics 48. The display information generating unit 42 may generate display information such that the shorter the remaining life of a part equipped in the machine tool 12, the more intensely the graphics 48 indicating that machine tool 12 flashes. This makes it possible to make the graphics 48 indicating the machine tool 12 equipped with a part whose remaining life is short more noticeable than the other graphics 48.

[0073] The display information generating unit 42 may generate display information such that the graphic 48 oscillates according to the remaining life. For example, the display information generating unit 42 generates display information such that, among the multiple graphic elements 48, only the graphic element 48 indicating the machine tool 12 equipped with a part whose remaining life is below the remaining life threshold oscillates. This makes it possible to make the graphic element 48 indicating the machine tool 12 equipped with a part whose remaining life is below the remaining life threshold more noticeable than the other graphic elements 48. The display information generating unit 42 may generate display information such that the shorter the remaining life of a part equipped in the machine tool 12, the more vigorously the graphic element 48 indicating the machine tool 12 oscillates. This makes it possible to make the graphic element 48 indicating the machine tool 12 equipped with a part whose remaining life is short more noticeable than the other graphic elements 48.

[0074] The display information generating unit 42 may generate display information such that the display of the graphic 48 is deformed so that the graphic 48 distorts in accordance with the remaining life. This makes it possible to give the user the impression that a machine tool 12 equipped with a part having a short remaining life is likely to break down. In other words, it is possible to give the user the impression that a part replacement is necessary for a machine tool 12 equipped with a part having a short remaining life. The display information generating unit 42 may generate display information such that the shorter the remaining life of a part equipped in the machine tool 12, the more significantly the graphic 48 representing that machine tool 12 distorts from its original shape. This allows the user to look at the display unit 20 and clearly imagine which machine tool 12 is most likely to break down.

[0075] (Modification 3) The determining unit 40 may use a plurality of remaining life thresholds to determine the state of one component.

[0076] For example, the determination unit 40 determines whether the remaining life of a part is shorter than a first remaining life threshold. If the remaining lifespans of all of the multiple parts provided in the machine tool 12 are not shorter than the first remaining life threshold, the determination unit 40 determines that part replacement is not necessary for the machine tool 12. If the remaining lifespan of at least one part of the multiple parts provided in the machine tool 12 is shorter than the first remaining life threshold, the determination unit 40 determines that part replacement is necessary for the machine tool 12.

[0077] When it is determined that the remaining life of at least one of the multiple parts provided on machine tool 12 is shorter than the first remaining life threshold, determination unit 40 may further determine whether the remaining life of the part is shorter than a second remaining life threshold. The second remaining life threshold is a remaining life threshold that indicates a value lower than the first remaining life threshold.

[0078] Display information generation unit 42 displays graphic 48 indicating machine tool 12 on display unit 20 in a manner based on the determination result by determination unit 40. That is, display information generation unit 42 changes the manner of graphic 48 depending on whether (1) the remaining life is not below the first remaining life threshold, (2) the remaining life is between the first remaining life threshold and the second remaining life threshold, or (3) the remaining life is below the second remaining life threshold.

[0079] The machine tool 12 corresponding to the above (1) is a machine tool 12 that does not require part replacement. The machine tool 12 corresponding to the above (2) or (3) is a machine tool 12 that requires part replacement. The machine tool 12 corresponding to the above (3) is a machine tool 12 that should be given a particular priority for part replacement among the machine tools 12 that require part replacement.

[0080] By changing the appearance of the graphic 48 according to the above (1) to (3), the user can appropriately determine the priority of the work.

[0081] (Variation 4) The remaining life threshold may be a value indicating that the remaining life of the component is zero. In this case, the determination unit 40 determines whether the remaining life of the component is zero. In other words, the determination unit 40 can determine whether the component's life has expired.

[0082] (Variation 5) As described above, the machine tool 12, the monitoring terminal 14, and the monitoring device 16 can communicate with each other via the network NW. In other words, the machine tool 12, the monitoring terminal 14, and the monitoring device 16 can share information with each other via the network NW. Based on this, at least some of the functions provided in the monitoring device 16 may be realized by the machine tool 12 or the monitoring terminal 14.

[0083] For example, at least some of the information acquisition unit 38, the determination unit 40, the display information generation unit 42, the reception unit 44, and the storage control unit 46 may be realized by the monitoring terminal 14 (the calculation unit 26). For example, the information acquisition unit 38 may be provided in the monitoring terminal 14. In this case, the information acquisition unit 38 provided in the monitoring terminal 14 generates the display information. The information acquisition unit 38 provided in the monitoring terminal 14 can generate the display information based on the determination result supplied from the monitoring device 16 (the determination unit 40) via the network NW.

[0084] At least some of the information acquisition unit 38, determination unit 40, display information generation unit 42, reception unit 44, and memory control unit 46 may be realized by the machine tool 12 (control device). For example, the information acquisition unit 38 may be provided in the control device of the machine tool 12. In this case, the information acquisition unit 38 provided in the control device generates the display information. The information acquisition unit 38 provided in the control device of the machine tool 12 can generate the display information based on the determination result supplied from the monitoring device 16 (determination unit 40) via the network NW.

[0085] (Combination of Multiple Modifications) The multiple modifications described above may be combined as appropriate within a range that does not cause inconsistency.

[0086] For example, variant 3 and variant 4 may be combined. In this case, the first remaining life threshold may indicate a remaining life greater than zero, and the second remaining life threshold may indicate that the remaining life of the component is zero. Alternatively, the first remaining life threshold may indicate that the remaining life of the component is zero, and the second remaining life threshold may indicate a remaining life less than zero. Furthermore, the first remaining life threshold may indicate a remaining life less than zero, and the second remaining life threshold may indicate a remaining life even less than the first remaining life threshold. Note that a remaining life less than zero may be represented by the cumulative time the component has been used since its remaining life reached zero. A remaining life less than zero may also be represented by the cumulative number of times the component has been used since its remaining life reached zero.

[0087] [Supplementary Note] The following supplementary note is further disclosed regarding the above embodiment and modifications.

[0088] <Supplementary Note 1> A monitoring device (16) that monitors a plurality of machine tools (12) includes a display information generation unit (42) that generates display information for displaying a plurality of graphics (48) corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on a display unit (20), and an information acquisition unit (38) that acquires information related to the remaining life of a part provided on each of the plurality of machine tools, and the display information generation unit generates the display information based on the information related to the remaining life acquired by the information acquisition unit so that the graphics are displayed on the display unit in a manner according to the remaining life.

[0089] <Supplementary Note 2> In the monitoring device described in Supplementary Note 1, the display information generation unit may generate the display information so that the graphic is displayed on the display unit in a first manner when the remaining life is not below a predetermined first remaining life threshold, and so that the graphic is displayed on the display unit in a second manner different from the first manner when the remaining life is below the first remaining life threshold.

[0090] <Supplementary Note 3> In the monitoring device described in Supplementary Note 2, the display information generation unit may generate the display information so that, when the remaining life is below a predetermined second remaining life threshold that is lower than the first remaining life threshold, the graphic is displayed on the display unit in a third manner different from both the first manner and the second manner.

[0091] <Supplementary Note 4> In the monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the display information generation unit may generate the display information such that the graphic is displayed on the display unit using a color according to the remaining life.

[0092] <Supplementary Note 5> In the monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, the display information generation unit may generate the display information such that the graphic is displayed on the display unit at a size according to the remaining life.

[0093] <Supplementary Note 6> In the monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, the display information generating unit may generate the display information so that the graphic flashes in accordance with the remaining life.

[0094] <Supplementary Note 7> In the monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, the display information generation unit may generate the display information such that the graphic is displayed so as to oscillate according to the remaining life.

[0095] <Supplementary Note 8> In the monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, the display information generation unit may generate the display information such that the display of the figure is deformed in accordance with the remaining life so that the figure collapses.

[0096] <Supplementary Note 9> In the monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, when the machine tool is equipped with a part requiring replacement, the display information generation unit may generate the display information so as to display, on the display unit, an explanatory diagram showing the position of the part requiring replacement on the machine tool.

[0097] <Supplementary Note 10> In the monitoring device described in Supplementary Note 9, the display information generation unit may generate the display information so that information indicating a procedure for performing replacement work on the part requiring replacement can be displayed on the display unit.

[0098] <Supplementary Note 11> The monitoring device according to Supplementary Note 10 may further include a reception unit (44) that receives replacement completion information indicating that the replacement work has been completed in response to an instruction from a user, and when the replacement completion information is received, the display information generation unit may generate the display information so that the graphic is displayed on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life of a part that is provided on the machine tool in place of the part that needs to be replaced.

[0099] <Supplementary Note 12> The monitoring device according to Supplementary Note 11 may further include a storage control unit (46) that stores reception time information indicating the time when the exchange completion information was received by the reception unit (44) in the storage unit (30).

[0100] <Supplementary Note 13> A machining system (10) includes the monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, and a plurality of the machine tools monitored by the monitoring device.

[0101] <Supplementary Note 14> The monitoring system (11) comprises a monitoring device (16) having an information acquisition unit (38) that acquires information related to the remaining life of parts provided in each of a plurality of machine tools (12), and a monitoring terminal (14) that has a display unit (20) and displays a plurality of figures (48) corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life.

[0102] <Supplementary Note 15> A monitoring method for monitoring a plurality of machine tools (12) includes a display information generating step (S3) for generating display information for displaying a plurality of figures (48) corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on a display unit (20), and an information acquiring step (S1) for acquiring information regarding remaining lives of parts provided on each of the plurality of machine tools, wherein in the display information generating step, the display information is generated based on the information regarding the remaining lives acquired in the information acquiring step so that the figures are displayed on the display unit in a manner according to the remaining lives.

[0103] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0104] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Machining system 11 Monitoring system 12 Machine tool 14 Monitoring terminal 16 Monitoring device 20 Display unit 30 Storage unit 38 Information acquisition unit 42 Display information generation unit 44 Reception unit 46 Storage control unit 48 Figure 50 Explanatory diagram 52 Information

Claims

1. A monitoring device for monitoring a plurality of machine tools, comprising: a display information generation unit that generates display information for displaying a plurality of figures corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on a display unit; an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the remaining life of parts provided in each of the plurality of machine tools; and the display information generation unit generates the display information based on the information regarding the remaining life acquired by the information acquisition unit so that the figures are displayed on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life.

2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining life does not fall below a predetermined first remaining life threshold value, the display information generation unit causes the figures to be displayed on the display unit in a first manner, and when the remaining life falls below the first remaining life threshold value, the display information generation unit causes the figures to be displayed on the display unit in a second manner different from the first manner.

3. The monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein when the remaining life falls below a predetermined second remaining life threshold value lower than the first remaining life threshold value, the display information generation unit causes the figures to be displayed on the display unit in a third manner different from both the first manner and the second manner.

4. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display information generation unit generates the display information so that the figures are displayed on the display unit using a color corresponding to the remaining life.

5. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display information generation unit generates the display information so that the figures are displayed on the display unit in a size corresponding to the remaining life.

6. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display information generation unit generates the display information so that the figures blink according to the remaining life.

7. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display information generation unit generates the display information so that the figures swing according to the remaining life.

8. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display information generation unit generates the display information so that the display of the figures is deformed so that the figures collapse according to the remaining life.

9. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when a replaceable part, which is a part in a state where replacement is necessary, is provided in the machine tool, the display information generation unit generates the display information so that an explanatory diagram showing the position of the replaceable part in the machine tool can be displayed on the display unit.

10. The monitoring device according to claim 9, wherein the display information generation unit generates the display information so that information indicating a procedure for performing a replacement operation on the replaceable part can be displayed on the display unit.

11. The monitoring device according to claim 10, further comprising a reception unit that receives, in response to a user's instruction, replacement completion information indicating that the replacement operation has been completed, and when the replacement completion information is received, the display information generation unit generates the display information so that the figure is displayed on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life of the part provided in the machine tool in place of the replaceable part.

12. The monitoring device according to claim 11, further comprising a storage control unit that causes a storage unit to store reception time information indicating the time when the replacement completion information was received by the reception unit.

13. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a plurality of the machine tools monitored by the monitoring device, A machine tool system comprising.

14. A monitoring device including an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the remaining life of parts provided in each of a plurality of machine tools, A monitoring terminal including a display unit that displays a plurality of figures corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life, A monitoring system comprising.

15. A monitoring method for monitoring a plurality of machine tools, comprising: a display information generation step of generating display information for displaying a plurality of figures corresponding to each of the plurality of machine tools on a display unit; an information acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the remaining life of parts provided in each of the plurality of machine tools; including In the display information generation step, the display information is generated based on the information regarding the remaining life acquired in the information acquisition step so that the figure is displayed on the display unit in a manner corresponding to the remaining life.