Machining program correction support device, machining program correction support method, and machining system

Abstract

The machining program correction support device (1) includes a numerical control simulation execution unit (11) that simulates the numerical control processing operation of the numerical control machine tool based on the machining program and numerical control parameters set in the numerical control machine tool that executes the machining program, and generates a tool path and a position command representing the tool path, a machining simulation execution unit (12) that performs a machining simulation in accordance with a material shape that is the shape of a workpiece to be machined by the numerical control machine tool, a tool shape that is the shape of a tool used in machining, a machine model of the numerical control machine tool, and the position command, and a reducible path detection unit (13) that detects a reducible path, which is a path that can reduce machining time, from the tool path based on the position command, the result of the machining simulation, and defined reducible path detection conditions.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machining program correction support device, a machining program correction support method, and a machining system that support the correction of a machining program that controls a machine tool. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, in numerically controlled (NC) machine tools, machining is performed using a machining program that is generated by a Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) system and describes movement commands for moving the workpiece or tool. In CAM systems, machining programs can have excessive machining time due to factors such as generating tool paths with excessive margins to avoid machine interference, not considering the shape during machining, and not considering the characteristics of the numerical control of the machine tool.

[0003] In response to such problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a machining program optimization device that detects redundant commands contained in a machining program and deletes or reduces the redundant commands to optimize the machining program. The machining program optimization device described in Patent Document 1 detects at least one of the following redundant commands: commands that generate unnecessary waiting time, commands that generate unnecessary motion, and commands that generate excessive margin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-47702 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the optimization by the machining program optimization device described in Patent Document 1, redundant commands contained in the machining program are detected, and therefore the actual processing of numerical control, specifically, interpolation processing, acceleration / deceleration processing, etc., is not taken into consideration. As a result, the actual speed during machining and the actual tool movement path cannot be taken into consideration, and there is a risk of overlooking detection of parts that do not correspond to redundant commands but can actually shorten the machining time, or over-detecting parts that should not be corrected.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a machining program correction support device that can accurately detect correction locations that can shorten machining time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present disclosure provides a machining program correction support device that simulates a numerical control processing operation of a numerically controlled machine tool based on a machining program and numerical control parameters set in the numerically controlled machine tool that executes the machining program, and corrects a tool path and a tool. Show location The numerical control simulation execution unit generates a position command, a machining simulation execution unit performs a machining simulation in accordance with a material shape, which is the shape of a workpiece to be machined by the numerically controlled machine tool, a tool shape, which is the shape of a tool used in machining, a machine model of the numerically controlled machine tool, and a position command, and a reducible path detection unit detects a reducible path, which is a path that can reduce the machining time, from the tool path based on the position command, the results of the machining simulation, and defined reducible path detection conditions. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The machining program correction support device according to the present disclosure has an advantage of being able to accurately detect correction locations that can shorten machining time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a machining program correction support device; [Diagram 2] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the machining program correction support device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a machining program correction support device according to a second embodiment; [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the machining program correction support device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a method for modifying a tool path by a machining program modification support device according to a second embodiment; [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the machining program correction support device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the machining program correction support device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the machining program correction support device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a machining program correction support device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of hardware for implementing a machining program correction support device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a machining program correction support device, a machining program correction support method, and a machining system according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the description of each embodiment, numerical control may be abbreviated as NC.

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a machining program correction support device 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0012] The machining program correction support device 1 includes a numerical control (NC) simulation execution unit 11, a machining simulation execution unit 12, a shortenable path detection unit 13, and an interface unit 14, as well as a machining program memory unit 21, a numerical control (NC) parameter memory unit 22, a material shape memory unit 23, a tool shape memory unit 24, a machine model memory unit 25, and a shortenable path detection condition memory unit 26.

[0013] The machining program modification support device 1 may be realized by a plurality of devices operating in cooperation with each other. For example, the machining program modification support device 1 may be realized by a first device including an NC simulation execution unit 11, a machining simulation execution unit 12, a shortenable path detection unit 13, and an interface unit 14, and executing various processes for supporting the machining program modification work, and a second device including a machining program storage unit 21, an NC parameter storage unit 22, a material shape storage unit 23, a tool shape storage unit 24, a machine model storage unit 25, and a shortenable path detection condition storage unit 26 operating in cooperation with each other.

[0014] The machining program storage unit 21 stores the machining program to be corrected, that is, the machining program to be corrected in the correction work supported by the machining program correction support device 1.

[0015] The NC parameter storage unit 22 stores numerical control parameters (NC parameters) which are parameters set in an NC machine tool (not shown) that executes the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21. The NC parameters stored in the NC parameter storage unit 22 are used when the NC simulation execution unit 11 described later simulates an NC processing operation based on the machining program.

[0016] The workpiece shape storage unit 23 stores a workpiece shape, which is the shape of a workpiece to be machined by an NC machine tool that executes the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21. The workpiece is also called a material. In the following description, the workpiece may be called a material.

[0017] The tool shape storage unit 24 stores the tool shape, which is the shape of a tool used by an NC machine tool that executes the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21 to machine a material.

[0018] The machine model storage unit 25 stores a machine model of an NC machine tool that executes the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21. The machine model of the NC machine tool simulates the operation of the NC machine tool executing the machining program to machine a material.

[0019] The shortenable path detection condition storage unit 26 stores shortenable path detection conditions used when the shortenable path detection unit 13, which will be described later, detects a path that can shorten the machining time included in the tool path. In the following description, a path that can shorten the machining time is referred to as a shortenable path. The tool path for which the shortenable path detection unit 13 detects a shortenable path is a path described in the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21, and is a path along which the tool moves in machining performed by the NC machine tool according to the machining program. In addition, when the position of the tool is fixed and the material to be machined moves in machining performed by the NC machine tool according to the machining program, the path along which the material moves is the tool path. In addition, when both the tool and the material move in machining performed by the NC machine tool, the relative movement path between the tool and the material is the tool path. The shortenable path is, for example, a path along which the tool can be moved faster than the speed commanded by the machining program, a path along which the tool can be moved by changing the path itself, and the like.

[0020] The NC simulation execution unit 11 simulates the numerical control processing operation of the NC machine tool based on the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21 and the NC parameters stored in the NC parameter storage unit 22. The NC simulation execution unit 11 outputs the numerical control processing result obtained by simulating the numerical control processing to the machining simulation execution unit 12 and the shortenable path detection unit 13. In detail, the NC simulation execution unit 11 outputs a position command included in the numerical control processing result to the machining simulation execution unit 12, and outputs a tool path and a position command included in the numerical control processing result to the shortenable path detection unit 13.

[0021] The machining simulation executing unit 12 executes a machining simulation based on the position command input from the NC simulation executing unit 11, the material shape stored in the material shape storing unit 23, the tool shape stored in the tool shape storing unit 24, and the machine model stored in the machine model storing unit 25. The machining simulation executing unit 12 outputs the machining simulation result obtained by executing the machining simulation to the shortenable path detecting unit 13. The machining simulation result includes information indicating when and how the tool processed the material until the machining of the material is completed, specifically, information indicating in which section of the tool path the cutting of the material was performed.

[0022] The shortenable path detection unit 13 detects a shortenable path included in the tool path input from the NC simulation execution unit 11. In detail, the shortenable path detection unit 13 detects a path that meets the shortenable path detection conditions stored in the shortenable path detection condition storage unit 26 from the tool path.

[0023] The interface unit 14 outputs to the outside the detection result of the short circuitable route by the short circuitable route detection unit 13. The interface unit 14 may display the detection result to notify the outside, or may output the detection result to the outside as data. The interface unit 14 may output the detection result to the outside by printing it on paper, etc.

[0024] Next, an operation of the machining program correction support device 1 for supporting the machining program correction work will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0025] First, the NC simulation execution unit 11 analyzes the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21 to acquire a tool path (step S1). The NC simulation execution unit 11 acquires, as a tool path, a path along which a tool or a material moves in machining according to the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21. The NC simulation execution unit 11 outputs the acquired tool path to the shortenable path detection unit 13.

[0026] Next, the NC simulation execution unit 11 generates a position command by simulating the NC processing operation (step S2). In detail, the NC simulation execution unit 11 generates a position command by simulating the NC processing operation based on the NC parameters stored in the NC parameter storage unit 22 and the tool path acquired in step S1. The position command indicates the tool position per unit time calculated by the NC processing operation. The unit time here is the NC control period. The NC simulation execution unit 11 generates a series of position commands indicating the tool position per unit time. The NC simulation execution unit 11 outputs the generated position commands to the shortenable path detection unit 13 and the machining simulation execution unit 12.

[0027] Next, the machining simulation execution unit 12 executes the machining simulation (step S3). In detail, the machining simulation execution unit 12 executes the machining simulation based on the material shape stored in the material shape storage unit 23, the tool shape stored in the tool shape storage unit 24, the machine model stored in the machine model storage unit 25, and the position command generated by the NC simulation execution unit 11 in step S2. The machining simulation is a simulation in which the tool removes the material from the material shape when the tool passes the position indicated by the position command, and the machining simulation execution unit 12 obtains the machining simulation result at this time. The machining simulation result may include a tool cutting volume, which is the volume of the material removed by the tool for each tool position indicated by the position command. Furthermore, the machining simulation result may include the shortest distance and direction between the tool and the material and the machine model for each tool position indicated by the position command. The machining simulation execution unit 12 outputs the machining simulation result obtained by executing the machining simulation to the shortenable path detection unit 13.

[0028] Next, the shortenable path detection unit 13 detects a shortenable path included in the tool path (step S4). In detail, the shortenable path detection unit 13 detects a shortenable path based on the tool path acquired by the NC simulation execution unit 11 in step S1, the position command generated by the NC simulation execution unit 11 in step S2, the result of the machining simulation executed by the machining simulation execution unit 12 in step S3, and the shortenable path detection condition stored in the shortenable path detection condition storage unit 26. The shortenable path detection unit 13 first determines which tool path each tool position indicated by the position command is associated with in order to detect the shortenable path. As a method of determining the association, for example, when the NC simulation execution unit 11 generates a position command based on the tool path in step S2, it may store from which tool path the position command was generated, or, for example, it may determine the spatially closest tool path as the associated tool path for each tool position indicated by the position command.

[0029] The shortenable path detection conditions used by the shortenable path detection unit 13 in detecting a shortenable path are, for example, the following (A) to (D). The shortenable path detection unit 13 checks whether the ranges described in the following (A) to (D) are included in the tool path, and if included, detects the tool path included in the range as a shortenable path.

[0030] (A) Region of the tool path where the tool does not contribute to material removal The method of detecting this range is, for example, to extract a tool position with zero tool cutting volume included in the machining simulation result from a position command commanded as a cutting command, which is a G01 command of the machining program, and to set the tool path associated with the extracted tool position as a tool path where the tool does not contribute to removing the material. In this case, when there exists a section of a tool position with zero tool cutting volume and a section of a tool position with a non-zero tool cutting volume associated with one movement path, the movement path may be divided into two or more to detect only the section of the tool position with zero tool cutting volume. A tool position with zero tool cutting volume is a tool position that does not perform cutting, that is, a tool position where the tool does not contact the material. Therefore, the tool path where the tool does not contribute to removing the material is a section where the tool does not contact the material on the path indicated by the position command generated by the NC simulation execution unit 11 in step S2.

[0031] (B) Range of tool path where unintended deceleration occurs due to NC processing operation The method of detecting this range is, for example, to calculate the actual speed at which the tool moves from the position command, compare the actual speed with the command speed commanded in the machining program, and determine the tool path associated with the range of the position command where the actual speed is slower than the command speed as the tool path where unintended deceleration occurs due to NC processing operation. At this time, the command speed may be compared with a value obtained by multiplying the command speed by a deceleration rate coefficient according to a predetermined deceleration rate coefficient.

[0032] (C) Range of tool path where redundant tool retraction movements are performed The method of detecting this range is, for example, to determine a tool path associated with a range of position commands in which the shortest distance between the tool included in the machining simulation result and the material and machine model is greater than a predetermined distance as the tool path along which the tool is redundantly moved to avoid retraction.

[0033] (D) Range of tool paths where cutting conditions are set too low The method for detecting this range is, for example, to determine that a tool path associated with a range of position commands in which the tool cutting volume included in the machining simulation result is smaller than a specified volume and not zero is a tool path for which excessively small machining conditions are set.

[0034] In addition, the shortenable path detection conditions are not limited to the above (A) to (D). The machining program modification support device 1 may be configured so that a user can add or change the shortenable path detection conditions used in detecting a shortenable path.

[0035] Next, the interface unit 14 presents the shortenable path and the detection reason (step S5). In detail, the interface unit 14 acquires the tool path acquired by the NC simulation execution unit 11 and the shortenable path detected by the shortenable path detection unit 13 from the shortenable path detection unit 13, and presents the shortenable path included in the tool path together with the detection reason, distinguishing it from other tool paths that do not correspond to the shortenable path. For example, the interface unit 14 may display the shortenable path on the display device by color-coding it from other sections of the tool path so that it is possible to visually recognize which section of the tool path is a shortenable path. In addition, the interface unit 14 displays the detection reason of the presented shortenable path, for example, which of the above-mentioned conditions (A) to (D) the shortenable path matches. The interface unit 14 may distinguish between the two by making the type of line representing the shortenable path different from the type of line representing the other sections of the tool path. When there are multiple shortenable paths, the interface unit 14 presents them so that the correspondence between each of the multiple shortenable paths and the detection reason can be understood. The interface unit 14 may display the corresponding shortenable path and the detection reason in the same color, so that the correspondence can be understood. The interface unit 14 may present the detection reason of the shortenable path in a manner other than text display. The interface unit 14 may present information related to the shortenable path, such as a processing simulation result and the shape of the material before processing, in addition to the shortenable path and the detection reason.

[0036] The interface unit 14 may also present lines corresponding to the shortenable path of the machining program. In this case, for example, the text color of the lines corresponding to the shortenable path is changed to make them distinguishable from other lines. The shortenable path detection unit 13, for example, identifies the lines corresponding to the shortenable path of the machining program.

[0037] By receiving the shortenable path from the interface unit 14, the user can correct the portion of the machining program that corresponds to the shortenable path, thereby shortening the machining time.

[0038] As described above, the machining program modification support device 1 according to the first embodiment includes an NC simulation execution unit 11 that analyzes the machining program to acquire a tool path and generates a position command by simulating an NC processing operation, a machining simulation execution unit 12 that executes a machining simulation based on a position command, a material shape, a shape of a tool used for machining, and a machine model that simulates machining of the material, a shortenable path detection unit 13 that detects a shortenable path included in the tool path based on the tool path, the position command, the machining simulation result, and a shortenable path detection condition, and an interface unit 14 that presents the detected shortenable path. Since the machining program modification support device 1 includes the NC simulation execution unit 11, it is possible to detect a path that can shorten the machining time from the tool path while taking into consideration actual numerical control processing such as interpolation processing and acceleration / deceleration processing, and to suppress overdetection and overdetection of a shortenable path. In addition, the machining program modification support device 1 presents the detected shortenable path in a manner that distinguishes it from other paths, so that it is possible to present to the user which path in the tool path is a shortenable path in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition, the machining program modification support device 1 presents the detected shortenable path and the detection conditions, so that the user can understand the factors that caused the shortenable path to be detected, thereby reducing the effort required to consider ways to modify the shortenable path.

[0039] Embodiment 2 Next, a description will be given of embodiment 2. In this embodiment, the differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a machining program correction support device 1a according to the second embodiment.

[0041] The machining program correction support device 1a has a configuration in which a path correction unit 15, a machining program correction unit 16, and a path correction method storage unit 27 are added to the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The operations of the components other than the path correction unit 15, the machining program correction unit 16, and the path correction method storage unit 27 of the machining program correction support device 1a are similar to those of the components with the same reference numerals in the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the explanation of the components other than the path correction unit 15, the machining program correction unit 16, and the path correction method storage unit 27 will be omitted.

[0042] The path modification unit 15 receives the tool path obtained by the NC simulation execution unit 11 from the machining program and the shortenable path detected by the shortenable path detection unit 13, modifies the shortenable path contained in the tool path, and generates a modified tool path, which is the modified tool path.

[0043] The machining program correction unit 16 corrects the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21 based on the corrected tool path generated by the path correction unit 15.

[0044] The path correction method storage unit 27 stores a path correction method used by the path correction unit 15 when correcting a shortenable path in a tool path.

[0045] Next, an operation of the machining program correction support device 1a for supporting the machining program correction work will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1a according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 4, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart of Fig. 2 showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment. Explanation of the processes in steps S1 to S4, which are the same processes as those in the flowchart of Fig. 2, will be omitted.

[0046] In the machining program modification support device 1a according to the second embodiment, after the shortenable path detection unit 13 detects a shortenable path in step S4, the path modification unit 15 modifies the shortenable path included in the tool path to generate a modified tool path (step S6). In detail, the path modification unit 15 modifies the shortenable path included in the tool path detected by the shortenable path detection unit 13 using the path modification method stored in the path modification method storage unit 27. The path modification unit 15 outputs the modified tool path, which is the tool path after the modification of the shortenable path is completed, to the interface unit 14 and the machining program modification unit 16.

[0047] The method by which the route modification unit 15 modifies the shortenable route, i.e., the route modification methods stored in the route modification method storage unit 27, are, for example, the following (a) to (d). The route modification unit 15 modifies the shortenable route using the route modification method corresponding to the reason for detecting the shortenable route.

[0048] (a) A method for modifying a shortenable path that corresponds to a region of the tool path where the tool does not contribute to material removal. (a-1) A command for a shortenable path is changed from a cutting command to a fast-forward command. (a-2) Increasing the command feed speed in the shortenable path. (a-3) Change the shortenable route to a route with a shorter route length.

[0049] A specific example of changing a shortenable path to a path with a shorter path length is shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a method in which the machining program correction support device 1a according to the second embodiment corrects the tool path.

[0050] 5, when the movement path of the tool 201 from P1 to P2 is the shortenable path indicated by the solid line, there is a section in which the distance between the workpiece, which is the material to be processed, and the tool 201 is larger than necessary. In such a case, the path correction unit 15, for example, deletes a part of the shortenable path and changes the movement path of the tool 201 to the modified tool path #1 of linear axis movement indicated by the dashed line. The path correction unit 15 may also change the movement path of the tool 201 to the modified tool path #2 of rotational axis movement.

[0051] (b) A method for modifying a shortenable path that corresponds to the range of the tool path where unintended deceleration occurs due to NC processing operations. (b-1) Regarding the moving speed of the tool on the shortenable path, the command speed is increased so that the actual speed after the change is the same as the original command speed. (b-2) A circular arc path is inserted into the corner of the shortenable path.

[0052] (c) A method for correcting a shortenable path that corresponds to a range of a tool path in which a redundant tool retraction movement is performed (c-1) The shortenable path is modified so that the shortest distance between the tool and the workpiece and between the tool and the workpiece and the machine model approaches a predetermined distance.

[0053] (d) A method for correcting a shortenable path that corresponds to a range of a tool path in which an excessively small machining condition is set (d-1) The command feed rate is increased so that the tool cutting volume of the position command on the shortenable path approaches a determined volume. (d-2) The cutting depth is increased so that the tool cutting volume of the position command on the shortenable path approaches the determined volume.

[0054] In the correction method (d-2), except for the correction method that intentionally increases the tool cutting volume of the position command, the range of the position command in which the material is machined by the tool among the position commands may be specified, and the shortenable path may be corrected so that the position command in the specified range does not change before and after the correction of the machining program. The range of the position command in which the material is machined by the tool among the position commands can be found as a range in which the tool cutting volume of the original command in the machining simulation result is not zero.

[0055] The route correction unit 15 may correct one shortenable route by simultaneously using two or more of the above-mentioned correction methods that can be used in combination. For example, the correction method (a-2) and the correction method (c-1) may be used in combination.

[0056] In addition, when the path correction unit 15 applies a path correction method that shortens the machining time by changing the command to be executed, the command feed rate, the tool movement speed, etc., which is different from the method of correcting the tool movement path itself, the path correction unit 15 generates information indicating the correspondence between the shortenable path and the path correction method to be applied, and includes this information in the corrected tool path.

[0057] Next, the interface unit 14 presents the modified tool path generated by the path modification unit 15 (step S7). The interface unit 14 may present the modified tool path in any manner as long as the user can confirm the details of the modified tool path. For example, the interface unit 14 displays the modified tool path, and at this time, displays the parts that have changed from the original tool path in a distinguished manner. At this time, the modified tool path and the original tool path may be displayed in a contrastive manner on two screens or the like.

[0058] Furthermore, the machining program correction unit 16 corrects the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21 (step S8). In detail, the machining program correction unit 16 corrects the machining program so that the tool path represented by the machining program becomes the corrected tool path generated by the path correction unit 15.

[0059] The order of steps S7 and S8 does not matter. Steps S7 and S8 may be executed in parallel, or step S8 may be executed first and then step S7.

[0060] As described above, the machining program modification support device 1a according to the second embodiment includes a path modification unit 15 that generates a modified tool path by modifying a shortenable path detected in the same manner as the machining program modification support device 1 according to the first embodiment, and a machining program modification unit 16 that modifies the machining program based on the modified tool path. This makes it possible to automatically perform the process from detection of a shortenable path in the tool path to modification of the machining program, and in addition to the effects obtained by the machining program modification support device 1 according to the first embodiment, the effects of preventing omission of modifications and reducing the user's workload can be obtained.

[0061] In addition, the machining program modification support device 1a presents the modified tool path in a manner that distinguishes it from the original tool path and the modified portion thereof, allowing the user to easily recognize the modified path and reducing the effort and time required to check whether the modified machining program operates as intended.

[0062] In addition, the machining program correction support device 1a specifies the range of position commands in which the material is machined by the tool, and corrects the tool path so that the position commands in the specified range do not change before and after the correction of the machining program, so that the machining program can be corrected within a range in which the actual cutting process does not change. In other words, the machining program can be corrected so as not to affect the cutting process, and the effort and time required to check whether the corrected machining program processes the material as intended can be reduced.

[0063] Embodiment 3 Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described. The configuration of the machining program correction support device according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, but some of the operations are different from those of the second embodiment. For this reason, the description will be given using the configuration example shown in FIG. 3.

[0064] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1a according to the third embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart of Fig. 2 showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment and those in the flowchart of Fig. 4 showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1a according to the second embodiment. Explanations of steps S1 to S4 and S6, which are the same processes as those in the flowchart of Fig. 2 or Fig. 4, will be omitted.

[0065] In the machining program modification support device 1a according to the third embodiment, after the path modification unit 15 generates the modified tool path in step S6, the NC simulation execution unit 11 simulates an NC processing operation to generate a modified position command (step S9). In detail, the NC simulation execution unit 11 generates a position command by simulating an NC processing operation based on the modified tool path generated by the path modification unit 15 and the NC parameters stored in the NC parameter storage unit 22. This step S9 is the same process as step S2. Step S9 differs from step S2 in that the modified tool path generated by the path modification unit 15 is used instead of the tool path (the tool path before modification).

[0066] Next, the machining program correction unit 16 calculates the machining time of each of the pre-modification tool path and the post-modification tool path based on the pre-modification position command and the post-modification position command (step S10). In detail, the machining program correction unit 16 calculates the machining time of the pre-modification tool path based on the pre-modification position command, and calculates the machining time of the modified tool path based on the post-modification position command. At this time, the machining program correction unit 16 calculates the machining time for each of the tool paths. Specifically, the machining program correction unit 16 calculates the machining time for each section in which the pre-modification tool path and the modified tool path have different paths. That is, for the pre-modification tool path, the machining program correction unit 16 calculates the machining time for each of the slashable paths detected by the slashable path detection unit 13 in step S4. For the modified tool path, the machining program correction unit 16 calculates the machining time for each of the sections in the modified tool path corresponding to each of the slashable paths detected by the slashable path detection unit 13 in step S4.

[0067] Next, the machining program correction unit 16 corrects the machining program based on the machining time calculated in step S10 (step S11). In detail, the machining program correction unit 16 first compares the machining time of each of the shortenable paths included in the tool path before the correction (first machining time) with the machining time of each section in the modified tool path corresponding to the shortenable path (second machining time). Then, the machining program correction unit 16 re-corrects the modified machining path based on the comparison result. Specifically, the machining program correction unit 16 re-corrects the modified machining path so that the machining time of the entire path is shorter by returning the path of the section in which the second machining time is longer than the first machining time to the path before the correction. For example, the tool path before the correction includes three shortenable paths, which are designated as shortenable paths #1 to #3. In addition, when paths in the modified tool path corresponding to these shortenable paths #1 to #3 are modified paths #1 to #3, the following relationships are established: "machining time of shortenable path #1>machining time of modified path #1", "machining time of shortenable path #2>machining time of modified path #2", and "machining time of shortenable path #3<machining time of modified path #3". In this case, the machining program correction unit 16 selects the modified paths #1 and #2 and the shortenable path #3, and combines the three selected paths with other paths of the tool path before correction that do not correspond to the shortenable paths to obtain a modified tool path after re-correction, which is the final tool path. After re-correcting the modified tool path, the machining program correction unit 16 corrects the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21 based on the modified tool path after re-correction. In detail, the machining program correction unit 16 corrects the machining program so that the tool path represented in the machining program becomes the modified tool path after re-correction.

[0068] As described above, the machining program modification support device 1a according to the third embodiment compares the machining time of the shortenable path before modification with the machining time of the shortenable path after modification for the shortenable path detected in the same manner as the machining program modification support device 1 according to the first embodiment, selects the path with the shorter machining time, and creates the final modified tool path. This makes it possible to modify the machining program so that machining is performed using the path with the shorter machining time.

[0069] Embodiment 4 Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the differences from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described. The configuration of the machining program correction support device according to the fourth embodiment is the same as those of the second and third embodiments, but some of the operations are different from those of the second and third embodiments. For this reason, the description will be given using the configuration example shown in FIG. 3.

[0070] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1a according to the fourth embodiment. In Fig. 7, the same steps as those in the flowchart of Fig. 2 showing the example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers. Explanation of steps S1 to S4, which are the same as those in the flowchart of Fig. 2, will be omitted.

[0071] In the machining program modification support device 1a according to the fourth embodiment, after the shortenable path detection unit 13 detects a shortenable path in step S4, the path modification unit 15 modifies the shortenable path in a plurality of patterns based on a plurality of path modification methods to generate a plurality of modified tool paths (step S12). For example, when modifying the shortenable path shown in FIG. 5, the path modification unit 15 performs modification to the modified tool path #1 and modification to the modified tool path #2 shown in the figure to generate two modified tool paths. At this time, if the moving speed of the tool can be changed, the modified tool path may be generated by combining the change in the moving path and the change in the moving speed of the tool 201. If the type of command can be changed, the type of command may be changed. Also, for example, if there are two shortenable paths in the tool path and there are two modification methods applicable to each of the shortenable paths, the combination of the modification methods is four patterns, so that the path modification unit 15 generates a total of four modified tool paths corresponding to each pattern.

[0072] Next, the NC simulation execution unit 11 simulates the NC processing operation and generates a plurality of corrected position commands for each of the plurality of corrected tool paths (step S13). In detail, the NC simulation execution unit 11 executes a process of simulating the NC processing operation and generating position commands for all of the plurality of corrected tool paths based on one of the plurality of corrected tool paths generated by the path correction unit 15 and the NC parameters stored in the NC parameter storage unit 22.

[0073] Next, the machining program correction unit 16 calculates the machining time for the multiple modified tool paths, and corrects the machining program based on the modified tool path with the shortest machining time (step S14). In detail, the machining program correction unit 16 first calculates the machining time for each of the multiple modified tool paths based on the modified position command for each of the multiple modified tool paths generated by the NC simulation execution unit 11 in step S13. The machining program correction unit 16 then corrects the machining program based on the modified tool path with the shortest machining time.

[0074] As described above, the machining program modification support device 1a according to the fourth embodiment creates a plurality of modified tool paths by combining one or more applicable modification methods for each of the shortenable paths detected in the same manner as the machining program modification support device 1 according to the first embodiment, and modifies the machining program based on the modified tool path that minimizes the machining time. This makes it possible to modify the machining program so as to further shorten the machining time.

[0075] Embodiment 5. Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the differences from the first to fourth embodiments will be mainly described. The configuration of the machining program correction support device according to the fifth embodiment is the same as those of the second to fourth embodiments, but some of the operations are different from those of the second to fourth embodiments. For this reason, the description will be given using the configuration example shown in FIG. 3.

[0076] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1a according to the fifth embodiment. In Fig. 8, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processes as those in the flowchart of Fig. 2 showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment and those in the flowchart of Fig. 7 showing an example of the operation of the machining program correction support device 1a according to the fourth embodiment. Explanations of the processes in steps S1 to S4 and S12, which are the same processes as those in the flowchart of Fig. 2 or Fig. 7, will be omitted.

[0077] In the machining program modification support device 1a according to the fifth embodiment, after the path modification unit 15 generates a plurality of modified tool paths in step S12, the interface unit 14 calculates an index for each of the plurality of modified tool paths (step S15). The indexes calculated by the interface unit 14 are, for example, machining time, energy consumption of the machine tool, cost, machining surface accuracy, machining surface quality, tool wear, and maximum acceleration of the machine tool. These indexes may be calculated by appropriately applying a known calculation method. The interface unit 14 may calculate two or more types of indexes.

[0078] Next, the interface unit 14 presents a plurality of modified tool paths and indexes of each modified tool path, and accepts a selection by the user (step S16). The interface unit 14 presents the modified tool paths in a manner similar to step S7 in FIG. 4 described in the second embodiment. The interface unit 14 presents the indexes of each modified tool path in a format that allows the user to grasp the correspondence between the modified tool paths and the indexes. The interface unit 14 accepts an operation to select one of the presented modified tool paths.

[0079] Next, the machining program correction unit 16 corrects the machining program based on the corrected tool path selected by the user (step S17).

[0080] As described above, the machining program modification support device 1a according to the fifth embodiment performs modification in a plurality of patterns by combining one or more applicable modification methods for each of the shortenable paths detected in the same manner as the machining program modification support device 1 according to the first embodiment, and creates a plurality of modified tool paths. In addition, the machining program modification support device 1a calculates indexes for the generated plurality of modified tool paths and presents them to the user together with the modified tool paths, and when one of the modified tool paths is selected by the user, the machining program is modified based on the selected modified tool path. This allows the user to select a modified tool path based on the index presented for each modified tool path, making it possible to generate a modified machining program that matches the user's preferences.

[0081] Embodiment 6 Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the differences from the first to fifth embodiments will be mainly described.

[0082] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a machining program correction support device 1b according to the sixth embodiment.

[0083] The machining program correction support device 1b has a configuration in which the NC simulation execution unit 11 and the NC parameter storage unit 22 of the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 are omitted, and a numerically controlled machine tool 31 is connected. The operations of the components of the machining program correction support device 1b are similar to those of the components of the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment that are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0084] In the machining program correction support device 1 according to the above-mentioned first embodiment, the NC simulation execution unit 11 analyzes the machining program to be corrected to obtain a tool path, and generates a position command by simulating an NC processing operation based on the tool path and NC parameters. In contrast, the machining program correction support device 1b according to this embodiment obtains the tool path and position command from an external numerically controlled machine tool 31 to perform a machining program correction support operation. Specifically, the machining program correction support device 1b outputs the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 21 to the numerically controlled machine tool 31, and obtains from the numerically controlled machine tool 31 the tool path and position command that are generated when the numerically controlled machine tool 31 executes the machining program to machine a material. Then, the machining simulation execution unit 12 executes a machining simulation based on the position command acquired from the numerically controlled machine tool 31. In addition, the shortenable path detection unit 13 detects a shortenable path based on the tool path and position command acquired from the numerically controlled machine tool 31 and the result of the machining simulation executed by the machining simulation execution unit 12.

[0085] In this way, the machining program correction support device 1b according to the sixth embodiment acquires the tool path and position command used in the machining program correction support operation from the external numerically controlled machine tool 31. This eliminates the need to provide an NC simulation execution unit required for generating the tool path and position command, making it possible to simplify the device configuration and reduce the processing load.

[0086] Although the configuration example in which the NC simulation execution unit 11 and the NC parameter storage unit 22 of the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment are omitted and the numerically controlled machine tool 31 is connected has been described, the NC simulation execution unit 11 and the NC parameter storage unit 22 of the machining program correction support device 1a according to the second to fifth embodiments may be omitted and the numerically controlled machine tool 31 may be connected. Also, the machining program storage unit 21 that stores the machining program to be corrected may be omitted and the machining program to be corrected may be acquired from the numerically controlled machine tool 31.

[0087] Next, a hardware configuration of the machining program correction support device 1, 1a, 1b according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments will be described. The machining program correction support device 1, 1a, 1b is realized by, for example, hardware having a configuration shown in FIG.

[0088] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of hardware for realizing the machining program correction support devices 1, 1a, and 1b.

[0089] The processor 101 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit, also called a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)), a system LSI (Large Scale Integration), etc. The memory 102 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a hard disk drive, etc. The output device 103 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, a display, etc. The input device 104 is, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, etc.

[0090] When the machining program correction support device 1, 1a, 1b is realized by the processor 101, the memory 102, the output device 103, and the input device 104 shown in Fig. 10, the processor 101 executes a program for realizing each function of the machining program correction support device 1, 1a, 1b described in each embodiment. For example, when the machining program correction support device 1 according to the first embodiment is realized, a program for operating as the NC simulation execution unit 11, the machining simulation execution unit 12, the shortenable path detection unit 13, and the interface unit 14 of the machining program correction support device 1 is stored in advance in the memory 102. The processor 101 reads out and executes this program from the memory 102, thereby realizing the NC simulation execution unit 11, the machining simulation execution unit 12, the shortenable path detection unit 13, and the interface unit 14 of the machining program correction support device 1.

[0091] The machining program storage unit 21, NC parameter storage unit 22, material shape storage unit 23, tool shape storage unit 24, machine model storage unit 25 and shortenable path detection condition storage unit 26 of the machining program correction support device 1 are realized by the memory 102.

[0092] The programs stored in the memory 102 for operating as the NC simulation execution unit 11, the machining simulation execution unit 12, the shortenable path detection unit 13 and the interface unit 14 may be provided to a user, for example, in a form written on a storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or may be provided to a user, for example, via a network.

[0093] In the above description, the NC simulation execution unit 11, the machining simulation execution unit 12, the shortenable path detection unit 13, and the interface unit 14 are realized by the processor 101 and the memory 102, which are general-purpose processing circuits. However, each of these units may be realized by a processing circuit, which is a dedicated hardware. The processing circuit is realized by a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a circuit that combines these. In addition, the NC simulation execution unit 11, the machining simulation execution unit 12, the shortenable path detection unit 13, and the interface unit 14 may be partially realized by dedicated hardware, and the rest may be realized by the processor 101 and the memory 102.

[0094] 10 may be hardware constituting an electronic computer. That is, the machining program modification support devices 1, 1a, and 1b may be realized by an electronic computer and a program executed by the electronic computer. Each function of the machining program modification support device 1 may be realized by a plurality of electronic computers operating in cooperation with each other.

[0095] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, or the embodiments may be combined with each other. Also, parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1, 1a, 1b Machining program correction support device, 11 Numerical control simulation execution unit, 12 Machining simulation execution unit, 13 Shortenable path detection unit, 14 Interface unit, 15 Path correction unit, 16 Machining program correction unit, 21 Machining program memory unit, 22 Numerical control parameter memory unit, 23 Material shape memory unit, 24 Tool shape memory unit, 25 Machine model memory unit, 26 Shortenable path detection condition memory unit, 27 Path correction method memory unit, 31 Numerical control machine tool, 201 Tool.

Claims

1. a numerical control simulation execution unit that generates position commands indicating a tool path and a tool position by simulating a numerical control processing operation of the numerically controlled machine tool based on a machining program and numerical control parameters set in the numerically controlled machine tool that executes the machining program; a machining simulation execution unit that performs a machining simulation in accordance with a material shape, which is a shape of a workpiece to be machined by the numerically controlled machine tool, a tool shape, which is a shape of a tool used in the machining, a machine model of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the position command; a shortenable path detection unit that detects a shortenable path, which is a path that can shorten a machining time, from the tool path based on the position command, a result of the machining simulation, and a defined shortenable path detection condition; A machining program correction support device comprising:

2. an interface unit that presents information about the shortenable route detected by the shortenable route detection unit; 2. The machining program correction support device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The interface unit presents a shape of the tool path and a position and extent of the shortenable path within the tool path.

3. The machining program correction support device according to claim 2.

4. The interface unit presents the short circuitable route detection conditions corresponding to each of the short circuitable routes detected by the short circuitable route detection unit together with the short circuitable routes.

4. The machining program correction support device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a path correction unit that corrects the shortenable path included in the tool path based on the position command and a machining simulation result that is a result of the machining simulation to generate a corrected tool path; a machining program correction unit that corrects the machining program based on the corrected tool path; 3. The machining program correction support device according to claim 2, further comprising:

6. the interface unit displays the tool path in a comparative manner with a portion of the corrected tool path that has been changed from the tool path.

6. The machining program correction support device according to claim 5,

7. the machining program correction unit re-corrects the corrected tool path based on a machining time of the shortenable path included in the tool path and a machining time of a path corresponding to the shortenable path included in the corrected tool path, and corrects the machining program based on the corrected tool path after re-correction.

7. The machining program correction support device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the path modification unit modifies the shortenable path using a plurality of modification patterns that combine a plurality of path modification methods to generate a plurality of modified tool paths; the machining program correction unit corrects the machining program based on the modified tool path having the shortest machining time among the plurality of modified tool paths.

7. The machining program correction support device according to claim 5 or 6.

9. the path modification unit modifies the shortenable path using a plurality of modification patterns that combine a plurality of path modification methods to generate a plurality of modified tool paths; the interface unit presents a plurality of the modified tool paths and indicators of a plurality of the modified tool paths to a user; the machining program correction unit corrects the machining program based on the modified tool path selected by the user from among the plurality of modified tool paths; 7. The machining program correction support device according to claim 5 or 6.

10. a machining simulation execution unit that performs a machining simulation in accordance with a position command generated when a numerically controlled machine tool executes a machining program to be corrected and performs machining, a material shape that is a shape of a workpiece to be machined by the numerically controlled machine tool, a tool shape that is a shape of a tool used in the machining, a machine model of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the position command; a shortenable path detection unit which detects a shortenable path, which is a path capable of shortening a machining time, from a tool path generated when the numerically controlled machine tool executes the machining program to be corrected and performs machining, based on the position command, a result of the machining simulation, and a defined shortenable path detection condition; A machining program correction support device comprising:

11. A machining program correction support method for supporting a correction work of a machining program that controls a numerically controlled machine tool, comprising: a first step in which a machining program correction support device generates position commands indicating a tool path and a tool position by simulating a numerical control processing operation of the numerically controlled machine tool based on the machining program and numerical control parameters set in the numerically controlled machine tool; a second step in which the machining program correction support device performs a machining simulation in accordance with a material shape, which is a shape of a workpiece to be machined by the numerically controlled machine tool, a tool shape, which is a shape of a tool used in the machining, a machine model of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the position command; a third step of detecting a shortenable path, which is a path capable of shortening a machining time, from the tool path based on the position command, a result of the machining simulation, and a defined shortenable path detection condition; A machining program correction support method comprising:

12. a numerically controlled machine tool that executes a machining program to generate a position command indicating a tool path and a tool position, and moves the tool in accordance with the generated position command to machine a workpiece; a machining program correction support device that supports a correction operation of the machining program executed by the numerically controlled machine tool; Equipped with The machining program correction support device includes: a machining simulation execution unit that performs a machining simulation in accordance with a material shape that is a shape of the workpiece, a tool shape that is a shape of the tool, a machine model of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the position command; a shortenable path detection unit that detects a shortenable path, which is a path that can shorten a machining time, from the tool path based on the position command, a result of the machining simulation, and a defined shortenable path detection condition; A processing system comprising: