Tool-exchange-order calculation device and computer-readable storage medium

The tool exchange order calculation device addresses the inefficiency in rearranging tools by simulating and optimizing tool exchange orders, resulting in reduced exchange times and improved efficiency.

WO2024134739A9PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-06-19FANUC LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/JP2022/046751
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-12-19
Publication Date
2025-06-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing tool exchange systems require inefficient rearrangement of tools from initial to ideal arrangements, leading to suboptimal tool exchange times.

Method used

A tool exchange order calculation device that simulates tool exchange orders, calculates evaluation values based on movement amounts and numbers of movements, and selects optimal tool exchange orders to rearrange tools from initial to ideal arrangements.

Benefits of technology

The device significantly reduces tool exchange times by determining the most efficient tool exchange order, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the tool exchange process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This tool-exchange-order calculation device performs the following: storing a tool initial arrangement for associating the pot numbers of a magazine of a tool exchange device and tools mounted in the pots; obtaining an ideal arrangement for the tools in the magazine; simulating tool exchange orders for changing the order of tools from the initial arrangement in the magazine to the ideal arrangement; calculating evaluation values for the tool exchange orders; and selecting a tool exchange order on the basis of the evaluation values.
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Description

Tool change sequence calculation device and computer-readable storage medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tool change sequence calculation device and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there exist machine tools that have a function for changing tools required for machining. Such machine tools can automatically change tools using, for example, an automatic tool changer (ATC).

[0003] Tool changers include turret types that select and change tools attached to a rotating tool pot, and magazine types that use a predetermined tool changer to attach tools stored in a magazine to the spindle. Magazines include drum types in which tools are arranged on a circumference, chain types in which tools are connected by a chain, and matrix types in which tools are stocked on racks. Some tool changers also have the function of transporting tools from an additional external magazine using a dedicated loader.

[0004] Conventionally, in order to reduce the time required for tool replacement, there is a technology that analyzes a machining program and calculates a tool arrangement suitable for the machining program, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. By arranging the tools suitable for the machining program, the time required for tool replacement is reduced.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-269635

[0006] However, the tools are not always arranged in an ideal position from the beginning, and rearrangement to the ideal position is necessary.

[0007] In the field of tool replacement, there is a demand for technology that can improve the efficiency of tool rearrangement.

[0008] The tool change sequence calculation device of the present disclosure includes an initial arrangement memory unit that stores an initial arrangement of tools that corresponds pot numbers in a magazine of the tool change device to tools attached to the pots; an ideal arrangement acquisition unit that acquires an ideal arrangement of tools in the magazine; and a sequence calculation unit that simulates a tool change sequence in which tools are rearranged from the initial arrangement in the magazine to the ideal arrangement, calculates an evaluation value of the tool change sequence, and selects a tool change sequence based on the evaluation value.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a tool change sequence calculation device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between tool pot numbers and ideal layout. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a tool change sequence. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a tool change sequence calculation device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a tool change sequence calculation device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external view illustrating an example of a magazine equipped with tool shelves. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a tool change sequence calculation device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a tool change sequence calculation device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the selection process of an ideal layout. FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of a tool change sequence calculation device.

[0010] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a description will be given of a tool change sequence calculation device 100 according to a first embodiment. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 is a device that acquires a tool arrangement (hereinafter referred to as an ideal arrangement) that is suitable for the tool usage situation, and calculates the order in which the tools are rearranged to the ideal arrangement.

[0011] The method for determining the ideal layout is not limited. Two examples of methods for determining the ideal layout will be shown. The first method is a method for determining an ideal layout suitable for a machining program. In the first method, tools that are used frequently in a machining program are placed in close positions. By placing tools that are used frequently in close positions, the amount of magazine movement during execution of the machining program can be reduced. Existing technology can be used as a method for placing tools that are used frequently in close positions. The second method is a method for manually setting the ideal layout. The ideal layout receiving unit 18 manually receives input of the ideal tool layout. Any means may be used to input the ideal tool layout, as long as it can specify the correspondence between each tool and the position on the magazine where the tool is placed. The ideal layout may be received by the tool change sequence calculation device 100, or an ideal layout received by an external device may be acquired.

[0012] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 is applied to information processing devices such as a PC (personal computer), a server, a mobile terminal, etc. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 may also be applied to control devices such as a numerical control device and a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

[0013] 1 is a block diagram of a tool change sequence calculation device 100. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 includes an initial layout storage unit 11, an ideal layout acquisition unit 12, a sequence calculation unit 13, a sequence output unit 14, and an ideal layout reception unit 18. Note that the components of the tool change sequence calculation device 100 are categorized by their functions, and do not necessarily have to be clearly distinguished in terms of physical configuration and program configuration.

[0014] The initial arrangement storage unit 11 stores the arrangement of tools in a magazine or turret (hereinafter collectively referred to as a magazine). Tool storage devices in a magazine are called pots. Pot numbers are assigned to the pots. The initial arrangement storage unit 11 stores information on the correspondence between the pot numbers before a tool change and the tools attached to the pots. Hereinafter, the arrangement of tools before a tool change will be referred to as the initial arrangement.

[0015] The ideal layout acquisition unit 12 acquires the ideal layout of the tools. The ideal layout is calculated using an existing technique. The ideal layout may be calculated by the tool change sequence calculation device 100 or may be acquired from an external source.

[0016] The sequence calculation unit 13 calculates the sequence of tool change for converting the initially arranged tools into the ideal arrangement. The existence of at least one empty pot is a condition for tool change. This empty pot may be any pot in the magazine that does not have a tool attached, or a spindle that does not have a tool attached may be treated as an empty pot. Furthermore, a portion of the tool changer that can have a pot attached or an empty space on the tool shelf may be treated as an empty pot. The sequence calculation unit 13 uses the empty pot to replace the tools.

[0017] The order calculation unit 13 simulates a tool change order for rearranging the initially arranged tools to an ideal arrangement, calculates an evaluation value indicating the efficiency of the tool change, and uses the calculated evaluation value to calculate the tool change order.

[0018] The sequence calculation unit 13 calculates at least one of two evaluation values ​​(the magazine movement distance and the number of movements) as an evaluation value indicating the efficiency of tool change. Before explaining the method for calculating the evaluation value, the pot numbers and ideal arrangement of tools will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. In this example, the magazine has eight pots, and the ideal arrangement of tools is "T1, T2, T3." The pots are assigned pot numbers "P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8" clockwise from the left end. There are eight possible ideal arrangements of the magazine, ranging from an ideal arrangement with "P1" at the top to an ideal arrangement with "P8" at the top. There can be as many ideal arrangements as there are pots.

[0019] The order calculation unit 13 performs a simulation of tool change to arrange the initially placed tools in the ideal arrangement. The simulation is performed for the number of pots. An evaluation value is calculated for each pot, and the tool change order is determined based on the lowest evaluation value.

[0020] An example of placing tool "T1" in pot "P1" will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . It is assumed that there is at least one empty pot in the magazine. This empty pot may be any pot in the magazine that does not have a tool attached, or a spindle that does not have a tool attached may be treated as an empty pot. Also, a portion of a tool changer that can have a pot attached, or an empty space on a tool shelf may be treated as an empty pot. In this example, a simulation is performed in which the tools are rearranged in the order of "T1, T2, T3," but the rearrangement order is not limited. For example, a simulation may be performed in which the tools are rearranged in reverse order, with "T3" at the end.

[0021] First, a simulation of placing "T1" in "P1" will be described. The order calculation unit 13 refers to the initial placement storage unit 11. If "T1" exists in "P1" at the stage of initial placement, the placement of "T1" is considered to be complete, and a simulation of placing "T2" in "P2" is performed.

[0022] In the initial arrangement in FIG. 3 , "T1" does not exist in "P1". Therefore, the sequence calculation unit 13 performs a simulation of placing "T1" in "P1". In the simulation, the magazine is moved by two positions, and "P1" is moved to the tool change position. At the tool change position, the tool attached to "P1" is removed, and "P1" becomes an empty pot. Furthermore, the magazine is moved by two positions, and the empty pot in the magazine is moved to the tool change position. At the tool change position, the tool removed from "P1" is attached to the empty pot. Then, the magazine is moved by five positions, and "T1" is moved to the tool change position. At the tool change position, "T1" is removed. Furthermore, the magazine is moved by one position, and "P1" is moved to the tool change position. At the tool change position, "T1" is attached to "P1". This completes the simulation of placing "T1" in "P1".

[0023] In the above simulation, the magazine moves by "2 pots," "2 pots," "5 pots," and "1 pot." By adding up the magazine movement amount and the number of movements, the magazine movement amount and number of movements when "T1" is placed at "P1" are calculated. Similarly, by calculating the magazine movement amount and number of movements when "T2" is placed at "P2," and calculating the magazine movement amount and number of movements when "T3" is placed at "P3," and adding up the movement amounts and number of movements of all the magazines, the evaluation value (total magazine movement amount and total number of magazine movements) when the tools are rearranged in the ideal arrangement with "P1" at the top can be calculated.

[0024] Similarly, the evaluation values ​​(total movement amount of the magazine and tool change order) are calculated when "P2" is at the top, when "P3" is at the top, ..., when "P8" is at the top. The order calculation unit 13 selects the tool change order with the smallest evaluation value (total movement amount or total number of movements) as the ideal tool change order.

[0025] In the above example, the magazine moves in only one direction, but it may also rotate in both directions. In this case, the smaller of the two movement amounts is selected, and the total movement amount and total number of movements are calculated.

[0026] The sequence output unit 14 outputs the calculated tool change sequence. As a method for outputting the tool change sequence, the tool change sequence may be saved as a file in an information processing device such as a PC, or an NC program or sequence program for executing the tool change sequence may be created and executed by a numerical control device or a PLC.

[0027] The operation of the tool change sequence calculation device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 acquires correspondence information between pot numbers and tools before tool change and stores the information in the initial arrangement storage unit 11 (step S1). The tool change sequence calculation device 100 acquires an ideal arrangement of tools (step S2). The ideal arrangement may be acquired externally or may be calculated by the tool change sequence calculation device 100.

[0028] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 performs a simulation to rearrange the initially arranged tools to an ideal arrangement (step S3). In the simulation, the tools are rearranged to the ideal arrangement using empty pots. The simulation can be performed the same number of times as the number of pots in the magazine. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 calculates an evaluation value of the tool change sequence (step S4). The tool change sequence calculation device 100 selects an efficient tool change sequence based on the calculated evaluation value (step S5).

[0029] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the first embodiment acquires correspondence information between pot numbers and tools before tool change, acquires an ideal tool arrangement, and simulates rearrangement from the initial arrangement before tool change to the ideal arrangement. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the first embodiment calculates an evaluation value for each simulation and selects an efficient tool change sequence based on the evaluation value.

[0030] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the first embodiment accepts an ideal arrangement that has been manually set. According to the tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the first embodiment, tools can be switched simply by specifying the ideal arrangement of tools through screen operations, thereby making it possible to efficiently rearrange the tools.

[0031] The calculated tool change order may be saved in a file and output to another information processing device. Alternatively, a tool change program may be created based on the tool change order, output to a numerical control device or a PLC, or executed. Alternatively, the tool change order may be displayed and notified to the user.

[0032] In the first embodiment, two evaluation values, the magazine movement amount and the number of movements, are calculated. The evaluation value to be used can be selected based on the size and structure of the tool changer. Alternatively, an evaluation value for evaluation taking other factors into consideration may be used. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 may have a function for automatically selecting the type of evaluation value, or may present an evaluation value selection screen to the user and accept the user's selection. Generally, the magazine movement amount is suitable as an evaluation value for a relatively small machine tool system consisting of only a magazine or a turret. The number of magazine movements is suitable as an evaluation value for a large tool changer equipped with an external tool rack or a machine tool system having a tool changer with high power consumption.

[0033] 5 is a block diagram of a tool change sequence calculation device 100 according to a second embodiment. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 according to the second embodiment includes an initial arrangement storage unit 11, an ideal arrangement acquisition unit 12, a sequence calculation unit 13, a sequence output unit 14, an external arrangement storage unit 15, and an evaluation value correction unit 16. Hereinafter, a description of the same components as those of the tool change sequence calculation device 100 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0034] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the second embodiment calculates a tool change sequence for a tool changer equipped with a tool shelf. FIG. 6 shows an example of a tool changer equipped with a tool shelf. This tool changer stores tools in a magazine and a tool shelf. A gantry loader is provided between the magazine and the tool shelf. Pallets with tools attached thereto are stored in the tool shelf. Tools (hereinafter referred to as external tools) are attached to the pallets. The pallets stored in the tool shelf are moved to the main body of the tool changer using the gantry loader. A robot removes the tools attached to the main body of the tool changer and attaches them to a machine tool. Note that a device other than a robot, such as a tool changer, may be used to attach and detach tools.

[0035] The external arrangement storage unit 15 stores the initial arrangement of the external tools, that is, the correspondence between the pot numbers of the external tools and the tools attached to the pots.

[0036] In tool change, the movement of external tools stored in a tool shelf is less efficient than the movement of tools stored in the main body of the tool changer. The evaluation value correction unit 16 corrects the evaluation value (number of movements) of the external tools stored in the tool shelf. In correcting the evaluation value, different evaluation values ​​may be set in advance for the external tools and the tools in the main body, or a coefficient may be applied to the number of movements of the external tools. In this embodiment, the evaluation value of the external tool is corrected so that it is higher than the evaluation value of the magazine in the main body. The greater the number of movements between the external tool and the tool, the higher the evaluation value, and the tool is evaluated as being more inefficient.

[0037] The compensation value may reflect power consumption. For example, if moving an external tool consumes twice as much power, the number of tool changes involving movement to and from the external tool is doubled. This determines a tool change order that consumes less power.

[0038] The sequence calculation unit 13 of the second embodiment calculates the tool change sequence using both the movement amount and the number of movements of the magazine as evaluation values. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 first compares the number of movements of the magazine (after correction), and if there is no difference in the number of movements, compares the movement amount of the magazine and selects the tool change sequence with the least movement amount.

[0039] The operation of the tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 acquires the initial layout of the magazines in the main body and stores it in the initial layout storage unit 11 (step S11). The tool change sequence calculation device 100 also acquires the initial layout of the external magazines and stores it in the external layout storage unit 15 (step S12).

[0040] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 acquires an ideal arrangement of tools (step S13). The ideal arrangement may be acquired from an external source or may be calculated by the tool change sequence calculation device 100.

[0041] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 performs a simulation to rearrange the initially arranged tools to the ideal arrangement (step S14). In the simulation, the tools are rearranged to the ideal arrangement using empty pots. The simulation can be performed as many times as the number of pots in the magazine.

[0042] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 calculates an evaluation value of the tool change sequence (step S15). If there is a movement from the tool shelf, the evaluation value is corrected (step S16). The tool change sequence calculation device 100 uses the number of magazine movements as a first evaluation value. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 selects an efficient tool change sequence based on the number of magazine movements (step S17).

[0043] If only one selection is made in step S17 (step S18; Yes), the tool change sequence calculation device 100 ends the tool change sequence selection process. If multiple tool change sequences with the same evaluation value are found in step S17 (step S18; No), the tool change sequence calculation device 100 uses the magazine movement amount as the second evaluation value. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 selects an efficient tool change sequence based on the magazine movement amount (step S19).

[0044] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the second embodiment calculates a tool change sequence suitable for a tool change device equipped with a tool shelf. A correction process is performed on the number of times the magazine is moved from the tool shelf. The correction amount can be calculated based on the power consumption for moving tools from the tool shelf to the main body and for moving tools within the magazine in the main body. Using this evaluation value can improve the efficiency of power consumption.

[0045] The tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the second embodiment selects a tool change sequence using two evaluation values: a first evaluation value (number of times the magazine is moved) and a second evaluation value (amount of movement of the magazine). First, the first evaluation value (number of times the magazine is moved) is used, and if there is no difference in the first evaluation value (including when the difference is small), the tool change sequence is selected using the second evaluation value (amount of movement of the magazine).

[0046] Third Embodiment The sequence calculation unit 13 of the tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the third embodiment has a function of calculating an evaluation value taking into account pots occupied by large-diameter tools. A large-diameter tool may come into contact with a tool attached to a pot near the pot to which the large-diameter tool is attached. Therefore, a tool may not be attached to a pot near the pot to which the large-diameter tool is attached. The sequence calculation unit 13 performs a tool change simulation under the condition that a pot near the pot to which the large-diameter tool is attached (which pot is set depending on the size and shape of the large-diameter tool) is an empty pot, and calculates the tool change sequence.

[0047] (Fourth Embodiment) The sequence calculation unit 13 of a tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the fourth embodiment calculates an evaluation value taking into account the index movement amount. As a premise, the tool change sequence calculation device 100 includes a machining program analysis unit 17 as shown in FIG. 8. The machining program analysis unit 17 analyzes a machining program and identifies the tool to be replaced first when the machining program is executed. The sequence calculation unit 13 obtains the pot number of the tool to be replaced first. Then, it calculates the index movement amount for moving the tool to be replaced first to the tool change position. The sequence calculation unit 13 calculates an evaluation value by adding the index movement amount to the total movement amount of the magazine calculated by simulation. The tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the fourth embodiment can calculate an evaluation value taking into account the index movement amount when performing tool change specified in the machining program.

[0048] Fifth Embodiment In the sequence calculation unit 13 of the tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the fifth embodiment, pots with a small amount of movement for tool change are selected and a simulation is performed. Specifically, tools that can be rearranged to the ideal arrangement are selected, and a simulation of the tool change sequence is performed using pots that are close to the initial arrangement of the selected tools, and a simulation is not performed using pots that are far from the initial arrangement of the selected tools.

[0049] [Correction based on Rule 91 04.02.2025] In the example of Figure 9, the first ideal arrangement, which is close to the initial arrangement of the tools to be rearranged to the ideal arrangement, is selected, and a simulation of the second ideal arrangement, which is far from the initial arrangement of the tools to be rearranged to the ideal arrangement, is not performed. Since the first ideal arrangement in the example of Figure 9 is close to the tool change position, the amount of movement to the tool change position is also small.

[0050] In the tool change sequence calculation device 100 of the fifth embodiment, a pot with a small amount of movement for tool change is selected to perform a simulation, so that the amount of calculation for the simulation can be reduced.

[0051] The hardware configuration of the tool change sequence calculation device 100 to which the present disclosure is applied will be described below. Fig. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the tool change sequence calculation device 100. As shown in Fig. 10, the tool change sequence calculation device 100 includes a CPU 111 that controls the entire tool change sequence calculation device 100, a ROM 112 that records programs and data, and a RAM 113 for temporarily expanding data. The CPU 111 reads out a system program recorded in the ROM 112 via a bus and executes a tool change sequence calculation process in accordance with the system program.

[0052] The nonvolatile memory 114 is backed up by, for example, a battery (not shown), and the stored state is maintained even when the power to the tool change sequence calculation device 100 is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 114 stores various data such as programs read from the external device 120 via the interfaces 115, 118, and 119 and user operations input via the input unit 30. The nonvolatile memory 114 may also store programs and data for executing the tool change sequence calculation process. In addition, various data are displayed on the display unit 70.

[0053] The interface 115 is an interface for connecting the tool change sequence calculation device 100 to an external device 120 such as an adapter. Programs, various parameters, etc. are read from the external device 120.

[0054] 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 gist of the present disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, 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.

[0055] The following are supplementary notes relating to embodiments of the present disclosure. (Supplementary Note 1) A tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an initial arrangement storage unit (11) that stores an initial arrangement of tools that associates pot numbers in a magazine of a tool change device with tools attached to the pots, an ideal arrangement acquisition unit (12) that acquires an ideal arrangement of tools in the magazine, and a sequence calculation unit (13) that simulates a tool change sequence in which tools are rearranged from the initial arrangement in the magazine to the ideal arrangement, calculates an evaluation value of the tool change sequence, and selects a tool change sequence based on the evaluation value. (Supplementary Note 2) In a tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the evaluation value is the amount of movement of the magazine. (Supplementary Note 3) In a tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the evaluation value is the number of times the magazine is moved. (Supplementary Note 4) In a tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the sequence calculation unit (13) calculates the number of times the magazine is moved as a first evaluation value and the amount of movement of the magazine as a second evaluation value, and if there is no difference in the first evaluation values, selects a tool change sequence using the second evaluation value. (Supplementary Note 5) In a tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the tool change sequence calculation device (100) includes an external arrangement storage unit (15) that stores an initial arrangement of external magazines that associates pot numbers of external magazines stored in a tool shelf of the tool change device with tools attached to the pots, and includes an evaluation value correction unit (16) that corrects the evaluation value of the tool change when the simulation includes the replacement of tools stored in the external magazine. (Supplementary Note 6) In a tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the sequence calculation unit (13) corrects the evaluation value based on power consumption required to move the tools stored in the external magazine. (Supplementary Note 7) In a tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure, when the tools include a large diameter tool, the sequence calculation unit (13) simulates the tool change sequence under the condition that a pot near the large diameter tool is an empty pot.(Supplementary Note 8) A tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a machining program analysis unit (17) that analyzes a machining program, the machining program analysis unit (17) identifying the tool to be changed first when the machining program is executed, and the sequence calculation unit (13) calculating an evaluation value by adding the indexing movement amount of the tool to be changed first to the total movement amount of the magazine calculated in the simulation. (Supplementary Note 9) In the tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the sequence calculation unit (13) selects tools to be rearranged in the ideal arrangement and selects pots that are close to the initial arrangement of the tools to perform a simulation. (Supplementary Note 10) A tool change sequence calculation device (100) according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an ideal arrangement receiving unit (18) that receives input of an ideal arrangement of tools. (Supplementary Note 11) A storage medium storing computer-readable instructions according to one aspect of the present disclosure stores instructions that cause one or more processors to execute the steps of: storing an initial tool arrangement that associates pot numbers in a magazine of a tool changer with tools attached to the pots; obtaining an ideal arrangement of tools in the magazine; simulating a tool change sequence that rearranges tools from the initial arrangement in the magazine to the ideal arrangement, calculating an evaluation value of the tool change sequence, and selecting a tool change sequence based on the evaluation value.

[0056] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Tool change sequence calculation device 11 Initial arrangement storage unit 12 Ideal arrangement acquisition unit 13 Sequence calculation unit 14 Sequence output unit 15 External arrangement storage unit 16 Evaluation value correction unit 17 Machining program analysis unit 18 Ideal arrangement reception unit 111 CPU 112 ROM 113 RAM 114 Non-volatile memory

Claims

1. An initial arrangement storage unit that stores an initial arrangement of tools associating the pot numbers of a magazine of a tool exchange device with the tools mounted in the pots; an ideal arrangement acquisition unit that acquires an ideal arrangement of the tools in the magazine; and an order calculation unit that simulates a tool exchange order for rearranging the tools from the initial arrangement to the ideal arrangement in the magazine, calculates an evaluation value of the tool exchange order, and selects a tool exchange order based on the evaluation value. A tool exchange order calculation device comprising:

2. The tool exchange order calculation device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation value is the movement amount of the magazine.

3. The tool exchange order calculation device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation value is the number of movements of the magazine.

4. The order calculation unit calculates the number of movements of the magazine as a first evaluation value and the movement amount of the magazine as a second evaluation value, and when there is no difference in the first evaluation value, selects a tool exchange order using the second evaluation value. The tool exchange order calculation device according to claim 1.

5. An external arrangement storage unit that stores an initial arrangement of an external magazine associating the pot numbers of the external magazine housed in the tool rack of the tool exchange device with the tools mounted in the pots, and in the simulation, when tool exchange included in the external magazine is included, an evaluation value correction unit that corrects the evaluation value of the tool exchange. The tool exchange order calculation device according to claim 1.

6. The order calculation unit corrects the evaluation value based on the power consumption required for the movement of the tools housed in the external magazine. The tool exchange order calculation device according to claim 5.

7. The order calculation unit simulates the tool exchange order on the condition that a pot near the large-diameter tool is an empty pot when the tool includes a large-diameter tool. The tool exchange order calculation device according to claim 1.

8. A machining program analysis unit that analyzes a machining program, the machining program analysis unit identifies a tool to be exchanged first when the machining program is executed, and the order calculation unit adds the calculated movement amount of the magazine in the simulation to the movement amount of the tool to be exchanged first to calculate an evaluation value. The tool exchange order calculation device according to claim 2.

9. The tool replacement order calculation device according to claim 1, wherein the order calculation unit selects a tool to be rearranged to the ideal arrangement, selects a pot close to the initial arrangement of the tool, and executes a simulation.

10. The tool replacement order calculation device according to claim 1, further comprising an ideal arrangement reception unit that receives an input of an ideal arrangement of a tool.

11. A storage medium storing computer-readable instructions for causing one or more processors to perform the steps of: storing an initial arrangement of tools that associates the pot numbers of the magazine of the tool replacement device with the tools mounted in the pots; obtaining an ideal arrangement of the tools in the magazine; simulating a tool replacement order for rearranging the tools from the initial arrangement to the ideal arrangement in the magazine, calculating an evaluation value of the tool replacement order, and selecting a tool replacement order based on the evaluation value.