Machining system, machining method, and processing program

Abstract

A machining system (1) comprises: a machine tool (M1) connected to a network; machine tools (M2, M3) connected to the network; and a handy terminal (2) for operating the machine tools (M1-M3), and is connected to the machine tool (M1) by a connection line (L1). The handy terminal (2) transmits first operation information for operating the machine tool (M1), or second operation information for operating the machine tools (M2, M3), to the machine tool (M1). When the machine tool (M1) receives the first operation information from the handy terminal (2), the machine tool (M1) executes a process corresponding to the first operation information, and, when the machine tool (M1) receives the second operation information, the machine tool (M1) relays the second operation information to the machine tools (M2, M3) through the network. When the machine tools (M2, M3) receive the second operation information, the machine tools (M2, M3) execute a process corresponding to the second operation information.

Description

Machining system, machining method, and processing program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machining system, a machining method, and a processing program in which a machine tool is operated by an operation terminal.

[0002] An operation terminal such as a handheld terminal is a device that can communicate with a machine tool connected via a communication line and manually operate the machine tool. A handheld terminal is equipped with an operation unit such as an operation switch for operating the machine tool, and by operating the operation unit, the machine tool can be operated from a location away from the operation screen installed on the machine tool.

[0003] When a machine tool is operated using a handheld terminal, the user typically connects the handheld terminal directly to the machine tool to be operated and operates it while viewing the machining status of the workpiece on the machine tool. In this case, if there are multiple machine tools, multiple handheld terminals corresponding to each of the multiple machine tools are required.

[0004] When attempting to operate various devices in a plant facility, the handheld terminal described in Patent Document 1 is connected to a transmission station to which the target device is connected. The handheld terminal described in Patent Document 1 identifies the identification symbol of the connected transmission station and automatically generates an operation screen corresponding to the device connected to this identified transmission station, making it possible to operate multiple devices with a single handheld terminal.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-011690

[0006] However, the technique of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when switching the device to be operated, it is necessary to reconnect the device and the handy terminal via the transmission station.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a machining system that allows multiple machine tools to be operated with a single operation terminal without having to reconnect the connections between the machine tools and the operation terminal.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the machining system of the present disclosure includes a first machine tool connected to a network, a second machine tool connected to the network, and an operation terminal connected to the first machine tool by a connection line and for operating the first machine tool and the second machine tool. The operation terminal transmits first operation information for operating the first machine tool or second operation information for operating the second machine tool to the first machine tool. When the first machine tool receives the first operation information from the operation terminal, it executes processing corresponding to the first operation information, and when it receives second operation information from the operation terminal, it relays the second operation information to the second machine tool via the network. When the second machine tool receives the second operation information, it executes processing corresponding to the second operation information.

[0009] The machining system according to the present disclosure has the advantage that it is possible to operate a plurality of machine tools with a single operation terminal without having to reconnect the machine tools and the operation terminal.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a machining system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a handheld terminal provided in a machining system according to an embodiment;

[0011] Hereinafter, a machining system, a machining method, and a processing program according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a machining system according to an embodiment. The machining system 1 includes one handheld terminal 2, machine tools M1 to M3, and a HUB 3.

[0013] The handy terminal 2 is an operation terminal for operating the machine tools M1 to M3. In the first embodiment, the case where the machining system 1 includes three machine tools M1 to M3 will be described, but the machining system 1 may include a plurality of machine tools (two or more). Therefore, the number of machine tools included in the machining system 1 may be two, or four or more.

[0014] One of the machine tools M1 to M3 included in the machining system 1 is a representative machine tool that communicates directly with the handheld terminal 2. In the embodiment, a case will be described in which the machine tool M1 is the representative machine tool. In the following description, the machine tool M1 that is the representative machine tool may be referred to as the representative machine tool M1. In the following description, the machine tools M2 and M3 that are machine tools other than the machine tool M1 may be referred to as the other machine tools M2 and M3.

[0015] The representative machine tool M1 is the first machine tool, and the other machine tools M2 and M3 are the second machine tools. When the machining system 1 is equipped with two machine tools, the other machine tool is one of the machine tool M2 or the machine tool M3. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the machine tools M1 to M3, the machine tools M1 to M3 may be referred to as the machine tool Mx.

[0016] The machine tools M1 to M3 are connected to HUB3 and can communicate with each other. The handy terminal 2 is connected to the representative machine tool M1 and can communicate with each other. The handy terminal 2 of the embodiment is able to communicate with the other machine tools M2, M3 by having the representative machine tool M1 relay information. The handy terminal 2 executes the contents of the user's instructions on the machine tools M1 to M3 in accordance with the user's instructions. The handy terminal 2 also acquires information from the machine tools M1 to M3 in accordance with the user's instructions.

[0017] The machine tools M1 to M3 are connected to a network to transmit and receive information between the machine tools Mx. Note that communication between the machine tools Mx may be performed using a communication standard dedicated to the machine tools Mx, or may be performed using a general-purpose communication standard.

[0018] In the machining system 1, communication may be performed between the representative machine tool M1 and the other machine tools M2, M3 by a network connection via the HUB 3, or communication may be performed by a network connection in which the representative machine tool M1 and the other machine tools M2, M3 are directly connected. In Fig. 1, by replacing the HUB 3 with a connecting line, a network in which the representative machine tool M1 and the other machine tools M2, M3 are directly connected can be realized.

[0019] The machine tools M1 to M3 transmit and receive information using an industrial network (field network) that connects, for example, control devices, sensors, drive devices, etc. and controls the devices, monitors their status, etc. Examples of this industrial network include CC (Control and Communication)-Link, Profibus (Process Field Bus), Ethernet (registered trademark) / IP, and FL-net. The machine tools M1 to M3 perform data communication according to the communication method of the industrial network.

[0020] The machine tools M1 to M3 each hold individual identification information (ID) for identifying the machine tool itself. The representative machine tool M1 holds an ID table in which the IDs of the machine tools M1 to M3 correspond to the communication addresses of the machine tools M1 to M3. The representative machine tool M1 uses the ID table to relay information between the handy terminal 2 and the machine tools M2 and M3.

[0021] The handy terminal 2 has an operation unit 21, a display unit 22, and a communication IF (Interface) 23. The representative machine tool M1 has an HT communication control unit 31A, a storage unit 32A, a communication IF 33, and an ID storage unit 34. The other machine tool M2 has an HT communication control unit 31B and a storage unit 32B. The other machine tool M3 has an HT communication control unit 31C and a storage unit 32C.

[0022] Here, the external configuration of the handheld terminal 2 will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the handheld terminal provided in the machining system according to the embodiment. The handheld terminal 2 has an operation unit 21 and a display unit 22. The operation unit 21 is an operation switch, an operation button, an operation dial, etc., and receives commands corresponding to operations by a user. The operations by the user are operations for operating the machine tool Mx. In other words, the operation unit 21 receives commands from the user to cause the machine tool Mx to execute a specific process.

[0023] An example of the display unit 22 is a liquid crystal monitor, which displays various information, such as the name (machine name) of the machine tool Mx to be operated, candidate operation contents for the machine tool Mx, operation information indicating operation contents accepted from the user, and information about the machine tool Mx received by the communication IF 23 from the machine tool Mx.

[0024] The information about the machine tool Mx that the communication IF 23 receives from the machine tool Mx is, for example, information managed by the machine tool Mx, and is information (display information) that is provided from the machine tool Mx to the handheld terminal 2 and displayed on the handheld terminal 2.

[0025] When the user inputs information specifying the machine tool Mx to be operated, the operation unit 21 displays information indicating the specified machine tool Mx (such as the machine name) on the display unit 22. Furthermore, when the user inputs information specifying the operation content, the operation unit 21 displays information indicating the specified operation content on the display unit 22. The information indicating the operation content specified by the user is, for example, a request to acquire display information collected by the machine tool Mx.

[0026] Before an operation is performed on the machine tool Mx, the handy terminal 2 stores correspondence information in a storage unit (not shown) or the like, in which the machine name of the machine tool Mx is associated with an ID that identifies the machine tool Mx. For example, in the first communication with the representative machine tool M1, the handy terminal 2 acquires from the representative machine tool M1 information (correspondence information) in which the ID and machine name of the machine tool Mx that is to be operated from the handy terminal 2 are associated. In the correspondence information of the embodiment, the IDs of the machine tools M1, M2, and M3 are associated with the machine names of the machine tools M1, M2, and M3. The ID of the representative machine tool M1 is first identification information, and the IDs of the other machine tools M2 and M3 are second identification information.

[0027] The display unit 22 displays information (machine names) of operable machine tools Mx included in the correspondence information acquired from the representative machine tool M1, thereby enabling the user to select the machine tool Mx that the user wants to operate.

[0028] When the user inputs the machine name of the machine tool Mx to be operated, the handheld terminal 2 reads out the ID corresponding to the machine name of the machine tool Mx specified by the user from the correspondence information.

[0029] The handy terminal 2 also receives operation information from the user, which is the content of an operation performed on the machine tool Mx. The handy terminal 2 associates the machine name input by the user with the operation information.

[0030] The communication IF 23 included in the handy terminal 2 is connected to the communication IF 33 included in the representative machine tool M1 via a connection line L1. The communication IF 23 transmits an ID that identifies the machine tool Mx specified by the user and operation information that indicates an operation command for the machine tool Mx specified by the user to the communication IF 33 of the representative machine tool M1 via the connection line L1. That is, the communication IF 23 adds an ID corresponding to the machine tool Mx selected by the user to the operation information and transmits it to the communication IF 33. The operation information specified by the user indicates the content of the operation for the machine tool Mx. The operation information for the representative machine tool M1 is first operation information, and the operation information for the other machine tools M2, M3 is second operation information. Note that the connection line L1 may be wired or wireless.

[0031] Note that the ID may not be included in the information transmitted from the communication IF 23 to the communication IF 33. In this case, the representative machine tool M1 determines that the representative machine tool M1 (its own machine tool) to which the handy terminal 2 is connected is the machine tool to be operated.

[0032] Furthermore, the communication IF 23 receives the display information collected by the machine tool Mx from the communication IF 33 of the representative machine tool M1. The display information received by the communication IF 23 from the communication IF 33 is displayed by the display unit 22.

[0033] The communication IF 33 of the representative machine tool M1 receives the ID of the machine tool Mx and operation information for this machine tool Mx from the communication IF 23 of the handy terminal 2. The communication IF 33 sends the received ID and operation information to the HT communication control unit 31A.

[0034] The ID storage unit 34 of the representative machine tool M1 is a non-volatile memory and holds an ID table in which the IDs of the other machine tools M2 and M3 are associated with the communication addresses of the other machine tools M2 and M3.

[0035] This ID table is registered in advance by the user in the ID storage unit 34. The ID table in this embodiment stores information in which the ID of another machine tool M2 is associated with the communication address of that other machine tool M2, and information in which the ID of another machine tool M3 is associated with the communication address of that other machine tool M3.

[0036] The storage unit 32A of the representative machine tool M1 stores display information collected by the representative machine tool M1 and operation information received by the representative machine tool M1 from the handy terminal 2. The display information stored in the storage unit 32A of the representative machine tool M1 is information corresponding to operation information received by the representative machine tool M1 from the handy terminal 2. Furthermore, the storage unit 32A stores in advance ID information (not shown) indicating the ID of the representative machine tool M1.

[0037] The HT communication control unit 31A determines whether the ID received by the communication IF 33 corresponds to the ID of the representative machine tool M1, which is its own device, based on the ID information in the storage unit 32A. If the HT communication control unit 31A determines that the ID received by the communication IF 33 corresponds to the ID of the representative machine tool M1, the representative machine tool M1 executes processing corresponding to the operation information received by the communication IF 33. For example, if the operation information received by the representative machine tool M1 from the handy terminal 2 is information for executing processing to collect the operating status of the representative machine tool M1, the representative machine tool M1 collects information on the operating status of the representative machine tool M1 (first operating status information) as display information and stores it in the storage unit 32A.

[0038] If the ID received by the communication IF 33 corresponds to the ID of the representative machine tool M1, the HT communication control unit 31A sends the display information in the storage unit 32A to the communication IF 33. As a result, the display information in the storage unit 32A is sent from the communication IF 33 to the communication IF 23.

[0039] If the ID received by the communication IF 33 does not correspond to the ID of the representative machine tool M1, i.e., if the ID received by the communication IF 33 corresponds to the ID of one of the other machine tools M2, M3, the HT communication control unit 31A relays the ID and operation information to the other corresponding machine tool.

[0040] Specifically, the HT communication control unit 31A reads out a communication address corresponding to the ID received by the communication IF 33 from the ID table stored in the ID storage unit 34. The HT communication control unit 31A transmits the ID and operation information received by the communication IF 33 to the read communication address. The HT communication control unit 31A transmits the ID and operation information via the HUB 3.

[0041] In this way, the representative machine tool M1 communicates with the handy terminal 2 using the HT communication control unit 31A. Then, the representative machine tool M1 uses the ID table to relay information between the handy terminal 2 and the other machine tools M2, M3. For example, if the ID received by the communication IF 33 is the ID of the machine tool M2, the representative machine tool M1 transmits the ID and operation information received by the communication IF 33 to the machine tool M2.

[0042] In this way, the HT communication control unit 31A controls communication with the handy terminal 2 directly connected to the representative machine tool M1. Furthermore, if the ID received from the handy terminal 2 is other than that of the representative machine tool M1, the HT communication control unit 31A converts the communication data (operation information and ID) sent from the handy terminal 2 into network communication information and transmits it to the other machine tools M2 and M3.

[0043] Furthermore, when the HT communication control unit 31A receives display information for the handheld terminal 2 via network communication from other machine tools M2, M3, it converts the received display information into information for communication with the handheld terminal 2 and transmits it to the handheld terminal 2. In other words, the HT communication control unit 31A controls communication between the handheld terminal 2 and other machine tools M2, M3 connected to the network.

[0044] The other machine tools M2, M3 have similar configurations, so here, the configuration of machine tool M2 will be described. Memory unit 32B of machine tool M2 stores display information collected by machine tool M2 and operation information received by machine tool M2 from handy terminal 2 via representative machine tool M1. The display information stored in memory unit 32B of machine tool M2 is information corresponding to operation information received by machine tool M2 from handy terminal 2 via representative machine tool M1. Memory unit 32B also stores in advance ID information (not shown) that indicates the ID of machine tool M2.

[0045] The HT communication control unit 31B of the machine tool M2 determines whether the ID received from the HUB3 corresponds to the ID of the machine tool M2, which is its own device, based on the ID information in the storage unit 32B. If the HT communication control unit 31B determines that the received ID corresponds to the ID of the machine tool M2, the machine tool M2 executes processing corresponding to the received operation information. For example, if the operation information received by the machine tool M2 is information for collecting the operating status of the machine tool M2, the machine tool M2 collects the information on the operating status of the machine tool M2 as display information.

[0046] If the ID received by the representative machine tool M1 from the handy terminal 2 is the ID of the machine tool M2, the machine tool M2 is the second machine tool, and the information on the operating status of the machine tool M2 is the second operating status information. Also, if the ID received by the representative machine tool M1 from the handy terminal 2 is the ID of the machine tool M3, the machine tool M3 is the second machine tool, and the information on the operating status of the machine tool M3 is the second operating status information. Also, if the ID received by the representative machine tool M1 from the handy terminal 2 is the ID of the machine tools M2, M3, the machine tools M2, M3 are the second machine tools, and the information on the operating status of the machine tools M2, M3 is the second operating status information.

[0047] If the received ID matches the ID of machine tool M2, HT communication control unit 31B sends the display information in storage unit 32A to HT communication control unit 31A of representative machine tool M1 via HUB 3. As a result, the display information in storage unit 32B is sent to handy terminal 2 via representative machine tool M1. If the received ID does not match the ID of machine tool M2, HT communication control unit 31B sends information indicating an error to representative machine tool M1.

[0048] Next, we will explain the processing procedures of the processing executed by the machining system 1. First, we will explain the processing of the machining system 1 when the handy terminal 2 in the machining system 1 transmits operation information to any of the machine tools M1 to M3.

[0049] 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the machining system when the handheld terminal transmits operation information to the machine tool in the machining system according to the embodiment. In the machining system 1, the handheld terminal 2 acquires the ID table from the representative machine tool M1 (step S10).

[0050] The operation unit 21 of the handy terminal 2 receives the machine tool Mx to be operated and operation information from the user (step S20). The operation unit 21 receives the machine name of the machine tool Mx as the machine tool Mx to be operated.

[0051] The user specifies the machine tool Mx to be operated by, for example, selecting the machine tool Mx to be operated from among the machine names of the multiple machine tools Mx displayed on the display unit 22. The operation unit 21 accepts the specified machine tool Mx as the machine tool Mx to be operated.

[0052] Furthermore, the user specifies desired operation information by, for example, selecting desired operation information from a plurality of pieces of operation information displayed on the display unit 22. The operation unit 21 accepts the specified operation information.

[0053] The handy terminal 2 reads out the ID corresponding to the machine tool Mx designated by the user from the correspondence information, and the communication IF 23 of the handy terminal 2 transmits the ID and operation information to the representative machine tool M1 (step S30).

[0054] The communication IF 33 of the representative machine tool M1 receives the ID and operation information (step S40). The HT communication control unit 31A of the representative machine tool M1 reads the ID information added to the information received from the handy terminal 2 and identifies the ID (step S50). That is, the HT communication control unit 31A determines which machine tool Mx the ID belongs to. The HT communication control unit 31A determines whether the ID is the ID of the representative machine tool M1 (step S60).

[0055] If the ID is the ID of the representative machine tool M1 (step S60, Yes), the HT communication control unit 31A stores the operation information in the memory unit 32A, and the representative machine tool M1 executes processing corresponding to the operation information (step S70).

[0056] Note that even if the operation information sent from the handy terminal 2 does not include an ID, the HT communication control unit 31A stores the operation information in the storage unit 32A. Then, the representative machine tool M1 executes processing corresponding to the operation information. In this way, if the received ID is the ID of the representative machine tool M1, or if the received information does not include an ID, the representative machine tool M1 determines that the operation information is for the representative machine tool M1, and executes processing corresponding to the operation information.

[0057] For example, if the operation information is information requesting the collection of display information, the representative machine tool M1 collects the display information corresponding to the operation information. The collected display information is stored in the storage unit 32A. If the operation information is information requesting the collection of display information, the HT communication control unit 31A sends the display information to the communication IF 33. The communication IF 33 sends the display information collected by the representative machine tool M1 to the handheld terminal 2.

[0058] If the ID is not the ID of the representative machine tool M1 (step S60, No), the HT communication control unit 31A relays the operation information to the other machine tool corresponding to the ID (step S80). Specifically, the HT communication control unit 31A reads out the communication address corresponding to the ID from the ID table stored in the ID storage unit 34. Here, a case will be described in which the ID received by the representative machine tool M1 is that of the other machine tool M2, and the communication address read out by the HT communication control unit 31A is the communication address of the other machine tool M2. The HT communication control unit 31A transmits the operation information to the read communication address. Note that the HT communication control unit 31A may transmit the ID together with the operation information to the read communication address.

[0059] The other machine tool M2 corresponding to the communication address receives the operation information from the representative machine tool M1. That is, the other machine tool M2 corresponding to the ID received by the representative machine tool M1 receives the operation information (step S90).

[0060] The other machine tool M2 that has received the operation information stores the operation information in the storage unit 32B and executes processing corresponding to the operation information (step S100).

[0061] After the processing of step S70 or step S100, the machining system 1 returns to the processing of step S20 and executes the processing from step S20 onwards. This makes it possible for the machining system 1 to operate a plurality of machine tools Mx with a single handy terminal 2 without having to reconnect the connection between the machine tools Mx and the handy terminal 2. Therefore, the machining system 1 does not need to carry the handy terminal 2 to reconnect the connection with the machine tools Mx, and the effort of reconnecting can be eliminated.

[0062] The operation information may include multiple IDs. In this case, the machining system 1 executes the processes of steps S50 to S100 for each ID included in the operation information.

[0063] Furthermore, the operation information may be information that specifies the execution of multiple operations. In this case, the multiple operations included in the operation information are executed in the machining system 1. These multiple operations may be operations on one machine tool Mx, or may be operations on multiple machine tools Mx. When the operation information is operations on multiple machine tools Mx, multiple IDs corresponding to the machine tools Mx to be operated are sent from the handy terminal 2 to the representative machine tool M1. When the operation information includes first operation information that is operation information on the representative machine tool M1 and second operation information that is operation information on the other machine tools M2 and M3, the operation information including the first operation information and the second operation information is third operation information.

[0064] The operation information may include, for example, information specifying an emergency stop of the machine tool Mx. If the operation information transmitted by the handy terminal 2 includes information specifying an emergency stop of the machine tool Mx, the machine tool Mx performs an emergency stop of the machine tool Mx. For example, if the operation information received from the handy terminal 2 includes information specifying an emergency stop of the machine tool M1, the machine tool M1 performs an emergency stop of the machine tool M1. Furthermore, if the operation information received from the machine tool M1 includes information specifying an emergency stop of the machine tool M2, the machine tool M2 performs an emergency stop of the machine tool M2. Furthermore, if the operation information received from the handy terminal 2 includes information specifying an emergency stop of the machine tool M2, the machine tool M1 may perform an emergency stop of the machine tool M2. Furthermore, if the operation information received from the handy terminal 2 includes information specifying an emergency stop of multiple machine tools Mx, multiple machine tools Mx are performed an emergency stop. For example, if the operation information transmitted by the handy terminal 2 includes information for bringing the machine tools M1 and M2 to an emergency stop, the machine tools M1 and M2 bring the machine tools M1 and M2 to an emergency stop, respectively.

[0065] The operation information may be information that causes a plurality of machine tools Mx to simultaneously execute operations. In this case, the operations may be common to the respective machine tools Mx, or may be different operations. When the operation information is information that causes a plurality of machine tools Mx to simultaneously execute operations, the representative machine tool M1 causes the plurality of operations to be executed simultaneously.

[0066] Furthermore, the operation information may be information that specifies interlocking of multiple machine tools Mx. In this case, the operation information also includes multiple IDs of the machine tools Mx that are to be interlocked. In this case, the operation information includes information on the order in which each operation is to be performed, and the representative machine tool M1 executes each operation in order based on the order information. This makes it easy to operate multiple machine tools with one operation terminal.

[0067] For example, when the representative machine tool M1 executes a first operation and receives an execution completion notification indicating that the execution has been completed, it causes the representative machine tool M1 to execute a second operation. In this case, the HT communication control unit 31A of the representative machine tool M1 causes the first machine tool Mx corresponding to the first operation to execute the first operation and receives an execution completion notification from the first machine tool Mx. Thereafter, the HT communication control unit 31A causes the second machine tool Mx corresponding to the second operation to execute the second operation and receives an execution completion notification from the second machine tool Mx.

[0068] In this way, the HT communication control unit 31A causes the Nth (N is a natural number) machine tool Mx to execute the Nth operation, and after the execution is complete, repeats the process of causing the (N+1)th machine tool Mx to execute the (N+1)th operation. For example, if the operation information is information that specifies that multiple machine tools Mx are to be brought to an emergency stop in sequence, the multiple machine tools Mx are brought to an emergency stop in sequence. Note that the Nth machine tool Mx and the (N+1)th machine tool Mx may be the representative machine tool M1.

[0069] Note that, when the HT communication control unit 31A receives operation information for an emergency stop for one machine tool Mx, it may transmit an emergency stop command to all machine tools Mx and also bring the representative machine tool M1 to an emergency stop. For example, when the HT communication control unit 31A receives operation information for an emergency stop for the representative machine tool M1, it transmits an emergency stop command to all other machine tools M2, M3 and brings the representative machine tool M1 to an emergency stop.

[0070] The handy terminal 2 may store in advance an operation information set, which is information in which operation information for executing a plurality of operations is associated with the ID of the machine tool Mx that will execute the operations included in the operation information. In this case, when an operation information set is designated by the user, the handy terminal 2 transmits the designated operation information set to the representative machine tool M1. The operation information set includes a plurality of pieces of operation information, a plurality of IDs, and information on the order of each operation.

[0071] Furthermore, the handheld terminal 2 may receive from the user information similar to the operation information set. That is, the handheld terminal 2 may receive from the user an operation information set including operation information for executing a plurality of operations, the ID of the machine tool Mx that executes the operations included in the operation information, and information on the order of each operation.

[0072] Next, a description will be given of the processing of the machining system 1 when other machine tools M2 and M3 transmit display information corresponding to operation information to the handheld terminal 2 in the machining system 1. Here, a description will be given of the processing when other machine tool M2 transmits display information corresponding to operation information to the handheld terminal 2.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the machining system according to the embodiment when another machine tool transmits display information corresponding to operation information to the handy terminal.

[0074] When the other machine tool M2 in the machining system 1 receives the operation information requesting the display information, it collects the display information. Then, the HT communication control unit 31B of the other machine tool M2 transmits the ID of the other machine tool M2 and the collected display information to the representative machine tool M1 (step S110).

[0075] The HT communication control unit 31A of the representative machine tool M1 receives the ID and display information from the other machine tool M2 (step S120). The representative machine tool M1 relays the ID and display information received by the HT communication control unit 31A to the handy terminal 2 (step S130).

[0076] The communication IF 23 of the handy terminal 2 receives the ID and display information from the representative machine tool M1 (step S140). The handy terminal 2 reads out the machine name of the machine tool M2 corresponding to the received ID from pre-stored correspondence information that associates the machine names and IDs of the machine tools Mx. The display unit 22 of the handy terminal 2 displays the machine name and display information corresponding to the ID (step S150). Note that the machine tool Mx may transmit information that is not to be displayed to the handy terminal 2 as information corresponding to the operation information.

[0077] Here, the hardware configuration of the handheld terminal 2 and the machine tools M1 to M3 will be described. Note that the handheld terminal 2 and the machine tools M1 to M3 have similar hardware configurations, so here, the hardware configuration of the machine tool M1 will be described.

[0078] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration for realizing a machine tool according to an embodiment. The machine tool M1 can be realized by an input device 300, a processor 100, a memory 200, and an output device 400. Examples of the processor 100 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit, also referred to as a central processing unit, processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)) or a system LSI (Large Scale Integration). Examples of the memory 200 include a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0079] The machine tool M1 is realized by the processor 100 reading and executing a computer-executable processing program for executing the operation of the machine tool M1 stored in the memory 200. The processing program for executing the operation of the machine tool M1 can also be said to cause the computer to execute the procedure or method of the machine tool M1.

[0080] The processing program executed by the machine tool M1 has a modular configuration including an HT communication control unit 31, which is loaded onto the main memory and generated on the main memory. The processing program executed by the machine tool M1 includes a communication control program that controls communication with the handheld terminal 2 and an operation execution program that executes processing corresponding to operation information. The machine tool M1 executes a process to receive, from the handheld terminal 2, operation information for operating the machine tool M1 or operation information for operating the machine tools M2 and M3, using the processing program. When the machine tool M1 receives operation information for operating the machine tool M1, the processing program executes a process corresponding to the operation information. When the machine tool M1 receives operation information for operating the machine tools M2 and M3, the processing program executes a process to relay the operation information to the machine tool corresponding to the ID, using the processing program. The machine tool M1 also executes a process to receive display information from the machine tools M2 and M3 and a process to transfer the received display information to the handheld terminal 2, using the processing program.

[0081] The input device 300 receives IDs and operation information sent from the handy terminal 2, and IDs and display information sent from other machine tools M2 and M3, and sends them to the processor 100. The memory 200 stores display information, operation information, an ID table, a processing program, and the like.

[0082] The processing program is read from the memory 200 by the processor 100. The memory 200 is also used as a temporary memory when the processor 100 executes various processes. The output device 400 outputs the ID and display information to be sent to the handy terminal 2, the ID and operation information to be transmitted to the other machine tools M2 and M3, and the like.

[0083] The processing program may be provided as a computer program product stored in a computer-readable storage medium as an installable or executable file. The processing program may also be provided to the machine tool M1 via a network such as the Internet. Note that some of the functions of the machine tool M1 may be realized by dedicated hardware such as a dedicated circuit, and some may be realized by software or firmware.

[0084] As described above, the machining system 1 of the embodiment includes a representative machine tool M1 and other machine tools M2 and M3 connected to a network, and a handheld terminal 2 connected to the representative machine tool M1 via a connection line L1 and used to manually operate the machine tool Mx. When the representative machine tool M1 receives operation information for the representative machine tool M1 from the handheld terminal 2, it executes processing corresponding to the operation information. When the representative machine tool M1 receives operation information for the other machine tools M2 and M3, it relays the operation information to the other machine tools M2 and M3 via the network, and the other machine tools M2 and M3, upon receiving the operation information, execute processing corresponding to the operation information. This makes it possible for the machining system 1 to operate multiple machine tools Mx with a single handheld terminal 2 without having to reconnect the machine tools Mx and the handheld terminal 2.

[0085] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, or different embodiments may be combined with each other. It is also possible to omit or modify parts of the configurations as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0086] 1 Machining system, 2 Handy terminal, 3 HUB, 21 Operation unit, 22 Display unit, 23, 33 Communication IF, 31A to 31C HT communication control unit, 32A to 32C Storage unit, 34 ID storage unit, 100 Processor, 200 Memory, 300 Input device, 400 Output device, L1 Connection line, M1 to M3, Mx Machine tool.

Claims

1. A machining system comprising: a first machine tool connected to a network; a second machine tool connected to the network; and an operation terminal connected to the first machine tool by a connection line and for operating the first machine tool and the second machine tool, wherein the operation terminal transmits to the first machine tool first operation information for operating the first machine tool or second operation information for operating the second machine tool, wherein the first machine tool, when receiving the first operation information from the operation terminal, executes a process corresponding to the first operation information, and when receiving the second operation information from the operation terminal, relays the second operation information to the second machine tool via the network, and wherein the second machine tool, when receiving the second operation information, executes a process corresponding to the second operation information.

2. The machining system described in claim 1, characterized in that when transmitting the first operation information to the first machine tool, the operation terminal adds first identification information for identifying the first machine tool to the first operation information and transmits the first operation information to the first machine tool, and when transmitting the second operation information to the second machine tool, adds second identification information for identifying the second machine tool to the second operation information and transmits the second operation information to the first machine tool; when receiving the first identification information, the first machine tool determines that the first operation information has been received from the operation terminal and executes processing corresponding to the first operation information, and when receiving the second identification information, relays the second operation information to the second machine tool based on the second identification information.

3. The machining system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first operation information or the second operation information includes a process for executing a plurality of operations.

4. The machining system described in claim 3, characterized in that the first operation information or the second operation information includes information on the order of operations when executing the multiple operations, and the first machine tool executes the multiple operations in order based on the order information.

5. The machining system described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the operation terminal stores an operation information set which is operation information for executing the multiple operations, and when the operation information set is selected by a user, transmits the operation information set to the first machine tool, and the first machine tool executes the multiple operations corresponding to the operation information set.

6. A machining system as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operation terminal transmits third operation information including the first operation information and the second operation information to the first machine tool.

7. The machining system according to claim 3, wherein the first machine tool executes the plurality of operations simultaneously.

8. A machining system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first machine tool brings the first machine tool to an emergency stop when the first operation information received from the operation terminal includes information for emergency stopping the first machine tool.

9. The machining system according to claim 8, characterized in that the first machine tool brings the second machine tool to an emergency stop when the first operation information received from the operation terminal includes information for emergency stopping the second machine tool.

10. A machining system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second machine tool brings the second machine tool to an emergency stop when the second operation information received from the first machine tool includes information for emergency stopping the second machine tool.

11. The machining system described in claim 10, characterized in that the first machine tool brings the first machine tool to an emergency stop when the second operation information received from the operation terminal includes information for emergency stopping the second machine tool.

12. A machining system as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, when the first operation information is information for collecting the operating status of the first machine tool, the first machine tool, upon receiving the first operation information from the operation terminal, collects first operating status information which is information on the operating status of the first machine tool and transmits it to the operation terminal, and the operation terminal displays the first operating status information.

13. A machining system as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, when the second operation information is information for collecting an operating status of the second machine tool, the second machine tool, upon receiving the second operation information from the first machine tool, collects second operating status information which is information on the operating status of the second machine tool and transmits it to the first machine tool, the first machine tool transmits the second operating status information to the operation terminal, and the operation terminal displays the second operating status information.

14. The machining system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in the network, the first machine tool and the second machine tool are connected via a hub.

15. The machining system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in the network, the first machine tool and the second machine tool are directly connected to each other.

16. A machining method comprising: a machining system including a first machine tool connected to a network, a second machine tool connected to the network, and an operation terminal connected to the first machine tool by a connection line and for operating the first machine tool and the second machine tool, the operation terminal transmitting to the first machine tool first operation information for operating the first machine tool or second operation information for operating the second machine tool; a relaying step in which, when the first machine tool receives the first operation information from the operation terminal, the first machine tool executes a process corresponding to the first operation information, and, when the first machine tool receives the second operation information from the operation terminal, relays the second operation information to the second machine tool via the network; and a processing execution step in which, when the second machine tool receives the second operation information, the second machine tool executes a process corresponding to the second operation information.

17. A processing program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: a receiving step of receiving first operation information for operating a first machine tool connected to a network and second operation information for operating the second machine tool from an operation terminal for operating the first machine tool and a second machine tool connected to the network; and a relaying step of executing a process corresponding to the first operation information when the first operation information is received from the operation terminal, and relaying the second operation information to the second machine tool via the network when the second operation information is received from the operation terminal.

Images