Centralized processing control system

Abstract

[PROBLEM] To provide a processing control system that uniformly and externally monitors and manages, regardless of a communication method / variables, a CNC control device capable of communication with each machine device operated by various NC programs. [SOLUTION] This centralized processing control system has a stored and updated communication method / variable correspondence table showing a communication method and macro variable name of an NC program corresponding to each machine device, and a unified communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the centralized processing control system. When a read request of operation information is made to an arbitrary machine device, the read request is translated into read-requested content and a communication method and a macro variable name corresponding to the machine device, a call command is transmitted to a CNC control device of the read-requested machine device, and by receiving the command, a response numerical value in the called macro variable is output as a response numerical value in the communication method and macro variable name of the system.

Description

Centralized Processing Control System

[0001] The present invention relates to a centralized machining control system that can remotely manage the NC programs of each machine using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names for each machine that is CNC-controlled using NC programs with various different communication methods (languages) and macro variables, and for a machining line made up of multiple machines.

[0002] In a machining line at a machining site, a single machined product is formed through a machining process using a plurality of NC devices that execute computerized numerical control (hereinafter referred to as "CNC" or "CNC control"), machinery such as industrial robots, etc. Conventionally, the CNC devices of the plurality of machinery used in such a machining line have controlled each machinery with an NC program (numerical control program) that has its own communication method (language) and macro variables (macro variable names), and in an actual machining site, machinery having different communication methods (languages) and macro variable names is arranged and swapped for each machining operation, and the machining corresponding to each machinery is sequentially performed to produce a final machined product.

[0003] However, since the communication method (language) and macro variable names applied to the CNC devices of each manufacturer of machinery and equipment differ, users must execute programming or instructions (commands) that are appropriate for the connected machinery and equipment, and it has traditionally been difficult to centrally manage from a remote location a machining line in which multiple machinery and equipment made by different manufacturers are used sequentially for each machining process to produce a final machined product.

[0004] In particular, when promoting the next-generation IoT society, the inventors considered that it would be essential to build an operating system that could uniformly manage different NC programs, even when taking into consideration the potential need for comprehensive remote management of the accuracy, time, and cost of each machining process and the accuracy, time, and cost of the entire machining process while freely combining multiple different mechanical devices, even at machining sites within factories.

[0005] Meanwhile, in recent years, technologies for centrally managing machining lines using multiple CNC-controlled machinery have been proposed, such as in Patent Documents 1 to 5, but these technologies are limited to linking the before and after of each machining process or proposing centralized management within the same communication method (language). Although they suggest technologies that can manage some different communication methods (languages), they have not yet established specific methods, and it has been difficult to achieve centralized and unified machining management in remote locations.

[0006] JP 2000-317775 A JP 4-63652 A JP 2003-295920 A JP 2021-92855 A JP 2021-96498 A

[0007] The present invention has been created in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a centralized machining control system that can centrally manage the NC programs of each machine from a remote location by centrally storing past data using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names in each machine that is CNC-controlled by NC programs with various different communication methods (languages) and macro variables, and by complementing the calculations in the NC programs of each machine, and by making specific write / read requests to the CNC control device of each machine based on this.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a centralized machining control system that externally and uniformly monitors and manages the communicable CNC control devices of each machine device that operates according to various NC programs, regardless of the communication method or variable, and the centralized machining control system stores and updates a communication method / variable correspondence table that shows the communication method and macro variable names of the NC programs corresponding to each machine device and CNC control device, as well as the unified communication method and macro variable names corresponding to the centralized machining control system, and when a read request is made to any machine device for its operation information, the system determines the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the requested read content and the machine device from the communication method / variable correspondence table, sends a command to the CNC control device of the machine device that is requested to read, using the determined communication method, and outputs the response value of the macro variable that has been called upon receiving the command from the communication method / variable correspondence table as the response value for the unified communication method and macro variable name.

[0009] The centralized machining control system of the present invention focuses on the various macro variable names that determine the communication method (language) and control mode of each CNC-controlled machine, sets a unified communication method (language) and macro variable name that can be compared with each communication method (language) and macro variable name, manages this in a correspondence table (managed in the "communication method / variable correspondence table" of the present invention) so that it can be compared with the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine, and based on the correspondence table, the unified communication method (language) and macro variable name are used as a bridge tool to (a) call up operation information of each machine and translate it into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the bridge tool, or (b) translate it from the bridge tool into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine and write it to the CNC device of that machine. This is a major feature of the centralized machining control system of the present invention.

[0010] First, the centralized machining control system of the first invention provides for calling up the operation information of each machine as described above in (a). Specifically, a communication method / variable correspondence table (see FIG. 3 described later) is set up which lists the correspondence between the communication method (language) and macro variable names of the NC program corresponding to each machine and CNC control device, and the communication method (language) and macro variable names as a unified bridge tool corresponding to this centralized machining control system. When a request to read the operation information of each machine is made using the communication method (language) and macro variable names of this centralized machining control system as a bridge tool, the request is translated from the communication method / variable correspondence table into the communication method (language) and macro variable names suitable for that machine, and a command to read the operation information of the CNC control device of each machine is issued.

[0011] This allows for the reading of operational information from various machines simply by issuing a read request using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names. This allows for centralized remote monitoring of each machine, even in a machining line or other similar system consisting of multiple machines with different NC programs. Here, the term "NC program" generally refers to a program for controlling a machine using numerical control (NC), primarily used in machine tools and robots, and includes instructions for position, speed, acceleration, and other parameters. However, in this specification, the term refers to a control program related to NC technology, including CNC (Computer Numerical Control), which enables more complex machining and system integration. For example, the term also includes a programmable logic controller (PLC), which issues a stop command when an abnormality occurs during the operation of an NC machine and manages the flow and safety of the entire machining process, and a programmable machine controller (PMC), which controls sensors and actuators and, in precision machining, adjusts the operating sequence of the entire system and manages input and output when an NC program starts operating.

[0012] Furthermore, in the centralized machining control system of the present invention, when a request is made to write operation information to any machine, the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the requested content and the machine are determined from the communication method / variable correspondence table, a command is sent to write a numerical value to the determined macro variable using the communication method determined according to the CNC control device of the machine for which the write request is made, and the machine for which the write request is made approves or denies the command, and when a response signal is received, the fact that the command has been approved or denied is output as the unified communication method and macro variable name in the communication method / variable correspondence table.

[0013] That is, the centralized machining control system of the present invention provides a specific method for translating the above-mentioned (b) bridge tool into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine and writing the result to the CNC control device of that machine. The above-mentioned present invention provides a reading function, so to speak, for reading operation information of each machine having various communication methods (languages) and macro variable names simply by issuing a read request using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable name using the communication method / variable correspondence table, but this present invention has a function for issuing operation commands to each machine having various communication methods (languages) and macro variable names simply by issuing a write request using the same communication method / variable correspondence table using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable name.

[0014] Therefore, when combined with the reading function described above, even in a machining line formed by multiple machines with NC programs, each machine can be remotely and centrally monitored using a unified language, and the monitoring results can be reflected in the operation control of each machine. As a result, even in a machining line where multiple different machining processes are performed by machines that each operate using a different NC program, remote monitoring and management can be performed centrally using a unified language, such that the machining results of the previous process are monitored and reflected in real time in the machining of the next process (post-process), which can greatly contribute to promoting IoT in machining sites.

[0015] As an example of the present invention in which the processing results of the previous process are reflected in the processing of the next process in real time while the processing results of the previous process are monitored, a specific configuration will be provided below in which correction of the shape information of the workpiece or correction of the processing conditions, such as dimensional correction in other processing equipment used in the next processing process, is performed in accordance with the processing results of the previous processing process.

[0016] Specifically, in the centralized machining control system, when correction of shape information of a workpiece, such as dimensional correction, or correction of machining conditions is performed, when a process of operation of one machine is completed, the one machine, the process of its operation, the workpiece, and the measurement positions of the workpiece after machining and the measurement values ​​are linked and stored as pre-process measurement data, and when another machine is operated after the process of operation of the one machine, the measurement values ​​stored as the pre-process measurement data are searched for and calculated based on the measurement values, and a write request for correction of shape information of the workpiece (e.g., changes to dimensions, surface roughness, roundness, etc.) or correction of machining conditions (e.g., changes to blades, machining time, machining speed, etc.) is sent to a predetermined other machine or another machine that has been changed based on the measurement values, and a communication method corresponding to the other machine and macro variable names related to correction of shape information or machining conditions are determined from the communication method / variable correspondence table, and a command is sent to the CNC device of the other machine to write numerical values ​​into the determined macro variables using the determined communication method.

[0017] In this centralized management control system, when a processing line moves from the previous processing step (pre-processing) to the next processing step (post-processing), shape information such as dimensions measured after the pre-processing is completed is taken into consideration to select a machine such as a processing device to be used in the post-processing (a predetermined processing device, etc. or a change to that processing device, etc.), and the shape information of the workpiece fed into the machine used in the post-processing and the processing conditions of the blade, etc. can be corrected. As a specific example, in this centralized control system, the dimensions of a workpiece are measured at a predetermined measurement position after the completion of a previous process, and the measurement values ​​are linked to the machine (machine tool, etc.), processing process, workpiece, and measurement position, and stored in an external device, etc., using the centralized control system's communication method (language) and macro variable names related to dimensional correction. This linked data (previous process measurement data) is searched when the workpiece is introduced and installed in the subsequent process, and the numerical values ​​calculated as the measurement values ​​of the workpiece to be introduced into the subsequent process are converted into the communication method (language) and macro variable names related to dimensional correction for the CNC device of the subsequent process, and written into the macro variable related to dimensional correction in the NC program of the subsequent process. In such dimensional correction, there can be various differences in the extent to which the dimensional correction calculations performed in the NC program of the machine are supplemented in this centralized control system, and at what stage the dimensional correction calculation processing is performed. For example, the following dimensional correction examples are listed.

[0018] Specifically, in the first example of dimensional correction (dimensional correction 1), when the centralized machining control system operates another machine that is to be operated after the operation of the first machine, it searches the measurement values ​​of the previous process from the measurement data of the previous process, and based on the averaged measurement value, it sends a write request for dimensional correction of the workpiece to the other machine, determines a communication method and a macro variable name related to dimensional correction that suits the other machine from the communication method / variable correspondence table, and transmits a command to the CNC device of the other machine to write a numerical value to the macro variable name determined by the determined communication method.

[0019] In the first example of dimension correction (dimension correction 1), the centralized machining control system searches for the measurement values ​​of the dimensions of the workpiece after pre-processing from the pre-process measurement data that was measured and stored after the pre-processing, and then requests the measurement values ​​to be written to the macro variables of the post-processing machine using the communication method (language) and macro variable name based on the averaged measurement value. Therefore, not only can the dimensional results of the workpiece after pre-processing be reflected in the post-process between pre-processing and post-processing machines that have different communication methods (languages) and macro variable names, but also the measurement values ​​of the workpiece after pre-processing can be reflected in the post-processing machine using the previous measurement values ​​of the pre-process, and the measurement values ​​with the machining error smoothed out by adding the previous measurement values ​​of the pre-process to the measurement values ​​of the previous pre-process can be used to calculate a correction value in the NC program of the post-processing machine, and the machining position can be corrected by the correction value in the NC program for machining.

[0020] Specifically, in the second example of dimensional correction (dimensional correction 2), the centralized machining control system further, when the process of operation of another machine that operated after the process of operation of the one machine is completed, links the other machine, the process of its operation, the workpiece, and the measurement positions and measurement values ​​of the workpiece after processing and stores them as post-process measurement data; when the other machine is to be operated after the process of operation of the one machine, searches for the measurement values ​​of the previous process from the pre-process measurement data, performs statistical processing of the most recent post-process measurement data to calculate a correction value for an error due to the influence of the other machine at the current state; determines a communication method and a macro variable name related to the dimensional correction corresponding to the other machine from the communication method / variable correspondence table as a write request for dimensional correction of the workpiece to the other machine based on the measurement value and the correction value; and transmits a command to the CNC device of the other machine to write a numerical value into the determined macro variable using the determined communication method.

[0021] In the second example of dimensional correction (dimensional correction 2), complex calculations that are difficult to perform using the NC programs of ordinary machines are performed in advance using this centralized machining control system, which has a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names, and the results are fed back to calculate correction values ​​that take into account the effects of tool wear, thermal variation, etc. in the current downstream machine (other machine).This correction value is then written together with the measurement values ​​from the previous process using the communication method (language) and macro variable names of the downstream machine, and the machining position can be corrected by the correction value in the NC program of the downstream machine as the dimensions of the workpiece input to the downstream process.In this way, even if the NC program of a machine is difficult to perform complex calculations, this centralized machining control system can statistically process past measurement data from the downstream process in advance and reflect the results in the downstream machine.

[0022] The centralized control machining system of the present invention makes it possible to centrally manage from a remote location the NC programs of multiple machines that are CNC-controlled using NC programs with various different communication methods (languages) and macro variables, while centrally storing past data using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names. Furthermore, the centralized control machining system complements the conventional CNC control devices of each machine by externally executing complex arithmetic processing that was difficult to perform in the NC programs of each machine in advance and reflecting the results in the NC programs of each machine.

[0023] 9 shows an example of a conceptual diagram of using the centralized control system of the present invention to read the NC programs of the CNC control devices of multiple machines and monitor the operating status of each machine. Also shown is an example of a conceptual diagram of using the centralized control system of the present invention to manage the operating status of each machine by writing a request to each CNC control device to modify its operation. Also shown is an example of a communication method / variable correspondence table that lists the correspondence between the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine and CNC control device and the communication method (language) and macro variable name corresponding to the centralized control system of the present invention. Also shown is a photograph of an example of an actual machining line in a centralized machining control system that performs dimensional correction 1. Also shown is a flow chart for performing dimensional correction 1. Also shown is a flow chart for performing dimensional correction 1. Also shown is a portion of the flow chart for performing dimensional correction 2. Also shown is a portion of the flow chart for performing dimensional correction 2. Also shown is a main program for a process that performs dimensional correction 1. Also shown is a process 1 program in the process 1 machining process in the main program of FIG. 9. Also shown are subprograms for recording work offsets to an external device in the process 1 machining process and the process 2 machining process in the main program of FIG. 9. This shows a subprogram for recording tool offsets to an external device in the process 1 program of Figure 10. This shows a list of the macro variable names and their respective variable contents shown in Figures 9 to 12. This shows the main program for the process of executing dimension compensation 2.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows an example of a concept diagram in which the centralized control system of the present invention is used to read the NC programs of the CNC control devices of multiple machines and monitor the operating status of each machine. Fig. 2 shows an example of a concept diagram in which the centralized control system of the present invention is used to manage the operating status of each machine by writing a request to the NC program of each CNC control device to modify the operation of each machine. Fig. 3 shows an example of a communication method / variable correspondence table that lists the correspondence between the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine and CNC control device and the communication method (language) and macro variable name corresponding to the centralized control system of the present invention.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, in this centralized machining control system, a centralized machining control means 10 capable of two-way communication with an external device 12 monitors the operating conditions of machine tools 14 (14a, 14b, etc.) as CNC-controlled machinery that constitute a machining line for machining workpieces, industrial robots 16 (16a, 16b, etc.), and other industrial CNC machinery 18 (18a, 18b, etc.).

[0026] The centralized machining control means 10 is software that runs on a PC (personal computer) and communicates with the CNC control devices of the machine tools 14, the robot control devices (CNC control devices (robot controllers)) of the industrial robots 16, and other CNC control devices of industrial CNC machinery 18, acquires internal variable information (macro variable names and their numerical values), performs calculations, and draws, and executes pre-programmed feedback to each CNC control device based on the calculation results. The external device 18 is assumed to be a device with communication and calculation functions, such as a server, PC, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller: a control device used to control equipment and facilities), or microcomputer. The centralized machining control means 10 is software that monitors (reads) the operating status of the machine tools 14 and performs operation control (writes), which will be described later, in the centralized machining management control system of the present invention. When the external device 12 is a PC, the centralized machining control means 10 may be installed in the PC and operate via bidirectional communication within the PC, or bidirectional communication may be performed between the PC as the external device 12 and the PC on which the centralized machining control means 10 is installed.

[0027] The machine tool 14 is a so-called NC machine tool that performs cutting, grinding, shearing, forging, rolling, etc. of workpieces (workpieces) and has a CNC control device with an external communication function for operating the machine tool according to commands in an NC program. The industrial robot 16 performs various processing steps, such as transport, processing, assembly, cleaning, and deburring, using a robot body equipped with movable axes (joints) and arms driven by actuators, and has a similar CNC control device called a "control box" with an external communication function. Other industrial CNC machines 18 are, for example, numerically controlled measuring devices 18a such as three-dimensional measuring devices and numerically controlled transport machines 18b such as loaders, and are operated and controlled by CNC control devices with external communication functions, just like the machine tool 14 and industrial robot 16.

[0028] <<Reading Operation Information of Each Machine Device>> Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the flow for the centralized management system of the present invention will be described, in which the centralized processing control means 10 and the external device 12 are used to read the NC programs of the CNC control devices of a plurality of machine tools 14a-14c, industrial robots 16a-16b, and other industrial CNC machines 18a-18b, and the operating status of each machine device 14-18 is monitored.

[0029] When it is desired to monitor the current operating status of any of the machines 14, 16, and 18, the centralized machining control means 10 first makes an information read request to the external device 12 for the target machine 14, 16, and 18. For example, when reading information from the CNC control device of machine tool 14a (machine 0001, manufactured by company A), a read request with the content "Read information @@ from machine 0001" is made from the centralized machining control means 10 of the present invention using the communication method "function (language) σ" of the centralized machining control means 10, and the communication method / variable correspondence table shown in Figure 3 stored in the external device 12 is called (STEP 1: see reference numeral 20).

[0030] When the communication method / variable correspondence table is called in STEP 1, the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the read request and the target machine 14, 16, 18 are determined from the communication method / variable correspondence table (STEP 2). For example, in the case of reading information from the CNC control device of the above-mentioned machine tool 14a (machine 0001, manufactured by Company A) using the communication method / variable correspondence table in Figure 3 as an example, if the macro variable name corresponding to "information @@" in the communication language "σ" of the centralized machining control means 10 (machine number "0": control device "this software") is "A1," it is determined that the communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1" correspond to the communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1" in the machine tool 14a (machine number "1": control device "Company A CNC") (STEP 2 above). As a result, it can be seen from the communication method / variable correspondence table in Figure 3 that the write request in the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the centralized machining control means 10 of the present invention has been translated into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine tool 14a.

[0031] Furthermore, once the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine 14, 16, 19 that is the target of the read request have been determined and translated in STEP 2, a write request is made to inquire about the operation information of the machine 14, 16, 18 in a translation language that is suited to that machine 14, 16, 18 (STEP 3). For example, in the case of the above-mentioned read request "Read information @@ from machine 0001," the communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1" suited to the machine tool 14a are determined in STEP 2 and translated, and the communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1" of the machine tool 14a are determined, and a command to read the machine tool 14a is transmitted from the centralized machining control means 10 (see reference numeral 22). The CNC control device of the machine tool 14a that receives this command reads the numerical value of the macro variable name "#1" that is in operation and transmits it from the centralized machining control means 10 (STEP 4). As a result, the centralized machining control means 10 acquires operation information of the machine tool 14a using the communication method (language) and macro variable names of the machine tool 14a.

[0032] Furthermore, when the operation information of the machine tool 14a is acquired using the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine tool 14a in STEP 4, the centralized machining control means 10 again calls up and updates the communication method / variable correspondence table stored in the external device 12, and in the reverse order of STEP 2, determines from the communication method / variable correspondence table the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the centralized machining control means 10 that correspond to the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine tool 14a, and transmits and outputs this communication method (language) and macro variable name (its numerical value) to the external device 12 (see reference numeral 21). For example, if the operation information from the machine tool 14a (machine number "1": control device "Company A CNC") is the numerical value ddd in the communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1", the macro variable name in the communication language "σ" of this centralized machining control means 10 is updated to "A1" with the numerical value ddd, and output is made to the external device 12 such as a PC in the communication language "σ" as "The value of information @@ from machine 0001 is ddd" (STEP 5 above). This shows that even if the machines 14, 16, 18 have different communication methods (languages) and macro variable names, the centralized machining control means 10 can monitor the operation information using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names (and their numerical values).

[0033] <<Writing Operation Information, etc. to Each Machine>> Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the centralized control system of the present invention will be described, which uses the centralized processing control means 10 and the external device 12 to write information into the NC program of the CNC control device of each of a plurality of machines similar to those shown in FIG. 1 (machine tools 14, industrial robots 16, and other industrial CNC machines 18) to correct and control the operating status of each of the machines 14 to 18.

[0034] When it is desired to correct or otherwise manage the current operating status of any of the machines 14, 16, and 18, the centralized processing control means 10 first makes an information write request to the external device 12 for the machine 14, 16, and 18 in question. For example, when writing correction or other information to the robot control device of industrial robot 16a (industrial robot 001 manufactured by company A), a write request with the content "write numerical value dd to information @@ of industrial robot 001" is made from the centralized processing control means 10 of the present invention using the communication method "function (language) σ" of the centralized processing control means 10, and the communication method / variable correspondence table shown in Figure 3, which is stored in the external device 12, is called (STEP A: see reference numeral 30).

[0035] When the communication method / variable correspondence table is called in STEP A, the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the machine 14, 16, 18 for which a write request is made is determined from the communication method / variable correspondence table (STEP B). For example, in the case of writing correction information to the robot controller of the above-mentioned industrial robot 16a (industrial robot 001 manufactured by Company A) using the communication method / variable correspondence table in Figure 3 as an example, if the macro variable name corresponding to "information @@" in the communication language "σ" of the centralized processing control means 10 (machine number "0": controller "this software") is "A2", it is determined that the communication language "d" and macro variable name "register 2" correspond to the industrial robot 16a (machine number "1001": controller "Company A ROBOT") (STEP B above). As a result, it will be understood from the communication method / variable correspondence table of FIG. 3 that the write request in the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the centralized processing control means 10 of the present invention has been translated into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the industrial robot 16a.

[0036] Furthermore, once the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine 14, 16, 18 that is the target of the write request have been determined and translated in STEP B, the write request is used to inquire about the operation information of the machine 14, 16, 18 in a language that is appropriate for that machine 14, 16, 18 (STEP C). For example, in the case of the above-mentioned write request "Write the value dd to the information @@ of industrial robot 001," once the communication language "d" and macro variable name "REGISTER 2" appropriate for the industrial robot 16a are determined and translated in STEP B, a command to write the communication language "d" and macro variable name "REGISTER 2" of the industrial robot 16a to the industrial robot 16a is transmitted from the centralized processing control means 10 (see reference numeral 32), and the value of the macro variable name "REGISTER 2" in the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a that received the command is changed to dd, and transmitted from the centralized processing control means 10 (STEP D). As a result, the centralized processing control means 10 issues a write request input using the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the centralized processing control means 10, which are set as unified ones, as a write request to modify the NC program using the communication method (language) and macro variable name unique to the industrial robot 16a.

[0037] Furthermore, in STEP D, when the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a receives a write command issued using that communication method (language) and macro variable name, it determines whether to allow or reject control such as modifying the numerical value of the corresponding macro variable in the NC program of the industrial robot 16a, and if it allows, it rewrites the NC program and simultaneously transmits an allowance response signal, or if it rejects, it transmits a rejection response signal. Upon receiving this allowance or rejection response signal, the centralized machining control means 10 again calls up the communication method / variable correspondence table (FIG. 3) stored in the external device 12, saves and updates the numerical value "dd" and "allowance / rejection" in the past history of the macro variable name "register 2" of machine number "1001," and transmits the "allowance / rejection" response to the external device 12 such as a PC, outputting the "allowance / rejection" response in the communication language "σ" (see reference numeral 31: STEP E). This means that even if the machines 14, 16, and 18 have different communication methods (languages) and macro variable names, the centralized processing control means 10 can control their operations using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names (and their numerical values).

[0038] Example 1 (Dimensional Correction 1) Next, an example of correction of machining dimensions (hereinafter also referred to as "dimensional correction 1") of machines 14, 16, 18 executed by software (hereinafter also referred to as "this software 10") as centralized machining control means 10 in the centralized machining control system of the present invention will be described. Figure 4 is a photograph showing an example of an actual machining line in the centralized machining control system that executes dimensional correction 1. Figures 5 and 6 show the flow of executing dimensional correction 1.

[0039] As shown in the example of a machining line in Figure 4, when machining of a workpiece (object to be machined) is first completed by the machine tool 14a, the industrial robot 16a grasps the workpiece. At this time, as shown in the flow chart in Figure 5, the software 10 requests the CNC control device of the machine tool 14a to read the workpiece (object to be machined) after machining in the previous process, together with its number (workpiece number), obtains the information on the workpiece number, and transmits the workpiece number to the industrial robot 16a (STEP 111, STEP 113).

[0040] Specifically, first, when machining by machine tool 14a is completed, as explained with reference to Fig. 1, a read request to "read information (numerical value) of workpiece No. from machine tool 00011" is made from software 10 using the communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc.", a communication method / variable correspondence table (see Fig. 3) stored in external device 12 is called up, software 10 determines the communication language "a" and macro variable names "#1, #2, ... etc." of machine tool 14a (machine number 1: control device "Company A CNC"), and the CNC control device of machine tool 14a, which has received the command in that communication language and macro variable names, reads the response numerical value of the workpiece No. of that macro variable from the NC program and acquires software 10 (STEP 111).

[0041] Next, the software 10, which has acquired the workpiece number of the machine tool 14a after the completion of machining in the previous process, issues a write request to the industrial robot 16a to "write the workpiece number (numerical value) into the workpiece information of industrial robot 0001" using the software 10's communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc.", as described with reference to Figure 2. As in STEP 111, the communication method / variable correspondence table is called from the external device 12, the communication language "d" and macro variable names "register 1, register 2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16a (machine number 1001: control device "Company A ROBOT") are determined, and the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a, which has received the command in the communication language and macro variable names, writes the numerical value of the workpiece number into the corresponding macro variable of the NC program (STEP 113).

[0042] Next, as shown in the example of a machining line in Fig. 4, when the industrial robot 16a acquires the workpiece, the dimensions of the workpiece after the previous processing step by the machine tool 14a are measured at multiple points on the workpiece using the industrial robot 16a and a separate measuring device 19. At this time, as shown in the flow diagram in Fig. 5, the software 10 requests the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a to read the workpiece number and each measurement position when multiple points on the workpiece are measured by the industrial robot 16a and the measuring device 19, and associates the information on the workpiece number and measurement position obtained by the read request with the measurement value information by the measuring device 19 and saves (stores) them (STEP 121 to STEP 125).

[0043] Specifically, the industrial robot 16a moves the workpiece obtained from the machine tool 14a in the previous process, sets it so that multiple positions (measurement points) of the workpiece can be measured by the measuring device 19, and measures the dimensions with the measuring device 19 (STEP 121). The measurement values ​​from the measuring device 19 are separately transmitted to the external device 12 and saved (stored). At this time, at each measurement position, as explained with reference to Fig. 2, a read request to "read information (numerical values) of the workpiece number and robot coordinates from the industrial robot 1001" is made from the software 10 using the communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc." of the software 10, and the communication language "d" and macro variable names "register 1, register 2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16a (machine number 1001: control device "Company A ROBOT") are determined from the communication method / variable correspondence table, and the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a, which has received the command in that communication language and macro variable names, reads the response numerical values ​​of the robot coordinates of that macro variable from the NC program, which the software 10 acquires together with the workpiece number, which it translates into the communication method (language) and macro variable names of the software 10 as explained with reference to Fig. 1, inputs them into the communication method / variable correspondence table, and saves them in the external device 12 (STEP 123).

[0044] Next, the workpiece number and the robot coordinates at each measurement position stored (memorized) in the external device 12 are linked to the measurement values ​​of the measuring device 19 at each measurement position stored (memorized) in the external device 12, and are stored (memorized) in the external device 12 (STEP 125).

[0045] Furthermore, the workpiece whose dimensions have been measured by the industrial robot 16a and measuring device 19 is handed over from the industrial robot 16a to the industrial robot 16b, transported by the industrial robot 16b, and inserted into and attached to the machine tool 14b, and the workpiece machined by the machine tool 14a is further machined by the machine tool 14b. At this time, as shown in the flow charts of Figures 5 and 6, the software 10 requests the industrial robot 16a and the machine tool 14b to write the workpiece number, requests that the workpiece number and the average value of the past history of workpiece measurement values ​​be written as the workpiece dimensions into the variable area of ​​the machine tool 16b, and executes the NC program of the machine tool 14b (STEPs 131 to 153).

[0046] Specifically, for the industrial robot 16b to which the workpiece is handed over from the industrial robot 16a, the software 10 uses the communication method / variable correspondence table to translate a write request to "write the workpiece No. (numerical value) into the workpiece information of the industrial robot 1002" from the communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc." of the software 10 into the communication language "e" and macro variable names "B1, B2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16b (machine number 1002: control device "E Company ROBOT"), as in STEPs 111 and 115, and the robot control device of the industrial robot 16b, which receives the command in the communication language and macro variable names, writes the numerical value of the workpiece No. into the corresponding macro variable of the NC program (STEP 131). Thereafter, similarly to STEP 131, the software 10 translates the "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc." into the communication language "b" and macro variable names "#1, #2, ... etc." of the machine tool 14b (machine number 2: control device "Company B CNC"), and the CNC control device of the machine tool 14b, which has received the command in the communication language and macro variable names, writes the numerical value of the workpiece number into the corresponding macro variable of the NC program (STEP 141).

[0047] Next, the software 10 causes the external device 12 to search for the measurement values ​​of the workpiece No. after the previous process that have been stored (recorded) in the external device 12 in STEP 125 and in the past, and causes the external device 12 to calculate the average value of the searched measurement values ​​(STEP 151). The software 10 requests the machine tool 14b to write the calculated average value of this workpiece No., sends it to the variable area of ​​the machine tool 14b as the initial dimension of the attached workpiece, and executes the NC program (STEP 153: see the NC programs in Figures 9 to 13). Specifically, software 10 makes a write request to "write the calculated average value zz into the variable area of ​​the initial dimensions of the workpiece of machine tool 2" using software 10's communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc.", and similarly to STEP 113, the communication method / variable correspondence table is called from external device 12, and the CNC control device of machine tool 14b writes the calculated value zz into the variable area of ​​the communication language "b" of machine tool 14b (machine number 2: control device "Company B CNC") and the macro variable names "#1, #2, ... etc." indicating the initial dimensions (STEP 153). This allows machine tool 14b to perform machining on itself, with the initial state being the dimensions after pre-machining.

[0048] After STEP 153 by software 10, machine tool 14b receives the dimensional value (average value) of workpiece No., processes the dimensional value in its NC program for the inserted and attached workpiece, calculates a correction value, and checks whether the correction value is within the normal range. If the checked correction value is outside the normal range and is determined to be abnormal in the NC program of machine tool 14, an error signal is sent, and software 10, upon receiving this, outputs the error signal to external device 12. On the other hand, if the checked correction value is within the normal range and is determined to be normal, machine tool 14 reflects the correction value in its NC program and performs machining. Therefore, even if there is a dimensional error in the previous machining, it is possible to always perform machining with accurate dimensional values, taking the dimensional error into account.

[0049] For reference, examples of NC programs for such machine tool 14b are shown in Figures 9 to 13. Figure 9 shows the main program for the process of executing dimension compensation 1 on machine tool 14b. Figure 10 shows the process 1 program for process 1 machining (N111) in the main program of Figure 9. Figure 11 shows subprogram 1 for recording work offsets to the external device 12 (external PC) in process 1 machining (N111) and process 2 machining (N02) in the main program of Figure 9. Figure 12 shows subprogram 2 for recording tool offsets to the external device 12 (external PC) in the process 1 program of Figure 10. Figure 13 also lists the macro variable names and their respective variable contents shown in Figures 9 to 12. In particular, macro variables #501 to #516 indicate macro variables used in read and write commands from this software. Brief descriptions of the NC programs and macro variables are provided in parentheses in Figures 9 to 13.

[0050] Returning again to the execution flow of the software 10 shown in Figures 5 and 6, when machining by the machine tool 14b is completed, the workpiece is removed from the machine tool 14b and received by the industrial robot 16b, as shown in the example machining line of Figure 4. At this time, the software 10 causes the industrial robot 16b to acquire the workpiece of the machine tool 14b after machining in the subsequent process, together with the workpiece number, and transmits the workpiece number to the industrial robot 16a (STEP 181).

[0051] Specifically, when machining by the machine tool 14b is completed, the software 10 makes a read request to "read information (numerical value) of the workpiece No. from the machine tool 2" (similar to STEP 111 and therefore omitted), and the software 10, having acquired the workpiece No. of the machine tool 14b after machining has been completed, makes a write request to the industrial robot 16b to "write the workpiece No. (numerical value) into the workpiece information of industrial robot 0002" using the communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc." of the software 10, the communication method / variable correspondence table is called up, the communication language "e" and macro variable names "register 1, register 2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16b (machine number 1002: control device "E Company ROBOT") are determined, and the robot control device of the industrial robot 16b, which has received the command in the communication language and macro variable names, writes the workpiece No. to the corresponding macro variable of the NC program. The numerical value is written (STEP 181).

[0052] Example 2 (Dimensional Correction 2) Next, a description will be given of dimensional correction 2 as a modification of dimensional correction 1 for the machines 14, 16, and 18, which is executed by the software 10 in the centralized machining control system of the present invention. Dimensional correction 2 is executed on the machining line shown in Fig. 4, similar to dimensional correction 1, and the flow executed by the software 10 is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Therefore, the flow executed by the software 10 that differs from dimensional correction 1 (Figs. 5 and 6) will be described below with reference to the flow charts shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0053] In the example machining line of Figure 4, as described above, when machining of a workpiece is completed by the machine tool 14a in the previous process, the industrial robot 16a acquires the machined workpiece, and after the industrial robot 16a and measuring device 19 measure the workpiece, it is handed over to the industrial robot 16b. The industrial robot 16b then loads and attaches the workpiece to the machine tool 14b, causing machining to be performed. At this time, as described above with reference to the flow chart of Figure 5, the software 10 requests the CNC control device of the machine tool 14a to read the workpiece number of the machine tool 14a after machining in the previous process and transmits this to the industrial robot 16a (STEP 111, STEP 113), and then requests the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a to read the workpiece number and each measurement position when multiple points on the workpiece are measured by the industrial robot 16a and measuring device 19, thereby transmitting the workpiece number. The software 10 then links the measurement position information with the measurement value information obtained by the measuring instrument 19 and saves (stores) the information (STEPs 121 to 125), and requests the industrial robot 16a and the machine tool 14b to write the workpiece number (STEPs 131 to 141). Up to this point, the flow executed by the software 10 in dimension correction 2 is the same as that in dimension correction 1 described above.

[0054] Thereafter, in the example of dimension correction 1, software 10 causes external device 12 to search the past history for pre- and post-machining measurement values ​​based on the workpiece No., calculates the "average value," requests that the calculated average value be written as the workpiece dimension in the variable area of ​​machine tool 14b for the subsequent process, and executes the NC program of machine tool 14b (STEPs 131 to 153). Then, in dimension correction 1, the dimensional value (average value) received by machine tool 14b is calculated in the NC program as the inserted and attached workpiece to calculate a "correction value," and determines whether the "correction value" is normal or abnormal.

[0055] 5 and 6, the calculation flow for the "correction value" of the workpiece to be input to the machine tool 14b is different. In dimension correction 2, after the software 10 requests the industrial robot 16a and the machine tool 14b to write the workpiece number in steps 131 to 141, the software 10 causes the external device 12 to search the past history for the measurement value after the previous process based on the workpiece number (step 251a), and performs a composite calculation of the "correction value" of the workpiece based on the measurement value (*) after machining by the machine tool 14b in the most recent subsequent process (step 251b). Specifically, in STEPs 291 to 295 described below, the system extracts the most recent data from the stored data linking the measurement positions of multiple points on the workpiece in the subsequent process by the machine tool 14b with the measurement values ​​(dimension values) at each position, and performs a composite calculation on the data from statistics, taking into account the amount of machining error due to various factors such as tool wear and thermal variation of the machine tool 14b, to calculate a "correction value" (STEP 251b). In this way, the system feeds back the dimension data after the previous subsequent process, and performs a composite calculation on the statistical data to determine the influence on the machining error in the machine tool 14b that performs the subsequent process, thereby calculating a "correction value" for the subsequent process to be performed. Therefore, while Dimension Correction 1 simply averaged the past history of dimensional measurement values ​​after machining by the machine tool 14a, which is the upstream process, and used this as the "correction value" for the downstream process, it simply reflected the dimensional measurement error of the workpiece after the upstream process in the downstream process, whereas Dimension Correction 2 is advanced in that it calculates the "correction value" by statistically considering the effects of tool wear and thermal variation in the input workpiece in the downstream process from the past results when a workpiece with the dimensions after the upstream process is input into the downstream process and machining is performed. Statistical processing using a past database, which is difficult to perform with a CNC control device, can be performed with this software 10, and even if some dimensional error occurs in the upstream process by the machine tool 14a, it becomes possible to always perform machining with accurate dimensional values ​​by taking the dimensional error into account.

[0056] Specifically, in STEP 251b, the software 10 causes the external device 12 to perform a composite calculation of the "correction value" of the workpiece, and then links the "correction value" to the workpiece number and the measurement values ​​at each measurement position saved (stored) in the external device 12 in STEP 125, and saves (stores) the linked "correction value" in the external device 12 (STEP 251c). The software 10 then determines whether the "correction value" is within a preset normal range (STEP 251d), and if it is determined to be outside the normal range and abnormal, outputs an error signal to the external device 12, and the output error signal is saved (stored) in association with the saved (stored) workpiece number and the measurement values ​​at each measurement position (STEPs 251d to 251e).

[0057] If software 10 determines that the "correction value" is within the normal range and is normal, software 10 searches for the measurement value of the workpiece No. after the previous process stored (memorized) in external device 12 and the "correction value" for that workpiece, or calculates the average of the searched "correction values" (STEP 251f), requests that this "correction value" be written to the CNC control device of machine tool 14b, sends it to the variable area of ​​machine tool 14b as the initial dimension of the workpiece, and causes machine tool 14b to input the "correction value" as an offset in the NC program and execute the NC program (STEP 253: see NC program in FIG. 14). The above STEPs 251a to 253 are one of the parts of the flow of software 10 that differ in dimension correction 2 from STEPs 151 to 153 of dimension correction 1.

[0058] An example of an NC program for such machine tool 14b is shown in Figure 14 for reference. Figure 14 shows the main program for the process of executing dimension correction 1 on machine tool 14b, and Figures 10 to 13 are referred to for the process 1 program and subprograms that are the same as dimension correction 1. Also in Figure 14, as in Figures 9 to 13, a brief explanation of each NC program and macro variable is given in parentheses. From the main program of the NC program for machine tool 14b shown in N01 in Figure 14, it can be seen that in dimension correction 2, the software 10 causes external device 12 to calculate in advance the "correction value" calculated by the composite calculation, and the NC program of machine tool 14b simply writes the "correction value" into the offset.

[0059] Returning to the execution flow of the software 10 again, when the machining by the machine tool 14b is completed, the workpiece is removed from the machine tool 14b as shown in the example machining line of Figure 4, and is received by the industrial robot 16b, in the same manner as in dimensional correction 1, and the software 10 acquires the industrial robot 14b together with the workpiece number after machining by the machine tool 16b in the subsequent process, and transmits the workpiece number to the industrial robot 16a, in the same manner as in STEP 181 of Figure 6.

[0060] In dimension correction 2, the software 10 measures a plurality of points on the workpiece after machining in the subsequent process using the industrial robot 16b, and associates the workpiece number, the measurement position of the workpiece (robot coordinate information), and each measurement value of the dimension with each other and saves (stores) them in the external device 12 so that feedback can be provided to the subsequent process using the machine tool 14b in the next machining line shown in FIG. 4 and a "correction value" for the workpiece dimension in the subsequent process using the machine tool 14b can be calculated in the above-mentioned STEP 251b.

[0061] Specifically, in this software 10, the industrial robot 16b, to which the workpiece number has been written, moves the workpiece obtained from the downstream machine tool 14b, sets it up so that multiple positions (measurement points) of the workpiece can be measured with a measuring device (not shown (hereinafter also referred to as "measuring device (etc.)"), and measures the dimensions with the measuring device (etc.) (STEP 291). The measurement values ​​from the measuring device (etc.) are transmitted to the external device 12 and saved (stored). At this time, at each measurement position, as in STEP 121, the software 10 makes a read request to "read the workpiece number and robot coordinate information (numeric values) from the industrial robot 1002," using the software 10's communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc.", and the communication language "e" and macro variable names "B1, B2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16b (machine number 1002: control device "Company E ROBOT") are determined from the communication method / variable correspondence table. The robot control device of the industrial robot 16b, which has received the command in that communication language and macro variable names, reads the response numerical values ​​of the robot coordinates of that macro variable from the NC program, which the software 10 acquires together with the workpiece number, translates into the communication method (language) and macro variable names of the software 10, inputs them into the communication method / variable correspondence table, and saves them in the external device 12 (STEP 293).

[0062] Thereafter, the workpiece number and the robot coordinates at each measurement position saved (stored) in the external device 12 are linked to the measurement values ​​of the measuring device 19 at each measurement position saved (stored) in the external device 12, and are saved (stored) in the external device 12 (STEP 125). These saved (stored) workpiece numbers and measurement values ​​at each measurement position are fed back in the above-mentioned STEP 251b in the next and subsequent machining lines, and are used in the composite calculation of the "correction value" of the workpiece to be fed into the machine tool 14b in the subsequent process.

[0063] The above describes an embodiment of the present centralized processing control system as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and those skilled in the art will easily understand that other embodiments exist from the description and concept of the claims.

[0064] 10 Centralized machining control means 12 External device 14, 14a, 14b Machine tool 16, 16a, 16b Industrial robot 18, 18a, 18b Other industrial CNC machine device 19 Measuring instrument

Claims

1. A centralized machining control system that externally and uniformly monitors and manages the communication-capable CNC control devices of various machines that operate according to various NC programs, regardless of communication method or variable, said centralized machining control system storing and updating a communication method / variable correspondence table indicating the communication method and macro variable name of the NC program corresponding to each machine and CNC control device, as well as the unified communication method and macro variable name corresponding to said centralized machining control system, and when a request is made to read the operation information of any machine, the system determines the content of the read request and the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the machine from said communication method / variable correspondence table, sends a command to the CNC control device of the machine that is requested to read, to call the determined macro variable using the determined communication method, and receives the command and outputs the response value of the macro variable that has been called from said communication method / variable correspondence table as the response value for the unified communication method and macro variable name.

2. The centralized processing control system described in claim 1, characterized in that when a request is made to write operation information of any machine, the CNC management means determines the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the requested write content and the machine from the communication method / variable correspondence table, sends a command to the CNC control device of the machine to which the write request is made to write a numerical value into the determined macro variable using the determined communication method, and when the machine to which the write request is made approves or rejects the command, and receives a response signal, outputs the fact that the command has been approved or rejected as the unified communication method and macro variable name in the communication method / variable correspondence table.

3. The centralized processing control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, when a process of operation of a certain machine is completed, the centralized processing control system links the certain machine, the process of its operation, the workpiece, and the measurement positions and measurement values ​​of the workpiece after processing to store them as previous process measurement data, and when operating another machine to be operated after the process of operation of the certain machine, searches for the measurement values ​​stored as the previous process measurement data and calculates the measurement values ​​based on the measurement values ​​stored as the previous process measurement data, determines a communication method corresponding to the other machine and a macro variable name related to the correction of the shape information or the correction of the processing conditions from the communication method / variable correspondence table as the write request, and transmits a command to the CNC device of the other machine to write a numerical value into the macro variable determined by the determined communication method.

4. The centralized processing control system according to claim 3, characterized in that, when operating another machine that is to be operated after the operation of one of the machines, the centralized processing control system searches for the measurement values ​​of the previous process from the previous process measurement data, averages the measured values, and sends a command to the other machine to correct the dimensions of the workpiece as a write request, determines a communication method and a macro variable name related to the correction of dimensions that corresponds to the other machine from the communication method / variable correspondence table, and sends a command to the CNC device of the other machine to write a numerical value into the macro variable name determined by the determined communication method.

5. The centralized processing control system according to claim 3, further comprising: when a process of operation of another machine that has operated after a process of operation of the one machine is completed, the centralized processing control system links the other machine, the process of its operation, the workpiece, and the measurement positions and measurement values ​​of the workpiece after processing to store them as post-process measurement data; when the other machine is to be operated after the process of operation of the one machine, searches for the measurement values ​​of the previous process from the previous process measurement data, performs statistical processing of the most recent post-process measurement data to calculate an error due to the influence of the other machine in the current state as a correction value, determines a communication method corresponding to the other machine and a macro variable name related to the correction of dimensions from the communication method / variable correspondence table as the write request for correction of the dimensions of the workpiece to the other machine based on the measurement value and the correction value, and transmits a command to the CNC device of the other machine to write a numerical value into the macro variable determined by the determined communication method.

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