Integrated control device for managing processing plan for machine tool

Abstract

An integrated control device (10) for managing a processing plan for machine tools (MC1 and MC2) is configured to: generate a processing plan including a plurality of tasks in association with working hours and non-working hours of an operator; display a processing plan chart (14a) in which a plurality of tasks are respectively disposed by individual icons in time series order and shown; when a non-executable task which cannot be executed by a consumable reaching the set end of life is present, change a display mode of an icon (T14) for the non-executable task in the processing plan chart; when the start time of the non-executable task is within the working hours of the operator, allow the operator to select whether to execute maintenance of the consumable or skip the non-executable task; and skip the non-executable task when the start time of the non-executable task is within the non-working hours.

Description

Integrated control device that manages machining plans for machine tools

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated control device that manages machining plans in a production facility equipped with one or more machine tools.

[0002] It has been customary in production facilities such as FMS to use machine tools to machine workpieces over 24 hours in accordance with pre-registered machining plans. In such production facilities, because workpieces are machined over long periods of time, the machine tools must be stopped when a consumable part reaches the end of its pre-set life. Patent Document 1 describes, as an example of such production facilities, a method for scheduled operation of a machine tool, in which the number of inexecuted machining programs is minimized and scheduled operation can be continued even if a tool becomes unusable due to breakage or the like during scheduled operation, or if a tool shortage occurs due to a tool pre-setting error.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-109002

[0004] In the method for scheduled operation of a machine tool described in Patent Document 1, if there is a shortage of tools, the execution order of the machining program is skipped.The method also describes that if an operator is present, the replacement of the missing tools is prompted.

[0005] In the machine tool schedule operation method of Patent Document 1, if there is a shortage of tools, the operator is warned of the shortage of tools, but the execution order of the machining program is skipped. However, with the machine tool schedule operation method of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is not easy for the operator to understand when and where the skip will be made and how the machining plan will be changed.

[0006] Furthermore, when a shortage of tools occurs, workpieces that require production as a priority should not be skipped, but in situations where it is difficult to arrange and prepare the missing tools for the time being, it is better to skip the missing tools and produce other workpiece types without stopping the machine tool. It is also necessary to consider whether the operator has the time to respond to the replacement of the missing tools. For these reasons, it is preferable to allow the operator to choose whether or not to skip the execution order of the machining program. It is also desirable to make it easier for the operator to replace the missing tools.

[0007] The present invention has as its technical object to solve the problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide an integrated control device that allows the operator to more easily understand the tasks that can no longer be performed when the usage status of consumables reaches the set lifespan, and at the same time allows the operator to easily understand the modified machining plan.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an integrated control device for managing machining plans for a machine tool includes a plan generation unit that receives production commands and generates a machining plan including a plurality of tasks in association with working hours and non-working hours of an operator; a display unit that displays a machining plan chart in which each of the plurality of tasks is arranged in chronological order using an individual icon; a display mode change unit that changes the display mode of the icons; a consumables life management unit that performs life management to determine whether or not consumables required for machining in the machining plan will reach a set life; and a unit that determines, among the plurality of tasks, a task that cannot be executed because the usage status of the consumables has reached the set life, as an inexecutable task, and if an inexecutable task exists, displays the inexecutable task in the machining plan chart. An integrated control device is provided, comprising: a task execution feasibility determination unit that instructs the display mode change unit to change the display mode of a task icon; and a skip mode change unit that changes between a work time skip mode and a non-work time skip mode regarding skipping of the unexecutable task, and wherein the plan generation unit allows the operator to select whether to skip the unexecutable task or perform maintenance of consumables when the work time skip mode is on, an unexecutable task exists, and the start time of the unexecutable task is within the operator's work hours, and skips the unexecutable task when the non-work time skip mode is on and the start time of the unexecutable task is within the non-work time.

[0009] According to the present invention, since a plurality of tasks are displayed in chronological order using individual icons, the operator can easily understand the machining plan after skipping the inoperable task. Furthermore, if an inoperable task exists during working hours, the operator can choose whether to skip the task or to perform maintenance on the consumables that make the task inoperable, which allows the operator to flexibly set his or her own work plan.

[0010] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a production facility to which the present invention is applied and an integrated control device that manages the production facility. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a chart displaying working hours, processing plans, and setups in chronological order. FIG. 3 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a display mode when an unexecutable task exists during working hours. FIG. 4 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing detailed information on consumables that cause the unexecutable task and the location of replacement parts for consumable maintenance. FIG. 5 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a task continuation dialog box. FIG. 6 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a skip dialog box. FIG. 7 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a display mode when an unexecutable task is skipped from the state of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a display mode when an unexecutable task occurs during non-working hours. FIG. 9 is a chart similar to FIG. 2 showing a display mode when an unexecutable task is skipped from the state of FIG. 8.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1 , a production facility 100 includes, as its main components, at least one machine tool MC1 (MC2), at least one setup station WSS1 (WSS2), a pallet stocker 102, and a conveying device 110. In the example of FIG. 1 , the machine tools MC1 and MC2 are horizontal machining centers having a main rotation spindle S, and include a table (not shown) for fixing a pallet P1, a pallet changer PC, and a feed device (not shown) for relatively moving the table and the main rotation spindle S in at least three orthogonal axes, X, Y, and Z. The feed device may also include a rotary feed device (not shown). The pallet changer exchanges a pallet P1 carrying a machined workpiece with a pallet P2 carrying an unmachined workpiece.

[0012] The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may further include a tool magazine (not shown) that stores a plurality of tools used in machining, an automatic tool changer (not shown) that changes tools between the tool magazine and the rotary spindle S, a coolant supply device (not shown) that supplies coolant to the machining area of ​​the machine tools MC1 and MC2, etc. The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may further include an NC device that controls the drive motor of the rotary spindle S and the drive motor of the feed axis device, and a machine control device that controls peripheral equipment such as the pallet changer, tool magazine, automatic tool changer, and coolant supply device.

[0013] At setup stations WSS1 and WSS2, operators can attach and detach workpieces to and from pallets. The pallet stocker 102 can be equipped with shelves (not shown) for storing pallets P with or without workpieces W attached. The transport device 110 transports pallets P with workpieces W attached between machine tools MC1 and MC2, the pallet stocker 102, and setup stations WSS1 and WSS2. The transport device 110 may be configured to transport only pallets P without workpieces W attached, or to transport workpieces W not attached to pallets P directly. The transport device 110 may also transport items other than workpieces W or pallets P, such as tools. The transport device 110 and setup stations WSS1 and WSS2 can each be equipped with a control device (local control device).

[0014] The production facility 100 is controlled by an integrated controller 10. The integrated controller 10 includes, as its main components, a plan generation unit 12, a display unit 14, a display mode change unit 16, a task execution feasibility determination unit 18, a lifespan management unit 20, an input unit 22, and a skip mode switching unit 24. The integrated controller 10 may be configured with a computer including a CPU (central processing unit), memory devices such as RAM (random access memory) and ROM (read-only memory), storage devices such as SSDs (solid state drives), communication devices, input / output ports, and a bidirectional bus interconnecting these, as well as associated software. The integrated controller 10 further includes a display device such as a touch panel (not shown). The integrated control device 10 can be connected to the NC devices or machine control devices of the machine tools MC1 and MC2, the transport device 110, and the local control devices of the setup stations WSS1 and WSS2 via a network (not shown) that conforms to a communication standard such as IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) or IEEE 802.11 (wireless LAN). When the integrated control device 10 is equipped with a touch panel as a display device, the input unit 22 can include the touch panel in addition to the above-mentioned communication devices, input / output ports, and input devices connected to the input / output ports.

[0015] The plan generation unit 12 generates a machining plan for each of the machine tools MC1 and MC2, which is composed of tasks (machining tasks), which are information associating a pallet number, a machining start time, and a machining time required for machining, based on a production command input by an operator via the input unit 22 or a production command input from an external device such as a higher-level management system. The plan generation unit 12 further generates a setup plan for each of the setup stations WSS1 and WSS2, which is information associating a pallet number, a setup start time for setting up workpieces W on the pallet P, and a setup time required for the setup. The machining plan and setup plan generated by the plan generation unit 12 are displayed on the display unit 14 in the form of a machining plan chart 14a and a setup chart 14b, as shown in Figures 2 to 9, in association with a working time chart 14c showing the working hours of the operators of the production facility 100.

[0016] The task execution feasibility determination unit 18 determines the lifespan of a tool, which is a consumable item required for machining in a task included in a machining plan, to determine whether it will reach a preset threshold (lifespan). Based on the determination result, if a task included in the machining plan generated by the plan generation unit 12 includes a process (machining) that uses a tool that has reached its set lifespan, the task execution feasibility determination unit 18 further instructs the display mode change unit 16 to change the display mode of the icon of the task including this process. The display mode change unit 16 changes the display mode of the icon in response to the instruction from the task execution feasibility determination unit 18.

[0017] The lifespan management unit 20 stores the lifespans of each of the tools used in the machine tools MC1 and MC2, as well as consumables such as oils and greases, and sealing parts. The lifespan (set lifespan) of each consumable can be directly input by an operator via the input unit 22, or can be input to the lifespan management unit 20 from a higher-level management system (not shown) or server (not shown) that manages the entire factory in which the production facility 100 is installed. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the lifespan of each tool used in the machine tools MC1 and MC2 is stored in the tool management unit 20a, the lifespan of oils and greases is stored in the oils and greases management unit 20b, and the lifespan of each sealing part is stored in the sealing part management unit 20c. The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may each be provided with a lifespan management unit instead of an integrated control device so that they can manage the lifespans of their respective consumables.

[0018] The tool management unit 20a accumulates and stores the cutting distance, which is the distance traveled by the tool center point during machining of a workpiece, for each tool as the tool usage status. The tool management unit 20a can calculate and accumulate the cutting distance of the tool used in machining by, for example, analyzing the currently executed NC program, and determine the tool life based on whether the cutting distance (set life) set as the tool life has been reached. The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may each be equipped with a tool management unit that manages their respective tools.

[0019] The grease / oil management unit 20b stores, for each grease / oil, the accumulated power-on time (accumulated time) since the last time the grease / oil was changed as the usage status of the consumables. This accumulated time is compared with the change time as the lifespan input in advance by the operator for each grease / oil, and it is determined whether the time for changing the grease / oil has arrived. The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may each be provided with an grease / oil management unit that manages each grease / oil.

[0020] Similarly, the sealing part management unit 20c stores the accumulated power-on time (accumulated time) for each sealing part since its last replacement as the usage status of consumables. This accumulated time is compared with the replacement time for each sealing part, which is the lifespan input in advance by the operator, to determine whether the sealing part has reached its replacement time. The machine tools MC1 and MC2 may each be provided with a sealing part management unit that manages each of their sealing parts.

[0021] The skip mode switching unit 24 switches between work time skip mode and non-work time skip mode on / off in response to an operator's operation via the input unit 22. When the work time skip mode is on, as described below, if the start time of an infeasible task falls within the operator's work hours (i.e., when the operator is located near the machine tools MC1 and MC2), the operator can select whether to skip the infeasible task or perform consumable maintenance. When the non-work time skip mode is on, if the start time of an infeasible task falls outside of work hours (i.e., when no operator is located near the machine tools MC1 and MC2), the infeasible task can be automatically skipped. When the work time skip mode or non-work time skip mode is off, no processing related to skipping the infeasible task is performed, and production stops and the machine tools MC1 and MC2 stop unless consumable maintenance is performed.

[0022] The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 9. Figure 2 shows examples of a machining plan chart 14a, a setup chart 14b, and a working time chart 14c that are generated by the plan generating unit 12 and displayed on the display unit 14. In Figure 2, the working time chart includes working hours shown in white and non-working hours shown in hatched areas. The working hours include 8:00 (8:00 AM) to 12:00 (noon) and 1:00 PM (1:00 PM) to 5:00 PM (5:00 PM).

[0023] A machining plan chart is generated for each of the machine tools MC1 and MC2, and each machining plan chart includes a plurality of task icons (machining task icons) arranged in chronological order. In the example of Fig. 2, the machining plan chart for the machine tool MC1 is shown by nine task icons T11 to T19, and the machining plan chart for the machine tool MC2 is shown by four task icons T21 to T24 arranged in chronological order. Furthermore, in the example of Fig. 2, the task icons T11 to T19 and task icons T21 to T24 are assigned the pallet numbers of the pallets on which workpieces to be machined by the machine tools MC1 and MC2 are mounted.

[0024] More specifically, task icon T11 in the machining plan chart for machine tool MC1 indicates that the workpiece attached to pallet No. 7, which had been processed before 8:00, the start time of the work shift, will be machined, followed by task icon T12, which indicates that the workpiece attached to pallet No. 1 will be machined, and similarly, task icons T13 to T19 indicate that the workpieces attached to pallet No. 2, pallet No. 3, pallet No. 6, pallet No. 1, pallet No. 2, pallet No. 3, and pallet No. 7 will be machined in sequence. In the machining plan chart for machine tool MC2, task icon T21 indicates that the workpiece attached to pallet No. 4, which had been processed before 8:00, the start time of the work shift, will be machined, followed by task icon T22, which indicates that the workpiece attached to pallet No. 5 will be machined, and similarly, task icons T23 and T24 indicate that the workpieces attached to pallet No. 4 and pallet No. 9 will be machined in sequence.

[0025] The setup chart 14b displays task icons (setup task icons) as a setup plan. In FIG. 2 , setup work (workpiece mounting and removal) for pallet 1 begins at 8:00, the start time of the work shift (i.e., when the operator becomes available to perform the setup work). Setup work for pallets 2, 3, 6, 5, 7, 8, 1, and 9 is completed in the morning. In the afternoon, setup work for pallet 2 is performed when machine tool MC1 finishes machining the workpiece mounted on pallet 2. Next, setup work for pallet 3 is performed when machine tool MC1 finishes machining the workpiece mounted on pallet 3. Finally, setup work for pallet 4 is performed when machine tool MC2 finishes machining the workpiece mounted on pallet 4. The setup work should be completed by 5:00 PM, the end of the shift. By referring to the setup chart 14c, the operator can perform setup work at the appropriate time and for the appropriate pallets. Furthermore, the operator is informed of which workpieces should be attached to which pallets by displaying information, such as an instruction sheet, which indicates the correspondence between the pallet number and the type of workpiece on the display unit.

[0026] 2 to 9 show only setup station WSS1, but similar displays can be made for setup station WSS2. Furthermore, when the operator has completed the setup of the workpieces onto each pallet, he or she can operate the operation panels (not shown) of setup stations WSS1 and WSS2 to send a notification of the completion of the setup to integrated control device 10, and have the transfer device 110 transfer the pallet to pallet stocker 102 or machine tools MC1 and MC2.

[0027] While the production facility 100 is operating, the task execution feasibility determination unit 18 continues to determine whether there are any consumables whose lifespans set in the lifespan management unit 20 have reached their end (in this embodiment, tools, oils, greases, and sealing parts). When any consumables reach their set lifespans, tasks arise that make it impossible for the machine tools MC1 and MC2 to perform machining. In this embodiment, if the machining plan generated by the plan generation unit 12 includes a task in which the usage status of a consumable has reached its set lifespan, the display mode of the task is changed on the machining plan chart of the machine tool MC1 or the machine tool MC2 to indicate that the task is an unexecutable task.

[0028] When the task executability determination unit 18 determines that the usage status of a certain consumable has reached its set lifespan, the determination result is output to the display mode change unit 16. Specifically, when the total usage of the consumable in the task (if the consumable is a tool, the total processing distance, the number of machined workpieces, the number of machined holes, etc.) exceeds the set lifespan, the task can be determined to be an inexecutable task. The display mode change unit 16 changes the display mode of the icons in the machining plan chart 14a displayed on the display unit 14 based on the determination result of the task executability determination unit 18. As an example, in FIG. 3 , in the machining plan chart for machine tool MC1, the usage status of the consumable has reached its set lifespan, and therefore the task icons T14, T16, and T18 cannot be executed, i.e., the workpieces attached to pallet No. 3 and pallet No. 1 cannot be machined, as indicated by hatching. In practice, by changing the color, shape, or size of an inexecutable task icon, or by changing the color, thickness, size, or type of font displayed on the icon, it is possible to notify the operator that the usage of the consumables required to execute the task corresponding to the icon has reached the set lifespan, i.e., that the task is inexecutable.

[0029] Also, the display unit may be configured to display the stop time when the machine tool will stop due to the existence of a task in which the usage status of the consumables reaches the set life. In Figures 3 and 4, the stop icon IC indicates that the machine tool MC1 will stop at 14:04 when the task corresponding to task icon T14 (machining of the workpiece attached to pallet No. 3) in which the usage status of the consumables reaches the set life is started. Ｓｔｏｐ is displayed.

[0030] In this example, the stop time indicating when the task will stop is displayed as a stop icon IC Ｓｔｏｐ However, the remaining time until the task is stopped or the stop date and time may be displayed instead. The stop time, the remaining time until the task is stopped, and the stop date and time may be displayed on the chart when the task icon whose display mode has been changed is selected, or may be displayed separately in a part of the display unit 14 other than the chart.

[0031] When the operator selects a task icon indicating that the consumable's usage status has reached its set lifespan, detailed information about the consumable's usage status is displayed. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4 , a sub-window WS is displayed within the display unit 14, and the consumables reaching their end of life are displayed within the sub-window WS. In FIG. 4 , the sub-window WS indicates that the machining distance of tool T1025, which is required for machining the workpiece attached to pallet No. 3, which corresponds to task icon T14, has reached its set threshold (lifespan). To facilitate the operator's replacement of a tool whose machining distance has reached its set lifespan, the sub-window WS may also display the storage location of the replacement tool. In the example of FIG. 4 , the sub-window WS displays text indicating the storage locations of tool T1025 to be replaced, such as "First Tool Room," "Second Tool Shelf," and "Fourth Drawer Shelf from the Top." Instead of displaying text, the storage location of the target tool may be indicated by a simplified factory floor plan map and symbols.

[0032] Furthermore, when displaying task icons corresponding to tasks that cannot be executed because a consumable has reached its set life, the task icons corresponding to tasks that cannot be executed for the same reason can be connected to each other with a connection icon. In the example of FIG. 3 , tool T1025 is used to machine the workpiece attached to pallet No. 3 and the workpiece attached to pallet No. 1. When the machining distance of tool T1025 reaches its set life, the workpiece attached to pallet No. 3 and the workpiece attached to pallet No. 1 cannot be machined. Therefore, task icon T14 and task icon T16 are connected by connection icon IC_Connect 1. Furthermore, task icon T16 is connected to task icon T18 by connection icon IC_Connect 2. In this way, by connecting task icons corresponding to tasks that cannot be executed for the same reason with connection icons, the operator can easily understand which tasks in the machining plan are affected by a consumable that has reached its set life.

[0033] The operator can select a task icon from the input unit 22. If the integrated control device 10 has a touch panel as the display unit 14, the selection operation can be performed by tapping on a task icon that is displayed as "unexecutable." If the display unit 14 is a normal panel display, the selection operation can be performed using an input device such as a keyboard (not shown) or a mouse (not shown) as the input unit 22. As described above, according to this embodiment, the operator can easily determine on the machining plan chart which tasks are unexecutable because the usage status of a certain consumable has reached the set lifespan.

[0034] Here, if the work time skip mode is on, when the operator further taps the task icon T14 representing the unexecutable task, the tool management section 20a of the life management section 20 refers to the NC program supplied to the machine tool MC1, and calculates, based on the NC program, when the machining process using the tool T1025, which is reaching the end of its set life, among the tasks corresponding to the task icon T14, will start, and outputs the calculation result to the display mode change section 16.

[0035] The display mode changing unit 16 displays this information in the sub-window WS shown in Fig. 5. In the example of Fig. 5, machining using the tool T1025 starts at 15:43, and it is displayed in the dialog box DB1 that the machining process up to that point is executable, and it is displayed in the dialog box DB2 that the machining process using the tool T1025 cannot be executed because the machining distance of the tool T1025 has reached the set life.

[0036] At the same time, the display mode change unit 16 displays a task continuation dialog box DB_Continue in the sub-window WS, asking the operator whether to continue machining without interrupting the task itself. The task continuation dialog box DB_Continue can display the time when machining using the tool that has reached its set life (here, tool T1025) will begin, as well as the tools to be used in the processes before and after the tool that has reached its set life. The operator can choose not to interrupt machining on the machine tool MC1, assuming that tool T1025 in the tool magazine will be replaced. In other words, when the operator taps the "Yes" button in the task continuation dialog box DB_Continue, the machine tool MC1 will perform machining until just before 15:43, when machining using tool T1025 will begin. This provides the operator with a grace period from 14:04 to 15:43 for preparation and replacement of tool T1025, allowing the operator to easily replace tool T1025 and, after the tool replacement, immediately perform the remaining machining, in this case, machining of tool T1013 and subsequent tools. However, if the operator fails to replace tool T1025 in the tool magazine by 15:43, the start time for machining with tool T1025, machine tool MC1 will stop at the start time of 15:43.

[0037] From the viewpoint of machining accuracy (mainly machining accuracy related to mechanical thermal displacement), workpieces should ideally be machined continuously during the same time period, so it is preferable that the selection of task continuation described above can be set by task or by type at the discretion of the operator. Furthermore, task continuation may be selected individually each time an inexecutable task occurs due to the usage status of a consumable reaching its set life, as described above, or it may be set so that tasks are continued automatically without the need for individual selection by setting parameters to on or off in advance.

[0038] 5, the operator may determine that the maintenance of the consumables, in this example, the replacement of tool T1025 in the tool magazine, will not be completed by the time machine tool MC1 is stopped. In this case, if the operator taps the "No" button in the task continuation dialog box DB_Continue, a skip dialog box DB_Skip opens (see FIG. 6) to inquire of the operator whether or not to skip the inexecutable task.

[0039] The skip dialog box DB_Skip includes a single skip button SB1, a linked skip button SB2, and a skip cancel button SB3. Tapping the single skip button SB1 skips the selected task, in this example, the task indicated by task icon T14 (machining the workpiece attached to pallet No. 3), and moves the start of the task to the end of the machining plan, i.e., after the last task in the machining plan at that point. Tapping the linked skip button B2 moves the tasks indicated by task icons T14, T16, and T18 connected by connection icons IC_Connect 1 and IC_Connect 2 (machining the workpiece attached to pallet No. 3 and pallet No. 1), to the end of the machining plan, in this example, after the task indicated by task icon T19 (machining the workpiece attached to pallet No. 7), while maintaining their order, as shown in FIG. Note that an inexecutable task may be moved to any order other than the end of the machining plan. If task icon T14 (unexecutable task) is moved after task icon T15, the operator is provided with a grace period for replacing tool T1025 equivalent to the machining time of task icon T15. The timing for skipping the unexecutable task can be selected arbitrarily depending on the timing when consumables requiring maintenance can be arranged, the production priority of the workpiece to be machined by the unexecutable task, and the operator's busyness.

[0040] If the work time skip mode is off, the machine tool MC1 will stop at 14:04 when the task (machining) corresponding to task icon T14 is started. Thus, according to this embodiment, by turning on the work time skip mode, the operator can select whether or not to skip the machining plan during work hours depending on whether or not maintenance work can be performed, etc.

[0041] When the non-working time skip mode is on, if the start time of an inoperable task falls outside of working hours due to the consumables' usage reaching their set lifespan, the task is automatically skipped. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , if the machining distance of tool T1025 reaches its set lifespan after 17:00, the end time of working hours, as in the example above, and machining of the workpieces attached to pallet No. 1 (task icon T16) and pallet No. 3 (task icon T18) becomes impossible, if the non-working time skip mode is off, the machine tool MC1 would stop at 19:25, the start time of the task corresponding to task icon T16. However, by turning on the non-working time skip mode, the tasks corresponding to task icons T16 and T18 are skipped and moved down after the task corresponding to task icon T17, which is the end of the machining plan, as shown in FIG. 9 . This allows executable tasks to be completed even if an operator is not near the machine tool during non-working hours. In this case, information about the skipped tasks and the consumables that made the tasks inoperable can be displayed in the sub-window WS. In this specification, "skipping" means "postponing an inexecutable task in the processing plan," but in cases where consumables cannot be procured for the time being, the task may be excluded from the processing plan instead of skipping. If excluded, the task will no longer be displayed on the processing plan chart. In addition, as mentioned above, information about the consumables that caused the inexecutable task can be displayed constantly in the sub-window WS. The operator can grasp the existence of the excluded inexecutable task, the content of the task, and details of the consumables that caused the task.

[0042] In addition, if there is an unmanned device that can perform maintenance work on behalf of the operator even during non-working hours, only the non-working time skip mode may be turned off. Furthermore, for any task, the operator may be able to change the plan by entering the desired machining completion date and time. For express machining plans, not only the date but also the time can be specified, allowing the execution of previous tasks to be postponed. Furthermore, the operator may be able to instruct the plan generation unit 12 to schedule the machining plan so that the usage status of consumables, such as the cutting distance of a tool, does not reach its set life by the desired date and time. By advancing low-priority workpieces that do not use the tool, the production system can operate without stopping the machine tools MC1 and MC2. If there are no production orders that can be advanced and the instructed schedule cannot be performed, the operator may be notified of this, a list of workpieces that do not use the tool, and a suggestion to add a production order may be provided.

[0043] The integrated control device 10 or the machine tools MC1 and MC2 may further include a tool presence / absence management unit 26 that manages whether the necessary tools required to execute a task are available. When a production command is issued for a new workpiece variety to be produced in the production facility 100, the tools previously stored in the tool magazines of the machine tools MC1 and MC2 may not be able to perform the machining. The tool presence / absence management unit 26 determines that the tools used in the NC program for the task are required tools and compares them with the tools stored in the tool magazines of the machine tools MC1 and MC2. If neither the machine tools MC1 nor MC2 have the required tools, the task execution feasibility determination unit 18 determines that the task is an inexecutable task. This determination can be made separately from the determination of whether the tools required for machining have reached their set lifespan.

[0044] The integrated control device 10 or the machine tools MC1 and MC2 may further include a spare tool availability management unit 28 that manages whether spare tools for the necessary tools required to execute a task are available. Here, a spare tool refers to a tool capable of performing the same machining as the necessary tool. As long as it can perform the same machining as the necessary tool, the tool does not need to have the exact same holder, cutting tool, or assembly state. If a tool required for executing a task has reached its set lifespan, the integrated control device 10 determines the task as an inexecutable task. However, if the tool magazines of the machine tools MC1 and MC2 contain spare tools for the tool that has reached its set lifespan, the spare tools can be used in place of the tool that has reached its set lifespan, and the determination of the inexecutable task is canceled. At this time, the spare tool lifespan may also be determined. If the tool magazines of the machine tools MC1 and MC2 do not contain spare tools, the determination is maintained. By determining whether a spare tool is available in addition to determining whether the tool has reached its set lifespan, the determination of an inexecutable task can be made more accurately.

[0045] The integrated control device 10 may further include a work material inventory management unit 30 that manages the inventory of work materials required to execute tasks. For example, if a processing instruction for 10 workpieces of workpiece type W1 is issued and the production facility 100 only has eight workpieces of workpiece type W1 in stock, production of the ninth and subsequent workpieces is not possible. In this case, the task execution feasibility determination unit 18 determines that tasks (processing tasks) from the ninth onward are impossible to execute. The pallet setup task corresponding to workpiece type W1 may also be determined to be impossible to execute, and the display mode may be changed. Furthermore, the impossible processing task and setup task may be connected by a connection icon. The operator can choose to either arrange for the work material or skip the impossible task. This determination can be made separately from the various determinations related to consumables described above. The skip mode related to work material inventory may be the same as the skip mode related to consumables described above, or may be provided separately.

[0046] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Integrated control device 12 Plan generation unit 14 Display unit 14a Machining plan chart 14b Setup chart 14c Working time chart 16 Display mode change unit 18 Task execution feasibility determination unit 20 Life management unit 20a Tool management unit 20b Lubricants management unit 20c Seal part management unit 22 Input unit 24 Skip mode switching unit 26 Tool presence / absence management unit 28 Spare tool presence / absence management unit 100 Production equipment 102 Pallet stocker 110 Conveyor device

Claims

1. An integrated control device for managing machining plans for a machine tool, comprising: a plan generation unit which receives production commands, and generates a machining plan including a plurality of tasks in association with working hours and non-working hours of an operator; a display unit which displays a machining plan chart which displays each of the plurality of tasks arranged in chronological order as an individual icon; a display mode changing unit which changes the display mode of the icons; a consumable life management unit which performs life management to determine whether or not a set life of a consumable required for machining in the machining plan will be reached; a task execution feasibility determination unit which determines, among the plurality of tasks, a task which becomes unable to be executed because the usage status of a consumable has reached the set life, as an inexecutable task, and if an inexecutable task exists, instructs the display mode changing unit to change the display mode of the icon of the inexecutable task in the machining plan chart; and a skip mode switching unit which switches on and off a working time skip mode and a non-working time skip mode for skipping the inexecutable task, the plan generation unit allows an operator to choose whether to skip the infeasible task or perform maintenance of a consumable item when the work time skip mode is on, an infeasible task exists, and the start time of the infeasible task is within the operator's work hours, and skips the infeasible task when the non-work time skip mode is on and the start time of the infeasible task is within the non-work time.

2. An integrated control device as described in claim 1, wherein the consumable is a tool, and the task execution determination unit determines the lifespan of the tool by comparing a cumulative value of the cutting distance of the tool with a set lifespan which is a preset threshold value.

3. The integrated control device according to claim 1, wherein the display mode change unit connects a plurality of inexecutable tasks by a connection icon.

4. An integrated control device according to claim 2, wherein the display mode change section causes the machining plan chart to display the time at which machining will be started by the tool that has reached the set life.

5. An integrated control device as described in claim 2, further comprising a tool presence / absence management unit which manages whether the machine tool has the necessary tools required to execute the multiple tasks, and the task execution feasibility determination unit determines that, among the multiple tasks, a task which cannot be executed because the machine tool does not have the necessary tools is an inexecutable task.

6. An integrated control device as described in claim 2, further comprising a spare tool presence / absence management unit which manages whether the machine tool has spare tools for the necessary tools required to execute the multiple tasks, wherein the task execution feasibility determination unit cancels the determination of the infeasible task if the machine tool has a spare tool for the tool that has reached the set life, and maintains the determination of the infeasible task if the machine tool does not have a spare tool for the tool that has reached the set life.

Images