Machine tool

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine tool capable of receiving a creation instruction of a machining program by displaying a machining shape and a base material of a workpiece after machining.　The machine tool includes a user interface, and a processing unit that processes information inputted via the user interface. The processing unit executes: machining shape acquisition processing for acquiring a machining shape of a workpiece from drawing data of the workpiece; determination processing for displaying on the user interface the machining shape of the workpiece acquired by the machining shape acquisition processing, displaying on the user interface the base material before machining the workpiece, and receiving via the user interface an instruction for determining a machining position of the workpiece from the base material up to machining into the machining shape; and creation processing for creating the machining program for machining the workpiece on the basis of the machining position of the workpiece determined by the determination processing.

Description

machine tool

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for creating an NC program from drawing data.

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes a numerical control device having a function for creating an NC program. The numerical control device in Patent Document 1 displays a machining drawing read by an image scanner on a display device, accepts corrections to the displayed machining drawing using an input device, and incorporates the dimensions of the completed machining drawing and the like into the NC program.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-204433

[0004] The numerical control device of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 incorporates the dimensions of the machined workpiece into the NC program based on the scanned machining drawing. However, the relationship between the base material before machining and the machined workpiece is not taken into consideration. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the process of assisting in the creation of the NC program.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a machine tool that can display the machining shape and base material of a workpiece after machining, and can accept instructions to create a machining program.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses a machine tool comprising a user interface and a processing unit that processes information input via the user interface, wherein the processing unit executes a machining shape acquisition process that acquires the machining shape of the workpiece from drawing data of the workpiece, a determination process that displays the machining shape of the workpiece acquired by the machining shape acquisition process on the user interface, displays the base material before machining the workpiece on the user interface, and receives, via the user interface, an instruction to determine the machining position of the workpiece from the base material to machining it into the machining shape, and a creation process that creates a machining program for machining the workpiece based on the machining position of the workpiece determined by the determination process.

[0007] According to the machine tool disclosed herein, the machining shape acquired from the drawing data is displayed on the user interface, and the base material is also displayed on the user interface. This allows the user to compare the base material before machining with the workpiece after machining. The machine tool also receives instructions to determine the machining position of the workpiece and creates a machining program based on the received machining position. This allows the user to create a desired machining program by specifying the machining positions from the base material to the machining shape on the user interface.

[0008] 1 is a perspective view of a machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a machine tool. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example in the flow of creating an NC program and this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a drawing of a workpiece. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sketch screen displaying drawing data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sketch screen in which base material setting has been selected in a selection dialog, with a base material indication line displayed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sketch screen for setting the machining position, tool, and machining conditions for a first process. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sketch screen for setting the machining position, tool, and machining conditions for a second process. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sketch screen for setting the machining position, tool, and machining conditions for a third process. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sketch screen after inversion. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a sketch screen in which the machining shape and scan data are displayed side by side.

[0009] An embodiment of a machine tool according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a machine tool 10 according to this embodiment, as viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the machine tool 10 according to this embodiment. Note that FIG. 1 does not show an apparatus cover or the like of the machine tool 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , the direction along the spindle of a workpiece spindle device 11 (described later) is referred to as the Z-axis direction, the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and in which a turret device 12 moves along a guide surface 19 is referred to as the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Z-axis directions is referred to as the Y-axis direction.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the machine tool 10 is, for example, a turret lathe in which the rotation axis of the turret unit 12 is parallel to the Z-axis. The machine tool 10 includes a workpiece spindle unit 11, a turret unit 12, an X-axis slide unit 13, a Z-axis slide unit 14, a robot 15 (see FIG. 2 ), a bed 16 serving as a base, an operation panel 20 (see FIG. 2 ), and a control device 22 (see FIG. 2 ). Note that the configuration of the machine tool 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is merely an example. For example, the machine tool 10 may be a lathe equipped with multiple sets of workpiece spindle units 11 and turret units 12, or may be a so-called multi-tasking machine equipped with a tool spindle unit in addition to a lathe. Therefore, the machine tool disclosed herein is not limited to a lathe, and various machine tools with configurations that can be controlled by a machining program, such as a machining center, a milling machine, or a drilling machine, may be used. Furthermore, the machine tool 10 may not include the robot 15.

[0011] 1, the bed 16 is formed with a box-shaped chip collection section 17 that opens upward, and chips generated during the machining of the workpiece W are collected in the chip collection section 17. The bed 16 is a slant-type bed that has a guide surface 19 that is inclined toward the chip collection section 17 at the front of the device.

[0012] The workpiece spindle unit 11 is fixed to the bed 16 and includes a headstock 23 and a rotation device 24. The headstock 23 can be fitted with a chuck mechanism 28 that holds (grabs) the workpiece W. The chuck mechanism 28 includes, as a mechanism for holding the workpiece W, a backing plate 31 for seating the workpiece W and a plurality of chuck jaws 32 that chuck the workpiece W seated on the backing plate 31. Note that the chuck mechanism 28 for holding the workpiece W is not limited to a mechanism using the chuck jaws 32, and other mechanisms such as a collet chuck can also be used. The chuck mechanism 28 includes an air cylinder or hydraulic cylinder as a drive source, and drives the drive source to open and close the chuck jaws 32 under the control of the control device 22 (see FIG. 2 ) of the machine tool 10. The headstock 23 holds the workpiece W with the chuck mechanism 28 at a position above the chip collection unit 17. The work spindle device 11 rotates the workpiece W held by the chuck mechanism 28 around a work spindle that is parallel to the Z-axis direction. Note that the work spindle device 11 is not limited to a configuration in which the headstock 23 is fixed, and may be configured such that the headstock 23 slides relative to the bed 16 in the Z-axis direction or the like.

[0013] A spindle (not shown) is rotatably supported by bearings inside the headstock 23. A chuck mechanism 28 is attached to one end of the spindle in the Z-axis direction (the turret device 12 side), and a spindle-side pulley 25 is attached to the other end. The rotation device 24 includes a spindle servomotor 26 and a timing belt 27. The spindle servomotor 26 functions as a drive source for rotating the spindle, and its rotation is controlled under the control of the control device 22 (see FIG. 2) of the machine tool 10. The timing belt 27 is stretched between a motor-side pulley 30 attached to the output shaft of the spindle servomotor 26 and the spindle-side pulley 25. As a result, the rotational force of the spindle servomotor 26 is transmitted to the spindle via the timing belt 27, and the spindle rotates in accordance with the rotation of the spindle servomotor 26. The control device 22 controls the rotation speed and rotation position of the spindle based on rotation position information from a spindle encoder 29 (see FIG. 2) attached to the spindle servo motor 26 .

[0014] The turret device 12 includes a turret main body 41 and a turret 43. The turret main body 41 is box-shaped and disposed on the inclined guide surface 19 of the bed 16. The turret 43 is rotatably attached to the surface of the turret main body 41 facing the headstock 23 and includes a plurality of tool mounting portions 45 to which tools (turret tools such as cutting tools and rotary tools) can be attached. Note that FIG. 1 shows the turret 43 with the tools removed. The turret 43 also includes a pusher 51 that pushes the workpiece W toward the workpiece spindle device 11. The turret device 12 includes, for example, a turret servomotor 47 (see FIG. 2) built into the turret main body 41. The rotational operation of the turret servomotor 47 is controlled by the control device 22 to rotate the turret 43 about a rotation axis parallel to the Z-axis direction. The turret device 12 rotates the turret 43 to change the tool indexed to the working position, and performs machining on the workpiece gripped by the workpiece spindle device 11 using the tool indexed to the working position. The turret servo motor 47 functions as a drive source for rotating the turret 43 as well as for rotating a rotary tool (such as an end mill) attached to the turret 43. The control device 22 controls the turret servo motor 47, for example, to perform the rotation indexing of the turret 43 and the rotation of the rotary tool attached to the turret 43. The turret device 12 may be configured to include a drive source for rotating the rotary tool in addition to the rotation drive source. The turret 43 may also be configured so that no rotary tool can be attached, and only a cutting tool can be attached.

[0015] The turret 43 has a predetermined thickness in the Z-axis direction and, for example, has a regular decagonal shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. A tool mounting portion 45 is provided on each of the ten sides of the turret 43. A tool holder (not shown) is attached to the tool mounting portion 45, to which a rotary tool such as an end mill or a drill, or a cutting tool such as a cutting tool can be attached or detached. The tool mounting portion 45 is formed with a threaded portion 49 onto which a threaded member (not shown) such as a bolt or a screw is threadedly engaged. The holder is attached to the tool mounting portion 45 by a threaded member threaded into the threaded portion 49. The rotary tool or cutting tool is inserted into the holder and fixed to the holder with a bolt or the like.

[0016] The X-axis slide device 13 and the Z-axis slide device 14 are devices that change the position of the turret device 12 (the tool at the work position). The Z-axis slide device 14 is a device that moves the turret device 12, for example, in the Z-axis direction (the direction toward or away from the workpiece) that is parallel to the workpiece spindle. The X-axis slide device 13 is a device that moves the turret device 12 in the X-axis direction, i.e., the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction.

[0017] Z-axis slide device 14 includes a Z-axis guide rail 52 and a Z-axis slider 53. Z-axis guide rail 52 is disposed on guide surface 19 of bed 16 and extends in a direction parallel to the Z-axis direction. Z-axis slider 53 is attached so as to be slidable relative to Z-axis guide rail 52. Z-axis slide device 14 includes a Z-axis servo motor 14A (see FIG. 2 ), and transmits the rotational output of Z-axis servo motor 14A to Z-axis slider 53 via a transmission mechanism (e.g., a ball screw mechanism), thereby moving Z-axis slider 53 in the Z-axis direction.

[0018] The Z-axis slide device 14 also includes a Z-axis encoder 14B that outputs encoder information such as the rotational position of the Z-axis servo motor 14A. The control device 22 performs feedback control to control the rotational speed and other parameters of the Z-axis servo motor 14A based on the encoder information (such as rotational position information) from the Z-axis encoder 14B. The control device 22 controls the Z-axis servo motor 14A to move the Z-axis slider 53 to any position in the Z-axis direction.

[0019] The X-axis slide device 13 also includes an X-axis guide rail 54 and an X-axis slider (not shown). The X-axis guide rail 54 is disposed on the Z-axis slider 53, is arranged in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction, and holds the X-axis slider so that it can slide in the X-axis direction. The X-axis slide device 13 also includes an X-axis servo motor 13A, and transmits the rotational output of the X-axis servo motor 13A to the X-axis slider via a transmission mechanism (e.g., a ball screw mechanism), thereby moving the X-axis slider in the X-axis direction.

[0020] The X-axis slide device 13 also includes an X-axis encoder 13B that outputs encoder information of the X-axis servo motor 13A. The control device 22 performs feedback control to control the rotation speed and other aspects of the X-axis servo motor 13A based on the encoder information from the X-axis encoder 13B. The control device 22 controls the X-axis servo motor 13A to move the X-axis slider to any position in the X-axis direction.

[0021] A turret device 12 is mounted on the X-axis slider. Therefore, the control device 22 can move the turret 43 (the indexed tool and pusher 51) to any position in the X-axis and Z-axis directions by controlling the X-axis slide device 13 and the Z-axis slide device 14. The configuration of the slide device described above is merely an example. For example, the machine tool 10 may be equipped with a slide device that moves the turret 43 in three mutually perpendicular directions, i.e., X, Y, and Z. The definition of the directions is changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the machine tool 10. The method for detecting the position information (slide position) of the Z-axis slider 53 and the X-axis slider is not limited to the method using an encoder. The control device 22 may also detect the slide position of the Z-axis slider 53 and the X-axis slider using other position detection devices, such as a linear scale.

[0022] The robot 15 is, for example, a gantry-type workpiece transport device (which may also be called a loader). Note that the robot 15 is not shown in FIG. 1 . The robot 15 is equipped with a head having a gripping portion (such as a chuck jaw) that grips the workpiece W. The robot 15 also has, for example, a rail base attached to the machine tool 10, and is capable of moving the head along directions parallel to the left-right, up-down, and front-rear directions of the machine tool 10. The robot 15 uses the gripping portion of the head to transfer the workpiece W between, for example, an entrance device that loads the workpiece W, the workpiece spindle device 11, an exit device that unloads the workpiece W, an inspection device that inspects the shape of the workpiece W, a workpiece inversion device that inverts the workpiece W, and the like (all not shown).

[0023] The operation panel 20 includes, for example, a touch panel 61 and a plurality of operation switches 62, and displays information about the machine tool 10 and receives operation instructions. The operation panel 20 is provided, for example, on the front of an apparatus cover (not shown) of the machine tool 10. In particular, in this embodiment, the machine tool 10 uses the touch panel 61 to display a sketch screen 95 (see FIG. 5 ) that displays the machining shape, base material, etc., described below. The touch panel 61 is an example of a user interface of the present disclosure. Note that the user interface of the present disclosure is not limited to a configuration that includes both a display device and an input device, such as the touch panel 61. For example, the user interface may include a liquid crystal device and physical switches for selecting items displayed on the liquid crystal device. Furthermore, the machine tool 10 may also include a user interface other than the touch panel 61, for example, a portable user interface such as a teaching pendant. The machine tool 10 may display the sketch screen 95, described below, using the portable user interface.

[0024] Furthermore, the user interface of the present disclosure is not limited to a device attached to the machine tool 10. For example, the user interface may be a tablet terminal capable of communicating with the machine tool 10. For example, a tablet terminal connected to the machine tool 10 via a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may display a sketch screen 95 (see FIG. 5 ), which will be described later, and perform display of the base material, etc. Alternatively, the tablet terminal may be configured to be connected to the machine tool 10 via a wired cable such as a USB cable.

[0025] The control device 22 also includes a numerical control device 65 and a PLC 66. The numerical control device 65 includes a CPU 71 and a storage device 72. The PLC 66 includes a CPU 81 and a storage device 82. The storage devices 72, 82 include, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, and HDD. Note that the configuration of the storage devices 72, 82 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may include an SSD instead of an HDD, an external storage device such as a USB memory, or a storage medium such as a DVD-RAM, or a combination of these.

[0026] The machine tool 10 also includes a plurality of drive circuits 67 connecting the control device 22 with each of the above-mentioned devices (the workpiece spindle device 11, the turret device 12, the X-axis slide device 13, the Z-axis slide device 14, the robot 15, and the operation panel 20). The control device 22 is electrically connected to each device via the drive circuits 67 and is capable of controlling each device. For example, if the drive circuit 67 is connected to the X-axis servo motor 13A of the X-axis slide device 13 or the motor serving as the drive source for the robot 15, the drive circuit 67 is a driver circuit (servo amplifier) ​​that changes the power (e.g., three-phase AC current) supplied to each motor (e.g., servo motor) based on instruction signals (e.g., movement amount, destination position, movement speed, target torque) from the control device 22. For example, if the drive circuit 67 is connected to the operation panel 20, the drive circuit 67 is an amplifier circuit that amplifies signals input from the operation panel 20.

[0027] The storage device 72 can also store an NC program 73 that numerically controls the operations of the workpiece spindle device 11, turret device 12, X-axis slide device 13, Z-axis slide device 14, robot 15, etc. The numerical control device 65 executes the NC program 73 using the CPU 71 and outputs instruction signals to a drive circuit 67 (driver circuit) in accordance with the numerical commands written in the NC program 73 to perform control. The drive circuit 67 performs feedback control to change the current of the three-phase AC current based on, for example, encoder information from an encoder (such as the X-axis encoder 13B) attached to each servo motor (such as the X-axis servo motor 13A) and an instruction signal from the control device 22, and appropriately notifies the numerical control device 65 of the completion of processing, etc. As a result, the control device 22 slides the turret 43 (tool), the head of the robot 15, etc. along each axis to the desired position based on the numerical control by the numerical control device 65. Note that the drive source for sliding each device is not limited to a servo motor, and other drive sources such as a stepping motor or a linear motor can also be used.

[0028] PLC 66 is a programmable logic controller. A ladder program 83 for constructing a ladder circuit that processes various signals is stored in storage device 82. PLC 66 executes ladder program 83 with CPU 81 and performs sequence processing based on ladder program 83 to, for example, output signals to various elements such as lamps provided in machine tool 10 to drive them, and input signals from elements such as limit switches. PLC 66 is also connected to numerical control device 65 via, for example, communication bus 69, enabling communication with numerical control device 65. PLC 66 inputs and outputs signals to and from numerical control device 65 using devices 85 constructed based on ladder program 83. Device 85 is, for example, a storage area constructed on storage device 82 by CPU 81 executing ladder program 83, and is a device for storing signal values ​​of external I / O (sensors, etc.) equipped in machine tool 10, a device for storing signal values ​​for communication with numerical control device 65, a device for realizing a keep relay for storing setting values, etc. In this way, PLC 66 relays signals (input / output) between external I / O equipped in machine tool 10 and numerical control device 65.

[0029] In addition to the NC program 73, the storage device 72 also stores a sketch program 75 and various other data (not shown) necessary for machining. The sketch program 75 displays a sketch screen 95 (see FIG. 5 ), receives machining positions, and creates the NC program 73. In the following description, the control device 22 executes the sketch program 75 in the CPU 71 to control each device, which may be referred to simply by the device name. For example, "the control device 22 displays the sketch screen 95 on the touch panel 61" means "the control device 22 executes the sketch program 75 in the CPU 71 and controls the touch panel 61 via the drive circuit 67 to display the sketch screen 95 on the touch panel 61."

[0030] The control device 22 of this embodiment also includes an external interface 68. The control device 22 is capable of communicating with the scanner 91 via the external interface 68. This allows the control device 22 to acquire a drawing of the workpiece W read by the scanner 91 as drawing data D1. In other words, the control device 22 can acquire the drawing data D1 in electronic form from a drawing on paper. The external interface 68 is, for example, a USB interface. Note that the external interface 68 connecting the scanner 91 and the machine tool 10 is not limited to a USB interface, and may be a wired interface of another communication standard, such as a LAN interface. Furthermore, communication via the external interface 68 is not limited to wired communication, and may be wireless communication.

[0031] (Regarding Creation of NC Program 73) Here, methods for creating the NC program 73 include, for example, "a method of directly inputting codes such as G-code," "a method of inputting codes using an interactive function," and "a method of conversion using a CADCAM system." FIG. 3 shows a workflow for creating the NC program 73. The diagram on the left side of FIG. 3 shows a workflow for creating the NC program 73 of a comparative example, and the diagram on the right side of FIG. 3 shows a workflow for creating the NC program 73 of this embodiment. First, the workflow of the comparative example on the left side will be described. In the workflow of the comparative example, in any of the three creation methods described above, the NC program 73 can be created by following the flow of steps (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1 to S7 shown in FIG. 3.

[0032] For example, in S1, the user operates the touch panel 61 of the machine tool 10 to input setting information (such as the workpiece size) about the workpiece before machining and register the workpiece. Next, in S2, the user operates the touch panel 61 to register information about the tools to be used (such as the tool type). Next, in S3, the user selects tools to be attached to each tool mounting portion 45 (holder number) of the turret 43 from the registered tools and associates the tools with the holder numbers. The holder number here refers to a number that identifies multiple tool mounting portions 45. Next, in S4, the user sets the order of the machining processes. Next, in S5, the user sets the machining conditions for each process set in S4. Examples of machining conditions include the number of rotations per unit time (rotational speed) of the workpiece W, the tool to be used, and the feed rate. Next, in S6, the user sets dimensional values ​​(such as the cutting diameter). This allows the setting information for creating the NC program 73 to be registered, and the NC program 73 can be created. The user operates the touch panel 61 to create the NC program 73 based on the set information. Alternatively, the user transfers the set information to another device (such as a CADCAM system) and creates the NC program 73 in that device. Then, in S7, the user executes a simulation of the NC program 73 to check whether or not interference between the workpiece W and the tool occurs in each process of the created NC program 73. Note that the content and processing order of each step from S1 to S7 described above are merely examples.

[0033] To create the NC program 73 described above, the user is required to have, for example, the knowledge to read drawings received from the contractor, the ability to understand the characteristics of each machine tool 10 and each workpiece / machined shape, the skill to select tools and jigs, and the skill to determine the machining sequence. In recent years, the machining industry has seen an aging workforce, making the passing on of the aforementioned know-how a challenge. Furthermore, there is a tendency for skilled young engineers to become more interested in other industries, resulting in a worsening labor shortage in the machining industry. In some cases, the industry is forced to hire less skilled workers.

[0034] Meanwhile, amid labor shortages, proposals for automation using robots are increasing. However, challenges such as difficulty in obtaining funding, mismatch in cost-effectiveness, and lack of skills among workers who operate robots have hindered their adoption. As a result, situations arise where manual labor is unavoidable. Furthermore, each step from S1 to S7 requires numerous setting items, such as the size of the base material. Entering only numerical values ​​on an input screen that does not display the workpiece W increases the workload. The workload increases whether the setting values ​​are entered as G-code parameters, through an interactive function, or as parameters in a CADCAM system. Furthermore, entering values ​​without looking at the workpiece W may result in input errors in values ​​or the number of digits. As a result, situations may arise where only experienced and skilled workers can operate the system. Therefore, there is a need for an NC program 73 creation tool that can be easily used even by less skilled workers.

[0035] Next, the flow of creating the NC program 73 of this embodiment, shown on the right side of FIG. 3, will be described. First, in S11, the control device 22 acquires the machining shape. Drawings showing the machining shape of the workpiece W may be paper media, such as printouts or hand-drawn illustrations. As described above, the control device 22 of this embodiment can be connected to the scanner 91 via the external interface 68, and the scanner 91 can read the paper-based drawing and acquire the drawing data D1 into the control device 22. In the following description, as an example, a paper-based drawing is scanned to import the drawing data D1, and the imported drawing data D1 is processed. Note that the drawing data D1 is not limited to data obtained by scanning a paper-based drawing. The drawing data D1 can also be electronic data created using predetermined software, such as data with a PDF extension, two-dimensional graphic data in DXF format, or three-dimensional drawing data such as 3D CAD. Alternatively, the drawing data D1 may be photographic data of the workpiece W. Even with such drawing data D1, the control device 22 can execute the same processing as with the paper-based drawing data D1 described below.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a paper drawing 93 of the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. 4, the drawing 93 includes, for example, a side view 97 and a front view 98 of the workpiece W. The workpiece W is formed, for example, by processing a cylindrical base material, and has a cylindrical large-diameter portion 99 and a cylindrical small-diameter portion 101 having a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 99. The small-diameter portion 101 is also formed with a groove 102 extending in the radial direction and a central circular hole 103. Note that the contents of the drawing 93 and the shape of the workpiece W shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples. For example, the drawing 93 may include only either the side view 97 or the front view 98.

[0037] For example, when a predetermined operation input is performed on the touch panel 61, the control device 22 causes the CPU 71 to execute the sketch program 75 and displays a screen for starting creation of the NC program 73. The control device 22 displays, on the start screen, buttons for instructing execution of a scan and buttons for reading electronic data from the above-mentioned external storage, etc. When the button for instructing execution of a scan is touched, the control device 22 instructs the scanner 91 to execute a scan. The scanner 91 scans the drawing 93 at a resolution, etc., instructed by the user via the touch panel 61, and transmits the scanned drawing data D1 to the control device 22. The control device 22 displays the drawing data D1 acquired from the scanner 91 on the touch panel 61.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a sketch screen 95 displaying drawing data D1 after image processing by the control device 22. Note that sketch screens 95 with different display contents are shown in Figures 5 and subsequent figures. When differentiating between the sketch screens 95 shown in Figures 5 and subsequent figures, alphabets are added to the reference numerals, such as sketch screen 95A. As shown in Figure 5, the control device 22 displays a side machining shape 105 indicating the machining shape of the side surface of the workpiece W and a front machining shape 106 indicating the machining shape of the front surface of the workpiece W on the sketch screen 95A. As shown in Figure 4, the side view 97 and front view 98 of the drawing 93 may display, in addition to the outline lines indicating the side machining shape 105 and the front machining shape 106, other lines (hereinafter referred to as auxiliary lines) 107 such as dimension lines, center lines, and leader lines, as well as text. On the other hand, the outline lines indicating the machining shape are generally drawn thicker than the other lines. Preferably, the outer diameter lines are drawn thickest among the multiple lines included in the drawing 93.

[0039] Therefore, the control device 22 performs image processing on the drawing data D1 and deletes the characters included in the drawing data D1 (drawing 93). The control device 22 also acquires the thickest line among the multiple lines included in the drawing data D1 as the machining shape (side surface machining shape 105, front surface machining shape 106). This allows the machining shape to be appropriately detected and acquired from the multiple lines and characters included in the drawing 93. If the machining shape is not the thickest line but the second or third thickest line, the control device 22 may accept a change in the thickness of the detected line and acquire the second or third thickest line as the machining shape. In other words, the line acquired as the side surface machining shape 105, etc., is not limited to the thickest line.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 , if the drawing data D1 contains other information such as the creation date, creator name, and workpiece name in addition to text such as dimension values, the control device 22 deletes that information from the drawing data D1 and then imports the machining shape. The control device 22 may also execute a process to delete lines with arrow-shaped ends as auxiliary lines 107. The control device 22 can also similarly process drawing data D1 other than scan data, such as DXF data. For example, the control device 22 may acquire the thickest line among the lines contained in the PDF-format drawing data D1 as the machining shape. The control device 22 may also acquire the line with the thickest line width set as the line type setting value in the DXF-format drawing data D1 as the machining shape. Alternatively, the control device 22 may acquire the line named "external shape" or "machined shape" as the machining shape. Furthermore, when acquiring the machining shape from the drawing data D1 of the photograph data, the control device 22 may, for example, perform image processing on the photograph data to detect the edge of the workpiece W and acquire the machining shape. Alternatively, the control device 22 may acquire the machining shape by performing other image processing such as binarization processing or color correction processing on the photograph data.

[0041] Furthermore, the drawing data D1 created by scanning may have different printing accuracy, or the paper may be wrinkled or distorted. As a result, the machining shape may be misrecognized. Therefore, the control device 22 may correct the acquired machining shape based on auxiliary lines 107 such as dimension lines and character information such as dimensional values ​​included in the drawing data D1. The control device 22 may also correct the machining shape based on user input via the touch panel 61. For example, the user may use the touch pen 117 to indicate the position where the machining shape should be corrected.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5 , the control device 22 displays coordinate directions 109 indicating the X-axis and Z-axis directions in the lower left corner of the sketch screen 95A. In FIG. 5 , the X-axis direction is aligned with the vertical direction of the screen, and the Z-axis direction is aligned with the horizontal direction of the screen. The control device 22 also sets XZ coordinates in the display area of ​​the sketch screen 95A and executes display based on the set XZ coordinates. These XZ coordinates, for example, coincide with the XZ coordinates used to control the turret 43. The control device 22 displays an origin 111 of the XZ coordinates and a workpiece spindle 113 at a position corresponding to the set XZ coordinates. For example, the origin 111 is the center position (coordinate) of the workpiece W on the side of the backing plate 31 (see FIG. 1 ). Therefore, the control device 22 sets a line passing through the origin 111 and parallel to the Z-axis direction as the workpiece spindle 113. The control device 22 also displays the side surface machining shape 105 and the front surface machining shape 106 acquired from the drawing data D1 in accordance with the set positions of the origin 111 and the workpiece spindle 113. The control device 22 displays the side surface machining shape 105 on the left side of the sketch screen 95A and displays the front surface machining shape 106 on the right side of the sketch screen 95A. For example, the control device 22 aligns the center of the side surface machining shape 105 in the X-axis direction with the workpiece spindle 113 and aligns the base end of the side surface machining shape 105 (the end of the backing plate 31) with the origin 111. The control device 22 also positions the center of the front surface machining shape 106 in the X-axis direction at a position on an extension of the workpiece spindle 113.

[0043] The control device 22 can also detect the actual size of the workpiece W (hereinafter referred to as the actual shape size) from the scale information of the drawing and the size of the workpiece W on the drawing. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the drawing 93 of the workpiece W includes scale information 115 indicating the scale ratio. The control device 22 detects characters indicating the scale, such as "X:Y," using image processing and acquires the characters as the scale information 115. The control device 22 can detect a character string indicating the scale, such as "scale," from the drawing 93 and detect the character string indicating the scale (e.g., X:Y) based on the detected position. There are multiple ways to write a character string indicating the scale, such as "scale" or "scale (SCALE)." Therefore, the control device 22 may detect the character string indicating the scale from an area designated by the user using a touch pen 117 or the like. Alternatively, the user may directly input the scale value. Then, the control device 22 detects the length of the workpiece W along the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction based on the scanned paper size (scan setting values, etc.), the size of the workpiece W (machined shape) in the drawing data D1, and the scale ratio indicated by the scale information 115, and obtains the detected size as the actual shape size.

[0044] If the control device 22 can detect dimension lines (dimension values) from the drawing 93 by character recognition or the like, it may set the actual shape size based on the detected values. However, the method of writing dimension lines and dimension values ​​often differs depending on the creator, making it difficult to uniformly detect dimension values, etc. For this reason, the success rate and accuracy of detecting the actual shape size can be improved by calculating the actual shape size using the scale information 115, which is written in a relatively standardized (unified) manner, and the size on the drawing 93.

[0045] The control device 22 may also display the detected actual shape size. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the user selects an arbitrary line from among multiple lines (sides, machining surfaces) constituting the machining shape using the touch pen 117. When an arbitrary line is selected, the control device 22 displays the actual shape size of the selected line, i.e., one side of the workpiece W, in a speech bubble dialog 119. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , a line (outer diameter) along the Z-axis direction of the large diameter portion 99 is selected using the touch pen 117. The control device 22 displays the dimension value in the Z-axis direction as the actual shape size in the dialog 119. The control device 22 may also execute a display that highlights the line selected using the touch pen 117. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the control device 22 may execute an emphasis process that makes the selected line thicker than other lines or that displays arrows indicating both ends of the selected line. The control device 22 may also display the XZ coordinates of the position touched by the tip of the touch pen 117, i.e., the position selected by the user, in the dialog 119. 5 and 6 onward are merely examples. For example, the control device 22 may always (in real time) display the XZ coordinates of the position selected by the touch pen 117 at a fixed position on the sketch screen 95, rather than displaying them in the dialog 119. Furthermore, the method for selecting a line, etc., is not limited to using the touch pen 117, and may also be a method using another user interface, such as a mouse or keyboard.

[0046] The control device 22 may also correct the machining shape and actual shape size based on information input by the user using the touch pen 117 or the like. For example, the control device 22 may accept selection and position changes of lines, vertices, etc. constituting the machining shape and change the machining shape and actual shape size. At this time, by displaying the coordinates, etc. of the dialog 119 described above, the user can more appropriately correct the machining shape. Alternatively, the control device 22 may accept input of numerical values ​​of the actual shape size (dimension values) via the touch panel 61 and correct the machining shape and actual shape size to match the accepted values. The control device 22 may also accept changes between flat and curved surfaces for surfaces (edges) constituting the machining shape. For example, even if an actual surface is curved, it may be detected as a flat surface depending on the reading accuracy. In this case, the control device 22 may accept, for example, the starting point and curvature of a curved surface based on input information from the user and change the plane of the machining shape (such as an edge constituting the side surface machining shape 105) to a curved surface with a certain curvature (a curve in the case of the side surface machining shape 105). This allows each machining surface to be freely converted between a curved surface and a flat surface. Similarly, the control device 22 may receive an instruction to change a surface detected as a curved surface into a flat surface.

[0047] The control device 22 sets the coordinates and actual shape size of the machining shape automatically detected from the drawing 93, or the coordinates and actual shape size of the machining shape after correction based on user input, as parameters for creating the NC program 73. For example, the control device 22 displays a selection dialog 121 for selecting a work phase in the lower right of the sketch screen 95A. When a triangular arrow in the selection dialog 121 is selected, the control device 22 displays, as a selectable pull-down menu, the letters of the names (e.g., outer shape setting, base material setting, machining position setting) corresponding to each of S11 to S13 shown in FIG. 3. When the control device 22 detects and displays the machining shapes (side surface machining shape 105 and front surface machining shape 106) from the drawing data D1, the control device 22 displays the letters "outer shape setting" indicating S11 in the selection dialog 121. When the user selects the base material setting in the next step S12 or the machining position setting in step S13 in the selection dialog 121, the control device 22 executes the subsequent processing based on the machining shape and actual shape size set in the sketch screen 95A for outer shape setting shown in Fig. 5. Note that the control device 22 may also accept changes to the outer shape, etc., when the outer shape setting is selected again in the selection dialog 121.

[0048] Next, the step of setting the base material in S12 of Fig. 3 will be described. When the characters for "Base Material Setting" are selected in the selection dialog 121, the control device 22 displays a sketch screen 95B for setting the base material shown in Fig. 6 on the touch panel 61. The control device 22 executes a process of setting and displaying a base material indication line 123 indicating the base material for the side surface machining shape 105 and the front surface machining shape 106 set on the sketch screen 95A of Fig. 5. The base material indication line 123 can be set based on information input by the user or automatically by the control device 22.

[0049] First, a method of setting based on information input by a user will be described. The control device 22 displays the side surface machining shape 105 and the front surface machining shape 106 on the sketch screen 95B. Description of display content similar to that in FIG. 5 (such as the origin 111) will be omitted. For example, the user inputs the position of the base material indication line 123 with the touch pen 117, referring to the side surface machining shape 105 displayed on the sketch screen 95B. The control device 22 sets and displays the base material indication line 123 based on the shape of a rectangle drawn by the user with the touch pen 117, the position input with the touch pen 117, or the like. Alternatively, the control device 22 may first display a shape surrounding the side surface machining shape 105 or the front surface machining shape 106 as the base material indication line 123, and then accept changes from the user to the displayed base material indication line 123.

[0050] In the process of setting the base material indication line 123, the control device 22 sets a figure surrounding each of the side surface machining shape 105 and the front surface machining shape 106 as the base material (base material indication line 123). In the case of a machining shape surrounded by straight lines, such as the side surface machining shape 105, the control device 22 sets a rectangular figure that includes the entire machining shape as the base material indication line 123. The control device 22 also sets a rectangular figure as the base material indication line 123 when a curve is included in part, i.e., when a machining shape is machined with a curved surface in part. This makes it possible to set a rectangular base material for a side view 97 or the like that includes a curved surface in part. In the case of a circular machining shape, such as the front surface machining shape 106, the control device 22 sets a concentric circle whose radius is longer than the radius of the machining shape as the base material indication line 123. The control device 22, for example, receives input of the base material indication line 123 from the user (input using the touch pen 117) and restricts the input of the base material indication line 123 based on the above-mentioned rules. For example, if the base material indication line 123 is drawn inside the side surface machining shape 105, input may be restricted and a warning may be displayed.

[0051] The user also sets the base material indication line 123 at a position that ensures a gap of a predetermined amount (machining allowance) outside the line of the machining shape (such as the side surface machining shape 105). For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , when an arbitrary position on the sketch screen 95B is touched (selected) with the touch pen 117, the control device 22 displays the base material indication line 123 at the selected position. The control device 22 also displays a dialogue 125 in a speech bubble indicating the selected position. The control device 22 displays the coordinates of the selected position and the machining allowance value of the displayed base material indication line 123 in the dialogue 125. When another position is selected on the sketch screen 95B, the control device 22 also displays the base material indication line 123 and the dialogue 125 at the newly selected position. The user can change the size and position of the base material indication line 123 depending on the selected position. Alternatively, the control device 22 may accept a selection of a portion of the base material indication line 123 that has already been displayed by the touch pen 117, and change the position of the selected portion of the base material indication line 123 in accordance with the movement of the touch pen 117. The control device 22 also changes the base material indication line 123 of the front surface machining shape 106 in accordance with the change in the base material indication line 123 of the side surface machining shape 105.

[0052] As described above, the control device 22 can acquire the size of the drawing 93 and the actual shape size of the workpiece W from the scale information 115. Therefore, the control device 22 can acquire the size of the base material indicated by the base material indication line 123 (hereinafter referred to as base material size) in the same way as the actual shape size. Specifically, the control device 22 can acquire the base material size based on the size, length, coordinates, etc. of the displayed base material indication line 123, the size of the workpiece W (machined shape), the scale of the sketch screen 95B, etc. Furthermore, the control device 22 can calculate the value of the machining allowance from the difference in coordinates between the machined shape and the base material indication line 123. For example, when a portion of the base material indication line 123 is selected with the touch pen 117, the control device 22 calculates the distance between the selected line and the closest machining shape (line) among the machining shapes present inside it as the machining allowance and displays it in the dialog 125. This allows the user to change the position of the base material indication line 123 while checking the machining allowance. In other words, the base material indication line 123 (base material) can be set at a position that ensures the desired machining allowance.

[0053] As described above, the control device 22 obtains the scale ratio from the characters included in the drawing data D1, and sets the size of the actual workpiece W (actual shape size) and the size of the base material (base material size) based on the size of the machined shape indicated by the drawing data D1 and the scale ratio. This allows the NC program 73 to be created by appropriately setting the machining allowance, the cutting diameter (to be described later), etc.

[0054] 6, the control device 22 may display which machining shape line is the target for which the machining allowance is being calculated. For example, when a part of the base material indication line 123 is selected with the touch pen 117, the control device 22 may execute a highlighting process to display the line of the closest machining shape among the machining shapes present inside the selected line thicker than the other lines. This makes it easier for the user to understand which machining shape line the machining allowance between them is being displayed.

[0055] The user sets the position of the base material indication line 123 in each of the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, when the position of one of the base material indication lines 123 on both sides in the X-axis direction is changed, the control device 22 may similarly change the position of the other base material indication line 123. In other words, the control device 22 may ensure the same amount of machining allowance on both sides in the X-axis direction so that the center of the base material indication line 123 and the center of the side surface machining shape 105 (workpiece spindle 113) coincide in the X-axis direction.

[0056] The control device 22 also corrects the position of the base material (base material indication line 123) based on the tolerance value (tolerance value). The tolerance value may be input by the user or may be detected from character strings written on the drawing or information included in the drawing data D1. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 22 accepts input of tolerance values ​​(values ​​of α and β in the drawing) in a dialog 125. The control device 22 corrects the position of the base material indication line 123 based on the position of the base material indication line 123 set with the touch pen 117 and the tolerance value input in the dialog 125.

[0057] For example, assume that the X-coordinate of the base material indication line 123 in the X-axis direction selected by the touch pen 117 shown in FIG. 6 is X1, and the tolerance value for this coordinate X1 is set as -α≦X1≦+β. In this case, the control device 22 sets the value of X1 + (-α + β) as the X-coordinate (base material position) of the corrected base material indication line 123. This allows the base material to be set at a position that takes into account the machining allowance and tolerance value. Even users with low knowledge and skills can set the base material taking tolerance into account. Note that the control device 22 may accept different tolerance values ​​in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the control device 22 does not have to correct the position of the base material indication line 123 based on the tolerance value.

[0058] As described above, the base material indication line 123 can also be set automatically by the control device 22. For example, if the machining allowance and tolerance values ​​can be detected from the text on the drawing 93, or if the machining allowance and tolerance values ​​are set in advance, the control device 22 can automatically set the base material indication line 123 from the coordinates of the machining shape detected in S11. The control device 22 may set the base material indication line 123 at a position that provides a gap of the machining allowance value acquired from the drawing 93 or the like from the position of the machining shape set in the outer shape setting in S11, and then set the base material. The control device 22 may also correct the position of the base material based on the tolerance value acquired from the drawing 93 or the like. This allows the position and size of the base material to be automatically set with respect to the machining shape detected in S11.

[0059] Next, the step of setting the machining position, tools, and machining conditions in S13 of Fig. 3 will be described. In S13, the control device 22 executes setting of the machining process from the base material set in S12 to the machined shape set in S11. In this way, the control device 22 can create the NC program 73.

[0060] When machining position setting is selected in the selection dialog 121, the control device 22 displays a sketch screen 95C for setting the machining position, tool, and machining conditions shown in Fig. 7 on the touch panel 61. The control device 22 displays the machining shapes (side surface machining shape 105, front surface machining shape 106) set in S11 and the base material indication line 123 set in S12 on the sketch screen 95C.

[0061] First, the control device 22 receives a machining start position 127 indicating the start position of the first-step machining and a machining end position 128 indicating the end position of the first-step machining as the initial machining positions for the first step. For example, the user sets the machining start position 127 at any position on the base material on the sketch screen 95C, and sets the machining end position 128 at any position on the side surface machining shape 105. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the machining start position 127 is set at the upper right position of the base material indication line 123 (base material) surrounding the side surface machining shape 105. The machining start position 127 is located on the outer surface in the X-axis direction and is the end position on the tip side in the Z-axis direction. The machining end position 128 is located on the outer surface of the workpiece W in the X-axis direction and is the end position on the base end side (the origin 111, the backing plate 31 side). This allows the machining start position 127 and machining end position 128 for the first step to be set.

[0062] When the machining end position 128 is selected, the control device 22 displays a dialog 131. The control device 22, for example, receives the machining content of the first step in the dialog 131. The machining content is information indicating the machining content of the step, such as outer diameter, inner diameter, end face, and hole drilling. The control device 22, for example, displays executable machining content in a pull-down menu in the machining content item and receives the machining content of the first step from the pull-down menu. The control device 22 may also change the types of machining condition items displayed in the dialog 131 depending on the machining content received in the machining content item. This allows the machining conditions to be set quickly and appropriately according to the machining content. The control device 22 does not have to receive the machining content from the user.

[0063] The control device 22 also receives, in the dialog box 131, the type of tool to be used for machining and the details of the machining conditions for the tool. That is, the control device 22 receives the tool to be used and the machining conditions for the first process. The control device 22 displays items such as the tool, cutting diameter, rotation speed, cutting speed, cutting depth, path, and feed in the dialog box 131 and receives setting values ​​for each item. In the tool type item, the control device 22 displays tool types pre-registered in the storage device 72 in a pull-down menu and receives selection of the tool type to be used in the first process from the pull-down menu. The control device 22 may also change the tool type to be displayed depending on the machining content (e.g., outer diameter, drilling) received in the dialog box 131. The control device 22 also receives, in another setting screen (not shown), information associating a holder number identifying the tool mounting portion 45 of the turret 43 with the tool type. This allows the control device 22 to determine the type of tool to be used in each process and the holder number (tool mounting unit 45) to be used, and to set the tool to be used by setting the holder number (tool mounting unit 45) according to the type of tool as a parameter of the NC program 73. The control device 22 may also receive the holder number to be used in the first process in the dialog 131.

[0064] Furthermore, when the control device 22 receives a set value for each item of the machining conditions, it may automatically calculate other related items or correct the base material indication line 123. For example, the control device 22 can determine the machining allowance from the base material indication line 123 and the coordinates of the side surface machining shape 105. When the cutting depth is set, the control device 22 may calculate and set a path from the set cutting depth and machining allowance. When the rotation speed of the workpiece spindle device 11 is set, the control device 22 may calculate and set a cutting speed from the set rotation speed and cutting diameter (outer diameter). Alternatively, the control device 22 may set the cutting diameter setting based on the coordinates of the base material indication line 123 set in S12. Then, when the cutting diameter is changed, the control device 22 may correct the display position of the base material indication line 123. In this way, the control device 22 can automatically perform calculations and correct the base material indication line 123 according to the user's settings. The control device 22 may display a scroll button 133 in the dialog 131 and display items that could not be displayed in the dialog 131 in response to an operation on the scroll button 133 .

[0065] Furthermore, the control device 22 displays a complete button 135 in the dialog 131. When the complete button 135 is touched, the control device 22 sets the type of tool and the machining conditions set in the dialog 131 as the setting information for the first process. In this way, the user can set the type of tool and the machining conditions while viewing the machining shape and the shape of the base material.

[0066] Furthermore, the above-described machining start position 127 and machining end position 128 are examples of machining positions in the present disclosure. The method of setting the machining position in the present disclosure is not limited to the method of specifying the above-described machining start position 127 and machining end position 128. For example, the control device 22 may receive only the machining start position 127 and determine the machining end position 128 based on the cutting depth and path. Alternatively, the control device 22 may receive, as the machining position, the surface of the base material indication line 123 where machining starts in each process. Then, the control device 22 may set the leading end of the received surface in the Z-axis direction as the machining start position 127.

[0067] When the Finish button 135 is touched, the control device 22 displays the sketch screen 95 shown in FIG. 8 and accepts settings for the second process, which is the next process after the first process. FIG. 8 shows a sketch screen 95C for setting the machining position, tool, and machining conditions for the second process. The control device 22 accepts a machining start position 127 and a machining end position 128, as in the first process, and accepts settings for the tool type and machining conditions for the second process in a dialog box 131. Note that the same settings for the second process and subsequent processes as those for the first process will not be described here. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , the machining start position 127 is set to the upper right position of the base material after the first machining process is completed. The machining end position 128 is set to the outer surface of the small diameter portion 101 in the X-axis direction, at the end position on the base end side (the origin 111, the backing plate 31 side).

[0068] Therefore, the control device 22 accepts two different points on the sketch screen 95C displaying the machining shape and the base material as machining positions, and accepts the order of the accepted machining positions as the machining process order. This allows the user to set the machining order (process order) by setting the machining positions for each machining process in order. The control device 22 can create the NC program 73 according to the set process order.

[0069] Furthermore, when the control device 22 completes the setting of the machining position in a given machining step and accepts the setting of the machining position for the next step, it changes the shape of the base material displayed according to the machining content of the previous step. For example, when the setting of the machining start position 127 and machining end position 128 for the first step is completed and the complete button 135 is touched, the control device 22 changes the base material indication line 123 as shown in FIG. 8. The control device 22 displays the base material indication line 123 with a reduced size corresponding to the portion that will be cut (removed) by the machining of the first step. This makes it easier for the user to set the machining start position 127 (machining position) for the next step. Note that the control device 22 may maintain the size and shape of the base material indication line 123 without changing its display even as the step progresses. In this case, the control device 22 may, for example, color a portion of the base material indication line 123 to indicate the portion that was removed by the machining of the previous step.

[0070] The control device 22 accepts settings of the tool type and machining conditions for the second step on the sketch screen 95C shown in Fig. 8 , and when the complete button 135 of the dialog 131 is touched, the control device 22 displays the sketch screen 95C shown in Fig. 9 and similarly accepts settings of the machining start position 127 and the like for the third step. For example, as shown in Fig. 9 , the control device 22 accepts, for the third step, the machining start position 127 of the end face, the machining end position 128, the tool type, the machining conditions, and the like. Furthermore, similar to the second step in Fig. 8 , the control device 22 may change the shape of the base material indication line 123 in the third step in Fig. 9 in accordance with the portion removed by machining in the second step.

[0071] The control device 22 accepts settings for the tool type and machining conditions for the third step on the sketch screen 95C shown in FIG. 9 . When the complete button 135 in the dialog 131 is touched, the control device 22 displays the sketch screen 95C shown in FIG. 10 and similarly accepts settings for the fourth step, such as the machining start position 127. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the control device 22 accepts settings for the machining start position 127, machining end position 128, tool type, machining conditions, etc. for machining a groove 102 along the radial direction of the workpiece W as the fourth step. In this case, too, the control device 22 may change the shape of the base material indication line 123 depending on the portion removed by the machining of the third step. Furthermore, the user may set the machining start position 127 and machining end position 128 for the groove machining in the front machining shape 106 displayed on the sketch screen 95C, for example. Furthermore, when groove machining is selected in the machining content item of the dialog 131, for example, the control device 22 changes the display items of the machining conditions in the dialog 131. In groove machining, for example, the rotational position of the workpiece W is fixed and machining is performed using an end mill or the like. For this reason, the control device 22 may delete the rotation speed item from the machining conditions. Alternatively, the control device 22 may restrict input by setting the rotation speed value to "zero" without changing the display items of the machining conditions.

[0072] Similarly, the control device 22 accepts settings of tool types and machining conditions for the fourth and subsequent steps. Although detailed description will be omitted, for example, the control device 22 accepts settings for a fifth step, a drilling step for drilling a hole at the center of hole 103, and accepts settings of a machining start position 127, a machining end position 128, tool types, and machining conditions. The control device 22 also accepts settings for a sixth step, an inner diameter machining step for enlarging the hole drilled in the fifth step to hole 103, and accepts settings of tool types, etc. In this way, the user can set the machining steps from the base material set in S12 to the machined shape set in S11 while viewing the shape.

[0073] When the control device 22 receives the settings for all the machining processes, it creates the NC program 73 (S14 in FIG. 3). The method for receiving the completion of the settings for all the machining processes is not particularly limited. For example, the control device 22 may receive a selection of whether to set the next process or complete the settings each time the complete button 135 is touched. When the control device 22 receives the selection of setting the next process, it receives the settings for the machining start position 127, etc. for the next process. When the control device 22 receives the selection of completion of the settings, it starts generating the NC program 73 based on the setting information for all the processes received up to that point (S14). This allows the NC program 73 to be generated in accordance with the process order, machining conditions, etc., set by the user.

[0074] The above-described setting information (e.g., machining conditions) for creating the NC program 73 is merely an example, and other setting information may be accepted for use in creating the NC program 73. For example, the control device 22 may accept information on the material of the workpiece W and set items such as the cutting depth and feed rate based on the accepted material and the type of tool. The cutting depth and feed rate values ​​may be recommended values ​​set by the tool manufacturer for each material. The control device 22 may also accept a correction value for correcting the position of the cutting edge of the tool for each process. The control device 22 may also accept a value for the radius used to machine the corners of the workpiece W into a rounded shape and create the NC program 73 for performing the rounded shape machining according to the accepted value. The control device 22 may also accept, for example, the tool width, tool protrusion, nose radius, cutting angle, cutting edge angle, etc. in addition to the type of tool and reflect them in the machining conditions. Alternatively, when a rotary tool is set as the tool, the control device 22 may accept a drill diameter, drill protrusion, and drill runout and reflect them in the machining conditions. 3 (simulation), the content of which is the same as that of the comparative example, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In S7, a simulation is performed in which the NC program 73 created based on S11 to S14 described above is executed. For example, the simulation is performed using a CADCAM system to check for interference between the tool, workpiece W, chuck jaws 32, etc.

[0075] Here, a user who has the ability to understand the characteristics of the machining shape, the skill to select tools, and the skill to determine the machining sequence can appropriately set each process in S13. However, a user who does not have the skills may not be able to appropriately determine which tools to select or the order in which the machining processes should be specified. Therefore, the machine tool 10 of this embodiment learns the process sequence, tool types, etc. through machine learning and proposes recommended process sequences and tool types. For example, the sketch program 75 includes an AI (artificial intelligence) program that learns the process sequence, tool types, machining conditions, etc. set by the user. The sketch program 75 proposes recommended process sequences and tool types in S13 using the machine learning function of the AI ​​program.

[0076] For example, when the complete button 135 is touched in S13 to determine the process content, the control device 22 performs machine learning to determine the correlation between the set machining positions (machining start position 127, machining end position 128), the set tool type, and the set machining conditions (cutting speed, etc.). This allows the control device 22 to learn, for example, the correlation between the machining positions, etc., performed by a highly skilled user. The control device 22 can learn the tool type and machining conditions (know-how) selected by a highly skilled user, such as a type A tool for an outer diameter and a type B tool for an inner diameter. The control device 22 may have, for example, a learning mode and a suggestion mode. When the learning mode is set, the control device 22 does not suggest a process order, etc., but instead performs machine learning of the set process order, etc. Then, when the suggestion mode is set, the control device 22 suggests a tool type, etc., based on the correlations learned up to that point.

[0077] Therefore, when S13 is newly executed and a machining position is set via the touch pen 117 or the like, the control device 22 notifies the user of recommended tools and machining conditions for the machining position set based on the results of machine learning up to that point. For example, when setting the first step of the outer diameter shown in FIG. 7 , the control device 22 sets the machining start position 127 and the machining end position 128, and selects "outer diameter" as the machining content. Based on the correlations learned up to that point, the control device 22 sets the appropriate tool type and machining conditions for each item of the outer diameter machining. At this time, the control device 22 may issue a notification such as "Recommended values ​​have been set." This allows a less skilled user to set tool types and machining conditions, suggesting more appropriate settings based on the know-how of experts learned up to that point.

[0078] Similarly, the control device 22 may perform machine learning on the machining order, determine whether the machining order is appropriate, and notify the user. For example, when machining the outer and inner diameters, considering the distortion of the workpiece W during machining, it is preferable to perform machining of the outer diameter (FIGS. 7 and 8) as described above, followed by machining of the inner diameter (machining of the hole 103). Furthermore, the machining order also affects machining accuracy and machining takt (machining allowance and feed rate), and therefore is the know-how of each machining company. Therefore, the control device 22 may learn the machining order set by an expert and propose a recommended order.

[0079] For example, when the learning mode is set, the control device 22 executes S13. After all machining steps for one workpiece W are determined, the control device 22 performs machine learning on the order in which the machining positions (machining start position 127, machining end position 128) are set as the appropriate order of the machining steps. This allows the control device 22 to learn the order in which the machining steps are set by a highly skilled user. Then, for example, when the suggested mode is set and the control device 22 determines based on the learning results that the order in which the machining positions are set is inappropriate, it issues a warning. For example, when there is a risk that the inner diameter machining will be set before the outer diameter machining, or when this has been set, the control device 22 displays a message such as "It is preferable to perform the outer diameter machining first" on the sketch screen 95C. This allows less skilled users to set the appropriate machining order.

[0080] In the above description, the control device 22 performs machine learning of setting information actually set by a highly skilled user, but the method of machine learning is not limited to this. For example, the manufacturer of the machine tool 10 may set recommended tool types and machining conditions in the sketch program 75. Alternatively, a machining sequence that may cause interference between the tool and the workpiece W may be set in advance in the sketch program 75, and a warning may be issued. For example, when performing internal diameter machining on a portion where no drilling has been performed, there is a possibility that interference between the tool and the workpiece W may occur. In such a case, the sketch program 75 may issue a warning, similar to machine learning of the machining sequence.

[0081] The control device 22 may also have a function for inverting coordinates. As described above, the control device 22 displays the machining shape in accordance with the position of the workpiece spindle 113. The control device 22 may change the orientation of the machining shape relative to the workpiece spindle 113 in response to a user's operational input. FIG. 11 shows the sketch screen 95 after inversion. For example, when the setting of tool types and machining conditions for all processes is completed, the control device 22 erases the display of the base material indication line 123 and displays an inversion button 137 and a creation button 138. When the inversion button 137 is touched, the control device 22 inverts the machining shape (such as the side machining shape 105) so that it is symmetrical with respect to a line parallel to the X-axis direction (left-right symmetry in FIG. 11 ), as shown in FIG. 11 . The control device 22 also displays the positions of the origin 111 and the workpiece spindle 113 in accordance with the positions of the inverted machining shape. The control device 22 also inverts the display of the coordinate direction 109 left-right. Furthermore, the control device 22 changes the coordinate system of the XZ coordinates in accordance with the position of the origin 111 and the inversion direction. For example, if the Z coordinate was set with the origin 111 on the left side and the right direction as the positive direction before inversion, the control device 22 sets the Z coordinate with the origin 111 on the right side and the left direction as the positive direction after inversion. Then, when the create button 138 is touched, the control device 22 sets the parameters of the NC program 73 in accordance with the changed coordinate system and the coordinates of the machining shape, and creates the NC program 73.

[0082] As a result, for example, if the drawing 93 or a photograph of the workpiece W shows a side surface with the tip facing right, the tool and machining conditions can be set while looking at the drawing 93 or photograph. If the spindle direction of the machine tool 10 to be actually used is reversed (left-facing), the settings can be reused and the coordinates can be reversed by operating the inversion button 137 after setting the tool, etc. Then, the NC program 73 can be created that matches the orientation of the spindle of the machine tool 10 to be actually used. Note that if the inversion button 137 is not operated and the creation button 138 is touched, the control device 22 creates the NC program 73 using the coordinates before inversion.

[0083] In addition, the user may want to refer to the drawing 93 that is the source of the drawing data D1 when setting the machining shape, base material, and machining conditions. Therefore, the control device 22 may display the scan data alongside the machining shape. FIG. 12 shows a sketch screen 195 displaying the machining shape and scan data 141 side by side. For example, the control device 22 displays the scan data 141, acquired by scanning the drawing 93 with the scanner 91, to the right of the display section displaying the side machining shape 105 and the front machining shape 106. This allows the user to set the machining shape, base material, machining start position 127, machining end position 128, tool type, machining conditions, etc. while checking the contents of the drawing 93 (e.g., dimensions). This reduces the occurrence of setting errors. The control device 22 may also switch between displaying and hiding the scan data 141 in response to a user input.

[0084] The correspondence between the terms used in this embodiment and those described in the claims will be explained below. In the above embodiment, the control device 22 is an example of a processing unit. The touch panel 61 and the touch pen 117 are examples of a user interface. The NC program 73 is an example of a machining program. The sketch screens 95, 95A to 95C, and 195 are examples of screens. The side machining shape 105 and the front machining shape 106 are examples of machining shapes. The machining start position 127 and the machining end position 128 are examples of machining positions. S11 is an example of a machining shape acquisition process. S12 and S13 are examples of a determination process. S14 is an example of a creation process.

[0085] As described above, the present embodiment provides the following advantages. The control device 22, which is one aspect of the present application, acquires the machining shape of the workpiece W (side surface machining shape 105, front surface machining shape 106) from the drawing data D1 of the workpiece W (S11, an example of a machining shape acquisition process). The control device 22 displays the machining shape acquired in S11 on the touch panel 61 and also displays the base material (base material indication line 123) before machining the workpiece W on the touch panel 61 (S12). The control device 22 accepts instructions on the sketch screen 95 to determine the machining positions of the workpiece W (machining start position 127, machining end position 128) from the base material to the machining shape (S13: an example of a determination process). The control device 22 creates an NC program 73 based on the determined machining positions of the workpiece W (S14, an example of a creation process).

[0086] This allows the user to compare the base material before machining with the machined workpiece W. The user can also use the touch pen 117 or the like to specify the machining position from the base material to the machined shape, causing the machine tool 10 to create the desired NC program 73.

[0087] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be embodied in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. For example, the configuration of the machine tool 10 in the above-described embodiments is merely an example. The machine tool 10 is not limited to a turret-type lathe, but may also be, for example, a machining center. The content and order of the steps for creating the NC program 73 shown in FIG. 3 are merely an example and can be modified as appropriate. The sketch program 75 may be configured in a way that does not allow machine learning. The sketch program 75 may not have a flipping function. The sketch program 75 may not have a function for displaying the machining shape and the scan data 141 side by side. The machining program of the present disclosure is not limited to the NC program 73, and may be another machining program capable of controlling the machine tool 10.

[0088] The contents of the present disclosure are not limited to the dependency relationships described in the claims. For example, this specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2" in claim 4 to "the machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3." For example, this specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2" in claim 5 to "the machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4." For example, this specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2" in claim 7 to "the machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6." For example, this specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the machine tool according to claim 7" in claim 9 to "the machine tool according to claim 7 or claim 8." For example, this specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2" in claim 10 to "the machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9." This specification also discloses the technical idea of, for example, changing "the machine tool according to claim 1 or claim 2" in claim 11 to "the machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10."

[0089] 10 Machine tool, 11 Work spindle device, 22 Control device (processing unit), 61 Touch panel (user interface), 73 NC program (machining program), 95, 95A to 95C, 195 Sketch screen (screen), 105 Side machining shape (machined shape), 106 Front machining shape (machined shape), 113 Work spindle, 117 Touch pen (user interface), 127 Machining start position (machining position), 128 Machining end position (machining position), 141 Scan data, W Work, D1 Drawing data.

Claims

1. A machine tool comprising: a user interface; and a processing unit for processing information input via the user interface, wherein the processing unit executes a machining shape acquisition process for acquiring a machining shape of the workpiece from drawing data of the workpiece; a determination process for displaying the machining shape of the workpiece acquired by the machining shape acquisition process on the user interface, displaying the base material before machining the workpiece on the user interface, and receiving an instruction via the user interface to determine the machining position of the workpiece from the base material to machining it into the machining shape; and a creation process for creating a machining program for machining the workpiece based on the machining position of the workpiece determined by the determination process.

2. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein the processing unit, in the machining shape acquisition process, acquires a line that is thicker than other lines among a plurality of lines contained in the drawing data as the machining shape of the workpiece, and in the determination process, sets a figure surrounding the acquired machining shape as the base material while displaying the machining shape on the user interface.

3. A machine tool as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing unit, in the machining shape acquisition process, acquires the scale ratio of the drawing data from characters contained in the drawing data, and, in the determination process, sets the size of the workpiece and the size of the base material based on the size of the machining shape indicated by the drawing data and the scale ratio.

4. A machine tool as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing unit, in the determination process, accepts the position of the line indicating the base material and the tolerance value in the machining of the workpiece via the user interface, and corrects the position of the line indicating the base material based on the accepted position of the line indicating the base material and the tolerance value.

5. A machine tool as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing unit receives, via the user interface, the type of tool to be used for machining and the contents of the machining conditions for machining using the tool for the set machining position in the determination process.

6. The machine tool described in claim 5, wherein the processing unit performs machine learning to determine the correlation between the set machining position, the set type of tool, and the set contents of the machining conditions each time the determination process is executed, and when the determination process is newly executed and the machining position is set via the user interface, the processing unit notifies via the user interface of the tool and the machining conditions recommended for the machining position that was set based on the results of the machine learning performed up to that point.

7. A machine tool as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing unit, in the determination process, accepts two different points on a screen displaying the machining shape and the base material as the machining positions, and accepts the order of the accepted machining positions as the machining process order.

8. The machine tool according to claim 7, wherein the processing unit accepts the received order of the machining positions in the determination process as the order of the machining steps, and when setting of the machining positions in any machining step is completed and setting of the machining positions in the next step is accepted, changes the shape of the base material to be displayed according to the machining content of the previous step.

9. The machine tool described in claim 7, wherein the processing unit, each time it executes the determination process, machine-learns the order in which the machining positions are set as an appropriate order of machining steps, and when it newly executes the determination process and determines that the order in which the machining positions are set is not appropriate based on the results of the machine learning up to that point, it issues a warning.

10. A machine tool as described in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a work spindle device that holds the work and rotates the work around the work spindle, wherein the processing unit displays the work spindle on the user interface, displays the machining shape in accordance with the position of the work spindle, changes the orientation of the machining shape relative to the work spindle based on information input via the user interface, and in the creation process, sets the coordinates of the machining program in accordance with the orientation of the machining shape after the change.

11. A machine tool as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing unit, in the machining shape acquisition process, acquires the machining shape from the scan data using scan data obtained by scanning the drawing of the work as the drawing data of the work, and, in the determination process, displays the scan data together with the machining shape on the user interface.

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