Machining proposal table creation device and machining proposal table creation program

Abstract

The present invention provides a machining proposal table creation device and a machining proposal table creation program with which it is possible to search past machining proposal tables for a machining proposal table suitable for the creation of a new machining proposal table.　In the present invention, each machining proposal table includes setting data related to the machining of a workpiece for each step. A processing unit of the machining proposal table creation device executes: reception processing for receiving setting data as a search condition via an input unit; acquisition processing for acquiring a machining proposal table from a storage device on the basis of the degree of similarity between the search condition received in the reception processing and the setting data included in each of a plurality of machining proposal tables stored in the storage device; and creation processing for creating a new machining proposal table by using the machining proposal table acquired in the acquisition processing.

Description

Processing proposal table creation device and processing proposal table creation program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machining proposal table creating device and a machining proposal table creating program that create a machining proposal table used in the field of machine tools.

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes a machining information creation system that supports CAM, which creates NC data used for machining workpieces from part drawing data designed by CAD. The machining information creation system of Patent Document 1 inputs part drawing data and workpiece material drawing data, and performs division of machining processes, setup settings, setting of machining areas for each tool used in machining, and determination of machining order and conditions, etc., based on the input data.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-103212

[0004] Incidentally, there are cases where a machining proposal table is created that indicates the machining details of the workpiece, such as when proposing the machining of a new workpiece or when purchasing a machine tool for machining the new workpiece. This machining proposal table records setting data such as the order in which the workpiece will be machined, the types of tools to be used, the machining conditions, and the cycle time. When creating a new machining proposal table by reusing a past machining proposal table, the more accumulated the number of machining proposal tables becomes, the more difficult it may become to find a machining proposal table that is suitable for reusing.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a processing proposal table creation device and a processing proposal table creation program that can search for processing proposal tables suitable for creating a new processing proposal table from among past processing proposal tables.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses a processing proposal table creation device that creates a new processing proposal table using a processing proposal table stored in a storage device, the processing proposal table creation device comprising an input unit and a processing unit that processes information input via the input unit, the processing proposal table having setting data related to processing of workpieces for each process, and the processing unit performing a reception process that receives the setting data as search conditions via the input unit, an acquisition process that acquires the processing proposal table from the storage device based on the similarity between the search conditions received by the reception process and the setting data held by each of the multiple processing proposal tables stored in the storage device, and a creation process that creates the new processing proposal table using the processing proposal table acquired by the acquisition process.

[0007] Furthermore, the contents of the present disclosure are not limited to implementation as a processing proposal table creation device, but are also extremely effective when implemented as a processing proposal table creation program for creating a new processing proposal table, a storage medium storing a processing proposal table creation program, etc.

[0008] According to the processing proposal table creation device and processing proposal table creation program disclosed herein, a processing proposal table is acquired based on the similarity between the received search criteria and the setting data of the processing proposal table stored in the storage device, and a new processing proposal table is created using the acquired processing proposal table. This makes it possible to search for processing proposal tables having setting data similar to the setting data entered by the user from among multiple processing proposal tables stored in the storage device. It is also possible to search for processing proposal tables suitable for use in creating a new processing proposal table.

[0009] 1 is a block diagram of a machining proposal table creation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a diagram showing a search screen in a state where a search workpiece image has been input; 3 is a diagram showing a search result display unit in which search results are displayed; 4 is a diagram showing a creation start screen and a basic information table screen; 5 is a diagram showing a tooling list screen; 6 is a diagram showing a tooling list screen; 7 is a diagram showing a coefficient change screen; 8 is a flowchart of a weighting coefficient adjustment operation; 9 is a diagram showing a state in which an adjustment result screen is displayed; 10 is a diagram showing a process search screen;

[0010] (Regarding the Processing Proposal Table Creation System 10) An embodiment of the processing proposal table creation device of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the processing proposal table creation system (hereinafter referred to as the creation system) 10 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the creation system 10 includes a processing proposal table creation device (hereinafter referred to as the creation device) 11 and client terminals 13 installed in each production factory 12. The creation system 10 is a system that provides a service for creating a processing proposal table from the creation device 11 to the client terminals 13.

[0011] The creation device 11 is, for example, a server device and includes a CPU 21, a storage device 22, a user IF (abbreviation of interface) 23, and a network IF 24. The CPU 21 and other components are connected to each other via a communication bus 25 for communication. The storage device 22 is, for example, a combination of RAM, ROM, a hard disk, etc. The storage device 22 stores an operating system (OS) 26, a processing proposal table creation program (hereinafter referred to as the creation program) 27, and management data 28. The OS 26 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark) Server OS, and controls the creation device 11 overall and provides basic services and functions to various application programs. The creation program 27 is an application program that creates the above-mentioned processing proposal table using the services and functions of the OS 26. By executing the OS 26 and the creation program 27 on the CPU 21, the creation device 11 performs processes such as sending and receiving data to and from the client terminal 13, and creating, modifying, storing, and outputting the processing proposal table. The management data 28 stores a plurality of processing proposal tables DT1 and coefficient data DT2. The coefficient data DT2 stores weighting coefficients Ws to Wk, which will be described later. The processing proposal table DT1 and coefficient data DT2 will be described in detail later. The OS 26 is not limited to a Windows (registered trademark) server OS, but may also be a UNIX (registered trademark)-based server OS such as Linux (registered trademark) using server software such as Apache (registered trademark). The OS 26 is not limited to a server OS, but may also be a Windows (registered trademark) OS, Macintosh (registered trademark) OS, UNIX (registered trademark)-based OS, or other types of client OS. In other words, the terminal on which the creation program 27 is installed is not limited to a server, but may also be a client terminal. The client terminal may be used directly by the user, or may be used remotely using a remote desktop function or the like.

[0012] Furthermore, the storage device 22 that stores the creation program 27 is not limited to the configuration described above. The storage device 22 may be a flash memory, an SSD, or a portable storage medium such as a USB memory or an external hard disk that is detachably attached to the creation device 11. The medium that stores the creation program 27 may also be a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0013] The user IF 23 includes, for example, a display device such as an LCD, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The network IF 24 is, for example, a LAN interface, and is connected to the network 15 via a router (not shown) or the like. The network 15 is, for example, a WAN such as the Internet.

[0014] The production factory 12 has, for example, a production line with multiple machine tools. The client terminal 13 is, for example, a personal computer on which a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) application program (hereinafter referred to as a CAM program) 17 is installed, enabling the creation of NC programs. Note that the client terminal 13 is not limited to a personal computer, and may be other information processing devices such as a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The client terminal 13 is able to access the creation device 11 via a network 15.

[0015] The above-described configuration of the creation system 10 is merely an example. For example, the management data 28 may be stored in a device (such as a database server) separate from the creation device 11 (server). The creation device 11 may be installed within the local network of the production factory 12. A server using a cloud storage service such as AWS (Amazon Web Services, a registered trademark) may be used as the creation device 11. The device (creation device 11) that creates the machining proposal table DT1 and the terminal (client terminal 13) that uses it may be the same device. For example, both the creation program 27 and the CAM program 17 may be installed in the client terminal 13, and the client terminal 13 may be used to create both the machining proposal table DT1 and the NC program using the CAM program 17. Therefore, the machining proposal table creation device disclosed herein may be a server device or a standalone device. In the present embodiment, when the creation device 11, which is a server, accepts instructions from the client terminal 13, the network IF 24 that accepts instructions from the client terminal 13 is an example of an input unit, and the CPU 21 is an example of a processing unit. Also, when the client terminal 13 executes the creation program 27 to accept input of information in the processing proposal table DT1, as in a standalone device, the user interfaces, such as a keyboard and mouse, provided on the client terminal 13 (personal computer) are an example of an input unit. Also, the CPU that executes the creation program 27 and the CAM program 17 on the client terminal 13 is an example of a processing unit.

[0016] (Regarding Creation of Processing Proposal Table DT1) Next, the process of creating the processing proposal table DT1 executed by the creation device 11 will be described. For example, when the power is turned on, the creation device 11 executes the OS 26 on the CPU 21 to start the system, and then executes the creation program 27 on the CPU 21. When a user at the production factory 12 wants to create a processing proposal table DT1, the user operates the client terminal 13 to access the creation device 11. By executing the creation program 27, the creation device 11 supports the creation of a new processing proposal table DT1 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a new processing proposal table) on a web server, for example, by utilizing the services and functions of the OS 26. The user, for example, accesses the web page of the creation device 11 using browser software (web browser) on the client terminal 13 to create a new processing proposal table. In the following description, the device that executes the program may be referred to simply by the program name. For example, the statement "the creation program 27 displays the search screen 31 on the client terminal 13" means that "the creation device 11 executes the creation program 27 on the CPU 21, and the creation program 27 displays the search screen 31 on the client terminal 13."

[0017] FIG. 2 is an example of a web page of the creation device 11 accessed by the client terminal 13, showing a search screen 31 with a search workpiece image 37 entered. As shown in FIG. 2, the creation program 27 causes the client terminal 13 to display a search screen 31 for searching for a processing proposal table DT1 in response to access from the client terminal 13. The search screen 31 is a screen for searching for a processing proposal table DT1 that meets the search criteria from among the processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the management data 28. The creation device 11 accepts changes to the setting data of a processing proposal table DT1 previously registered in the management data 28 based on operation of an edit button 47A (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later, and creates, registers, and outputs the changed processing proposal table DT1 as a new processing proposal table for that processing proposal table DT1. Alternatively, the creation device 11 accepts a request to create a new processing proposal table by reusing a processing proposal table DT1 previously registered in the management data 28 based on operation of a reuse new button 47B (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later, and registers and outputs the new processing proposal table.

[0018] The creation program 27 displays work information 30, an image input section 32, an image display section 33, a search condition input section 34, a search button 35, a condition clear button 36, a search result display section 39, a selection section 40, a coefficient change button 48, and a coefficient automatic adjustment button 49 on the search screen 31. The work information 30 displayed at the top of the search screen 31 indicates which process in the work process for which the displayed screen (search screen 31 in FIG. 2 ) is creating the processing proposal table DT1. For example, as shown in the work information 30, the work of creating a new processing proposal table is performed in the following order: "Management Data," "Basic Information," "Tooling List," "Cycle Time," "Transport," "Layout," and "Content Confirmation." In the state shown in FIG. 2 , the creation program 27 bolds "Management Data" and underlines it, indicating that the "Data Management" screen is displayed. This also applies to FIG. 4 and subsequent figures.

[0019] The image input unit 32 is a section for inputting a search workpiece image 37, which is an image to be searched. A workpiece image 41 (see FIG. 3 ), which indicates the shape of the workpiece after processing, is stored in association with the processing proposal table DT1. When the search workpiece image 37 is input into the image input unit 32, for example, by drag and drop, the creation program 27 displays the input search workpiece image 37 on the image display unit 33. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , a search workpiece image 37 of a differential case is displayed as the search workpiece image 37. In response to an operation of selecting the search button 35 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as an operation), the creation program 27 searches the management data 28 for a processing proposal table DT1 associated with a workpiece image 41 similar to the input search workpiece image 37, and displays the search result display unit 39 (see FIG. 3 ). The selection operation here refers to an operation such as clicking or pressing the return key on the client terminal 13. For example, the creation program 27 includes an AI (artificial intelligence) program that searches for similar images. The creation program 27 uses the machine learning function of the AI ​​program to determine workpiece images 41 that are similar to the search workpiece image 37. The similarity determined by the AI ​​is used to calculate the image similarity Rk, which will be described later. For example, this AI program is a program that, when an arbitrary image is given, calculates the similarity between each of multiple images set as a search range and the given arbitrary image. Note that the AI ​​program may perform machine learning in response to operator or user operations to optimize the accuracy of similarity determination. For example, the creation program 27 may be one that has undergone machine learning by having an operator of the creation system 10 conduct a test to determine the similarity between the search workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may use the AI ​​program to perform machine learning to determine the shape similarity between the search workpiece image 37 entered by the user and the workpiece image 41 selected in the search result display unit 39, which will be described later, and used to create a new processing proposal table. This allows machine learning to determine the shape of the search work image 37 that the user is searching for and the shape of the target work image 41, i.e., the shape of the work image 41 that the user considers to be similar.The workpiece shape for which the AI ​​program determines the similarity is, for example, the workpiece machining surface or the external shape (such as the outer surface or holes) that indicates the portion to be machined. Based on the results of machine learning, the AI ​​program can determine the similarity between the searched workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41 when creating a new machining proposal table from the next time onwards. Furthermore, the method for determining the similarity of images is not limited to using AI. For example, the creation program 27 may extract feature points between the searched workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41 and calculate the similarity between the two images from the extracted feature points. Furthermore, the searched workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41 are not limited to two-dimensional images, but may also be three-dimensional images.

[0020] The creation program 27 also accepts data (hereinafter referred to as search conditions) entered, selected, etc. in the search condition input unit 34 (an example of the receiving process of the present disclosure) and searches the processing proposal table DT1 based on the accepted search conditions. The creation program 27 displays, for example, input fields for the workpiece name, product number, material, processing overview, dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, surface roughness, keywords, machine ID, and customer name in the search condition input unit 34. These workpiece name, product number, material, processing overview, dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, surface roughness, machine ID, and customer name are associated with each item in the processing proposal table DT1, as described below. For example, the workpiece name is the name of the workpiece to be manufactured in the processing proposal table DT1, and the product number is the workpiece's identification number. The material is the name of the workpiece's material, and the processing overview is information such as terms and descriptions indicating the processing overview (sample number, product use, etc.).

[0021] The dimensional tolerance is the target tolerance (general tolerance) allowed for the size and length (e.g., cutting diameter) of the workpiece during each process in the basic information table 51 and tooling list 52 described below. The geometric tolerance is the allowable error range for the shape and positional relationship of the workpiece during each process, and is the tolerance defined in, for example, JIS B0021 "Product Geometric Characteristics Specifications (GPS) - Geometric Tolerance Display Method - Tolerance Display Method for Shape, Orientation, Position, and Runout." Specifically, geometric tolerances can include shape tolerances such as roundness and straightness, and runout tolerances such as circumferential runout. The surface roughness is the target surface roughness of the surface to be machined during each process, and is, for example, Ra (arithmetic mean roughness), Rz (maximum height roughness), or RzJIS (ten-point mean roughness). The machine ID is the identification information for the machine tool used in the machining proposal table DT1. The customer name is the name of the customer who has requested the production of the workpiece, and the keyword is a search word for searching for terms in the processing proposal table DT1.

[0022] The types of search conditions in the search condition input unit 34 shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples. For example, other tolerances, such as fit tolerances, may be used as search conditions. The creation program 27 of this embodiment searches the processing proposal table DT1 based on the similarity R (see FIG. 3) between the search condition data and the setting data set in the processing proposal table DT1 (an example of the acquisition process of the present disclosure). In other words, various data that can be set as setting data for the processing proposal table DT1 can be used as search conditions. The similarity R between the search conditions and the setting data will be described later.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the search result display unit 39 with the search results displayed. For example, the search results are shown when a search workpiece image 37, dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness are entered in the search condition input unit 34, and the search button 35 is operated. As shown in FIG. 3 , the creation program 27 displays information, such as a check box, similarity R, recommendation index, workpiece name, material, shape, processing overview, machine ID, and customer name, in a single row for multiple processing proposal tables DT1 searched from the management data 28. The creation program 27 displays the similarity R of each processing proposal table DT1 in the "Similarity R" column in the search result display unit 39. For example, when listing the search results of the processing proposal table DT1 in the search result display unit 39, the creation program 27 vertically arranges the processing proposal tables DT1 with a similarity R equal to or greater than a predetermined reference similarity in descending order of similarity R.

[0024] The creation program 27 also displays the recommendation index associated with each processing proposal table DT1 in the "recommendation index" column. The more frequently a processing proposal table DT1 stored in the management data 28 is reused to create a new processing proposal table, the higher the recommendation index is set. For example, when creating and storing a new processing proposal table, the creation program 27 sets the recommendation index to "zero." When storing a new processing proposal table, the creation program 27 also increments the recommendation index by "+1" for the processing proposal table DT1 selected in the search result display unit 39 before creating the new processing proposal table, i.e., the reused processing proposal table DT1. As a result, the recommendation index increases each time a processing proposal table DT1 is reused. When a search is performed without checking the checkbox in the selection unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 , the creation program 27 executes a search based on the similarity R of the search work image 37 and the search conditions in the search condition input unit 34, and displays the search results in the search result display unit 39 in descending order of similarity R. Furthermore, when a search is performed with the checkbox in the selection section 40 checked, the creation program 27 executes a search based on the similarity R of the search workpiece image 37 and the search conditions, for example, and detects processing proposal tables DT1 whose similarity R is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference similarity. The creation program 27 displays the search result display section 39 with the detected processing proposal tables DT1 sorted in descending order of recommendation index. This allows processing proposal tables DT1 that have been reused frequently to be displayed at the top of the search results. Note that FIG. 3 shows the search results when a search is performed with the checkbox in the selection section 40 unchecked.

[0025] The creation program 27 also displays workpiece images 41 associated with each processing proposal table DT1 in the "Shape" column. The creation program 27 also displays an arrow icon 43 below the list of search results for the processing proposal table DT1 to display any remaining processing proposal table DT1. When a checkbox is selected, the creation program 27 displays an image 45 in the selected checkbox, indicating that the checkbox is selected. The creation program 27 also displays an Edit button 47A, a New Reuse button 47B, and a New button 47C below the list of search results for the processing proposal table DT1. When the New Reuse button 47B is operated with a checkbox selected, the creation program 27 displays information about the selected processing proposal table DT1, accepts changes to the displayed processing proposal table DT1, and stores the changed processing proposal table DT1 as a new processing proposal table (see Figures 4 to 6, an example of the creation process disclosed herein). Therefore, when the New Reuse button 47B is operated, a new processing proposal table is created that reuses the setting data of a previous processing proposal table DT1. Furthermore, when the Edit button 47A is operated, the creation program 27 displays the information of the selected processing proposal table DT1 and accepts changes to the selected processing proposal table DT1, just as when the Reuse New button 47B is operated. Therefore, when the Edit button 47A is operated, the old processing proposal table DT1 is overwritten with the changed processing proposal table DT1 and stored, or the changed processing proposal table DT1 is stored as a new version (revision).

[0026] The new button 47C is a button for creating the processing proposal table DT1 from a state in which no setting data has been set. The coefficient change button 48 is a button for changing the weighting coefficient, which will be described later. The automatic coefficient adjustment button 49 is a button for automatically adjusting the weighting coefficient. The coefficient change button 48 and the automatic coefficient adjustment button 49 will be described later. When the condition clear button 36 is operated, the creation program 27 deletes all conditions input in the image display unit 33 and the search condition input unit 34. The creation program 27 may display an icon 38 for displaying a pull-down menu in the input field of any search condition input unit 34, and display input information so that it can be selected in response to the operation of the icon 38.

[0027] Next, the tables and setting data included in the processing proposal table DT1 will be described. Figures 4 to 6 show an example of a screen for creating a new processing proposal table. In the following explanation, as an example, a case will be described in which the reuse new button 47B is operated to create a new processing proposal table by reusing setting data from a previous processing proposal table DT1. Note that even when the edit button 47A is operated, the creation program 27 displays the same screen (Figures 4 to 6) as when the reuse new button 47B is operated and accepts editing work. Therefore, the following explanation will focus on the case in which the reuse new button 47B is operated, and will omit the explanation for the case in which the edit button 47A is operated.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the creation program 27 displays a creation start screen 50 (basic information table 51), a tooling list 52 ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ), a cycle time table (not shown), a transport table (not shown), and a layout table (not shown) based on the machining proposal table DT1 selected in the search result display unit 39. In other words, the machining proposal table DT1 stores setting data for these five tables. Note that the types of tables, the types of setting data, the setting data constituting each table, and the positions at which the setting data is displayed shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate depending on the type of workpiece, the configuration of the machine tool, the user's requests, and so on. For this reason, the following description will provide an overview of the purpose of use of each table, and will omit detailed descriptions of each table. Furthermore, of the five tables, the following description will use drawings to explain the basic information table 51 and the tooling list 52, and will omit illustrations of the other tables.

[0029] The creation program 27 displays, for example, the information of the processing proposal table DT1 selected in the search result display section 39 as the setting data of each table in Figures 4 to 6, and accepts changes to the displayed setting data. That is, the creation program 27 displays the setting data of the processing proposal table DT1 selected by the user as the initial value, accepts editing of the displayed setting data, and creates a new processing proposal table.

[0030] (Regarding the basic information table 51) First, the basic information table 51 will be described. In the following description, descriptions of the display contents and setting data that are the same as those described above will be omitted. When the reuse new button 47B is operated, the creation program 27 displays the creation start screen 50 shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the creation program 27 displays, for example, the work information 30, the summary information 62, and the basic information table 51 on the creation start screen 50.

[0031] The summary information 62 is information that shows an overview of the machining proposal table DT1, such as the workpiece image 41 and workpiece name in the machining proposal table DT1. The creation program 27 accepts changes to the workpiece image 41 associated with the machining proposal table DT1 and changes to the workpiece name in the summary information 62. The creation program 27 also displays a "basic information number" for each process in the basic information table 51. The "basic information number" is, for example, an identification number for identifying each process that processes the workpiece, and is assigned a positive integer starting from "1" in the order in which the processes are performed. The basic information table 51 also includes setting data for each process, such as the number of processing units, process, model, revision, chuck, and machine ID. For example, when one process is performed using one machine tool, the number of processing units is "1" and one number is assigned as the process number (see processes "10" and "30"). Furthermore, when the same process is performed by multiple machines of the same model, or when the same process is performed by multiple spindles within a single model, the process number is the same, but the number of machining units increases to 2, 3, etc. (see process "40"). When the same process is performed by different machine models, different numbers are assigned to the processes, and the number of machining units increases to 2, 3, etc. (see processes "20A" and "20B"). Therefore, a process is a unit of machining performed by a single machine model. Therefore, when multiple machining operations (such as outer diameter and end face machining) are performed using different types of tools on the same machine model, these multiple machining operations are collectively defined as a single process. The above definitions of basic information number, number of machining units, and process are merely examples.

[0032] The creation program 27 accepts the number of machine tools performing each process in the "Number of Machines" column. For example, "Model" indicates the model number of the machine tool, "Revision" indicates the version of each model, and "Chuck" indicates the identification information of the chuck used. The creation program 27 accepts changes to each setting data in the basic information table 51 and accepts the creation of the modified machining proposal table DT1, i.e., a new machining proposal table. Changes to the setting data may be accepted by directly entering the setting value into each field, or by displaying a pull-down menu and accepting selections in response to operations on icons 65 displayed in each field. The creation program 27 also displays operation icons 67 above the basic information table 51 and check boxes 69 to the left of the basic information table 51. The operation icons 67 include multiple icons for performing various processes (such as moving or adding a process) on the process selected in the check boxes 69. The operation icons 67 also include icons for accepting instructions to temporarily save and output the machining proposal table DT1.

[0033] (Regarding the Tooling List 52) ​​Next, the tooling list 52 will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 show an editing screen for the tooling list 52. FIG. 5 shows the left side of the editing screen for the tooling list 52, and FIG. 6 shows the right side. The creation program 27 switches the table displayed on the screen in response to, for example, an operation on the work information 30. After displaying the creation start screen 50 of FIG. 4, the creation program 27 displays the editing screen for the tooling list 52 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 when, for example, the "Tooling List" item in the work information 30 is clicked. Furthermore, the creation program 27 displays the search screen 31 when the "Management Data" item in the work information 30 is clicked. This allows the user to return to the search screen 31 before saving the new processing proposal table, thereby checking only the contents of the selected processing proposal table DT1 and returning to the search screen 31 without saving it.

[0034] The tooling list 52 is a table in which, for each machining process, setting data such as the type of tool to be used, machining purpose, machining content, machining conditions, and time information, in addition to the model, process, and basic information number, are set. For example, when setting data in the tooling list 52 is changed, the creation program 27 changes the related setting data in other tables, including the basic information table 51, in conjunction with the setting data. Similarly, when setting data in the basic information table 51, cycle time table (not shown), transport table (not shown), or layout table (not shown) is changed, the creation program 27 changes the setting data in the other tables in conjunction with the setting data. The same applies to adding or deleting processes. The creation program 27 also displays operation icons 67 in the tooling list 52 to accept the selection of an arbitrary process and accept the addition of a process, etc. Note that, in FIGS. 5 and 6 , check boxes 69 are not shown to avoid cluttering the drawings. However, the method of selecting a process to be operated using the operation icon 67 is not limited to using the check boxes 69. For example, a method of selecting a desired process by clicking on a portion displaying the desired process may also be used.

[0035] The "Tool No." column in FIG. 5 is, for example, a holder number indicating which of the multiple tool holders provided on the turret of a turret of a turret-type lathe is attached to which cutting tool (such as a cutting tool or a rotary tool). The tooling list 52 also allows for setting, as setting data for the machining objective, information on the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness for each process. This setting data for the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness is used to calculate the similarity with the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness input to the search condition input unit 34. The tooling list 52 also allows for setting, as setting data for the machining content, an image of the tool shape for each process, text information indicating the machining content (such as outer diameter, end face, and inner diameter), and a diagram showing the machining content. To avoid cluttering the drawing, FIG. 5 shows only one image of the tool shape.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6 , the tooling list 52 allows the user to set the following machining condition setting data: selection, reason, cutting diameter 1, cutting diameter 2, rotation speed, cutting speed, cutting depth, path, cutting length, and feed. The "selection" setting data indicates whether a theoretically calculated value, such as a recommended value from the tool manufacturer, or an actual value adjusted through actual machining was selected for that process. The "reason" setting data indicates the reason for selecting the calculated value or actual value in the "selection" column. The "cutting diameter 1" and other settings indicate the machining conditions (setting values) for each process. This allows the user to refer to the past machining proposal table DT1 and confirm whether the calculated value is an ideal machining condition or an actual value based on past machining conditions, and also determine the reason for this. In the case of "end face," machining is performed in a direction perpendicular to the spindle, so two pieces of information (cutting diameter 1 and cutting diameter 2) representing the outer and inner radial positions are set as the "cutting diameter" information.

[0037] Furthermore, the tooling list 52 can set information on cutting time, positioning time, and blade indexing time as setting data for time information. "Cutting time" is the total time spent machining the workpiece with the cutting tool in that process. "Positioning time" is the time required to determine the position of the cutting tool. "Blade indexing time" is the time required to index the cutting tool. The creation program 27 accepts changes to each setting data of the tooling list 52 described above and creates a new machining proposal table.

[0038] (Regarding Other Tables) The creation program 27 executes display processing for other tables, similar to the processing for the basic information table 51 and the tooling list 52, and accepts changes to the setting data as appropriate. Detailed descriptions of the other tables will be omitted. The cycle time table is a table that sets, for example, the process number, the model of each process, the number of machines, the cycle time for each process, each time included in the cycle time, and bottleneck processes. The transport table is a table that sets, for example, the cycle time of peripheral devices connected to machine tools, the loader that transports workpieces between machine tools and peripheral devices, and the positional information of the peripheral devices. The layout table is a table that displays, for example, the positional relationships between machine tools and peripheral devices lined up along a production line based on the positional information in the transport table. The creation program 27 displays each table in response to user operations, and after accepting changes to the setting data, displays a content confirmation screen (not shown). On this content confirmation screen, the creation program 27 displays the basic information table 51 and other information together, and displays a final save button that accepts final saving. When the final save button is operated, the creation program 27 saves the processing proposal table DT1, which reflects the changes accepted on the editing screen of the basic information table 51 or the like, in the management data 28 as a new processing proposal table. This allows a new processing proposal table to be created. When the reuse new button 47B or new button 47C is operated to create a new processing proposal table, the creation program 27 assigns a new management number to the new processing proposal table and stores it, for example. Furthermore, when the edit button 47A is operated to create a new processing proposal table, the creation program 27 updates the version (revision) information of the processing proposal table DT1 without issuing a new management number, for example.

[0039] (Regarding Similarity R) Next, the similarity R will be described. As described above, the creation program 27 obtains the similarity between the search conditions input in the search condition input section 34 in Fig. 2 and the setting data in the processing proposal table DT1, and displays the processing proposal tables DT1 in the search result display section 39 in Fig. 3 in order of increasing similarity. In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness are input in the search condition input section 34, and a search workpiece image 37 is also input and searched.

[0040] The creation program 27 calculates the similarity R using, for example, the following similarity calculation formula (1): R = Rs * Ws + Rg * Wg + Rm * Wm + Rk * Wk (1) Rs indicates the similarity of dimensional tolerances (hereinafter sometimes referred to as dimensional tolerance similarity), Rg indicates the similarity of geometric tolerances (hereinafter sometimes referred to as geometric tolerance similarity), Rm indicates the similarity of surface roughness (hereinafter sometimes referred to as surface roughness similarity), and Rk indicates the similarity of workpiece images 41 (workpiece shapes) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as image similarity). Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk are weighting coefficients for each of the similarities Rs to Rk. The weighting coefficients Ws to Wk are stored in coefficient data DT2. The creation program 27 uses the same value for the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk in one search operation. That is, when the reuse new button 47B is operated to start the search process, fixed values ​​are used as the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk to calculate the similarities Rs to Rk, and the similarity R is obtained.

[0041] The dimensional tolerance similarity Rs is calculated using the following formula (2): Rs = 1 - (|s1 - s2| / s1) (2) where s1 is, for example, the dimensional tolerance value input to the search condition input unit 34. s2 is the dimensional tolerance value of the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is to be obtained. s2 is, for example, the dimensional tolerance value with the strictest allowable conditions among the dimensional tolerances of all processes included in the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is to be obtained. Specifically, for example, if the maximum allowable dimension for a given process is set to "X + 0.5" and the minimum allowable dimension is set to "X - 0.4" with respect to a reference dimension X, the allowable range (tolerance) of the dimensional tolerance is 0.9 (= 0.5 + 0.4). On the other hand, if the maximum allowable dimension for the reference dimension X is set to "X+0.4" and the minimum allowable dimension is set to "X-0.3" as the dimensional tolerance for another process, the allowable range (tolerance) of the dimensional tolerance is 0.7 (=0.4+0.3). In this case, the strictest dimensional tolerance value is 0.7, which has the narrowest allowable range. The creation program 27 detects the dimensional tolerance with the smallest set value (narrowest allowable range) among the dimensional tolerances of all processes in the processing proposal table DT1 for which the similarity R is to be obtained, and sets this as s2 in the above calculation formula (2).

[0042] Similarly, the geometric tolerance similarity Rg is calculated using the following formula (3): Rg = 1 - (|g1 - g2| / g1) (3) where g1 is, for example, the value of the geometric tolerance input to the search condition input unit 34. g2 is the value of the geometric tolerance included in the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is obtained. Like s2, g2 is, for example, the value of the geometric tolerance with the strictest allowable conditions among the geometric tolerances of all processes included in the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is obtained. Specifically, a case will be described in which roundness is used as the geometric tolerance. If a geometric tolerance of 0.2 mm or less is set for a reference radius as the roundness of a given process, and a geometric tolerance of 0.3 mm or less is set for a reference radius as the roundness of another process, the strictest roundness value is 0.2 mm. The creation program 27 detects the circularity (geometric tolerance) with the smallest set value among the geometric tolerances of all processes in the processing proposal table DT1 for which the similarity R is to be obtained, and sets it as g2 in the above calculation formula (3).

[0043] Similarly, the surface roughness similarity Rm is calculated using the following formula (4): Rm = 1 - (|m1 - m2| / m1) (4) m1 is, for example, the surface roughness value input to the search condition input unit 34. m2 is the surface roughness value contained in the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is obtained. Like s2, m2 is, for example, the surface roughness value with the strictest allowable conditions among the surface roughnesses of all processes included in the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is obtained. Specifically, for example, when Ra (arithmetic mean roughness) is set as the surface roughness, the smallest Ra value among the Ra values ​​of all processes included in the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is obtained is set as the strictest surface roughness of that processing proposal table DT1. Similarly, when Rz (maximum height roughness) or RzJIS (ten-point average roughness) is adopted, the smallest value among the values ​​for all processes in the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is obtained is set as the most severe surface roughness in that processing proposal table DT1. The creation program 27 sets the smallest surface roughness as m2 in the above calculation formula (4).

[0044] Dimensional tolerances, geometric tolerances, and surface roughness are examples of setting data in the present disclosure. As described above, the setting data with the strictest allowable conditions in the present disclosure refers to, for example, the setting data with the highest required accuracy among multiple setting data of the same type. Note that the setting data in the present disclosure is not limited to dimensional tolerances, geometric tolerances, and surface roughness. For example, the cutting depth and feed rate may be used as setting data. In this case, the setting data with the strictest allowable conditions may be, for example, the largest cutting depth and feed rate of all processes contained in the machining proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is obtained. Therefore, the setting data with the strictest allowable conditions in the present disclosure is not limited to the setting data with the highest required accuracy, but may also be the setting data that requires the highest performance from the machine tool. Therefore, the setting data used to obtain the similarity R can be any data contained in the machining proposal table DT1 that reflects the characteristics of that table.

[0045] Furthermore, the image similarity Rk is calculated using the following calculation formula (5): Rk = k / 100 (5) where k is, for example, the similarity between the search workpiece image 37 input by the user to the image input unit 32 and the workpiece image 41 associated with the processing proposal table DT1 from which the similarity R is to be obtained, and is the value of the similarity determined by the AI ​​program of the creation program 27 described above. The AI ​​program of the creation program 27 calculates the similarity between the search workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41, for example, with a maximum value of 100. The creation program 27 sets the similarity determined by the AI ​​program as k in the above calculation formula (5).

[0046] The creation program 27 uses the above-described formulas (1) to (5) to calculate the similarity R for each of the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the management data 28. For example, the creation program 27 selects an arbitrary processing proposal table DT1 from the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 as the target processing proposal table DT1 for which the similarity R is to be obtained. The creation program 27 acquires s2, g2, and m2 with the strictest conditions from among all processes in the target processing proposal table DT1. The creation program 27 calculates the similarities Rs, Rg, and Rm based on the acquired s2, g2, and m2, s1, g1, and m1 acquired from the search condition input unit 34, and formulas (2) to (4). The creation program 27 also uses an AI program to determine the similarity between the search workpiece image 37 input to the image input unit 32 and the workpiece image 41 in the target processing proposal table DT1, obtains the value of k, and obtains the similarity Rk based on the acquired k and formula (5). The creation program 27 calculates the similarity R based on the acquired similarities Rs to Rk, the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk read from the coefficient data DT2, and the similarity calculation formula (1). The creation program 27 executes the above-mentioned process for all processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the management data 28 to acquire the similarities R.

[0047] Conventionally, processing proposal tables DT1 have generally been created on paper, and when reusing past processing proposal tables DT1, it was necessary to check the paper version. In contrast, the creation system 10 disclosed herein stores processing proposal tables DT1 as electronic data, making it easier to reuse past processing proposal tables DT1. When reusing past processing proposal tables DT1 to create new processing proposal tables, creation efficiency improves if similar target processing accuracy and processing content can be reused. However, as the number of processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the management data 28 increases, it may become more difficult to find a processing proposal table DT1 suitable for reuse. Therefore, the creation program 27 of this embodiment accepts dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness as search conditions in the search condition input unit 34 of FIG. 2 and calculates the similarity R for each processing proposal table DT1 stored in the management data 28 using the similarity calculation formula (1) described above. That is, the similarity R between the received search conditions and the setting data of each of the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the storage device 22 is obtained using the similarity calculation formula (1).The creation program 27 then displays the search result display section 39 based on the calculated similarity R. This makes it possible to present processing proposal tables suitable for use in creating a new processing proposal table.

[0048] The creation program 27 also acquires multiple processing proposal tables DT1 with high similarity R from the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the storage device 22 and displays the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 in descending order of similarity R. For example, the creation program 27 displays processing proposal tables DT1 with a predetermined similarity level or higher in the search result display unit 39 in descending order of similarity R. The creation program 27 then accepts the selection of a processing proposal table DT1 to be used to create a new processing proposal table from the multiple displayed processing proposal tables DT1, and creates the new processing proposal table using the selected processing proposal table DT1. This allows the user to prioritize reviewing processing proposal tables DT1 with higher similarity R. The user can search for and select a suitable processing proposal table DT1 for reuse from the multiple displayed processing proposal tables DT1. This allows for efficient creation of new processing proposal tables.

[0049] The creation program 27 does not have to display the processing proposal tables DT1 in the search result display unit 39 in descending order of similarity R. For example, the creation program 27 may display the processing proposal tables DT1 in ascending order of similarity R. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may display only the processing proposal table DT1 with the highest similarity R, for example. Therefore, the creation program 27 does not have to display multiple processing proposal tables DT1 as a list.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in the search condition input section 34 of FIG. 2 , the creation program 27 can set search conditions other than the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, surface roughness, and search workpiece image 37. In this case, the creation program 27 searches for other search conditions alone or in addition to other search conditions. For example, when a workpiece name is input, the creation program 27 searches the management data 28 for a machining proposal table DT1 with the input workpiece name. In this case, the creation program 27 may display the machining proposal tables DT1 in the search result display section 39 in descending order of registration date and time. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may perform an AND search to search for only machining proposal tables DT1 that satisfy all of the search conditions input to the search condition input section 34. For example, when a dimensional tolerance, etc., and a workpiece name are input, the creation program 27 searches for machining proposal tables DT1 with a high similarity R and a matching workpiece name. Alternatively, the creation program 27 may perform an OR search to search for a processing proposal table DT1 that satisfies at least one of the search conditions input to the search condition input unit 34. For example, when a dimensional tolerance or the like and a workpiece name are input, the creation program 27 may search for a processing proposal table DT1 whose similarity R is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference similarity, or whose workpiece name matches.

[0051] As described above, the creation program 27 calculates the similarity R between the received search conditions and the setting data of all processes contained in the processing proposal table DT1 for which the similarity R is to be determined. The setting data is the same type as the search conditions received by the search condition input unit 34 and has the strictest allowable conditions. This makes it possible to find a processing proposal table DT1 that is more suitable for the processing purpose of the new processing proposal table. For example, if the target tolerances are similar, the construction methods (process details, processing conditions) used to achieve them will also be similar. If the dimensional tolerance ranges are similarly narrow or the surface roughness values ​​are similarly small, the process details are likely to be similar. Therefore, by comparing the target accuracy required for the new processing proposal table with the highest accuracy required for the multiple accumulated processing proposal tables DT1, it is possible to find a processing proposal table DT1 that is more suitable for reusing the new processing proposal table.

[0052] The creation program 27 does not have to select the setting data with the strictest tolerance conditions as the value to be set in the similarity calculation formula (1). For example, the creation program 27 may select the setting data with the second strictest tolerance conditions. Alternatively, the creation program 27 may select the setting data with the loosest tolerance conditions. In this case, the creation program 27 may display a message on the search screen 31 such as, "Please enter the required dimensional tolerances, etc., with the widest tolerance range." The creation program 27 may also use the average value of the setting data included in the processing proposal table DT1 in the similarity calculation formula (1). For example, the creation program 27 may calculate the average value of the dimensional tolerances of all processes for any processing proposal table DT1 and use this as s2.

[0053] Furthermore, the creation program 27 can accept a search workpiece image 37 in addition to the search conditions on the search screen 31 of FIG. 2 . The creation program 27 acquires the machining proposal table DT1 from the storage device 22 based on the image similarity Rk between the accepted search workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41 contained in (associated with) the machining proposal table DT1, in addition to the search conditions. This allows for a search that takes into account the similarity of the workpiece shape as well as the similarity of the setting data, such as dimensional tolerances. It is possible to find a machining proposal table DT1 that is similar not only to the target machining accuracy but also to the machining shape. In other words, it is possible to find a machining proposal table DT1 that is more suitable for reusing as a new machining proposal table. The creation program 27 may perform a search using only the search workpiece image 37, or may perform a search using only search conditions, such as dimensional tolerances.

[0054] (Adjustment of Weighting Coefficients Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk) The weighting coefficients Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk are coefficients that change the degree of influence that each similarity Rs to Rk has on the similarity R, i.e., the similarity used in the final judgment. When the coefficient change button 48 shown in FIG. 2 is operated, the creation program 27 displays a coefficient change screen 71 shown in FIG. 7 and accepts changes to the weighting coefficients Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk. Note that the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk affect search results. For this reason, only users with specific privileges, such as an administrator user, may be permitted to change the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk. In this case, the creation program 27 may perform user authentication in response to operation of the coefficient change button 48. Alternatively, the coefficient change screen 71 may be displayed on a settings screen that can be operated only by the administrator.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7 , the creation program 27 displays the above-described calculation formula (1) at the top of the coefficient change screen 71. The creation program 27 also displays a similarity display section 73, four coefficient input sections 75, a save button 76, and a cancel button 77 on the coefficient change screen 71. The creation program 27 displays the search conditions (e.g., dimensional tolerances) entered in the search condition input section 34 of FIG. 2 , the setting data (e.g., the strictest dimensional tolerances) of the machining proposal table DT1 selected in the check boxes of the search result display section 39, and the similarities Rs, Rg, and Rm calculated based on the above-described formulas (2) to (4) in the similarity display section 73. The creation program 27 also displays the searched workpiece image 37 received in the image input section 32 of FIG. 2 , the workpiece image 41 of the machining proposal table DT1 selected in the check boxes of the search result display section 39, and the similarity Rk calculated based on the above-described formula (5) in the similarity display section 73. This allows the user to select from the list of search results a processing proposal table DT1 that is closest to the processing proposal table DT1 that the user wants to use, and then operate the coefficient change button 48 to set the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk while checking the similarities Rs to Rk for the selected processing proposal table DT1.

[0056] The creation program 27 may not display the similarity display section 73 when no processing proposal table DT1 is selected in the search result display section 39 or when the coefficient change button 48 is operated before a search. Alternatively, the creation program 27 may display the similarity display section 73 with the values ​​of each similarity Rs to Rk left blank. The creation program 27 may also accept the selection of multiple processing proposal tables DT1 from the list of processing proposal tables DT1 displayed in the search result display section 39 and display the similarities Rs to Rk for each of the multiple processing proposal tables DT1. This allows the user to select multiple processing proposal tables DT1 that are closest to the processing proposal table DT1 they want to use and check the similarities Rs to Rk.

[0057] The creation program 27 displays characters (such as weighting factor Ws (dimensional tolerance)) above each of the four coefficient input fields 75 indicating which weighting factor is being input. The creation program 27 also accepts changes to the weighting factors Ws to Wk in each of the four coefficient input fields 75. When displaying the coefficient change screen 71, the creation program 27 displays the weighting factors Ws to Wk set in the coefficient data DT2, i.e., the current set values, in each of the four coefficient input fields 75 and accepts changes. When the save button 76 is operated, the creation program 27 updates the weighting factors Ws to Wk of the coefficient data DT2 with the values ​​displayed or input in the four coefficient input fields 75. The creation program 27 terminates the display of the coefficient change screen 71 and displays the search screen 31. When the cancel button 77 is operated, the creation program 27 terminates the display of the coefficient change screen 71 and displays the search screen 31 without reflecting the values ​​displayed in the four coefficient input fields 75 in the coefficient data DT2.

[0058] Furthermore, the creation program 27 accepts inputs such that the sum of the four weighting coefficients Ws to Wk is, for example, "1." In FIG. 7 , the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk are all displayed as "0.25." In this case, the weights (degrees of influence) of the four weighting coefficients Ws to Wk are the same. For example, if the save button 76 is operated when the sum of the values ​​entered into the four coefficient input sections 75 is not "1," the creation program 27 displays an error message and does not accept any changes. The creation program 27 displays a message such as "Please set the sum of the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk to 1." This allows the user to set appropriate values ​​for the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk. The creation program 27 may accept values ​​greater than or less than 1 as the sum of the weighting coefficients Ws to Wk.

[0059] Next, the adjustment work of the weighting factors Ws to Wk performed by the user will be described. Figure 8 shows a flowchart of the adjustment work, illustrating a case where the user performs a search using two search conditions A and B and adjusts the weighting factors Ws to Wk. Note that the contents of the flowchart shown in Figure 8, the order of the work, the number of times, etc. are merely examples.

[0060] First, in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1 of FIG. 8 , the user sets each of the weighting factors Ws to Wk to a value of 0.25. For example, before entering the search workpiece image 37 and search conditions in the search condition input unit 34, the user operates the coefficient change button 48 to display the coefficient change screen 71, sets all of the weighting factors Ws to Wk to 0.25, and operates the save button 76 (S1). Next, the user searches the machining proposal table DT1 using search conditions A (S2). For example, the user enters the search workpiece image 37 of the workpiece A to be machined into the image input unit 32, enters dimensional tolerances and the like into the search condition input unit 34, and operates the search button 35 (S2).

[0061] Next, the user determines whether the search results displayed in the search result display section 39 are arranged in the desired order (S3). The desired order here means, for example, an order in which the machining proposal table DT1 with the workpiece shape or machining conditions that the user is looking for or requesting is ranked higher. The user may select a machining proposal table DT1 in the search result display section 39 and operate the edit button 47A or the like to appropriately check the contents of each machining proposal table DT1 (basic information table 51 and tooling list 52).

[0062] If the search results are not in the desired order (S3: NO), the user changes the weighting factors Ws through Wk (S4). For example, the user selects the processing proposal table DT1 that is closest to the user's desired one from the list of search results and then operates the coefficient change button 48. On the coefficient change screen 71, the user checks the similarities Rs through Rk in the similarity display section 73 and changes the weighting factors Ws through Wk in the coefficient input section 75. By displaying the similarity display section 73 based on the processing proposal table DT1 selected by the user, the user can check the similarity Rs through Rk of the table that is closest to the desired processing proposal table DT1. For example, the user can increase the weighting factor of the most similar (largest value) of the four similarities Rs through Rk, thereby increasing the similarity R of the desired processing proposal table DT1, i.e., increasing the ranking of the search results.

[0063] After setting the weighting factors Ws to Wk on the coefficient change screen 71, the user operates the save button 76 to redisplay the search screen 31 and perform another search while maintaining search condition A (S2). The user can set the weighting factors Ws to Wk in the desired order by repeating the steps S2 to S4. When the user determines that the desired order for search condition A has been reached (S3: YES), the user sets another search condition B on the search screen 31 and adjusts the weighting factors Ws to Wk in the same manner as for search condition A (S5, S6, S7). Search condition B, like search condition A, can be, for example, the search workpiece image 37 and dimensional tolerances of the workpiece B to be machined. Note that S5, S6, and S7 are the same as the operations in S2, S3, and S4 described above, except for the search conditions. Therefore, detailed descriptions of S5, S6, and S7 are omitted.

[0064] The user also adjusts the weighting factors Ws to Wk for search condition B by repeatedly searching the processing proposal table DT1 (S5), checking the order of the search results (S6: NO), and changing the weighting factors Ws to Wk (S7). When the user determines that the desired order has been reached for search condition B (S6: YES), the user ends the process shown in Fig. 8. Note that, in the example shown in Fig. 8, adjustment of the weighting factors Ws to Wk is performed for two search conditions A and B, but the number of search conditions may be one, or three or more.

[0065] Therefore, the processing proposal table DT1 of this embodiment includes setting data for dimensional tolerances, geometric tolerances, and surface roughness (examples of the first setting data and second setting data of the present disclosure). The creation program 27 accepts search conditions for dimensional tolerances, geometric tolerances, and surface roughness (examples of the first search conditions and second search conditions of the present disclosure) in the search condition input unit 34. When searching the processing proposal table DT1, the creation program 27 determines the similarity R based on the sum of values ​​obtained by multiplying the similarities Rs, Rg, and Rm of the dimensional tolerances, geometric tolerances, and surface roughness by weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm (examples of the first weighting factor and second weighting factor of the present disclosure). The creation program 27 also accepts changes to the weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm on the coefficient change screen 71 (S4, S7, an example of the coefficient change process of the present disclosure). The creation program 27 then executes a search again using the changed weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm (S2, S5, an example of the acquisition process of the present disclosure). This allows the user to input the search workpiece image 37 to be machined, dimensional tolerances, etc., on the search screen 31, search the machining proposal table DT1, check the search results, and repeatedly change the weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm, thereby adjusting the weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm so that the search results are sorted in the desired order. Furthermore, in addition to initial settings for the weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm, the weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm can also be adjusted appropriately after the machine tool has started operating. If a deviation in the search results occurs due to changes in the machining conditions or the machining environment, such as a decrease in the rigidity of the machine tool or the adoption of a new tool, the weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm can be adjusted again.

[0066] The creation program 27 also determines the similarity R based on the sum of the similarities Rs, Rg, and Rm multiplied by the weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm, respectively, plus the similarity Rk between the searched workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41 multiplied by the weighting factor Wk (an example of an image weighting factor in the present disclosure) (Rk * Wk). The creation program 27 also accepts changes to the weighting factor Wk on the coefficient change screen 71 (S4, S7) and performs a search again using the changed weighting factors Ws to Wk (S2, S5). By repeatedly searching the machining proposal table DT1, checking the search results, and changing the weighting factor Wk, the weighting factor Wk can be adjusted to a value that results in the desired sort order of the search results. In addition to the similarities Rs to Rm of setting data such as dimensional tolerances, the weighting factor Wk can also be adjusted to an appropriate value for the similarity Rk of the workpiece shape. This allows for more accurate identification of machining proposal tables DT1 with similar machining shapes.

[0067] The creation program 27 also has a function for automatically adjusting the weighting factors Ws to Wk so that the processing proposal table DT1 selected by the user has a higher similarity R in the similarity R determination. For example, when an arbitrary processing proposal table DT1 is selected in the search result display section 39 and the automatic coefficient adjustment button 49 shown in FIG. 2 is operated, the creation program 27 adjusts the weighting factors Ws to Wk so that the similarity R of the selected processing proposal table DT1 is higher (an example of the coefficient adjustment process disclosed herein). Specifically, the creation program 27 increases the weighting factor of the highest similarity among the similarities Rs to Rk based on the selected processing proposal table DT1 by a predetermined fixed value. This allows the weighting factors Ws to Wk to be adjusted so that the processing proposal table DT1 selected by the user is ranked higher in the search results. This reduces the user's burden of adjusting the weighting factors Ws to Wk.

[0068] When the automatic coefficient adjustment button 49 is operated, the creation program 27 displays an adjustment result screen 79 shown in FIG. 9 superimposed on the search screen 31. The creation program 27 displays a message indicating that the adjustment is complete and the adjusted values ​​of the weighting factors Ws to Wk on the adjustment result screen 79. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the dimensional tolerance similarity Rs is higher than the other similarities Rg, Rm, and Rk, so the dimensional tolerance weighting factor Ws is set relatively higher than the other weighting factors Wg, Wm, and Wk. For example, the creation program 27 adjusts the weighting factor Ws by +0.3 and the other weighting factors Wg, Wm, and Wk by −0.1. Therefore, the creation program 27 reduces the weighting factors of the similarities other than the highest similarity by the same amount (−0.1 in the above example) and increases the weighting factor of the highest similarity by the amount the other similarities were reduced (0.3 in the above example). When the close button 81 on the adjustment result screen 79 is operated, the creation program 27 displays the search screen 31 shown in FIG. 2 again.

[0069] The method for automatically adjusting the weighting factors Ws to Wk is not limited to the method of increasing the weighting factor of the highest similarity by a predetermined fixed value. For example, the creation program 27 may increase the weighting factors Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk in ascending order of the similarities Rs, Rg, Rm, and Rk. For example, if the similarities Rs, Rg, Rm, and Rk increase in this order, the weighting factors Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk may be set to values ​​of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4, respectively. Alternatively, the creation program 27 may set the weighting factors Ws to Wk according to the ratio of the similarities Rs to Rk based on the selected processing proposal table DT1. For example, if the ratio of the magnitudes of the similarities Rs, Rg, Rm, and Rk is 0.1:0.2:0.2:0.5, in this order, the weighting factors Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk are set to values ​​of 0.1, 0.2, 0.2, and 0.5, in this order. The creation program 27 may also perform machine learning on the relationship between the search work image 37 and search conditions set on the search screen 31 and the weighting factors Ws to Wk set on the coefficient change screen 71 thereafter, and automatically set the weighting factors Ws to Wk based on the learned results.

[0070] The creation program 27 may also accept the selection of multiple processing proposal tables DT1 in the search result display section 39 and adjust the weighting factors Ws to Wk based on the similarities Rs to Rk of the selected processing proposal tables DT1. For example, the creation program 27 may calculate the average value of each of the similarities Rs to Rk for the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 selected by the user and adjust the weighting factors Ws to Wk based on the magnitude of the calculated average value. The creation program 27 may also adjust the weighting factors Ws to Wk multiple times based on a single operation of the automatic coefficient adjustment button 49. For example, the creation program 27 may accept the selection of multiple processing proposal tables DT1 and adjust the weighting factors Ws to Wk until all of the selected processing proposal tables DT1 are sorted in order (ranked at the top) from the first in the search results.

[0071] (Process Search) The creation program 27 of this embodiment is capable of not only searching the machining proposal table DT1 based on the above-described similarity calculation formula (1), but also searching by process unit. For example, when an icon for adding a process (the plus icon in FIG. 6) among the operation icons 67 is operated with an arbitrary process selected on the editing screen of the tooling list 52 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the creation program 27 displays a process search screen 85 shown in FIG. 10. The creation program 27 adds the process searched and selected on the process search screen 85 as the process next to the process selected on the tooling list 52.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 10 , the creation program 27 displays a process search condition input section 87, a coefficient change button 88, an automatic coefficient adjustment button 89, and a search button 90 on the process search screen 85. The creation program 27 displays input fields for, for example, tool number, dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, surface roughness, and processing content (characters) in the process search condition input section 87. Note that the input values ​​shown in FIG. 10 are merely examples. When the search button 90 is operated, the creation program 27 searches for a process corresponding to the search conditions entered in the process search condition input section 87 from among the processes included in the machining proposal table DT1 stored in the management data 28. The creation program 27 displays the detected multiple processes in descending order of similarity on a process search result screen (not shown). For example, on this process search result screen, the creation program 27 displays items for each process, from left to right, such as model, process, ..., and tool index time, similar to the processes (rows) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 . The creation program 27 displays the detected processes in order from top to bottom, and displays a check box and similarity to the left of each process, as in Fig. 3. By selecting a desired process from the list displayed on the process search result screen using the check box, the user can add the selected process as the next process after the process selected in the tooling list 52 in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0073] When a cutting tool number or machining content (such as outer diameter) is input in the process search condition input section 87, the creation program 27 searches for a process that matches the input cutting tool number or machining content. Furthermore, when a dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, or surface roughness (one example of a process search condition of the present disclosure) is input in the process search condition input section 87, the creation program 27 uses the above-described similarity calculation formula (1) to search for a process with a high degree of similarity from among the processes included in the machining proposal table DT1 stored in the management data 28. Therefore, in the search on the process search screen 85, the creation program 27 determines the similarity on a process-by-process basis and searches for a process.

[0074] The coefficient data DT2 stores weight coefficients Ws to Wm for process search, separate from the weight coefficients Ws to Wm used when searching the machining proposal table DT1. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the search workpiece image 37 is not used in the process search, so the weight coefficient Wk for process search is unnecessary. The creation program 27 acquires the similarities Rs, Rg, and Rm between the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness input to the process search condition input unit 87 and the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness of each process using the above-described formulas (2) to (4). The creation program 27 calculates the similarities Rs, Rg, and Rm using the acquired similarities Rs, Rg, and Rm, the weight coefficients Ws to Wm for process search, and the similarity calculation formula (1), and displays the similarities on the process search result screen in descending order of similarity.

[0075] Therefore, the creation program 27 accepts an instruction to add a process on the editing screen of the tooling list 52 via the operation icon 67 and the process search screen 85. The creation program 27 accepts process search conditions, such as dimensional tolerances, for the process to be added, and also accepts the processing content (e.g., outer diameter) of the process (an example of a process reception process disclosed herein). The creation program 27 acquires the similarity between the process search conditions accepted on the process search screen 85 and the setting data (e.g., dimensional tolerances) for each process in each of the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the storage device 22 using similarity calculation formula (1). The creation program 27 acquires processes that have a high acquired similarity and match the accepted processing content (an example of a process acquisition process disclosed herein). The creation program 27 accepts, from the acquired processes, a selection of a process to be added to a new processing proposal table on the process search result screen (an example of an added process reception process disclosed herein). This allows a user to search for and add a new process based on the similarity of dimensional tolerances and processing content when adding a new process. By adding similar processes, the workload of adjusting the setting data after the addition can be reduced. Also, since the registered processing proposal table DT1 can be reused on a process-by-process basis rather than on a table-by-table basis, the accumulated processing proposal table DT1 can be used effectively.

[0076] 10, the creation program 27 may accept adjustments to the weighting factors Ws to Wm used to search for processes in response to operation of a coefficient change button 88 or an automatic coefficient adjustment button 89. The coefficient change button 88 and the automatic coefficient adjustment button 89 are similar to the coefficient change button 48 and the automatic coefficient adjustment button 49 shown in FIG. 2, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. When the coefficient change button 88 is operated, the creation program 27 displays a screen similar to the coefficient change screen 71 shown in FIG. 7, similar to the coefficient change button 48, and accepts changes to the weighting factors Ws to Wm. When the automatic coefficient adjustment button 89 is operated, the creation program 27 performs automatic adjustment of the weighting factors Ws to Wm, similar to the automatic coefficient adjustment button 49, and displays a screen similar to the adjustment result screen 79 shown in FIG.

[0077] Incidentally, the processing proposal table creation device 11 is an example of a computer of the present disclosure. The CPU 21 is an example of a processing unit. The network IF 24 is an example of an input unit of the present disclosure. The weighting factors Ws, Wg, and Wm are examples of a first weighting factor and a second weighting factor. The weighting factor Wk is an example of an image weighting factor. The data contained in the basic information table 51 and the tooling list 52 are examples of setting data, first setting data, and second setting data. The conditions input to the search condition input unit 34 are examples of search conditions, first search conditions, and second search conditions.

[0078] As described above, the present embodiment provides the following advantages. The creation program 27 (creation device 11), which is one aspect of the present embodiment, accepts setting data such as dimensional tolerances as search conditions in the search condition input section 34 of the search screen 31 (an example of the receiving process of the present disclosure). The creation program 27 acquires a processing proposal table DT1 from the storage device 22 based on the similarity R between the accepted search conditions and the setting data (such as dimensional tolerances) of each of the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the storage device 22 (an example of the acquiring process of the present disclosure). The creation program 27 creates a new processing proposal table using the acquired processing proposal table DT1 ( FIGS. 4 to 6 , an example of the creating process of the present disclosure). This allows the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the storage device 22 to be searched for a processing proposal table DT1 having setting data similar to the setting data entered by the user. It is possible to search for a processing proposal table DT1 suitable for use in creating a new processing proposal table, such as a processing proposal table DT1 that is similar to the processing target of the new processing proposal table.

[0079] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the screen configurations and display items shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, 9, and 10 in the above-described embodiments are merely examples. The processing content of the creation program 27 described above is also merely an example. For example, the creation program 27 may not accept changes to the weighting factors Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk. The creation program 27 may determine the similarity R based on at least one search condition among dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness. The creation program 27 may not be configured to automatically adjust the weighting factors Ws, Wg, Wm, and Wk. The creation program 27 may not be configured to determine similarity using the search workpiece image 37. The creation program 27 may not be configured to search for processes using the process search screen 85.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the machining proposal table DT1 is described as using multiple types of machine tools, but the creation program 27 may create a machining proposal table DT1 using only one type of machine tool. The information stored as the machining proposal table DT1 in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the type of table to be stored, the item names, number, and type of information may be changed as appropriate. For example, the tooling list 52 may include setting data for at least one of dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness.

[0081] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the dependent relationships set forth in the claims. For example, this specification also discloses a technical idea in which claim 4 changes "the processing proposal table creation device according to claim 1 or claim 2" to "the processing proposal table creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3." It also discloses a technical idea in claim 6 changes "the processing proposal table creation device according to claim 4" to "the processing proposal table creation device according to claim 4 or claim 5." It also discloses a technical idea in claim 8 changes "the processing proposal table creation device according to claim 1 or claim 2" to "the processing proposal table creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7."

[0082] 11 Processing proposal table creation device (computer), 21 CPU (processing unit), 22 storage device, 24 network IF (input unit), 27 processing proposal table creation program, 37 searched workpiece image, 41 workpiece image, 51 basic information table, 52 tooling list, DT1 processing proposal table, DT2 coefficient data, R similarity, Ws, Wg, Wm weighting coefficients (first weighting coefficient, second weighting coefficient), Wk weighting coefficient (image weighting coefficient).

Claims

1. A processing proposal table creation device that creates a new processing proposal table using a processing proposal table stored in a storage device, comprising: an input unit; and a processing unit that processes information input via the input unit, wherein the processing proposal table has setting data related to processing of a workpiece for each process, and the processing unit executes the following steps: a reception process that receives the setting data as search conditions via the input unit; an acquisition process that acquires the processing proposal table from the storage device based on the similarity between the search conditions received by the reception process and the setting data of each of a plurality of the processing proposal tables stored in the storage device; and a creation process that creates the new processing proposal table using the processing proposal table acquired by the acquisition process.

2. The processing unit of claim 1, wherein, in the acquisition process, the processing unit acquires a plurality of processing proposal tables having a high degree of similarity from the plurality of processing proposal tables stored in the storage device, and displays the plurality of processing proposal tables in descending order of the degree of similarity; and, in the creation process, accepts a selection of a processing proposal table to be used in creating the new processing proposal table from the plurality of processing proposal tables displayed by the acquisition process, and creates the new processing proposal table using the selected processing proposal table.

3. The processing proposal table creation device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the setting data is at least one of the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance, and surface roughness of the workpiece in the processing of the process for which the setting data is set, and the processing unit, in the acquisition process, acquires the processing proposal table based on the similarity between the search conditions accepted in the reception process and the setting data of the same type as the search conditions accepted in the reception process and having the strictest allowable conditions, among the setting data of all the processes included in the processing proposal table.

4. The processing proposal table creation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit has, as the setting data, first setting data and second setting data of a different type from the first setting data, and the processing unit, in the reception process, receives first search conditions for determining a similarity with the first setting data and second search conditions for determining a similarity with the second setting data, in the acquisition process, determines a similarity between the search conditions and the setting data based on a sum of a value obtained by multiplying the similarity between the first setting data and the first search conditions by a first weighting coefficient and a value obtained by multiplying the similarity between the second setting data and the second search conditions by a second weighting coefficient, executes a coefficient change process for receiving changes to the first weighting coefficient and the second weighting coefficient via the input unit, and executes the acquisition process again using the first weighting coefficient and the second weighting coefficient after being changed by the coefficient change process.

5. The processing unit of claim 4, wherein the processing unit, in the acquisition process, acquires and displays, in order, a plurality of the processing proposal tables having a high degree of similarity from among the plurality of the processing proposal tables stored in the storage device, accepts a selection of the processing proposal table to be used for adjusting the first weighting coefficient and the second weighting coefficient from among the plurality of the processing proposal tables displayed by the acquisition process, and executes a coefficient adjustment process to adjust the first weighting coefficient and the second weighting coefficient so that the selected processing proposal table has a higher degree of similarity in a similarity judgment.

6. The processing proposal table creation device according to claim 4, wherein the processing proposal table has a workpiece image showing the shape of the workpiece after processing, and the processing unit, in the reception process, receives a searched workpiece image via the input unit in addition to the search conditions, and in the acquisition process, acquires the processing proposal table from the storage device based on the similarity between the searched workpiece image received by the reception process and the workpiece image held by each of the multiple processing proposal tables stored in the storage device, in addition to the search conditions.

7. The processing unit, in the acquisition process, determines the similarity between the search conditions and the setting data based on a total value obtained by multiplying the similarity between the first setting data and the first search conditions by the first weighting coefficient, adding the similarity between the second setting data and the second search conditions by the second weighting coefficient, and the similarity between the searched work image and the work image by the image weighting coefficient; accepts a change to the image weighting coefficient in the coefficient change process via the input unit; and re-executes the acquisition process using the first weighting coefficient, the second weighting coefficient, and the image weighting coefficient after being changed by the coefficient change process.

8. The processing unit executes the following steps: a process reception process that receives, via the input unit, an instruction to add the process to the processing proposal table acquired by the acquisition process, and for the process to be added, receives, via the input unit, the setting data as process search conditions and receives the processing content of the process; a process acquisition process that acquires a similarity between the process search conditions accepted by the process acceptance process and the setting data for each process in each of the multiple processing proposal tables stored in the storage device, and acquires from the storage device the process that has a high acquired similarity and matches the processing content accepted by the process acceptance process; and an additional process acceptance process that accepts, via the input unit, a selection of the process to be added to the new processing proposal table from among the acquired processes.

9. A processing proposal table creation program that causes a computer to execute a process of creating a new processing proposal table using a processing proposal table stored in a storage device, the computer having an input unit, the processing proposal table having setting data related to processing of a workpiece for each process, and causes the computer to execute a reception process of receiving the setting data as search conditions via the input unit, an acquisition process of acquiring the processing proposal table from the storage device based on the similarity between the search conditions accepted by the reception process and the setting data held by each of a plurality of the processing proposal tables stored in the storage device, and a creation process of creating the new processing proposal table using the processing proposal table acquired by the acquisition process.

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