Function state determination device and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

A function state determination device according to the present disclosure comprises: an internal information acquisition unit that acquires a setting file and an operation file which are internal information pertaining to a numerical control device; a condition designation unit that designates, in the setting file and the operation file, setting information and operation information which are necessary for determination of the availability / unavailability of a function; a determination unit that uses the setting information and the operation information to determine availability / unavailability of the function at a prescribed timing; and an output unit that outputs the result of the determination of availability / unavailability of the function.

Description

Functional state determination device and computer-readable storage medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a functional state determination device and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002] Numerical control device manufacturers offer multiple types of numerical control devices, each with different types of machine tools to be controlled, types of machining, machining precision, price, etc.

[0003] Numerical control devices have basic functions and optional functions. Basic functions are functions that are pre-installed in the numerical control device and are determined by the type of numerical control device. Optional functions are functions that are added to the basic functions.

[0004] To use an optional function, it is necessary to set parameters and purchase / register the optional function. Conventionally, there is a technique for presenting parameters related to the optional function to the user to simplify the parameter setting. For example, see Patent Document 1.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-234714

[0006] Basic and optional functions are built into machine tools together with I / O devices and motors configured by the machine manufacturer. Even with the same numerical control device, the functions and operations that are enabled vary for each machine tool, so certain conditions must be met to enable a function. In recent years, as machine tools have become more multifunctional and sophisticated, functions may be enabled or disabled depending on the operation of ladder or external applications.

[0007] As the conditions for enabling features have become more complex, even if a feature is installed, it may be disabled because the conditions for enabling the feature are not met, which may result in unexpected behavior.

[0008] In the field of numerical control devices, it is desirable to easily determine whether a function is enabled or disabled.

[0009] A functional status determination device that is one aspect of the present disclosure includes an internal information acquisition unit that acquires a setting file and an operation file, which are internal information of a numerical control device; a condition designation unit that specifies the setting information and operation information necessary to determine whether a function is enabled or disabled from the setting file and operation file; a determination unit that uses the setting information and operation information to determine whether the function is enabled or disabled at a predetermined timing; and an output unit that outputs the determination result of whether the function is enabled or disabled.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between optional functions and basic functions. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a functional state determination device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between a functional state determination device and a numerical control device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information required to determine whether a function is enabled / disabled. FIG. 4 shows an example of operation information required to determine whether a function is enabled / disabled. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information and a determination content using the setting information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation information and a determination content using the operation information. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the speed of an axis of a certain system. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining whether three functions are enabled / disabled. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reason for the determination result. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of the determination result when the enable / disable of a function is determined continuously. FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displaying the determination result of whether a function is enabled / disabled at a certain point in time and the reason for the determination. FIG. 12 is an example of a screen displaying the determination result and a graph of the speed of a certain axis in the same chronological order. FIG. 13 is a hardware configuration diagram of a functional state determination device.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted.

[0012] In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX," and includes cases where it is based on other elements in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is used directly, but also includes cases where it is based on XX that has been calculated or processed. "XX" is any element (for example, any information).

[0013] The functional state determination device of this embodiment determines whether the basic functions and optional functions installed in the numerical control device are enabled or disabled. Prior to describing the functional state determination device, optional functions will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows three types of numerical control devices. Each of the three types of numerical control devices has different basic functions. Users can add optional functions to the basic functions. The optional functions include, for example, multi-axis control, axis synchronization control, coordinate system switching, and cycle machining.

[0014] 2 is a block diagram of the functional state determination device 100. The functional state determination device 100 includes an internal information acquisition unit 1, a condition specification unit 2, a determination unit 3, an identification unit 4, and an output unit 5.

[0015] The internal information acquisition unit 1 acquires internal information of the numerical control device. The internal information is information stored in the memory or hard disk of the numerical control device. The internal information acquisition unit 1 acquires the internal information in the form of a setting file and an operation file. The setting file records setting information for the numerical control device and the machine tool. The operation file changes dynamically depending on the operating status of the numerical control device and the machine tool.

[0016] The method of acquiring internal information differs depending on whether the functional state determination device 100 is a numerical control device, whether the functional state determination device 100 is connected to the numerical control device via a network, or whether the setting file and operation file are stored in some kind of storage medium (not shown). When the functional state determination device 100 is a numerical control device (top of FIG. 3), the internal information acquisition unit 1 is implemented in the numerical control device. The internal information acquisition unit 1 acquires the setting file and operation file from the memory of the numerical control device. When the functional state determination device 100 and the numerical control device are connected via a network (center of FIG. 3), the functional state determination device 100 receives the setting file and operation file from the numerical control device. When the setting file and operation file are recorded on some kind of storage medium (bottom of FIG. 3), the functional state determination device 100 reads the setting file and operation file from the storage medium.

[0017] Hereinafter, the information contained in the setting file and the operation file that is used to determine whether a function is enabled or disabled will be referred to as setting information and operation information. The condition specification unit 2 specifies the setting information and operation information. Figure 4 shows an example of setting information that is used to determine whether a function is enabled or disabled. The setting information includes information on optional functions and package options, activation parameters, values ​​of related parameters, software type, configuration information of the machine tool and numerical control device, etc.

[0018] Options and package options are information about optional functions and package options installed in the numerical control device. Activation parameters are parameters that activate basic functions and optional functions. Related parameters are related parameters that affect whether basic functions and optional functions are enabled or disabled. Software type corresponds to the type of numerical control device. Software type is related to the basic functions of the numerical control device. Configuration information of the machine tool and numerical control device includes the performance of the numerical control device's CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory) capacity, and the axis configuration of the machine tool. Setting information also includes the source from which it was obtained. Setting information can be obtained from parameters and system information.

[0019] Figure 5 shows an example of operation information used to determine whether a function is enabled or disabled. Operation information is dynamic (time-series changing) information related to the operation of the machine tool and numerical control device that are the objects of control. Operation information includes machining programs, signals, external inputs, motor information, control information, etc. Operation information also includes the source of the information.

[0020] The sources of information such as machining programs, signals, and external inputs are modal, parameter, signal, and other settings. For example, optional functions (G-code) of a machining program can be obtained from the values ​​of the corresponding parameters and signals. The values ​​of the parameters and signals are used to determine the optional functions being executed. Signals also correspond to the status of the machine. Ladder control signals linked to axis control indicate the status of the axes. Furthermore, there are signals linked to tool loaders and coolant devices, which are used to determine the status of tools and coolant. Signals and other settings may correspond to external inputs. For example, signals and settings are used to determine external inputs such as from an operation panel or manual pulse generator.

[0021] The motor information includes the motor rotation speed, speed, load torque, etc. The control information includes the tool movement direction, tool movement amount, tolerance amount, etc. The source of the motor information and control information is, for example, an internal flag in the motor control buffer.

[0022] The determination unit 3 determines the function status (enabled / disabled) at a predetermined timing. The timing of determination may be a default or may be specified by the user.

[0023] The determination content of the determination unit 3 is linked to the setting information. FIG. 6 shows an example of the determination content linked to the setting information. The first determination content is the presence / absence of an option. In this example, it is determined whether an optional function is installed. Installation is a prerequisite for determining whether an optional function is "enabled." Basic functions are pre-installed with the numerical control device. Optional functions may be installed individually or as a package option. The second determination content is the activation parameter. The activation parameter is a parameter that sets an installed function to "enabled" or "disabled." If an activation parameter with a certain number is set to "disabled," the function corresponding to that number is disabled. However, the activation parameter is not deterministic. Even if the activation parameter is "enabled," the function may be disabled. The third determination content is the related parameter. The related parameter is a parameter that affects (is related to) whether a function is enabled or disabled. The related parameter indicates whether the function is "enabled" or "disabled." Even if the activation parameter is "enabled," the function may be disabled depending on the value of the related parameter. As an example, in the deceleration function, if the allowable acceleration is too low, the look-ahead control option of the machining program is disabled.

[0024] The fourth determination content is the software type and configuration information. The software type indicates the type of basic functions installed in the numerical control device. The basic functions differ depending on the type of numerical control device. The basic functions can affect the determination of whether a function is enabled or disabled. The determination unit 3 determines whether a function is usable based on the software type. The configuration information includes the CPU performance of the numerical control device, RAM capacity, and axis configuration of the machine tool. The CPU performance, RAM capacity, and axis configuration of the machine tool affect the determination of whether an optional function is usable. The determination unit 3 determines whether a function is usable based on the configuration information.

[0025] FIG. 7 shows an example of the determination content linked to the operation information. The machining program, signals, and external inputs are conditions for determining whether or not to change the function to a usable state. By checking the machining program, it is possible to determine which function has been commanded. Furthermore, it is possible to determine which function is being executed from signals. External inputs (HMI or pendant) affect the operating state of the numerical control device.

[0026] Functions have dependencies. In other words, when one function is enabled, another function is disabled. To be more specific, to enable a function that uses special tools, the function to add tool types may be required. Whether a function that uses special tools is enabled or disabled depends on whether the function to add tool types is enabled or disabled. In addition, when the tilt axis coordinate system function is enabled, the function that uses the Cartesian coordinate system is disabled. Whether coordinate system functions are enabled or disabled is mutually dependent.

[0027] When the enabled / disabled state of a function that is depended upon changes dynamically, the enabled / disabled state of the dependent function may also change dynamically. The determination unit 3 determines whether the dependent functions are enabled / disabled based on the change in the enabled / disabled state of the function. The enabled / disabled state of a function can be obtained from a parameter. For example, when the parameter number of function A is "No. 11111," if "No. 11111 = 0," function A is set to "disabled," and if No. 11111 = 1, function B is set to "enabled."

[0028] Motor information and control information indicate whether the internal state allows a function to be used. The motor's operating state, the tool movement direction and amount commanded to the motor, and the tolerance amount are conditions for determining whether an optional function can be used.

[0029] The determination unit 3 determines whether a function is enabled or disabled. The conditions for the determination are determined by referring to the condition specification unit 2. Whether a function is enabled or disabled changes dynamically in response to changes in the operating state of the machine tool and in the setting information. The timing for the determination may be at predetermined time intervals, or may be triggered by a change in the operating state or in the setting information. The timing for the determination may be at a time specified by the user or around that time.

[0030] An example of determining the functional status (enabled / disabled function) at a time specified by the user and before and after that time will be described below. FIG. 8 shows the speed of a certain axis of a certain system (here, the Z axis of system 2). The speed of the motor or axis can be obtained from the operation file. In the example of FIG. 8, it is assumed that an unexpected operation (change in speed) occurred at a specific timing (N40). The unexpected operation may be caused by a dynamic change in the functional status.

[0031] The determination unit 3 determines the functional state at the time when the unexpected operation occurs. Fig. 9 shows an example of determining whether three functions, function A, function B, and function C, are enabled or disabled.

[0032] In the setting information, the package option including function A is set to "enabled." In addition, the activation parameter is "used," and the related parameters are also "usable." In the operation information, the signal at the time when the unexpected operation occurred is "setting not to use function A." In the motor information, "state in which function A can be used." The determination unit 3 determines whether the function is enabled or disabled based on the determination content by referring to the setting information and operation information. In the case of function A, since the signal in the operation information is "setting not to use function A," at a certain point in time, function A is determined to be "disabled."

[0033] For function B, in the setting information, the option is set to "enabled", the activation parameter is set to "used", and the related parameters are also set to "enabled". In the operation information, the machining program is in a state where "there are no commands related to function B", and the control information is in a state where "function B depends on function A".

[0034] The determination unit 3 determines that function B is "enabled" at a certain point in time because the operation information indicates that "function B depends on function A" and that "function A is not used."

[0035] In the configuration file, function C is set to "disabled." Also, no package options including function C are registered. Therefore, the determination unit 3 determines that function C is "disabled" at a certain point in time.

[0036] The identifying unit 4 identifies the reason for the determination. In the example of Fig. 10, the identifying unit 4 identifies that the reason function A is "disabled" is because the signal is "set not to use function A." The identifying unit 4 also identifies that the reason function B is "enabled" is because "function A is not being used." The identifying unit 4 also identifies that the reason function C is "disabled" is because "function C is set to be disabled."

[0037] The output unit 5 outputs the judgment result and the reason for the judgment. The means of output include screen display, file output, printing, data, etc. FIG. 11 shows an example of a display screen when the validity / invalidity of a function is judged consecutively. In the example of FIG. 11, "Function A" is "invalid" and "Function B" is "valid" at "N10", "N20", and "N30", and "Function A" switches to "valid" and "Function B" switches to "invalid" at "N40". Then, "Function A" switches to "invalid" and "Function B" switches to "valid" at "N50".

[0038] 12 is an example of a screen display of the determination results and the reason for the determination in "N40." In the example of FIG. 12, the "XXX control function (function A)" is "enabled," the "YYY function (function B)" is "disabled," the "ZZZ package" is "disabled," and the "PPP extension" is "enabled." Furthermore, the reason for the invalidation of the "YYY function" is "Gyyy.y signal," and the reason for the invalidation of the "ZZZ package" is "The activation parameter for No. ZZZZ.Z is invalid."

[0039] 13 shows an example in which the function enable / disable determination result and a speed graph are displayed in the same time series. The graph visually shows that the point at which the speed changes (arrow A) and the point at which the speed returns to the original value (arrow B) are the same points at which the function switches between enabled and disabled.

[0040] When a table showing changes in whether functions are enabled / disabled and a graph showing changes in speed are displayed in the same time series, it becomes clear that changes in whether functions are enabled / disabled are correlated with changes in speed.

[0041] The judgment results and reasons for judgment in Figures 11, 12, 13, etc. can be used as information for investigating the cause of the operation of the numerical control device. In this example, it can be inferred that the operation of the signal at "N40" was the cause of the speed change. More specifically, it can be inferred that operating the signal at "N40" switched between enabled and disabled for function A and function B, activated the function that changed the speed override, and caused the speed change.

[0042] If the functional state determination device 100 is a numerical control device, the determination result is output to the screen of the numerical control device. If the functional state determination device 100 is a personal computer (PC) connected to the numerical control device, the determination result is output to the screen of the PC.

[0043] As described above, the functional state determination device 100 of this embodiment acquires information used to determine whether a function is enabled or disabled from the setting file and operation file, which are internal information of the numerical control device, and determines whether a function is enabled or disabled from the acquired setting information and operation information in accordance with predetermined determination content. This allows the user to determine whether a function is enabled or disabled at a given time.

[0044] The function state determination device 100 may continuously determine whether a function is enabled or disabled. By continuously determining whether a function is enabled or disabled, the timing at which the function switches between enabled and disabled can be known.

[0045] The functional state determination device 100 outputs the reason for the determination together with the determination result. The output of the reason assists the user in making a decision.

[0046] The function state determination device 100 may display the reason for the valid / invalid determination and the timing of the valid / invalid switch in the same chronological order, thereby allowing a user to visually recognize changes in the operation of the numerical control device and changes in the timing of the function's valid / invalid switch.

[0047] The hardware configuration of a functional state determination device 100 to which the present disclosure is applied will be described below. Fig. 14 is a hardware configuration diagram of the functional state determination device 100. As shown in Fig. 14, the functional state determination device 100 includes a CPU 111 that controls the entire functional state determination device 100, a ROM 112 that records programs and data, and a RAM 113 for temporarily expanding data, and the CPU 111 reads out a system program recorded in the ROM 112 via a bus.

[0048] The nonvolatile memory 114 is backed up by, for example, a battery (not shown), and thus maintains its stored state even when the power to the functional state determination device 100 is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 114 stores various data such as programs read from the external device 120 via the interfaces 115, 118, and 119 and operation inputs input via the input device 20. The nonvolatile memory 114 may store programs and data for executing the functional state determination device 100 of this embodiment.

[0049] The interface 115 is an interface for connecting the functional state determination device 100 to an external device 120 such as an adapter. Programs, various parameters, etc. are loaded from the external device 120. The interface 118 is an interface for connecting the functional state determination device 100 to a display device 30 such as a liquid crystal display. The display device 30 displays various data loaded into memory, data obtained as a result of executing programs, etc. The interface 119 is an interface for connecting the functional state determination device 100 to an input device 20 such as a keyboard or pointing device. The input device 20 passes commands, data, etc. based on operations by an operator to the CPU 111 via the interface 119.

[0050] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the gist of the present disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, these embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these.

[0051] The following are supplementary notes related to embodiments of the present disclosure. (Supplementary Note 1) A functional state determination device (100) includes an internal information acquisition unit (1) that acquires a setting file and an operation file, which are internal information of a numerical control device; a condition designation unit (2) that specifies setting information and operation information necessary for determining whether a function is enabled or disabled from the setting file and operation file; a determination unit (3) that determines whether a function is enabled or disabled at a predetermined timing using the setting information and operation information; and an output unit (5) that outputs the determination result of whether the function is enabled or disabled. (Supplementary Note 2) The timing is a certain point in time, and the determination unit (3) determines whether the function is enabled or disabled using operation information at the time. (Supplementary Note 3) The timing is a certain point in time and before and after that point in time, and the determination unit (3) determines whether the function is enabled or disabled using setting information and operation information at the time and before and after that point in time. (Supplementary Note 4) The timing is a predetermined time interval, and the determination unit (3) determines whether the function is enabled or disabled using the setting information and operation information at each time. (Supplementary Note 5) The setting information includes at least one of software type, options, parameters, and machine configuration. (Supplementary Note 6) The operation information includes at least one of machining program, signal, external input, motor information, and control information. (Supplementary Note 7) The function state determination device (100) includes an identification unit (4) that identifies the reason for determining whether a function is enabled / disabled, and the output unit (5) outputs the reason for the determination. (Supplementary Note 8) The output unit (5) displays the enabled / disabled status of the function in chronological order. (Supplementary Note 9) The output unit (5) displays the operation information of the numerical control device and the enabled / disabled status of the function in the same chronological order. (Supplementary Note 10) The determination unit (3) determines dynamic changes in the enabled / disabled status of the function based on the dependency between the functions. (Supplementary Note 11) The computer-readable storage medium (112, 113, 114) stores instructions for causing one or more processors (111) to execute processing to acquire a setting file and an operation file, which are internal information of the numerical control device, specify setting information and operation information necessary for determining whether a function is enabled or disabled from the setting file and operation file, determine whether the function is enabled or disabled at a predetermined timing using the setting information and operation information, and output the determination result of whether the function is enabled or disabled.

[0052] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Functional state determination device 1 Internal information acquisition unit 2 Condition designation unit 3 Determination unit 4 Identification unit 5 Output unit 111 CPU 112 ROM 113 RAM 114 Non-volatile memory

Claims

1. A function status determination device comprising: an internal information acquisition unit that acquires setting files and operation files, which are internal information of a numerical control device; a condition specification unit that specifies setting information and operation information necessary to determine whether a function is enabled or disabled from the setting files and operation files; a determination unit that uses the setting information and operation information to determine whether the function is enabled or disabled at a predetermined timing; and an output unit that outputs the determination result of whether the function is enabled or disabled.

2. The function state determination device according to claim 1, wherein the timing is a certain point in time, and the determination unit determines whether the function is enabled or disabled using operation information at the time.

3. The function status determination device of claim 1, wherein the timing is a certain point in time and the points before and after that point in time, and the determination unit determines whether the function is enabled or disabled using setting information and operation information at the point in time and the points before and after that point in time.

4. The function state determination device according to claim 1, wherein the timing is a predetermined time interval, and the determination unit determines whether the function is enabled or disabled using setting information and operation information for each time.

5. The functional status determination device according to claim 1, wherein the setting information includes at least one of software type, options, parameters, and machine configuration.

6. The functional state determination device according to claim 1, wherein the operation information includes at least one of a machining program, a signal, an external input, motor information, and control information.

7. A function status determination device according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines a reason for determining whether a function is enabled or disabled; and the output unit outputs the reason for determination.

8. The functional state determination device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit displays the enabled / disabled status of the function in chronological order.

9. The functional state determination device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit displays the operational information of the numerical control device and the enabled / disabled status of the function in the same chronological order.

10. The functional state determination device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines dynamic changes in the enabled / disabled status of a function based on the dependency relationship between the functions.

11. A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions to cause one or more processors to execute the following process: acquire setting files and operation files that are internal information of a numerical control device; specify setting information and operation information necessary to determine whether a function is enabled or disabled from said setting files and operation files; determine whether a function is enabled or disabled at a predetermined timing using said setting information and operation information; and output the result of the determination of whether the function is enabled or disabled.

Images