Machine tool control device, and machine tool

Abstract

This machine tool control device controls a machine tool including a machining mechanism that moves a tool relative to a workpiece to machine the workpiece with the tool, and a plurality of auxiliary devices that consume power, the machine tool control device including: an automatic control unit that automatically operates the machining mechanism to perform machining; a manual control unit that operates the machining mechanism in response to an input from an operator; a setup power saving unit that shuts off power to at least one of the auxiliary devices that is not used for setup work performed by the operator; and a mode selection unit that selects one of a plurality of operation modes including an automatic operation mode controlled by the automatic control unit and a setup work mode controlled by the manual control unit in a state in which power to the auxiliary device is shut off by the setup power saving unit. The mode selection unit switches to the setup work mode when there is a predetermined input.

Description

Machine tool control device and machine tool

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machine tool control device and a machine tool.

[0002] With growing interest in energy conservation, there is a demand for reducing power consumption in machine tools as well. To address this, it has been proposed to provide an energy saving mode in machine tools and to switch the machine into the energy saving mode in response to an operation stop signal (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2010-40046 A

[0004] Machine tools have a spindle that rotates a workpiece or tool for machining, multiple positioning axes that determine the relative position of the workpiece and tool, and numerous auxiliary devices that consume power, such as heaters and pumps. However, depending on the state of the machine tool, some of these auxiliary devices may not be in use. Therefore, further energy savings can be achieved by cutting off the power to auxiliary devices that are not in use depending on the state of the machine tool. However, having an operator manage the power-off of each auxiliary device is extremely cumbersome and carries the risk of making a mistake in cutting off the power to an auxiliary device that should be in use. Therefore, a technology that can automatically cut off the power to auxiliary devices that are not in use depending on the state of the machine tool is desired.

[0005] A machine tool control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a machine tool control device that controls a machine tool having a machining mechanism that machines a workpiece with a tool by moving the tool relative to the workpiece, and a plurality of auxiliary devices that consume power, and is equipped with an automatic control unit that automatically operates the machining mechanism to perform machining, a manual control unit that operates the machining mechanism in accordance with input from an operator, a setup power saving unit that cuts off power to at least one of the auxiliary devices that is not used for setup work performed by the operator, and a mode selection unit that selects one of a plurality of operating modes including an automatic operation mode controlled by the automatic control unit and a setup work mode controlled by the manual control unit with the power to the auxiliary devices cut off by the setup power saving unit, and the mode selection unit switches to the setup work mode when a predetermined input is received.

[0006] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a machine tool according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.

[0007] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a machine tool 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] The machine tool 1 includes a machining mechanism 10, a plurality of auxiliary devices 21 to 27, and a machine tool control device 30. The machine tool control device 30 is itself an embodiment of the machine tool control device according to the present disclosure.

[0009] The machining mechanism 10 machines a workpiece with a tool by moving the tool relative to the workpiece. The machining mechanism 10 has a spindle motor 11 that rotates the tool, a plurality of tool positioning motors 12 that position the tool, and a table motor 13 that positions a table that holds the workpiece.

[0010] The auxiliary devices 21 to 27 each consume power and perform the function of assisting machining by the machining mechanism 10. Specifically, the auxiliary devices 21 to 27 include a door drive device 21 that opens and closes a safety door, a coolant pump 22 that circulates coolant, a lubricating oil pump 23 that circulates lubricating oil, a mist collector 24 that sucks and removes coolant mist, an oil skimmer (floating oil removal device) 25 that removes oil from the coolant, a work loader 26 that carries in a work before machining or carries out a work after machining, a human presence sensor 27 that detects entry of a person into the operating space of the machine tool 1, and the like.

[0011] The machine tool control device 30 controls the machining mechanism 10 and auxiliary devices 21 to 27, that is, the entire machine tool 1. The machine tool control device 30 has, for example, a memory, a processor, an input / output interface, etc., and can be realized by one or more computer devices that execute an appropriate control program.

[0012] The machine tool control device 30 can be configured to have an automatic control unit 31, a manual control unit 32, a setup power saving unit 33, a drive limiting unit 34, and a mode selecting unit 35. Note that these components categorize the functions of the machine tool control device 30, and do not necessarily have to be clearly distinguishable in terms of physical configuration and program configuration.

[0013] The automatic control unit 31 performs automatic machining by operating the machining mechanism 10, that is, the spindle motor 11, the tool positioning motor 12, and the table motor 13, in accordance with the machining program. The automatic control unit 31 may also control the auxiliary devices 21 to 27 as necessary.

[0014] The manual control unit 32 operates the machining mechanism 10 in accordance with input from an operator. The input from the operator is given as a signal from an input device such as a switch, a touch panel, or a handle (e.g., a manual pulse generator) provided on the machine tool control device 30, or from a device such as a terminal or an operation panel connected to the machine tool control device 30.

[0015] The setup power-saving unit 33 cuts off the power supply to at least one auxiliary device that is not used in the setup work performed by the operator. The term "setup work" refers to checking the machining program by idle running, arranging or adjusting the position of a workpiece on a table or a workpiece holding device fixed to the table, attaching or adjusting the position of a tool to the spindle, idle running, etc., and may require the operation of the machining mechanism 10 and some auxiliary devices, such as the door drive device 21, even though no actual machining is performed. Examples of auxiliary devices that are not used in the setup work include devices that remove by-products such as chips and heat generated during machining, such as the coolant pump 22, lubricating oil pump 23, mist collector 24, and oil skimmer 25, as well as devices such as the work loader 26 for stable mass production of processed products.

[0016] The drive limiting unit 34 limits the operating speed of the machining mechanism 10 to a predetermined safe speed or less. The drive limiting unit 34 may set the upper limit speed of each motor to a value lower than the rated value, or may limit the speed of a tool or workpiece achieved by multiple motors.

[0017] The mode selection unit 35 selects one of a plurality of operation modes including an automatic operation mode controlled by the automatic control unit 31 and a setup operation mode controlled by the manual control unit 32 with the power supply to the auxiliary devices cut off by the setup power saving unit 33. The operation mode may further include a manual operation mode in which the workpiece is processed according to input from the operator by the manual control unit 32, a pause mode in which the processing mechanism 10 and the auxiliary devices 21 to 27 are stopped, etc.

[0018] During setup work, power consumption can be reduced by cutting off the power to unnecessary auxiliary devices such as the coolant pump 22, lubricating oil pump 23, mist collector 24, oil skimmer 25, and work loader 26. Furthermore, during setup work mode, it is preferable to limit the operating speed of the machining mechanism 10 by the drive limiting unit 34 to prevent the operator from being injured by accidentally coming into contact with the machining mechanism 10.

[0019] The mode selection unit 35 switches to the setup operation mode when a predetermined input indicating an intention to perform setup work is received. This cuts off the power to the auxiliary devices 22 to 26 that are not required for the setup work, thereby reducing power consumption. In order to simplify the operator's operation, the mode selection unit 35 may switch to the automatic operation mode when it is determined that the operator has finished operating the manual control unit 32 (for example, when there is no input from the operator for a certain period of time).

[0020] The mode selection unit 35 may be configured to switch to the setup operation mode when there is an input from the operator to the manual control unit 32, that is, when there is an operation of an operating member used when the operator manually operates the machining mechanism 10. Other examples of inputs that trigger the mode selection unit 35 to switch to the setup operation mode include reading an ID card that certifies the operator's qualifications, and signal input from another device such as a management computer connected via a network. Furthermore, when the human presence sensor 27 detects a person entering the operating space of the machine tool 1, it can be inferred that the operator has started setup operation, and therefore the mode selection unit 35 may also be configured to switch to the setup operation mode in this case.

[0021] As described above, when performing setup work, the machine tool 1 switches to a setup work mode in which the power to the auxiliary devices 21 to 26 that are not required for setup work is cut off, thereby reliably reducing power consumption without placing a burden on the operator.

[0022] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiment and modifications. (Supplementary Note 1) The machine tool control device (30) controls a machine tool (1) having a machining mechanism (10) that machines a workpiece with a tool by moving the tool relative to the workpiece, and a plurality of auxiliary devices (21 to 27) that consume power, and includes: an automatic control unit (31) that automatically operates the machine tool (1) to perform machining; a manual control unit (31) that operates the machining mechanism (10) in accordance with input from an operator; a setup power-saving unit (33) that cuts off the power supply to at least one auxiliary device (22 to 26) that is not used for setup work performed by the operator; and a mode selection unit (35) that selects one of a plurality of operation modes including an automatic operation mode controlled by the automatic control unit (31) and a setup work mode controlled by the manual control unit (31) with the power supply to the auxiliary devices (22 to 26) cut off by the setup power-saving unit (33), and the mode selection unit (35) switches to the setup work mode when a predetermined input is received.

[0023] (Supplementary Note 2) The (30) of the machine tool control device of Supplementary Note 1 may further include a drive limiting unit (34) that limits the operating speed of the machining mechanism (10) to a predetermined safe speed or less while the setup operation mode is selected.

[0024] (Supplementary Note 3) In the machine tool control device (30) of Supplementary Note 1 or 2, the mode selection unit (35) may switch to the setup operation mode when there is an input from the operator to the manual control unit (31).

[0025] (Supplementary Note 4) In the machine tool control device (30) of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the mode selection unit (35) may switch to the setup operation mode when it is detected that a person has entered the operating space of the machine tool (1).

[0026] (Appendix 5) A machine tool (1) includes a machine tool control device (30) according to Appendices 1 to 4, a machining mechanism (10) that machines a workpiece with a tool by moving the tool relative to the workpiece, and a plurality of auxiliary devices (21 to 27) that consume power.

[0027] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, 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 spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. 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. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0028] For example, the configuration of the machining mechanism in the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and may be a lathe that rotates a workpiece, or the like, and may have a different configuration.

[0029] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 machine tool 10 machining mechanism 21 to 27 auxiliary device 30 machine tool control device 31 automatic control unit 32 manual control unit 33 setup power saving unit 34 drive limiting unit 35 mode selection unit

Claims

1. A machine tool control device that controls a machine tool having a machining mechanism that machines a workpiece with a tool by moving the tool relative to the workpiece, and a plurality of auxiliary devices that consume power, comprising: an automatic control unit that automatically operates the machining mechanism to perform machining; a manual control unit that operates the machining mechanism in accordance with input from an operator; a setup power-saving unit that cuts off the power to at least one of the auxiliary devices that is not used in setup work performed by the operator; and a mode selection unit that selects one of a plurality of operation modes, including an automatic operation mode controlled by the automatic control unit and a setup work mode controlled by the manual control unit with the power to the auxiliary devices cut off by the setup power-saving unit, wherein the mode selection unit switches to the setup work mode when a predetermined input is received.

2. A machine tool control device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive limiting section that limits the operating speed of said machining mechanism to a predetermined safe speed or less while said setup operation mode is selected.

3. A machine tool control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said mode selection section switches to said setup operation mode when there is an input from said operator to said manual control section.

4. A machine tool control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mode selection unit switches to the setup operation mode when it detects that a person has entered the operating space of the machine tool.

5. A machine tool comprising: a machine tool control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a machining mechanism that moves the tool relative to the workpiece to machine the workpiece with the tool; and a plurality of auxiliary devices that consume power.

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