Centering program creation system, centering program creation method, and centering program creation program

Abstract

Provided are a centering program creation system, a centering program creation method, and a centering program creation program for efficiently centering a workpiece in a machine tool.　The centering program creation system comprises: a position detector 6 that is installed at a setup position 4 of a machine tool 1 and that acquires three-dimensional coordinates; a measuring position designating means 12 for operating the position detector 6 to designate the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measuring positions M on a workpiece W installed at the setup position 4; a route designating means 13 for operating the position detector 6 to designate three-dimensional coordinates on a movement route including an approach position A to the workpiece W; and a centering program creation means 15 that, on the basis of the three-dimensional coordinates designated by the measuring position designating means 12 and the route designating means 13, drives a main spindle 2 of the machine tool 1 to which a sensor has been attached, to create an NC program for centering the workpiece W installed in a machining area.

Description

Centering Program Creation System, Centering Program Creation Method, and Centering Program Creation Program

[0001] The present invention relates to a centering program creation system, a centering program creation method, and a centering program creation program for efficiently centering a workpiece in a machine tool such as a machining center.

[0002] In a machine tool capable of automatically loading or unloading a workpiece set up externally into or out of a machining area, when machining a workpiece, in order to operate the machine accurately and unmanned, it is often necessary to create an NC program for centering (centering program) and automatically perform centering to match the position of the workpiece loaded into the machining area with the coordinate system of the machining program for machining the workpiece (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Conventionally, the centering program was created by teaching while attaching a contact sensor to the spindle of the machine tool according to the shape of the workpiece loaded into the machining area. However, with this method, it is necessary to stop the machine each time, and particularly when machining workpieces of small quantities and multiple varieties, creating a centering program for each workpiece has been an obstacle to the automatic operation of the machine tool.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a numerical control device having a centering function that enables centering by inputting data such as centering patterns and dimensions required for centering through interaction with the numerical control device without creating a specific NC program for centering, thereby enabling efficient manual setup work.

[0005] Also known is a workpiece installation support system in which an image of the workpiece is taken at the setup position of the machine tool, a system for recognizing the shape and orientation of the workpiece from the captured image data of the workpiece is arranged, and a centering program created based on the shape is linked to the workpiece and transferred to the machine tool (see Patent Document 2).

[0006] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-91351, Japanese Patent No. 6736798

[0007] The numerical control device with a centering function described in Patent Document 1 enables efficient manual setup work, but it has the problem of only being able to handle a limited number of shape patterns and not being able to handle workpieces with complex shapes. Furthermore, since the numerical control device with a centering function described in Patent Document 1 requires manual centering of the workpiece in the machining area of ​​the machine tool, there was a need for machine tools that perform small-batch, high-mix processing to be able to center the workpiece within the machining area without human intervention.

[0008] Furthermore, while it is possible to center a workpiece within the machining area without manual intervention by incorporating a centering program corresponding to the 3D model of the workpiece when creating a machining program using CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), there is a risk of interference between the contact sensor or spindle and the workpiece if the workpiece is not set up as expected. In practice, debugging the centering program is often done using the actual workpiece, which presents the challenge of having to frequently stop the machine.

[0009] Furthermore, the workpiece installation support system described in Patent Document 2 requires multiple cameras to capture the shape and orientation of the workpiece, and there is a problem in that the cost required to build a system for analyzing the images and recognizing the shape and orientation of the workpiece is high.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention provides a centering program creation system, a centering program creation method, and a centering program creation program for efficiently centering a workpiece in a machine tool.

[0011] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a centering program creation system comprising: a position detector installed at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool and acquiring three-dimensional coordinates; a measurement position designation means for operating the position detector to designate the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on a workpiece installed at the setup position; a path designation means for operating the position detector to designate the three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position to the workpiece; and a centering program creation means for driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates designated by the measurement position designation means and the path designation means, and creating an NC program for centering the workpiece.

[0012] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention includes a means for specifying an escape position that does not interfere with the workpiece relative to the measurement position.

[0013] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention comprises a shape specification means for specifying the shape of the location on the workpiece where the three-dimensional coordinates are to be measured, and an axis specification means for specifying the axis direction of measurement among the coordinate axes.

[0014] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention includes a centering program creation means that specifies the manufacturer name or model name of the machine tool, and creates the NC program using a code corresponding to the specified model.

[0015] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention is equipped with a coordinate calibration means that uses a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on the pallet on which the workpiece is placed to match the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool.

[0016] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention is a multi-joint probe in which the position detector drives the contact probe with a multi-joint arm.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for creating a centering program, comprising: a position detector installation step of installing a position detector that acquires three-dimensional coordinates at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool; a coordinate calibration step of matching the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on a pallet on which a workpiece is placed; a measurement position specification step of specifying the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on a workpiece placed at the setup position by operating the position detector that has undergone coordinate calibration; and a centering program creation step of driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece placed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified in the measurement position specification step, and creating an NC program for centering the workpiece.

[0018] Furthermore, the centering program creation method of the present invention includes a path specification step in which the position detector, which has undergone coordinate calibration, is operated to specify three-dimensional coordinates on the movement path, including the approach position to the workpiece.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention provides a centering program creation program that creates an NC program for centering a workpiece by operating a position detector installed at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool to acquire three-dimensional coordinates on a workpiece, and by driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area, the program comprising: a measurement position specification means for specifying the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on the workpiece installed at the setup position by operating the position detector; a path specification means for specifying the three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position to the workpiece by operating the position detector; and a centering program creation means for driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified by the measurement position specification means and the path specification means, and creating an NC program for centering the workpiece.

[0020] Furthermore, the centering program creation program of the present invention causes the computer to function as a coordinate calibration means that matches the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on the pallet on which the workpiece is placed.

[0021] Furthermore, the centering program creation program of the present invention includes a centering program creation means that specifies the manufacturer name or model name of the machine tool, and creates the NC program using a code corresponding to the specified model.

[0022] Furthermore, the centering program creation program of the present invention includes a centering program creation means that includes a machine tool designation means for specifying the machine tool model, and a coordinate calibration means that includes a means for storing coordinate calibration information for the designated machine tool model, and the centering program creation means creates the NC program for multiple machine tools using the stored coordinate calibration information.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention provides a storage medium for storing a centering program creation program that creates an NC program for centering a workpiece by operating a position detector installed at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool to acquire three-dimensional coordinates on a workpiece, driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area, and centering the workpiece. The storage medium stores a centering program creation program that causes a computer to function as a measurement position specification means for specifying the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on the workpiece installed at the setup position by operating the position detector, a path specification means for specifying the three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position to the workpiece by operating the position detector, and a centering program creation means for driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified by the measurement position specification means and the path specification means to create an NC program for centering the workpiece.

[0024] The centering program creation system of the present invention comprises: a position detector installed at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool and acquiring three-dimensional coordinates; a measurement position designation means that operates the position detector to specify the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on a workpiece installed at the setup position; a path designation means that operates the position detector to specify the three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position to the workpiece; and a centering program creation means that drives the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified by the measurement position designation means and the path designation means, and creates an NC program for centering the workpiece. As such, the centering program is created using an actually set up workpiece, so it can handle centering workpieces with complex shapes and has the effect of efficiently centering workpieces within the machining area without human intervention.

[0025] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention has the effect of preventing interference between the contact sensor or spindle and the workpiece, as the path designation means includes means for designating an escape position that does not interfere with the workpiece relative to the measurement position.

[0026] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention has the effect of easily specifying the measurement position because the measurement position specification means includes a shape specification means for specifying the shape of the location on the workpiece where the three-dimensional coordinates are to be measured, and an axis specification means for specifying the axis direction of measurement among the coordinate axes.

[0027] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention has the effect of being able to create centering programs that are compatible with machine tools of different manufacturers and various models by having the centering program creation means include a machine tool specification means that specifies the manufacturer name or model name of the machine tool, and creating the NC program with a code corresponding to the specified model. In addition, since this system can store / select coordinate calibration information for multiple models, it has the effect of being able to operate a single position detector on multiple machine tools simultaneously.

[0028] Furthermore, the centering program creation system of the present invention is equipped with a coordinate calibration means that matches the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on the pallet on which the workpiece is placed. This makes it easy to attach and detach the position detector, and thus has the effect of allowing one position detector to be shared by multiple machine tools.

[0029] Furthermore, the alignment program creation system of the present invention has the advantage that, because the position detector is a multi-joint probe in which the contact probe is driven by a multi-joint arm, the operator can reliably create an alignment program while visually confirming the position of the probe.

[0030] The present invention provides a method for creating a centering program, comprising: a position detector installation step of installing a position detector that acquires three-dimensional coordinates at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool; a coordinate calibration step of matching the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on a pallet on which the workpiece is placed; a measurement position specification step of specifying the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on the workpiece placed at the setup position by operating the position detector after coordinate calibration; and a centering program creation step of driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece placed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified in the measurement position specification step, and creating an NC program for centering the workpiece. Because the centering program is created using an actually set-up workpiece, it can handle the centering of workpieces with complex shapes and has the effect of efficiently centering workpieces within the machining area without human intervention.

[0031] Furthermore, the centering program creation method of the present invention has the advantage that a single position detector can be shared among multiple machine tools, as the position detector can be easily attached and detached.

[0032] Furthermore, the method for creating a centering program of the present invention includes a path specification step in which the position detector, which has undergone coordinate calibration, is operated to specify three-dimensional coordinates on the movement path including the approach position to the workpiece. This has the effect of creating a centering program in which the contact sensor, spindle, and workpiece do not interfere with each other.

[0033] The present invention provides a centering program creation program that creates an NC program for centering a workpiece by operating a position detector installed at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool to acquire three-dimensional coordinates on a workpiece, driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area, and centering the workpiece. The program utilizes a computer as a measurement position specification means that specifies the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on the workpiece installed at the setup position by operating the position detector, a path specification means that specifies the three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position to the workpiece by operating the position detector, and a centering program creation means that drives the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified by the measurement position specification means and the path specification means to create an NC program for centering the workpiece. Because the program is created using an actually set-up workpiece, it can handle centering workpieces with complex shapes and efficiently center workpieces within the machining area without human intervention.

[0034] Furthermore, the centering program creation program of the present invention has the effect of allowing a single position detector to be shared among multiple machine tools, as it makes it easy to attach and detach the position detector by having the computer function as a coordinate calibration means that matches the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on the pallet on which the workpiece is placed.

[0035] Furthermore, the centering program creation program of the present invention has the effect of being able to create centering programs that are compatible with machine tools of different manufacturers and various models, by having the centering program creation means include a machine tool specification means for specifying the manufacturer name or model name of the machine tool, and creating the NC program with a code corresponding to the specified model.

[0036] Furthermore, the centering program creation program of the present invention includes a machine designation means for specifying the machine tool model, and a coordinate calibration means for storing coordinate calibration information of the designated machine tool. The centering program creation means creates the NC program for multiple machine tools using the stored coordinate calibration information, thereby enabling the storage and selection of coordinate calibration information for multiple machine tools, and allowing a single position detector to be operated simultaneously on multiple machine tools.

[0037] A diagram showing one embodiment of the centering program creation system according to the present invention. A perspective view showing one embodiment of a machine tool using the present invention. A perspective view showing one embodiment of approach position specification according to the present invention. A perspective view showing one embodiment of measurement position specification according to the present invention. A perspective view showing one embodiment of escape position specification according to the present invention. A perspective view showing one embodiment of the coordinate calibration means according to the present invention. A flowchart showing one embodiment of centering program creation according to the present invention. A diagram showing an example of the operation screen of the present invention. A diagram showing an example of the operation screen of the present invention. A diagram showing an example of the operation screen of the present invention. A diagram showing another example of the operation screen of the present invention. A diagram showing another example of the operation screen of the present invention. A perspective view showing another embodiment of the position detector of the present invention.

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on illustrated examples. The centering program creation system 10 of the present invention includes: a position detector 6 installed at a setup position 4 outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool 1 and acquiring three-dimensional coordinates; a measurement position specifying means 12 that operates the position detector 6 to specify the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions M on a workpiece W installed at the setup position 4; a path specifying means 13 that operates the position detector 6 to specify three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position A to the workpiece W; and a centering program creation means 14 that drives the spindle 2 of the machine tool 1, which is equipped with a sensor, to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece W installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified by the measurement position specifying means 12 and the path specifying means 13, and creates an NC program for centering the workpiece W.

[0039] A machine tool 1 equipped with a numerical control device such as a machining center places a workpiece W on a table 3 and drives a spindle 2, to which a tool is attached, relative to the workpiece W according to a machining NC program, thereby cutting the workpiece W into the desired shape. In order to machine the workpiece W accurately with the machine tool 1, it is necessary to match the coordinate system of the workpiece W placed on the table 3 (work coordinate system) with the coordinate system assumed by the NC program (reference coordinate system). This process of matching the work coordinate system and the reference coordinate system is called centering.

[0040] The alignment of a workpiece W is performed by placing the workpiece W on the table 3 of the machine tool 1, then attaching a sensor such as a contact probe 2a to the spindle 2, and making contact with multiple points on the workpiece W at the tip of the sensor. Based on the detected three-dimensional coordinates, a correction is performed to make the workpiece coordinate system and the reference coordinate system match. In the present invention, a position detector 6 capable of acquiring three-dimensional coordinates is installed at the setup position 4 of the machine tool 1, and a alignment program created from the approach position A and measurement position M acquired using the workpiece W placed at the setup position 4 is transferred to the machine tool 1 in association with the workpiece W. As a result, the alignment that was previously performed by an operator within the machining area of ​​the machine tool 1 can now be performed by the alignment program created at the setup position 4 without stopping the automatic operation of the machine tool 1.

[0041] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the centering program creation system according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a machine tool using the present invention.

[0042] In this embodiment, the machine tool 1 is a machining center and has a table 3 on which a workpiece W is placed and a spindle 2 that is mounted on a tool and driven to rotate. The table 3 is driven in the X-axis and Y-axis directions perpendicular to the rotation axis of the spindle 2, and the spindle 2 is driven in the axial direction of the rotation axis (Z-axis direction). The machine tool 1 has a tool mounted on the tip of the spindle 2 and rotates the tool while moving it relative to the workpiece W in the X, Y, and Z axis directions to machine the workpiece W into a desired shape. The machine tool 1 also includes, although not shown, a control device that numerically controls the machining trajectory of the tool, an operation panel for inputting instructions such as machining conditions, tool changes, and coordinate settings, and a monitor that displays machining information and position information. Note that the machine tool 1 is not limited to a machining center and is not limited to one that can machine a workpiece W placed on the table 3 with a tool mounted on the spindle 2 using numerical control.

[0043] The machine tool 1, although not shown in the diagram, is equipped with a loading / unloading device that can automatically load / unload a pallet 5 on which a workpiece W is placed onto the table 3 from a setup position 4 outside the machining area. The setup position 4 is not limited to being adjacent to the machining area of ​​the machine tool 1; it is sufficient that the pallet 5 on which the workpiece W is placed can be loaded / unloaded between the setup position 4 and the machining area, and it may be located at a distance from the machine tool 1. Furthermore, the setup position 4 may load / unload pallets 5 on which workpieces W are placed onto multiple machine tools 1 of the same or different models. The machine tool 1 drives a contact probe 2a attached to the spindle 2 based on a centering program, and can automatically center the workpiece W loaded onto the table 3.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the position detector 6 is an articulated probe that drives the contact probe 6a with an articulated arm 6b, and is detachably installed at the setup position 4 where the workpiece W is placed outside the machining area of the machine tool 1 on the pallet 5 that is carried into and out of the table 3 of the machine tool 1. The position detector 6 preferably includes a contact probe 6a similar to the contact probe 2a mounted on the spindle 2 when centering the workpiece W in the machine tool 1. By driving the contact probe 6a with the articulated arm 6b, the position detector 6 can be easily installed at the setup position 4, and various driving devices capable of detecting the positions of sensors such as the contact probe 6a can be used. Further, the sensors used in the position detector 6 are not limited to contact sensors such as the contact probe 6a, and detectors that wirelessly identify spatial positions such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and GPS (Global Positioning System) may also be used.

[0045] The operation terminal 8 is composed of a tablet terminal, a smartphone or a notebook computer, and is connected to the position detector 6 so as to be communicable wirelessly or by wire, and can acquire the three-dimensional coordinates detected by the position detector 6. Wireless communication can utilize WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. The operation terminal 8 has a measurement position designating means 12 that operates the articulated arm 6b to move the contact probe 6a to the measurement position M on the workpiece W installed at the setup position 4 and designates the three-dimensional coordinates of the measurement position M, and a path designating means 13 that operates the articulated arm 6b to move the contact probe 6a to the approach position A to the workpiece W and designates the three-dimensional coordinates of the approach position A that becomes the movement path. Based on the three-dimensional coordinates designated by the measurement position designating means 12 and the path designating means 13, a centering program creating means 14 that drives the spindle 2 of the machine tool 1 equipped with the contact probe 2a to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece W installed on the table 3 which is the machining area, and creates an NC program for centering the workpiece W. In this embodiment, the operation terminal 8 is a tablet terminal, and an operator can operate it by touching the screen of the terminal.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the measurement position designating means 12 includes a shape designating means for designating the shape (circle, width, end face) of the location on the workpiece W where the three-dimensional coordinates are to be measured, and an axis designating means for designating the axial direction to be measured among the coordinate axes (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis). When the shape of the workpiece W is designated as "circle", the measurement position designating means 12 displays on the screen of the operation terminal 8 so as to designate the center position of the circle and the measurement position M on the circumference. When measuring the outer circle of the cylindrical workpiece W, the operator can move the contact probe 6a to the center position of the circle above the workpiece W and the measurement position M on the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece W, and designate each position. Similarly, when measuring the inner circle of a circular hole, the operator can move the contact probe 6a to the center position of the circle inside the workpiece W and the measurement position M on the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece W, and designate each position.

[0047] Further, when the shape of the workpiece W is designated as "width", the measurement position designating means 12 displays on the screen of the operation terminal 8 so as to designate the center position in the width direction of the workpiece W and the measurement position M on the side surface of the workpiece W. When measuring the outer width of the cubic or rectangular parallelepiped workpiece W, the operator can move the contact probe 6a to the center position in the width direction of the workpiece W above the workpiece W and the measurement position M on the side surface of the workpiece W, and designate each position. Similarly, when measuring the inner width of a groove, the operator can move the contact probe 6a to the center position in the width direction of the groove inside the workpiece W and the measurement position M on the side surface of the groove of the workpiece W, and designate each position.

[0048] Further, when the shape of the workpiece W is designated as "end face", after designating the approach position A to the workpiece W, the measurement position designating means 12 displays on the screen of the operation terminal 8 so as to designate the measurement position M of the end face of the workpiece W. When measuring the end face of the workpiece W, the operator can move the contact probe 6a to the approach position A to the workpiece W and the measurement position M of the end face of the workpiece W, and designate each position. Further, the path designating means 13 includes means for designating an escape position E that does not interfere with the workpiece W with respect to the measurement position M, and designates the escape position E as necessary.

[0049] The centering program creation means 14 includes a model selection means 15 for specifying the manufacturer name or model name of the machine tool 1, and can create an NC program using a code corresponding to the specified model. The model selection means 15 stores setting files that record each setting for each model, and displays the registered model name on the screen of the operation terminal 8 to allow the operator to select the model of the machine tool 1 to be used. The centering program creation means 14 calls the setting file corresponding to the model name specified by the model selection means 15 and creates an NC program for centering. The operation terminal 8 is connected to the controller of the machine tool 1 wirelessly or via a wired connection and can output the centering program created by the centering program creation means 14 to the numerical control device of the machine tool 1. The created centering program may also be sent to the numerical control device of the machine tool 1 via a storage medium.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the operating terminal 8 is equipped with a coordinate calibration means 11 that uses a reference block 7 provided on the pallet 5 on which the workpiece W is placed to match the coordinates of the position detector 6 with the coordinates of the machine tool 1. The coordinate configuration means 11 uses a reference block 7 whose coordinates have been measured in advance by placing the pallet 5 on the table 3 of the machine tool 1. At the setup position 4, the contact probe 6a is moved to the measurement position of the reference block 7, and the coordinates measured by the machine tool 1 are input. The coordinates are input using the number input keys displayed on the screen of the operating terminal 8, for example, "X=100, Y=0, Z=0". At least three points of coordinates need to be input for coordinate calibration, but the coordinate calibration means 11 in this embodiment allows input of four points of coordinates. The coordinate configuration means 11 may also calibrate the coordinates of the position detector 6 using a reference hole or reference surface of the pallet 5 to match the coordinates of the position detector 6 with the coordinates of the machine tool 1. [Operation of the centering program creation system]

[0051] Next, the operation of the centering program creation system 10 according to the present invention will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of centering program creation according to the present invention.

[0052] A multi-joint probe (position detector 6), which drives a contact probe 6a with a multi-joint arm 6b, is installed at the setup position 4 of the machine tool 1 (step S1).

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, the operator starts the centering program creation program on the operation terminal 8 and selects the model of the machine tool 1 that will process the workpiece W from the drop-down list on the model selection screen (step S2). If the coordinate calibration of the position detector 6 has not been performed for the selected model, the operator operates the articulated arm 6b to move the contact probe 6a to the end face of the reference block 7 provided on the pallet 5 and provides the coordinates from the coordinate calibration means 11 on the operation terminal 8 (Figure 6). These coordinates are measured in advance by placing the pallet 5 on the table 3 of the machine tool 1. The operator provides the coordinates of the four points on the reference block 7 from the coordinate calibration means 11 and calibrates the coordinates of the position detector 6 so that the coordinates of the position detector 6 match the coordinates of the machine tool 1 (steps S3, S4).

[0054] Once the position detector 6 has completed coordinate calibration for the selected model, the operator centers the workpiece W placed at the setup position 4. The operator selects the shape (circle, width, end face) of the location on the workpiece W to be measured, as displayed on the screen of the operation terminal 8 (step S5). In addition to the shape of the workpiece W, the measurement position specification means 12 may also display the axial direction to be measured (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis) on the screen of the operation terminal 8 and allow the operator to select it.

[0055] As shown in Figure 9, the operator selects the work coordinate system to be used from among the work coordinate systems such as G54 and G55 displayed on the screen of the operation terminal 8 (step S7). The measurement position specification means 12 may also allow the operator to select other necessary modes (inches / metrics, etc.). If a work coordinate system has already been selected through repeated operations, the system skips step S7 (step S6).

[0056] Next, the operator moves the articulated arm 6b to the approach position A to the workpiece W (Figure 3), and presses the "Confirm" button on the screen to specify the three-dimensional coordinates displayed on the screen as the approach position A (Step S8).

[0057] As shown in Figure 10, the operator moves the contact probe 6a to a measurement position M on the workpiece W by operating the articulated arm 6b, and specifies the three-dimensional coordinates of that position as the measurement position M (step S9). Figures 9 to 11 show the screen display when measuring a circular workpiece W, such as a cylindrical shape or a circular hole. First, the operator moves the contact probe 6a to the center position of the circle by operating the articulated arm 6b, and presses the "Confirm" button on the screen to specify the three-dimensional coordinates displayed on the screen as the center position of the circle. Next, the operator moves the contact probe 6a to a measurement position M on the circumference by operating the articulated arm 6b, and presses the "Confirm" button on the screen to specify the three-dimensional coordinates displayed on the screen as the measurement position M.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, the operator moves the contact probe 6a to the escape position E by manipulating the articulated arm 6b as needed, and presses the "Confirm" button on the screen to specify the three-dimensional coordinates displayed on the screen as the escape position E (steps S10, S11). The operator repeats the operations from step S5 onward until they have specified the measurement positions M required for alignment (step S12). Once all the measurement positions M required for alignment have been specified, the operator enters the program number on the operation terminal 8 to create the alignment program (steps S13, S14).

[0059] The operator transmits the created centering program to the numerical control device of the machine tool 1, and together with the NC program for machining the workpiece W, programs the machine tool 1 to automatically perform centering and machining of the workpiece W.

[0060] Figures 12 to 14 show the screen display when measuring the end face of the workpiece W. Steps S1 to S7 are the same as in the case of a circle. The operator moves the contact probe 6a to the approach position A of the workpiece W by operating the articulated arm 6b, and presses the "Confirm" button on the screen to specify the three-dimensional coordinates displayed on the screen as the approach position A (step S8).

[0061] As shown in Figure 11, the operator moves the contact probe 6a to the measurement position M on the workpiece W by operating the articulated arm 6b (Figure 4), and designates the three-dimensional coordinates of that position as the measurement position M (step S9). The operator moves the contact probe 6a to the measurement position M on the end face of the workpiece W by operating the articulated arm 6b, and presses the "Confirm" button on the screen to designate the three-dimensional coordinates displayed on the screen as the measurement position M.

[0062] As shown in Figure 14, the operator moves the contact probe 6a to the escape position E by manipulating the articulated arm 6b as needed (Figure 5), and presses the "Confirm" button on the screen to specify the three-dimensional coordinates displayed on the screen as the escape position E (steps S10, S11). The operator repeats the operations from step S5 onward until they have specified the measurement positions M required for alignment (step S12). Once all the measurement positions M required for alignment have been specified, the operator enters the program number on the operation terminal 8 to create the alignment program (steps S13, S14).

[0063] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the position detector 6 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the position detector 6 is moved in space by an operator who grasps a spatial position sensor 6c capable of acquiring three-dimensional coordinates. The position detector 6 acquires the three-dimensional position of the spatial position sensor 6c relative to a reference position of the base 6d using the RFID method, and the three-dimensional coordinates of the approach position A, measurement position M, and escape position E can be specified on the operation terminal 8. Other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1. Note that the sensor used in the position detector 6 is not limited to the form of this embodiment, and other detectors that wirelessly determine spatial position, such as RFID or GPS, may also be used.

[0064] 1 Machine tool 2 Spindle 2a Contact probe 3 Table 4 Setup position 5 Pallet 6 Position detector 6a Contact probe 6b Articulated arm 6c Spatial position sensor 6d Base 7 Reference block 8 Operation terminal 10 Alignment program creation system 11 Coordinate calibration means 12 Measurement position specification means 13 Route specification means 14 Alignment program creation means 15 Model specification means W Workpiece M Measurement position A Approach position

Claims

1. A centering program creation system comprising: a position detector installed at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool to acquire three-dimensional coordinates; a measurement position designation means for operating the position detector to designate the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on a workpiece installed at the setup position; a path designation means for operating the position detector to designate the three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position to the workpiece; and a centering program creation means for driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates designated by the measurement position designation means and the path designation means, and creating an NC program for centering the workpiece.

2. The centering program creation system according to claim 1, wherein the path designation means is further provided with means for designating an escape position that does not interfere with the workpiece relative to the measurement position.

3. The centering program creation system according to claim 2, wherein the measurement position specification means comprises a shape specification means for specifying the shape of a location on the workpiece to measure three-dimensional coordinates, and an axis specification means for specifying the axis direction of measurement among the coordinate axes.

4. The centering program creation system according to claim 3, wherein the centering program creation means includes a model designation means for specifying the manufacturer name or model name of the machine tool, and creates the NC program using a code corresponding to the designated model.

5. A centering program creation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising coordinate calibration means for matching the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on a pallet on which the workpiece is placed.

6. The centering program creation system according to claim 5, wherein the position detector is a multi-joint probe that drives a contact probe with a multi-joint arm.

7. A method for creating a centering program, comprising: a position detector installation step of installing a position detector that acquires three-dimensional coordinates at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool; a coordinate calibration step of matching the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on a pallet on which a workpiece is placed; a measurement position specification step of operating the position detector that has undergone coordinate calibration to specify the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on a workpiece placed at the setup position; and a centering program creation step of driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece placed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified in the measurement position specification step, and creating an NC program for centering the workpiece.

8. The method for creating a centering program according to claim 7, further comprising a path specification step of operating the position detector that has undergone coordinate calibration to specify three-dimensional coordinates on the movement path including the approach position to the workpiece.

9. A centering program creation program that creates an NC program for centering a workpiece by operating a position detector installed at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool to acquire three-dimensional coordinates on a workpiece, driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area, the program comprising: a measurement position specification means that specifies the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on the workpiece installed at the setup position by operating the position detector; a path specification means that specifies the three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position to the workpiece by operating the position detector; and a centering program creation means that drives the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified by the measurement position specification means and the path specification means to create an NC program for centering the workpiece.

10. The centering program creation program according to claim 9, wherein the computer functions as a coordinate calibration means for matching the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on a pallet on which the workpiece is placed.

11. The centering program creation program according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the centering program creation means includes a machine designation means for specifying the manufacturer name or model name of the machine tool, and creates the NC program using a code corresponding to the specified machine.

12. The centering program creation program according to claim 10, wherein the centering program creation means includes a machine tool designation means for designating the machine tool model, and the coordinate calibration means includes a means for storing coordinate calibration information for the designated machine tool model, and the centering program creation means uses the stored coordinate calibration information to create the NC program for a plurality of machine tools.

13. A storage medium for storing a centering program creation program that creates an NC program for centering a workpiece by operating a position detector installed at a setup position outside the machining area of ​​a machine tool to acquire three-dimensional coordinates on a workpiece, driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area, and centering the workpiece, comprising: measurement position specification means for specifying the three-dimensional coordinates of at least two measurement positions on the workpiece installed at the setup position by operating the position detector; path specification means for specifying the three-dimensional coordinates on a movement path including an approach position to the workpiece by operating the position detector; and a centering program creation means that causes a computer to function as a centering program creation means for driving the spindle of the machine tool equipped with a sensor to detect the three-dimensional coordinates of the workpiece installed in the machining area based on the three-dimensional coordinates specified by the measurement position specification means and the path specification means, and creating an NC program for centering the workpiece.

14. A storage medium for storing a centering program creation program according to claim 13, wherein the computer functions as a coordinate calibration means for matching the coordinates of the position detector with the coordinates of the machine tool using a reference block, reference hole, or reference surface provided on a pallet on which the workpiece is placed.

15. A storage medium for storing the centering program creation program according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the centering program creation means includes a model designation means for specifying the manufacturer name or model name of the machine tool, and the NC program is created using a code corresponding to the designated model.

16. The storage medium for storing a centering program creation program according to claim 14, wherein the centering program creation means includes a machine designation means for specifying the machine tool model, and the coordinate calibration means includes a means for storing coordinate calibration information for the designated machine tool model, and the centering program creation means creates the NC program for a plurality of machine tools using the stored coordinate calibration information.

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