Centralized Tool Data Management for Machine Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing tool data are cumbersome, requiring tools to be specifically assigned to machine tools, necessitating complex software operations, and limiting flexibility, leading to increased costs and potential machining errors.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows tool data management with reduced effort and increased flexibility by enabling tools to be used across multiple machine tools without specific assignment, eliminating the need for manual input of target values and simplifying software management, while ensuring accurate data transmission and storage through identifiers and information carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tools are specifically assigned to machine tools with complex software operations, then measurement precision and data accuracy are improved, but device complexity and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex software processing functions from the measuring device and relocates them to a central data management device. The measuring device only performs basic measurement and stores raw data, while data conversion, tool assignment, and machine tool communication are handled centrally, simplifying the measuring device's software requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central data management device as an intermediary between the measuring device and machine tools. This mediator handles data processing, conversion, and distribution, eliminating the need for complex software in individual measuring devices while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If tools are specifically assigned to specific machine tools, then data accuracy is improved, but flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data management system that can handle multiple tool types and multiple machine tools through a single centralized platform. The system stores raw measurement data without pre-assigning specific tools to specific machines, allowing flexible assignment based on actual needs while maintaining data accuracy through proper identification and tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic tool assignment where tools are not permanently bound to specific machine tools. Instead, the system allows flexible, changeable assignments based on actual production needs, with the data management device adapting tool-to-machine assignments dynamically while maintaining measurement data integrity.
3Measurement precision
If extensive software and complex operations are used for tool data management, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and cost-effectiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex data processing operations from the measuring device and relocates them to a centralized data management device. This extraction simplifies the measuring device to basic measurement functions, making it easier to operate while maintaining measurement precision through centralized data handling.
4Manufacturing precision
If tools are pre-assigned to specific machine tools during measurement, then data accuracy is improved, but flexibility and user autonomy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement and stores raw data without performing preliminary assignment to specific machine tools. This preliminary action of measuring first and assigning later provides flexibility while maintaining data accuracy, as the measurement is completed independently of any specific machine tool assignment.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves performing required corrections and/or additions for converting raw data into processed tool data. The processed tool data is read by a control device (5) of a machine tool (6). A tool (1) is transferred to the machine tool at a time point. The tool data of the machine tool is provided. Information is transmitted to a data managing device (4) when acknowledged by an input device (10) e.g. computer. The information is produced by a reading device (7) e.g. radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, which identifies the tool. The information is passed to the input device. An independent claim is also included for a device for managing tool data.