Complete Tool Data Exchange for Automated Machining Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

In manufacturing environments, especially in Industry 4.0 settings, there is a challenge in fully automating the process of component production, particularly in coordinating, monitoring, and controlling the data exchange between devices in integrated or networked processing environments.

Innovation Solution

A processing management system is implemented to facilitate data exchange and automation in component production. This system includes devices for assembling tools, force, and preset devices, and uses higher-level production planning to transmit processing data, tool lists, and work instructions to machining management systems, enabling centralized monitoring and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If devices in integrated or networked machining environments communicate via defined interfaces to exchange processing data, then data transmission between devices is enabled, but coordination, monitoring, and control of processes become complex and difficult to fully automate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmissionVSAvoidprocess coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a processing management system as an intermediary between the higher-level production planning/control system and the individual machining devices. This mediator receives processing data from production planning, determines appropriate work instructions, and transmits them to the relevant devices. It also collects process data from devices and feeds it back to production planning, thereby simplifying the coordination complexity while maintaining comprehensive data exchange across the integrated environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If a processing management system is introduced to determine work instructions from machining data, then automation and coordination are improved, but the system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess automationVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing management system is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: receiving various types of machining data from production planning, determining different types of work instructions for various devices, monitoring multiple processes simultaneously, and coordinating assembly, balancing, and presetting operations. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent achieves high automation while managing system complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If complete tools consisting of tool holder and tool are used in machining, then machining efficiency is improved, but automation of tool assembly, balancing, and presetting becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidtool preparation automation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by automating the tool preparation processes (assembly, balancing, and presetting) before the actual machining operations. The processing management system determines and transmits work instructions to assembly devices, balancing devices, and presetting devices in advance, enabling complete tools to be prepared and ready for machining without manual intervention during production. This preliminary automation of tool preparation maintains high machining efficiency while extending automation to the entire tool lifecycle management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4530771A1Processing management when processing an overall tool from a tool holder and a tool
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 FRANZ HAIMER MASCHINENBAU KG
  • EP4530771A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4530771A1 patent drawingFigure 1-1~2-1
  • EP4530771A1 patent drawingFigure 3-1~4-1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for data exchange during the control of machining a complete tool consisting of a tool holder and a tool, a machining management system, a data processing device/system, a computer program [product], and a computer-readable (storage) medium. The method for data exchange during the control of machining a complete tool consisting of a tool holder and a tool in an integrated/linked machining environment with at least one device for mounting the tool in the tool holder and/or a balancing device and/or a presetting device provides that, in particular, a higher-level production planning/control system for the production of a component transmits machining data for machining the complete tool, especially a tool list and/or setup sheets, to a machining management system.The processing management system then uses the processing data to determine work instructions/data for the devices of the integrated/linked processing environment.