Machine Tool Controller Automatic Cutting Condition Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional machine tools require manual and time-consuming adjustments of cutting conditions, and existing automatic systems cannot ensure that changed conditions are within appropriate ranges, especially regarding tool rotational speed, cutting feed rate, and cutting load.

Innovation Solution

A controller for machine tools that sets upper and lower limit values for rotational speed, feed rate, and cutting load, calculates the cutting load, and determines whether changed conditions are within these limits, allowing for automatic adjustment and display of results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of cutting conditions is performed, then cutting conditions can be changed, but it is very time-consuming and troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adjusting cutting conditionsVSAvoidtime required for manual adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts cutting conditions without operator intervention. The determination unit automatically determines whether changed cutting conditions are appropriate by comparing them against pre-stored appropriate cutting condition ranges, eliminating the need for manual verification and adjustment by the operator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system. The controller automatically modifies cutting conditions and the determination unit automatically verifies appropriateness, substituting the mechanical manual adjustment process with an automated information processing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automatic change of cutting conditions is implemented, then adjustment efficiency is improved, but it cannot ensure that changed conditions are within appropriate ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of cutting condition adjustmentVSAvoidaccuracy of cutting condition appropriateness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit provides feedback by automatically determining whether changed cutting conditions are appropriate. It compares the changed cutting conditions against pre-stored appropriate cutting condition ranges and provides determination results, enabling closed-loop verification of cutting condition appropriateness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification before executing cutting operations. The determination unit determines in advance whether the changed cutting conditions are appropriate by comparing them with pre-stored appropriate ranges, preventing inappropriate cutting conditions from being executed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If uniform override setting is applied to entire machining program, then operation is simplified, but it cannot provide individualized adjustment for each tool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of override settingVSAvoidability to adjust per tool

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different cutting condition adjustments to different tools individually. The determination unit determines appropriateness for each tool's specific cutting conditions separately, allowing localized optimization for each tool while maintaining overall system automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9989957B2Controller for controlling machine tool having cutting condition change function

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A controller for controlling a machine tool calculates a variation of a cutting load based on a changed rotational speed or feed rate of a tool in a machining program for machining a workpiece when the rotational speed or the feed rate is changed, and executes the machining program if the changed rotational speed and/or feed rate of the tool and/or the cutting load are within the ranges of predetermined upper and lower limit values.