Machine Tool Control for Multi-System Tool Life Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools fail to accurately determine the life of a tool used in machining different systems due to collective management of tool life information, leading to incorrect life determination.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool with a control device that calculates and stores total usage time separately for each system, allowing for accurate life determination by unifying tool management data across different systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If tool life information is collectively managed by a common information management device, then tool exchange automation is improved, but measurement precision of tool life for each system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides tool management data into separate first tool management data and second tool management data corresponding to different machining systems. Each system maintains its own tool usage time records independently, allowing accurate calculation of tool life specific to each system while still using a unified automatic tool exchanging device.
2Device complexity
If a common information management device is used to manage tool information, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of tool life management for multi-system machining deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device separates tool management data into distinct first and second tool management data sets for different machining systems. This segmentation ensures that tool life calculations are performed independently for each system, preventing cross-contamination of usage time data and ensuring reliable tool life management without requiring separate information management devices.
3Measurement precision
If tool usage time is calculated separately for each system, then measurement precision of tool life is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the management of first and second tool management data within a single control device. The control device calculates usage time for tools in both machining systems and maintains separate data records for each system, achieving precise tool life measurement without requiring multiple independent information management devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine tool includes a tool main spindle device to execute machining of a first system in a first workpiece main spindle device for rotationally holding a workpiece and machining of a second system in a second workpiece main spindle device for rotationally holding the workpiece by an exchangeable main spindle head tool. Drive control of each device is performed by a control device, the control device including a tool management processing section to calculate a total usage time of the main spindle head tool based on the machining of the first system or the machining of the second system executed in the tool main spindle device, to store the calculated total usage time as first tool management data or second tool management data, and to rewrite the same total usage time in the other of the second tool management data or the first tool management data.