Machining Data Conversion Table for Multi-Cell Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manufacturing cell control systems face difficulties in sharing machining information due to differences in machine configurations, such as manufacturers, control software, and tool settings, which prevents seamless data sharing between multiple manufacturing cells and machines.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with dedicated and common data storage units, a configuration information management unit, a data conversion unit, and a common data management unit that generates conversion tables to convert between system common and machine-specific data, enabling the sharing of machining information across multiple manufacturing cells and machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If machining information is shared between manufacturing cells with different machine configurations, then data sharing efficiency is improved, but data accuracy and compatibility deteriorate due to configuration differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a host computer as an intermediary between manufacturing cells. The host computer collects configuration information from each manufacturing cell, generates conversion tables that map between different configurations, and converts machining information accordingly. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient data sharing while maintaining accuracy through automated conversion, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration adjustments are made for each manufacturing cell, then data compatibility is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically collecting configuration information from each manufacturing cell and generating the necessary conversion tables without operator intervention. The host computer autonomously converts machining information based on the collected configuration data, eliminating manual configuration adjustments and reducing both operation complexity and time consumption while maintaining data compatibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If dedicated data is maintained for each machine, then machine-specific accuracy is improved, but data management complexity and storage requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal machining information database on the host computer that can serve multiple manufacturing cells with different configurations. By maintaining a single set of machining information that can be converted to accommodate various machine configurations, the system reduces data management complexity and storage requirements while preserving machine-specific accuracy through the conversion table mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a configuration information unit, a data conversion unit, and a common data management unit. On the basis of configuration information of each machine, the configuration information management unit generates a conversion table that associates system common information with dedicated information for each machine that corresponds to the system common information. The data conversion unit converts dedicated data for each machine into common data in accordance with the dedicated information for each machine in the conversion table and converts the common data into the dedicated data for each machine in accordance with the system common information in the conversion table. The common data management unit stores, in a common data storage unit, the common data thus generated and transfers the common data stored in the common data storage unit to the data conversion unit.