Machining Time Estimation Device for NC Program Block Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current machining time estimation methods require significant time and machine tool occupation, especially for longer NC programs, and do not account for the number of blocks affected by machining setting adjustments, leading to prolonged estimation processes.
Innovation Solution
A machining time estimation device that extracts varied elements from machining settings, identifies affected blocks, calculates time differences, and displays estimated reductions, allowing for faster estimation without full program execution, using a combination of hardware and software components like personal computers or numerical control devices to process and store machining information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the NC program is long, then more machining operations can be performed, but the time required for estimating the machining time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the long NC program into individual blocks and selectively processes only those blocks that are affected by machining setting adjustments. This allows the system to handle long programs efficiently by avoiding unnecessary re-estimation of unaffected operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing estimation only on the necessary affected blocks rather than the entire program. This partial processing approach maintains productivity for long NC programs while minimizing the time required for estimation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple iterations of adjustment of the machining setting and estimation are performed to attain the target machining time, then the target can be achieved, but the total time required is prolonged drastically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the estimation process to focus only on affected blocks during each iteration of machining setting adjustment. This segmented approach allows multiple iterations to be performed much faster, reducing the total adjustment time while maintaining the ability to achieve target machining time accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the estimation results of affected blocks are used to quickly evaluate whether the target machining time is achieved, enabling efficient iterative adjustments without prolonged total adjustment time.
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the present invention is to provide a machining time estimation device for reducing the time required for estimating the machining time. The device comprises storage for storing machining program and machining setting, and machining information acquiring unit for acquiring machining information on an operating condition of a machine tool adapted to be controlled on the basis of the machining program and machining setting. The device further comprises varied element extraction unit for extracting an element varied between a plurality of said machining settings, effected block extraction unit for extracting an effected block the machining time is varied on the effect of the varied element, estimated reduction in time calculating unit for calculating on each effected block difference caused by the varied element and calculating estimated difference in time throughout the machining program, and machining time display unit for outputting the estimated difference in time.