Machine Tool Changer Control for Switchable Tool Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic tool exchange systems face challenges in managing tools efficiently, with the memory random scheme leading to complex tool management and potential errors, while the fixed address scheme prolongs tool exchange time, and existing systems often lack flexibility to switch between these modes.
Innovation Solution
An automatic tool exchange system that allows selection between fixed address and memory random schemes through a control unit with a storage unit for tool information, a modifying unit, and a tool exchange instruction unit, enabling seamless switching between modes based on machining programs, using a selector switch on the NC device for mode selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the memory random scheme is used to manage tools, then tool exchange time is reduced, but tool management complexity increases and errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the management mode parameter between fixed address scheme and memory random scheme based on machining program requirements. The control unit selects appropriate management parameters dynamically, allowing optimization between exchange speed and management simplicity for different machining scenarios
2Ease of operation
If the fixed address scheme is used to manage tools, then tool management simplicity is improved, but tool exchange time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically changes the management scheme parameter from fixed address to memory random based on the specific machining program requirements. This allows the system to achieve fast tool exchange when needed while maintaining management simplicity when appropriate
3Device complexity
If a single tool management mode is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different machining programs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically selects and switches between fixed address scheme and memory random scheme based on different machining program requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the same system to optimize for different scenarios without increasing physical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: managing tools under fixed address scheme, managing tools under memory random scheme, and selecting between these modes based on machining programs. This multi-functionality provides adaptability while maintaining a single integrated system
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
An automatic tool exchange system which allows a tool management mode to be arbitrarily selectable between a fixed address scheme and a memory random scheme in operation of the same machining center. The control unit for controlling the respective drive units of the tool exchanger and the magazine includes a storage unit for storing tool information containing a registered correspondence relationship between the tools and corresponding addresses of the stowage parts of the magazine, a modifying unit for modifying the tool information, and a tool exchange instruction unit for sequentially designating the tool to be used in each of the machining steps in accordance with the machining program, and driving the magazine to move the stowage part at the address corresponding to the designated tool to a predetermined position based on the tool information so that the tool is located at the exchange position at a predetermined timing. The control unit is configured to manage the tool in a mode selectively switchable between a first tool management mode in a fixed address scheme for returning the tool after use to a corresponding address, and a second tool management mode in a memory random scheme so as to stow the tool after use at an unoccupied address where the tool for next use has been previously stowed, and allow the modifying unit to modify the correspondence relationship between the tool after use and the address, which has been contained in the tool information.