Tool Status Display for Verified Turret Attachment and Nose Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for attaching tools to machine tools lack efficient methods to verify the correct attachment and measurement of tool nose positions, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies in machining operations.

Innovation Solution

A tool status display device with a memory, processor, and display that determines and visually indicates whether designated tools are attached to the correct turret surfaces and their nose positions have been measured, using data associations and determination processing to generate display commands for clear feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual verification of tool attachment and measurement is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity and accuracy are reduced due to potential errors and inefficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool preparation efficiencyVSAvoidverification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-verification of tool attachment status and measurement completion by comparing data from multiple sources (tool information table, measurement information table, machining program). The processor automatically determines discrepancies and generates alerts without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to service itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring tool attachment status and measurement completion, then providing real-time visual alerts through the display unit when discrepancies are detected. This feedback loop enables operators to immediately correct issues, improving productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity through intuitive feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If automated verification systems are implemented, then productivity and accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool attachment accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification system is segmented into distinct functional modules: data acquisition from the tool information table and measurement information table, processing and comparison logic in the processor, and visual output through the display unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, improving precision while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification of tool attachment status and measurement completion before machining operations begin. By checking consistency between the tool information table, measurement information table, and machining program in advance, the system prevents errors from propagating into the actual machining process, ensuring higher precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If comprehensive tool status monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of time in data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining operation reliabilityVSAvoidverification processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs verification only on the specific data elements necessary for reliable operation: tool attachment status in the tool information table and measurement completion status in the measurement information table. By focusing on these critical partial aspects rather than comprehensive monitoring of all possible parameters, the system maintains high reliability while minimizing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual verification mechanisms with automated electronic data processing. The processor automatically compares data from the tool information table and measurement information table against the machining program requirements, eliminating the time-consuming manual checking process while enhancing reliability through consistent, error-free automated verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250238011A1Tool status display device, numerical controller for machine tool, machine tool, and tool preparation method

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 YAMAZAKI MAZAK KK

AI summary

A tool status display device includes a memory, a processor, and a display. The memory is configured to store first data that associates each attachment surfaces with each tools, and second data that identifies whether tool nose positions of noses of the tools have been measured. The processor is configured to determine whether designated tool among the plurality of tools is attached to designated attachment surface among the plurality of attachment surfaces based on the first data and third data that associates the designated tool with the designated attachment surface. The processor is configured to determine whether designated tool nose positions of the designated tool among the tool nose positions have been measured based on the third data and the second data. The display is configured to show whether the designated tool is attached to the designated attachment surface and whether the designated tool nose positions have been measured.