Machine Tool Turret Tool Display for Expandable Tool-State Checking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tool management devices for machine tools are inadequate in displaying all tools attached to a tool station simultaneously, leading to errors such as forgetting necessary tools or leaving unnecessary tools attached, due to limited screen display capabilities and poor usability.
Innovation Solution
A tool management device that uses a display controller to show tool information for all tools attached to a station on a single screen, allowing switching between a deployed and folded state, enabling efficient checking of tool existence, life, and matching machining program requirements, and providing warnings for missing or unnecessary tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If only one tool is displayed per tool station on the management screen, then the display is simple and clear, but the user cannot check all tools attached to the tool station, leading to tool management errors
Solution Approach 1:
The display interface dynamically changes between a folded state (showing one tool per station) and a deployed state (showing all tools per station) based on user interaction. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt between simplicity and completeness without requiring separate screens or complex navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical display dimension where tool information can be expanded or collapsed. By adding this dimensional aspect to the display, the system can show detailed information about multiple tools per station when needed, while maintaining a clean single-tool view as the default, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and information completeness.
2Loss of information
If a completely different screen is used to display tools not shown in the management screen, then all tool information can be displayed, but the operation becomes complicated and usability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tool listing function and the detailed tool information display into a single integrated interface. By combining these functions that were previously separated into different screens, the system eliminates the need for screen switching while still providing access to all tool information, thus reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface uses dynamic expansion and collapse functionality within the same screen to reveal additional tool information. This dynamic behavior allows users to access complete tool details without leaving the current screen context, maintaining usability while providing comprehensive information.
3Loss of information
If all tools attached to a tool station are displayed in detail, then complete tool information is visible, but the display space is wasted and the interface becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments tool information display into hierarchical levels: a summary level showing one tool per station (folded state) and a detailed level showing all tools (deployed state). This segmentation allows the interface to present information in appropriate detail based on user needs, optimizing display space efficiency while maintaining information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The display dynamically adjusts its level of detail through expand/collapse functionality. In the folded state, display space is optimized by showing only essential information. When users need more details, they can deploy the view to see all tools. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between information completeness and display space efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool management device for managing tools detachable from a plurality of tool stations provided in a turret of a machine tool includes a display controller controlling a display to display tool information related to one or more tools attached to each of the plurality of tool stations. The display controller switches, on a single screen, between a deployed state of deploying and displaying tool information related to all tools attached to one of the plurality of tool stations, and a folded state of folding and displaying tool information related to only one predetermined tool among the all tools attached to the one of the plurality of tool stations.