JP2000315105A - Management system for nc machine tool and its management program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management system and a management program for an NC machine tool which can be operated from a personal computer with high operation efficiency. SOLUTION: The NC machine tool management system remotely manages an NC machine tool from a personal computer(PC) connected to the machine tool through a network. The NC machine tool has a parts working part 1 for executing parts working by numerical control(NC) and an NC part 2 for controlling the operation of the parts working part 1 in accordance with a prescribed working program. The PC has a graphical user interface function and a picture display part for displaying an icon standing for the NC machine tool, senses the operation state of the machine tool and displays an icon corresponding to the sensed operation state. Consequently, the PC can execute accurate remote operation while surely grasping the operation state of the machine tool.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an NC (Numerical Control) machine tool management system and a management program for performing component processing by numerical control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An NC machine tool can control a machining tool exchange, a relative position between a part and a machining tool, a machining content, etc. based on a machining program with high accuracy and high speed. It can respond quickly to small-lot production. In such NC machine tools, various types of component processing can be realized as the number of types of tools and the number of control axes are increased, but the processing programs are further advanced and complicated.

In recent years, by connecting an NC machine tool and a personal computer (personal computer) to each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), 1) management and operation of a machining program by a graphical user interface, and 2) network compatibility. Has attracted attention.

[0004]

When the NC machine tool is used alone, the operator may directly operate the operation panel provided on the NC machine tool while checking the operation state of the NC machine tool. When performing remote control from a personal computer connected via a network, it is difficult for the operator to check the operation state of the NC machine tool, and there is a risk of forcibly performing an unreasonable operation when an error occurs in the NC machine tool. There is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a management system and a management program for an NC machine tool, which have good operability from a personal computer.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an NC machine tool having a component processing unit for performing component processing by numerical control, and a numerical control unit for controlling the operation of the component processing unit in accordance with a predetermined processing program. A personal computer having a graphical user interface function and having a screen display unit for displaying an icon symbolizing the NC machine tool; and a network for transmitting a signal between the NC machine tool and the personal computer. An NC machine tool management system characterized by sensing an operating condition of an NC machine tool and displaying an icon corresponding to the sensed operating condition.

According to the present invention, for example, a plurality of icons indicating NC machine tools are stored, and
C Since it is associated with the operating state of the machine tool in advance, NC
By sensing the operation state of the machine tool, an icon corresponding to the operation state can be displayed, and the operator can easily recognize the operation state of the NC machine tool. N
As the operating state of the C machine tool, for example, during normal stop,
There are icons for normal operation, stop for minor errors, stop for serious errors, power off, etc., and display icons associated with each operation state. Therefore, the operator can promptly respond from the personal computer according to the operation state of the NC machine tool, and can greatly improve the operability. For this reason, even if the personal computer is arranged at a place distant from the NC machine tool via the network, it is possible to execute an accurate remote operation while reliably grasping the operation state of the NC machine tool.

Further, a plurality of NC machine tools and a plurality of personal computers can be connected to the network.
Centralized management of C machine tools, distributed management by a plurality of personal computers, and various other types of management systems can be realized.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the personal computer senses an abnormal state of the NC machine tool and displays an icon corresponding to the detected abnormal state.

According to the present invention, the personal computer senses an abnormal state of the NC machine tool and displays an icon corresponding to the abnormal state. Abnormal states include, for example, the above-mentioned normal stop, normal operation, stopping with a minor error, stopping with a serious error, and powering off, stopping with a minor error, and stopping with a serious error. . Therefore, the operator can recognize such an abnormal state and take an appropriate action, thereby minimizing the failure of the NC machine tool, and quickly recovering the part processing that was in progress. It is possible. In addition to the icon corresponding to the abnormality, it is also possible to display an icon indicating that the machine is operating normally, thereby constantly confirming that there is no abnormality in the NC machine tool. Operability can be improved.

Also, in the present invention, the personal computer includes a plurality of N
Connected to the C machine tool, displays icons corresponding to the operation state of each NC machine tool, and displays the progress of component processing for the NC machine tool corresponding to the selected icon among the displayed icons. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, a specific icon is selected by a pointing device or the like, and the progress of the part processing is displayed for the NC machine tool corresponding to the selected icon. Necessary operations and preparations for the next part processing can be performed according to the state. The operator also
Since the progress of component processing by a plurality of connected NC machine tools can be intensively checked, N
It is possible to perform comprehensive management in consideration of the entire system, such as performing part machining of the C machine tool in place of a machine with a good progress, and further improve operability.

Further, according to the present invention, the personal computer includes a plurality of N
The NC machine tool is connected to the C machine tool, detects an abnormal state of each NC machine tool, displays an icon corresponding to the detected abnormal state, and, among the displayed icons, the NC machine tool corresponding to the selected icon. , A message for notifying an abnormality and a progress state of the part processing are displayed.

According to the present invention, as described above, the operability from the personal computer can be improved by displaying the icon corresponding to the abnormality of the NC machine tool. In addition, when a specific icon is selected, a message indicating an abnormality is displayed for the NC machine tool corresponding to the selected icon, so that the operator can recognize the abnormality more reliably. The message can include the location of occurrence of the abnormality, the scale thereof, a countermeasure manual, and the like, whereby the contents of the abnormality can be reliably grasped and prompt response can be made. Further, since the progress of the part processing is displayed together with the message of the abnormality, the part processing completed before the occurrence of the abnormality can be recognized, and the remaining part processing is performed by another normally operating NC. For example, it is possible to take over to a machine tool.

Further, the present invention provides an N processing unit having a component processing unit for executing component processing by numerical control and a numerical control unit for controlling the operation of the component processing unit in accordance with a predetermined processing program.
A C machine tool, a personal computer having a graphical user interface function and having a screen display unit for displaying icons symbolizing the NC machine tool, and a network for transmitting signals between the NC machine tool and the personal computer. A management program applied to the management system of the NC machine tool, wherein the management program is executed on the personal computer, detects an operation state of the NC machine tool, and displays an icon corresponding to the detected operation state. This is a storage medium storing a management program of the NC machine tool to be executed.

According to the present invention, the management program for detecting the operation state of the NC machine tool and displaying an icon corresponding to the detected operation state includes a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a memory. It can be stored in a storage medium such as a card, or supplied by cable or wireless data transmission.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality (three in FIG. 1) of CNCs (Com
putted Numeric Control) The machine tools M1 to M3 and a plurality (two in FIG. 1) of personal computers (personal computers) PC1 and PC2 are mutually connected by Ethernet, and NC by LAN (Local Area Network)
It constitutes a machine tool management system.

Various machine tools such as an automatic lathe and an automatic milling machine can be connected as the CNC machine tools M1 to M3. For example, even if the same automatic lathe is used, the number of machining axes and control commands are different from high-performance models. Up to functional models can be connected.

The personal computers PC1 and PC2 are a CPU for performing arithmetic processing, a memory for storing programs and data, a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display such as a liquid crystal panel and a CRT (cathode ray tube), and a communication port for network connection. And software such as an OS (operation system) and user applications compatible with graphical user interface processing, multitask processing, networks, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the CNC machine tool. The CNC machine tools M1 to M3 include a component processing unit 1 that performs component processing by numerical control, an NC (numerical control) unit 2 that controls the operation of the component processing unit 1 according to a predetermined processing program, and instructions from an operator. And a PL for controlling signal transmission among the component processing unit 1, the NC unit 2, and the operation panel unit 3.
It comprises a C (programmable logic controller) unit 4 and the like. The PLC unit 4 has a network function for connecting to a network.

The component processing unit 1 includes a plurality of processing axes, a component holding unit for positioning and rotating components, a servomotor for supplying a driving force to these components, various actuators, and the like.

The NC unit 2 includes an interface such as a CPU, a memory, and a servo motor control unit, and controls the operation of the component processing unit 1 by executing a processing program loaded in the memory.

The operation panel unit 3 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a switch, and a button, output devices such as a display and an LED, a CPU, etc., and transmits input data from the input device to the PLC unit 4, 4
And outputs the data to an output device.

The PLC section 4 comprises a CPU, a memory, an interface, etc., and further has a component processing section 1, an NC section 2,
An input port and an output port for inputting and outputting data to and from the operation panel unit 3 and the network are provided, and rewriting and reading can be performed in bit units by specifying a port address. In the memory of the PLC unit 4, a memory map of input / output ports is secured, and a sequence ladder program for defining an association between an input port and an output port and defining a logical operation is loaded, and the sequence ladder program is rewritten. The operation of the PLC unit 4 can be arbitrarily changed.

The patrol light 5 includes a blue light, a green light, a yellow light, a red light, and the like, and is turned on according to the operation state of the component processing section 1. The operation state of the part processing unit 1 is “normal standby”,
Any of "Normal operation", "Stopping due to a minor error" such as when a predetermined number of parts have been processed, or "Stopping due to a serious error" such as damage to a machining tool, and N
The diagnosis is performed by the C unit 2, and the ON / OFF of the patrol light 5 is controlled via the PLC unit 4. The blue light is lit during normal standby, the green light is lit during normal operation, the yellow light is lit when stopped due to a minor error, or the red light is lit when stopped due to a serious error.

For example, the NC unit 2 controls the part processing unit 1
If the operating state of the device is diagnosed as normal standby, the NC
The unit 2 sets an input flag corresponding to the on / off state of the blue light of the patrol light 5 in the memory map of the PLC unit 4, and resets the flag in an operation state other than the normal standby state. The CPU of the PLC unit 4 periodically checks the memory area to check the bit state corresponding to the on / off state of the blue light, and if the bit is off, continues the memory area check. If the bit is ON, an output flag corresponding to ON / OFF of the blue light of the component processing section 1 is set, and the patrol light 5 reads this flag state and operates the energizing relay of the blue light.

As described above, the states of the input devices and output devices of the operation panel section 3 and the operation states of the NC section 2 and the component processing section 1 are reflected in the memory map of the PLC section 4, and the personal computer PC1, By allowing rewriting and reading of the memory map from PC2,
Remote operation by the personal computers PC1 and PC2 becomes possible.
When the remote operation is permitted, there is a concern that the operation of the operation panel unit 3 and the operation of the personal computers PC1 and PC2 may conflict with each other, but here, one of the latest operations is reflected by the logical OR operation of each operation. It is configured as follows.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the personal computer by the management program. Icons representing the CNC machine tools M1 to M3 are stored in the memory of the personal computer, and the icons are prepared in the number of operating states for each CNC machine tool. In addition, an area for displaying the name of each NC machine tool, the corresponding number, and the like is provided below the icon. Each icon is composed of a different image, and is associated in advance with each operation state. For example, it is composed of an image common to all operation states and a background of a different color depending on the operation state. More specifically, icons with blue, green, yellow, and red backgrounds are blue, green,
The operating state is such that the yellow light and the red light are turned on, respectively. In addition, an icon in which a common image is overwritten with an “x” mark is also prepared for a case that does not correspond to any operation state.

For example, when the management program is started in the personal computer PC1, initialization processing is executed in step a1, and the personal computer PC1 and the CNC machine tools M1 to M1 are executed.
3 is established, and mutual data transmission becomes possible. At this time, information on the number of NC machine tools to be connected, the name of each NC machine tool, the network address of each NC machine tool, and other information are also included in the personal computer PC.
1 is read out from the hard disk or the like in the memory of the personal computer PC1. Next, in step a2, the operation state of each CNC machine tool is sensed by reading the output flag of the PLC unit 4. Normally, any one of the operating states in which the blue light, the green light, the yellow light, and the red light are turned on is read. However, there are cases where reading is impossible, such as when the power of the CNC machine tool is not turned on.

Next, proceeding to step a3, the icon corresponding to the operation state is called from the memory, displayed on the screen display unit as shown in FIG. 5, and if the operation state cannot be read, the above-mentioned " Display the icon with "x" mark.
CNC machine tools M1 to M1 to be connected to the personal computer PC1.
M3 is registered in advance, and in step a4, it is determined whether or not the process of sensing the operating states and displaying icons for the registered number has been completed. Until the processing for the number of registered vehicles is completed, the processes of steps a2 to a4 are repeated.
3, the processing from step a2 to step a4 is C
After repeating three times for the NC machine tools M1 to M3, a sampling timer process is started in step a5.

Next, at step a6, it is determined whether or not there is a selected icon among the displayed icons. The selection of the icon is performed by clicking a mouse button or the like. If no icon is selected,
When the process proceeds to step a10 and the icon is selected, in step a7, a process of selecting one of two display methods, simple and detailed, is performed.

For example, when the left button of the mouse is single-clicked, a simple display as shown in FIG. 6 is performed in step a9. In FIG. 6, the icons are displayed in a window. The icon is highlighted by the left mouse click, indicating that it is selected. “Stop” is displayed on the status bar located at the bottom of the window as a character indicating the operation state corresponding to the selected icon. The status bar displays the same color as the background color of the icon (blue in FIG. 6) and the progress of component processing. The progress state of the component processing includes information such as the number of components that have been processed and the processing time.

On the other hand, according to the double click of the left button of the mouse or the selection of the pull-down menu appearing after the single click of the right button, a detailed display as illustrated in FIG. 7 is performed in step a8. In FIG. 7, another window is opened to display the same information as the above status bar, and by selecting another display sheet, the user can browse the network settings, hardware and software information of the CNC machine tool. Can be. In FIG. 7, blue is displayed during normal stop, but when red during abnormal stop is displayed, an error message is displayed together with the progress of the part processing. As an error message,
The type, scale, occurrence location, and countermeasure manual of the abnormality may be displayed. "OK" displayed at the bottom of the window
Clicking the mouse button on the button closes the window for displaying details.

The information displayed in FIG. 6 and FIG.
The information is stored in the memory in association with the operation state of the C machine tool, and these pieces of information are displayed by reading more detailed data from the CNC machine tool.

When no icon is selected in step a6, and in steps a8 and a9
After displaying the information of the machine tool selected in step a10, in step a10, a process of determining whether or not to execute the registration / deletion process of the machine tool is performed. If the process is not to be performed, that is, if No, the process proceeds to step a5. If it is to be executed, a machine tool registration / deletion process is executed in step a11.

Next, in step a11, for example, the CNC machine tools M1 to M2
New CNC machine tool M when two
After registering the CNC machine 3, the CNC machine M3 on the network is searched, and the name of the CNC machine M3, the network address of the CNC machine M3, and other information are stored in a hard disk or the like in the personal computer PC1. And the number information N = 3.

When deleting, the number information is reduced and the connection with the corresponding NC machine tool is released.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to the step a2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the sampling timer process of FIG. 3 in more detail. When the sampling timer process is started, first, at step b1, the operating state of each CNC machine tool is read, as in the case of FIG. 3, and it is determined at step b2 whether the operating state has changed. If changed, step b2
The icon displayed in b11 is also changed, and if not changed, the processing in steps b2 to b11 is skipped and the process proceeds to step b12.

In steps b3 to b10, when the component processing section 1 is normally stopped, the icon is changed to an icon indicating that the component processing section 1 is normally stopped, that is, an icon corresponding to lighting of a blue light. Similarly, when the component processing unit 1 is operating normally, the icon is changed to an icon corresponding to a green light, and when the component processing unit 1 is stopped due to a slight error and needs attention, a yellow light is used. When the component processing unit 1 is stopped due to a serious error and an alarm is required, the icon is changed to an icon corresponding to a red light. If none of the operation states is satisfied, in step b11, the icon is changed to an icon with an “x” mark indicating that connection is not possible.

Next, in step b12, a change in the operating state is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the process of changing the icon for the changed one has been performed for the number of registered CNC machine tools. If the processing has not been completed, the process returns to step b1, and the processing of steps b1 to b12 is repeated until the above processing is completed.

For example, when the number information NC of the NC machine tools is N = 3, step b is performed for each of the CNC machine tools M1 to M3.
The processing from 1 to b12 is performed three times in total.

By performing such a sampling timer process, the display of icons can be changed in accordance with the change in the operating state of the CNC machine tool. Even if the personal computer is located away from the CNC machine tool, A change in the state can be accurately grasped.

Further, by increasing the frequency of the sampling timer processing, it is possible to respond to changes in the operating state of the NC machine tool in real time, and icons are displayed and changed each time. Even with a personal computer, it is possible to grasp the operating states of a plurality of NC machine tools in real time.

In the embodiment of the present invention, icons representing each NC machine tool are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display of each NC machine tool is distinguished by an icon corresponding display area below the icon. However, the icons may be prepared by the number of operating states of the NC machine tool. In this case, the number of icons prepared in the personal computer can be reduced, and it is possible to cope with the case where a new NC machine tool type exists.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the operating state of the NC machine tool is sensed and icons are displayed according to the operating state, the operability from the personal computer can be greatly improved. it can.

Further, according to the present invention, the abnormality of the NC machine tool is detected and the icon corresponding to the abnormality is displayed, so that the operability from the personal computer can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the progress of the part machining for the NC machine tool corresponding to the selected icon is displayed, so that the operability from the personal computer can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, a message for notifying an abnormality is displayed for the NC machine tool corresponding to the selected icon, so that the operability from the personal computer can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the management program for sensing the operation state of the NC machine tool and displaying an icon corresponding to the sensed operation state includes a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, It can be stored in a storage medium such as a memory card or supplied by cable or wireless data transmission.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a CNC machine tool.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the personal computer by the management program.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the sampling timer process of FIG. 3 in further detail;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of an icon corresponding to an operation state of the NC machine tool.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a simplified information display for a selected icon.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a detailed information display for a selected icon;

[Explanation of symbols]

 M1-M2 CNC machine tools PC1, PC2 Personal computer 1 Parts processing section 2 NC section 3 Operation panel 4 PLC section 5 Patlite

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5H223 AA06 CC06 CC08 DD03 DD09 EE06 FF03 5H269 AB01 AB02 AB05 BB07 CC13 KK03 PP02 QB06 QC01 QC02 QC03 QD02 QD03 QD10 QE32 QE37 9A001 CC08 DD13 JJ49 KK54

Claims (5)

[Claims] An NC machine tool having a component processing unit for performing component processing by numerical control, a numerical control unit for controlling the operation of the component processing unit in accordance with a predetermined processing program, and a graphical user interface function , A personal computer having a screen display unit for displaying an icon symbolizing the NC machine tool, and a network for transmitting a signal between the NC machine tool and the personal computer, wherein the personal computer detects an operation state of the NC machine tool. And displaying an icon corresponding to the sensed operating state. 2. The NC machine tool management system according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer senses an abnormal state of the NC machine tool and displays an icon corresponding to the detected abnormal state. 3. The personal computer is connected to a plurality of NC machine tools to display icons corresponding to the operation state of each NC machine tool, and the NC corresponding to a selected one of the displayed icons. The management system for an NC machine tool according to claim 1, wherein a progress state of part processing is displayed for the machine tool. 4. The personal computer is connected to a plurality of NC machine tools, detects an abnormal state of each NC machine tool, and displays an icon corresponding to the detected abnormal state. 2. The management system for an NC machine tool according to claim 1, wherein a message for notifying an abnormality and a progress state of part machining are displayed for the NC machine tool corresponding to the selected icon. 5. An NC machine tool having a component processing unit for performing component processing by numerical control, a numerical control unit for controlling the operation of the component processing unit according to a predetermined processing program, and a graphical user interface function. , A management program applied to a management system for an NC machine tool, comprising: a personal computer having a screen display section for displaying an icon representing the NC machine tool; and a network for transmitting signals between the NC machine tool and the personal computer. A storage medium storing a management program for an NC machine tool, which is executed on the personal computer, detects an operation state of the NC machine tool, and displays an icon corresponding to the detected operation state.