JP2008129706A - Startup control system of machine tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technological means for preventing a machine tool from being inappropriately moved to a position apart from an initial set position and obtaining a destination and a moving history thereof. <P>SOLUTION: A startup control system detects a location of the machine tool by using a GPS, and puts restrictions on start and a function of the machine tool when the detected location exceeds an allowable area preliminarily registered. The startup control system includes a GPS antenna 1, an area setting means 5, a current position calculating means 2 for receiving a GPS signal to calculate a current position when a start command of the machine tool 3 is given to an NC device 4, a control information output means 7 for outputting an operation control signal to the NC device 4 when the current position exceeds the allowable area set by the area setting means 5, and a control canceling means 8 for canceling an operation control based on the operation control signal upon receiving a predetermined canceling command. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical means for restricting the start-up of a machine when a machine tool is moved, and preventing troubles caused by deterioration in machining accuracy or resale of the machine due to inappropriate transfer.

  Machine tools with high processing accuracy may cause troubles such as inaccuracy in processing accuracy or inability to exhibit a predetermined processing capability if the machine is improperly installed. For example, if the floor surface to be installed is distorted or twisted, the frame will be deformed when the machine is fixed to the floor surface, causing an error in the positional relationship between the spindle and the tool rest mounted on the frame. The machine's original processing accuracy cannot be demonstrated. In addition, if the foundation supporting the floor to be installed is not strong enough, a large cutting reaction force will be applied, or the machine will vibrate when the loader or unloader that transports the workpiece is operated, reducing the accuracy of the machined surface. Or the original processing ability cannot be demonstrated.

  There are various types of machine tools, and even in the same type of machine tool, there are differences in technical matters that must be noted during installation due to the structure of the frame and the position of the tool post. Therefore, when the machine tool is installed, it is installed by an installation company certified by a machine maker to ensure the original performance of the machine.

  However, even if a machine tool once installed is moved by relocation, relocation, or sale of the factory, the machine tool manufacturer or the installer who installed the machine will move the machine unless there is a contact from the user. I can't know. If the machine is moved by an inappropriate method or moved to an inappropriate location without the manufacturer's knowledge, problems such as reduced machining accuracy and reduced tool and machine life may occur. Troubles such as compensation may occur. Also, in extreme cases, illegal relocations can result in damage to machine tool manufacturers' trust.

When relocating a machine tool, a different type of vibration is applied to the machine tool during operation. In Patent Document 1, by detecting such vibration, by recognizing the relocation of the machine and suppressing the subsequent activation of the machine, the occurrence of trouble due to improper relocation of the machine tool is avoided. Has been proposed.
JP 2003-35595 A

  According to the technique of Patent Document 1, it can be detected that there is a possibility that the work of moving the machine tool has been performed, and it is considered that the occurrence of trouble due to poor installation or the like can be avoided. However, the machine cannot be started due to slight movement of the machine due to line changes in the factory, vibration caused by collision between the workpiece and the machine due to operation mistakes, or vibration when an earthquake occurs. However, there is a problem that it is troublesome to contact the manufacturer to obtain a password for canceling the start restriction.

  In addition, the occurrence of a situation where the start of the machine is restricted when it is not necessary, such as when the start and stop are caused by an earthquake, means that the machine stops due to a malfunction, which impairs the reliability of the machine. The danger is great.

  In addition, in the method of detecting relocation using only the vibration detector, there is a risk of unauthorized relocation due to modification of the vibration detector, and the export destination is prohibited because the destination of the machine and the relocation history are unknown. There are problems such as being unable to prevent relocation to a certain country and not being able to properly maintain users who have purchased second-hand goods.

  This invention was made as part of research to prevent the occurrence of various troubles associated with the relocation of machine tools, and prevents improper relocation of the machine away from the original installation location, It is an object to provide technical means capable of knowing the relocation destination and relocation history.

  The present invention detects the installation position of the machine using GPS, and limits the start-up or function of the machine when the detected installation position exceeds an allowable range registered in the machine in advance. It solves the problem.

  In other words, in the machine tool activation restriction system according to the invention of claim 1 of the present application that solves the above-described problem, the activation command of the machine tool 3 is given to the GPS antenna 1, the area setting means 5, and the NC device 4. Current position calculation means 2 that sometimes receives a GPS signal and calculates the current position, and a restriction that outputs an operation restriction signal to the NC device 4 when the current position exceeds the permitted area set in the area setting means 5 A machine tool activation restriction system comprising: an information output means 7; and a restriction release means 8 that receives a predetermined release command and releases an operation restriction based on the operation restriction signal.

  In addition, the machine tool start restriction system according to claim 2 of the present application that has solved the above problems includes a GPS antenna 1, an area setting unit 5, and a measurement timing setting unit 17 that sets measurement timings at predetermined intervals. The current position calculation means 2 for calculating the current position by receiving GPS signals at every measurement timing, the current position storage means 16 for updating and storing the calculated current position, and the stored current position as the area setting means 5 Restriction information output means 7 for outputting an operation restriction signal to the NC device 4 when the permitted area set in the above is exceeded, and restriction release means for releasing the operation restriction based on the operation restriction signal in response to a predetermined release command 8 is a machine tool start restriction system.

  According to claim 3 of this application, in the start restriction system for a machine tool provided with the means according to claim 1 or 2, the area set in the area setting means 5 is rewritten based on the input position signal. The area release unit 9 outputs the current position to the area update unit 9 when the operation restriction is released.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the start restriction system for a machine tool provided with the means according to the first, second, or third aspect, the present location is transmitted via the Internet connection means and the Internet connection means. The present invention is characterized by comprising current position transmitting means 12 and release command receiving means 13 for receiving the release command via the Internet connection means.

  GPS is a system that calculates the position and time of a receiving terminal by the difference in arrival times of radio waves transmitted simultaneously from four satellites, and is composed of a GPS antenna 1 and position calculation means 2. In the area setting means 5, an area is set by setting an initial position and an area centered on the initial position, or an area is set by longitude and latitude regardless of the initial position. The initial position is a properly installed position before being relocated.

  The limit signal output from the limit information output means 7 is simply a signal that prevents the start command from being given to the machine tool 3 or the NC device 4, but it can be started but a specific operation does not function. It may be a signal that partially limits the operation of the machine. The cancellation command is a password such as a personal identification number, and is manually input by the person in charge of the installation who has moved or acquired from the server 11 installed at a machine tool manufacturer or the like via the Internet and automatically input.

  When a machine tool or NC device is activated, a system that detects the current position of the machine tool using GPS does not function when the machine tool is installed in a tunnel or underground factory where GPS radio waves do not reach. The problem is that, as shown in claim 2 and claim 3, even when the machine tool is not connected to the power source, the built-in battery receives GPS radio waves at predetermined intervals and calculates the current position. This can be avoided by adopting a system in which update storage is performed in a predetermined storage area (stored contents are overwritten), and the start limit is applied when the stored value exceeds the set area when the machine tool is started.

  As described in claim 4, the area setting means 5 for setting the area for which relocation is permitted is provided with the area updating means 9 for rewriting the area set, and the trajectory restriction generated at the relocation destination is input of an authentication password, etc. By rewriting to a new area based on the location of the approved transfer destination when it is released by the release means, after the transfer destination is approved, even if it moves a little from the transfer destination, activation restrictions are imposed. This phenomenon can be avoided. Specifically, for example, the area setting means stores the initial position and information indicating the size of the area centered on the initial position, and when the transfer destination is approved, the data of the initial position is stored. It can be easily realized by rewriting the data.

  If the input of the release information to the release means 8 is transmitted from the server 11 provided in a management center such as a machine tool manufacturer via the Internet, the server 11 is the current machine tool installed in the user's factory. The position and movement history can be stored. In this way, it is possible to know from the location information of the relocation destination whether it is a simple change of installation location or relocation by resale, and it is possible to quickly perform necessary maintenance when the user changes or when the machine breaks down. It becomes like this.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent deterioration in machine performance and life due to inappropriate transfer of the machine and to prevent trouble between the manufacturer and the user due to resale of the machine. Since the area that can be relocated can be set in the area setting means 5, relocation that is less likely to cause trouble such as relocation due to line changes within the same factory can be performed by the user. Since an unnecessary start restriction is not applied due to an earthquake or the like, it is possible to avoid a complicated restriction release operation due to an unnecessary operation of the start restriction system.

  In addition, since it is possible to release the start restriction via the Internet, it is possible to automate the process of releasing the start restriction in the case of proper relocation, and further, the authentication history and movement history of each machine tool on the server Can be stored automatically, so that when a problem such as a decrease in the accuracy of the machine occurs, it is easy to investigate the cause by tracing this history information. In addition, since the current location of the machine is stored in real time, if a machine failure occurs, the repair person can use the GPS navigation system to quickly go to the site without getting lost. There is an effect that can be.

  1 and 2 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a GPS antenna, and 2 is a current position calculation means. The current position calculation means 2 calculates the current position based on a GPS radio wave reception signal received by the GPS antenna 1. 3 is a machine tool, and 4 is an NC device that controls the machine tool. When the power of the NC device 4 is turned on and a start command for the machine tool 3 is given to the NC device, the NC device 4 operates the current position calculation means 2.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes area setting means. The area setting means 5 is set with the initial position of the machine (initially installed position) and the size of the transferable area centered on the initial position. The set area is a relative area. In the area setting means 5, an absolute area can be set by longitude and latitude. It is also possible to set both the relative area and the absolute area, and set the relocation allowable area according to the AND condition or the OR condition of both areas.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes comparison means, and 7 denotes restriction information output means. When the current position calculation means 2 calculates the current position, the comparison means 6 determines whether the position is within the allowable area set in the area setting means 5 or outside the area. The restriction information output means 7 sends an activation restriction signal to the NC device 4 when the comparison means 6 determines that it is out of the area. When the NC device 4 receives the start restriction signal, the NC device 4 does not execute the given trajectory command of the machine tool.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes release means. The canceling means 8 includes a password manual input means, and when the preset authentication password or installer password is input, the NC apparatus 4 receiving the activation restriction signal from the restriction information output means 7 Outputs a release signal to release the start restriction.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes area updating means. When the area update unit 9 is provided, when a release signal is output from the release unit 8, the current position calculation unit 2 sends current position information to the area update unit 9. The area update unit 9 rewrites the area set in the area setting unit 5 based on the received current position information.

  FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of the system shown in FIG. When the power of the NC device 4 is turned on, the current position is acquired by GPS in step 21, and it is determined whether or not the current position acquired in step 22 is within the permitted area set in the area setting means. If it is within the permitted area, start the machine tool. If it is out of the area, the machine tool start restriction is set in the NC device 4 by the restriction information from the restriction information output means 7, the process first passes through step 24, and the password input screen is displayed in step 23. Prompts for a password. When the password is input, the password is checked. If the password is proper, the activation restriction set in the NC device 4 is canceled and the machine tool 3 is activated. If the password is not correct, the process returns to step 24 to prompt the user to re-enter the password. If the correct password is not obtained even after repeated password re-entry, it is determined in step 24 whether the number of times the limit has been reached, and if the limit is reached, the screen is locked and the machine tool is not started. The process ends. In the example shown in the drawing, the activation of the machine tool 3 is restricted to the NC device 4, but the activation of the NC device 4 may be restricted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart thereof. In this example, a release signal given to the release means 8 is acquired via the Internet 10. In the system of the second embodiment, a transmission unit 12 and a reception unit 13 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the server 11 installed in the center via the Internet 10 are added to the system of FIG. The receiving unit 13 gives the release information acquired from the server 11 via the Internet 10 to the release unit 8. The transmission means 12 sends the current position calculated by the current position calculation means 2 to the server 11 via the Internet 10 when the restriction information output means 7 outputs a restriction signal to the NC device 4. Further, the transmission unit 12 transmits the password to the server 11 when the password is input in accordance with the instruction on the authentication screen displayed on the display of the NC device 4.

  Although not explicitly shown in the figure, in the system of the second embodiment, the current position calculation means 2 has a built-in rechargeable battery, and even when the power source is not connected to the NC device 4, a predetermined time has elapsed. The current position is calculated based on GPS radio waves acquired by the GPS antenna 1 at intervals. The operation of other elements constituting the system is as described in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the system of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The current position calculation means 2 acquires the current position by GPS. When the power of the NC device 4 is turned on, the comparison means 6 determines in step 41 whether the current position is within the permitted area. If it is within the permission area, the NC device 4 is activated in a normal state. When it is outside the permission area, the restriction information output means 7 places the activation restriction on the NC device 4. At the same time, the current position calculated by the current position calculation means 2 is sent to the server 11 through the Internet 10.

  Next, a password authentication screen is displayed on the display of the NC device 4 in step 42, and it is determined whether or not network authentication is possible in step 43. If possible, the installer who moved the machine tool to the operator in step 44 , And the entered installer password is sent to the server 11 via the Internet 10. If the password matches the password registered in the server 11 as a legitimate installer, the server 11 sends authentication information via the Internet 10.

  When the authentication information is acquired from the server and the authentication is completed, the current position is set as the initial position of the area setting means 5 in step 45, and the normal NC device is activated. If the authentication information cannot be acquired from the server 11, the process returns to step 44 to prompt the installer to input the password. Then, similarly to the case of FIG. 2, when the number of repetitions of the input operation reaches the limit, the process is terminated without starting the NC device 4.

  If it is determined in step 43 that network authentication cannot be performed, input of the installer password and authentication password is awaited while the password authentication screen in step 44 is displayed. During this period, the operator contacts the management center with the location information and the installer password by telephone or the like, acquires the authentication password, and manually inputs the installer password and the authentication password. If the inputted installer password and authentication password are correct, the current position is set to the initial position of the area setting means 5 in step 45 and the NC apparatus 4 is activated. When the correct installer password and authentication password are not entered, the screen returns to the password authentication screen, and when the number of repeated input operations reaches the limit, the process is terminated without starting the NC unit 4 as in FIG. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are operation flowcharts thereof. In the system of FIG. 5, a current position storage unit 16 for overwriting and storing the current position calculated by the current position calculation unit 2 is provided between the current position calculation unit 2 and the comparison unit 15 of the system of FIG. . The current position calculation means 2 and the current position storage means 16 are operated by a built-in battery, and perform the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 for each time interval set in the timing interval setting unit 17. That is, the current position is calculated by GPS at every predetermined measurement timing, and the acquired current position is updated and stored in the current position storage means 16. When the current position cannot be acquired because GPS radio waves cannot be received, the next measurement timing is waited without updating the current position stored in the current position storage means 16. In this system, when the machine tool 3 is installed at a location where GPS radio waves cannot be received, the location where the GPS radio waves were last received is stored as the current position.

  When the activation command is given, the NC device 4 in FIG. When the comparison means 6 receives the signal, it compares the current position stored in the current position storage means 16 with the permission area set in the area setting means 5, and if it is out of the area, it outputs an out-of-area signal. Output to the restriction information output means 7. The restriction information output means 7 outputs an activation restriction signal to the NC device 4 if an out-of-area signal is output from the comparison means 6. The operation of the other elements of the system of FIG. 5 is the same as that of FIG.

  An operation flowchart of the system of FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. That is, when the NC device is turned on, it is determined whether the current position stored in the current position storage means 16 is within the permission area or outside the permission area. If it is within the permitted area, the normal startup operation starts. The operation after the transition to step 71 is as described in FIG.

  In the third embodiment as well, a release signal for canceling the start restriction can be obtained via the Internet. In that case, it is only necessary to add the elements added in FIG. 3 to the system in FIG. 1 to the system in FIG. 5 and perform the procedure after the activation restriction is applied in the procedure shown in FIG.

Block diagram of the first embodiment Operation flowchart of the system of FIG. Block diagram of the second embodiment Operation flowchart of the system of FIG. Block diagram of the third embodiment The flowchart which shows the present location storage procedure performed with the system of FIG. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of power activation of the system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 GPS antenna 2 Current position calculation means 3 Machine tool 4 NC apparatus 5 Area setting means 7 Restriction information output means 8 Release means 9 Area update means
13 Receiving means
16 flags

Claims (4)

  GPS antenna (1), area setting means (5), and current position calculation means for receiving a GPS signal and calculating the current position when a start command for the machine tool (3) is given to the NC device (4) (2), restriction information output means (7) for outputting an operation restriction signal to the NC device (4) when the current position exceeds the permitted area set in the area setting means (5), and a predetermined release A machine tool activation restriction system comprising restriction release means (8) for releasing an operation restriction based on the operation restriction signal in response to a command.   GPS antenna (1), area setting means (5), measurement timing setting means (17) for setting measurement timings at predetermined intervals, and current position calculation for receiving GPS signals at each measurement timing and calculating the current position Means (2), current position storage means (16) for updating and storing the calculated current position, and NC when the stored current position exceeds the permitted area set in the area setting means (5). A restriction information output means (7) for outputting an operation restriction signal to the device (4), and a restriction release means (8) for receiving a predetermined release command and releasing the operation restriction based on the operation restriction signal. Machine tool start restriction system.   An area updating unit (9) for rewriting the area set in the area setting unit (5) based on the input position signal, and the restriction releasing unit (8) 3. The machine tool start restriction system according to claim 1, wherein the current position is output to the updating means (9).   Internet connection means, current position transmission means (12) for transmitting the current position via the Internet connection means, and release command reception means (13) for receiving the release command via the Internet connection means, The start restriction system for a machine tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3.

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