JP4885049B2 - Machining support system, integrated server and integrated server program applied to it - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing support system that performs support for processing a workpiece from a material into a product shape by an NC processing machine, and an integrated server and an integrated server program applied thereto.

  In order to process dies and the like with NC processing machines, so far, after creating shape information (CAD data), design the machining process, generate NC data, and optimize the generated NC data Editing has been done. The machining process includes a machining order, a tool type, and machining conditions in the machining area. For example, support systems for designing machining processes are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-247810 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-78449 (Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 also describes generating NC data. Editing NC data according to the machining process is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-172543 (Patent Document 3) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-108210 (Patent Document 4). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-309673 (Patent Document 5) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-34961 (Patent Document 6) describe that a workpiece after processing is measured and corrected NC data is generated. .

  As described above, individual functions from shape information to actual machining have been individually automated. However, in order to operate each function, it is necessary to input information for each function.

In response to this request, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-116807 (Patent Document 7) describes that, after inputting shape information, machining process design, NC data generation, and editing are performed consistently and automatically. Has been.
JP 2006-247810 A JP 2005-78449 A JP 2002-172543 A JP 2003-108210 A JP 2005-309673 A JP 2005-34961 A JP 2002-116807 A

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, a module for designing a machining process is transferred to a module for generating NC data via a dedicated interface. Furthermore, the data is transferred from the module that generates NC data to the module that edits NC data via a dedicated interface. As described above, since the dedicated interface is arranged between the modules, the cost is increased. Furthermore, in this system, as the number of modules increases, the number of dedicated interfaces increases. Therefore, there remains room for improvement in function extensibility.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a machining support system capable of automating a machining support function, improving its function expandability, and reducing the cost. And

<Processing support system>
(1) Therefore, the present inventor conducted intensive research to solve this problem, and as a result of repeated trial and error, in addition to the CAM server incorporating each CAM application tool, an integrated server that collectively manages each CAM application tool is provided. The present invention has been completed and the present invention has been completed.

  In other words, the machining support system of the present invention is a machining support system for supporting machining of a workpiece from a material to a product shape by an NC machine, and includes a CAM server incorporating a plurality of CAM application tools, and a client. And an integrated server that executes and manages the CAM application tool in accordance with an initial execution command initially input from the terminal.

The CAM application tool is a machining process design tool for designing a machining process including a machining sequence, a tool type and a machining condition in a machining area based on shape information of a material and a product shape,
NC data generation tool for machining that generates NC data for machining based on shape information and machining process;
A machining NC data editing tool for editing machining NC data according to the machining process.

The integrated server includes an input unit for inputting an initial input command including shape information and an initial execution command from the client terminal;
An equipment information storage unit for storing equipment information including NC processing machines and tools;
NC data storage unit for storing machining NC data generated or edited by a CAM application tool;
An execution tool determination unit that sequentially determines a CAM application tool to be executed based on an initial execution command and post-execution information by the CAM application tool when the CAM application tool is already executed;
In addition to the command signal sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit, shape information, initial execution command, equipment information, post-execution information when the CAM application tool is already executed, and NC data And a command unit that outputs one or more pieces of execution information selected from among the CAM server, and obtains post-execution information from each CAM application tool that is sequentially executed from the CAM server.

  Here, the execution information is selected from shape information, initial execution command, facility information, post-execution information, and NC data. For example, the execution information includes shape information and an initial execution command, or post-execution information and NC data.

  That is, the integrated server in the processing support system of the present invention sequentially executes each CAM application tool incorporated in the CAM server and manages its execution. Therefore, the worker only inputs necessary information from the client terminal, and does not need to input necessary information for each CAM application each time. As described above, when the plurality of CAM applications are executed from the input of the shape information, it is completely automated. Therefore, in comparison with the case where necessary information is input for each function, according to the processing support system of the present invention, an initial input command such as shape information is input from the client terminal, and the NC processing machine and tool are previously connected. By inputting the facility information to be included, the CAM application is automatically executed, and a desired result can be obtained. For example, when the machining process design tool, machining NC data generation tool, and machining NC data editing tool are only used as the CAM application tool, the desired result is obtained by editing the machining NC data. . Of course, when other CAM application tools are included, the desired result is obtained accordingly.

  Each CAM application tool transmits information only to the integrated server, and information is not transmitted between CAM application tools. That is, when information necessary for execution by a certain CAM application tool is information generated by another CAM application tool, the information is transmitted via the integrated server. This is the same between any CAM application tools. Therefore, a dedicated interface between CAM applications is not required as in the prior art. That is, it is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to the installation of a large number of dedicated interfaces. Furthermore, when the number of CAM application tools is increased, a dedicated interface as in the prior art is unnecessary, which is easy. That is, the function expandability is greatly improved.

(2) Further, in the processing support system of the present invention, the processing support system includes a CAM server group including a plurality of CAM servers,
Each CAM server constituting the CAM server group incorporates one or more CAM application tools,
The integrated server
A calculation capability grasping unit for grasping the calculation capability of each CAM server;
All the CAM servers in which the CAM application tool to be executed determined by the execution tool determining unit is incorporated are extracted, and the CAM server to be executed is determined according to the computing capability of the CAM server among all the extracted CAM servers. An execution server determination unit for performing,
The command unit outputs a command signal and execution information to be sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit to the CAM server determined by the execution server determination unit, and is executed by the sequentially executed CAM application tool. The post information may be acquired from the CAM server determined by the execution server determination unit.

  Thereby, when there are a plurality of CAM servers, the CAM server to be executed can be determined according to the computing capability of the CAM server. Here, the computing ability is, for example, an ability determined by the performance and operating status of each CAM server. In other words, for example, when the operating status of one CAM server is very high at a certain point in time, it can be executed by another CAM server. In addition, when there are a plurality of low-load CAM servers, a CAM server with high performance can be executed. In this manner, a plurality of CAM servers can be appropriately distributed according to the performance and operating status of the CAM server. As a result, the calculation time by the CAM application tool can be shortened.

  In particular, when the CAM server group incorporates one CAM application tool in a smaller number than other CAM application tools, the execution server determination unit may perform the following.

  That is, when another execution CAM application tool is determined by the execution tool determination unit, the execution server determination unit does not incorporate one CAM application tool among all the CAM servers in which the other CAM application tools are incorporated. The CAM server may be determined as a CAM server to be executed.

  Here, since the NC data generation tool for machining is often very expensive compared to other CAM application tools, there is a situation where the number of the tools is smaller than the number of other tools. It is done. In addition, it is natural that the number of necessary CAM application tools is different in consideration of the calculation time required for each CAM application tool.

  A specific example is given. For example, assume that there is only one machining NC data generation tool, and there are a plurality of machining process design tools and machining NC data editing tools. Furthermore, one CAM server incorporates a machining NC data generation tool, a machining process design tool, and a machining NC data editing tool, and the other CAM server has a machining process design tool and machining NC data. It is assumed that only the editing tool is incorporated and the machining NC data generation tool is not incorporated. Consider a case where the integrated server determines a CAM server to be executed in order to execute the machining process design tool.

  In this case, since the machining process design tool is incorporated in either CAM server, it can be executed by either CAM server. However, when the CAM server in which the machining NC data generation tool is incorporated is executed, it becomes necessary to execute the machining NC data generation tool based on another initial input command immediately after that. At the same time, the server executes the machining process design tool and the machining NC data generation tool. Therefore, the load on the CAM server becomes very high. Then, the calculation time is extended. Therefore, the machining process design tool is executed on a CAM server in which the machining NC data generation tool is not incorporated. Thereby, even if it becomes necessary immediately after that to execute the machining NC data generation tool based on another initial input command, it is possible to prevent one CAM server from executing these two tools at the same time. Therefore, the load of each CAM server can be reliably distributed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the calculation time from being extended.

(3) Further, in the processing support system of the present invention, the integrated server selects and sequentially adds post-execution information by the CAM application tool to the initial execution command and stores it as integrated management information. Further comprising
The execution tool determination unit sequentially determines the CAM application tool to be executed based on the integrated management information stored in the integrated management information storage unit,
The command unit may sequentially add and store the acquired post-execution information as integrated management information in the integrated management information storage unit.

  That is, the integrated server centrally manages the initial execution command and post-execution information by each CAM application tool as integrated management information. Therefore, the integrated server can easily associate the initial execution command input from the client terminal with the execution status of the CAM application tool. Therefore, the execution tool determination unit of the integrated server can easily grasp which CAM application tool to execute next in response to the initial execution command. Furthermore, information communication with each CAM application tool can be performed reliably and easily.

  In particular, the integrated management information has a predetermined language expression format, and the command unit acquires post-execution information from the CAM server in the predetermined language expression format, and integrates the acquired post-execution information in the predetermined language expression format. The management information storage unit may be additionally stored sequentially as integrated management information. As described above, by sharing the language of the transmission information between the command unit of the integrated server and each CAM application tool of the CAM server, all the CAM application tools can recognize the integrated management information.

  Furthermore, the integrated server may further include a client display command unit that causes the client terminal to display the execution status of each CAM application tool with respect to the shape information input from the client terminal and the initial execution command based on the integrated management information. By centrally managing the initial execution command and post-execution information of the CAM application tool as integrated management information, it is possible to easily associate the initial execution command and the execution status of the CAM application tool. By using this integrated management information, it is possible to reliably and easily grasp the execution status of each CAM application tool. Therefore, the information can be displayed reliably and easily.

  In particular, when there are a plurality of initial input commands input from the client terminal, the client display instruction unit may display the execution status of each CAM application tool on the client terminal in response to each initial input command. When a plurality of initial input commands are input, the execution status of the CAM application tool can be reliably and easily displayed for each initial input command.

  When the integrated management information is stored in the integrated management information storage unit as the integrated management information, the CAM application tool generates a processing instruction sheet that indicates the processing order, the tool type, and the processing conditions in the processing area based on the integrated management information. It is preferable to include a processing instruction generation tool to be generated. That is, when executing the processing instruction generation tool, the processing instruction can be easily generated by using the integrated management information.

  (4) In the machining support system of the present invention, the CAM application tool may include the following tools.

  The CAM application tool further includes a machining NC data division tool for dividing machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool based on the tool life information, and the facility information further includes tool life information, The data storage unit may store the divided machining NC data. With this NC data dividing tool for machining, NC data for machining considering the tool life can be generated by dividing the NC data. Also for the NC data dividing tool for machining, a management command is issued by the integrated server. That is, the division of machining NC data is also automatically performed following execution of the above-described CAM application tool.

  In addition, the CAM application tool checks the presence or absence of interference between the NC machine and the workpiece based on the machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool, and changes the tool type when there is interference. An interference confirmation tool may be included. Also for this interference confirmation tool, a management command is issued by the integrated server. The interference confirmation tool is also automatically performed following the execution of the CAM application tool described above.

When the NC processing machine includes an on-machine measuring machine, the CAM application tool may be configured as follows. That is, the CAM application tool generates measurement NC data for measuring the shape of the workpiece processed by the machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool by the on-machine measuring machine. NC data generation tool for
An on-machine measuring machine execution tool for executing an on-machine measuring machine based on NC data for measurement;
Correction for generating uncut information based on the measurement result obtained by executing the on-machine measuring machine based on the NC data for measurement and the shape information of the product shape, and generating corrected NC data based on the uncut information NC data generation tool,
An NC machine tool execution tool for executing the NC machine tool based on the machining NC data and the corrected NC data,
The NC data storage unit may further store measurement NC data and correction NC data.

  That is, the execution of each CAM application tool relating to the on-machine measuring machine is also automatically performed following the execution of the CAM application tool described above.

<Integrated server applied to machining support system>
In the above description, the case where the present invention is regarded as a machining support system has been described. In addition, since the present invention is characteristic as a single integrated server, the present invention can also be understood as an integrated server that is applied to a processing support system.

That is, the integrated server applied to the processing support system of the present invention is:
An integrated server that is applied to a machining support system that provides support for machining a workpiece from a material into a product shape by an NC machine,
Executing and managing a plurality of CAM application tools in accordance with an initial execution command initially input from a client terminal;
CAM application tools
A machining process design tool for designing a machining process including a machining sequence, a tool type and a machining condition in a machining area based on shape information of a material and a product shape;
NC data generation tool for machining that generates NC data for machining based on shape information and machining process;
NC data editing tool for machining to edit NC data for machining according to the machining process,
Including
The integrated server
An input unit for inputting an initial input command including shape information and an initial execution command from the client terminal;
An equipment information storage unit for storing equipment information including NC processing machines and tools;
NC data storage unit for storing machining NC data generated or edited by a CAM application tool;
An execution tool determination unit that sequentially determines a CAM application tool to be executed based on an initial execution command and post-execution information by the CAM application tool when the CAM application tool is already executed;
In addition to the command signal sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit, shape information, initial execution command, equipment information, post-execution information when the CAM application tool is already executed, and NC data A command unit that outputs to the CAM server one or more pieces of execution information selected from among the CAM server, and obtains post-execution information from each CAM application tool that has been sequentially executed from the CAM server;
Is provided.

  As described above, even when the present invention is regarded as an integrated server, the same effects as those obtained by the processing support system of the present invention described above can be obtained. Furthermore, the other features of the above-described processing support system of the present invention can be applied to the integrated server of the present invention. In this case, the same effects as the effects of the other features of the above-described machining support system of the present invention can be achieved.

<Integrated server program>
Moreover, this invention can also be grasped | ascertained as an integrated server program which functions an integrated server other than the case where it grasps | ascertains as an above-mentioned process assistance system and an integrated server applied to it.

That is, the integrated server program of the present invention is
A program that causes a computer to function as an integrated server that is applied to a machining support system that provides support for machining a workpiece from a material into a product shape by using an NC machine,
The integrated server executes and manages a plurality of CAM application tools according to an initial execution command initially input from the client terminal,
CAM application tools
A machining process design tool for designing a machining process including a machining sequence, a tool type and a machining condition in a machining area based on the shape information of the material and the product shape;
NC data generation tool for machining that generates NC data for machining based on shape information and machining process;
NC data editing tool for machining to edit NC data for machining according to the machining process,
Including
The integrated server
An input unit for inputting an initial input command including shape information and an initial execution command from the client terminal;
An equipment information storage unit for storing equipment information including NC processing machines and tools;
NC data storage unit for storing machining NC data generated or edited by a CAM application tool;
An execution tool determination unit that sequentially determines a CAM application tool to be executed based on an initial execution command and post-execution information by the CAM application tool when the CAM application tool is already executed;
In addition to the command signal sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit, shape information, initial execution command, equipment information, post-execution information when the CAM application tool is already executed, and NC data A command unit that outputs to the CAM server one or more pieces of execution information selected from among the CAM server, and obtains post-execution information from each CAM application tool that has been sequentially executed from the CAM server;
Is provided.

  As described above, even when the present invention is regarded as an integrated server program, the same effects as those obtained by the processing support system of the present invention described above can be obtained. Furthermore, the other features of the above-described machining support system of the present invention can be applied to the integrated server program of the present invention. In this case, the same effects as the effects of the other features of the above-described machining support system of the present invention can be achieved.

  Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. The processing support system according to the present embodiment is a system that performs support for processing a workpiece from a material to a product shape by the NC processing machine 3 based on the shape information of the material and product shape generated by CAD. Specifically, it is a system that allows an operator to perform final machining only by first inputting shape information, an initial execution command, setting parameters, and the like.

(Overall configuration of processing support system)
The overall configuration of the machining support system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a machining support system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the processing support system according to the present embodiment includes an integrated server 1, a CAM server group 2, an NC processing machine 3, and a client terminal group 4.

  Each of the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c constituting the integrated server 1 and the CAM server group 2 uses a general-purpose server computer. That is, the server computer applied to the integrated server 1 and the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / F, and the like. In the present embodiment, one server computer is used as the integrated server 1. Further, although three server computers are used as the CAM server group 2, the number is not limited to this, and the CAM server group 2 can be further increased or reduced to one. Further, the integrated server 1 is connected to each of the CAM servers 2 a, 2 b, 2 c through a network, and is connected to two client terminals 4 a, 4 b constituting the client terminal group 4. That is, the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected to the client terminals 4a and 4b via the integrated server 1. The client terminal group 4 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. And between the integrated server 1 and the CAM server group 2 and between the integrated server 1 and the client terminal group 4 is constructed by a WEB service. The WEB service is a mechanism that allows an application at a remote site to be used from another application using XML standard technology, or the application.

  The integrated server 1 incorporates an integrated server program. Then, the integrated server 1 functions as an integrated server described below by executing the integrated server program. The integrated server 1 is executed by each of the client terminals 4a and 4b. The client terminals 4a and 4b are used by an operator to input job information (corresponding to “shape information” in the present invention), setting parameters (corresponding to “initial execution command” in the present invention), and other information, Various browsing can be performed.

  Each CAM server 2a, 2b, 2c incorporates a plurality of CAM application tools. Each CAM server 2a, 2b, 2c executes each incorporated CAM application tool in accordance with the execution command of the integrated server 1. At least one of the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c is a CAM server in which a CAM application tool (NC execution management tool) for executing the NC processing machine 3 is incorporated. In the present embodiment, all CAM servers 2a, 2b, 2c incorporate an NC execution management tool for executing the NC processing machine 3.

  That is, the integrated server 1, the CAM servers 2a, 2b, 2c, and the NC processing machine 3 execute in accordance with job information and setting parameters that are initially input by the worker from the client terminals 4a and 4b, and the workpiece is extracted from the material. Process into product shape. The integrated server 1 executes and manages each CAM application tool incorporated in the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c in accordance with job information and setting parameters that are initially input from the client terminals 4a and 4b. The job information and setting parameters (initially input by the operator from the client terminals 4a and 4b, collectively referred to as “initial input command”) may be input one by one or multiple. . When a plurality of initial input commands are input, the integrated server 1 and the CAM server group 2 perform processes related to the plurality of initial input commands in parallel.

(Detailed explanation of NC machine 3)
Details of the NC machine 3 will be described. The NC processing machine 3 uses a 4-axis or 5-axis NC machining center used for mold processing. The machining center is provided with a number of tools that can be attached to the spindle via a holder, and the workpiece can be measured on the machine, that is, on the machine that can be measured on the NC machine 3. A measuring machine 3a is provided. The on-machine measuring device 3a is composed of, for example, a touch sensor, and outputs a contact signal when the probe at the tip contacts the object. The workpiece is attached to a table that can move relative to the main axis in three orthogonal directions and at least one rotational axis.

(Detailed configuration of the CAM servers 2a, 2b, 2c)
Next, the detailed configuration of the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c. Each CAM server 2a, 2b, 2c incorporates a plurality of CAM application tools 21-29. As a CAM application tool, a machining process design tool 21, a machining NC data generation tool 22, a machining NC data editing tool 23 (rough machining speed optimization tool 23a and finishing speed optimization tool 23b), a machining NC data division tool 24, interference confirmation tool 25, machining instruction document generation tool 26, NC execution management tool 27 (NC machine tool execution tool 27 a and on-machine measuring machine execution tool 27 b), measurement NC data generation tool 28, correction NC data generation tool 29 Is included.

  However, different CAM application tools are incorporated in each of the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c. Specifically, the first CAM server 2a includes a machining process design tool 21, a machining NC data creation tool 22, a machining instruction creation tool 26, an NC execution management tool 27, a measurement NC data creation tool 28, and a correction NC. A data generation tool 29 is incorporated.

  The second CAM server 2b includes a machining process design tool 21, a machining NC data generation tool 22, a machining NC data editing tool 23, a machining NC data division tool 24, an interference confirmation tool 25, a machining instruction creation tool 26, An NC execution management tool 27 is incorporated.

  The third CAM server 2c includes a machining process design tool 21, a machining NC data editing tool 23, a machining NC data division tool 24, an interference confirmation tool 25, a machining instruction generation tool 26, an NC execution management tool 27, and a measurement tool. An NC data generation tool 28 and a correction NC data generation tool 29 are included.

  That is, the machining process design tool 21, the machining instruction creation tool 26, and the NC execution management tool 27 are incorporated in all the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c, but the other CAM application tools are three CAMs. It is incorporated in any two of the servers 2a, 2b, 2c.

(Function description of CAM application tool)
Hereinafter, functions of the respective CAM application tools will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of each CAM application tool. First, from the client terminals 4a and 4b, job information and setting parameters (corresponding to the “initial execution command” of the present invention) which are shape information of materials and product shapes are input. The input job information and setting parameters are stored as integrated management information in an integrated management information database 113 (hereinafter referred to as “integrated management information DB”) of the integrated database 11 (hereinafter referred to as “integrated DB”).

  The machining process design tool 21 inputs integrated management information including job information and setting parameters of materials and product shapes input from the client terminals 4 a and 4 b from the integrated management information DB 113. Then, the machining process design tool 21 designs a machining process including the machining order, tool type, and machining conditions in the machining area based on the job information and the setting parameters included in the integrated management information. In designing this machining process, tool / holder information and machine characteristic information stored in advance in an equipment information database 111 (hereinafter referred to as “equipment information DB”) of an integrated database 11 described later are used.

  Here, the processing region is a processing region for processing a workpiece from a material into a product shape. The processing order includes, for example, a processing order related to processing conditions such as a roughing process, a semi-finishing process, and a finishing process, and a processing order for each tool type in each process related to the processing conditions. The tool type is a type corresponding to a tool shape, a tool diameter, a holder type, a protruding amount of the tool from the holder (tooling), and the like. As described above, the processing conditions are conditions such as a roughing process, a semi-finishing process, and a finishing process, and a spindle speed, a feed speed, and a cutting speed in each process. Then, the machining process design tool 21 adds the designed machining process to the integrated management information of the integrated management information DB 113 of the integrated DB 11.

  The machining NC data generation tool 22 is a so-called CAM, and inputs integrated management information from the integrated management information DB 113. Then, the machining NC data generation tool 22 generates machining NC data based on job information, setting parameters, and machining steps included in the integrated management information. The machining NC data is stored in an NC data database 112 (hereinafter referred to as “NC data DB”) of the integrated DB 11 of the integrated server 1 described later.

  The machining NC data editing tool 23 edits the machining NC data generated by the machining NC data generation tool 22 according to the machining process generated by the machining process design tool 21 included in the integrated management information. . The edited NC data for editing is stored in the NC data DB 112.

  The machining NC data editing tool 23 includes a rough machining speed optimization tool 23a and a finishing speed optimization tool 23b. The rough machining speed optimization tool 23a performs editing so as to optimize the tool feed speed in the rough machining process generated by the machining process design tool 21. Specifically, the tool feed speed at the planar machining site is increased, and the tool feed speed at the corners is decreased. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the roughing time while improving the roughing processing accuracy.

  The finishing speed optimization tool 23b edits the machining NC data in consideration of the mechanical characteristics in the intermediate finishing process and the finishing process generated by the machining process design tool 21. In particular, high machining accuracy is required in the intermediate finishing process and the finishing process. Here, the NC processing machine 3 has different mechanical rigidity depending on its type. The machine rigidity of the NC machine 3 affects the machining accuracy. For this reason, it is necessary to consider the mechanical rigidity of the NC processing machine 3 to be used in intermediate finishing processing and finishing processing that require high processing accuracy. The machine rigidity of the NC machine 3 varies depending on, for example, a vertical machining center and a horizontal machining center. Furthermore, in addition to the differences between the vertical type and the horizontal type, the mechanical rigidity varies depending on various factors. Therefore, the NC data for machining is edited so that the machining accuracy is good in consideration of the mechanical characteristics of the NC machine 3 that affects the machine rigidity.

  The machining NC data division tool 24 is a tool for dividing the machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool 23. For example, when a region to be processed with the same tool is wide, processing may not be performed with one tool, and processing may be performed with a plurality of tools. In such a case, the machining NC data is divided before and after the tool change timing so that the tool change command can be issued at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the machining NC data dividing tool 24 performs the machining NC data based on the tool life information in the equipment information DB 111 when dividing the machining NC data. And it considers the processing time or cutting length (tool moving distance) with the same tool. This machining time or cutting length can be measured when the machining NC data is edited by the machining NC data editing tool 23 described above, and this information is used. That is, the machining NC data is divided when the machining time or the cutting length with the same tool reaches a predetermined machining time or a predetermined cutting length. The divided machining NC data is stored in the NC data DB 112. Further, the machining time and the cutting length are added to the integrated management information in the integrated management information DB 113.

  The interference confirmation tool 25 confirms the presence or absence of interference between the NC processing machine 3 and the workpiece based on the machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool 23. Further, the interference confirmation tool 25 changes the tool type when the NC machine 2 and the workpiece interfere. For example, changes such as increasing the tool protrusion amount are performed. The interference information and the changed tool type are added to the integrated management information in the integrated management information DB 113.

  The processing instruction generation tool 26 generates a main program. The main program is generated based on the integrated management information stored in the integrated management information DB 113. The main program is a program for determining the order of a plurality of machining NC data stored in the NC data DB 112. The main program includes a spindle rotation command, a tool change command, a machining start / end position determination, a coolant command, a machining NC data call command, an on-machine measurement start command, and a measurement NC data call command to be described later. , A correction NC data calling command, a workpiece centering command, a tool length measurement command, a tool breakage detection command, and the like, which will be described later, are included. This main program is stored in the processing instruction document database 114 (hereinafter referred to as “processing instruction document DB”) of the integrated DB 11.

  Further, the machining instruction generating tool 26 generates a machining instruction indicating the machining order, tool type and machining conditions in the machining area based on the integrated management information. This processing instruction sheet can be browsed and printed in accordance with input from the client terminals 4a and 4b. This processing instruction sheet is stored in the processing instruction sheet DB 114 of the integrated DB 11.

  The NC execution management tool 27 causes the NC machine tool 3 to be executed based on the main program stored in the machining instruction document DB 114 and the various NC data stored in the NC data DB 112. The NC execution management tool 27 includes an NC machine tool execution tool 27a and an on-machine measuring machine execution tool 27b.

  The NC machine tool execution tool 27a directly instructs the NC machine 3 based on the main program and the machining NC data, thereby executing the part of the NC machine 3 that is applied to machining. Further, the NC processing machine execution tool 27a executes the NC processing machine 3 so as to perform correction processing based on the main program and the correction NC data. That is, the NC machine tool execution tool 27a operates the NC machine 3 so as to process the workpiece with the tool.

  The on-machine measuring machine execution tool 27b causes the on-machine measuring machine 3a of the NC processing machine 3 to be executed by directly instructing the NC processing machine 3 based on the main program and NC data for measurement described later. That is, the on-machine measuring machine execution tool 27b operates the NC processing machine 3 so as to measure the shape of the workpiece using the on-machine measuring machine 3a.

  The measurement NC data generation tool 28 inputs job information, setting parameters, and a machining process included in the integrated management information stored in the integrated management information DB 113. And based on these input information, the NC data for a measurement for measuring the shape of a workpiece with the on-machine measuring machine 3a are produced | generated. Here, the shape of the workpiece is the shape of the processed workpiece based on the machining NC data executed by the NC machine execution tool 27a. That is, the measurement NC data is for measuring the shape of the workpiece machined by the machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool 23.

  The correction NC data generation tool 29 inputs job information included in the integrated management information stored in the integrated management information DB 113. Further, the correction NC data generation tool 29 inputs the measurement result of the shape of the workpiece obtained by executing the on-machine measuring machine 3a. Then, uncut information is generated based on the shape information of the product shape included in the job information and the measurement result. Then, based on the uncut information, corrected NC data for processing the uncut portion is generated.

(Detailed configuration of integrated server 1)
Next, a detailed configuration of the integrated server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the integrated server 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the integrated server 1 includes an integrated database 11, an input unit 12, an execution tool determination unit 13, a computing capacity determination unit 14, an execution server determination unit 15, a command unit 16, and a client display. And a command unit 17.

  The integrated database 11 includes an equipment information DB 111 (corresponding to “an equipment information storage unit” in the present invention), an NC data DB 112 (corresponding to an “NC data storage unit” in the present invention), and an integrated management information DB 113 (invention). And a processing instruction document DB 114.

  The facility information DB 111 stores facility information such as information on the NC machine 3, machine characteristic information, tool / holder information, tool life information, and the like. In the NC data DB 112, machining NC data generated by the machining NC data generation tool 22, machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool 23, and machining divided by the machining NC data dividing tool 24 are stored. NC data for measurement, NC data for measurement generated by the NC data generation tool for measurement 28, and correction NC data generated by the correction NC data generation tool 29 are stored.

  Integrated management information is stored in the integrated management information DB 113. Here, as the integrated management information, job information and an initial execution command input from the input unit 12 to be described later are first included, and then post-execution information by each CAM application tool is added. However, all post-execution information by the CAM application tool is not added to the integrated management information, but is selected and added sequentially. For example, information related to NC data in post-execution information is removed from information included in the integrated management information. A main program and a processing instruction sheet are stored in the processing instruction sheet DB 114. In the present embodiment, the integrated management information has an XML language expression format. That is, the integrated management information includes various types of information, which are all stored in a unified XML language expression format.

  The input unit 12 inputs job information, setting parameters, and various other information from the client terminals 4a and 4b. Other various information includes login information, a task list screen display command, an operation status confirmation screen display command, a processing instruction sheet display command, and the like. The job information and the initial execution command are referred to as an initial input command. These pieces of input information are stored in the integrated management information DB 113 as integrated management information.

  The execution tool determination unit 13 uses the integrated management information stored in the integrated management information DB 113, that is, the initial execution command input to the input unit 12, and the CAM application tool when the CAM application tool is already executed. The CAM application tool to be executed is sequentially determined based on the post-execution information. For example, when only the initial execution command is included in the integrated management information, the CAM application tool to be executed next is determined as the machining process design tool 21. For example, when the integrated management information includes the main program generated by the processing instruction generation tool 26, the CAM application tool to be executed next is determined as the NC execution management tool 27.

  The computing capacity grasping unit 14 grasps the computing ability of each CAM server 2a, 2b, 2c. This computing capacity is an ability determined by the performance and operating status of each CAM server 2a, 2b, 2c. The performance of the CAM server relates to, for example, the CPU frequency and memory capacity of the CAM server 2a. That is, the higher the performance of the CAM server, the higher the processing capability. When the same processing is performed by CAM servers having different performances, the processing time is naturally shortened by performing the processing by a CAM server having high performance. The CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c can also execute a plurality of processes simultaneously. However, there is a possibility that other processing cannot be performed when processing that is already executed is very complicated. That is, even if the performance of the CAM server is high, it may be better not to execute the CAM application tool to be executed next on the CAM server, depending on the operation status. In such a case, another CAM server is made to execute.

  The execution server determination unit 15 first extracts all CAM servers in which the CAM application to be executed determined by the execution tool determination unit 13 is incorporated. Subsequently, the execution server determination unit 15 inputs the calculation capabilities of all the extracted CAM servers from the calculation capability grasping unit 14. And the execution server determination part 15 determines the CAM server to perform according to the computing capability of the said CAM server among all the extracted CAM servers.

  However, when a large number of CAM application tools incorporated in the CAM server group 2 are determined by the execution tool determination unit 13, the execution server determination unit 15 determines that all the CAMs in which the large number of CAM application tools are incorporated. Of the servers, a CAM server that does not incorporate a CAM application tool with a small number of installations is determined as a CAM server to be executed.

  Specifically, a case where the machining process design tool 21 is determined by the execution tool determination unit 13 will be described as an example. Here, the machining process design tool 21 is incorporated in all the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c. Then, a CAM application tool with a small number of built-ins is used as a machining NC data generation tool. In general, the machining NC data generation tool 22, so-called CAM, is more expensive than other CAM application tools, so that the number of incorporation may be smaller than that of other CAM application tools. Further, the processing of the machining NC data generation tool 22 is very complicated as compared with the processing of other CAM application tools, so the processing time is often long.

  In such a case, the execution server determination unit 15 includes the machining NC data generation tool 22 having a small number of built-ins among all the CAM servers 2a, 2b, and 2c in which the machining process design tool 21 having a large number of built-ins is incorporated. Is determined as a CAM server to be executed.

  In addition to the command signal sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit 13, the command unit 16 performs job information, initial execution command, facility information, and post-execution when the CAM application tool is already executed. Information and one or more pieces of execution information selected from the various NC data are output to the CAM servers 2a to 2c determined by the execution server determination unit 15. Then, the command unit 16 inputs post-execution information by the sequentially executed CAM application tools from the CAM servers 2a to 2c in which the executed CAM application tools are incorporated, in an XML language expression format. Subsequently, the command unit 16 sequentially stores the input post-execution information as integrated management information in the integrated management information DB 113 in an XML language expression format.

  The client display command unit 17 displays various screens on the client terminals 4a and 4b in response to inputs from the client terminals 4a and 4b. Specifically, the client display command unit 17 displays a login screen when the processing support system is accessed from the client terminals 4a and 4b. Subsequently, when appropriate login information is input, the client display command unit 17 displays an initial input screen. On this initial input screen, job information and setting parameters can be input.

  In addition, when a task list screen display command is input to the input unit 12 from the client terminals 4a and 4b, the client display instruction unit 17 causes each CAM for each initial input command (job information and setting parameters). The execution status of the application tool, that is, the task list is displayed on the client terminals 4a and 4b. That is, by browsing this task list, it is possible to grasp which CAM application tool has been executed for which initial input command.

  In addition, when an operation status confirmation screen display command is input to the input unit 12 from the client terminals 4a and 4b, the client display instruction unit 17 indicates the operation status of each of the CAM servers 2a to 2c to the client terminals 4a and 4b. Display. When a processing instruction display instruction is input to the input unit 12 from the client terminals 4a and 4b, the client display instruction unit 17 displays a processing instruction for the initial input instruction on the client terminals 4a and 4b. .

<Other embodiments>
In the said embodiment, although the integrated server 1, the CAM server group 2, and the client terminal group 4 were demonstrated using a respectively different computer, it is not restricted to this. For example, a so-called stand-alone type in which all are incorporated into one computer can be used, or the CAM server group 2 can be a server computer that is shared with the integrated server 1.

It is a figure showing the whole processing support system composition of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of CAM server 2a, 2b, 2c. It is a figure which shows the functional block of each CAM application tool. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an integrated server 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1: integrated server, 2: CAM server group, 2a, 2b, 2c: CAM server,
3: NC processing machine, 3a: On-machine measuring machine,
4: Client terminal group, 4a, 4b: Client terminal,
11: integrated database, 12: input unit, 13: execution tool determination unit,
14: Computation capability grasping part, 15: Execution server determination part, 16: Command part,
17: Client display command section,
21: Machining process design tool, 22: NC data generation tool for machining,
23: NC data editing tool for machining, 23a: Rough machining speed optimization tool,
23b: Finishing speed optimization tool, 24: NC data division tool for machining,
25: Interference confirmation tool, 26: Machining instruction document generation tool, 27: NC execution management tool,
27a: NC machine tool execution tool, 27b: On-machine measuring machine execution tool,
28: NC data generation tool for measurement, 29: Correction NC data generation tool,
111: Facility information database
112: NC data database, 113: Integrated management information database 114: Processing instruction document database

Claims (14)

A processing support system for supporting processing of a workpiece from a material into a product shape by an NC processing machine,
A CAM server incorporating a plurality of CAM application tools, and an integrated server for executing and managing the CAM application tools according to an initial execution command initially input from a client terminal;
The CAM application tool is:
Based on the shape information of the material and the product shape, a machining process design tool for designing a machining process including a machining sequence, a tool type, and a machining condition in a machining area;
NC data generation tool for processing that generates NC data for processing based on the shape information and the processing step;
A machining NC data editing tool for editing the machining NC data in accordance with the machining process;
Including
The integrated server is
An input unit for inputting an initial input command including the shape information and the initial execution command from the client terminal;
An equipment information storage unit for storing equipment information including the NC processing machine and the tool;
An NC data storage unit for storing the machining NC data generated or edited by the CAM application tool;
An execution tool determination unit that sequentially determines the CAM application tools to be executed based on the initial execution command and post-execution information by the CAM application tool when the CAM application tool is already executed;
In addition to the command signal sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit, the shape information, the initial execution command, the equipment information, and the execution when the CAM application tool is already executed One or more pieces of execution information selected from the post information and the NC data are output to the CAM server, and the post-execution information by each of the CAM application tools sequentially executed is acquired from the CAM server. A command section to perform,
A machining support system comprising: The processing support system includes a CAM server group including a plurality of the CAM servers,
Each of the CAM servers constituting the CAM server group incorporates one or a plurality of the CAM application tools,
The integrated server is
A computing power grasping unit for grasping computing power of each of the CAM servers;
All the CAM servers in which the CAM application tool to be executed determined by the execution tool determination unit is incorporated are extracted, and executed according to the computing capability of the CAM server among all the extracted CAM servers An execution server determination unit that determines the CAM server to be executed,
The command unit outputs the command signal and the execution information to be sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit to the CAM server determined by the execution server determination unit, and sequentially executes them. The processing support system according to claim 1, wherein the post-execution information by the CAM application tool is acquired from the CAM server determined by the execution server determination unit.   The processing support system according to claim 2, wherein the computing capacity is determined by the performance and operating status of each CAM server. The CAM server group incorporates one CAM application tool in a smaller number than the other CAM application tools,
When the execution tool determination unit determines the other CAM application tool, the execution server determination unit includes the one CAM among all the CAM servers in which the other CAM application tools are incorporated. The processing support system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the CAM server in which an application tool is not incorporated is determined as the CAM server to be executed. The integrated server further includes an integrated management information storage unit that selects and sequentially adds post-execution information by the CAM application tool to the initial execution command and stores the information as integrated management information.
The execution tool determination unit sequentially determines the CAM application tool to be executed based on the integrated management information stored in the integrated management information storage unit,
The processing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the command unit additionally stores the acquired post-execution information sequentially as the integrated management information in the integrated management information storage unit. The integrated management information consists of a predetermined language expression format,
The command unit acquires the post-execution information from the CAM server in an expression format of the predetermined language, and acquires the acquired post-execution information in the integrated management information storage unit in an expression format of the predetermined language. The processing support system according to claim 5, which is additionally stored as information sequentially.   The integrated server further includes a client display command unit that causes the client terminal to display an execution status of each CAM application tool with respect to the shape information input from the client terminal and the initial execution command based on the integrated management information. The processing support system according to claim 5 or 6. The initial input command input from the client terminal comprises a plurality of
The processing support system according to claim 7, wherein the client display instruction unit displays an execution status of each CAM application tool on the client terminal in response to each initial input command.   The CAM application tool includes a processing instruction generation tool that generates a processing instruction indicating the processing order, the tool type, and the processing conditions in the processing area based on the integrated management information. The processing support system according to any one of the above. The CAM application tool further includes a machining NC data dividing tool that divides the machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool based on tool life information,
The facility information further includes the tool life information,
The machining support system according to claim 1, wherein the NC data storage unit stores the divided machining NC data.   The CAM application tool checks the presence / absence of interference between the NC processing machine and the workpiece based on the machining NC data edited by the machining NC data editing tool. The processing support system according to claim 1, comprising an interference confirmation tool that changes a tool type. The NC processing machine includes an on-machine measuring machine,
The CAM application tool is:
NC data for measurement for generating NC data for measurement for on-machine measurement of the shape of the workpiece machined by the NC data for machining edited by the NC data editing tool for machining. A generation tool,
An on-machine measuring machine execution tool for executing the on-machine measuring machine based on the measurement NC data;
Uncut information is generated based on the measurement result obtained by executing the on-machine measuring machine based on the NC data for measurement and the shape information of the product shape, and corrected NC data based on the uncut information A correction NC data generation tool for generating
An NC machine tool execution tool for executing the NC machine tool based on the machining NC data and the corrected NC data;
Including
The machining support system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the NC data storage unit further stores the measurement NC data and the correction NC data. An integrated server that is applied to a machining support system that provides support for machining a workpiece from a material into a product shape by an NC machine,
Executing and managing a plurality of CAM application tools in accordance with an initial execution command initially input from a client terminal;
The CAM application tool is:
Based on the shape information of the material and the product shape, a machining process design tool for designing a machining process including a machining sequence, a tool type, and a machining condition in a machining area;
NC data generation tool for processing that generates NC data for processing based on the shape information and the processing step;
A machining NC data editing tool for editing the machining NC data in accordance with the machining process;
Including
The integrated server is
An input unit for inputting an initial input command including the shape information and the initial execution command from the client terminal;
An equipment information storage unit for storing equipment information including the NC processing machine and the tool;
An NC data storage unit for storing the machining NC data generated or edited by the CAM application tool;
An execution tool determination unit that sequentially determines the CAM application tools to be executed based on the initial execution command and post-execution information by the CAM application tool when the CAM application tool is already executed;
In addition to the command signal sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit, the shape information, the initial execution command, the equipment information, and the execution when the CAM application tool is already executed One or more pieces of execution information selected from the post information and the NC data are output to the CAM server, and the post-execution information by each of the CAM application tools sequentially executed is acquired from the CAM server. A command section to perform,
An integrated server applied to a machining support system characterized by comprising: A program that causes a computer to function as an integrated server that is applied to a machining support system that provides support for machining a workpiece from a material into a product shape by using an NC machine,
The integrated server executes and manages a plurality of CAM application tools according to an initial execution command initially input from a client terminal,
The CAM application tool is:
Based on the shape information of the material and the product shape, a machining process design tool for designing a machining process including a machining sequence, a tool type, and a machining condition in a machining area;
NC data generation tool for processing that generates NC data for processing based on the shape information and the processing step;
A machining NC data editing tool for editing the machining NC data in accordance with the machining process;
Including
The integrated server is
An input unit for inputting an initial input command including the shape information and the initial execution command from the client terminal;
An equipment information storage unit for storing equipment information including the NC processing machine and the tool;
An NC data storage unit for storing the machining NC data generated or edited by the CAM application tool;
An execution tool determination unit that sequentially determines the CAM application tools to be executed based on the initial execution command and post-execution information by the CAM application tool when the CAM application tool is already executed;
In addition to the command signal sequentially executed by the CAM application tool determined by the execution tool determination unit, the shape information, the initial execution command, the equipment information, and the execution when the CAM application tool is already executed One or more pieces of execution information selected from the post information and the NC data are output to the CAM server, and the post-execution information by each of the CAM application tools sequentially executed is acquired from the CAM server. A command section to perform,
An integrated server program applied to a machining support system characterized by comprising:

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