JPS6215058A - Tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent improper delivery of tool by incorporating a memory for tool identification information in the tool itself, furnishing a contact for the memory with external devices, and thereby performing tool information entry into a computer simply and quickly. CONSTITUTION:In a tool holder 12 is incorporated a memory 16 consisting of an integrated circuit which performs write and read of the data for tool identification such as managerial no., type and size. The outside surface is equipped with a contact for said memory 16 with external devices so that the tool information in the memory 16 can be read by a computer via this contact 15. Thereby entry of the tool information into computer can be made very simply and quickly. Further, entry of the information stored in the memory 16 into a display to give tool information should contribute to prevention of improper tool delivery.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Application of the Invention] This invention relates to tools for machine tools, and more particularly to tools that are centrally managed by a computer.

[Background of the invention]

There is a tendency for tools to be managed by storing information about the tools all together in a computer, for example in a flexible manufacturing system. However, such a management system cannot register, delete, or delete tool information.
There is a problem in that computer input such as corrections requires a considerable amount of work time.

[Purpose of the invention]

An object of the present invention is to enable quick and easy input of tool information into a computer.

[Summary of the invention]

To this end, the present invention provides a management number on the tool itself.

It has a built-in memory consisting of an integrated circuit that stores information for identifying tools such as type and size, and inputs tool information from this circuit into a tool management computer to minimize the work of inputting tool information into the computer. It has been made possible to do so.

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the tool according to the invention will be described below with reference to a drawing.

In FIG. 1, 11 indicates a cutter and 12 indicates a holder.

The cutter is, for example, an end mill, and is attached to a holder. The holder has a configuration known per se,
By gripping the shank 13 with a chuck, it can be attached to a machine tool. However, in the present invention, the holder 12 includes a contact plate 15 and a memory 16.

The contact plate 15 is embedded in the holder with the contacts 17 exposed from the circumferential surface of the holder. Memory 16 is an integrated circuit having a storage circuit and a data processing circuit.

Information written in the memory circuit, such as the end mill's management number, type, diameter, and length, can be read out by inputting an external signal to the data processing circuit. This memory is attached to a printed wiring board, sealed inside the holder, and electrically connected to contacts 17 by the printed wiring board within the holder.

The tool information is inputted into the computer as shown in FIG. The tool is set on the input device. Although this input device is not shown, for example,
It has a recess for engaging the holder 12, and a contact point arranged on the bottom surface of the recess so as to come into contact with the contact point 17 of the contact plate. In the figure, the contacts of the input device are indicated by 21, which are connected to a display device 22 and a computer 23 for central management of the tools.
It is connected to the. When a tool is set in the input device and the computer 23 sends a signal to the data processing circuit 25 in the memory 16, the data processing circuit reads out the tool information written in the storage circuit 26 also in the memory 16, and outputs the information to the contacts 17, 21. It is possible to input tool information to the computer 23 via the computer 23 and to input information to the display device 22 to display information such as the tool number.

The tools are managed by similarly attaching other tools such as milling cutters and drills to the holders, and storing each tool information for each cutter in each memory. When inputting information to the computer, the tool information for each tool can be input into the computer 23 by sequentially setting each tool in the input device described above.In other words, the operator can input the tool information for each tool one by one from the keyboard. This can be done without inputting information into a computer. Therefore, the input work can be done extremely quickly, and moreover, it is possible to perform accurate input without mistakes. Furthermore, when taking tools out of the warehouse, not only can the computer input the outgoing information of each tool by setting each tool in the input device in sequence, but also the tool information can be displayed on the display device 23, so that can be performed without error.

The tool according to the present invention can not only solve the problems that arise when managing tools by computer, but also provide a contact point that contacts the contact point of the holder on the chuck of the machine tool, and manage the machine tool through this contact point. This system causes the computer to input the tool information stored in the memory of each tool and check it against the information about the tool in the machining program that has been entered into the computer, causing the operator to attach the wrong tool to the machine tool. It is also possible to prevent errors.

In the embodiments described above, the memory is fixed for each holder, but it is made removable from the holder, so that each time various cutters are attached to one holder, the memory containing tool information for each cutter can be created. You may have them exchanged. Also, the memory and connector are built into the holder.

In the case of a tool that is directly attached to the chuck of a machine tool, such as a large-diameter drill, these tools may be built into the cutter itself.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the tool of the present invention has a built-in memory consisting of an integrated circuit that can write and read data that identifies the tool, such as the control number, type, and size. The outer surface is equipped with contacts for connecting to external devices, and the tool information in the memory can be read by the computer through the contacts, making it extremely easy and quick to enter tool information into the computer. Moreover, by inputting the information in the memory into the display device and displaying the tool information, it is possible to prevent inappropriate tools from being taken out of the warehouse.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the tool of the present invention, with FIG. 1 being a front view and FIG. 2 being an explanatory view showing the tool in use. 11...Cutter, 12...Holder, 15...Connector, 16...Memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] It has a built-in memory consisting of an integrated circuit that can write and read data that identifies tools such as management number, type, size, etc., and has contacts on the outer surface to connect the memory and external devices. A tool that features: