AU2016253678A1 - A cnc machine programming and program management method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming method. The method includes the step of determining one or more position options of a CNC machine tool for a machining task using a history of the tool. The position options are displayed on a display for selection. The options may be determined using the frequency of used positions of the tool. Advantageously, the more frequently used positions are less likely to result in tool breakage or flaws in a product as the machine operator continues to regularly use those positions. This also results in time saving as the operator is less frequently setting up tools in other (unfamiliar) positions.

Description

ι 2016253678 04 Nov 2016

A CNC MACHINE PROGRAMMING AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD 5

The present invention generally relates to a computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming and program management method. The present invention relates to CNC machines including, for example, machine centres, lathes, laser cutters, plasma cutters, water jet cutters and robot welders. 10

BACKGROUND

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art 15 forms part of the common general knowledge. CNC machines are programmed and controlled to perform operations on work pieces such as cutting, boring, routing, drilling, milling, tapping, threading and turning. The CNC machine is fitted with various tools (e.g. drills, cutters, etc.) 20 in different positions to perform the various operations.

In practice, a CNC machine programmer either creates or modifies an existing CNC machine program (e.g. generated from a CAD or CAM program) for a machining task to be performed. The program is then transferred to the CNC 25 machine where a machine operator sets up the machine to carry out the downloaded program. The program includes various attributes relating to each tool including the position, speeds, etc. of the tool.

The machine is invariably loaded with tools from the previous machining task 30 and the operator reconfigures the tools for the new task to be performed. A single tool can be placed in a variety of different positions in the machine. Setting up a tool is time consuming. In addition, changing the tool position introduces the risk of incorrectly setting up the tool which can result in tool breakages or flaws in the product. 2

Invariably, the program requires modification before the product is produced. The Applicant has perceived that once the machine programmer has written the CNC program, the program can contain bugs. The machine operator debugs and “proofs” (or finalises) the program. Further, the program which was used in relation to a machining task is often lost, hence losing the de-bugged version, in which case the program will need to be re-written or re-proven if the machining task is to be repeated again in the future.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a programming method which reduces the likelihood of tool breakage or flaws in a machined product.

Embodiments of the present invention enable better history tracking and version control of the program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming method including the steps of: determining one or more position options of a CNC machine tool for a machining task using a history of the tool; and displaying the position options on a display for selection.

The options may be determined using the frequency of used positions of the tool. Advantageously, the more frequently used positions are less likely to result in tool breakage or flaws in a product as the machine operator continues to regularly use those positions. This also results in time saving as the operator is less frequently setting up tools in other (unfamiliar) positions. The displayed options for selection may include only the available (e.g. unallocated or unoccupied) positions for the tool. The options may be displayed in order of descending frequency. 3 2016253678 04 Nov 2016

The options may include the current position of the tool remaining from a previous machining task thereby resulting in increased set up efficiency as the tool can remain in the same position. 5 Prior to the step of determining, the method may further involve the step of receiving a tool selection corresponding to the tool. The method may further involve the step of receiving a position option selection.

The steps of determining, displaying and receiving may be performed for other 10 machine tools.

The method may further involve the step of confirming that a program is completed. The method may further include the step of archiving the program to facilitate better tracking of the program (over time and various program 15 revisions). The method may further involve sending reminders to store the open program. The method may further involve verifying that the stored program is the current version that has been executed in the machine. The method may further involve the step of updating the history of the tool. 20 According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming method including the step of displaying, on a display and for selection, one or more position options of a CNC machine tool based upon a history of the tool. 25 According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming system configured to: determine one or more position options of a CNC machine tool for a machining task using a history of the tool; and display the position options on a display for selection. 30

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient 4 2016253678 04 Nov 2016 information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 5

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a CNC machine programming system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flowchart of a CNC machine programming method to be performed using the CNC machine programming system of Figure 1 in 10 accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary tool history record used when performing the programming method of Figure 2; 15 Figure 4 is a schematic view of an exemplary option screen presented to a programmer when performing the programming method of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a schematic view of an exemplary program history database which is updated when performing the programming method. 20

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming system 100 as shown 25 in Figure 1. The programming system 100 is configured to determine one or more position options of a CNC machine tool for a machining task using a history of the tool. Furthermore, the programming system 100 is configured to display the position options on either a personal computer (PC) display 102 for selection by a machine programmer 104 or a CNC machine display 118 for 30 selection by a machine operator 116. A detailed description of the programming system 100 is provided below.

The programming system 100 includes a network server 106, programmer’s PC 108 and CNC machine controller 110 which can all communicate in two- 5 way communication with each other via a local area network (LAN) 112. The CNC machine controller 110 can control a CNC machine 114 equipped with a variety of tools, and both are operated by the machine operator 116. Both the programmer’s PC 108 and CNC machine controller 110 are loaded with a software product including executable instructions, and can be used to perform the computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming and program management method described below. The network server 106 includes a storage device (not shown) storing a machine tool history database of records for each tool and a program history database of programs for the CNC machine 114. These databases can be accessed by the PC 108 and controller 110.

Initially, the machine programmer 104 either creates or modifies an existing CNC machine program (e.g. generated from a computer aided machining program) for a machining task to be performed. The machine operator 116 can later amend the program when setting up the CNC machine 114 with the tools required for the task. The program can go through many revisions from both the machine programmer 104 and the machine operator 116 before the program is finalised and the manufacturing task is performed by the machine 114 to produce a machined product. A CNC machine programming and program management method 200 to be performed on the CNC machine programming system 100 is now described with reference to Figure 2.

Initially, the network server 106 stores a machine tool history database of records 300 for each tool. An exemplary tool history record 300 for a particular drill tool is shown in Figure 3. The record 300 includes a unique record identifier 302, a tool status table 304 and a tool position table 306.

The tool status table 304 includes a Boolean status flag 308 indicating whether the tool is “fitted in machine” or “not fitted in machine”, and a current position parameter 310 indicating the current position of the tool in the CNC 6 machine 114 if the status flag 308 indicates the tool is already “fitted in machine” from a prior machining task.

The tool position table 306 includes a tool position column 312 indicating the machine positions (e.g. position “A”) occupied by the tool over time, and a history of the corresponding frequency-of-use 314 of the tool in each position. For example, the tool has been used in position A for five separate machining tasks since recording the history.

At step 202 of Figure 2, the programmer’s PC 108 receives a tool selection from the machine programmer 104 generating or modifying tool positions in a CNC machine program.

At step 204, the programmer’s PC 108 determines position options of the CNC machine tool for a machining task using the tool history record 300 of the tool.

At step 206, the programmer’s PC 108 displays a position options screen 400 including the tool position options on the display 102 for selection by the machine programmer 104.

The displayed tool options include a frequency option table 402 determined using the frequency-of-use 314 of the tool position table 306. The frequency option table 402 includes the same content as the tool position table 306 only with the tool positions arranged in accordance with descending frequency-of-use 314. Advantageously, the more frequently used positions toward the top of the frequency option table 402 are less likely to result in tool breakage or flaws in a machined product as the machine operator 116 continues to regularly use those positions. Using the same frequently used positions also results in time saving as the operator is less frequently setting up tools in other (unfamiliar) positions. If a position in the frequency option table 402 is already allocated to (or occupied by) another tool and is therefore unavailable, the PC 108 removes the position as a selectable option from the frequency 7 2016253678 04 Nov 2016 option table 402. Accordingly, the displayed options for selection include only the available (e.g. unallocated or unoccupied) positions for the tool.

The displayed tool options also include the current position 404 of the tool 5 remaining from the previous machining task, thereby resulting in increased set up efficiency as the tool can be left by the machine operator 116 in the same position. If the status flag 308 indicates that the tool is “not fitted in machine”, the PC 108 does not display the current position 404. 10 Presented with the position options screen 400, the programmer 104 can select a single position for the tool from the frequency option table 402, current position 404 or opt for another position altogether. In the present example, the programmer 104 may opt to select position B for the tool which is frequently used (i.e. 8 times for the stored history) and is currently fitted in 15 that position and therefore need not be re-configured in the machine 114.

At step 208, the programmer’s PC 108 receives a position option selection from the programmer 104. 20 At query step 210, the programmer’s PC 108 queries whether another tool position for the program need be added or modified. If so, the programming method 200 returns to step 202 for further tool selection. Alternatively, the PC 108 receives confirmation from the programmer 104 that the program is completed and the programming method 200 proceeds to step 212. 25

At step 212, the PC 108 archives the completed program in the program history database of programs for the CNC machine 114. An exemplary program history database 500 is shown in Figure 5. The program history database 500 facilitates better tracking of the program (over time and various 30 program revisions).

Each entry 501 in the program history database 500 includes the program itself (not shown), a program identifier 502, a program revision number 504, a saved date 506 and time 508, and the identity of the person 510 who saved the program. 8

Upon completion of the programming and program management method 200 by the programmer 104, the machine operator 116 can then review the program and set up tools in the machine 114 to execute the program. The machine operator 116 can modify the program by performing the same programming method 200 using the machine controller 110. In practice, the program may be modified back-and-forth between the operator 116 and programmer 104 numerous times before being finalised (proven), with each version being stored in the program history database 500. In the event that a previous version is required, because a current version has acquired bugs, it can be readily retrieved from the database 500. Further, the correct version of the final program can be readily tracked down years later in the database 500 and reused again with lower risk of losing proven programs.

The programmer’s PC 108 and CNC machine controller 110 can send and receive, edit and add programs stored in the program history database 500. If the program is open for a pre-determined period of time, the system 100 sends reminders to the PC 108 and controller 110 to store the open program being modified in the database 500. The system 100 also verifies that the program stored is the current version that has been executed in the machine to ensure the correct version is being backed up in the database 500.

Once the program is finalised (proven) and the machine 114 is configured to perform the machining task by the operator 116, the machine controller 110 performs the machining task and updates the tool history record 300 for each tool in the machine tool history database. Accordingly, the operator 116 places the tool at the position corresponding to the selected position option and this position is reflected in the stored tool status table 304 and tool position table 306. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention. 2016253678 04 Nov 2016 9

The CNC machine programming and program management method 200 was described as being performed by the programmer 104 using the personal computer 108. Similarly, the method may be performed by the operator 114 using the machine controller 110. In one embodiment, the programmer 104 5 and operator 114 may be the same person using the same computational device.

In one embodiment, the programmer’s PC 108 can be directly coupled to the CNC machine controller 110. In another embodiment, the programmer’s PC 10 108 may not be coupled to the CNC machine controller 110 and data may instead be transferred using a memory stick, disc, Wi Fi link, etc.

In one embodiment, the storage device storing a machine tool history database may be stored on either PC 108 or controller 110. 15

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of 20 putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming method including the steps of: determining one or more position options of a CNC machine tool for a machining task using a history of the tool; and displaying the position options on a display for selection.
2. 2. A programming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the options are determined using the frequency of used positions of the tool.
3. 3. A programming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the displayed options for selection include only the available positions for the tool.
4. 4. A programming method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the options are displayed in order of descending frequency.
5. 5. A programming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the options include the current position of the tool remaining from a previous machining task.
6. 6. A programming method as claimed in claim 1 which, prior to the step of determining, further involves the step of receiving a tool selection corresponding to the tool.
7. 7. A programming method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the steps of determining, displaying and receiving can be performed for other machine tools.
8. 8. A programming method as claimed in claim 1, further involving the step of receiving a position option selection.
9. 9. A programming method as claimed in claim 1, further involving the step of confirming that a program is completed.
10. 10. A programming method as claimed in claim 9, further including the step of archiving the program to facilitate better tracking of the program.
11. 11. A programming method as claimed in claim 1, further involving sending reminders to store an open program.
12. 12. A programming method as claimed in claim 1, further involving verifying that a stored program is a current version that has been executed in the machine.
13. 13. A programming method as claimed in claim 1, further involving the step of updating a history of the tool.
14. 14. A computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming method including the step of displaying, on a display and for selection, one or more position options of a CNC machine tool based upon a history of the tool.
15. 15. A programming method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the options are determined using the frequency of used positions of the tool.
16. 16. A programming method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the options include the current position of the tool remaining from a previous machining task.
17. 17. A programming method as claimed in claim 14, further involving the steps of: confirming that a program is completed; and archiving the program.
18. 18. A computer numeric control (CNC) machine programming system configured to: determine one or more position options of a CNC machine tool for a machining task using a history of the tool; and display the position options on a display for selection.
19. 19. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the options are determined using the frequency of used positions of the tool and include the current position of the tool remaining from a previous machining task.
20. 20. A system as claimed in claim 18, and further configured to confirm that a program is completed and to archive the program