JP2001150276A - Machine tool and machine tool management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a machine tool capable of enhancing operation rate and productivity by enabling tools to be automatically replaced with spare tools without the need to stop the operation of the machine tool. SOLUTION: The machine tool retaining a plurality of tool magazines storing the tools has: a normal tool magazine 3 for installing thereon the tools used normally; a spare tool magazine 4 for installing the spare tools thereon; an automatic tool magazine changer 2 for replacing the normal tool magazine with the spare tool magazine or vice versa; a tool pickup robot 8 for taking out the tools 9 from the normal tool magazine 3 and the spare tool magazine 4 replaced with each other by the automatic tool magazine changer 2 and for attaching or removing the tools to or from the main spindle 5 of the machine tool; and a tool management means 12 for managing the operation of the automatic tool magazine changer 2 and the tool pickup robot 8 in relation to the attaching or removing of the tools 9 to or from the main spindle 5 of the machine tool.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a machine tool and a tool management method for the machine tool, and more particularly, to a machine tool that performs automatic operation for a long time and a tool management method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, machine tools that perform automatic operation for a long time,
For example, the tool management of the machining center is to store a plurality of tools of the same type in a tool magazine provided in the machining center, count the use time of each tool, and when the set use time is reached or the tool is damaged. In this method, a tool of the same type that has not reached the set use time stored in the magazine is exchanged for use.

[0003] According to such a management method, even when using a tool having a short usable time for each tool, continuous machining can be performed for a long time by automatically changing the tool.

[0004]

However, according to the conventional management method, when all the tools of the same kind arranged in the tool magazine have reached the end of their life, the machine tool is stopped,
All tools had to be replaced. That is, in the case of the conventional management method, there is a problem in that a machine tool on which a large number of tools can be mounted for automatic operation for a long time has a longer tool replacement time and a longer time for stopping the machine tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and can automatically change a tool to a spare tool without stopping the machine tool itself, thereby improving the operation rate and the productivity. And a tool management method for the machine tool.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a machine tool that has a plurality of tool magazines containing tools, a normal tool magazine for installing normally used tools, a spare tool magazine for installing spare tools, and an automatic tool for exchanging normal tool magazines and spare tool magazines To a magazine changer, a tool pick-up robot for taking out a tool from a normal tool magazine and a spare tool magazine exchanged by the automatic tool magazine changer, and attaching / detaching a tool to / from a machine tool spindle, and to a machine tool spindle. Tool management means for managing the operation of the automatic tool magazine changer and the tool pick-up robot in relation to the attachment / detachment of the tool.

According to the present invention, unlike the conventional example, the removal of the tool from the normal tool magazine or the spare tool magazine, which is automatically changed, and the attachment / detachment of the machine tool to / from the spindle are performed without stopping the operation of the machine tool. Thus, the operation rate of the machine tool can be improved, and further, the productivity can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a machine tool having a plurality of tool magazines accommodating tools, a normal tool magazine for installing a normally used tool, a spare tool magazine for installing a spare tool, and a normal tool magazine An automatic tool magazine changer for exchanging magazines and spare tool magazines, a tool disposal station for discarding expired or damaged tools, and a tool from the normal tool magazine or spare tool magazine exchanged by the automatic tool magazine changer A tool pick-up robot for taking out, attaching and detaching a tool to and from a main spindle of a machine tool, and discarding a tool that has reached the end of its life or has been damaged and removed from the main spindle to the tool discarding station; and Automatic tool magazine changer and tool pick-up robot in connection with attachment and detachment It is characterized in that it has a tool management means for performing operation management.

According to the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, the disposal of a tool that has reached the end of its life or has been broken and has been detached from the main spindle and can be automated at the tool disposal station can be improved, thereby improving the operation rate. Thus, the productivity can be improved, and the disposal tool can be easily disposed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool management method for a machine tool having a plurality of tool magazines accommodating a tool, wherein when a normally used tool has reached the end of its service life or has been damaged, the tool spindle may be used. After the tool is automatically changed, the tool that has reached the end of its life or damaged is discarded at the tool disposal station, and if there is no corresponding tool in the normal tool magazine by calling the tool of the corresponding tool group, the normal tool magazine is dispensed outside the machine tool. , Pull in the spare tool magazine outside the machine tool into the machine tool, take out the tool of the corresponding tool group from the spare tool magazine, pay out the spare tool magazine again outside the machine tool, and pull the normal tool magazine into the machine tool again Removed from the spare tool magazine to the storage pot of the tool of the corresponding tool group of the normal tool magazine. It is characterized in that the back of the tool which is not yet not and damaged reached the end of its life.

According to the present invention, the removal of a tool from a normal tool magazine or a spare tool magazine which is automatically replaced, the attachment / detachment of the machine tool to a spindle, and the disposal of a tool which has reached the end of its life or have been damaged are performed by the operation of the machine tool. Can be performed automatically without stopping, and it is possible to provide a tool management method capable of improving the operation rate of the machine tool and further improving the productivity.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail.

(Structure) An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine tool according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the machine tool according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the control system.

The machine tool according to the present embodiment uses a machining center (“M / C”) 1. This machine tool uses a cutting tool like the machining center 1, etc.
Any type of machine tool can be used as long as it automatically changes cutting tools.

An automatic tool magazine changer 2 is added to the machining center 1 so that, for example, a normal tool magazine 3 in a machine tool and an optional spare tool magazine 4 outside the machine tool can be automatically exchanged. Has become.

Inside the automatic tool magazine changer 2, there is provided one normal tool magazine 3 and a plurality of spare tool magazines 4.

FIG. 2 shows a state where the normal tool magazine 3 is drawn into the machining center 1.

The tool pick-up robot 8 can take out an arbitrary tool 9 in the normal tool magazine 3, and the tool pick-up robot 8 can move to the tool discarding station 7 and discard the tool 9. It is composed.

Further, the tool pick-up robot 8 can move to the tool change standby position, and the tool 9 attached to the main shaft 5 on the table 10 of the machine tool by the automatic tool changing device (ATC) 6; The tool exchange with the picked-up tool 9 is executed.

The normal tool magazine 3 or the spare tool magazine 4 in the automatic tool magazine changer 2 can be replaced even when the machining center 1 is performing a machining operation.

However, if an automatic magazine change request is issued while the tool magazines 3 and 4 are being changed, the machine tool is stopped and the tool magazines 3 and 4 can be safely changed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tool management means 12
Numerical control unit (NC) 11 and sequencer (PLC) 1
3 and is connected to. The sequencer 13 is connected to the tool pick-up robot 8 and the automatic tool magazine changer 2, and can operate the tool pick-up robot 8 and the automatic tool magazine changer 2 according to a command issued by the tool management means 12. I have.

The numerical controller 11 sends a required command for the necessary tool 9 to the tool management means 12.

A storage device for storing the tool group number of the tool 9 installed in each of the tool magazines 3 and 4, the usage time of each tool 9, and the life time is installed inside the tool management means 12. Have been.

The tool management means 12 can rewrite the data of the correction amount for the tool 9 stored in the storage device in the numerical controller 11. Here, the correction amount is used to perform high-precision processing on a workpiece.
This is data that is obtained by actually measuring the length of the tool 9 attached to the machine tool and stored in the storage device.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation when the tool management is performed using the tool management device for a machine tool according to the present embodiment.

When an instruction to start machining by the machining center 1 is issued, the numerical control device 11 calls a tool 9 for performing cutting by designating a tool group number (S001).

The tool management means 12 checks whether or not the tool 9 of the tool group for which the call request has been made is in the normal tool magazine 3 with reference to the storage device (S002).

If the tool 9 is not present in the normal tool magazine 3, it is checked whether or not the tool 9 of the corresponding tool group is present in the spare tool magazine 4 (S003).

If there is no tool 9 in the corresponding tool group in the spare tool magazine 4 as well, an alarm is issued by an alarm means (not shown) to stop machining (S004).

If there is a tool 9 in the corresponding tool group in the spare tool magazine 4, the normal tool magazine 3 is paid out of the machine (S005).

Then, the spare tool magazine 4 in which the tools 9 of the corresponding tool group are installed is pulled into the machine (S0).
06).

The tool management means 12 issues a command for picking up the corresponding tool 9 to the tool pick-up robot 8 via the sequencer 13. Tool pick-up robot 8
Picks up the commanded tool 9 from the spare tool magazine 4 (S007). Next, the tool pickup robot 8 is moved to the standby position of the automatic tool changer 6 (S008).

While the tool pick-up robot 8 and the machine tool are working, the tool management means 12 sends a command to the automatic tool magazine changer 2 via the sequencer 13.
A command to pay out the spare tool magazine 4 to the outside of the machine is issued, and the spare tool magazine 4 is paid out of the machine (S009).

Next, the tool management means 12 instructs the automatic tool magazine changer 2 via the sequencer 13 to draw the normal tool magazine 3 through the sequencer 13 and pulls the normal tool magazine 3 into the machine (S010). Thus, the exchange between the spare tool magazine 4 and the normal tool magazine 3 is completed.

If the corresponding tool 9 is present in the normal tool magazine 3 in step S002 described above, the tool management means 12 sends the relevant tool 9 to the tool pickup robot 8 via the sequencer 13 in the normal tool magazine 3. A command to perform pickup is issued, and the tool pick-up robot 8 picks up the corresponding tool 9 (S011).

Next, the tool pickup robot 8 is moved to the standby position of the automatic tool changer 6 (S01).
2).

Then, the tool of the tool 9 attached to the main shaft 5 of the machine tool and the tool 9 held by the tool pick-up robot 8 at the standby position are automatically changed by the arm of the automatic tool changing device 6 (S013). .

Next, it is checked whether the replaced tool 9 has reached the end of its service life or has been damaged (S0).
14) In the case of tool life or tool breakage, the tool 9 is moved to the tool disposal station 7 by the tool pick-up robot 8 and the tool 9 is discarded (S01).
5).

If it is neither the tool life nor the tool breakage, the corresponding tool 9 is returned to the normal tool magazine 3 (S016).

Thereafter, the result of the investigation such as tool life or tool breakage is recorded as tool history information in the storage device (S01).
7) Further, it is determined whether or not the processing is completed (S01).
8) If machining is completed, wait for the next operation command. If machining is not completed, return to step S001 and repeat the above operation.

When the number of spare tools is reduced, the extra tool magazine 4 outside the machine is removed from the automatic tool magazine changer 2 and a predetermined tool 9 is manually installed, and then the automatic tool magazine changer 2 is moved to the automatic tool magazine changer 2. Corresponds to calls after return.

(Effect) According to the present embodiment, even if the tool 9 has reached the end of its life or the tool is damaged, the tool can be automatically changed, and the machining operation of the machining center 1 is completely eliminated. Processing can be continued without stopping, and it is possible to provide a tool management device and a tool management method for a machine tool capable of improving the operation rate of the device and further improving the productivity.

Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described.

In this modification, in addition to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the automatic tool magazine changer 2 has a configuration in which a plurality of normal tool magazines 3 are mounted.

By adopting such a configuration, even when a normal tool is called, a tool exchange can be performed by exchanging between the normal tool magazines 3 and compared with the above-described embodiment. It is possible to keep the machining without stopping the machining operation of the machining center 1 at all by holding more normal tools, thereby improving the operation rate of the apparatus and further improving the productivity. A tool management device and a tool management method for a machine can be provided.

[0049]

According to the present invention, it is possible to take out a tool from a normal tool magazine or a spare tool magazine which is automatically changed and to attach / detach the machine tool to / from the main spindle without stopping the operation of the machine tool. , Improve the availability of equipment,
It is possible to provide a machine tool that can improve productivity and can also automatically discard a tool whose life has expired or has been damaged.

Further, according to the present invention, removal of a tool from a normal tool magazine or a spare tool magazine which is automatically changed, attachment / detachment of the machine tool to a spindle, and disposal of a tool which has reached the end of its life or which has been damaged are performed by the machine tool. Can be performed automatically without stopping the operation, and a tool management method capable of improving the operation rate of the machine tool and improving the productivity can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a tool management device for a machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a tool management device for a machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a tool management device of the machine tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the tool management device for the machine tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Machining center 2 Automatic tool magazine changer 3 Normal tool magazine 4 Spare tool magazine 5 Spindle 6 Automatic tool changer 7 Tool disposal station 8 Tool pick-up robot 9 Tool 10 Table 11 Numerical controller 12 Tool management means 13 Sequencer

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a machine tool having a plurality of tool magazines accommodating tools, a normal tool magazine for installing a normally used tool, a spare tool magazine for installing a spare tool, a normal tool magazine, and a spare tool magazine. An automatic tool magazine changer for exchanging, a tool pick-up robot for taking out a tool from a normal tool magazine and a spare tool magazine exchanged by the automatic tool magazine changer, and attaching and detaching a tool to and from a main spindle of a machine tool; A machine tool comprising: tool management means for managing the operation of the automatic tool magazine changer and the tool pick-up robot in connection with attachment / detachment of a tool to / from a spindle of the machine tool. 2. A machine tool having a plurality of tool magazines accommodating tools, comprising: a normal tool magazine for installing a normally used tool, a spare tool magazine for installing a spare tool, a normal tool magazine, and a spare tool magazine. An automatic tool magazine changer for changing the tool, a tool disposal station for discarding a life tool or a broken tool, a removal of a tool from a normal tool magazine and a spare tool magazine to be replaced by the automatic tool magazine changer, A tool pick-up robot for attaching / detaching a tool to / from a spindle, and disposing of a tool which has reached the end of its life or has been broken from the spindle to the tool disposal station; and Performs operation management between the automatic tool magazine changer and the tool pick-up robot A machine tool comprising: tool management means. 3. A tool management method for a machine tool having a plurality of tool magazines accommodating tools, wherein when a normally used tool has reached the end of its life or is damaged, the tool is automatically replaced on a spindle of the machine tool. Discard the tool that has reached the end of its life or damaged at the tool disposal station.If there is no corresponding tool in the normal tool magazine by calling the tool of the corresponding tool group, the normal tool magazine is dispensed out of the machine tool, and the tool magazine is located outside the machine tool. Pull in the spare tool magazine into the machine tool, take out the tool of the corresponding tool group from the spare tool magazine, pay out the spare tool magazine again outside the machine tool, pull in the normal tool magazine into the machine tool, and apply the normal tool magazine. The tool is removed from the spare tool magazine into the tool storage pot of the tool group. And returning the uncorrupted tool, tool management method of a machine tool according to claim.