JP2001179577A - Plate machining system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plate machining system that has good durability of identifying information provided for a work, allows a worker to identify it visually, can perform writing and reading of the identifying information in any direction, and has less machining restriction. SOLUTION: A post process machine 3 is disposed on a plate machining machine 1 through a conveying route 2 of a plate work W. A character image pickup identifying means 6 is disposed in the conveying route 2, and a work identifying means 7 for identifying a kind of plate works W based on the identified contents is provided. The plate machining machine 1 machines a plate SW, and can perform a marking process for marking characters 10 such as alphanumeric in the machined plate works W. The identifying means 6 pickes up the characters 10 marked in the works W and identifies the picked up characters 10 in an image process.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plate processing system for performing punching and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a sheet material processing line, a label sticker on which barcode data is printed is attached to a sheet material such as a sheet metal processed by a punch press, or the work identification data is printed directly on the sheet material by an ink jet device. There is a technology to add. This is to remove the plate material work
When processing in the next process such as bending process and assembly process,
It is an object of the present invention to perform a production control by entering a work part number necessary for selecting a machining program or an assembly program.

[0003]

The functions of the label sticking and printing machines are necessary to add information to the work on the working machine, but even if these devices are installed on the working machine, an offset occurs. I do. This offset leads to limitations on the size of the work and the processing machine. In addition, in the case of direct printing on an affixed label or a sheet metal, peeling or fading may occur during the process, resulting in poor identification or inability to identify. The display using the barcode is inconvenient when the operator cannot visually identify the identification data and needs to be confirmed by the operator. Further, since the barcode has directionality, there is a restriction when attaching the barcode to a work or when reading, and a processing restriction on the processing machine side occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a durable identification information attached to a work, to enable an operator to visually identify the identification information, to reduce the problem of offset of a location where the identification information is written, and to further improve the identification information. An object of the present invention is to provide a plate material processing system in which writing and reading can be performed in an arbitrary direction and processing restrictions are reduced.

[0005]

The structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 corresponding to an embodiment. This plate material processing system is a plate material processing machine (1) capable of processing a plate material (SW) and engraving a character (10) such as an alphanumeric character on a processed plate material work (W); A character image identification means (6) for imaging a character (10) engraved on a plate material work (W) and identifying the imaged character (10) by image processing, and a character image identification means ( Work identification means (7) for identifying the type of plate work (W) based on the content identified in 6). The characters such as the above-mentioned alphanumeric characters include alphanumeric characters and some symbols (for example, academic symbols such as mathematical symbols). According to this configuration, the material plate material (SW) is processed by the plate material processing machine (1), and characters (10) such as alphanumeric characters are stamped on the processed plate material work (W). The character (10) may be a single character or a character string, but is used as identification information of the plate work (W). The characters (10) engraved on the plate workpiece (W) in this manner are imaged by the character image identification means (6), and the image data is subjected to image processing to identify the characters. That is, character identification is performed. The work identification means (7) identifies the type of the plate work (W) based on the content thus identified. As described above, since the characters (10) serving as identification information or the like are stamped on the plate material work (W) on the plate material processing machine (1), there is no problem of offset at a position where the characters (10) are applied, and the identification is performed. There is no restriction on the work size and the processing machine due to the offset of the information position. Also,
Since the identification information is engraved, it is hard to be peeled or thinned, and has good durability. Therefore, the engraved characters (10) can be used, for example, up to the final product. Further, since the identification information of the plate workpiece (W) is the characters (10), the operator can visually confirm the information and the usability is good. Since the characters (10) are composed of alphanumeric characters and the like, unlike kanji and the like, the types are small and the marking means (4) of the plate material processing machine (1) can be simple. As the identification of image data of characters by image processing, a type capable of identifying characters even if the characters are oriented in an arbitrary direction has been developed and generally used. ) Can be used to identify characters oriented in any direction. For this reason, characters can be marked on the plate workpiece (W) in any direction, and processing restrictions on the plate processing machine (1) are reduced. As described above, it is most suitable that the work identification information and the like be stamped on the plate processing machine (1). In the past, there was no reading means even if it was engraved, so the means for transmitting information to the next process required human intervention, but by transmitting this digitally from the image, it was transmitted unattended. It becomes possible.

The sheet material processing system according to the present invention includes, in addition to the above configuration, a post-process machine (3) whose operation is controlled in accordance with information on the type of the sheet material work (W) identified by the work identification means (7). May be used. In the case of this configuration, information is read from the actually processed plate material work (W), and the post-process is performed. Therefore, even when the plate material work brought in from another system is interrupted between the processes, the post-process machine (3) is used. ) Can be properly operated according to the plate material work carried in.

In the present invention, the character image identification means (6) may be provided on a transport path (2) for carrying out the plate work (W) from the plate processing machine (1). As described above, by providing the character image capturing / identifying means (6) in the unloading path (2) from the sheet material processing machine (1), the sheet material work (W) can be immediately transferred from the sheet material processing machine (1). Can be identified. Therefore, versatility is high. For example, even when the plate work (W) is branched from the carry-out path (2) into a plurality of lines depending on the type of the plate work (W) and the like and the plate work (W) flows, the character image capturing / identifying means (6). The plate work identification information identified by the work identification means (7) can be used.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, in this plate processing system, a post-processing machine 3 is installed in a plate processing machine 1 via a transfer path 2 of a plate work W. The sheet material processing machine 1 and the post-process machine 3 include a sheet material processing machine control device 4
And is controlled by the post-process machine control device 5. A character image identification unit 6 is provided in the transport path 2, and a work identification unit 7 that identifies the type of the plate workpiece W based on the identified content is provided. The work identification means 7 is provided, for example, in the post-process machine control device 5.

The plate material processing machine 1 is capable of processing a plate material SW as a raw material, and engraving a character 10 such as an alphanumeric character on a processed plate material work W. The plate material work W can be cut from the plate material SW. In this embodiment, the plate processing machine 1 is a punch press having a punch processing means 11 and a marking means 12. Engraving means 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes an engraving tool installed at a part of a tool station arranged on the circumference of the turret 13 of the plate material processing machine 1, and performs engraving using a punch driving function of the punching means 11. . The transport path 2 includes a conveyor or a conveyor line. The post-process machine 3 is, for example, a bending machine.

The character image pickup identification means 6 comprises an image pickup section 8 and an identification section 9. The imaging unit 8 includes a solid-state imaging device (CC
An imaging device such as D) is used. The recognizing unit 9 is means for performing character recognition by image processing, and includes a computer device and a processing program for the computer device. The computer device constituting the recognition unit 8 may be an independent microcomputer or the like, or may execute the character recognition program by using one used for other processing. As the image processing method, for example, the recognition unit 9 that converts image data into a binary image and then performs character recognition is used. The recognizing unit 9 is capable of recognizing even if the character is oriented in an arbitrary direction, and recognizes each character even if the input image data is a sequence of a plurality of characters, that is, a character string. It is possible. Characters that can be identified by the recognition unit 9 may be limited to alphanumeric characters and the like. Here, the alphanumeric characters and the like refer to alphanumeric characters and some symbols. Some of the symbols are, for example, predetermined mathematical symbols and predetermined academic symbols.

The work identifying means 7 is a means for identifying the type of the plate material work W based on the contents identified by the character image identifying means 6 as described above. If the content of the work is the information indicating the type of the plate material work W as it is, for example, a work identification code or the like used for machine control, the work identification means 7 outputs the input information without any special processing. When the characters 10 imprinted on the plate material work W have an expression format different from the work identification code used for machine control, for example, the expression format is different from the work identification code used in the post-process machine control device 5. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the work identification means 7 checks the input contents of the characters 10 in the characters work correspondence table 14 and outputs information of a corresponding product type in a predetermined format.

The post-process control device 5 is of a program control type constituted by a computer or the like, has a numerical control function and a function of a programmable controller, and has a program selecting means 15. The program selecting means 15 is a means for selecting a corresponding work corresponding machining program 16 according to the information on the type of the plate material work W identified by the work identifying means 7 and causing the machine control unit 17 to execute the program. The work corresponding machining program 16 is a machining program prepared for each type of the plate workpiece W. The machine control unit 17 is a unit that decodes and executes the machining program 16 and gives a control command to the post-process machine 3.

The sheet material processing machine control device 4 is of a program control type constituted by a computer device or the like, and has a numerical control function and a programmable controller function. The sheet material processing machine control device 4 controls the sheet material processing machine 1 by executing a processing program 19 in the arithmetic control unit 18. In accordance with a character marking command 20 constituting the processing program 19, the plate material processing machine 1 is caused to mark the characters 10.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show specific examples of the configuration of the plate processing machine 1. FIG. The plate processing machine 1 is a turret-type punch press, and a table 21, a plate feed unit 23, a turret 13, and a punching unit 11 are provided on a frame 21.
Is installed. The table 22 is a fixed table 22
a and the movable table 22b.
Is movable back and forth (Y-axis direction) on rails 24 of the frame 21. The plate material feeding unit 23 is a unit that grips the plate material W with the work holder 25 and moves the plate material W back and forth and right and left on the table 22. The plate material feeding means 23 has a carriage 26 that moves back and forth, and a cross slide 27 that is mounted on the carriage 26 so as to be movable left and right (in the X-axis direction). A plurality of work holders 25 are mounted on the cross slide 27. I have. The carriage 26 and the cross slide 27 are driven forward and backward through feed screws by servo motors 28 and 29 of each axis.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of upper and lower turrets 13 are provided, and a punch tool 30 is mounted on the upper turret 13.
Die tools 31 are installed on the lower turret 13 side by side on the circumference. The punching means 11 raises and lowers the ram 32 at a predetermined punch position P, thereby
And a means for performing a punching operation of the punch tool 30 having a motor or a hydraulic punch driving source.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in addition to the general tool ST, an index tool IT, a multi-tool MTa, and a marking means 12 are provided on the punch and die tools 30 and 31 installed on the turret 13. Constituent engraving tool MTb
There is. The general tool ST has only the function of lifting and lowering the punch tool 30. Index Tool IT
Has a function of rotating around the center of a tool, and enables a non-circular punch hole such as a rectangle to be machined in an arbitrary direction. The multi-tool MTa has a plurality of child punches ta arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of rotation on a tool holder rotatable around the center of the tool. Engraving tool MT
b has a plurality of child punches tb arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of rotation on a tool holder rotatable around the center of the tool, similarly to the multi-tool MTa.
However, it is not for drilling holes, but has a character stamp type on the tip end surface. As the character engraving type of the child punch tb, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, one character is engraved.

As shown in FIG. 5, among the punch and die tools 30, 31 indexed to the punch position P by the rotation of the turret 13, the indexing tool IT, the multi-tool MTa, and the engraving are provided on the plate material processing machine 1. Punch side and die side tool rotating devices 33, 3 for rotating the tool MTb
4 are provided. The ram 32 is provided with a general tool ST.
In addition to the main striker 32a,
In addition, an auxiliary striker 32b for hitting the child punches ta and tb of the marking tool MTb is provided at an eccentric position.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. In the plate material processing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, a plate material work W of a predetermined shape is cut out from a material plate material SW by processing continuous punch holes, and characters 10 for identifying the type of the work are provided on the plate material work W.
Is engraved. The engraving is performed before cutting out.
The plate material work W that has been processed is sent to the post-process machine 3 via the transport path 2. During the transportation, the character image identification means 6 images the character 10 engraved on the plate workpiece W, and the imaged character is identified by the work identification means 7.

In the post-process machine control device 5, based on the identification result of the plate material work W by the work identification means 7, the program selecting means 15 stores a work corresponding processing program 16 corresponding to the type of the plate material work W into a processing program memory. (Not shown) is selected from the respective machining programs 16. The selected work corresponding processing program 16 is executed by the machine control unit 17, and the post-process machine 3 performs processing on the plate work W sent thereto.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a processing shape. The plate material work W is processed by the plate material processing machine 1 into the shape shown in FIG. In the post-process machine 3, four sides of the plate workpiece W shown in FIG. 7A are bent to form a box shape shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the plate material processing system, since the identification information to be applied to the plate material work W is engraved, it is hard to be peeled or thinned, and the durability is good. Therefore, the engraved characters 10 can be used, for example, up to the final product. In addition, since the identification information of the plate material work W is the characters 10, the operator can visually check it, and the usability is good. Since the characters 10 are composed of alphanumeric characters and the like, unlike Chinese characters and the like, the types are small and the marking means 4 of the plate material processing machine 1 can be simple. Since the character image identification means 6 can identify the character 10 facing in any direction, the character 10 can be marked on the plate work W in any direction, and the processing restriction on the plate processing machine 1 side Is reduced. Since the post-process machine 3 reads information from the actually processed plate material work W and performs processing, the post-process machine 3 is loaded into the post-process machine 3 even when interrupting a plate material work brought in from another system between processes. An appropriate operation according to the plate workpiece W can be performed without fail.

[0022]

According to the present invention, there is provided a plate material processing system for processing a plate material and engraving characters such as alphanumeric characters on the processed plate material work, and a character engraved on the plate material work. And a work identification means for identifying a type of the plate material work based on the content identified by the character imaging identification means. Since the identification information attached to the workpiece has good durability, it can be visually identified by the operator, and there is no problem of offset of the writing position of the identification information, and writing and reading can be performed in any direction. Therefore, there are few restrictions on processing and work size. If a post-process machine is provided that is operated and controlled in accordance with the information on the type of plate work identified by the work identification means, the post-process machine can be used even when interrupting a plate work carried in from another system between processes. An appropriate operation according to the loaded plate material work can definitely be performed. The versatility is high when the character image identification unit is provided in the transport path for carrying out the plate workpiece from the plate processing machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a plate processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the sheet material processing system.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a processing example of the plate processing system.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the plate material processing machine.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the plate processing machine.

6A is a partial plan view of a turret of the plate processing machine, and FIG. 6B is a plan view of a conceptual configuration of the stamping tool.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Plate processing machine 2 ... Transport path 3 ... Post-processing machine 4 ... Plate processing machine control device 5 ... Post-processing machine control device 6 ... Character identification means 7 ... Work identification means 8 ... Imaging part 9 ... Identification part 10 ... Character Class 11: Punching means 12: Engraving means 13: Turret 15: Program selection means 16: Work corresponding machining program 30: Punch tool 31: Die tool 32: Ram 33, 34: Tool rotating device IT: Index tool MTa: Multi tool MTb: engraving tool ST: normal tool ta, tb: child punch SW: plate material W: plate material work

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plate material processing machine capable of processing a plate material and engraving characters such as alphanumeric characters and the like on the processed plate material work, and capturing and imprinting characters engraved on the plate material work. A plate material processing system comprising: character image identification means for identifying characters imaged by processing; and work identification means for identifying the type of plate material work based on the content identified by the character image identification means. 2. The plate processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a post-process machine whose operation is controlled in accordance with information on the type of the plate work identified by the work identification means. 3. The plate processing system according to claim 1, wherein the character image identification unit is provided on a transport path for carrying out the plate work from the plate processing machine.