JP2001232540A - Workpiece supply device in machining system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly feed a workpiece in an initial condition of no workpiece in each machine tool and to supply a workpiece in accordance with production tact in a normal condition. SOLUTION: A carry-in conveyor 3 conveying workpieces W to a plurality of machine tools 1, 2 can be switched to at least three speeds, high, low and middle. The carry-in conveyor 3 is controlled by a conveyor controller 7 as follows. The conveyor 3 is operated at a high speed in the initial condition in which the workpiece W is supplied from a condition of no workpiece W in a plurality of machine tools 1, 2; in the normal condition, the conveyor 3 is operated at a middle speed in accordance with production tact of a plurality of machine tools 1, 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a workpiece supply device in a machining system for performing the same machining with a plurality of machine tools.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of machine tools are installed along a path of a carry-in conveyor, a work carried by the carry-in conveyor is distributed to each machine tool and carried in, and the same processing is performed by these machine tools. There is a processing system. The carry-in conveyor is operated at a constant speed according to the production tact of a plurality of machine tools. As described above, by operating the carry-in conveyor according to the production tact, each machine tool can be efficiently operated in a normal processing state.

[0003]

However, when starting operation from an initial state in which no work exists in each machine tool, such as at the start of a day's operation, at the time of a lot change, or at the start of operation after a pause, the above-described operation is not possible. At a constant conveyor speed according to the production tact time, it takes time for the workpiece to reach each machine tool. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation rate of the machine tool is reduced. Further, in normal times, the machine tool can be operated efficiently at a transfer speed according to the production tact, but the processing may be delayed due to a trouble of some machine tools or the like. At this time, a plurality of workpieces on the carry-in conveyor are stopped side by side by a stopper in front of the machine tool. As a result, there is no inconvenience in supply to the machine tool. However, if the work on the conveyor is stopped by the stopper, there is a possibility that the transfer surface of the conveyor and the work are rubbed and the lower surface of the work is damaged. Furthermore, when paying out the work of all machine tools, such as when changing lots,
At a constant conveyor speed according to the production tact, it takes time to complete the payout. for that reason,
It takes time to return to the initial state.

An object of the present invention is to provide a work supply apparatus in a machining system which can feed a work quickly in an initial state where no work is provided in each machine tool, and can supply a work in accordance with a production tact in a normal state. To provide. Another object of the present invention is to enable a proper work supply without damaging the work when the work processing is delayed. Still another object of the present invention is to be able to quickly return to the initial state when the work is paid out from all the machine tools and returned to the initial state.

[0005]

The present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 corresponding to an embodiment. The work supply device in this processing system includes a carry-in conveyor (3) that conveys a work (W) to a plurality of machine tools (1, 2) and that can be switched to at least a high, low, and middle three speeds; ,
2) Work (W) from a state where no work (W) exists
The conveyor (3) is operated at a high speed in an initial state of supplying the conveyor, and the conveyor (3) is operated at a medium speed according to a production tact of the plurality of machine tools (1, 2) in a normal state. A conveyor control device (7) for controlling the carry-in conveyor (3). According to this configuration, in the initial state where the work (W) is supplied from the state where the work (W) does not exist to the plurality of machine tools (1, 2), the carry-in conveyor (3) is operated at a high speed. Therefore, the work (W) can be quickly sent to each machine tool (1, 2), and the operation rate of the machine tool (1, 2) can be improved. In a normal state, the carry-in conveyor (3) is operated at a medium speed corresponding to the production tact of the plurality of machine tools (1, 2). Therefore, the work (W) can be fed in time for the production tact of the machine tool (1, 2) without stopping it wastefully.

In the present invention, the conveyor control device (7) comprises a plurality of machine tools (1, 2) and a plurality of machine tools (1, 2) on the carry-in conveyor (3).
Near the upstream of the work distribution position (B, D)
When the work (W) is filled up to F), the carry-in conveyor (3) may be operated at a low speed.
As described above, the low-speed operation alleviates a large number of works (W) being stopped by the stopper and accumulated near the work distribution position of the machine tool (1, 2) on the carry-in conveyor (3). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lower surface of the work from being scratched by being rubbed with the upper surface of the conveyor.

In the present invention, a plurality of machine tools (1,
2) At least high, low and medium 3 to carry out work (W)
It shall have an unloading conveyor (4) that can be switched to high speed.
The conveyor control device (7) may have a function of controlling the unloading conveyor (4). In this case, when the conveyor control device (7) is in an operation state in which the work (W) is paid out in a state where the work (W) does not exist in all of the plurality of machine tools (1, 2), the unloading conveyor (4) is operated. High-speed driving may be used. in this way,
By operating the unloading conveyor (4) at a high speed during the unloading operation, the unloading of the work (W) can be performed in a short time, and the initial state can be quickly returned.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A plurality of machine tools 1 and 2 are arranged side by side, and a carry-in conveyor 3 and a carry-out conveyor 4 are arranged so that a transport path is along the plurality of machine tools 1 and 2. Each of the plurality of machine tools 1 and 2 is a lathe or the like, and includes a loading device (not shown) for loading a workpiece W to a processing position. The plurality of machine tools 1 and 2 are arranged in a line, and the machine tool 1 is arranged on the upper side and the machine tool 2 is arranged on the lower side with respect to the carry-in conveyor 3. Each of the machine tools 1 and 2 performs the same processing. The carry-in conveyor 3 and the carry-out conveyor 4 are composed of a belt conveyor or the like, and are driven by conveyor driving sources 5 and 6 so as to be switchable between high, low, and medium three speeds. These conveyor driving sources 5 and 6 are controlled by a conveyor control device 7. Although the carry-out conveyor 4 is illustrated as being on the opposite side of the carry-in conveyor 3 with respect to the machine tools 1 and 2, the carry-out conveyor 4 may be provided on the same side as the carry-in conveyor 3. In that case, the carry-in conveyor 3 and the carry-out conveyor 4 are partly arranged in parallel with each other.

At the work distribution positions B and D of the carry-in conveyor 3 with respect to the respective machine tools 1 and 2, a stopper 8 for stopping the work W and an individual for carrying the stopped work W from the carry-in conveyor 3 to the machine tools 1 and 2 are provided. Carry-in means 9 are provided, respectively. The stopper 8 is opened and closed by an opening / closing drive unit (not shown) between a closed state where the work W is stopped on the transport surface of the carry-in conveyor 3 and an open state where the work W can be passed. The individual carry-in means 9 may directly carry the work into the work receiving position of the machine tool 1, 2 by the loading device, and a branch carry-in path 10 is provided between the carry-in conveyor 3 and the machine tools 1, 2. Alternatively, the work W may be transferred to the branch carry-in path 10. The individual carrying means 9 is composed of, for example, a pusher cylinder or the like. The individual loading means 9 includes the machine tools 1
2 may be the loading device.

The work W may be unloaded from each of the machine tools 1 and 2 to the unloading conveyor 4 via the individual unloading path 11 to the unloading conveyor 4.
May be carried out directly to the carry-out conveyor 4. The unloading conveyor 4 continues to the next step 12.

In a machining system composed of the machine tools 1 and 2 and the carry-in / carry-out conveyors 3 and 4, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the work W in each section is provided. As the sensor, the inside of each of the machine tools 1 and 2 (C section, E section)
), Sensors 15 and 16 for detecting the presence or absence of the work at the work distribution positions B and D on the carry-in conveyor 3, and positions A near the upstream side of the work distribution positions B and D. , F are provided respectively. Further, sensors 19 and 2 for detecting the presence or absence of the work at the work collection positions G and H from the respective machine tools 1 and 2 on the unloading conveyor 4.
0 is provided. These sensors 13 to 20 are connected to the conveyor control device 7. In the next step 12,
An unloading permission signal generating means 21 for outputting an unloading permission signal to the conveyor control device 7 is provided.

The conveyor controller 7 controls the carry-in conveyor 3 and the carry-out conveyor 4 as follows. In an initial state in which the workpiece W is supplied from a state where the workpiece W does not exist at the internal positions C and E of the plurality of machine tools 1 and 2, the carry-in conveyor 3 is operated at a high speed. In the normal state, the carry-in conveyor 3 is connected to a plurality of machine tools 1
Operation at a medium speed according to the production tact of No. 2. The work W is filled to the internal positions C and E of the plurality of machine tools 1 and 2 and the positions A and F near the upstream side of the work distribution positions B and D of the plurality of machine tools 1 and 2 on the carry-in conveyor 3. In the full state (full work state), the carry-in conveyor 3 is operated at a low speed. In the operation state in which the work W is dispensed in a state where the work W does not exist at all the internal positions C and E of the plurality of machine tools 1 and 2, the unloading conveyor 4 is operated at a high speed. In the payout operation state, the carry-in conveyor 3 is operated at a medium speed. The unloading conveyor 4 has a medium speed in the initial state, a medium speed in the normal state, and a low speed in the full state. The above “normal state” is a state in which work supply and discharge can be performed stably, and each of the machine tools 1 and 2 can continuously process with a predetermined production tact.

In the conveyor control device 7, each position A to
The presence or absence of the H work W is determined by the sensors 13 to 2 at these positions.
Recognize by output of 0. In addition to the speed switching function, the conveyor control device 7 has a function of stopping the carry-in conveyor 3 when the full work state continues for a predetermined time or more.

A specific control example in the conveyor control device 7 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. The portions A to H in the flowcharts correspond to the positions A to H described above, and FIG. 2 shows the positions. FIG. 3 shows the control of the loading conveyor 3. When there is no work W in part E (R1), and C
If there is no work W in the section (R2), the speed is set to high (R13). If there is a workpiece W in both the E section and the C section and the medium speed flag is not in the ON state (R3), D
The presence / absence of the work W in the section, the section B, and the section F is sequentially determined. The middle speed flag is turned on (R8) before the middle speed process (R9), and the low speed or high speed processes (R11, R1).
It is turned off before (3) (R10, R12). D part, B
If there is no work W in either the section or the section F, the speed is set to high speed. If there is a work W in any of the D, B, and F sections, and if the middle speed flag is turned on in the middle speed flag determination process (R3), the presence or absence of the work W in the A section is determined. Judge (R7). If there is no work W in the section A, the medium speed is set to medium speed (R9), and if the work W is near, the speed is set to low speed (R11).

FIG. 4 shows the control of the unloading conveyor 4. First, it is determined whether or not the next process is permitted to be carried out (S1). When it is in the carry-out permission state, it is determined whether or not the mode is the payout mode (S2). The dispensing mode is the conveyor control device 7
The mode is set when a command to set the payout mode is input from the host control means or the operation panel. If the mode is the payout mode, the speed is increased (S4), and if the mode is not the payout mode, the speed is set to the medium speed (S3). At the time of judging whether or not the unloading permission is allowed in the next step (S1), if there is no permission, it is determined whether or not there is a work W in the G portion and the H portion (S5, S6). G part and H
If there is a work W in any of the sections, the speed is reduced (S
7). If there is a workpiece W in either the G section or the H section, the process proceeds to the payout mode determination step (S2), and the speed is set to high speed or medium speed depending on whether the mode is the payout mode as described above.

FIG. 5 shows an operation when the carry-in conveyor 3 is stopped during full work. If it is full work,
That is, when there is a work W at the positions A and F near the upstream side of the work distribution positions B and D to the machine tools 1 and 2, it is determined whether or not the full work state continues for a predetermined time (T1, T).
2) After a certain period of time, the conveyor stops. If the full work state is canceled before the elapse of the predetermined time, the measurement of the elapsed time is reset and the state returns to the initial state of full work detection.

According to this work supply device, in the initial state where there is no work W in each of the machine tools 1 and 2 as described above, the work W can be sent quickly by the high-speed operation of the carry-in conveyor 3, and in the normal state, the production tact time is reduced. Work supply can be performed at medium speed operation according to Further, when a delay occurs in the work processing, the operation is performed at a low speed, whereby the work W can be prevented from being damaged due to the work W being stopped by the stopper 8. When the work W is paid out from all the machine tools 1 and 2 and returned to the initial state, the unloading conveyor 4 can be operated at a high speed to quickly return to the initial state.

Although the above embodiment has been described in connection with the case where the number of machine tools 1 and 2 is two, the present invention can be applied to a case where three or more machine tools are installed side by side.

[0019]

According to the present invention, there is provided a work supply apparatus in a processing system, comprising: a carry-in conveyor for transferring a work to a plurality of machine tools; A conveyor control device that controls the carry-in conveyor to operate the carry-in conveyor at a high speed in an initial state of supplying a workpiece from the work machine and to operate the carry-in conveyor in a normal state at a medium speed according to the production tact of the plurality of machine tools. Therefore, in the initial state where there is no work in each machine tool, the work can be fed quickly, and in the normal state, the work can be supplied according to the production tact. The conveyor control device, the plurality of machine tools, and in a state in which the work is filled to a position near the upstream side of the work distribution position of the plurality of machine tools on the carry-in conveyor,
When the carry-in conveyor is operated at a low speed, it is possible to supply an appropriate work without damaging the work, even if the work processing is delayed. It has an unloading conveyor that can be switched to at least high, low, and medium three speeds for unloading a work from a plurality of machine tools, and the conveyor control device has a function of controlling the unloading conveyor. In the state of the operation of discharging the workpiece to a state in which all of the plurality of machine tools do not exist, when the unloading conveyor is to be operated at a high speed, when the workpiece is discharged from all the machine tools and returned to the initial state. To
You can quickly return to the initial state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a plan view of a work supply device and a block diagram of a control system thereof in a processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the work supply device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of a carry-in conveyor by a conveyor control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of an unloading conveyor by the conveyor control device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a full work stop control by the conveyor control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 ... machine tool 3 ... carry-in conveyor 4 ... carry-out conveyor 5, 6 ... conveyor drive source 7 ... conveyor control device 8 ... stopper 9 ... individual carry-in means 10 ... branch carry-in path 11 ... individual carry-out path 12 ... next step 13- 20: Sensor 21: Unloading permission signal generating means W: Work

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A carry-in conveyor which conveys a work to a plurality of machine tools at least in three speeds, high and low, and the carry-in conveyor in an initial state of supplying the work from a state where no work exists in the plurality of machine tools. And a conveyor control device for controlling the carry-in conveyor so that the carry-in conveyor is operated at a medium speed corresponding to the production tact of the plurality of machine tools in a normal state. 2. The conveyor control device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor is in a state where the workpiece is filled up to a position near an upstream side of the plurality of machine tools and a work distribution position to the plurality of machine tools on the carry-in conveyor. The workpiece supply device in the processing system according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is operated at a low speed. 3. An unloading conveyor capable of at least switching between high, low, and medium speeds for unloading a workpiece from a plurality of machine tools, wherein the conveyor control device has a function of controlling the unloading conveyor. 3. The work system in the processing system according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor control device operates the unloading conveyor at a high speed in an operation state in which the work is dispensed in a state where the work does not exist in all of the plurality of machine tools. Feeding device.