JP2002023815A - Numerical controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved numerical controller capable of realizing a control system which is not restricted by the number of numerical controllers, the set places of those numerical controllers, or the number of users or situations of the numerical controllers. SOLUTION: A numerical controller 1 allows a storage device 40 to successively store data related with the operating state of a machine tool obtained from a monitor device 20 for monitoring the operating state of the machine tool to be controlled by an arithmetic device 10, and allows a communication controller 30 to start communication with a specific communication destination stored in an initial value storing device 50 by turning on a power source, and dial- operating a radio telephone set 70, and to maintain the connecting state to the communication destination until the power source of the numerical controller 1 is turned off, and to transmit the data related with the operating state only to the prescribed communication destination as necessary.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a numerical controller for controlling a machine tool, and more particularly to a numerical controller capable of transmitting electronic data to a remote computer or another numerical controller in a timely manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Data is exchanged between a numerical control device and another numerical control device or a computer device located far away from the numerical control device via a public communication line such as a telephone line or an ISN line. Numerical control devices capable of transmitting data to each other are known. Using a communication network formed by this numerical control device and computer equipment, collectively manage multiple machine tools equipped with this machine tool machine, machining liquid / coolant supply device, automatic tool changer, etc. Management systems are being adopted.

In this management system, the installation position of the numerical controller is restricted by the wiring of the public communication line, or laying work of the public communication line for that purpose is required. Further, when there are several numerical control devices, it is necessary to draw one public communication line per one numerical control device. As the number of numerical controllers increases, it becomes more difficult to arrange such communication equipment due to cost or wiring work.

Therefore, by configuring a local area network with a plurality of numerical controllers and computer devices and connecting the plurality of numerical controllers, the number of public communication lines required for data communication is reduced, and more There is a system that can manage a numerical controller. However, even when such a system is introduced, wiring work for the communication line is required for that, and dedicated equipment must be installed.

As described above, the labor and cost required for the facilities of the public communication line or the local area network hinder the spread of the machine tool management system as described above. For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-331
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2 (1993) -1995, a modem and a radio telephone are attached to a predetermined numerical control device from among a plurality of numerical control devices, and communication between remote computer devices using the radio telephone is performed. A possible management system is being considered. In this way, even if there are a plurality of numerical control devices in the factory, there is no need for a large number of telephones and modems or facilities for a local area network, and wiring work for communication lines is unnecessary. It is considered that the management system as described above can be more easily introduced.

[0006]

However, in order to make such a management system more widespread, there are still points to be improved. For example, it is desired that a plurality of numerical control devices that are not installed in the same factory can be collectively managed with less burden and more efficiently. In addition, if the management company can manage each numerical control device of one or more users who own at least one machine tool equipped with a numerical control device irrespective of the installation environment, etc., each user of the machine tool Each greatly reduces the burden of managing the machine tool.

In order to overcome such points to be improved, the present invention provides a management system which is not restricted by the number of numerical control devices, the installation place of the numerical control devices, the number of users of the numerical control devices, and the circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved numerical control device capable of realizing the following.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an arithmetic unit 10 having a function of controlling a machine tool is provided.
A monitor device 20 for monitoring the operating state of the machine tool controlled by the arithmetic device 10, and a monitor device 20
A storage device 40 for recording data relating to the operating state of the machine tool obtained in the above, an initial value storage device 50 in which at least destination data in electronic data communication of a specific communication destination are registered in advance, A communication control device 30 for opening a communication by dialing 70 and maintaining a connection state with the communication destination until the power is turned off, and timely transmitting data on the operating state only to the predetermined communication destination; , Are provided.

[0009]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a numerical controller according to the present invention. The numerical control device 1 includes an arithmetic device 10,
Monitor device 20, communication control device 30, temporary storage device 4
0, an initial value storage device 50, a graphic device 60, a wireless telephone 70, and a display device 80. Description of other known devices (not shown) included in the numerical control device 1 is omitted.

The arithmetic unit 10 has at least one CP.
U, ROM, and RAM are included. R
The OM stores a startup program that is processed when the power of the numerical controller is turned on. The arithmetic device 10 mainly decodes an input numerical control program, performs an interpolation operation, outputs a movement command signal from a motor control device (not shown) to the machine of the machine tool, and controls each moving device. The arithmetic unit 10 may perform other incidental controls, for example,
It also has a function of sending various data obtained from the main machine of the machine tool to the graphic device 60 to display the data graphically on the screen of a display device 80 such as an LCD, and controlling the machine tool according to a manually input command.

The monitor device 20 has at least one CP.
U. The monitor device 20 acquires detection signals from a plurality of detectors related to operating states provided in the main machine of the machine tool and peripheral devices. Then, the operating state data is analyzed from the detection values of the respective detection signals according to the type, and if necessary, data of a predetermined form that can be received by the receiving side when transmitting the data is transmitted. , For example, to HTLM format data. The monitor device 20 also obtains the data of the operation state of the numerical control device 1 itself from the arithmetic device 10 and similarly analyzes the data or converts the data in a predetermined form. Then, monitor device 2
0 records the operating state data in the temporary storage device 40. The data of the operating state of the machine tool monitored by the monitor device 20 includes the following.

First, the state of the power supply of the main machine of the machine tool and some attached devices included in the machine tool, or the general basic state such as machining, preparation, and rest is shown. Data. The second is data indicating the current operation status such as the position of each mobile device at a certain time, the processing time, and the state of components of a power supply circuit for processing such as switching elements. Thirdly, data indicating the degree of consumption of consumables obtained by detecting the amount of coolant or machining fluid or the amount of machining waste that can be removed by the filter. Fourth,
This is data indicating the occurrence of an abnormality, such as reaching a mechanical limit of a moving device, breakage of a tool, or occurrence of a momentary power failure.

The temporary storage device 40 stores a large number of types that are already acquired and stored from the numerical control device 1 and the machine tool during a certain period even when the power of the numerical control device 1 is turned off. Are stored in time series. Then, when the power of the numerical controller 1 is turned on again, it can be called in a timely manner. The operating state data stored in the temporary storage device 40 is divided into data to be stored for a long period of time and data that does not need to be stored or data that should not be stored, depending on the type thereof. At an appropriate timing before the power is turned off, the file is stored as a file in a predetermined storage area of the attached storage device 90 such as a hard disk, and unnecessary data is discarded when the power of the numerical controller 1 is turned off. You.

When the operator inputs an instruction from an input means such as a key or a mouse of the operation panel 100, the operation device 10 calls up the data of the operating state from the temporary storage device 40 and displays the data on the screen of the display device 80. For example, it is displayed in a predetermined display form like a bar graph. When the monitor device 20 is instructed by the initial setting, the monitor device 20 displays some types of operating state data on the graphic device 6.
After that, the operation state is displayed on the screen of the display device 80 as the latest information.

The communication control device 30 includes at least one C
It is configured to include a PU. The communication control device 30 is powered on by the numerical control device 1 and the arithmetic device 10 activates a system software program called an OS in accordance with the activation program, followed by application software for operating the numerical control device. Is started, the wireless telephone 70 is dialed to the repeater registered in the initial value storage device 50 in advance. The destination data in the electronic data communication of a specific communication destination that is irreversibly registered in the initial value storage device 50 at a location far from the numerical controller 1 via a public communication line or a dedicated communication line. A communication request is sent to a computer device having an IP address.

When communication with a computer device such as a remote server, personal computer, or host computer, which is a communication destination, is not successful, the communication control device 30 dials the wireless telephone 70 again to connect to the computer device. Attempt communication. If this communication cannot be opened even after repeating this operation several times, a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes
After a minute, a similar attempt is made. While this communication is not open,
On the display device on the receiving side of the data in the operating state, it is displayed that the communication is not opened along with the serial number, symbol, and name arbitrarily given to the numerical control device 1.

Once the communication between the numerical controller 1 and a predetermined computer device is successful, the communication connection is maintained open until the power of the numerical controller 1 is turned off. As a result, the numerical control device 1 can sequentially transmit data of the operating state to a specific communication destination, and the communication control device 30 enables real-time monitoring of the numerical control device 1 by a remote computer device. I do.
Further, the numerical control device 1 can receive electronic data such as a command from a computer device managing the numerical control device 1 at a remote location at any time as long as the numerical control device 1 is turned on. Therefore, the burden on the management of the operator in the management system and the work for the operator is reduced, and a more excellent management system is provided.

After successful communication with a predetermined computer device, the communication control device 30 sequentially reads the operating state data analyzed by the monitor device 20 from the temporary storage device 40 and converts it into data suitable for communication. These operating state data are sequentially transmitted to a predetermined communication destination. When the type of operating state data to be transmitted to the initial value storage device 50 is set in advance, the communication control device 30 sets the operating state of the set operating state among several types of operating state data. Only data is transmitted to a predetermined communication destination. In addition,
The conversion to communication data is usually to add data of a predetermined communication protocol that can be received by a communication destination to data in an operating state to be transmitted.

The initial value storage device 50 stores data that cannot be rewritten. In the initial value storage device 50,
At least the telephone number of the public communication line (including wireless communication) of the repeater specified in advance, the IP address assigned to the numerical controller 1, and the destination data in the electronic data communication between the communication destination computer devices. I
The P address and the identification data (ID data) of the destination computer device to which reception is permitted are stored in advance.

Therefore, the numerical controller 1 is not allowed to transmit data in the operating state to a destination other than the communication destination registered in the initial value storage device 50. Only registered specific types are sent. Also, it does not receive communication data other than the registered communication destination. This means securing communications and enabling real-time monitoring, reducing the risk of data leakage, and leaving communications management to the operator without the expense and maintenance of communications. Guarantee that it will not be burdensome.

As shown in FIG. 2, data of a predetermined type of operating state is transmitted from the radio telephone 70 through the repeater 2 to the management requested by the user holding the numerical controller 1 to manage the machine tool. Is transmitted to the server 3 of the user or the host computer. In this embodiment, the repeater 2 and the server 3 of the administrator are always connected by a dedicated communication line.

The operating state data received at the server 3 is as follows:
When the request is made by the personal computer 3C of the terminal in the local area network of the manager, the request is displayed on the personal computer 3C of the terminal. As long as the application software for the predetermined management is provided, the personal computer 3C of any terminal can view the data of the operating state.

In the terminal personal computer 3C,
Regardless of the number of the numerical control devices 1 communicating with each other, the operation status data from all the numerical control devices 1 can be displayed in a predetermined form in a list on the screen of the display device of the personal computer 3C of the terminal. Therefore, it is asked by the administrator,
The numerical controller 1 and the machine tools controlled by the numerical controller 1 which are open to communication registered with the manager are constantly monitored. The numerical controller 1 whose communication has not been opened and the machine tool controlled by the numerical controller 1 indicate that "communication is disconnected" on the personal computer 3C of the terminal.

If even one of the managed numerical controllers receives data indicating the occurrence of an abnormality, an alarm is issued. Further, when there are numerical values requiring caution and data indicating meaning among a large number of operating state data of the numerical control device 1, the operating state data can be seen at a glance, for example, by changing colors. Is displayed on the personal computer 3C of the terminal.

In the communication control device 30 of the numerical controller 1, the data in the operating state is the data indicating the degree of consumption of the consumables, and the monitor 20 recognizes that the consumables need to be replaced. Sometimes, after transmitting the operating state data including the data indicating the degree of consumption of the consumables to the administrator who is the normal communication destination, the communication with the administrator's server 3 is temporarily cut off, Registered with the seller through a public communication network so as to be connected to the server 4
Server 4 having terminal or computer 4 of terminal
Attempt to connect to C.

Then, when the communication with the seller is successful, the data of the order for replacement of the consumable is transmitted. When receiving the response signal of the order from the server 4 of the seller, the communication control device 30 resumes the communication with the server 3 of the manager, transmits the data on the order of the consumable supplies to the manager, and the data of the operating state. Resume transmission. Unlike other data registered in the initial value storage device 50 that are difficult to be changed by the user, the user can arbitrarily set whether or not to perform the operation of automatically ordering consumables. . Therefore, if it is set not to automatically order consumables, the server 3
The communication with the server continues to transmit the data of the operating state including the information of the consumables without interruption.

For example, when an order is placed for a consumable item by connecting to a seller that is a supplier of the consumable item, order data indicating that the order has been immediately received from the seller is returned. The communication control device 30 stores the order data together with necessary data such as the reception date and time in the temporary storage device 40,
Disconnect from the connection. Then, the communication with the server 3 of the administrator is resumed, and the order data is transferred to the server 3.

As described above, since the connection between the administrator and the numerical controller 1 is always maintained, even if there is a connection request from another through the public communication line, the connection is not accepted. The requesting computer device is always recognized that the numerical controller 1 is busy. However, it is connected to the repeater 2 and the initial value storage device 5
The communication is received only for the computer device 5 of the communication destination to which some communication stored in “0” is permitted. If the ID data in the data transmitted from the computer device 5 does not match the ID data registered in the initial value storage device 50, the reception is interrupted.

For example, command data for requesting the data of the operating state is transmitted from the computer device 5 of the user of the machine tool in an office or the like different from the factory where the machine tool is installed via the repeater 2. When the request is received, the connection with the computer device 5 is allocated and the request data is accepted. Then, the communication control device 30 reads data of a required operating state from the temporary storage device 40 or the attached storage device 90 according to the command, and transmits the data to the computer device 5. During this time, the control of the machine tool by the arithmetic unit 10 of the numerical control device 1 and the monitoring of the monitor device 20 are continued without interruption.

When the user owns a plurality of machine tools provided with the numerical control device 1, each of the numerical control devices 1 has the wireless telephone 70. Wireless telephone 70
May be a commercially available mobile phone capable of communicating electronic data. This type of mobile phone does not require the installation of a modem for electronic data communication. Further, there may be any number of users who own the numerical control device 1. Among several numerical control devices 1 installed, the wireless telephone 70
It is relatively easy to attach the monitor device 20 and the communication control device 30 and attach the wireless telephone 70 when there is a numerical control device 1 that does not include
This means that, in particular, when the already installed numerical controller 1 which cannot communicate electronic data can enable communication of electronic data, the numerical control device 1 can be connected to a public telephone line or a local network can be established. The cost and work burden are significantly reduced.

The configuration of the numerical control device according to the above-described embodiment can be appropriately changed so as to be replaced, modified, combined, and used without departing from the technical idea of the present invention. For example, when the arithmetic device is configured to be able to execute a plurality of arithmetic operations at the same time, the arithmetic device can be caused to execute some or all of the functions of the monitor device or the communication control device. Alternatively, the function of the initial value storage device can be included in a predetermined storage area of an attached storage device such as a hard disk. At this time, the data in the storage area can be rewritten only by inputting a password or the like.

【The invention's effect】

As described above, the numerical controller of the present invention
Since each is equipped with a wireless telephone, there is no need for local area network equipment, no need to lay communication lines, and there is no concern about the individual circumstances of a plurality of users. All of these numerical control devices can be collectively managed by a computer device that implements one management system. As a result, there is an effect that the burden on the cost is reduced, and communication with a computer device at a remote place can be performed without limiting the number of numerical control devices, the installation place, and the number of users.

In addition, the numerical control device of the present invention maintains the connection state with the transmission destination until the power is turned off after automatically turning on the communication after the power is turned on, and transmits the data in the timely operation state during the time. Therefore, regardless of the number of machine tools, all machine tools and their numerical control devices are monitored in real time at a remote location, thereby reducing the burden on the user. Further, the numerical control device of the present invention is configured to transmit communication data only to a predetermined communication destination, so that useless communication is not performed and communication data is not transmitted to an unreliable communication destination. In addition, the cost burden is reduced, and an excellent effect of safety is achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a numerical controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a model diagram showing a relationship between a numerical control device of the present invention, a computer device, and another numerical control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, numerical control device 10, arithmetic device 20, monitor device 30, communication control device 40, temporary storage device 50, initial value storage device 70, wireless telephone

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An arithmetic device having a function of controlling a machine tool, a monitor device for monitoring an operation state of the machine tool controlled by the arithmetic device, and an operation of the machine tool obtained by the monitor device A storage device for recording data relating to a state, at least an initial value storage device in which data of a destination in electronic data communication of a specific communication destination is registered in advance, and a dial operation of a wireless telephone at the time of turning on the power to open the communication. A communication control device that maintains a connection state with the communication destination until power is turned off, and that transmits data on the operating state only to the predetermined communication destination in a timely manner.