JP2003044111A - Remote support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a maker side to provide information at proper time that a customer of a numerically controlled machine tool requires. SOLUTION: A system comprises a factory in which a laser machining device 11 having a graphic user interface(GUI) on its console panel 11a, a support center 20 which supports an operator to execute a program including the operation training of the laser machining device 11 through the GUI to support the laser machining device 11, and a communication line 30 which connects the laser machining device 11 and support center 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote support system for supporting a numerically controlled machine tool via a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been provided numerically controlled machine tools for numerically executing tool positioning, contour control and the like.
For example, a numerically controlled machine tool such as a laser beam machine is used in the manufacturing process of sheet metal parts. A numerically controlled machine tool usually has a graphic user interface (GUI), and an operator operates the numerically controlled machine tool using this GUI.

In order to operate a numerically controlled machine tool, a certain skill is required for the operator. Therefore, manufacturers of numerically controlled machine tools are
Machining instruction is provided so that the operator can operate it surely.

Since the introduction of the numerically controlled machine tool, the improvement of the operator's skill is left to the skill of the operator himself. In addition, upon request, the manufacturer may instruct the operator on the technique.

[0005]

By the way, since the operator of the numerically controlled machine tool has little opportunity to come into contact with the latest machining technology and wants to suppress the occurrence of defects, it is necessary to introduce new machining know-how and equipment. There was a situation in which it was difficult to be positive. On the other hand, managers have desired to improve productivity, quality, and further reduce costs, and there has been a tendency for a recognition gap to occur between the operator and the manager.

To fill this gap, manufacturers need to provide their customers with the latest information about numerically controlled machine tools at the right time. Further, in some cases, the operator needs to be trained in order to master the numerically controlled machine tool.

However, under the present circumstances, the opportunity for the manufacturer to obtain information from the operator or the manager is limited to the case where the person in charge of the customer or the manager provides the information, or when he / she observes by himself / herself during the visit. Therefore, it has been difficult to provide necessary information to customers at an appropriate time based on concrete and objective data.

Due to the above-mentioned reasons, there is a discrepancy in supply and demand between the manufacturer providing the information and the customer receiving the information.

The present invention is proposed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a remote support system in which a maker can provide information required by a customer of a numerically controlled machine tool at an appropriate time. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a remote support system according to the present invention is a GUI (Graphic) in a remote support system for supporting a numerically controlled machine tool via a communication line. A numerically controlled machine tool having a user interface), and assisting the numerically controlled machine tool by providing training including an operation training of the numerically controlled machine tool to an operator of the numerically controlled machine tool via the GUI. A support center and a communication line connecting the numerically controlled machine tool and the support center are provided.

The GUI controls the numerically controlled machine tool by interacting with the operator of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the support center is the GU.
Assist the numerically controlled machine tool by interacting with the operator via I.

The support center includes a terminal device connected to the communication line, simulates the GUI of the numerically controlled machine tool in the terminal device, and shares the operation of the numerically controlled machine device via the GUI. .

The support center is characterized in that it monitors the numerically controlled machine tool, collects information on the operating status of the numerically controlled machine tool, and provides support in accordance with this information.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the information required by the customer of the numerically controlled machine tool can be provided from the manufacturer side at an appropriate time. For example, at the right time,
Training for operators of numerically controlled machine tools can be performed.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a remote support system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the numerically controlled machine tool is a laser processing apparatus for performing laser processing on sheet metal.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote support system to which the present invention is applied.

The remote support system comprises a factory 10 in which a laser processing apparatus is installed, a support center 20 supporting the laser processing apparatus installed in the factory 10, and a communication line 30 connecting the factory 10 and the support center 20. ing.

The factory 10 has a manufacturing process of sheet metal parts by laser processing, and has a laser processing apparatus 11, a remote control camera 12 connected to the laser processing apparatus 11, and a local area LAN.
13, and a hub (HUB) 14 ₁ connecting the premises LAN13 and laser processing apparatus 11. The factory 10 also includes a gateway server 15 and a local area LAN 13.
Hub device 14 that connects the gateway server 15 with the gateway device 15
₂ and a terminal adapter (TA) 16 for connecting the gateway server 15 and the communication line 30.

The laser processing apparatus 11 is a numerically controlled machine tool for processing a sheet metal with a laser, and has an operation panel 11a for an operator to operate. On this operation panel 11a, the laser processing device 11 interacts with the operator G.
A liquid crystal display unit for displaying a UI and a push button unit for inputting various control commands are provided. The liquid crystal display unit also serves as an input unit for the GUI, and the input can be directly received by the GUI by detecting the position touched by the operator.

The laser processing apparatus 11 includes a PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card International Asso
ciation) (trademark) card slot is provided.
CMCIA card slot has a video capture PC
The MCIA card 11b is inserted. The video capture PCMCIA card 11b is a video cable 11
It is connected to the camera control device 11e by c and acquires image data. In addition, the control panel 11a and the camera control device 1
Between 1e, RS232C cable 11d is also connected. The camera control device 11e is connected to the video camera 12 which can be remotely controlled by a 9 m camera cable.

The support center 20 supports the laser processing apparatus 11 installed in the factory 10 via the communication line 30. The support center 10 has a plurality of servers and terminals for supporting the laser processing apparatus 11, and has a plurality of persons in charge for support.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the support center.

The support center 20 has a computer section 21 in which a plurality of servers are arranged and data processing is centralized.
And a service unit 22 provided with a plurality of terminal devices, in which a person in charge provides a service to the laser processing apparatus via these terminal devices, and a laser person in charge in which the person in charge of the laser processing apparatus provides a service via the terminal device It is provided with a section 23 and an exhibition hall 24 for exhibiting a numerically controlled machine tool such as a laser processing device and performing sample processing. These are a local area LAN 25.
Connected by.

The computer unit 21 includes an interface device 41 connected to the Internet, a gateway server 42 connected to the interface device 41, and a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dialog) for performing user authentication.
l-in User Service) server 42. Also,
The computer unit 21 includes an interface device 44 connected to an analog telephone line and an interface device 44.
A FAX server 45 connected to the server and an application server 46. Furthermore, the computer unit 21
Is a web / FTP (File Transfe
r protocol) server 47 and a database server 48 for the laser processing apparatus.

The service unit 22 is provided with a plurality of terminal devices, and a plurality of persons in charge perform work to support a numerically controlled machine tool such as a laser processing device via these terminal devices. The service unit 22 is an integrated digital network (Integrated S
ervices Digital Network (ISDN).

The laser charge section 23 is provided with a terminal device, and a person in charge of the laser processing device performs a work of supporting the laser processing device through the terminal device.

The exhibition hall 24 is equipped with various numerically controlled machine tools such as a laser beam machine, and samples are processed. The exhibition hall 24 includes a terminal device 51 used for inputting a sample processing report and a sample processing database server 52.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining specific communication between the laser processing apparatus and the service center.

A laser processing device 61 and a terminal device 65 shown in FIG. 3 correspond to the laser processing device 11 shown in FIG. 1 and the terminal devices 49 and 50 of the service center 20 shown in FIG. 2, respectively.

A laser processing apparatus 61 installed in the factory,
The terminal device 65 installed in the service center is connected to the Internet or a communication line such as an analog telephone line 69, for example.

In the laser processing device 61, a GUI 62 is displayed on the control panel. Further, the response, call, and shared application 63 are realized. The calling, response, and sharing application 63 are realized on the communication software 64.

On the terminal device 56, a GUI 66 similar to that of the laser processing device 61 is displayed. Further, the calling application 67 is realized. The calling application 67 is realized on the communication software 68.

A call from the terminal device 65 to the laser processing device 61 is made by a fixed IP (Internet Pro) of the laser processing device 61.
tocol) Called by address. In response to the call
The laser processing device 61 automatically responds to the terminal device 65.

In this way, when communication is established between the terminal device 65 and the laser processing device 61, automatic sharing of applications of the laser processing device 61, joint work with the laser processing device 61, and remote control of the laser processing device 61. The image data is automatically transmitted from the camera 12.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a GUI displayed on the terminal device when automatically sharing with the laser processing device.

The GUI displayed on the terminal device is the same as the GUI displayed on the laser processing device. By operating such a GUI, the terminal device and the laser processing device are automatically shared.

The GUI window 70 includes an operation panel A,
It has an operation panel section 71 including an operation panel B, an operation panel C, and an operation panel D, and a mode selection section 72 for switching modes such as origin return, position monitor, and processing state.

Further, the GUI window 70 has a program name display section 73 for displaying the selected program name,
A program display section 74 for displaying the contents of the program,
It has a status display section 75 for displaying date, time, driving time, and the like.

Further, the GUI window 70 is
It has a menu selection section 76 for selecting editing, files and the like. In addition, on the GUI 70, an image display window 7 for displaying an image taken by the remote-controlled camera 12 is displayed.
7 overlap.

In the terminal device, the laser processing device in the shared state can be operated by operating such a GUI 71. Further, by using the image display window 77, the operating status of the laser processing apparatus can be visually grasped.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a connection state between the laser processing apparatus and the service center.

Connection between the laser processing device and the service center
It is started by automatically connecting the communication line from the service center. That is, at the service center,
The laser processing device automatically responds by making a call with the fixed IP address of the laser processing device.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the GUI in the state where the connection is established between the laser processing apparatus and the service center. In the state where the connection is established between the laser processing apparatus and the service center, one menu button 82 of the GUI window becomes a disconnection selection button as shown in B of FIG.

In the state where the connection is established between the laser processing apparatus and the service center, by sharing each GUI, the error program can be corrected, the processing condition data can be changed, and the processing can be supported. .

When the sharing work is finished, the communication line is automatically disconnected from the support center and the sharing work is finished. In addition,
By pressing the “disconnect” switch, the connection can be disconnected from the laser processing device and the sharing work can be ended.

When the disconnection selection button of the GUI of the laser processing apparatus is selected while the disconnection selection button is displayed, a disconnection confirmation window is displayed as shown in C in FIG. When "Yes" is selected in the disconnection confirmation window, the connection state established between the laser processing device and the service center is disconnected.

The remote support system has a function of diagnosing the laser processing apparatus at the same time as supporting the laser processing apparatus. Diagnosis of the laser processing device is performed from the service center via a communication line.

Here, a specific example of the support provided by the support center to the laser processing apparatus will be described. Support for the laser processing apparatus is performed in the following procedure.

First, the data input to the laser processing apparatus is periodically downloaded from the laser processing apparatus to the server of the service center. For example, the operating time of the laser processing device, the operating time of the program, the program name, the thickness of the sheet metal, the circumference, the amount of assist gas consumption, the power consumption, etc. are downloaded. At the service center, the downloaded data is collected by the server and analyzed. Then, at the service center, the data is fed back to the customer of the laser processing apparatus as a report that summarizes the transition tendency for each program or within a certain period.

As a first specific example, it is assumed that the increase of sales and the shortening of delivery time are supported by the improvement of the actual operating rate of the laser processing apparatus.

In this case, the actual operating rate of the laser processing device, the operating time of the laser processing device, the program operating time, the material,
Check the processing order of plate thickness and the person in charge of processing. The result of the analysis,
It was found that the material and plate thickness were randomly entered, resulting in a large amount of setup time, resulting in a decrease in the actual operating rate, and that the setup time varied depending on the level of proficiency of the person in charge.

This can be dealt with by collectively processing the same material and plate thickness as much as possible, by mounting a device that can shorten the setup time, and by training the operator. By installing a device that can reduce the setup time, a machine for selling the device is created.

As a second specific example, it is assumed that the order quantity is secured and the profit is improved by appropriately performing the estimation.

In this case, the operating time of the laser processing apparatus, the program operating time, the circumference, the amount of assist gas consumption, and the amount of power consumption are confirmed. As a result of the analysis, set the sales amount that you want to get per month as the actual operation rate, set the probable hour charge per 12 hours, calculate the actual charge from the actual operation rate, and calculate the probable charge described above. It was found that the actual cost is compared with the estimated cost from the amount of assist gas consumption and power consumption.

When the probable time charge is larger than the actual time charge, the cost response has a margin and the discount is still possible, so aggressive business is developed, and the probable time charge is the actual time charge. If it is smaller than the charge, it can be dealt with by reducing the actual processing time, processing speed, and processing cost.

Here, by proposing a new processing method capable of reducing the processing cost, for example, Easy Cut, a sales opportunity is created. In addition, we will propose methods to speed up processing and training for new know-how.

With the above-mentioned support, the manufacturer of the laser processing apparatus can increase the sales opportunity and the contract rate,
The customer side of the laser processing equipment can improve the productivity and quality and reduce the cost. This makes it possible for companies to improve their competitiveness and differentiate themselves from other companies in the same industry.

When the operator of the laser processing apparatus is trained, it is not necessary to visit the factory by conducting communication. As a result, the manufacturer can reduce the education cost, increase the number of customers who can handle it per unit time, and improve the productivity of the person in charge. Further, the customer of the laser processing apparatus can shorten the period until the training of the operator of the laser processing apparatus is shortened, so that the profit can be secured at an early stage.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the preparation of the above-mentioned report.

The laser processing apparatus 91 and the computer section 96 shown in FIG. 6 correspond to the laser processing apparatus 11 shown in FIG.
2 corresponds to the computer unit 21 shown in FIG.

The operation of the laser processing apparatus 91 is performed from the GUI 92 displayed on the operation panel of the laser processing apparatus 91. The GUI 92 application activates the diagnostic database transmission application 93 on a designated day every month. The diagnostic database transmission application 93 is
The contents of the diagnostic database 94 are automatically transmitted to the web / FTP server in the computer section 96 of the service center.

In the computer section 96, Web / F
The contents of the diagnostic database received by the TP server 97 are
It is registered in the laser processing device report database 99 via the laser database server 98. The contents of the diagnostic database are converted into a report, for example by the laser database server 98.

The report registered in the laser processing apparatus report database 99 is the application server 101,
It is transmitted to the laser processing apparatus 91 via the FAX server 101 and the modem 102.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the report.

The report 110 has a customer information description section 111 in which customer information such as company name and address is described, a supplier description section 112 in which a supplier is described, and a product name description section 113 in which a product name is described. is doing.

The report 110 also includes a material transition display section 114 that displays the transition rate of the material, a program operation time transition display section 115 that displays the transition of the program operation time in the form of a line graph, and a percentage of the plate thickness. It has a plate thickness transition display unit 116 that displays the transition and an assist gas ratio transition display unit 117 that shows the transition of the assist gas ratio.

Although the laser processing apparatus has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
It goes without saying that it can be applied to numerically controlled machine tools other than laser processing equipment.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide information required by a customer of a numerical control project at an appropriate time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote support system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a support center.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating specific communication between a laser processing device and a service center.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a GUI displayed on a terminal device when performing automatic sharing with a laser processing device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a connection state between a laser processing apparatus and a service center.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the creation of a report obtained by diagnosing the laser processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a report.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 factories 11 Laser processing equipment 12 video camera 13 premises LAN 14 Hub device 15 Gateway server 16 terminal adapter

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A remote control system for assisting a numerically controlled machine tool via a communication line, the numerically controlled machine tool having a GUI, and the numerical value to an operator of the numerically controlled machine tool via the GUI. A remote support system comprising a support center for supporting the numerically controlled machine tool by providing support including training of the operation of the controlled machine tool, and a communication line connecting the numerically controlled machine tool and the support center. 2. The GUI controls the numerically controlled machine tool by interacting with an operator of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the support center controls the GUI.
2. The numerically controlled machine tool is assisted by interacting with the operator via a UI.
The described remote support system. 3. The support center includes a terminal device connected to the communication line, wherein the terminal device simulates a GUI of the numerically controlled machine tool and operates the numerically controlled machine tool through the GUI. The remote support system according to claim 1, wherein the remote support system is shared. 4. The support center monitors the numerically controlled machine tool, collects information on the operating status of the numerically controlled machine tool, and provides support in accordance with this information. Remote support system. 5. The numerically controlled machine tool is connected to a video camera for photographing the operating condition of the machine tool, and the support center is configured to control the numerically controlled machine device based on image data sent from the video camera. The remote support system according to claim 1, which supports the remote support system. 6. The remote support system according to claim 5, wherein the support center creates a report based on the operating status of the numerically controlled machine tool.