JP2003260635A - Automatic producing method of machining data of a plurality of different types of components - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method having a program that shares a plurality of cutters between different components and can produce a new joint program by automatically joining individual programs related to respective components so as to reduce the number of exchangings of the cutters, when a plurality of die components or the like are machined by a machine tool controlled by a computer. <P>SOLUTION: A machining control method having the program for controlling the machining in machining the plurality of die components or the like with the machine tool comprises a step of setting the plurality of components in the machine tool, a step of inputting data of the components, a step of inputting data of the plurality of cutters to be used every component, a step of simultaneously machining the plurality of components, and a step of exchanging the cutters. The method further comprises a step of rearranging the inputted data of the cutters before machining the plurality of components so as to minimize the number of exchangings of the cutters in the control program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically operating a machine tool for machining parts such as dies, and particularly to a plurality of different cutting tools in a machine tool for machining parts such as a plurality of dies. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically creating a preparation procedure (processing data) of

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computer-controlled machine tools such as machining centers have been widely used. When machining a specific part with such a machine tool, generally, machining data such as tools used, product dimensions, machining dimensions, and finishing dimensions are input. In this case, the operator inputs data according to the input screen or CAM
It is only necessary to input the processed data created by the above method through the storage medium. The processing procedure is automatically processed by the machine itself by an internal program. The machine outputs the required work to be performed by the operator, and according to the instructions of the machine, the operator prepares a tool to be used and attaches or detaches the tool to or from the machine according to the process. Regarding such machine tools, general-purpose application software applicable to various machine tools is also commercially available.

In the case where a plurality of die parts are machined continuously and / or simultaneously by such a machine tool, the machining flow is carried out by connecting the programs of the individual die parts in series. To be done. That is, for example, three mold parts A,
When machining B and C, machining by this machine tool is carried out, for example, so that the machining is completed for each of the mold parts A, B, and C. In this case, first, the mold parts A, B, and C are simultaneously installed on the processing table,
Replace multiple cutting tools one after another to process. For example, for mold part A, blade tools Φ20, Φ7, Φ16, Φ10 in this order,
Consider a case in which the cutting tool is used in the order of Φ20, Φ16, Φ10 for the mold part B, and the cutting tools Φ20, Φ7, Φ16 are used for the mold part C in order. First, the die part A is processed with the cutting tool Φ20, is then replaced with the cutting tool Φ7, and is further processed with the cutting tools Φ16 and Φ10 in this order. For mold parts B, use blade tools Φ20, Φ16, Φ
Replace and process in order of 10. For the die part C, the cutting tools Φ20, Φ7, and Φ16 are exchanged in this order for processing. In the above case, when the mold parts A to C are processed, the cutting tools are Φ20, Φ7, Φ16, Φ10, Φ20, Φ.
16, Φ10, Φ20, Φ7, Φ16 must be replaced 10 times.

In the above case, if the cutting tool can be shared by different mold parts, the number of times of exchanging the cutting tool can be reduced. That is, specifically, in the above example, for example, first, the die parts A, B, and C are processed with the cutting tool Φ20, then the cutting tool Φ20 is replaced with the cutting tool Φ7, and the mold parts A and C are processed.
Next, replace the cutting tool Φ7 with the cutting tool Φ16 and replace the mold parts A, B,
If C is processed, it is possible to reduce the number of times the blade is replaced. By doing so, the processing time can be shortened and therefore the processing cost can be reduced.

Further, in the above example, when the machining data is created on the premise that the three die parts A, B, and C are simultaneously machined, and the number of times of exchanging the cutting tool is reduced to rationalize, the same machining is performed. By creating a program for the procedure, it is possible to reduce the number of exchanges of the cutting tool, but for that purpose, if all the three mold parts A, B, C have been designed and all the machining data are not available, the machining data Also, there is a problem that the study of the program cannot be started. Furthermore, if the number of target die parts increases, the delay in starting the study of the machining program is likely to increase, and it becomes difficult to rationalize by increasing the number of die parts to be simultaneously machined. It is also conceivable that the CAM side automatically performs the combined editing of the machining data on the CAM side, but again, the machining data cannot be created unless all the design by the CAM is completed. If the systems are different, it is difficult to combine the data on the CAM side.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to machine a plurality of mold parts and the like by a machine tool such as a machining center controlled by a computer. In this case, a plurality of cutting tools are generally used, but in order to reduce the number of times of changing the cutting tools by sharing the cutting tools between the different parts regarding the use of these cutting tools, a separate program for each part is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method including a program capable of automatically combining and creating a new combined program.

In addition to the above, the present invention is a case where a plurality of die parts are machined by a machine tool controlled by a computer such as a machining center and a plurality of cutting tools are used. With a tool that allows different parts to be shared between different parts in regard to the use of other tools, a program that can automatically create a new combined program by automatically combining individual programs for each part to reduce the number of times the tool needs to be replaced It is an object of the present invention to provide a device.

[0008]

A method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a method for automatically machining a plurality of mold parts by a machine tool controlled by a computer such as a machining center. In a method including a control program for controlling machining, the method further includes the steps of setting a plurality of parts on a machine tool, inputting data of a plurality of parts, and data of a plurality of cutting tools to be used for each part. It comprises a procedure of inputting each of them, a procedure of simultaneously processing a plurality of parts in a progressive manner, and a procedure of further exchanging a plurality of cutting tools. The method of controlling machining of parts, further comprising a step of rearranging the cutting tools in the control program so that the cutting tools are exchanged a minimum number of times before processing the parts.

According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the work of installing the cutting tool when automatically machining a plurality of mold parts and the like. As a result, the processing time can be shortened and the processing cost can be reduced.

The apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for automatically machining a plurality of mold parts and the like by a machine tool controlled by a computer such as a machining center. This apparatus controls the machining. A machine tool having a control device having a control program, an input device for inputting data of a plurality of parts, and data of a plurality of cutting tools used for each part, and a plurality of input devices The cutting tool data is further provided with a cutting tool coupling control device having a program capable of rearranging the cutting tool data in the control program before processing a plurality of parts so that the number of times the cutting tools are replaced is minimized. A device characterized by.

According to the apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the mounting work of the cutting tool can be reduced when automatically machining a plurality of mold parts and the like. As a result, the processing time can be shortened and the processing cost can be reduced.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the method and apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of a machine tool device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a general machining center 1 is considered as a machine tool, but other machine tools may be used. The device of this embodiment is basically
It is the same as the conventional machining center except that it is equipped with a personal computer 3 for connecting cutting tools. A machining center 1 for machining die parts includes an operation panel 2. In FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, four die parts # 1, # 2, # 3 to be processed are provided.
# 4 is installed on the machining table 4 of the machining center 1, and is designated by the symbols 14, 15, 16, and 17, respectively. In this embodiment, the number of mold parts is four, but the number of mold parts may be any number as long as it can be machined and installed on the processing table. The machining center 1 includes a main spindle 11, a processing blade 12 attached to the tip of the main spindle 11, and a blade magazine 13 that stores a plurality of unused blades 12. The cutting tool 12 is generally automatically detached from the cutting tool magazine 13 and attached to the spindle 11 when used.
This may be done manually. These operations are similar to those of general machine tools.

The operation panel 2 allows the operator to input processing information or to load a program prepared in advance onto the operation panel 2 via a storage medium and read the program. The operator performs operations such as starting and stopping the machining center 1 and performing on-site adjustments on the operation panel 2
It is carried out by. Otherwise, the machining center 1 automatically processes according to the program. In the conventional method, 4
The individual mold parts 14, 15, 16 and 17 move to the next mold part 15 after all the parts of one mold part, for example, 14 have been processed, and the mold parts 16 and 17 are sequentially arranged. Move.

Referring to FIG. 2, four mold parts 14,
The cutting tools used by 15, 16, and 17 and the processing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention using them are schematically shown centering on the cutting tools. In this case, the plurality of cutting tools are four cutting tools Φ20, Φ for the # 1 mold component 14.
7, Φ16, Φ10 in this order, and for the # 2 mold component 15, the blade tools are Φ20, Φ9, Φ16, Φ10 in this order,
About # 3 mold part 16, cutting tools Φ20, Φ7, Φ16,
Φ12 is used in this order, and four cutting tools Φ20, Φ11, Φ16, Φ10 are used in this order for the # 4 mold part 17, and the mold parts 14, 15, 1 of # 1 to # 4 are used.
6, 17 are processed. Regarding these processing, the processing procedure of each mold part 14, 15, 16, 17 is
It is created as programs # 1, # 2, # 3, and # 4.

According to the present invention, the cutting tool connecting personal computer 3 shown in FIG. 1 is provided, and by the personal computer 3, the programs # 1, # 2, # 3 and # 4 are combined to create a new combined program # 5. . Combined result combined program # 5
The content of is shown in * 4 in the lower part of Fig. 2. In program # 5, first use the cutting tool Φ20 in step #
The die parts 14, 15, 16, 17 from 1 to # 4 are processed. Next, in step 2, the cutting tool Φ20 is replaced with the cutting tool Φ7 and the # 1 and # 3 mold parts 14 and 16 are processed. Further, in step 3, the blade Φ7 is replaced with the blade Φ9, and the # 2 die part 15 is used.
Process, and in step 4, replace the cutting tool Φ9 with the cutting tool Φ11 to process the # 4 mold parts, and replace the cutting tool Φ11 with the cutting tool Φ16 in step 5 to mold the # 1, # 2, # 3, and # 4 molds, respectively. The parts 14, 15, 16, 17 are processed. In step 6, the cutting tool Φ16 is replaced with the cutting tool Φ10, and the mold parts 14, 15, 17 of # 1, # 2, and # 4 are machined, and finally, in step 7, the cutting tool Φ10 is replaced with the cutting tool Φ12, and the # 3 mold is manufactured. The part 16 is processed. In this case, the work of attaching the cutting tool is seven times.

On the other hand, in the conventional method of combining programs, the programs # 1 to # 4 are arranged in series and combined,
For example, since we only create the combined program # 6,
The cutting tool data for each step shown in * 2 of FIG. 2 is simply arranged in order. Therefore, the combined program # 6 in the conventional case has 16 steps sequentially arranged in series. Therefore, the work of attaching the cutting tool in this case is 16 times. Thus, obviously, the method according to the present invention requires less work for replacing and installing the cutting tool. By reducing the work of attaching and replacing the cutting tool, the processing time can be shortened and the processing cost can be reduced. Further, according to the present invention, if the individual programs # 1 to # 4 of the respective die parts 14, 15, 16 and 17 are created, the joining is automatically performed by the cutting tool joining personal computer 3 immediately before machining. The cutting tool coupling personal computer 3 may be installed near the machining center 1.

The cutting tool connecting personal computer 3 is provided in the vicinity of the machining center 1 in FIG. 1, but it may be located at a remote place. In this case, the connecting program # 5 is operated by a data communication or a storage medium on the operation panel. It may be loaded into 2.

As for a machine tool program controlled by a computer, there is a commercially available control program only. In the control program of the machine tool, the classification of cutting tools is called an ATC (auto tool changer) system, and the ATC system includes a random system and a sequential system. You can specify the cutting tool number in the random method, but you cannot specify the cutting tool number in the sequential method, and the cutting tools have a fixed order. This method is a method of handling the cutting tool on the program,
The present invention can be applied to either type of machine tool control program.

Further, in the machine tool according to the present invention, not only a single processing blade but also a plurality of processing blades may be mounted on the spindle, and the present invention is effective in this case as well.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing an outline of a machine tool device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows four mold parts 14, 15, 16, 1
The cutting tools to be used in 7 and the processing procedures in the embodiment of the present invention using them are shown diagrammatically centering on the cutting tools.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Machining center 2 ... Operation panel 3 ... PC for connecting cutting tools 4 ... Processing table 11 ... Spindle 12 ... Processing blade 13 ... Cutting tool magazine 14 ... # 1 mold parts 15 ... # 2 mold parts 16 ... # 3 mold parts 17 ... # 4 mold parts

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for automatically machining a plurality of mold parts and the like by a machine tool controlled by a computer, the method comprising a control program for controlling the processing, wherein a plurality of parts are machined. Set the machine, enter data for multiple parts, enter data for multiple cutting tools to be used for each part, and process multiple parts simultaneously. In the method including the steps of exchanging blade tools, the data of the input blade tools are arranged in the control program such that the blade tools are replaced in the minimum number of times before processing a plurality of parts. A method further comprising the step of replacing. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the creation of the plurality of part data and the plurality of cutting tool data is performed by a CAM. 3. An apparatus for automatically machining a plurality of mold parts and the like by a machine tool controlled by a computer, the machine tool including a control device having a control program for controlling the machining, In an apparatus comprising an input device for inputting data of parts and data of a plurality of cutting tools to be used for each part, the input data of the plurality of cutting tools is processed before processing the plurality of parts. The control program further comprises a cutting tool coupling control device having a program capable of rearranging the cutting tools so that the number of times of replacement is the minimum. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the creation of the plurality of component data and the plurality of cutting tool data is performed by a CAM.