JP2004102482A - Support system and method for management of processing work - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly control a tool and a work to surely evade the loss of the tool, an erroneous attachment of the tool, the loss of the work and the like. <P>SOLUTION: A product design software 100, a mold design software 200, an NC data preparing software 300, a work delivery control software 400, a preparatory arrangement control software 500 and a machine tool control software 600 are connected with each other via a common carrier leased line of a network line, and a process control software 700 is connected also therewith to control all the processes from design up to mold formation for a product. A database 800 is a database accumulated with various kinds of information required for product design and mold design. A obtained NC data and a data accompanied thereto are transmitted to a computer in a factory field when a person in charge finishes preparation of the NC data. The process control software 700 generates, based thereon, a prescribed task to be executed by a worker, in the work delivery control software 400 and the preparatory arrangement control software 500. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a processing operation management support system and a processing operation management support method that can be applied particularly when a processing operation is performed using an NC machine tool.
[0002]
[Prior art]
NC machine tools have been automated to a considerable extent. However, when it is necessary to change the mounting position and the mounting direction of the work (workpiece), or when it is necessary to replace the work itself, the worker manually works on the machine tool. There is a need. As described above, an operation in which the operator prepares for the next processing on the machine tool may be called “setup”.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when performing the setup work, the operation of the machine tool must be stopped because the worker performs the work on the machine tool. For this reason, the machining operation cannot proceed during the operation period.
[0004]
In addition, recent NC machine tools are also capable of automatically changing tools, but this is only possible when an operator removes a necessary tool from a storage location in advance and moves the tool to a predetermined position on the machine tool in advance. It is necessary to set it. In this case, the operator often prepares a tool different from the tool that should be prepared by mistake, so that correct machining is not often performed.
[0005]
Until now, there was no strict management of tool insertion and removal, and there was a job left to the operator, so it often happened that tools were lost or stored in the wrong place.
[0006]
In addition, since the management of the work that started the processing was left to the operator, the work being processed was lost while being removed from one machine tool and attached to another machine tool, and the processing work was started from the beginning. There was often wasted work that had to be done.
[0007]
The present invention has been made based on such a background, and a processing operation management support system that appropriately manages tools and workpieces and can reliably avoid loss of tools, incorrect mounting of tools, loss of workpieces, and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing operation management support method.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a machining operation management support system according to the present invention provides a worker with a machine tool for a predetermined unit machining operation based on data that can be handled by a computer obtained in a design department. Necessary tool teaching means for teaching individual tools to be used, and necessary tool confirmation means for confirming that an operator has prepared each tool taught by the necessary tool teaching means are provided.
[0009]
Thus, tools necessary for the unit machining operation can be reliably prepared, and errors can be reduced. Further, by providing tool return confirmation means for confirming that individual tools taught by the necessary tool teaching means have been returned after the machining operation has been completed, loss of tools and the like can be reliably prevented.
[0010]
Further, in the machining work management support system according to the present invention, a necessary work piece teaching means for teaching a worker a work piece required for a predetermined unit machining work, and the necessary work piece teaching means are provided. Based on the necessary workpiece confirmation means for confirming that the worker has prepared the workpiece to be taught, and the data which can be handled by a computer obtained in the design department, the worker is provided with the predetermined unit machining operation. Set presentation that presents an image of a process set to be created to an operator based on necessary jig teaching means for teaching a required jig and computer-handleable data obtained in the design department. Means are provided.
[0011]
Thereby, even an inexperienced worker can surely prepare a workpiece required for a unit machining operation and quickly and surely prepare a machining set described later.
Further, by providing a processing set return confirmation unit for confirming that the processing set has been returned after the processing operation has been completed, the processing set can be reliably managed.
[0012]
Further, the machining operation management support system according to the present invention teaches an individual tool to be used by the machine tool for a predetermined unit machining operation based on data that can be handled by a computer obtained in the design department. Required tool teaching means, required workpiece teaching means for instructing a worker on a workpiece required for the predetermined unit machining operation, and workpiece taught by the required workpiece teaching means. Based on the necessary workpiece confirmation means for confirming that the worker has prepared the workpiece and the data which can be handled by the computer obtained in the design department, the worker is required to perform the predetermined unit machining operation. Based on the necessary jig teaching means for teaching the jig and the data that can be handled by the computer obtained in the design department, an image of the processing set to be created is given to the worker. A processing set presenting means presenting, each tool taught by the necessary tool teaching means may be provided and the required tool confirmation means for confirming that the operator has prepared. Further, further, tool return confirmation means for confirming that the individual tools taught by the necessary tool teaching means have been returned after the machining operation has been completed, and that the machining set has been returned after the machining operation has been completed. It is also possible to provide a processing set return confirmation means for confirming the processing set.
[0013]
In the above-mentioned machining operation management support system, further, RFID identification means for individually identifying each of the tools and / or RFID identification means for individually identifying each of the machining sets are provided, and the required tool confirmation is provided. The means and / or the processing set return confirmation means performs a confirmation operation using the RFID identification means. As a result, the checking operation can be performed quickly and reliably.
[0014]
Further, when it is necessary to temporarily store a tool set made up of the individual tools taught by the necessary tool teaching means, a tool storage location indicating means for instructing an operator of the storage location can be provided. Further, when the processing set is created, when it is necessary to temporarily store the processing set, a processing set storage location instructing means for instructing a worker of the storage location can be provided.
[0015]
Further, the processing operation management support method according to the present invention, using a computer, on the basis of data that can be handled by a computer obtained in the design department, to the operator for each predetermined unit processing operation using the machine tool A necessary tool teaching step of teaching a tool of a predetermined workpiece, a necessary workpiece teaching step of teaching a workpiece required for a predetermined unit machining operation to a worker, and a computer-operable result obtained in a design department. Based on the data, a machining set presenting step of presenting an image of the machining set to be created to the operator, and a necessary tool check for confirming that the operator has prepared each tool taught by the necessary tool displaying step Execute the process. Further, using a computer, after the machining operation on the machine tool is completed, a tool return confirmation step of confirming that the individual tools taught by the necessary tool teaching means have been returned, and a machining operation on the machine tool. It is desirable to execute a processing set return confirmation step of confirming that the processing set has been returned after the processing has been completed.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a computer system for performing operations from designing a certain product to creating a mold for manufacturing the product. This figure also shows the flow of work steps from product design to mold processing.
[0017]
Here, in the case of “product”, it is limited to a product that can be manufactured by molding, such as a housing of a mobile phone. There are many cases of a mobile phone case, such as an upper case, a lower case, a cover case for a battery housing, and a case around a liquid crystal window, and each of them corresponds to the “product” here. Each product requires a mold to mold it.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, product design software 100 is software that assists a product designer in designing a product on a computer. Typical product design software is so-called CAD (Computer Aided Design) software.
[0019]
The mold design software 200 is software for designing a mold for molding the product based on the design data of the product obtained by the product design software 100. The mold design includes various factors such as the shrinkage ratio of the resin, where to split the upper and lower molds, what type of mold parts are used, and where to place the ejector pins.
[0020]
The NC data creation software 300 is software that creates NC data for automatically machining a mold (workpiece) with a machine tool based on data obtained by the mold design software 200 and data associated therewith. is there. The accompanying data includes information such as what kind of tool is used when executing the automatic machining, and information for three-dimensionally displaying the completed state of the “machining set” described later with viewer software.
[0021]
The product design software 100, the mold design software 200, and the NC data creation software 300 are mainly executed on a computer in the design department.
[0022]
The data created by the NC data creation software 300 is sent to the factory department. In the system according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a work department management software 400, a setup management software 500, and a machine tool control software 600 are provided in a factory section. Of these, the work exit management software 400 and the setup management software 500 are software installed on a general-purpose computer in a factory section, and the machine tool control software 600 is software installed on a computer that controls a machine tool.
[0023]
The above-described product design software 100, mold design software 200, NC data creation software 300, work exit management software 400, setup management software 500, and machine tool control software 600 are mutually connected via a dedicated network line. Further, connected to this network line is process management software 700 for managing all processes from product design to mold formation. The database 800 is a database in which various kinds of information necessary for product design and mold design are stored. When each person in charge uses the above-described software, the computer 800 can access the computer via a network as needed. The necessary data referred to and stored therein is taken out or newly written.
[0024]
A main part of the present invention mainly relates to a part of the process shown in FIG. When the person in charge of creating the NC data finishes creating the NC data, the obtained NC data and the data accompanying the NC data are sent to the computer in the factory department. Based on this, the process management software 700 causes the work delivery management software 400 and the setup management software 500 to generate a predetermined task to be performed by the worker. In the following, the terms “K2 NAVI” and “K2 Pharmacy” appear, but the former is the name of the work retrieval management software 400 and the latter is the name of the setup management software 500 used in the factory section.
[0025]
As described above, K2 NAVI is software that manages the exit status of a work (work before processing) for making a mold part. If only the work is purchased and stored in the storage shelf, the individual work is not yet identified, but in this embodiment, after the work is unloaded from the storage shelf, where the work is located, Keep track of the situation. As means for that purpose, in the present embodiment, an identification system including an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag and an RF reader / writer is used.
[0026]
An integrated circuit chip in which a coil for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic wave signal, an electronic circuit for signal processing, and a nonvolatile memory for storing data are embedded inside the RFID tag. The RFID tag uses an electromagnetic wave transmitted from an RF reader / writer (not shown) and an electromotive force generated by electromagnetic induction between the coil and the coil as a power supply, and thus does not need to have a power supply therein. Information can be written to and read from an RFID tag in a non-contact manner via an RF reader / writer.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the RFID tag is also lent to each person in charge in order to individually identify the person in charge of the factory. Therefore, the person in charge is required to always carry his / her own RFID tag. In addition, as described later, this RFID tag is also attached to each tool, a tool set including each tool, and a processing set, and each is individually identified. In a factory where this system is installed, reader / writers for RFID tags are installed at important places, and these are connected to the above-mentioned process management software 700 via a persol computer connected to a network. ing.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a screen displayed when K2 NAVI is to be started. When a person who intends to use K2 NAVI enters a predetermined LOGIN ID on this login screen and clicks the LOGIN button, K2 NAVI starts up. When the K2 NAVI is activated, first, a list of accumulated outgoing tasks is displayed.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is a screen of a task list displayed on a K2 NAVI terminal. This task is a list of tasks for unloading the work. In other words, this is also a list of work that must be issued. Even if there is only one order, if there are a plurality of parts of the type corresponding to the order, there are a plurality of tasks, and since there can be many orders themselves, the number of tasks is a number corresponding thereto. The task list shown in FIG. 3 is created based on information supplied from the process management software 700 in FIG.
[0030]
The dispatching worker activates K2 NAVI, and if a task exists in the task list of FIG. 3, for example, performs the dispatching of the work when the person in charge is available. The specific procedure of the unloading work is as follows.
[0031]
The operator selects and double-clicks a task to be executed on the task list screen of FIG. Then, when the type of the selected task type is the mold, the core, or the plate, the screen of FIG. 4 is displayed. In addition, when the type of the selected task type is a slide within the standard, a screen shown in FIG. 6 described below is displayed. When the type of the selected task type is a non-standard slide, the screen shown in FIG. Is displayed, and when the type of the selected task type is the spring core, a screen of FIG. 12 described later is displayed.
[0032]
On the task list screen of FIG. 3, if the type of the selected task type is core, the screen of FIG. 4 is displayed. When the type of the selected task type is a mold or a plate, a screen similar to that in FIG. 4 appears.
[0033]
In the screen of FIG. 4, the operator first checks the column of “part number” indicated by (1). In the example of FIG. 4, "CORE 01" is displayed in the column of "part number". In the column of “check item” below, work items that must be executed by the worker are displayed, and the worker performs work according to the instruction. In accordance with this display, the operator first retrieves a predetermined work (workpiece) (in this case, CORE 01) from a predetermined place that is stored after purchase. Then, the user clicks a square (indicated by {circle around (2)}) on the left side of “Export work” on the screen to add a check mark. At this stage, the workpieces have not yet been individually identified.
[0034]
Subsequently, the worker attaches the RFID tag to the work as described in the second column of the column “check item”. Here, the tag to be pasted is a tag in which nothing has been written yet. When the tag has been pasted, a check mark is placed on the second square (indicated by (3)). Next, a nearby RF reader / writer is applied to the attached tag, and the third square is clicked (indicated by (4)). Then, writing of necessary information to the RFID tag is started. Here, necessary information including information such as what kind of work is to be used for which part of which order number is written. Thereby, this work is specified individually thereafter. When the writing is completed, an indication to that effect is displayed.
[0035]
Subsequently, the operator checks “Ready” in the “Status” portion of the screen in FIG. 4 and presses the “Send” button (indicated by ▲ 5). Then, the screen shown in FIG. 5 appears. Click “Yes”. Thus, the unloading work of the work for “CORE 01” is completed.
[0036]
As described above, when the work to be taken out of the warehouse is a slide within the standard, the screen of FIG. 6 is first displayed. In the case of slides, the work must be cut to the length of use, so the handling is different from that of cavities and the like in order to check the dimensions. As one of them, a button (indicated by (2)) "parts list" can be pressed on the display screen of FIG. 6, and when this button is pressed, a tree display is displayed as shown on the left side of FIG. To display the parts list. On this screen, when a corresponding part name (here, {circle around (7)}) is clicked, a corresponding screen is displayed on the right side of the display as shown in FIG. Here, various information about the work is included, and among them, the operator particularly confirms the size of the work indicated by (8).
[0037]
When the confirmation is completed, the "end" button (indicated by (9)) at the upper right of FIG. 8 is clicked to return to the screen of FIG. Then, the FRID tag is attached in the same manner as the above-mentioned cabinet or the like, but in this case, it is attached directly to a special case without being directly attached because the dimensions are small, and information is written by an RF reader / writer. Then, the work is accommodated in this case. Then, the "Yes" button is clicked on the screen of FIG.
[0038]
By attaching the RFID to the work that has been delivered in this way, it is possible to reliably track the state of each work using the RF reader / writer and the computer. The unloaded work is stored in a predetermined storage location until a work set described later is created using the work. K2 NAVI instructs the worker where to store it, and the worker keeps it in a predetermined place according to the instruction.
[0039]
As described above, in the unloading work of the work, all the workers in charge of unloading need only work in accordance with the instructions displayed on the screen of the K2 NAVI on the computer terminal. However, there is very little room for error.
[0040]
When the writing to the RFID tag is completed, the exit task end screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The transmission of the task shown in FIG. 5 means that a task that must be performed by an operator is transferred to the process management software 700 thereafter. Therefore, transmission of this task is the end of the outgoing task in K2 NAVI. When the operator clicks “Yes”, the outgoing task in K2 NAVI ends.
[0041]
The outgoing processing of the non-standardized slide is shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 as described above, and the outgoing processing of the spring core is shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. Therefore, the description is omitted here.
[0042]
When the work is unloaded, it is possible to perform a processing operation on the work. The process management software 700 recognizes this, and first generates a tool set creation task for K2 Pharmacy. Here, the “tool set” is a set of a plurality of tools necessary for processing a specific work in a single setup. "Creating a tool set" means to prepare such a tool set in one container in advance. One of the features of the present embodiment is that these are prepared in advance according to instructions from a computer.
[0043]
The data sent from the NC data creation software 300 to the computer at the factory includes, in addition to so-called NC data, data on what kind of tool is used when the machine tool attempts to machine a certain path on the workpiece. Let me do it. When the computer in the factory department receives this data, the process management software 700 generates a “create tool set” task in K2 Pharmacy. K2 Pharmacy recognizes a necessary tool by referring to tool data attached to NC data.
[0044]
FIG. 15 is a screen of a task list of K2 Pharmacy. On the task list screen of FIG. 15, a list of tasks that the operator must execute under the management of K2 Pharmacy is displayed. In this example, two tasks called “tool set creation” are displayed.
[0045]
The work of creating a tool set is performed as follows. On the screen of FIG. 15, when the tool set creation task below the two displayed tasks is selected and double-clicked, the screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. The operator performs the work in accordance with the instructions displayed in the area indicated by reference numeral 20 on this screen. In FIG. 16, an instruction "Please read the worker TAG" is displayed in this area. Therefore, the worker causes his / her RFID tag to be read by the RF reader / writer in order to notify the system that he / she is a person having the right. The K2 Pharmacy performs an authentication operation on the read ID, and permits continuation of the subsequent operation only when the operator is a registered operator having a valid right. At the same time, the worker and the work contents (which tool was taken out) are recorded.
[0046]
When the actual tool set creation operation is started, first, the number of the tool to be taken out from the storage location (here, the number “No CD080210J06”) is displayed in the area 22 of FIG. 17 by K2 Pharmacy. In this case, it is also displayed that this tool is the first of a set of six in total. Each tool is placed in a case one by one, and each case is provided with an RFID tag for identifying the tool. Therefore, when a worker takes out a predetermined tool (actually, a case in which the tool is placed) from the storage location, the operator reads the RFID tag. Then, a check mark is automatically added to the left square of the tool displayed in the area indicated by (3) in FIG. Similarly, every time the operator takes out a tool from the storage location, the same operation is performed for the second and subsequent tools. When all six tools are prepared, one tool set is completed. In this case, if a different tool is ejected when the designated tool is ejected, a warning is issued in K2 Pharmacy that "the tool ID is different" by reading the RFID tag.
[0047]
When creating a tool set, a rule is set so that the operator does not take out the tool from the case. Also, after the machining set is created, even when the operator actually attaches the tool to the machine tool, the information is read one by one from the RFID tag according to the instructions of the computer, and the tool is read from the machine tool to which the tool is to be attached. The user is instructed to remove it, and he decides to perform the removal work accordingly. For this reason, a one-to-one relationship is always maintained between each tool and the RFID identifying each tool.
[0048]
When removing a tool from a predetermined storage location, attaching a tool to a machine tool, removing a tool from a machine tool, and returning a tool to a storage location, an operator always reads the RFID tag of the tool. By doing so, the K2 Pharmacy can completely grasp the current status of each tool.
[0049]
In (3) of FIG. 17, when the preparation of the six tools is completed, the tool set creation task ends, and as shown in FIG. 18, one tool set creation task has disappeared.
In this way, the completed tasks disappear from the screen and only the tasks that have not been completed are displayed, so that the operator can look at the display on the terminal at a glance and see what tasks must be done. Can be grasped.
[0050]
When one tool set creation task is completed as described above, the created tool set is temporarily stored in a predetermined storage location specified by K2 Pharmacy. In this case, in the system of the present embodiment, a lamp capable of emitting various colors is provided on a shelf for storage. At the same time, a lamp of a predetermined color on the shelf, which is the storage location, is turned on, so that the worker can immediately recognize the shelf to be stored. When the worker stores the tool set on the shelf and inputs information indicating that the tool set has been stored in the K2 Pharmacy, the lamp on the shelf is turned off at the same time. Also when taking out a tool set or a processing set described later from a shelf, when a computer instructs an operator on a location of a shelf, a lamp of a predetermined color on the shelf is simultaneously turned on.
[0051]
For a tool set created, a "machining set creation task" for creating a machining set to be machined with the tool is generated.
[0052]
When machining a workpiece with a machine tool, the orientation and height at which the workpiece is to be attached to the machine tool differs for each operation so far, and skilled workers consider that the most appropriate for each processing operation It was attached to the machine tool at the orientation and height.
[0053]
In contrast, the system of the present embodiment introduces the concept of a processing set. The "processing set" is a jig and a work attached to the jig at a predetermined position and angle. Since the jig can be easily fixed to the machine tool, if this machining set is made, the jig can be fixed to the machine tool and machining can be started immediately. In the present specification, for convenience of explanation, a part of the jig directly fixed to the machine tool is referred to as a “pallet”, and a jig in a narrow sense provided between the work and the pallet as needed is simply referred to as a “pallet”. Tool ".
[0054]
In the present embodiment, when the work is for a mold or a core, the work is directly mounted on the pallet, but for other relatively small works, a jig is fixed on the pallet and the jig is fixed. Fix the work to the tool.
[0055]
It is necessary to create a processing set before starting an actual processing operation. In general, the work of mounting a work at a correct position on a pallet is called "setup" .Until now, setup has generally been performed on a machine tool. There is a feature that this setup work is performed by making a processing set in advance at a place. The operation in which the machine tool can automatically perform the processing operation in one setup is an example of the “unit processing operation” described in the claims.
[0056]
FIG. 19 shows an example of a computer terminal screen showing a list of tasks for creating a processing set. In FIG. 19, only one processing set creation task is displayed in a list. Here, when the operator attempts to create a processing set and double-clicks the task displayed here, a screen shown in FIG. 20 is displayed.
This is information on one work required for the machining set to be created from now on, and the operator first takes out the work from the storage location designated by K2 Pharmacy. Then, the RFID tag is read according to the instruction of the K2 Pharmacy, and the K2 Pharmacy determines from the information whether the work is correct.
[0057]
Here, if the work is incorrect, a warning is displayed to inform the worker of the error. On the other hand, if the work is correct, viewer software (hereinafter simply referred to as “viewer”) is subsequently activated. The viewer displays the completed state of the processing set to be created three-dimensionally on the display of the computer terminal. At the same time, K2 Pharmacy instructs which pallets and jigs are needed to create the processing set. Since pallets and jigs are also provided with RFID tags, and K2 Pharmacy is individually managed, the operator is instructed on the screen on pallets and jigs to be used based on this information.
[0058]
FIG. 21 shows an example of a screen displayed on the viewer. The operator looks at the display of the viewer and performs the work of creating a machining set while considering the positional relationship between the work and the pallet so that the same can be achieved. Since the positional relationship between the workpiece and the pallet can be visually grasped three-dimensionally on the screen, it is possible to check the orientation on the screen from various angles. For this reason, even an inexperienced worker can perform work at a certain speed and can reduce work mistakes.
[0059]
The operator closes this screen after viewing the viewer and confirming that the same processing set has been created and that the processing set as displayed in the viewer has been completed. Then, the screen shown in FIG. 22 appears. This is a setup end screen. After looking at the information displayed here, if there is no mistake, press the "OK" button. On the other hand, if the user wants to see the state of the processing set again, he presses the “Viewer” button.
[0060]
When the "OK" button is pressed on the screen in FIG. 22, the screen shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. The operator causes the RF reader / writer to read the RFID tag attached to the work according to the instruction displayed in the area indicated by reference numeral 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 24, an instruction to store the processing set in a predetermined storage location is displayed on the display of the terminal, and when the worker goes to the storage location with the processing set, The lamp on the shelf to be stored is lit in a predetermined color. For this reason, the worker can keep the information on a predetermined shelf without mistake. When the storage on the predetermined shelf is completed, and the worker returns and clicks the “OK” button, the lamp goes off and the processing set creation task ends.
[0061]
With the above, the work up to the stage before actually starting the processing is completed. With regard to the machine for which the machining set has been created, it is at a stage where actual machining can be performed at any time if the machine tool is free. The processing set is created, and is passed to an application other than K2 Pharmacy for managing the actual processing work as a “processing task”, and the progress of the work is managed by the application. . For example, a processing worker who came to work in the morning first reads his / her RFID tag on the display screen of the application for managing the processing work, looks at the list of processing tasks displayed on the terminal screen, and tries to perform the work. Click the task you want to perform.
Then, the storage location where the processing set required for the processing is stored is displayed. The processing set is taken out from the location as instructed, attached to a predetermined machine tool, and the processing operation is executed.
[0062]
When the processing operation is completed, management under K2 Pharmacy of the present embodiment is performed again. When the operator removes all the tools from the machine tool (reads the RFID tag when removing the tool and sends it to the machine tool control software 600), information to that effect is sent to K2 Pharmacy, and in response to this, the K2 Pharmacy is sent to K2 Pharmacy. "Tool set return task" occurs. This is the task of returning the tool.
[0063]
When the “tool set return task” occurs, this task and information on the task are displayed in the task list. FIG. 25 is a screen for displaying a task list of “tool set return task” on the computer terminal of K2 Pharmacy. In this example, only one tool set return task is displayed in the area indicated by reference numeral 26.
[0064]
Clicking the “Return Tool Set” button at the bottom of the screen in FIG. 25 displays the screen shown in FIG. Then, the operator brings the tool set removed from the machine tool and causes a tag attached to any one of the tool sets to be read by an RF reader / writer of K2 Pharmacy. K2 Pharmacy identifies the tool, and a screen as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed. On the left side of this screen, the order of the tool set and the total machining time indicating how much the tool set has been used for machining are shown. In the box of “recovery processing” on the right side, individual information on a specific tool that has read the RFID tag is shown.
[0065]
Here, if this tool is to be returned as usual, confirm that "Return" is checked by default. On the other hand, when discarding the tool, check "discard", and when the tool has been lost, check "lost". When returning, the blade is visually inspected for any breakage, etc., and if there is no abnormality, it is washed, returned to the original storage location, and the "Send" button is clicked. As shown in the box on the right side of FIG. 27, a life (unit: hours) is set for each tool, and a warning is issued to an operator when the total machining time exceeds this life. . When such a warning is issued, it is desirable to discard the tool.
[0066]
This operation is repeated for all tools. When this return operation is completed for all tools, the “return task” automatically disappears from the return task list display as shown in FIG.
[0067]
As can be understood from the above description, each tool is individually and completely managed, and which tool is in which state is always grasped by the computer. Therefore, when something happens to the tool, it is easy to track and examine it.
[0068]
Next, replacement of a broken tool during a machining operation will be described. The machine tool used in the system of the present embodiment is equipped with a commercially available laser length measuring machine, which is used to check at a predetermined timing whether or not the mounted tool is broken. When the tool breaks, the dimensions of the tool change, so that the breakage of the tool can be detected based on the measurement result of the laser length measuring machine.
[0069]
When the breakage of the tool is detected, the machine tool specifies the tool and notifies the K2 Pharmacy connected via the network that the breakage has occurred. Then, a task of changing a broken tool as shown in the screen of FIG. 29 occurs in K2 Pharmacy. The operator removes the broken tool from the machine tool, brings it to a K2 Pharmacy representative, and reads the RFID of the broken tool with an RF reader / writer. Then, a screen shown in FIG. 30 is displayed. Since K2 Pharmacy knows the type of the broken tool, the person in charge carries out the same tool delivery operation.
For the broken tool, "Discard" is checked on the screen on the right side of FIG. 30, and when the "Send" button is clicked, the tool is discarded.
[0070]
Subsequently, a screen shown in FIG. 31 appears. This is a screen for newly retrieving the same tool as the tool that has been broken. The person in charge takes out the same tool from the place where the same tool as the broken one is placed, and then attaches the attached RFID tag to the RF reader / player according to the instruction displayed in the area indicated by reference numeral 28. Read with a writer. As a result, the unloading work of the new tool is completed, and this tool is given to the operator. The operator can take this to the machine tool, attach it, and continue working.
[0071]
Next, a task for clearing the processing set will be described. FIG. 32 is a screen displaying a task for clearing the processing set, which is almost the same as FIG. 25. When the worker finishes working on the machine tool, he removes the machining set from the machine tool and brings it to a K2 Pharmacy representative. Even if the worker brings it, the person in charge of K2 Pharmacy does not have to immediately execute the return task, and the machining set can be kept in the temporary place for a while. Then, when the processing set is returned to the final storage location, the processing set return task is executed.
[0072]
When the person in charge of K2 Pharmacy clicks the “work return” button on the screen in FIG. 32, a “work return” screen shown in FIG. 33 appears. Here, when the RFID tag of the processing set to be returned is read, K2 Pharmacy recognizes the processing set and a screen shown in FIG. 34 corresponding to the processing set appears. According to the instruction displayed in the area indicated by reference numeral 30 on this screen, the person in charge of K2 Pharmacy stores the processing set in a predetermined place (here, “shelf 2”). Also in this case, the designated shelf is provided with a lamp of a predetermined color, so that the location can be found immediately. When the “OK” button in FIG. 34 is clicked, the lamp goes out, and at the same time, the processing set return task disappears from the task list in FIG. 35.
[0073]
By the series of operations described above, the processing that can be performed in one setup for this work and the storage for the processing have been completed. If the work needs to be finished with another machine tool such as finishing, the next machining set creation task and tool creation task are generated on the K2 Pharmacy. At this time, if a setup change is required, a message such as "Remove jig and store it on shelf 2" is displayed. At this time, in the next task for creating a machining set, a viewer is automatically activated, and the completed state of the machining set to be created next is displayed. On the other hand, if the machining set is to be installed on another machine tool without changing the setup, a message such as "No change is needed. Please keep it on shelf 2 as is" is also added. Is displayed.
[0074]
If the processing on this work is completed at this time, the processing on the K2 Pharmacy is completed, and the process proceeds to the next process such as mold assembly.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, for a predetermined unit machining operation (for example, an operation that can be performed by one setup), an individual tool used in the NC machine tool is taught. Accordingly, the operator can surely prepare the necessary tools, and can avoid the possibility of preparing the wrong tool.
[0076]
In addition, since a required workpiece is taught to the operator, the operator can prepare a correct workpiece. Also, by instructing the machining set to be created to the worker, the machining set can be easily prepared even by an inexperienced worker, and the worker can create the machining set away from the machine tool. Since there is no need to stop the operation of the machine tool during that time, work efficiency is improved.
[0077]
Furthermore, by confirming that each tool has been prepared by the operator, and by confirming that individual tools have been returned after the machining operation on the machine tool has been completed, tools can be lost. Or storage in the wrong place can be reliably prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a computer system for performing an operation from designing a product to creating a mold for manufacturing the product.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 NAVI.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 30 is a diagram showing one terminal display screen of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 31 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 32 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing one of the terminal display screens of K2 Pharmacy.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Product design software
200 type design software
300 NC data creation software
400 Work Delivery Management Software
500 setup management software
600 Machine tool control software
700 process management software
800 database

Claims (18)

Based on computer-handleable data obtained in the design department, necessary tool teaching means for teaching an operator, individual tools used in the machine tool for a predetermined unit machining operation,
Required tool confirmation means for confirming that the operator has prepared each tool taught by the required tool teaching means,
A machining operation management support system, comprising: 2. The machining operation management support system according to claim 1, further comprising a tool return confirmation unit that confirms that each of the tools taught by the necessary tool instruction unit has been returned after the machining operation is completed. Characteristic machining work management support system. A required workpiece teaching means for teaching an operator a workpiece required for a predetermined unit processing operation,
A required workpiece confirmation unit that confirms that an operator has prepared the workpiece taught by the required workpiece teaching unit,
A necessary jig teaching means for teaching an operator a jig required for the predetermined unit machining operation, based on data that can be handled by a computer obtained in the design department;
Processing set presenting means for presenting an image of a processing set to be created to an operator based on data that can be handled by a computer obtained in the design department;
A machining operation management support system, comprising: 4. The machining work management support system according to claim 3, further comprising a machining set return confirmation means for confirming that the machining set has been returned after the machining work has been completed. . Based on computer-handleable data obtained in the design department, necessary tool teaching means for teaching an operator, individual tools used in the machine tool for a predetermined unit machining operation,
For a worker, a required workpiece teaching means for teaching a workpiece required for the predetermined unit processing operation,
A required workpiece confirmation unit that confirms that an operator has prepared the workpiece taught by the required workpiece teaching unit,
A necessary jig teaching means for teaching an operator a jig required for the predetermined unit machining operation, based on data that can be handled by a computer obtained in the design department;
Processing set presenting means for presenting an image of a processing set to be created to an operator based on data that can be handled by a computer obtained in the design department;
Required tool confirmation means for confirming that the operator has prepared each tool taught by the required tool teaching means,
A machining operation management support system, comprising: The machining operation management support system according to claim 5, further comprising:
Tool return confirmation means for confirming that the individual tools taught by the necessary tool teaching means have been returned after the machining operation has been completed,
A machining work management support system, comprising a machining set return confirmation means for confirming that a machining set has been returned after a machining operation has been completed. 7. The machining operation management support system according to claim 1, further comprising: RFID identification means for individually identifying each of said tools, wherein said required tool confirmation means comprises said RFID. A processing operation management support system, wherein a confirmation operation is performed using an identification unit. 7. The machining operation management support system according to claim 4, further comprising an RFID identification unit for individually identifying each of the machining sets, and wherein the machining set return confirmation unit includes: And a confirmation operation using the RFID identification means. Further, when it is necessary to temporarily store a tool set made up of the individual tools taught by the necessary tool teaching means, a tool storage location instructing means for instructing an operator of the storage location is provided. The processing operation management support system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, and 6. When the processing set is created, when it is necessary to temporarily store the processing set, the processing set includes a processing set storage location instructing means for instructing an operator of the storage location. The processing work management support system according to any one of claims 5, 5, and 6. Using a computer,
A necessary tool teaching step of teaching an individual tool to be used in the machine tool for a predetermined unit machining operation, based on the computer-handleable data obtained in the design department;
A required tool confirmation step of confirming that an operator has prepared each tool taught by the required tool display step,
A work operation management support method, comprising: 12. The machining work management support method according to claim 11, further comprising using a computer to confirm that the individual tools taught by the necessary tool teaching means have been returned after the machining work in the machine tool has been completed. A machining work management support method characterized by executing a tool return confirmation step. Using a computer,
A necessary work piece teaching step of teaching a work piece required for a predetermined unit machining operation to an operator,
A processing set presentation step of presenting an image of the processing set to be created to the worker based on the computer-handleable data obtained in the design department;
A work operation management support method, comprising: 14. The machining work management support method according to claim 13, further comprising: using a computer, executing a machining set return confirmation step of confirming that the machining set has been returned after the machining operation on the machine tool has been completed. A machining work management support method characterized by the following. Using a computer,
A necessary tool teaching step of teaching an individual tool to be used in the machine tool for a predetermined unit machining operation, based on the computer-handleable data obtained in the design department;
A necessary work piece teaching step of teaching a work piece required for a predetermined unit machining operation to an operator,
A processing set presentation step of presenting an image of the processing set to be created to the worker based on the computer-handleable data obtained in the design department;
A required tool confirmation step of confirming that an operator has prepared each tool taught by the required tool display step,
A work operation management support method, comprising: The processing operation management support method according to claim 15, further comprising:
After the machining operation in the machine tool is completed, a tool return confirmation step of confirming that the individual tools taught by the necessary tool teaching means have been returned,
A machining set return confirmation step of confirming that the machining set has been returned after the machining operation on the machine tool has been completed;
A work operation management support method, comprising: Further, when it is necessary to temporarily store a tool set made up of the individual tools taught in the necessary tool teaching step, a tool storage location instructing step of instructing an operator of the storage location using a computer is provided. The method according to any one of claims 11, 12, 15, and 16, wherein: When the processing set is created, when it is necessary to temporarily store the processing set, the processing set includes a processing set storage location instructing step of instructing an operator of the storage location using a computer. The processing operation management support method according to any one of items 13, 14, 15, and 16.

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