JP2004303126A - Data communication enabling controller and data transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controller for executing data communication for realizing efficient maintenance while protecting the working know-how of a user, and also to provide a data transmission system equipped with this controller. <P>SOLUTION: This data transmission system is configured by connecting a controller 30 of an NC machine tool 20 through the Internet 2 to a managing device installed at the maker side of the NC machine tool 20. The controller 30 is provided with a data storage part 32 for storing various information, a display control part 34 for making a display 39 picture-display the information, a data transmitting part 35 for receiving image data displayed at the display 39 from the display control part 34, and for transmitting the image data to the managing device and a set data storage part 33 for storing set data for deciding whether to permit the transmission of the image data for each of the classifications of information. The data transmitting part 35 is configured to transmit only image data associated with information whose transmission is permitted to the managing device by referring to the set data stored in the set data storage part 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control device for controlling the operation of a machining operation mechanism of an NC machine tool, and a control device provided so as to be capable of data communication, and a management device provided on a maker side for manufacturing the NC machine tool. The present invention relates to the control device and the transmission system of a data transmission system constructed by connecting the above via an electric communication line.
[0002]
Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention
The NC machine tool includes a machining operation mechanism such as a spindle device or a feed mechanism, which is a movement mechanism for machining a workpiece, and a control device that controls the operation of the machining operation mechanism. The processing is performed based on programs such as a system control program, a sequence control program, and a machining program, as well as various parameters related to a pitch error correction amount, a tool correction amount, and the like.
[0003]
By the way, when any trouble occurs in the machining operation mechanism or the control system, it is necessary to investigate the cause and repair it.Currently, a failure diagnosis is performed so that maintenance personnel can easily investigate the cause of the failure. For example, information such as a ladder diagram showing the state of electrical wiring, a table representing the operation state of the control device as parameters, and an alarm history are displayed on a display such as a CRT.
[0004]
Then, the maintenance person transmits the displayed information to a maintenance person on the maker side, which has a great deal of specialized knowledge, by telephone or the like, identifies the cause of the failure and repairs it while referring to their instructions.
[0005]
However, if the maintenance personnel on the user side and the maintenance personnel on the manufacturer side communicate with each other by telephone or the like as described above, the personnel on the manufacturer side may change the state of the NC machine tool due to lack of specialized knowledge. In some cases, it cannot be accurately grasped. In this case, there arises a problem that an appropriate repair cannot be performed and a problem that it takes time for the repair.
[0006]
Therefore, in recent years, each control device of a plurality of NC machine tools and a management device provided on the manufacturer side are connected via an electric communication line such as the Internet, and the control devices stored in the control device are connected from each control device. It has been proposed to construct a maintenance system that transmits related information to the management device, and perform maintenance of the NC machine tool by using the maintenance system.
[0007]
According to such a maintenance system, since the control-related information is transmitted from the control device to be maintained to the management device disposed on the maker side, the maintenance staff on the maker side can use the transmitted control-related information based on the transmitted control-related information. The state of the maintenance-target NC machine tool can be accurately grasped, and the cause of the failure can be quickly specified. As a result, appropriate maintenance is efficiently performed, and the user can minimize the downtime of the machine.
[0008]
However, the control device also stores data that is not necessary for maintenance, such as the machining program, and if these data can be acquired by the management device, the original machining technology (machining process) possessed by the user. Know-how) may leak to third parties. For this reason, conventionally, users tended to avoid using such a maintenance system.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and allows only information necessary for maintenance among control-related information stored in a control device to be transmitted to a manufacturer side, thereby protecting a user's processing know-how. Another object of the present invention is to provide a control device capable of performing data communication while realizing efficient maintenance and a data transmission system including the control device.
[0010]
Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects
The present invention for achieving the above object is a control device for controlling the operation of a machining operation mechanism of an NC machine tool, comprising: a control device provided for data communication; The present invention relates to the control device and the transmission system of a data transmission system constructed by connecting a management device disposed in the communication device via an electric communication line.
[0011]
And the control device includes:
Input means for inputting a signal;
A display for displaying on the screen,
A data storage unit that stores at least control-related information related to the control of the machining operation mechanism unit,
Display control means for displaying, on the display, control-related information stored in the data storage means in response to a display request input from the input means;
In response to a request from the management device, data transmission means for receiving image data displayed on the display from the display control means, and transmitting the received image data to the management device,
For each type of control-related information displayed on the screen on the display, comprising setting data storage means storing setting data for determining whether to permit transmission of the image data,
In transmitting the image data, the data transmission unit refers to the setting data stored in the setting data storage unit and determines whether the transmission target image data is related to the control-related information permitted to be transmitted. And transmitting only the image data relating to the permitted control-related information to the management device.
[0012]
On the other hand, the management device is connected to the control device via the telecommunication line, requests the data transmission unit to transmit image data displayed on the display, and transmits the requested image data from the data transmission unit. It is configured to receive.
[0013]
According to this data transmission system, the control-related information stored in the data storage means is displayed on the display by the display control means in response to the display request input from the input means. On the other hand, in response to a request from the management device, the data transmission unit receives the image data displayed on the display from the display control unit, transmits the received image data to the management device, and transmits the transmitted image data. The data is displayed on a display screen such as a display attached to the management device.
[0014]
In transmitting the image data, the data transmission unit refers to the setting data stored in the setting data storage unit and determines whether the transmission target image data is related to the control-related information permitted to be transmitted. It is determined whether or not the image data related to the permitted control-related information is transmitted to the management device.
[0015]
The control-related information includes, for example, programs such as a system control program, a sequence control program, and a machining program; various parameters relating to a pitch error correction amount and a tool correction amount; a ladder diagram showing an electric wiring state; Information such as a table expressing the operation state of the parameter as a parameter and an alarm history can be cited.
[0016]
In addition, the setting data is data for determining whether transmission of the image data is permitted or not for each type of control-related information displayed on the screen on the display, and includes, for example, an image related to a machining program and a tool correction amount. Image data that is not necessary for failure diagnosis, such as data, cannot be transmitted. System control program, sequence control program, pitch error correction amount, ladder diagram, table showing parameterized operation status of control device, image data related to alarm history, etc. Image data necessary for failure diagnosis is set to be transmittable.
[0017]
Thus, according to this data transmission system, the control-related information displayed on the display of the control device is transmitted to the management device arranged on the manufacturer side, so that the maintenance person on the manufacturer side can use a telephone or the like. By instructing the user to display the control-related information necessary for failure diagnosis on the display via the communication means, the necessary information can be obtained accurately, and how the NC machine tool to be maintained can be obtained. It is possible to know exactly what the state is. As a result, the cause of the failure is quickly and accurately grasped, appropriate maintenance is efficiently performed, and the user can reduce the downtime of the machine as much as possible.
[0018]
In addition, the maintenance personnel on the user side and the maintenance personnel on the manufacturer side can communicate with each other through communication means such as telephones while confirming the same information. Can be prevented, and an accurate response can be taken for maintenance.
[0019]
In addition, the control-related information transmitted from the control device to the management device can be narrowed down to only information necessary for maintenance, so that the user leaks his own processing technology (processing know-how) to a third party. Can be prevented, and the system can be used with confidence.
[0020]
The control device, after the data transmission unit receives a transmission request signal specifying the type of control-related information to be transmitted from the management device, and after recognizing the type of control-related information specified by the transmission request signal, With reference to the setting data stored in the setting data storage means, it is determined whether the type of the recognized control-related information is the one that is permitted to be transmitted. After the relevant control-related information stored in the data storage means is displayed on the display by the display control means, the displayed image data is received from the display control means and transmitted to the management device. On the other hand, if the type of the recognized control-related information is not the one permitted to be transmitted, the control device is configured to reject the transmission to the management device, This is connected to the control device via the telecommunications line, transmits a transmission request signal specifying the type of request-related control-related information to the control device, and transmits the image data displayed on the display to the data. You may be comprised so that it may receive from a transmission means.
[0021]
With this configuration, by transmitting a transmission request signal specifying the type of control-related information from the management device to the control device, the control-related information displayed on the screen on the display can be appropriately switched to information necessary for failure diagnosis. And this can be obtained on the management device side. Therefore, the maintenance staff on the manufacturer side can quickly and accurately obtain the control-related information required for the failure diagnosis without instructing the user through a communication means such as a telephone. And appropriate maintenance can be efficiently performed.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a data transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control device and the like according to the embodiment. .
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, a data transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of NC machine tools 20 and a management device 10 provided on a manufacturer side that manufactures the NC machine tools 20 via the Internet 2. It is connected to and configured.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the NC machine tool 20 includes a machining operation mechanism 21 including a spindle device and a feed mechanism, and a control device 30 connected to the machining operation mechanism 21.
[0025]
The control device 30 includes an operation control unit 31, a data storage unit 32, a setting data storage unit 33, a display control unit 34, a data transmission unit 35, an input / output interface 36, a communication interface 37, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. It comprises an input device 38 and a display 39 comprising a CRT or the like, and is connected to the Internet 2 via the communication interface 37. The input / output interface 36 is connected to the processing operation mechanism 21, an input device 38, and a display 39.
[0026]
The data storage unit 32 is a functional unit that stores data related to the control of the machining operation mechanism unit 21. The data storage unit 32 includes, for example, programs such as a system control program, a sequence control program, and a machining program; Various parameters related to a pitch error correction amount, a tool correction amount, and the like, data related to a ladder diagram (see FIG. 3) indicating an electric wiring state, parameters indicating an operation state of the control device 30, data related to an alarm history, and the like are stored. You.
[0027]
Further, the operation control unit 31 is configured to control the processing operation mechanism unit 21 based on control-related data such as a system control program, a sequence control program, a machining program, a pitch error correction amount, and a tool correction amount stored in a data storage unit 32. Control behavior.
[0028]
The display control unit 34 receives a display request input from the input device 38 and, in response to the received request, displays control-related data stored in the data storage unit 32, that is, control-related information on the display screen of the display 39. Is performed. For example, when there is a display request for programs such as a system control program, a sequence control program, and a machining program, the source code is displayed, and a request for displaying various parameters related to a pitch error correction amount, a tool correction amount, and the like is issued. If there is, a display is made by comparing the item with a numerical value, and when there is a display request of a ladder diagram showing an electric wiring state, a diagram as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. When there is a request to display the 30 operation states, a table in which the states are parameterized is displayed as shown in FIG. 4, and when there is a request to display the alarm history, a list is displayed. I do.
[0029]
When a display request is received from the data transmission unit 35, the display control unit 34 displays the control-related information stored in the data storage unit 32 on the display 39 in the same manner as described above in response to the request. A process for displaying the image on the screen and a process for transmitting the image data of the control-related information displayed on the display 39 to the data transmitting unit 35 are performed.
[0030]
The setting data storage unit 33 stores, for each type of control-related information displayed on the screen of the display 39, setting data for determining whether transmission of the image data to the management device 10 is permitted. The setting data is stored as a data table as shown in FIG. 5, for example. It should be noted that this setting data is appropriately input and set from the input device 38.
[0031]
The data transmission unit 35 receives a transmission request signal specifying the type of control-related information from the management device 10 and, after recognizing the type of control-related information specified by the transmission request signal, stores the data in the setting data storage unit 33. Referring to the stored setting data, it is determined whether or not the type of the recognized control-related information is one that is permitted to be transmitted. If the type is permitted, the type of the control-related information is determined. The display control unit 34 transmits the specified display request signal to the display control unit 34 to display the control-related information requested by the management device 10 on the display 39, and displays the image data of the displayed control-related information on the display control unit. Then, a process of receiving from the server 34 and transmitting to the management device 10 is performed. On the other hand, if the control-related information requested by the management device 10 is not one whose transmission has been permitted, a display request to the display control unit 34 is not made, and the management device 10 A message indicating that the relevant control-related information cannot be transmitted is returned.
[0032]
Although not shown, the management device 10 includes a reception data storage unit and a data reception unit, an input device including a keyboard and a mouse, and a display including a CRT and the like. .
[0033]
The data receiving unit is connected to the control device 30 via the Internet 2 as needed, performs a process of transmitting a transmission request signal specifying the type of control-related information to be obtained to the control device 30, and makes a request. Performs a process of receiving image data related to the control-related information from the control device 30 and storing the received image data in the received data storage unit, and performing a process of displaying an image related to the control-related information on the display. .
[0034]
According to the data transmission system 1 of the present example configured as described above, first, a transmission request signal specifying the type of control-related information to be obtained is transmitted from the management device 10 to the control device 30 via the Internet 2 as appropriate. The transmission request signal is transmitted and received by the data transmission unit 35 of the control device 30.
[0035]
When the transmission request signal is received by the data transmission unit 35, the data transmission unit 35 recognizes the type of the control-related information specified by the transmission request signal, and then stores the type in the setting data storage unit 33. Referring to the setting data, it is determined whether or not the type of the recognized control-related information is the one whose transmission is permitted. If this is the one whose transmission is permitted, the display request signal is transmitted to the display control unit. 34. On the other hand, if the type of the recognized control-related information is not the one whose transmission is permitted, the display request to the display control unit 34 is not made, and the requested control-related information is transmitted to the management device 10. A message stating that it cannot be sent is returned.
[0036]
Then, in the display control unit 34 that has received the display request signal, a process of displaying the control-related information specified by the display request signal on the screen of the display 39 is executed, and the displayed image data is transmitted to the data transmission unit 35. Is performed, and the data transmitting unit 35 that has received the image data performs a process of transmitting the received image data to the management device 10. Then, in the management device 10, the received image data is stored in the received data storage unit, and is displayed on the display.
[0037]
For example, in the case where the setting data is exemplified in FIG. 5, if the control-related information requested to be transmitted relates to the system control program, the sequence control program, the ladder diagram, the operation state of the control device 30, and the alarm history. Is determined to be transmittable, the image data is transmitted to the management device 10, and the image data is displayed on the display of the management device 10. On the other hand, the control-related information requested to be transmitted includes the machining program, the pitch error correction amount, and the tool correction. If the amount is related to the amount, it is determined that transmission is impossible, and a message to that effect is transmitted to the management device 10, and this is displayed on the display of the management device 10.
[0038]
Thus, according to the data transmission system 1 of this example, by transmitting the transmission request signal specifying the type of the control-related information from the management device 10 to the control device 30, the control-related information displayed on the display 39 is displayed. Can be appropriately switched to the one necessary for the failure diagnosis, and this can be obtained on the management device 10 side. Therefore, the maintenance staff on the manufacturer side can quickly and accurately obtain the control-related information necessary for the failure diagnosis, and accurately grasp the state of the NC machine tool 20 to be maintained at present. can do. As a result, the cause of the failure can be quickly and accurately grasped, appropriate measures for repair can be taken appropriately and efficiently, and the user can minimize downtime of the machine. it can.
[0039]
In addition, the maintenance personnel on the user side and the maintenance personnel on the manufacturer side can communicate with each other through communication means such as telephones while confirming the same information. Can be prevented from occurring, and an accurate response can be taken.
[0040]
Further, the control-related information transmitted from the control device 30 to the management device 10 can be narrowed down to only information necessary for maintenance, so that the user can use his own processing technology (processing know-how) by a third party. Can be prevented, and the system 1 can be used with confidence.
[0041]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the specific aspect which this invention can take is not limited to this at all.
[0042]
For example, the data receiving unit of the management device 10 is configured to transmit a transmission request signal requesting transmission of image data related to control-related information displayed on the display 39 of the control device 30 to the data transmission unit 35. The display control unit 34 is configured to transmit, together with the image data displayed on the display 39, data specifying the type of control-related information related to the image data to the data transmission unit 35, The transmission unit 35 receives a transmission request signal from the management device 10 and receives, from the display control unit 34, data specifying the image data displayed on the display 39 and the type of control-related information related to the image data. Then, based on the data on the type of the received control-related information, referring to the setting data stored in the setting data storage unit 33, It is determined whether or not the image data of the control-related information displayed on the display 39 is related to the control-related information permitted to be transmitted. In the case where the image data cannot be transmitted to the management device 10 and the image data cannot be transmitted to the management device 10, a message indicating that the image data cannot be transmitted is returned to the management device 10. It may be.
[0043]
Even in this case, the control-related information displayed on the display 39 of the control device 30 is transmitted to the management device 10 provided on the maker side. By instructing the user to display the control-related information necessary for the failure diagnosis on the display 39 via the display 39, the necessary information can be obtained accurately. It can be grasped accurately whether the state is. As a result, the cause of the failure is quickly and accurately grasped, appropriate maintenance is efficiently performed, and the user can reduce the downtime of the machine as much as possible. In addition, the maintenance personnel on the user side and the maintenance personnel on the manufacturer side can communicate with each other through communication means such as telephones while confirming the same information. Can be prevented from occurring, and an accurate response can be taken. Further, the control-related information transmitted from the control device 30 to the management device 10 can be narrowed down to only information necessary for maintenance, so that the user can use his own processing technology (processing know-how) by a third party. Can be prevented, and the system can be used with confidence.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device and the like according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of image data transmitted to a management device by a data transmission unit according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of image data transmitted to a management device by a data transmission unit according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a data table stored in a setting data storage unit according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 data transmission system 2 Internet 10 management device 20 NC machine tool 21 machining operation mechanism unit 30 control device 31 operation control unit 32 data storage unit 33 setting data storage unit 34 display control unit 35 data transmission unit 36 input / output interface 37 communication interface 38 Input device 39 Display

Claims (4)

A control device for controlling the operation of a machining operation mechanism of an NC machine tool, wherein the control device is provided so as to be connectable via a telecommunication line to a management device provided on a maker side for manufacturing the NC machine tool. At
Input means for inputting a signal;
A display for displaying on the screen,
A data storage unit that stores at least control-related information related to the control of the machining operation mechanism unit,
Display control means for displaying, on the display, control-related information stored in the data storage means in response to a display request input from the input means;
In response to a request from the management device, data transmission means for receiving image data displayed on the display from the display control means, and transmitting the received image data to the management device,
For each type of control-related information displayed on the screen on the display, comprising setting data storage means storing setting data for determining whether to permit transmission of the image data,
In transmitting the image data, the data transmission unit refers to the setting data stored in the setting data storage unit and determines whether the transmission target image data is related to the control-related information permitted to be transmitted. A control device capable of data communication, characterized in that the control device determines whether or not the image data related to the permitted control-related information is transmitted to the management device. A control device for controlling the operation of a machining operation mechanism of an NC machine tool, wherein the control device is provided so as to be connectable via a telecommunication line to a management device provided on a maker side for manufacturing the NC machine tool. At
Input means for inputting a signal;
A display for displaying on the screen,
A data storage unit that stores at least control-related information related to the control of the machining operation mechanism unit,
Display control means for displaying, on the display, control-related information stored in the data storage means in response to a display request input from the input means;
In response to a request from the management device, data transmission means for receiving image data displayed on the display from the display control means, and transmitting the received image data to the management device,
For each type of control-related information displayed on the screen on the display, comprising setting data storage means storing setting data for determining whether to permit transmission of the image data,
The data transmitting unit receives a transmission request signal specifying the type of control-related information to be transmitted from the management device, and recognizes the type of control-related information specified by the transmission request signal, and then sets the setting data storage unit. With reference to the setting data stored in the storage device, it is determined whether or not the type of the recognized control-related information is permitted to be transmitted. If the type is permitted, the data is stored in the data storage unit. After displaying the relevant control-related information on the display by the display control means, receiving the displayed image data from the display control means, and transmitting the image data to the management device. When the type of the control-related information is not permitted to be transmitted, the data transmission is rejected to the management device. The control device. The control device capable of data communication according to claim 1 and the management device are configured to be connectable via an electric communication line,
The management device is connected to the control device via the telecommunication line, requests the data transmission unit to transmit image data displayed on the display, and receives the requested image data from the data transmission unit. A data transmission system characterized by being configured as described above. The control device capable of data communication according to claim 2 and the management device are configured to be connectable via an electric communication line,
The management device is connected to the control device via the telecommunication line, transmits a transmission request signal specifying the type of control-related information of the request target to the control device, the image data displayed on the display A data transmission system configured to receive data from the data transmission means.

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