JP2005001073A

JP2005001073A - Machine tool system and its workpiece carrying method

Info

Publication number: JP2005001073A
Application number: JP2003168915A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Shinji Yoshikawa; 真治吉川
Original assignee: Murata Machinery Ltd
Current assignee: Murata Machinery Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-13
Filing date: 2003-06-13
Publication date: 2005-01-06

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress stopping of a working line by preventing suspension of working as much as possible, even when a working part to be worked is suspended, in a machine tool system having a plurality of two-axis machine tools arranged in parallel. SOLUTION: The plurality of two-axis machine tools 1 having left and right working parts 2L and 2R are installed in parallel. On both of the left and right sides of the arrangement of the machine tools 1, workpiece carrying lines 31L and 31R are provided along the arrangement direction. In this machine tool system, a loader 3 is provided for every machine tool 1, the workpieces W are successively fed to the left or right working part 2L or 2R over the plurality of machine tools 1 to perform working of a plurality of processes. In a loader control device 43 in this system, the loader 3 is controlled to carry the workpiece W carried from the left workpiece carrying line 31L and the workpiece W carried from the right workpiece carrying line 31R to the left working part 2L and the right working part 2R, respectively, as a basic control operation of the loader 3. When the working parts 2L and 2R to be expected carrying destinations are in unacceptable states, and the adjacent working parts 2L and 2R are in acceptable states, the workpieces W are carried to the working parts 2L and 2R in the carrying possible states. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、平行２軸旋盤等の２軸工作機械を、左右の加工部がそれぞれ並ぶように並設した工作機械システムに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、平行２軸旋盤を、左の加工部同士および右の加工部同士がそれぞれ一列に並ぶように複数台平行に設置し、その並びの左右両側に、旋盤並び方向に沿ってコンベア等のワーク搬送ラインを設け、各工作機械毎にガントリ式のローダを設けた工作機械システムがある。ワークの搬送は、ローダのワーク搬入部まではワーク搬送ラインのコンベアで行い、ワーク搬入部と旋盤の加工部まではローダで行う。
上記工作機械システムでは、複数台並設された各旋盤は、同じ列に並ぶ加工部を順に経て、ワークの各工程の加工を行う。例えば、第１の旋盤の左の加工部で第１工程の加工を行い、その加工済みワークは、第２の旋盤の左加工部に搬送して第２工程の加工を行い、さらに第３の旋盤の左加工部へ搬送する。右の加工部においても、左の加工部と同様である。
上記工作機械システムは、１軸の旋盤を並設したシステムに比べて、左右２つの加工部に対し一つのローダで済むこと、および２台の１軸旋盤の代わりに１台の２軸旋盤で済むことから、設備が簡素となり、また占有面積が小さくて済むなどの利点が得られる。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−３０１６３５号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
例えば、ある２軸旋盤において、段取り作業や刃物交換等により、右軸が停止した場石、ローダでワークを右軸に搬入することができない。そのため、複数台の２軸旋盤の右軸全ての稼働率が低下する。
ローダは、左軸での作業にジャンプすることで、左軸の稼働低下を防ぎ、システム全体の稼働低下を最小限に食い止めることができるが、片側だけが偏って多く加工されるアンバランスなことになり、後工程における影響を及ぼす可能性がある。
【０００５】
なお、従来、ガントリローダ付きの１台の平行２軸旋盤において、同じワーク供給部から左右の加工部にローダで順次ワークを供給するものとし、いずれかの加工部が何らかの原因で停止した場合に、別の加工部にワークを供給するように供給順位を切り換えるようにしたものが提案されている（上記特許文献１）。
しかし、この提案例は、単独の２軸旋盤の制御についてのものであり、また同じワーク供給部から左右の加工部に供給するローダについて、単に供給順序を入れ替えるものであり、上記のような複数台の２軸旋盤が並設され、また２軸旋盤の並びの両側にワーク搬送ラインから左右の加工部にそれぞれに搬入する工作機械システムとはその適用する機械設備の構成や運転の形態等が大きく異なる。
【０００６】
この発明の目的は、２軸の工作機械を複数台平行に並べた工作機械システムにおいて、加工予定の加工部が停止している場合であっても、加工を停止することを出来るだけ防ぎ、加工ラインの停止を抑えることができるものとすることである。
この発明の他の目的は、ワーク搬送ラインに応じてワーク搬出先も変更できて、加工ライン停止を極力防ぐことである。
この発明のさらに他の目的は、工作機械の並びの中でワークを搬送可能な道筋を見つけてワークを搬送することができ、加工部停止時のより一層の効率向上が図れる工作機械システムのワーク搬送方法を提供することである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明の工作機械システムは、左右に加工部を有する２軸の工作機械を、左の加工部同士および右の加工部同士がそれぞれ一列に並ぶように複数台平行に設置し、上記複数台の工作機械の並びの左右両側に、工作機械並び方向に沿ってワークを搬送するワーク搬送ラインを設け、上記各工作機械毎に、上記ワーク搬送ラインと工作機械の左右の加工部との間でワークを搬送するローダを設け、複数の工作機械にわたり左または右の加工部にワークを順に送り複数工程の加工を施して行く工作機械システムであって、上記ローダを制御するローダ制御装置を、次の構成としたものである。すなわち、このローダ制御装置は、ローダの基本制御動作として、左のワーク搬送ラインから搬送されるワークを工作機械の左の加工部に、右のワーク搬送ラインから搬送されるワークを右の加工部にそれぞれ搬送するようにローダを制御し、搬送予定先の加工部が搬入不能状態で、隣の加工部が搬入可能状態である場合は、上記基本制御動作に代えて、搬入可能状態にある加工部にワークを搬送させるようにローダを制御するものとする。
この構成によると、ローダ制御装置により、通常は、左のワーク搬送ラインから搬送されるワークを工作機械の左の加工部に、右のワーク搬送ラインから搬送されるワークを右の加工部にそれぞれ搬送するように、ローダを制御する。搬送予定先の加工部が搬入不能状態で、隣の加工部が搬入可能状態である場合は、上記基本制御動作に代えて、搬入可能状態にある加工部にワークを搬送させるようにローダを制御する。このため、加工予定先の加工部が段取り作業や工具交換等で停止している場合であっても、隣の加工部を用いて加工することができる。そのため、加工が停止することをできるだけ防ぎ、加工ライン停止を抑えることができる。
【０００８】
この発明において、上記ローダ制御装置は、上記工作機械の左右いずれかの加工部で加工されたワークを、搬入可能状態にある左右任意のワーク搬送ラインに、上記ローダにより搬送させるものとしても良い。
これにより、ワーク搬送ラインの状況に応じてワーク搬出先も変更できて、加工ライン停止を極力防ぐことができる。
【０００９】
この発明の工作機械システムのワーク搬送方法は、左右に加工部を有する２軸の工作機械を、左の加工部同士および右の加工部同士がそれぞれ一列に並ぶように複数台平行に設置し、上記複数台の工作機械の並びの左右両側に、工作機械並び方向に沿ってワークを搬送するワーク搬送ラインを設け、上記各工作機械毎に、上記ワーク搬送ラインと工作機械の左右の加工部との間でワークを搬送するローダを設け、複数の工作機械にわたり左または右の加工部にワークを順に送り複数工程の加工を施して行く工作機械システムにおけるワーク搬送方法であって、次の過程を含む。
すなわち、第１の工作機械において、上記ローダは、左および右のワーク搬送ラインのワークを左および右の加工部にそれぞれ供給することを基本とし、搬送予定先の加工部が搬入不能状態で隣の加工部が搬入可能である場合に、搬入可能な加工部にワークを供給して加工済ワークを搬入可能状態の左右いずれかのワーク搬送ラインに搬出する。このワーク搬送ラインによって後工程の第２の工作機械にワークを供給する。第２の工作機械において、上記ローダは、左および右のワーク搬送ラインのワークを左および右の加工部にそれぞれ供給することを基本とし、搬送予定先の加工部が搬入不能状態で隣の加工部が搬入可能である場合に、搬入可能な加工部にワークを供給して加工済ワークを搬入可能状態の左右いずれかのワーク搬送ラインに搬出する。このワーク搬送ラインによって後工程にワークを供給する。
この方法によると、工作機械の並びの中でワークを搬送可能な道筋、いわば抜け道を見つけてワークを搬送することができる。そのため、加工部停止時のより一層の効率向上が図れる。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
この発明の一実施形態を図面と共に説明する。図１はこの工作機械システムに概念構成の平面図を示す。この工作機械システムは、左右（Ｘ軸方向）に加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒを有する２軸の工作機械１を、左の加工部２Ｒ同士および右の加工部２Ｒ同士がそれぞれ一列に並ぶように複数台平行に設置する。上記複数台の工作機械１の並びの左右両側に、工作機械並び方向（Ｚ軸方向）に沿ってワークを搬送するワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒを設ける。また、各工作機械１毎に、ワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒと工作機械１の左右の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒとの間でワークＷを搬送するローダ３を設ける。
【００１１】
ワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒは、複数台のコンベア３２を縦列に並べたコンベア列である。このコンベア列を構成するコンベア３２として、第１の工作機械１よりも搬送方向の上手側から第１の工作機械１の側方までまで延びる搬入部コンベア３２_１と、各工作機械１の間に延びる機械間部コンベア３２_２，３２_３と、最終段の工作機械１の側方から下手側へ延びる搬出部コンベア３２_４とが設けられている。なお、ワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒは、各段のコンベア３２間をワークＷが直接に乗り移らないように離してある。
ローダ３はガントリ式のものであり、工作機械１の上方に左右方向に沿って設けられたレール７上を走行可能に設置されている。レール７は工作機械１の左右に突出して延びており、このレール７の両端付近に左右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒが位置している。
【００１２】
図２に示すように、ローダ３は、レール７に沿って走行する走行体９に、前後（Ｚ軸方向）移動可能な前後移動台１０を設置し、前後移動台１０に昇降可能に設置された昇降ロッド１１の下端に、ローダヘッド１２を設けたものである。これら走行体９の走行、前後移動台１０の前後移動、および昇降ロッド１１の昇降により、ローダヘッド１２が直交する３軸（Ｘ，Ｙ，Ｚ軸）方向に移動可能である。ローダヘッド１２に、ワークＷを把持する１または２個のローダチャック（図示せず）が設けられている。ローダチャックは、コンベア３２上のワークＷを把持する下向き姿勢と、工作機械１の加工部２Ｌ，２ＲにワークＷを受け渡す正面向き姿勢とに方向転換が可能とされている。
【００１３】
工作機械１は、例えば平行２軸の旋盤であり、図３に示すように左右の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒは、それぞれ主軸５と刃物台６とで構成される。主軸５は、ベッド４上に設置された主軸台５ａに設置されている。刃物台６は、タレット刃物台等からなり、ベッド４上をタレットキャリッジ（図示せず）を介して左右方向および前後方向に移動可能に設置され、かつ複数個取付けられた任意の工具を主軸５側に対向させるための回転割出が可能とされている。
【００１４】
工作機械１は、左右いずれかの加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒを作業者が段取り等の作業するときに、ローダヘッド１２（図１２）が誤って作業側の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒに進入しないように、次のように２次カバー２１Ｌ，２１Ｒが設けてある。これにより、任意の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒの段取り作業等を行っても、他方の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒでの自動運転による加工が安全に行えるようにしてある。
【００１５】
この２次カバー２１Ｌ，２１Ｒを含めた機体カバー１６の構成を説明する。工作機械１は、その加工領域Ｓと機械外部とを仕切る機体カバー１６によって覆われている。機体カバー１６の前部は、中央に開口１７を有する固定カバー部１６ａと、上記開口１７を開閉するスライド自在な一対の前面扉カバー１９Ｌ，１９Ｒとで構成されている。工作機械１の加工領域Ｓとその上方のローダ走行領域とを仕切る機体カバー１６の天井部は、中央に上記開口１７に連続する開口１８を有する固定カバー部１６ａと、上記前面扉カバー１９Ｌ，１９Ｒの上端に続けて設けられる一対の水平扉カバー２０Ｌ，２０Ｒとで構成される。機体カバー１６の天井部には、水平扉カバー２０Ｌ，２０Ｒとは別に上記加工領域Ｓとローダ走行領域とを仕切る２次カバー２１Ｌ，２１Ｒが左右に開閉自在に設けられている。２次カバー２１Ｌ，２１Ｒは、シリンダ等からなる開閉駆動源（図示せず）によって開閉される。各水平扉カバー２０Ｌ，２０Ｒは、閉鎖時にローダ３のローダヘッド１２を加工領域Ｓに進入させるための開口（図示せず）をそれぞれ有し、これらの開口は個別のシャッター２４によって開閉される。シャッター２４はローダヘッド１２を加工領域Ｓに進入させるときに、開閉駆動手段（図示せず）によって開閉させられる。
上記前面扉カバー１９Ｌ，１９Ｒおよび水平扉カバー２０Ｌ，２０Ｒは、左右いずれかの加工部２Ａ，２Ｂの段取り等の作業を行うときに、その作業を行う加工部２Ａ，２Ｂと対応する扉を開けるが、このとき扉を開けた方の二次カバー２１Ｌ，２１Ｒは、二次カバー開閉制御手段（図示せず）の制御によって天井開口１８を閉じる。そのため、ローダ３を制御するプログラムのミス等により、ローダ３が誤動作しても、加工領域Ｓ内の左右部分における作業者の作業している方の領域部分にローダヘッド１２が進入することが二次カバー２１Ｌ，２１Ｒによって防止され、上記のように安全が得られる。
【００１６】
制御系を説明する。図１に示すように、各工作機械１は工作機械制御装置４１により制御され、そのローダ３はローダ制御装置４３により制御される。ローダ制御装置４３は、工作機械制御装置４１と信号の授受を行って連係動作を行う。工作機械制御装置４１およびローダ制御装置４３は、いずれも加工プログラムに従って制御するコンピュータ式の制御装置であり、数値制御部およびシーケンス制御部（いずれも図示せず）を有している。
図２に示すように、工作機械制御装置４１は、工作機械１の左加工部２Ｌを制御する左加工部制御部４２Ｌと、右加工部２Ｒを制御する右加工部制御部４２Ｒとを有している。左右の加工部制御部４２Ｌ，４２Ｒは、例えばそれぞれが加工プログラムを有するものとされる。また左右の加工部制御部４２Ｌ，４２Ｒは、それぞれ所定の条件で左加工部２Ｌおよび右加工部２Ｒへのローダ３の進入を禁止する進入禁止手段４４Ｌ，４４Ｒが設けられている。上記所定の条件は、例えば機体カバー１６の前面扉カバー１９Ｌ，１９Ｒが開いていること等である。
【００１７】
ローダ制御装置４３は、それぞれ所定のプログラムにより構成される基本動作制御手段４５および搬入不能時制御手段４６を有している。ローダ制御装置４３は、さらに搬出先選択制御手段４７を有している。
【００１８】
基本動作制御手段４５は、ローダ３の基本制御動作として、左のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌから搬送されるワークＷを工作機械１の左の加工部２Ｌに、右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒから搬送されるワークＷを右の加工部２Ｒにそれぞれ搬送するようにローダ３を制御する手段である。また、基本動作制御手段４５は、工作機械１の左の加工部２Ｌで加工の完了したワークＷは左のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌへ搬出し、右の加工部２Ｒで加工の完了したワークＷは右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒへ搬出するようにローダ２を制御するものとされる。
【００１９】
搬入不能時制御手段４６は、基本動作制御手段４５による搬送予定先の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入不能状態で、隣の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入可能状態である場合は、上記基本制御動作に代えて、搬入可能状態にある加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒにワークを搬送させるようにローダ３を制御するものとされる。搬入不能時制御手段４６は、例えば工作機械制御装置４１の進入禁止手段４４Ｌ，４４Ｒが禁止状態であると、その禁止している加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒを搬入不能状態であると判断するものとする。
【００２０】
搬出先選択制御手段４７は、工作機械１の左右いずれかの加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒで加工されたワークＷを、設定基準に従って左右いずれかのワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒに、上記ローダ３により搬送させる手段である。上記設定基準は、例えば、搬入可能状態にある左右任意のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒに、上記ローダ３により搬送させるものとする。ワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒが搬入可能状態であるか否かは、例えばローダ３で搬出しようとするワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒのコンベア３２の始端部が空き状態であるか否かの検出手段の検出信号によって判断される。搬入可能状態であるか否かは、この他に、例えば工作機械システムの全体を制御する制御装置（図示せず）等による指令に従って行うものとしても良い。上記設定基準は、この他に、搬入側のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒに加工済ワークＷを戻すことを原則とし、左右いずれかのワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒが搬入不可状態の場合に、上記のように搬出可能側のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒに搬出するものとしても良い。
【００２１】
上記構成の工作機械システムにおけるワーク搬送方法を説明する。この工作機械システムは、複数の工作機械１にわたり、左または右の加工部２Ｌ，２ＲにワークＷを順に送り、複数工程の加工を施して行く。
この場合に、常時は、ローダ制御手段４３の基本動作制御手段４５の制御に従ってローダ３を動作させ、左のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌから搬送されるワークＷを工作機械の左の加工部２Ｌに、右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒから搬送されるワークＷを右の加工部２Ｒにそれぞれ搬送する。
このため、各工作機械１で加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒに搬入不能状態がない場合は、図中に矢印に符号（１）〜（１２）を付したように、並び方向の最上手側にある第１の工作機械１において、ローダ３は、左のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌの搬入部コンベア３２_１の終端の素材ワークＷを左の加工部２Ｌに搬送し（矢印（１））、右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒの搬入部コンベア３２_１の終端の素材ワークＷを右の加工部２Ｒに搬送する（矢印（３））。これら左右の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒによる第１工程の加工済みワークＷは、それぞれ左右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３２Ｒの機械間部コンベア３２_２の始端に搬出する（矢印（２），（４））。これと同様にして、第２の工作機械２（図の中央の工作機械）においては、ローダ３は、左のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌの機械間部コンベア３２_２の終端の素材ワークＷを左の加工部２Ｌに搬送し（矢印（５））、右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒの機械間部コンベア３２_２の終端のワークＷを右の加工部２Ｒに搬送する（矢印（７））。これら左右の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒによる第２工程の加工済みワークＷは、それぞれ左右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３２Ｒの第２の機械間部コンベア３２_３の始端に搬出する（矢印（６），（８））。第３の工作機械２（図の下部の工作機械）においては、ローダ３は、左のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌの機械間部コンベア３２_３の終端の素材ワークＷを左の加工部２Ｌに搬送して供給し（矢印（９））、右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒの機械間部コンベア３２_３の終端の素材ワークＷを右の加工部２Ｒに搬送する（矢印（１１））。これら左右の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒによる第３工程の加工済みワークＷは、それぞれ左右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３２Ｒの搬出部コンベア３２_４の始端に搬出する（矢印（１０），（１２））。
【００２２】
上記の基本制御動作において、搬送予定先の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入不能状態で、隣の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入可能状態である場合は、搬入不能時制御手段４６の制御により、上記基本制御動作に代えて、搬入可能状態にある加工部２Ｌ，２ＲにワークＷを搬送させる。例えば第１の工作機械１における右加工部２Ｒが搬入不能状態で、左の加工部２Ｌが搬入可能状態である場合は、右ワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒの搬入部コンベア３２_１のワークＷは、ローダ３により左の加工部２Ｌに搬入する（矢印（３′）。
この搬入不能時制御手段４６の制御により、反対側のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒから搬入し、その工程の加工の済んだワークＷは、搬出先選択手段４７の制御により、例えば、そのワークＷを搬入した方のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒにローダ３で搬出させる（矢印（４′））。この搬出しようとするワーク搬送ライン３１Ｒが搬入不能の場合は、搬入可能側のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌに搬出する。あるいは、搬出先選択手段４７は、ワークＷが左右いずれのワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒから搬入されたかにかかわらずに、その搬出しようとするときに搬入可能状態にあるワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒに加工済ワークＷを搬出するようにしてもよい。
【００２３】
後工程となる第２の工作機械１においても、上記のようにローダ３は、左および右のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１ＲのワークＷを左および右の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒにそれぞれ供給することを基本とし、搬送予定先の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入不能状態で隣の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入可能である場合に、搬入可能な加工部２Ｌ，２ＲにワークＷを供給する。第２工程の加工済ワークＷは、搬入可能状態の左右いずれかのワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒに搬出し、このワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒによって後工程にワークを供給する。
【００２４】
このように、この工作機械システムおよびそのワーク搬送方法によると、搬送予定先の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入不能状態で、隣の加工部２Ｒが搬入可能状態である場合は、基本制御動作に代えて、搬入可能状態にある加工部２Ｌ，２ＲにワークＷを搬送させるため、加工予定の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが段取り作業や工具交換等で停止している場合であっても、隣の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒを用いて加工することができる。そのため、加工が停止することをできるだけ防ぎ、加工ライン停止を抑えることができる。
また、左右いずれかの加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒで加工されたワークＷを、搬入可能状態にある左右任意のワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒに搬出するようにし、ワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１Ｒの状況に応じてワーク搬出先も変更できるため、加工ライン停止を極力防ぐことができる。
【００２５】
特に、各工程の工作機械１において、搬送予定先の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入不能状態で隣の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒが搬入可能である場合に、搬入可能な加工部２Ｌ，２ＲにワークＷを供給し、加工済ワークＷを搬入可能状態の左右いずれかのワーク搬送ライン３１Ｌ，３１に搬出する場合は、工作機械１の並びの中でワークＷを搬送可能な道筋を見つけてワークＷを搬送することができ、加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒの停止時のより一層の効率向上を図ることができる。
【００２６】
なお、上記実施形態では、左右の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒで行う加工の種類につき特に述べなかったが、左右の加工部２Ｌ，２Ｒで行う加工は、互いに同じ加工であっても、異なる加工であっても良い。異なる加工を行う場合は、例えば、工作機械制御装置４１における左加工部の制御部４２Ｌおよび右加工部の制御部４２Ｒに、基本制御における左右両側の加工のプログラムを設けておき、搬入側に応じた加工プログラムを選択して加工するようにしても良い。
また、上記実施形態は工作機械１が２軸旋盤である場合につき説明したが、この発明は、他の２軸の工作機械の場合にも適用することができる。
【００２７】
【発明の効果】
この発明の工作機械システムは、２軸の工作機械を複数台平行に並べ、その並びの両側にワーク搬送ラインを設け、各工作機械にローダを設けた工作機械システムにおいて、ローダ制御装置を、ローダの基本制御動作として、左のワーク搬送ラインから搬送されるワークを工作機械の左の加工部に、右のワーク搬送ラインから搬送されるワークを右の加工部にそれぞれ搬送するようにローダを制御し、搬送予定先の加工部が搬入不能状態で、隣の加工部が搬入可能状態である場合は、上記基本制御動作に代えて、搬入可能状態にある加工部にワークを搬送させるようにローダを制御するものとしたため、加工予定の加工部が停止している場合であっても、加工を停止することを出来るだけ防ぎ、加工ラインの停止を抑えることができる。
上記ローダ制御装置を、上記工作機械の左右いずれかで加工されたワークを、搬入可能状態にある左右任意のワーク搬送ラインに、上記ローダにより搬送させるものとした場合は、ワーク搬送ラインに応じてワーク搬出先も変更できて、加工ライン停止を極力防ぐことができる。
この発明のワーク搬送方法は、複数の工作機械にわたり左または右の加工部にワークを順に送り複数工程の加工を施して行く工作機械システムのワーク搬送方法であって、第１の工作機械において、上記ローダは、左および右のワーク搬送ラインのワークを左および右の加工部にそれぞれ供給することを基本とし、搬送予定先の加工部が搬入不能状態で隣の加工部が搬入可能である場合に、搬入可能な加工部にワークを供給して加工済ワークを搬入可能状態の左右いずれかのワーク搬送ラインに搬出し、このワーク搬送ラインによって後工程の第２の工作機械にワークを供給し、第２の工作機械において、上記ローダは、左および右のワーク搬送ラインのワークを左および右の加工部にそれぞれ供給することを基本とし、搬送予定先の加工部が搬入不能状態で隣の加工部が搬入可能である場合に、搬入可能な加工部にワークを供給して加工済ワークを搬入可能状態の左右いずれかのワーク搬送ラインに搬出し、このワーク搬送ラインによって後工程にワークを供給するようにしたため、工作機械の並びの中でワークを搬送可能な道筋を見つけてワークを搬送することができ、加工部停止時のより一層の効率向上を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の一実施形態にかかる工作機械システムの概念構成の平面図である。
【図２】その１台の工作機械とローダの正面図と、制御系のブロック図とを組み合わせて示す説明図である。
【図３】工作機械の一例の斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１…工作機械
２Ｌ，２Ｒ…加工部
３…ローダ
７…レール
３２…コンベア
３２_１…搬入部コンベア
３２_２，３２_３…機械間部コンベア
３２_４…搬出部コンベア
４１…工作機械制御装置
４２Ｌ…左加工部制御部
４２Ｒ…右加工部制御部
４３…ローダ制御装置
４４Ｌ，４４Ｒ…進入禁止手段
４５…基本動作制御手段
４６…搬入不能時制御手段
４７…搬出先選択制御手段
Ｗ…ワーク[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a machine tool system in which two-axis machine tools such as a parallel two-axis lathe are arranged side by side so that left and right machining portions are arranged side by side.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a plurality of parallel twin-axis lathes are installed in parallel so that the left machining parts and the right machining parts are arranged in a line, and workpieces such as conveyors are arranged on the left and right sides of the arrangement along the lathe arrangement direction. There is a machine tool system in which a transfer line is provided and a gantry loader is provided for each machine tool. The workpiece is conveyed by the conveyor of the workpiece conveyance line up to the workpiece loading portion of the loader, and by the loader until the workpiece loading portion and the lathe processing portion.
In the machine tool system, a plurality of lathes arranged in parallel perform processing of each process of the workpiece through the processing units arranged in the same row in order. For example, the first process is performed at the left machining part of the first lathe, the processed workpiece is conveyed to the left machining part of the second lathe, the second process is performed, and the third process is performed. Transport to the left machining section of the lathe. The same applies to the right processed part as the left processed part.
The above machine tool system requires only one loader for the two left and right machining parts compared to a system in which single-axis lathes are arranged side by side, and a single two-axis lathe instead of two single-axis lathes. Therefore, there are advantages such as simple facilities and a small occupation area.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-301635 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, in a certain two-axis lathe, the workpiece cannot be carried to the right axis with a stone or loader whose right axis has stopped due to setup work or blade replacement. Therefore, the operation rate of all right axes of a plurality of two-axis lathes decreases.
The loader can jump to work on the left axis to prevent a decrease in the operation of the left axis and minimize the decrease in the operation of the entire system, but it is unbalanced so that only one side is unevenly processed. And may have an effect in the subsequent process.
[0005]
Conventionally, in one parallel twin-spindle lathe with a gantry loader, workpieces are sequentially supplied from the same workpiece supply unit to the left and right machining units with a loader, and when any of the machining units stops for some reason There has been proposed one in which the supply order is switched so as to supply the workpiece to another machining section (Patent Document 1).
However, this proposed example is for the control of a single twin-axis lathe, and simply replaces the supply order for the loaders supplied from the same workpiece supply unit to the left and right machining units. Machine tool systems that are equipped with two-axis lathes in parallel and that are loaded into the left and right machining parts from the workpiece transfer line on both sides of the two-axis lathes, respectively. to differ greatly.
[0006]
The object of the present invention is to prevent the machining from being stopped as much as possible in a machine tool system in which a plurality of two-axis machine tools are arranged in parallel even when the machining section to be machined is stopped. The line stoppage can be suppressed.
Another object of the present invention is to prevent the machining line from being stopped as much as possible by changing the work carry-out destination according to the work transfer line.
Still another object of the present invention is to find a route in which a workpiece can be conveyed in a row of machine tools and convey the workpiece, and to improve the efficiency of the machine tool system when the machining unit is stopped. It is to provide a transport method.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the machine tool system of the present invention, a plurality of two-axis machine tools having processing parts on the left and right sides are installed in parallel so that the left processing parts and the right processing parts are arranged in a line, respectively. Work transfer lines are provided on both the left and right sides of the machine tools line-up to transfer the work along the machine tool line-up direction. For each machine tool, a work is carried out between the work transfer line and the left and right machining parts of the machine tool. Is a machine tool system in which workpieces are sequentially sent to the left or right machining section over a plurality of machine tools to perform machining in a plurality of steps, and the loader control device for controlling the loader is It is a configuration. That is, this loader control device, as the basic control operation of the loader, moves the workpiece conveyed from the left workpiece conveyance line to the left machining unit of the machine tool, and transfers the workpiece conveyed from the right workpiece conveyance line to the right machining unit. If the processing unit to be transported is in the unloadable state and the adjacent processing unit is in the loadable state, the processing is in the loadable state instead of the basic control operation. The loader is controlled so that the workpiece is conveyed to the part.
According to this configuration, the loader control device normally allows the workpiece transferred from the left workpiece transfer line to the left processing unit of the machine tool, and the workpiece transferred from the right workpiece transfer line to the right processing unit, respectively. Control the loader to transport. If the processing unit to be transported is not ready for loading and the next processing unit is ready for loading, the loader is controlled so that the workpiece is transported to the processing unit ready for loading instead of the basic control operation. To do. For this reason, even if the processing part to be processed is stopped due to setup work or tool change, it is possible to perform processing using the adjacent processing part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the machining from stopping as much as possible, and to suppress the machining line stop.
[0008]
In this invention, the said loader control apparatus is good also as what conveys the workpiece | work processed by the left or right process part of the said machine tool by the said loader to the right-and-left arbitrary workpiece conveyance line in the state which can be carried in.
Thereby, the workpiece carry-out destination can be changed according to the state of the workpiece conveyance line, and the machining line can be stopped as much as possible.
[0009]
In the work conveying method of the machine tool system of the present invention, a plurality of two-axis machine tools having machining portions on the left and right sides are installed in parallel so that the left machining portions and the right machining portions are arranged in a row, Provided on both the left and right sides of the arrangement of the plurality of machine tools are workpiece conveyance lines that convey workpieces along the machine tool arrangement direction, and for each of the machine tools, the workpiece conveyance line and the left and right machining portions of the machine tool are provided. A workpiece transfer method in a machine tool system in which a loader for transferring workpieces is provided, and workpieces are sequentially sent to the left or right machining section across a plurality of machine tools to perform machining in multiple steps. Including.
That is, in the first machine tool, the loader basically supplies workpieces on the left and right workpiece transfer lines to the left and right machining units, respectively, and the processing unit to be transferred is adjacent in a state where it cannot be loaded. When the machining section can be carried in, the workpiece is supplied to the machining section that can be carried in, and the machined workpiece is carried out to either the left or right workpiece conveyance line in a state where it can be carried in. The workpiece is supplied to the second machine tool in the subsequent process through this workpiece conveyance line. In the second machine tool, the loader basically supplies the workpieces on the left and right workpiece conveyance lines to the left and right machining units, respectively, and the next machining unit is in a state where the machining unit to be conveyed cannot be loaded. When the part can be carried in, the work is supplied to the workable part to be carried in, and the processed work is carried out to either the left or right work conveyance line in a state where it can be carried in. The workpiece is supplied to the subsequent process by this workpiece conveyance line.
According to this method, it is possible to find a path through which workpieces can be conveyed in a row of machine tools, in other words, to find a way out and convey the workpiece. As a result, the efficiency can be further improved when the machining section is stopped.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a conceptual configuration of this machine tool system. This machine tool system includes a plurality of two-axis machine tools 1 having processing portions 2L and 2R on the left and right (X-axis direction) so that the left processing portions 2R and the right processing portions 2R are arranged in a line. Install in parallel. Work transfer lines 31L and 31R for transferring work along the machine tool arrangement direction (Z-axis direction) are provided on the left and right sides of the plurality of machine tools 1 arranged. Further, for each machine tool 1, a loader 3 that conveys the workpiece W between the workpiece conveyance lines 31 L and 31 R and the left and right machining portions 2 L and 2 R of the machine tool 1 is provided.
[0011]
The work conveyance lines 31L and 31R are conveyor rows in which a plurality of conveyors 32 are arranged in a vertical row. As the conveyor 32 constituting this conveyor row, a carry-in conveyor 32 that extends from the upper side in the transport direction to the side of the first machine tool 1 than the first machine tool 1. ₁ And an inter-machine conveyor 32 extending between the machine tools 1 ₂ , 32 ₃ And an unloading section conveyor 32 extending from the side of the last stage machine tool 1 to the lower side. ₄ And are provided. The work transfer lines 31L and 31R are separated from each other so that the work W does not directly transfer between the conveyors 32 of each stage.
The loader 3 is of a gantry type and is installed above the machine tool 1 so as to be able to run on a rail 7 provided along the left-right direction. The rail 7 protrudes and extends to the left and right of the machine tool 1, and the left and right workpiece transfer lines 31 L and 31 R are positioned near both ends of the rail 7.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, the loader 3 is installed on a traveling body 9 that travels along a rail 7, a front / rear moving table 10 that can move back and forth (in the Z-axis direction), and can be moved up and down on the front / rear moving table 10. A loader head 12 is provided at the lower end of the lifting rod 11. The loader head 12 can be moved in three orthogonal directions (X, Y, and Z axes) by the traveling of the traveling body 9, the back-and-forth movement of the back-and-forth moving table 10, and the lifting / lowering rod 11. The loader head 12 is provided with one or two loader chucks (not shown) for gripping the workpiece W. The loader chuck can change its direction between a downward posture for gripping the workpiece W on the conveyor 32 and a front-facing posture for delivering the workpiece W to the processing parts 2L and 2R of the machine tool 1.
[0013]
The machine tool 1 is, for example, a parallel twin-axis lathe, and the left and right machining parts 2L and 2R are each composed of a main shaft 5 and a tool post 6 as shown in FIG. The spindle 5 is installed on a spindle stock 5 a installed on the bed 4. The tool post 6 is composed of a turret tool post or the like, and is installed on the bed 4 so as to be movable in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction via a turret carriage (not shown). Rotation indexing to oppose the side is possible.
[0014]
The machine tool 1 prevents the loader head 12 (FIG. 12) from entering the working parts 2L and 2R on the work side accidentally when the operator performs the work such as setup on the left or right working parts 2L and 2R. Secondary covers 21L and 21R are provided as follows. As a result, even if a set-up operation or the like of any of the processing parts 2L and 2R is performed, the processing by the automatic operation at the other processing parts 2L and 2R can be performed safely.
[0015]
The structure of the body cover 16 including the secondary covers 21L and 21R will be described. The machine tool 1 is covered with a machine body cover 16 that partitions the machining area S from the outside of the machine. The front portion of the machine body cover 16 includes a fixed cover portion 16a having an opening 17 in the center and a pair of slidable front door covers 19L and 19R that open and close the opening 17. The ceiling of the machine body cover 16 that divides the machining area S of the machine tool 1 from the loader traveling area above the machine cover 1 has a fixed cover portion 16a having an opening 18 continuous with the opening 17 at the center, and the front door covers 19L and 19R. It is comprised with a pair of horizontal door covers 20L and 20R provided in succession to the upper end. In addition to the horizontal door covers 20L and 20R, secondary covers 21L and 21R that partition the processing region S and the loader travel region are provided on the ceiling of the body cover 16 so as to be openable and closable from side to side. The secondary covers 21L and 21R are opened and closed by an opening / closing drive source (not shown) made of a cylinder or the like. Each of the horizontal door covers 20L, 20R has an opening (not shown) for allowing the loader head 12 of the loader 3 to enter the processing region S when closed, and these openings are opened and closed by individual shutters 24. The shutter 24 is opened and closed by an opening / closing drive means (not shown) when the loader head 12 enters the machining area S.
The front door covers 19L and 19R and the horizontal door covers 20L and 20R open the doors corresponding to the processing parts 2A and 2B that perform the work when setting up the left and right processing parts 2A and 2B. However, the secondary covers 21L and 21R whose doors are opened at this time close the ceiling opening 18 under the control of secondary cover opening / closing control means (not shown). For this reason, even if the loader 3 malfunctions due to a mistake in the program for controlling the loader 3 or the like, the loader head 12 may enter the region of the processing region S where the worker is working. It is prevented by the next covers 21L and 21R, and safety is obtained as described above.
[0016]
The control system will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, each machine tool 1 is controlled by a machine tool control device 41, and the loader 3 is controlled by a loader control device 43. The loader control device 43 performs a linkage operation by exchanging signals with the machine tool control device 41. Each of the machine tool control device 41 and the loader control device 43 is a computer-type control device that controls according to a machining program, and includes a numerical control unit and a sequence control unit (both not shown).
As shown in FIG. 2, the machine tool control device 41 includes a left machining unit control unit 42L that controls the left machining unit 2L of the machine tool 1 and a right machining unit control unit 42R that controls the right machining unit 2R. ing. Each of the left and right machining unit controllers 42L and 42R has a machining program, for example. Further, the left and right machining unit controllers 42L and 42R are respectively provided with entry prohibiting means 44L and 44R that inhibit the loader 3 from entering the left machining unit 2L and the right machining unit 2R under predetermined conditions. The predetermined condition is, for example, that the front door covers 19L and 19R of the body cover 16 are open.
[0017]
The loader control device 43 includes basic operation control means 45 and unloadable time control means 46 each constituted by a predetermined program. The loader control device 43 further has a destination selection control means 47.
[0018]
As a basic control operation of the loader 3, the basic operation control means 45 transfers a workpiece W conveyed from the left workpiece conveyance line 31L to the left machining section 2L of the machine tool 1 from the right workpiece conveyance line 31R. It is a means for controlling the loader 3 so as to transport W to the right processing section 2R. Further, the basic operation control means 45 carries out the workpiece W that has been processed by the left processing portion 2L of the machine tool 1 to the left workpiece transfer line 31L, and the workpiece W that has been processed by the right processing portion 2R is right. The loader 2 is controlled to be carried out to the workpiece transfer line 31R.
[0019]
When the processing unit 2L, 2R to be transported by the basic operation control unit 45 is in a state where it cannot be carried in and the adjacent processing unit 2L, 2R is in a state where it can be carried in, the unloadable control unit 46 performs the above basic control operation. Instead, the loader 3 is controlled so that the workpieces are conveyed to the processing units 2L and 2R that are ready for loading. For example, when the entry prohibiting means 44L, 44R of the machine tool control device 41 is in a prohibited state, the unloadable control unit 46 determines that the prohibited processing parts 2L, 2R are in a state where the entry is impossible. .
[0020]
The carry-out destination selection control means 47 causes the loader 3 to transport the workpiece W processed by either the left or right processing section 2L or 2R of the machine tool 1 to the left or right workpiece transfer line 31L or 31R according to the set standard. Means. For example, the setting standard is such that the loader 3 conveys the workpiece to the left and right arbitrary workpiece conveyance lines 31L and 31R that are ready for loading. Whether or not the work transfer lines 31L and 31R are ready to be loaded is detected by, for example, detection means for detecting whether or not the starting end of the conveyor 32 of the work transfer lines 31L and 31R to be carried out by the loader 3 is empty. Determined by the signal. In addition to this, it may be determined according to a command by a control device (not shown) or the like that controls the entire machine tool system. In addition to the above, the above-mentioned setting standard is based on the principle that the processed workpiece W is returned to the loading-side workpiece transfer lines 31L and 31R. It is good also as what is carried out to the work conveyance lines 31L and 31R of the side which can be carried out.
[0021]
A workpiece transfer method in the machine tool system having the above configuration will be described. In this machine tool system, workpieces W are sequentially sent to the left or right machining sections 2L and 2R across a plurality of machine tools 1 to perform machining in a plurality of steps.
In this case, normally, the loader 3 is operated in accordance with the control of the basic operation control means 45 of the loader control means 43, and the workpiece W conveyed from the left workpiece conveyance line 31L is transferred to the left machining section 2L of the machine tool to the right The workpieces W conveyed from the workpiece conveyance line 31R are respectively conveyed to the right processing unit 2R.
For this reason, when there is no unloadable state in the processing parts 2L and 2R in each machine tool 1, as shown by arrows (1) to (12) in the drawing, In one machine tool 1, the loader 3 is connected to the carry-in conveyor 32 of the left work transfer line 31 L. ₁ Is transferred to the left processing section 2L (arrow (1)), and the loading section conveyor 32 of the right workpiece transport line 31R is conveyed. ₁ Is transferred to the right processing section 2R (arrow (3)). The processed workpiece W in the first step by the left and right processed portions 2L and 2R is a machine-to-machine conveyor 32 on the left and right workpiece transfer lines 31L and 32R, respectively. ₂ (Arrows (2) and (4)). In the same manner, in the second machine tool 2 (the machine tool in the center of the figure), the loader 3 is connected to the inter-machine conveyor 32 of the left work transfer line 31L. ₂ Is transferred to the left processing section 2L (arrow (5)), and the inter-machine conveyor 32 of the right workpiece transfer line 31R is conveyed. ₂ Is transferred to the right machining section 2R (arrow (7)). The workpiece W processed in the second step by the left and right machining portions 2L and 2R is the second inter-machine conveyor 32 on the left and right workpiece conveyance lines 31L and 32R, respectively. ₃ Are carried out to the beginning (arrows (6), (8)). In the third machine tool 2 (machine tool in the lower part of the figure), the loader 3 is an inter-machine conveyor 32 of the left work transfer line 31L. ₃ The material workpiece W at the end of the workpiece is conveyed and supplied to the left processing section 2L (arrow (9)), and the inter-machine conveyor 32 of the right workpiece conveyance line 31R is supplied. ₃ The material workpiece W at the end of the sheet is conveyed to the right machining section 2R (arrow (11)). The processed workpieces W in the third step by the left and right processing units 2L and 2R are unloaded conveyors 32 on the left and right workpiece transfer lines 31L and 32R, respectively. ₄ (Arrows (10), (12)).
[0022]
In the above basic control operation, when the processing units 2L and 2R that are scheduled to be transported are in the unloadable state and the adjacent processing units 2L and 2R are in the loadable state, the control unit 46 controls the basic Instead of the control operation, the work W is transported to the processing units 2L and 2R that are ready for loading. For example, when the right machining unit 2R in the first machine tool 1 is in an unloadable state and the left machining unit 2L is in a loadable state, the loading unit conveyor 32 of the right workpiece transfer line 31R. ₁ The workpiece W is carried into the left machining portion 2L by the loader 3 (arrow (3 ')).
Under the control of the unloadable control means 46, the work W carried in from the opposite work transfer line 31R and processed in the process is carried in, for example, the work W under the control of the carry-out destination selecting means 47. The work load line 31R is carried out by the loader 3 (arrow (4 ')). When the work transfer line 31R to be carried out cannot be carried in, it is carried out to the work transfer line 31L on the carry-in side. Alternatively, the unloading destination selecting means 47 processes the workpiece W into the workpiece transfer lines 31L and 31R that are ready to be loaded when the workpiece W is to be unloaded regardless of whether the workpiece W is loaded from the left or right workpiece transfer line 31L or 31R. The finished work W may be carried out.
[0023]
Also in the second machine tool 1 as a post process, as described above, the loader 3 supplies the workpieces W on the left and right workpiece transfer lines 31L and 31R to the left and right machining units 2L and 2R, respectively. Basically, when the processing units 2L and 2R that are scheduled to be transported cannot be loaded, and the adjacent processing units 2L and 2R can be loaded, the workpiece W is supplied to the processing units 2L and 2R that can be loaded. The processed workpiece W in the second step is carried out to either the left or right workpiece transfer line 31L, 31R in the carry-in enabled state, and the workpiece is supplied to the subsequent process through the workpiece transfer line 31L, 31R.
[0024]
As described above, according to the machine tool system and the workpiece transfer method, when the processing units 2L and 2R that are scheduled to be transferred are in the unloadable state and the adjacent process unit 2R is in the loadable state, the basic control operation is performed. In order to transport the workpiece W to the processing units 2L and 2R that are ready for loading, even if the processing units 2L and 2R that are scheduled to be processed are stopped due to setup work or tool replacement, the adjacent processing unit It can process using 2L and 2R. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the machining from stopping as much as possible, and to suppress the machining line stop.
Further, the workpiece W processed by either the left or right processing section 2L, 2R is unloaded to the left or right arbitrary workpiece transfer line 31L, 31R in a state where it can be loaded, depending on the situation of the workpiece transfer line 31L, 31R. Since the work delivery destination can also be changed, it is possible to prevent the machining line from stopping as much as possible.
[0025]
In particular, in the machine tool 1 in each process, when the processing parts 2L and 2R that are scheduled to be transported cannot be carried in and the adjacent processing parts 2L and 2R can be carried in, the work W can be transferred to the work parts 2L and 2R that can be carried in. When the machined workpiece W is carried out to the left or right workpiece conveyance line 31L, 31 in a state where the machined workpiece W can be carried in, a path capable of conveying the workpiece W in the line of the machine tools 1 is found and the workpiece W is Therefore, it is possible to further improve the efficiency when the processing units 2L and 2R are stopped.
[0026]
In the above embodiment, the types of processing performed by the left and right processing portions 2L and 2R are not particularly described, but the processing performed by the left and right processing portions 2L and 2R is different processing even if they are the same processing. May be. When performing different machining, for example, the left machining unit control unit 42L and the right machining unit control unit 42R in the machine tool control device 41 are provided with machining programs on both the left and right sides in the basic control. It is also possible to select a machining program and perform machining.
Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated about the case where the machine tool 1 was a biaxial lathe, this invention is applicable also in the case of the other biaxial machine tool.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
The machine tool system according to the present invention is a machine tool system in which a plurality of two-axis machine tools are arranged in parallel, workpiece transfer lines are provided on both sides of the arrangement, and a loader is provided for each machine tool. As a basic control operation, the loader is controlled so that the workpiece conveyed from the left workpiece conveyance line is conveyed to the left machining section of the machine tool, and the workpiece conveyed from the right workpiece conveyance line is conveyed to the right machining portion. When the processing unit to be transported is not ready to be loaded and the adjacent processing unit is ready to be loaded, the loader is configured to transfer the workpiece to the processing unit that is ready for loading instead of the basic control operation. Therefore, even when the processing part to be processed is stopped, it is possible to prevent the processing from being stopped as much as possible and to suppress the stop of the processing line.
When the loader control device is configured to transport a workpiece machined on either the left or right side of the machine tool to any left or right workpiece conveyance line that is ready for loading by the loader, depending on the workpiece conveyance line The work delivery destination can also be changed to prevent the machining line from stopping as much as possible.
The workpiece transfer method of the present invention is a workpiece transfer method of a machine tool system in which a workpiece is sequentially sent to a left or right processing section over a plurality of machine tools and subjected to a plurality of processes, and in the first machine tool, The loader is based on supplying workpieces on the left and right workpiece transfer lines to the left and right machining units, respectively, and the next machining unit can be loaded while the machining unit to be transferred cannot be loaded. In addition, the workpiece is supplied to the processing section that can be loaded, and the processed workpiece is unloaded to either the left or right workpiece conveyance line, and the workpiece is supplied to the second machine tool in the subsequent process through this workpiece conveyance line. In the second machine tool, the loader basically supplies workpieces on the left and right workpiece conveyance lines to the left and right machining units, respectively, When the next processing unit can be loaded in the unloadable state, the workpiece is supplied to the loadable processing unit, and the processed workpiece is unloaded to the left or right workpiece transfer line in the loadable state. Since the workpiece is supplied to the subsequent process, it is possible to find the route that can convey the workpiece in the line of machine tools and convey the workpiece, and to further improve the efficiency when the machining part stops it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conceptual configuration of a machine tool system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a combination of a front view of the one machine tool and a loader and a block diagram of a control system.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a machine tool.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Machine tools
2L, 2R ... Machining part
3 ... loader
7 ... Rail
32 ... conveyor
32 ₁ ... Conveying section conveyor
32 ₂ , 32 ₃ ... Conveyor between machines
32 ₄ ... Conveying section conveyor
41. Machine tool control device
42L ... Left machining unit control unit
42R ... Right machining section control section
43. Loader control device
44L, 44R ... entry prohibition means
45. Basic operation control means
46. Control means when loading is impossible
47 ... Destination selection control means
W ... Work

Claims

Two-axis machine tools with machined parts on the left and right are installed in parallel so that the left machined parts and the right machined parts are arranged in a row, and on both the left and right sides of the lineup of the machine tools. , A work transport line for transporting the work along the machine tool alignment direction is provided, and for each of the machine tools, a loader for transporting the work between the work transport line and the left and right machining parts of the machine tool is provided. A machine tool system that sequentially sends workpieces to the left or right machining section across multiple machine tools and performs multiple processes.
The loader control device that controls the loader is used as a basic control operation of the loader. A workpiece transferred from the left workpiece transfer line is transferred to the left machining section of the machine tool, and a workpiece transferred from the right workpiece transfer line is transferred to the right If the loader is controlled so that it is transported to each processing unit, and the processing unit that is scheduled to be transported is in a state where it cannot be loaded, and the adjacent processing unit is in a state where it can be loaded, instead of the above basic control operation, the loader is placed A machine tool system that controls the loader so that a workpiece is transported to a certain machining section.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the loader control device causes the loader to convey a workpiece machined by one of the left and right machining sections of the machine tool to an arbitrary left and right workpiece conveyance line in a state where the loader can be loaded. Mechanical system.

Two-axis machine tools with machined parts on the left and right are installed in parallel so that the left machined parts and the right machined parts are arranged in a row, and on both the left and right sides of the lineup of the machine tools. , A work transport line for transporting the work along the machine tool alignment direction is provided, and for each of the machine tools, a loader for transporting the work between the work transport line and the left and right machining parts of the machine tool is provided. A workpiece transfer method in a machine tool system in which a workpiece is sequentially sent to a left or right machining section over a plurality of machine tools and subjected to a plurality of processes.
In the first machine tool, the loader basically supplies the workpieces on the left and right workpiece conveyance lines to the left and right machining units, respectively, and the next machining unit is in a state where the machining unit to be conveyed cannot be loaded. If the part can be loaded, supply the work to the workable part, and unload the processed work to either the left or right work transfer line.
This workpiece transfer line supplies workpieces to the second machine tool in the post process,
In the second machine tool, the loader basically supplies the workpieces on the left and right workpiece conveyance lines to the left and right machining units, respectively, and the next machining unit is in a state where the machining unit to be conveyed cannot be loaded. If the part can be loaded, the workpiece is supplied to the processing unit that can be loaded, and the processed workpiece is unloaded to the left or right workpiece transfer line,
A work transfer method in a machine tool system for supplying a work to a subsequent process through this work transfer line.