JP2007048083A - Machining simulation device and machining simulation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent tool interference to easily and accurately perform machining. <P>SOLUTION: This machining simulation device is provided with a control part 2. When a machining instruction output from an operation part 3 is improper to the relative movement of a workpiece and a tool, the control part 2 notifies a user about the effect through the operation part 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a machining simulation apparatus and a machining simulation method for performing simulation when machining an object into an arbitrary shape.

  NC (Numerical Control) machine tools that move a tool and a workpiece by using a servo motor or the like controlled by a computer and machine the workpiece are used in various manufacturing fields.

When performing machining using this NC machine tool, it is necessary to previously generate NC data indicating the direction of the tool, the movement path, and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-228786

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operation process of the NC machine tool as described above. As shown in the figure, in a general NC machine tool, CAD (Computer Aided Design) data is first created (step S1001), and process design is performed (step S1002). Next, when it is necessary to create a jig based on the machining shape and process (step S1003: YES), the jig is designed (step S1104), is produced (step S1005), and is set up in the NC machine tool. .

  On the other hand, when it is not necessary to produce a jig (step S1003: NO), NC data is created (step S1006) and the jig is set up (step S1007).

  When the jig setup is completed, the workpiece is set up in the NC machine tool (step S1008), and machining is executed (step S1009).

  Next, when the machining is completed and all the processes defined in step S1003 are completed (step S1010: YES), the process is completed.

  On the other hand, when all the processes are not completed (step S1010: NO), the operations from step S1003 to step S1010 are repeatedly executed.

  As described above, in the conventional processing procedure, it is necessary to manufacture a jig and repeatedly execute the process, and it is not possible to perform processing simply. This may be an obstacle not only to the production of products but also to the rapid production of prototypes (rapid prototyping).

  Further, when creating NC data, it is necessary to accumulate experience of the user, and it cannot be said that it is rich in simplicity.

  Furthermore, depending on the processing shape of the target object, the direction of the tool, and the movement path, the tool and the processing target object may interfere with each other and accurate processing may not be performed. Therefore, it is necessary to reliably prevent this tool interference.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a machining simulation apparatus and a machining simulation method that can prevent tool interference and perform machining simply and accurately.

  The present invention described in claim 1 is a manual processing instruction means for outputting a processing instruction corresponding to a manual operation, and a display means for displaying a workpiece and a tool used for processing the workpiece. And the relative movement of the workpiece displayed on the display means and the tool based on the machining instruction output from the manual machining instruction means, thereby causing the workpiece to be simulated on the display means. A processing simulation apparatus comprising: an arithmetic processing unit, wherein the arithmetic processing unit is inappropriate for the relative movement between the workpiece and the tool whose processing instruction output from the manual processing instruction unit is displayed on the display unit. Inappropriate machining instruction detecting means for discriminating that the machining instruction is correct, and the manual machining instruction means is a reaction force generator for generating an action reaction force corresponding to the output from the inappropriate machining instruction detecting means. Equipped with means If the incorrect processing instruction is detected by the improper processing instruction detecting means, the reaction force generation means to subject matter to convey the manual processing instruction means to that effect.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the manual processing instruction content determination means for calculating at least one of an operation direction or an operation amount instructed by the manual processing instruction means. When an inappropriate machining instruction is detected by the inappropriate machining instruction detection means, the output from the manual machining instruction content determination means is supplied to the reaction force generation means. The gist is to generate an action reaction force corresponding to at least one of the above.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the reaction force generation means includes a mechanism for generating an action reaction force in the biaxial or triaxial directions, and the manual machining instruction content determination means The gist is to generate an action reaction force in the axial direction corresponding to the output of.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second or third aspect, the manual machining instruction content determination unit determines the operation direction and the movement amount instructed by the manual processing instruction unit, and the operation direction and The gist is that an output corresponding to the movement amount is supplied to the reaction force generation means, and the reaction force generation means generates an action reaction force corresponding to the operation direction and the movement amount.

  The present invention according to claim 5 displays the workpiece and the tool used for machining the workpiece on the screen, and is displayed on the screen based on the machining instruction corresponding to the manual operation by the manual machining instruction means. This is a machining simulation method for moving a workpiece and a tool relative to each other, thereby performing a machining simulation of the workpiece on the screen, and a machining instruction output by a manual machining instruction means is displayed on the screen. The gist is to generate a reaction force corresponding to a manual operation by the manual processing instruction means when it is determined that the processing instruction is inappropriate for the relative movement between the workpiece and the tool.

  The gist of the present invention described in claim 6 is that, in the invention described in claim 5, an action reaction force corresponding to at least one of the operation direction and the operation amount instructed by the manual machining instruction means is generated.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a machining simulation device and a machining simulation method that can prevent tool interference and perform machining simply and accurately.

  Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described. However, these examples are only for explaining the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can employ various embodiments including each or all of these elements, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The machining apparatus 1 is a CAD / CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) apparatus that performs everything from design to manufacture by a computer, and includes a control unit 2, an operation unit 3, and an NC machine unit 4.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the control unit 2 of FIG. The control unit 2 includes a CAD data creation unit 21, an NC data creation unit 22, and a user interface unit 23.

  The user interface unit 23 includes a keyboard and mouse for performing various operations such as parameter input to be described later, a display for displaying various information, and the like.

  The CAD data creation unit 21 creates CAD data such as a workpiece (workpiece), in other words, data related to a virtual tool and a workpiece. The data created by the CAD data creation unit 21 is displayed on the display of the user interface unit 23.

  The NC data creation unit creates NC data that defines the direction of the tool, the movement path, and the like when performing actual machining based on CAD data and output contents from the operation unit 3 described later. Details of creation of NC data will be described later.

  In addition to the x, y, and z linear drive axes that determine the tool position, the NC machine section 4 adds two rotary drive axes that determine the posture (directing direction) of the tool (the tool for thrusting in this embodiment). The 5-axis control processing machine can process an object into various shapes.

Next, details of the operation unit 3 will be described.
The 5-axis control machine (NC machine part 4) can machine complex shapes with high accuracy. However, it is very difficult to perform calculations for preventing tool interference. Therefore, in the present invention, the operation unit 3, which is a force feedback device using virtual reality technology, performs interference avoidance by human senses even in a complicated shape, and performs processing with higher accuracy and in a shorter period of time than the conventional method. Making it possible.

  As described above, the operation unit 3 is for operating a virtual tool displayed on the display by a manual operation by a user, thereby giving a processing instruction. As shown in FIG. The base portion 31, the rotating portion 32, the arm portions 33, 34 and 35, and the grip portion 36.

  The rotating unit 32 is configured to be rotatable on the base 31 in the direction of line A-A ′.

  The arm portion 33 is connected to the rotating portion 32 and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of line B-B ′.

  The arm part 34 is connected to the arm part 33 and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the line C-C ′.

  The arm part 35 is connected to the arm part 34 and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the line D-D ′.

  The grip portion 36 has a shape that can be gripped by the user's hand 37, is connected to the arm portion 35, and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the line EE ′. The user viewed this as a tool. When the user moves while looking at the screen displayed on the display, the operation is traced by the action of the rotating unit 32 and the arm units 33 to 35, and the movement path, movement amount (operation amount), movement speed, and direction of the gripping unit 36 are traced. Direction is signaled.

  Upon receiving this signal, the CAD data creation unit 21 (FIG. 2) generates an image based on this, and the virtual tool displayed on the display moves.

  The grip 36 is provided with a button that can be operated by a user with a finger. When this button is pressed, a virtual object is processed by a virtual tool.

  Further, when the user gives a processing instruction, the operation unit 3 generates an action reaction force having a magnitude corresponding to the movement amount (operation amount) in the axial direction corresponding to the operation direction, and the pressure generated thereby Reaction force generators 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43 are provided for stimulating the user's pressure point by vibration or the like.

  Each of the reaction force generation units 38 to 43 includes a sensor that detects an axial force generated by a user operation, that is, movement of the gripping unit 36 and the like, and an actuator that generates a reaction force.

  The NC data creation unit 22 of the control unit 2 determines the operation direction and the movement amount (operation amount) based on the detection result of the sensor, and the actuator operates based on the determination result of the NC data creation unit 22. Generate power.

  Since the operation unit 3 includes the reaction force generation units 38 to 43, a physical force feeling such as impact, reaction, inertia, inertia, touch, weight, and hardness that may occur during actual processing is provided. It is possible to communicate to the user, and the user can simulate the machining operation in an environment close to reality.

  Further, when tool interference occurs when simulating a machining operation, which will be described later, it is possible to notify the user to that effect.

Next, the operation procedure of the processing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when CAD information is generated by the CAD data creation unit 21 (step S1), virtual tools and virtual objects based on the CAD data are displayed, and the user operates the operation unit 3 while watching this. As a result, the movement path, movement amount (operation amount), movement speed, and pointing direction of the virtual tool are determined, and NC data reflecting these is created (step S2).

  When the creation of NC data is completed, an object to be machined is set up in the NC machining unit 4 (step S3), and machining is actually performed (step S4).

Next, the details of the NC data creation step (step S2) in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S1, when CAD data is created, when CAD data is taken in by the NC data creation unit 22 (step S201), a parameter input screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. “Tool protruding length” and “CL (Cutter Location) data output interval” are input (step S202).

  Next, the optical axis vector is set to (0, 0, 1) (step S203), and CAD data is displayed (step S204).

  The user looks at the displayed data, moves the virtual object so that the machining part is within the operating range of the virtual tool, and expands the viewpoint so that the virtual tool can easily approach the machining part from any angle. When reduction / rotation is performed (step S205: YES), affine transformation is performed on the CAD data (step S206).

  In the affine transformation, the linear transformation as shown in the equation (1) is performed on the position (x, y, z) of the point P in the three-dimensional space, and this is converted into a new coordinate system (x ′, y ′, z ′). ).

  When the above affine transformation is performed, CAD data reflecting this is newly displayed (step S204).

  If the user determines that the displayed image is appropriate and the above operation is not performed (step S205: NO), a question screen as to whether to perform indexing processing is displayed (step S207). When the indexing process is not performed (step S207: NO), the grip unit 36 and the axis vector of the virtual tool are synchronized.

  On the other hand, when indexing is performed (step S207: YES), the axis vector of the machining tool is fixed (step S209).

  When step S208 or S209 is completed, machining operation information, that is, information indicating the tool movement path and directing direction (only when indexing machining is not performed) in actual machining is generated (step S210).

  This machining operation information is generated when the user operates the operation unit 3 while viewing the screen and designates the movement path and the pointing direction of the virtual tool.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for designating a movement route and a pointing direction. In addition, in this figure, the case where a groove | channel is provided in a workpiece is shown.

  On this screen 71, a virtual tool 72 operated by the user and a virtual processing object 73 are displayed.

  The parameter setting unit is for performing rotation or the like in S205 of FIG.

  The display setting unit 75 is for changing display settings such as ON / OFF of scale display.

  The light source setting unit 76 is for changing the position of the virtual light source when the user needs to visually recognize the unevenness of the virtual processing object 73 more clearly.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a guide surface 77 parallel to the XY plane is displayed on the virtual workpiece 73, and the guide surface 77 is moved by giving an appropriate feed amount in the Z-axis direction. Can determine the depth of cut. Note that. The guide surface here refers to a surface that prevents the virtual tool 72 from cutting more than a certain Z coordinate value.

  Further, tool interference may occur during the above operation depending on the movement path and pointing direction specified by the user. In such a case, the operation unit 3 vibrates and stops to notify the user of the occurrence of tool interference due to an inappropriate instruction and the stop of the designation process associated therewith. Therefore, it is possible to prevent tool interference from occurring during actual machining.

  The detection of the tool interference is performed by the NC data creation unit of the control unit 2. In this case, it is verified whether or not the tool and the part that should not be processed and the jig or the like that fixes the object to be processed overlap.

  Along with this, the overlapping part is the part of the blade of the tool, and it is verified whether or not the moving direction when reaching the overlap matches the cutting direction of the blade. It is determined that interference has occurred.

  In addition to the above method. It can also be configured to notify the occurrence of tool interference by sending voice or displaying characters.

  Further, as described above, the operation unit 3 transmits a physical force feeling such as impact, reaction, inertia, inertia, tactile sensation, weight, and hardness generated during the movement and processing of the tool to the user.

  When the user specifies an appropriate tool movement path and pointing direction in which tool interference does not occur, the user gives an instruction to end the work (step S211: YES), and the machining operation information is saved.

  Next, CL data of the NC machining unit 4 that actually performs the machining operation is output (step S212).

  When the CL data is output in the above steps, a post processor process is executed (step S213), whereby the machining operation information is reflected, and the NC data optimum for the NC machining unit 4 having the CL data is obtained. Is generated (step S213).

  Note that when the post-processor processing is executed in step S213, the tool rotation speed and the feed speed are added as parameters.

  In step S211, when the end is not selected (step S211: NO), the operations after step S204 are repeatedly executed.

  In addition, when the corner processing (FIG. 10), the groove shape processing (FIG. 11), and the bevel gear shape processing (FIG. 12) were performed using the processing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration, it was accurate regardless of the shape. It was confirmed that machining was possible and no tool interference occurred. The material of the object to be processed, the specifications of the tool used, etc. are as shown in the following table.

  As the control unit 2, a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a hard disk drive, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a keyboard, a mouse, a display, a flexible disk drive, and the like is used. be able to.

  Moreover, the processing method using said processing apparatus etc. is also contained in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, tool interference can be prevented by using the force sense when the CAD data and the virtual tool touch each other.

  In addition, when processing a complicated shape newly, it is possible to immediately cope with any shape without having to consider a dedicated method for creating NC data.

  Also, the current roughing method machining path calculation algorithm uses a relatively simple contour processing method with three-axis control, and the tool used at that time is often a square end mill with a large removal amount. Yes. However, contour rough machining by a square end mill is limited to three-axis control machining because the tool cannot be tilted during wave machining. On the other hand, in the present invention, the above-mentioned problem can be solved because the thrust tool is controlled in five axes.

  In addition, the additive manufacturing method is currently used for trial manufacture of a processed product designed using a three-dimensional CAD. However, these have a drawback that a step is generated in the shaped shape because the CAD data of the target shape is sliced to some extent in the Z-axis direction and these materials are sequentially laminated.

  Furthermore, since materials that can be used are mainly resins, there are problems of toughness and heat resistance. Since the finished product shaped in this way is a different material from the product, it cannot be used for final function tests.

  The previous prototypes were often used as a shape confirmation model for actually picking up and confirming the shape, or as a function confirmation model for roughly verifying the operation and layout of mechanical parts. However, in order to perform mass production, a mold is necessary, and for that purpose, a mold for molding must be made of metal.

  On the other hand, the present invention is useful for producing a prototype because it is not necessary to create a program for generating a path even for a new shape. In addition, since a 5-axis control processing machine is used, accuracy is guaranteed and there are no material restrictions, so the drawbacks of conventional rapid prototyping can be compensated.

It is a block diagram of the processing apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the control part of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the operation part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the inside of the operation part of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement process of the processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of NC data creation process of FIG. It is a figure which shows a parameter input screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a virtual object. It is a figure which shows another example of a virtual object. It is a figure for demonstrating corner corner shape processing performed with the processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the groove shape process performed with the processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating bevel gear shape processing performed with the processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement process of the conventional processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Processing apparatus 2 Control part 3 Operation part 4 NC machine part 21 CAD data creation part 22 NC data creation part 23 User interface part 31 Base part 32 Rotation part 33, 34, 35 Arm part 36 Grasp part 61 Parameter input screen 71 Display screen 72 , 121, 122, 131, 132, 141, 142 Tool 73 Processing object 74 Parameter setting unit 75 Display setting unit 76 Light source setting unit 77 Guide surface 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 Reaction force generation unit

Claims (6)

Manual processing instruction means for outputting processing instructions corresponding to manual operation;
Display means for displaying a workpiece and a tool used for machining the workpiece;
Based on a machining instruction output from the manual machining instruction means, the workpiece displayed on the display means and the tool are relatively moved, and thereby a machining simulation of the workpiece on the display means. A processing simulation device comprising: an arithmetic processing means for performing
The arithmetic processing means determines that the machining instruction output from the manual machining instruction means is a machining instruction inappropriate for relative movement between the workpiece and the tool displayed on the display means. Inadequate processing instruction detection means for
The manual processing instruction means includes a reaction force generation means for generating an action reaction force corresponding to an output from the inappropriate processing instruction detection means,
When an inappropriate machining instruction is detected by the inappropriate machining instruction detection unit, the reaction force generation unit transmits the fact to the manual machining instruction unit. The arithmetic processing means includes manual machining instruction content determination means for obtaining at least one of an operation direction or an operation amount instructed by the manual machining instruction means,
When an inappropriate machining instruction is detected by the inappropriate machining instruction detection means, an output from the manual machining instruction content determination means is supplied to the reaction force generation means,
The machining simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reaction force generation unit generates an action reaction force corresponding to at least one of the operation direction or the operation amount.   The reaction force generation means includes a mechanism for generating an action reaction force in the direction of two or three axes, and generates an action reaction force in an axial direction corresponding to an output from the manual machining instruction content determination means. The machining simulation apparatus according to claim 2. The manual processing instruction content determination means determines the operation direction and the amount of movement instructed by the manual processing instruction means, and supplies an output corresponding to the operation direction and the movement amount to the reaction force generation means.
The machining simulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reaction force generation unit generates an action reaction force corresponding to the operation direction and the movement amount. The workpiece and the tool to be used for machining the workpiece are displayed on the screen, and the workpiece and the tool displayed on the screen based on the machining instruction corresponding to the manual operation by the manual machining instruction means Is a machining simulation method for performing a machining simulation of the workpiece on the screen,
When it is determined that the machining instruction output by the manual machining instruction means is an inappropriate machining instruction with respect to the relative movement between the workpiece and the tool displayed on the screen, the manual instruction by the manual machining instruction means A machining simulation method characterized by generating a reaction force corresponding to an operation. 6. The machining simulation method according to claim 5, wherein the action reaction force corresponding to at least one of an operation direction and an operation amount instructed by the manual machining instruction means is generated.

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