JP2009125781A - Sheet metal working system and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform die changing in a turret punch press. <P>SOLUTION: This sheet metal working system 1 is provided with the turret punch press 3, a die rack 55 in which dies to be used is housed, a buffer turret 33 on which a plurality of dies to be changed between the turret punch press 3 and the die rack 55 are temporarily placed, a tool changer 35A for performing the tool changing between the turret punch press 3 and the buffer turret 33, a traverser 35B for performing the die changing between the buffer turret 33 and the die rack 55 and a control means 89 for performing the control of the die changing. The tool changer 35A performs the die changing on the basis of a die changing command when a working program is sequentially carried out in the turret punch press 3 and also the traverser 35B carries out the die changing successively to a buffer station where the die changing is possible on the basis of a die changing information which is beforehand prepared from the working program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet metal processing system and method, and relates to a mold rack for storing a mold used in a processing machine (such as a turret punch press), and a plurality of molds exchanged between the processing machine and the mold rack. A sheet metal processing system comprising a temporary buffer turret, a tool changer for exchanging molds between the processing machine and the buffer turret, and a traverser for exchanging molds between the buffer turret and the mold rack And its method.

  Conventionally, for example, in the case of a machine configuration for exchanging molds with respect to a processing machine (turret punch press or the like), the object of mold exchange is only between the storage turret and the processing machine.

  The starting condition for mold change is that when the tool change command (T7 digit command) written in the machining program currently being executed by the machine is read, the ATC (Auto: Tool: Changer) control device is connected to the machine and storage. It is a mechanism to activate mold exchange between turrets.

See US Pat.
JP 2006-326611 A

  In the case of such a conventional mold exchanging machine configuration, the storage turret itself on which the mold to be used is mounted has an upper and lower two-stage structure (the upper stage is mainly a small diameter / the lower stage is mainly a large diameter). A large vertical axis movement occurred after the mold change operation was started, which had a great influence on the mold change tact.

  In addition, the object of the mold exchange operation is between the processing machine (turret punch press, etc.) and the storage turret, so that no work can be performed on the storage turret mold during operation. .

  Furthermore, since the activation condition of the mold replacement command is the T7 digit command described on the machining program being executed, the machining program counter cannot be activated unless the line is executed, Measures to improve mold exchange tact such as preparation in advance could not be implemented.

  On the other hand, even if information for preparing a mold can be generated in advance and the information can be recognized by the ATC control device, when the upper and lower dies of the mechanical structure are picked up, the tool changer arm is As a result, there was a situation where it was not possible to efficiently prepare the mold to be machined from both the mechanical and control aspects.

The invention according to claim 1 is a processing machine that selects a die and processes a workpiece;
A mold rack for storing a mold used in the processing machine;
A buffer turret for temporarily placing a plurality of molds to be exchanged between the processing machine and the mold rack;
A tool changer for exchanging dies between the processing machine and the buffer turret;
A traverser for exchanging molds between the buffer turret and the mold rack;
Control means for controlling the mold exchange;
With
Under the control of the control means, the tool changer executes mold replacement based on a mold replacement command when sequentially executing a machining program in the processing machine,
The traverser is a sheet metal processing system that sequentially performs mold exchange with respect to a buffer station where mold exchange is possible based on mold exchange information created in advance by the machining program.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the sheet metal processing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for issuing a warning when a mold to be used in the processing program is not found when the mold replacement information is created. is there.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sheet metal according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a mold setup station for taking out a mold of the mold rack or storing a new mold while the processing machine is in a processing operation. It is a processing system.

In the invention according to claim 4, in the case of continuous operation based on a machining schedule that defines the machining order and the number of machining of a plurality of machining programs,
4. The sheet metal processing system according to claim 1, wherein during the operation of the processing machine, mold exchange information for a processing program to be executed next is created. 5.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the tool changer replaces a mold, if the mold to be replaced is not mounted on the buffer turret, the traverser is instructed to replace the mold. The sheet metal processing system according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

The invention according to claim 6 is a processing machine that selects a mold and processes a workpiece, a mold rack that stores a mold used in the processing machine, and between the processing machine and the mold rack. A buffer turret for temporarily placing a plurality of dies to be exchanged in a tool, a tool changer for exchanging dies between the processing machine and the buffer turret, and exchanging dies between the buffer turret and the die rack. A sheet metal processing method for exchanging molds, comprising a traverser to perform and a control means for controlling the mold exchange,
Under the control of the control means, the tool changer executes a die change based on a die change command when sequentially executing a machining program in the processing machine, and
The traverser is a sheet metal working method for sequentially performing mold exchange on a buffer station that can exchange molds based on mold exchange information created in advance by the machining program.

  According to the present invention, the buffer turret is prepared in advance with a mold that needs to be set next to the main body turret of the processing machine (turret punch press or the like), and the mold is exchanged between the main body turret of the processing machine and the buffer turret. The tool changer that makes it possible to greatly reduce the die change tact.

  Further, since the table operating range of the processing machine and the operating range of the traverser do not overlap, it is possible to freely replace the mold with respect to the buffer turret during processing.

  It should be noted that when determining whether or not to replace the mold, there is no need to communicate with other tasks, and it can be performed at high speed. Further, a dedicated M code or the like is not required. Furthermore, it becomes possible to reduce the restrictions on the machining program creation in consideration of the ATC operation.

  With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, one Embodiment of the sheet metal processing system 1 which concerns on this invention is described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sheet metal processing system 1 viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the main body turret 7, the buffer turret 33, the mold rack 55, and the like when viewed from the direction of the arrow AR in FIG.

  The sheet metal processing system 1 includes a processing machine. In this example, a turret punch press 3 will be described as an example of the processing machine.

  The turret punch press 3 includes an upper frame 3U and a lower frame 3L, and a gap 5 is provided between the upper frame 3U and the lower frame 3L.

  On the other hand, a main body turret 7 including an upper turret 7U and a lower turret 7L is provided in the gap portion 5. More specifically, the upper turret 7U is rotatably supported by the upper frame 3U. The lower turret 7L is rotatably supported by the lower frame 3L so as to face the upper turret 7U.

  A ram cylinder 9 is provided at a location corresponding to the processing position of the upper frame 3U.

  The diameter of the upper turret 7U is smaller than the diameter of the lower turret 7L, and the right end of the lower turret 7L protrudes from the upper turret 7U in FIG. A plurality of punches P are replaceably provided on the upper turret 7U, and a plurality of dies D are interchangeably provided on the lower turret 7L. A die lifting cylinder 13 for lifting the die D at the time of mold replacement is provided below the mold replacement position of the lower turret 7L.

  Further, a work table 15 is provided in the gap portion 5, and a carriage base 21 that can be moved and positioned in the Y-axis direction by a Y-axis motor 17 and a Y-axis ball screw 19 is provided above the work table 15. ing. The carriage base 21 is provided with an X carriage 25 that can be moved and positioned in the X-axis direction by an X-axis moving mechanism (not shown) after the workpiece W is clamped by a clamper 23.

  Accordingly, the workpiece W clamped by the clamper 23 is supported by the workpiece table 15, positioned in the X-axis direction by the X-carriage 25, and the Y-axis motor 17 rotates the Y-axis ball screw 19 to move the carriage base 21 in the Y-axis direction. To be positioned. Then, the upper turret 7U and the lower turret 7L are rotated, the punch P and the die D used for processing are indexed to the processing position, and the ram 11 is lowered by the ram cylinder 9 to process the workpiece W.

  On the other hand, the sheet metal processing system 1 is provided with a tool changer 35 </ b> A including a tool changer arm 31 and a buffer turret 33 adjacent to the die replacement position of the turret punch press 3 in FIG. 1.

  The tool changer arm 31 is provided with a punch arm 37 for exchanging the punch P at the top, and a punch gripper 39 for holding the punch P is provided at the tip of the punch arm 37. A die arm 41 for exchanging the die D is provided below the punch arm 37, and a die gripper 43 for holding the die D is provided at the tip of the die arm 41. The punch arm 37 and the die arm 41 are moved up and down by rotating a screw member 47 by a motor 45 and rotated.

  On the other hand, the buffer turret 33 is provided with an upper buffer turret 33U capable of accommodating a plurality of punches P and a lower buffer turret 33L capable of accommodating a plurality of dies D. The die D can be indexed to the replacement position.

  With the above configuration, when exchanging the punch P and the die D, the punch P and the die D before the exchange in the upper turret 7U and the lower turret 7L are indexed to the die exchanging position, and an ejector pipe (not shown) by the die lifting cylinder 13 ) Are pushed up to the upper surface of the lower turret 7L, the punch P is taken out from the upper turret 7U by the punch gripper 39 of the punch arm 37, and the die D is taken out from the lower turret 7L by the die gripper 43 of the die arm 41.

  Then, the punch arm 37 and the die arm 41 are rotated 180 degrees, and the old punch P and the die D are mounted at predetermined positions of the buffer turret 33. Here, it is desirable that the position of the main body turret 7 and the position of the buffer turret 33 are matched in advance so that the punch arm 37 and the die arm 41 are not moved up and down.

  Conversely, the punch arm 37 and the die arm 41 are moved to the buffer turret 33 side, the punch gripper 39 and the die gripper 43 take out the punch P and the die D attached to the buffer turret 33, and the upper turret 7U. The punch P and the die D are mounted on the lower turret 7L by rotating the punch arm 37 and the die arm 41 by 180 degrees.

  Further, in FIG. 1, a traverser 35B including a traverser arm 53 is provided adjacent to the tool change position of the tool changer 35A.

  The traverser arm 53 is provided with a punch arm 57 for exchanging the punch P at the top, and a punch gripper 59 for gripping the punch P is provided at the tip of the punch arm 57. A die arm 61 for exchanging the die D is provided below the punch arm 57, and a die gripper 63 for gripping the die D is provided at the tip of the die arm 61. The punch arm 57 and the die arm 61 are configured to be movable up and down, left and right with respect to the column 67 via an arm carriage 65 by a motor (not shown) and to be rotatable.

  The support 67 is fixed to a base carriage 69, and the base carriage 69 is configured such that a rail 71 extended in the X-axis direction can be moved and positioned by a motor (not shown). The carriage 69 is moved on the rail 71 to a plurality of mold racks 55 arranged in the X-axis direction so that the molds stored in the mold rack 55 can be exchanged.

  The mold rack 55 is provided with a plurality of shelves 73 for storing a plurality of punches P and a plurality of dies D.

  With the above configuration, when exchanging the punch P and die D of the buffer turret 33 with respect to the mold rack 55, the punch P and die D before replacement in the buffer turret 33 are indexed to the mold exchanging position. The punch P is taken out from the upper buffer turret 33U by the punch gripper 59 of the arm 57, and the die D is taken out from the lower buffer turret 33L by the die gripper 63 of the die arm 61.

  Then, the punch arm 57 and the die arm 61 are moved up, down, left and right, and the old punch P and the die D are stored at predetermined positions of the mold rack 55.

  Conversely, the punch arm 57 and the die arm 61 are moved up and down, left and right to the mold rack 55 side, and the punch P and the die D stored in the mold rack 55 are taken out by the punch gripper 59 and the die gripper 63, The punch arm 57 and the die arm 61 are moved up, down, left and right, and the punch P and the die D are mounted on the buffer turret 33.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body turret 7 is arranged in the area ER1, the mold rack 55 is arranged in the area ER2, and the buffer turret 33 is an area between the area ER1 and the area ER2. Arranged in ER3. With such an arrangement, it is possible to reduce the space of the sheet metal processing system 1 and shorten the replacement time.

  Control of the control means of the sheet metal processing system 1 configured as described above will be described. The processing machine main body control device 81 is connected to the turret punch press 3.

  The processing machine main body control device 81 of the turret punch press 3 includes a display unit 83, an input unit 85, and a main body control unit 87. The display unit 83 displays the operation status of the turret punch press 3, the processing program being executed, and the like. The input unit 85 functions as a touch panel and displays an operation function of the turret punch press 3 as a menu. The main body control unit 87 controls the turret punch press 3 to machine the workpiece W according to the read machining program KP.

  The tool changer 35 </ b> A and the traverser 35 </ b> B are connected to the ATC controller 89. The ATC (Auto: Tool: Chennger) control device 89 includes a first ATC control unit 91 and a second ATC control unit 93.

  Further, the processing machine main body control device 81 and the ATC control device 89 are connected to a controller 95 via a communication cable 97.

  The control configuration of the sheet metal processing system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  Further, in the following description, information related to die change requested to the tool changer 35A when the turret punch press 3 sequentially executes the machining program KP is included in the die change command (claimed), and the traverser 35B Information for executing mold exchange sequentially for a buffer station that is created in advance from the machining program KP and can be exchanged is included in the mold exchange information (claimed).

  First, the rack station, buffer station, and turret station will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each shelf 73 of the mold rack 55 is formed with a plurality of storage sections (for example, holes A) for storing molds, and each of the storage sections is referred to as a rack station. The rack station has a No. that identifies it from other rack stations. (E.g., T number).

  The buffer turret 33 (the upper buffer turret 49U and the lower buffer turret 49L) is formed with a plurality of storage portions (for example, holes B) for storing the molds, and each of the storage portions is referred to as a buffer station.

  The main body turret 7 (upper turret 7U, lower turret 7L) is formed with a plurality of storage portions (for example, holes C) for storing dies, and each of the storage portions is referred to as a turret station. The turret station has a No. that identifies it from other turret stations. (E.g., T number).

  Then, the mold moves between the main body turret 7, the buffer turret 33, and the mold rack 55 in the directions of arrows AR1 and AR2, and is exchanged.

  The machining schedule KS will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the machining program KP, mold information (range size, shape, dimensions, angle), material information (material, plate thickness), number of workpieces, etc. regarding the product to be processed by the turret punch press 3 including.

  Further, the machining schedule KS is also determined for the order of a plurality of machining programs KP for machining the workpiece W, and the turret punch press 3 performs continuous operation according to the order.

  Mold rack mounting information will be described. Information on all the molds mounted on the mold rack 55 is registered, and the information is updated in correspondence with the molds to be taken in and out at the setup station.

  As a component of the mold rack mounting information, the rack station No. / Mold range / shape / dimension / angle etc.

  The rack mold location information will be described. The location information of all the molds mounted on the mold rack 55 is managed, and the location information is constantly updated according to the execution status of the mold exchanging operation by the ATC control device 89 or the traverser 35B.

  As a component of the rack mold location information, the rack station No. / Mold range / Current location (main body turret 7 or buffer turret 33) / ATC mold exchange coordinates, etc.

  A tool change command (T7 digit) will be described. This information is described as a tool command for a press operation in the machining program KP, and this information is configured by adding a seven-digit number to the letter T (for example, T201 101 1).

  The 7 digit code is the 3 digits from the top, and the turret No. [201]. The next three digits indicate the rack station number of the mold rack. [101] is shown. The seventh digit indicates die selection [1]. That is, one rack station No. It is possible to set a plurality of dies.

  The T enumeration data RD will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 95 extracts all the tool change commands (T7 digit codes) described on the machining program KP included in the machining schedule KS to be executed, and the traverser 35B buffers the mold rack 55 from the tool rack 55. The tool number for performing the die change up to the turret 33 is shown.

  The traverser 35B confirms the location of the commanded T7 digit code with the rack mold information, refers to the buffer mold mounting information, confirms the vacancy status of the mold range, and the like from the mold rack 55 to the buffer turret 33. The mold changing operation up to is executed. The component is a tool change command (T7 digit). Note that the range type of the mold is determined based on the rack mold location information.

  Explain the turret mold location information. The processing machine main body control device 81 reads one block of the processing program KP being executed, and when a tool change command is present in the block, automatically determines whether or not to replace the die with reference to this information.

  If the commanded tool is attached to a predetermined turret station on the main body turret 7 (upper turret 7U, lower turret 7L), the machining is executed as it is. If not, the ATC controller 89 is instructed. Notify mold change request. This information is updated when a mold exchanging operation is executed between the buffer turret 33 and the main body turret 7 (upper turret 7U, lower turret 7L).

  As a component, the turret station no. / Mold range / Mold mounting state (current location) / Hits per punch P / die D, etc.

  The buffer mold mounting information will be described. Data for managing location information of a buffer station prepared for efficiently exchanging molds between the buffer turret 33 and the mold rack 33. The buffer turret 33 is a free location in order to enable highly efficient mold exchanging operation. In this information, the rack No. Manage how many molds are currently enrolled.

  As a component, the buffer station No. / Station number of the mold you are enrolled in. / Mold range information / Mold exchange coordinates etc.

  The moving mold information refers to all molds whose location is other than the main body turret 7 (upper turret 7U, lower turret 7L) or the mold rack 55 according to the T-row data RD or a mold replacement command from the main body. This is information that monitors the moving state of the target.

  The location indicating the current position and the attribute of the final destination (movement attribute) are added to the mold that has started moving (managed by T7 digit information), and is excluded from this information management when the destination is reached.

  When machining stops during operation, the movement attribute of all moving molds is set to the mold rack. When the mold that is moving in the restarted state is set to another destination again, the movement attribute is updated.

  As the constituent elements, the moving mold information (T7 digit) / current location / movement attribute and the like are included.

  The setup station is mainly arranged to realize the following two points. In other words, the mold in the mold rack 55 is updated (set up) without stopping the machine during product processing. Designation / scheduling of machining programs other than execution or scheduling / unloading of molds not used in the machining program KP, and new registration to the mold rack 55 are performed.

  In addition, errors caused by manual operations such as mold directionality (angle) / shape / station setting error are eliminated.

  FIG. 4 shows a control configuration of the sheet metal processing system 1. The sheet metal processing system 1 includes a controller 95, a processing machine main body control device 81, and an ATC control device 89. The processing machine main body control device 81 includes a main body control unit 87, and the ATC control device 89 includes a first ATC. A control unit 91 and a second ATC control unit (rack control unit) 93 are provided.

  The controller 95 controls the entire sheet metal processing system 1 and, on the basis of the processing schedule KS, displays a processing schedule fetching unit 95A for preparing a processing program KP, displays the molds that are insufficient for the processing, and displays them on the mold rack 55. A use mold confirmation unit 95B that prompts setup is included, and a T enumeration data creation unit 95C that creates T enumeration data RD for exchanging molds when the mold is satisfied.

  The main body control unit 87 controls the turret punch press 3 and instructs the ATC control device 89 to replace the die. At least a machining program reading unit 87A for reading a machining program KP transferred from the controller 95, and a die A mold exchange processing unit 87B for instructing the ATC control unit device 89 to exchange when a mold change is necessary, and a machining operation unit 87C for controlling machining are included.

  The first ATC controller 91 controls the exchange of molds between the main body turret 7 (upper turret 7U, lower turret 7L) and the buffer turret 33 (upper turret 33U, lower turret 33L). If the buffer turret 33 is not present, the second ATC control unit (rack control unit) 93 is instructed to insert a die.

  The second ATC control unit (rack control unit) 93 directly inserts the mold into the buffer turret 33 from the mold rack 55 based on an instruction from the mold registration unit 93A for taking in and out the mold at the setup station and the first ATC control unit 91. The mold direct insertion section 93B, the mold extraction section 93C that moves the mold rack if an unnecessary mold is found by referring to the moving mold information at a predetermined timing, and the T row data RD created by the controller 95 And a mold insertion portion 93D for sequentially inserting the molds from the mold rack 55 into the buffer turret 33. These processes operate the traverser 35B to mold the mold between the mold rack 55 and the buffer turret 33. Are controlled and executed exclusively so that the respective processes do not interfere with each other.

  The operation of the sheet metal processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Steps S1-1 to S1-4 show a setup process.

  In step S1-1, the machining schedule capturing unit 95A creates or captures a machining schedule KS from the outside.

  In step S1-2, the used mold confirmation unit 95B determines whether or not the mold used in the machining program KP exists in the mold rack information. If the mold used in the machining program KP does not exist in the mold rack mounting information, a warning (setup information) is issued so that the insufficient mold is mounted on the rack 55, and the process proceeds to step S1-4. . The above processing is performed for all machining programs KP included in the machining schedule KS.

  If the molds used in all the machining programs KP included in the machining schedule KS exist in the mold rack 55, the process proceeds to step S1-3.

  In step S1-3, the T list data creation unit 95C extracts tool information exchange commands used in all machining programs KP included in the machining schedule KS to be executed, and creates T list data arranged in the order of exchange. Store in the memory 101.

  When the creation is completed, the controller 95 stores the machining program KP in the memory 103 and transfers the machining program KP to the main body control unit 87 and transfers the T enumeration data RD to the second ATC control unit (rack control unit) 93.

  In step S1-4, the operator sees this warning, and selects whether to execute the process again after inserting the insufficient mold from the setup station or to cancel the execution of the machining program.

  Steps S2-1 to S2-5 indicate a machining process.

  In step S2-1, the machining program reading unit 87A sequentially reads the machining program KP transferred from the controller 95 in units of one block (a processing range that enables efficient processing).

  In step S2-2, when there is a tool change command in the read block, the die change processing unit 87B refers to the turret die location information and determines the corresponding turret station No. Designated rack station No. If there is a mold of turret station No. Select operation as a selection mold.

  The corresponding turret station No. Designated rack station No. If there is no mold, the corresponding turret station No. Rack station No. of the mold to be taken out Rack station No. of the mold to be inserted Is designated and the first ATC control unit 91 is instructed to exchange the mold, and the turret station No. After completion of the mold exchanging operation, the corresponding turret station No. Is selected as a selection mold (processing in step S2-4).

  In step S2-3, the processing operation unit 87C executes processing of the block. If there is a next block, the process returns to the first process step S2-1.

  In step S2-4, when the first ATC control unit 91 receives a mold replacement command from the main body control unit 87, the first operation control unit 91 controls the following operations 1 to 3 with reference to the buffer mold mounting information.

  Operation 1: The designated turret station No. The mold was extracted and an empty buffer station No. Move to.

  Operation 2: Rack station No. to be inserted If the mold is located in the buffer turret 33, the attached buffer station No. Designated turret station No. Move the mold to.

  Operation 3: Update all of the buffer mold mounting information / turret mold location information / moving mold information / mold rack mold mounting information.

  The update of the moving mold information will be described in detail. In the operation 1, with reference to the buffer mold mounting information, the movement destination buffer station No. of the extracted mold is referred to. Is determined, data is generated as a new management for the moving mold, and the location and attribute items are recorded as location [turret] and attribute [buffer].

  Next, the punch arm 37 and the die arm 41 of the tool changer arm 31 are moved so that the designated main body turret station No. When the punch gripper 39 and the die gripper 41 are clamped on the mold mounted on the machine, the location changes as the change [changer] and the attribute [buffer]. When the mold is unclamped at the designated buffer station, the location [buffer] , Attribute [rack].

  In operation 2, the buffer station No. in which the mold to be inserted into the turret station is mounted. When the punch gripper 39 and the die gripper 43 of the tool changer arm 31 clamp the mold, the location and attribute change from location [buffer] and attribute [turret] to location [changer] and attribute [turret]. , Designated turret station No. When the mold is unclamped, the management data is deleted assuming that the movement of the mold is completed.

  This is done by determining whether each turret (main body turret 7, buffer turret 33) or mold located outside the mold rack 55 is to be used or has already been used by attribute, and somehow. This is to make the location of each mold clear and to facilitate the recovery process when the system goes down due to the above trouble.

  Applicable turret station No. If there is no mold in the buffer turret 33, the buffer station No. Rack station No. Is designated to the second ATC control unit (rack control function) 93, and the buffer station No. After completing the mold exchange of the turret station No. The mold exchange operation is executed in the meantime, and the buffer mold mounting information / turret mold location information / moving mold information / mold rack mold mounting information are all changed.

  In step S2-5, when the mold direct insertion unit 93B receives the mold replacement command from the first ATC control unit 91, the designated buffer station No. Corresponding station No. The mold exchange for mounting the mold is performed, and the mold rack mounting information / moving mold information is updated and stored in the memory 105.

  The operation will be described in detail. At the time of starting the operation, the designated rack station No. The data of the mold is newly created, and the traverser 35B specifies the designated rack station No. When the mold is clamped, the location [traverser] and the attribute [buffer] change. When the mold is unclamped at the buffer specified station, the location [buffer] and the attribute [turret] change. This completes the movement of the mold to the buffer station.

  Steps S3-1 and S3-2 show a mold exchange setup process.

  In step S <b> 3-1, the mold insertion unit 93 </ b> D inserts the replacement molds described in the T row data transferred from the controller 95 from the mold rack 55 into the buffer station of the buffer turret 33 in the order of description.

  Since the mold has a different diameter for each range size, there is a limitation that it cannot be exchanged for the range size of the buffer station. For this reason, not only simply insert the molds in the order of description of the T enumeration data RD, but if there is no vacancy in the buffer station, replace the mold described later corresponding to the range of the vacant buffer station first. This improves the overall mold exchange efficiency.

  Specifically, the first row of the T list data RD is read.

  Rack station No. to be replaced Whether or not there is a vacancy in the buffer station of the same range as that of the mold, if there is no vacancy, the mold exchange is given up and the next exchange mold information of the T-row data RD is read.

  If there is a vacancy, if the replacement mold is set as the location [buffer] and the attribute [turret] in the moving mold information, the process moves to the next insertion operation. Otherwise, the mold is moved. Give up the mold exchange and read the next exchange mold information of the T enumeration data RD.

  Designated rack station No. The mold is clamped by the traverser arm 53, moved to the buffer station to be inserted, and unclamped to complete the insertion. Also in this operation, as described above, the moving mold information is updated together with the operation.

  When the insertion operation is completed, the exchange mold is deleted from the T enumeration data RD. By repeating the reading process from the beginning again, all the molds in the T list data RD are inserted into the buffer turret, and the process of the T list data RD is completed.

  In step S3-2, the mold extracting unit 93C refers to the moving mold information at a predetermined timing, and when the mold to be returned to the mold rack 55 is in the buffer station (that is, the location [buffer], the attribute [ When a rack mold is found, a process of moving the mold to the mold rack 55 is performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the invention described above, and can be implemented in other modes by making appropriate modifications.

It is the schematic which shows schematic structure of the sheet metal processing system which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining arrangement | positioning of each machine of a sheet metal processing system. It is explanatory drawing explaining the data of a sheet metal processing system. It is explanatory drawing explaining the control structure of a sheet metal processing system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a sheet metal processing system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sheet metal processing system 3 Turret punch press 3U Upper frame 3L Lower frame 5 Gap part 7U Upper turret 7L Lower turret 11 Ram 13 Cylinder 15 Work table 17 Y-axis motor 19 Y-axis ball screw 21 Carriage base 23 Clamper 25 X Carriage 27 Position cylinder 29 Forming cylinder 31 Tool changer arm 33 Buffer turret 35A Tool changer 35B Traverser P Punch D Die W Workpiece

Claims (6)

A processing machine that selects the mold and processes the workpiece;
A mold rack for storing a mold used in the processing machine;
A buffer turret for temporarily placing a plurality of molds to be exchanged between the processing machine and the mold rack;
A tool changer for exchanging dies between the processing machine and the buffer turret;
A traverser for exchanging molds between the buffer turret and the mold rack;
Control means for controlling the mold exchange;
With
Under the control of the control means, the tool changer executes a die change based on a die change command when sequentially executing a machining program in the processing machine, and
The traverser sequentially performs mold exchange on a buffer station that can exchange molds based on mold exchange information created in advance by the machining program.   The sheet metal processing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for issuing a warning when a mold to be used in the processing program is not found when the mold replacement information is created.   3. The sheet metal processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a mold setup station that takes out a mold of the mold rack or stores a new mold during the processing operation of the processing machine. In the case of continuous operation based on the machining schedule that defines the machining order and number of machining of multiple machining programs,
4. The sheet metal processing system according to claim 1, wherein during the operation of the processing machine, mold exchange information about a processing program to be executed next is created. 5.   When the tool changer replaces a mold, if the mold to be replaced is not mounted on the buffer turret, the traverser is instructed to replace the mold. 5. The sheet metal processing system according to claim 4. A processing machine that selects a mold and processes the workpiece, a mold rack that stores a mold used in the processing machine, and a plurality of molds that are exchanged between the processing machine and the mold rack. A buffer turret to be placed, a tool changer for exchanging molds between the processing machine and the buffer turret, a traverser for exchanging molds between the buffer turret and the mold rack, and the mold exchange A sheet metal processing method for exchanging molds with a control means for controlling
Under the control of the control means, the tool changer executes a die change based on a die change command when sequentially executing a machining program in the processing machine, and
The sheet metal working method according to claim 1, wherein the traverser sequentially performs mold exchange on a buffer station capable of mold exchange based on mold exchange information created in advance by the machining program.

Images