JP2020017029A - Optional function usage fee calculation method, optional function usage fee calculation device, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an optional function usage fee calculation method capable of determining an optional function usage fee according to an amount of welding, not according to mere welding count and time related to the optional function, an optional function usage fee calculation device, and a computer program.SOLUTION: When a welding system operates in a control program related to an optional function selected by a user and welding is performed, an optional function usage fee calculation method calculates an optional function usage fee. The optional function usage fee calculation method acquires information indicating the operation of the welding system based on the control program, calculates an amount of welding involved in weld line formation on the basis of the acquired information, and calculates the optional function usage fee related to the control program on the basis of the calculated amount of welding.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an optional function usage fee calculation method, an optional function usage fee calculation device, and a computer program.

In an industrial robot, a method of restricting a part of software functions as optional functions is generally adopted. When a user wants to use an optional function, the user contacts a service representative of a maker, pays a usage fee, and releases the restriction on the optional function, thereby using the optional function.
However, the conventional optional function is a form of purchase, and the manufacturer charges a uniform option fee regardless of the frequency of use of the optional function by the user. For this reason, users who use the optional functions less frequently, such as users who perform high-mix low-volume production, tend to feel more unfair than users who frequently use the optional functions.
Therefore, a system for charging according to the usage status of the optional function has been considered. For example, there is a method of recording the time and the number of times of use of an option and charging for the time (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2006-81469

  However, if the option usage fee is determined based on the number of times of use, there is a risk that a user who repeatedly starts and ends welding, such as tack welding, may be charged an excessive usage fee. If the usage fee is set according to the usage time, the usage fee will be estimated for the user, such as weaving, taking time to crater processing, etc. There is a problem that it is difficult to stand.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method for calculating an optional function usage fee, an optional function usage calculating device, and a method of determining the usage fee of the optional function according to the welding work amount, not the number of times of welding and the welding time relating to the optional function. To provide a computer program.

  The method for calculating the usage fee of the optional function according to the present aspect is a method for calculating the usage fee of the optional function when the welding system is operated by the control program related to the optional function selected by the user and welding is performed. A method for calculating the amount of welding work that contributes to the formation of a welding line based on the acquired information, and acquires the information indicating the operation of the welding system based on the control program. The usage fee of the optional function according to the control program is calculated based on the amount.

In this aspect, when the welding system is operated by the control program related to the optional function, welding using the optional function is performed. When the optional function is used, information indicating the operation of the welding system is acquired, and a welding work amount is calculated based on the acquired information. The welding amount is the amount of welding that has substantially contributed to the formation of a welding line. The amount of welding work is not a mere number of times of welding, for example, the number of times of welding where one time is from the start to the end of welding. For this reason, even if tack welding is performed, the amount of welding work does not increase excessively. Also, the amount of welding work is not simply the time when welding was performed. For this reason, even when weaving is performed or crater processing is time-consuming, the amount of welding work is not excessively increased.
Then, the usage amount of the optional function is calculated based on the calculated welding work amount.
Therefore, it is possible to calculate the usage amount of the optional function according to the substantial welding work amount.

  In the option function usage fee calculation method according to this aspect, the information indicating the operation of the welding system includes information relating to movement of a welding torch, and the welding work amount is determined by the control program according to the selected optional function. And the length of the weld line formed when the welding system operates.

  In this aspect, when the optional function is used, the length of the welding line is calculated using the information on the movement of the welding torch, and the use of the optional function is performed based on the calculated length of the welding line. Calculate the fee. The length of the welding line is not the mere number of times of use and the mere welding time described above, but a substantial amount of welding. By calculating the usage fee of the optional function based on the length of the welding line, it is possible to calculate the usage amount of the optional function according to the substantial welding work amount.

  In the option function usage fee calculation method according to this aspect, the information indicating the operation of the welding system includes information on a welding wire feed amount or a welding current, and welding time, and the welding work amount is selected. Including the consumption of the welding wire when the welding system is operated by the control program according to the optional function.

  In this aspect, when the optional function is used, the welding wire consumption is calculated based on the welding wire feed amount or welding current and the welding time. Then, the usage fee of the optional function is calculated based on the calculated welding wire consumption. The amount of the welding wire used is not the mere number of times of use and the mere welding time described above, but a substantial amount of welding. By calculating the usage fee of the optional function based on the consumption of the welding wire, it is possible to calculate the usage amount of the optional function according to the substantial welding work amount.

  In the method for calculating the fee for using optional functions according to the present aspect, the welding work amount includes the number of workpieces or welding sections where welding is performed.

  In this aspect, when the optional function is used, the number of works or welding sections where welding is performed is calculated, and the usage fee of the optional function is calculated based on the calculated number of works or welding sections. . The number of works or the number of welding sections is a substantial amount of welding. By calculating the usage fee of the optional function based on the number of workpieces or the number of welding sections, it is possible to calculate the usage amount of the optional function according to the substantial welding work amount.

  In the option function usage fee calculation method according to this aspect, the usage fee balance charged in advance for using the optional function is stored in a storage device, and the usage fee balance stored in the storage device is selected by a user. Determine whether or not less than the fee for use in the unit welding process performed using the optional function, if it is determined that the balance of the fee for use is less than the fee for use in the unit welding process, the optional function The execution start of the control program is restricted.

In this embodiment, the storage device stores the usage fee balance which is given in advance to use the optional function. When an optional function is used, the usage fee balance is reduced by the fee for the optional function. When the usage fee balance becomes zero, the optional functions cannot be used. If the usage fee balance becomes zero while using the optional function, welding using the optional function will be interrupted halfway, and the work will be wasted.
Therefore, it is determined whether the usage fee balance stored in the storage device is less than the usage fee necessary for using the optional function, and it is determined that the usage fee balance is less than the usage fee in the unit welding process. In this case, execution of the control program related to the optional function is restricted.
By restricting the use of the optional function in this way, it is possible to prevent the welding using the optional function from being interrupted.

  The option function usage fee calculation device according to the present aspect uses the option function usage that calculates the usage fee of the optional function when the welding system is operated by the control program related to the option function selected by the user and welding is performed. An operation information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the operation of the welding system based on the control program, and contributed to the formation of a welding line based on the information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit. A calculation unit for calculating a welding work amount and calculating a usage fee for the optional function according to the control program based on the calculated welding work amount.

  In this aspect, the optional function usage fee calculating device can execute the above-described optional function usage fee calculating method, and can calculate the usage amount of the optional function according to the substantial welding work amount.

  The computer program according to the present embodiment is a computer program that causes a computer to calculate a fee for using the optional function when the welding system is operated by a control program related to the optional function selected by the user and welding is performed. The computer acquires information indicating the operation of the welding system based on the control program, calculates a welding work amount that has contributed to the formation of the welding line based on the obtained information, and calculates the calculated welding work amount. A process of calculating a usage fee for the optional function according to the control program.

  According to this aspect, the computer can be caused to function as the optional function usage fee calculation device, and the usage amount of the optional function according to the substantial welding work amount can be calculated.

  According to the present invention, the fee for using the optional function can be determined according to the amount of welding work, not just the number of times of welding and the welding time related to the optional function.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the welding system concerning an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an option function usage fee calculation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a record layout of an option function fee master DB. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a record layout of a usage status record DB. It is a control block diagram of a robot control device. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the entire welding system and an optional function usage fee calculation device. It is a flowchart which shows the calculation processing procedure of an option function usage fee.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a welding system according to the embodiment. The welding system according to this embodiment is a consumable electrode type gas shielded arc welding machine, and includes a welding robot 1, a welding power source 2, a robot control device 3, and an input / output terminal 4. In addition, the welding system includes an optional function usage calculator 5 that calculates the usage fee of the optional function when the welding system is operated by a control program related to the optional function selected by the user and the welding is performed. It is connected. Note that the optional function usage fee calculating device 5 may be provided in the robot control device 3 or the welding power source 2 or may be provided in another device. Further, the function of the optional function usage fee calculation device 5 may be configured to be distributed and processed by a plurality of devices and servers. Of course, the optional function usage fee calculation device 5 may be realized on a cloud.

  The welding robot 1 is for automatically performing arc welding of the work A. The welding robot 1 includes a manipulator installed on a base fixed to an appropriate place on the floor. The manipulator has a plurality of arms (links) rotatably connected via a shaft (joint), and a welding torch 11 is held at a distal end of the manipulator. In addition, a wire feeding device 12 is provided at an appropriate position of the manipulator. A robot motor 1a is provided at a connection portion of each arm. Each arm rotates around the shaft by the rotational driving force of the robot motor 1a, and the manipulator operates. The rotation of the robot motor 1a is controlled by the robot controller 3. The robot control device 3 can move the welding torch 11 up, down, front, back, left and right with respect to the work A by rotating each arm. An encoder that outputs a signal indicating the rotational position of the arm to the robot controller 3 is provided at a connection portion of each arm, and the robot controller 3 performs welding based on the signal output from the encoder. The position of the torch 11 is recognized.

The welding torch 11 has a cylindrical contact tip made of a conductive material such as a copper alloy, which guides the welding wire W to the workpiece A to be welded and supplies a welding current necessary for generating an arc. The welding current is supplied from a welding power source 2. The welding wire W is supplied to the welding torch 11 by a wire feeding device 12 from a wire supply source (not shown). The welding wire W is, for example, a solid wire and functions as a consumable electrode.
The contact tip contacts a welding wire W passing through the inside thereof and supplies a welding current to the welding wire W. The welding torch 11 has a hollow cylindrical shape surrounding the contact tip, and has a nozzle for injecting a shielding gas to the work A from an opening at the tip. The shielding gas is for preventing oxidation of the work A and the welding wire W melted by the arc. The shielding gas is, for example, carbon dioxide, a mixed gas of carbon dioxide and argon, and an inert gas such as argon. The shielding gas is supplied from a gas cylinder (not shown) to the nozzle of the welding torch 11 through a gas pipe. The welding power source 2 controls the supply of the shielding gas by controlling the opening / closing or opening of the solenoid valve in the welding power source gas supply path.

  The welding power supply 2 includes a power supply unit 21, a wire feed control unit 22, and a welding monitoring unit 23. The power supply unit 21 is connected to the contact tip of the welding torch 11 and the work A via a power supply cable, and supplies a welding current. The wire feeding control unit 22 controls a feeding speed of the welding wire W by the wire feeding device 12. The welding monitoring unit 23 includes a current detection unit that detects a welding current flowing through an arc during a welding process, a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage applied to the welding torch 11 and the work A. The power supply unit 21 includes a power supply circuit that outputs a PWM-controlled current based on the welding current and the welding voltage detected by the welding monitoring unit 23, a signal processing circuit, and the like. In addition, the welding monitoring unit 23 outputs welding monitoring data including information such as a welding current and a welding voltage detected during the welding process and a feed speed of the welding wire W to the robot control device 3. The welding monitor data is, for example, time-series data.

  The input / output terminal 4 is a device that inputs and outputs various signals to and from the robot control device 3 by wire or wirelessly. The input / output terminal 4 is, for example, a teach pendant, and has a display, a touch panel, input buttons, a jog dial, and the like.

The robot control device 3 controls the operation of the welding robot 1 and the operation of the welding power supply 2. The robot control device 3 stores various welding conditions for the material, size, groove type, and the like of the work A, and welding functions applicable to the welding conditions. The welding conditions include information such as a welding mode, a welding method, a welding current, a welding voltage, a supply amount of a shielding gas, a welding speed, arc start and arc end conditions, and the like. The welding mode is determined by, for example, the material of the welding wire W, the wire diameter, the type of the shielding gas, and the like. The welding method is a type of welding method such as AC pulse welding and DC pulse. The welding function means a welding method such as weaving or buried arc welding by a large current. The welding function, the welding mode or the welding method, and a combination thereof include a standard function that can be used unconditionally and an optional function that can be used on the condition that a fee is paid. The robot control device 3 stores a control program for performing a standard function and an optional function. The robot control device 3 can control the welding using the optional function by executing the control program.
The robot control device 3 controls the operations of the welding power source 2 and the welding robot 1 and stores a work program for welding a specific work A. The work program includes the above-described welding mode, welding function, information indicating a change in each axis angle of the manipulator constituting the welding robot 1, and the like. The robot controller 3 controls the supply of the welding current and the supply of the welding wire W by the welding power source 2 by outputting a current command value and the like to the welding power source 2 based on the work program. Further, the robot control device 3 drives and controls the manipulator of the welding robot 1 by notifying the welding robot 1 of a motor control command including a rotation speed, a rotation direction, a rotation time, and the like of the robot motor 1a.
Further, the robot controller 3 receives the welding monitor data output from the welding power source 2 and grasps the welding situation.
Furthermore, the robot control device 3 can transmit and receive various kinds of information to and from the optional function usage fee calculation device 5 by wire or wirelessly. Then, when the optional function is used, the robot control device 3 transmits information indicating the operation of the welding system necessary for calculating the usage fee for the optional function to the optional function usage fee calculating device 5.
Although only one set of welding power source 2 and welding torch 11 is shown in FIG. 1, when a plurality of welding power sources 2 and welding robots 1 are installed in the production line, one optional function usage fee calculation is performed. The device 5 may be configured to calculate the optional function usage fee for each of the plurality of welding power sources 2 and the welding robot 1, or the optional function usage fee calculation device 5 may be separately provided for each of the plurality of welding power sources 2. It is also possible to provide an optional function usage fee for each source and each welding robot 1 for each welding.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the optional function usage fee calculation device 5 according to the embodiment. The optional function usage fee calculation device 5 includes a control unit 51 that controls the operation of each component of the optional function usage fee calculation device 5. The communication unit 52 and the storage device 53 are connected to the control unit 51.

  The storage device 53 is a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) and a flash memory. The storage device 53 receives various information indicating the operation of the welding system, calculates a welding work amount from the information, and calculates a computer program 53a for calculating a usage fee for an optional function based on the calculated welding work amount. I remember. Further, the storage device 53 stores records of the optional function fee master DB 53b and the usage status record DB 53c. Details of each DB will be described later.

  The control unit 51 is a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a processor such as a multi-core CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface, and the like. , Storage device 53 are connected. The control unit 51 executes the computer program 53a stored in the storage device 53, so that the computer functions as the optional function usage fee calculation device 5. The control unit 51 executing the computer program 53a can calculate the usage fee of the optional function according to the welding work amount.

  The communication unit 52 is connected to the robot control device 3. The communication unit 52 receives various information indicating the operation of the welding system output from the robot control device 3. For example, the communication unit 52 includes a user ID indicating an information output source, a device ID, a use date and time when welding is performed using the optional function, an option ID indicating the used optional function, and a billing plan for the optional function. Information, welding work buffer information indicating the operation contents of the welding system, and the like are received. Details of various information indicating the operation of the welding system will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a record layout of the option function fee master DB 53b. The option function fee master DB 53b stores, for example, the option ID, the name of the option function, the welding mode, the welding method, the welding function, the billing plan information, and the fee for the optional function in units of the amount of welding work in association with each other.
The billing plan corresponds to a method for calculating the amount of welding work and the fee for using optional functions. As a method of calculating the welding work amount, for example, a method of calculating the length of the welding line as the welding work amount, a method of calculating the consumption amount of the welding wire W as the welding work amount, the number of the processed work A or the number of welding sections. There is a method of calculating as a welding work amount. The optional function and the charging plan may be associated with each other on a one-to-one basis, or one optional function may be configured so that a user's desired charging plan can be selected from a plurality of charging plans. The fee for the optional function of the unit of welding work amount is, for example, the fee for the unit length of the welding line, the fee for the unit of consumption of the welding wire W, the fee for the work unit, There is a usage fee for each section.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a record layout of the usage status record DB 53c. The usage status record DB 53c records, for example, usage status of optional functions for each user. For example, the usage status record DB 53c stores a user ID, a device ID, a use date and time, an option ID, charging plan information, welding work buffer information, a welding work amount, an optional function usage fee, and a usage fee balance in association with each other. The user ID is information for identifying a user of the welding system. The device ID is a number unique to the robot control device 3, an IP address, or the like. The date and time of use is the date and time when welding was performed using the optional function. The option ID is an identifier indicating an optional function used at the time of welding. The billing plan information is information indicating a method of calculating a usage fee for the optional function. The welding execution buffer information is information such as a welding current, a welding voltage, a feeding state of the welding wire W, and a locus of the welding torch 11 detected during welding performed using the optional function. The optional function fee is the fee for the welding option when the welding is performed. The usage fee balance is a usage fee assigned to a user by paying a usage fee for an optional function in advance.

  FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the robot control device 3. The robot control device 3 includes, as functional units, a work program storage unit 3a, an analysis unit 3b, an execution unit 3c, a servo control unit 3d, a welding control unit 3e, a welding execution buffer 3f, an option determination unit 3g, and an output unit 3h. Each functional unit may be realized by software or hardware by arithmetic processing of the CPU. Further, a part of each functional unit may be realized by software, and the other units may be realized by hardware.

The input / output terminal 4 is operated by the user, and information for teaching each axis angle of the manipulator, welding conditions, and information for teaching the welding function are input to the input / output terminal 4. Further, by operating the input / output terminal 4, the user can select an optional function and a billing plan for using the optional function in addition to the standard functions. , The selected optional function and billing plan information are input. The input / output terminal 4 provides the robot controller 3 with various kinds of information such as the input welding conditions, welding functions, optional functions, and charging plan information. Note that the contents of the optional function and the charging plan presented to the user by the input / output terminal 4 as options are acquired from the optional function usage fee calculating device 5 via the robot control device 3.
The robot controller 3 stores various information input via the input / output terminal 4 as a work program in the work program storage unit 3a.
When a plurality of weldings are performed in one welding process cycle, the user can select a plurality of optional functions on the input / output terminal 4. When a plurality of optional functions and billing plans used in one welding process cycle are input, the input / output terminal 4 calculates a fee for each optional function and calculates a fee for the optional function for each welding process cycle. You may comprise so that it may display.

  The analysis unit 3b reads the work program from the work program storage unit 3a, analyzes the work program, and pushes the instruction obtained by the analysis to the stack memory of the execution unit 3c. The analysis unit 3b pushes, to the stack memory of the execution unit 3c, for example, a welding command indicating a welding condition, a welding function, and the like, and a movement command indicating a moving amount of the manipulator.

  The execution unit 3c sequentially executes the instructions stacked on the stack memory. When the command read from the stack memory is a welding command, the execution unit 3c gives welding conditions, a welding function, and the like to the welding control unit 3e. When the instruction read from the stack memory is a movement instruction, the execution unit 3c gives the movement amount of the manipulator to the servo control unit 3d. Further, the execution unit 3c saves information on the date and time of welding, welding conditions, welding functions, used optional functions, and welding trajectory information in the welding execution buffer 3f. The welding locus information includes a TCP (Tool Center Point) locus of a welding section, a moving distance along a welding line, and the like.

  The welding control unit 3e notifies the welding power source 2 of the current command value according to the welding conditions and the welding function notified from the execution unit 3c. The welding power source 2 supplies a welding current to the welding torch 11 according to the current command value notified from the welding control unit 3e. Further, the welding power source 2 causes the wire feeding device 12 to feed the welding wire W according to the current command value.

  The servo control unit 3d calculates the rotation speed, rotation direction, rotation time, and the like of the robot motor 1a according to the movement amount notified from the execution unit 3c, and notifies the welding robot 1 of a motor control command. The servo amplifier of the welding robot 1 rotates the robot motor 1a and moves the manipulator according to the motor control command notified from the servo control unit 3d.

  The welding monitoring unit 23 acquires a welding current value, a welding voltage value, a feed speed of the welding wire W, and the like at the time of welding at arbitrary sampling intervals, and acquires the acquired welding current value, welding voltage value, The feed speed of the wire W and the like are stored in the welding execution buffer 3f. Further, the welding monitoring unit 23 monitors a preset welding abnormality, and when an abnormality occurs, stores information indicating that the abnormality has occurred in the welding execution buffer 3f. Hereinafter, information such as welding conditions, welding functions, welding trajectory information, welding current values, welding voltage values, and feed speeds given from the execution unit 3c and the welding monitoring unit 23 and stored in the welding execution buffer 3f is used for welding. Called buffer information.

The option determining unit 3g reads the welding execution buffer information and the like stored in the welding execution buffer 3f, and determines whether or not the welding operation has been performed using the optional function based on the read welding operation buffer information and the like. Judge. Then, the option determining unit 3g notifies the output unit 3h of welding execution buffer information and the like when welding is performed using the optional function.
The option determining unit 3g may be configured not to output the welding execution buffer information when a welding abnormality occurs. The option determining unit 3g can recognize whether or not an abnormality has occurred by confirming whether or not information indicating a welding abnormality is stored in the welding execution buffer 3f.
Further, the option determining unit 3g may be configured not to output the welding execution buffer information when the production is not started, for example, when adjusting the welding conditions, or during the trial period of the optional function.

  The output unit 3h includes a user ID indicating an information output source, a device ID, a use date and time of an optional function, an option ID indicating an optional function used, charging plan information input via the input / output terminal 4, welding, The construction buffer information is output to the optional function usage fee calculation device 5. The user ID and the device ID are added to the welding execution buffer information, the charging plan information, and the like. The output unit 3h may output the welding execution buffer information or the like in real time, or may output the information at each welding section, each time the work program is reproduced, or at any other timing.

  FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the entire welding system and the optional function fee calculating device 5. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of robot control devices 3 are connected to the optional function usage fee calculation device 5 by wire or wireless via the Internet, an intranet, or another network. The optional function usage fee calculation device 5 includes a calculation unit 5a and an operation information acquisition unit 5b as function units, and a usage status record DB 53c.

  The operation information acquisition unit 5b includes the user ID output from the robot control device 3, the device ID, the use date and time of the optional function, the option ID indicating the used optional function, and the accounting input through the input / output terminal 4. The plan information and the welding execution buffer information are acquired, and the acquired welding execution buffer information, charging plan information, and the like are recorded in the usage status record DB 53c. The operation information acquisition unit 5b is realized by, for example, the control unit 51 that executes the computer program 53a and the communication unit 52.

  The usage status record DB 53c stores the use date and time, option ID, charging plan information, welding work buffer information, option function usage fee, usage fee balance, and the like for each user and robot control device 3 indicated by the user ID and the device ID.

The calculation unit 5a calculates the amount of welding performed using the optional function based on the welding buffer information and the billing plan information recorded in the usage status record DB 53c, and based on the calculated welding amount. Calculate the fee for using optional functions. Then, the calculation unit 5a subtracts the calculated optional function usage fee from the usage fee balance, and records the usage fee balance after the subtraction, the optional function usage fee, and the like in the usage status record DB 53c. The calculation unit 5a is a functional unit realized by the control unit 51 executing the computer program 53a. When calculating the option fee, the calculating unit 5a changes the method of calculating the option fee according to the welding method and the billing plan.
For example, when the charging plan is a plan for charging for each welding pass, the calculation unit 5a calculates the length of the welding line based on the welding execution buffer information. The length of the welding line is not the length of the trajectory of the welding torch 11 during weaving, but a linear distance along the welding line. In tack welding or the like performed while overlapping welding sections, the length of the welding line is a linear distance along the welding line and is a length excluding the section where welding overlaps.
When the charging plan is a plan for charging based on the consumption of the welding wire W, the calculation unit 5a calculates the consumption of the welding wire W as the welding work amount based on the welding current and the welding time. For example, the amount of consumption of the welding wire W can be calculated by time integration of the welding current. Further, the calculation unit 5a calculates the consumption of the welding wire W as the welding work amount based on the feeding speed of the welding wire W and the welding time. For example, the consumption of the welding wire W can be calculated by the time integration of the feeding speed of the welding wire W.
Furthermore, when the billing plan is a plan for billing for each work A, the calculation unit 5a calculates the number of works A that have been welded using the optional function as a welding work amount based on the welding work buffer information. I do.
The calculation unit 5a calculates the welding work amount by a different method for each billing plan as described above, and calculates the option usage fee for welding using the optional function based on the calculated welding work amount. Specifically, the calculation unit 5a reads information indicating the usage fee for the welding work amount from the option function usage fee master DB 53b based on the option ID and the charging plan related to the selected optional function. Then, the calculation unit 5a calculates the usage fee for the optional function by multiplying the information indicating the usage fee for the welding operation amount by the calculated welding operation amount.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calculating an optional function usage fee. The control unit 51 executes the following processing each time the welding execution buffer information or the like output from the robot control device 3 is input.
The calculation unit 5a and the operation information acquisition unit 5b are used when the welding is performed using the optional function, the use date and time, the welding execution buffer information, the charging plan information, the option ID indicating the used optional function, and the information output source. Is acquired (step S11).

  Next, the calculation unit 5a calculates the welding work amount based on the charging plan information and the welding work buffer information (Step S12). For example, the calculation unit 5a calculates the length of the welding line, the usage fee of the welding wire W, the number of workpieces, the number of welding sections, and the like as the welding work amount according to the charging plan.

  Then, the calculation unit 5a calculates the usage fee based on the usage fee of the unit welding amount, the welding amount calculated in step S13, and the usage fee of the unit welding amount corresponding to the option ID and the charging plan. Is calculated (step S13).

Next, the operation unit 5a reads the usage fee balance corresponding to the user ID and the device ID from the usage status record DB 53c, subtracts the usage fee calculated in step S13 from the read usage fee balance, and uses the subtracted usage fee. Along with the charge balance, information such as welding date and time, option ID, billing plan, welding work buffer information, welding work amount, and usage fee for optional functions are recorded in the usage status record DB 53c (step S14).
The optional function usage fee calculating device 5 may manage the usage fee balance for each user ID, or may manage the usage fee balance for each combination of the user ID and the device ID. When the user uses a plurality of welding robots 1, by managing the usage fee balance for each user ID, it is possible to exchange the usage fee balance among the plurality of welding robots 1 used by the user. By managing the usage fee balance for each set of the user ID and the device ID, it is possible to calculate the usage fee balance separately for each welding robot.

  Next, the calculation unit 5a determines whether or not the usage fee balance is less than the usage fee of the optional function to be used next by the user (step S15). When it is determined that the usage fee balance is equal to or higher than the usage fee (step S15: NO), the calculation unit 5a ends the process. When it is determined that the usage fee balance is less than the usage fee (step S15: YES), the calculation unit 5a restricts the use of the optional function (step S16), and ends the process. For example, the arithmetic unit 5a transmits, to the robot control device 3, a command instructing the use of the optional function to be restricted by the communication unit 52. When receiving the command, the robot control device 3 does not execute the welding control using the optional function. In addition, the communication unit 52 notifies the user via the input / output terminal 4 and other output devices that the usage balance is insufficient and that the welding control using the optional function has been stopped due to the insufficient balance.

According to the method for calculating the fee for using the optional function according to the present embodiment, the fee for using the optional function can be determined according to the amount of welding work, not just the number of times of welding and the welding time related to the optional function.
When welding is performed using the optional function, the user only has to pay the usage fee for the welding work amount. For this reason, even if the user does not use the optional function very much, it becomes easy to use the optional function. In addition, by setting an optimal billing plan, it becomes easy to estimate the usage fee for the optional function. Since the optional functions can be used easily, manufacturers have the advantage that many users can use them.

  In addition, by calculating the amount of welding work based on the length of the welding line, which is the actual amount of welding, and calculating the usage fee for the optional function, the usage of the optional function according to the actual welding work amount Can be calculated.

  Further, by calculating the welding work amount based on the consumption of the welding wire W, which is the actual welding amount, and calculating the usage fee for the optional function, the use of the optional function according to the substantial welding work amount The quantity can be calculated.

  Furthermore, the amount of welding work is calculated based on the number of workpieces or the number of welding sections, which is the actual amount of welding, and the usage fee of the optional function is calculated, whereby the optional function corresponding to the actual welding work amount is calculated. The usage can be calculated.

  Furthermore, the method of calculating the amount of welding work can be changed according to the charging plan according to the welding option function and the charging plan selected by the user, and the usage fee for the optional function can be calculated more appropriately.

  Furthermore, when the payment method is prepayment, if the balance is insufficient in the middle of the started work program, it is possible to stop with an error display before performing welding without starting.

  In the case of poor welding, the fee for using the optional function may be reduced.

  Further, when setting a billing plan, it is also possible to calculate the usage fee of the optional function when performing welding using the current work program, and to display the calculated usage fee on the input / output terminal 4. good.

  Further, a function of automatically calculating the number of tacks of tack welding and the length of a welding path and displaying it on a monitor may be provided in order to estimate the usage fee.

  Furthermore, the amount of welding work may be calculated based on the amount of welding (the amount of wire fusion), and the fee for the optional function may be calculated.

  In addition, as a billing target, a fee for an optional function may be set for each welding mode (gas type, wire material, wire diameter, etc.), or various welding conditions such as a welding mode and a construction method may be used collectively to use the optional function. Fees may be set.

  Furthermore, the method of settling the fee for using the optional function is not particularly limited, and may be prepaid or postpaid.

  When the payment method is prepayment, the usage fee balance paid in advance by the plurality of welding robots 1 may be shared and used.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the usage status record DB 53c is provided in the storage device 53 of the optional function usage fee calculation device 5 has been described, but the usage status recording DB 53c is not stored on a cloud outside the optional function usage fee calculation device 5. Alternatively, it may be provided in the robot controller 3.
Needless to say, the optional function usage fee calculation device 5 may be configured on the cloud together with the usage status record DB 53c. Further, in the present embodiment, all or a part of the welding execution buffer 3f, the option determining unit 3g, and the output unit 3h described as the functional units of the robot control device 3 are also provided on the optional function usage fee calculating device 5 side, that is, on the cloud. And may function.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is an example in all respects, and should be considered as non-limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

Reference Signs List 1 welding robot 1a robot motor 2 welding power supply 3 robot controller 3a work program storage unit 3b analysis unit 3c execution unit 3d servo control unit 3e welding control unit 3f welding execution buffer 3g option determination unit 3h output unit 4 input / output terminal 5 optional function Usage fee calculation device 5a Calculation unit 5b Operation information acquisition unit 11 Welding torch 12 Wire feeding device 21 Power supply unit 22 Wire feeding control unit 23 Weld monitoring unit 51 Control unit 52 Communication unit 53 Storage device 53a Computer program 53b Optional function usage fee Master DB
53c Usage status record DB
W Welding wire A Work

Claims (7)

An optional function fee calculation method for calculating a fee for the optional function when the welding system is operated by a control program related to the optional function selected by the user and welding is performed,
Acquiring information indicating the operation of the welding system based on the control program,
Based on the acquired information, calculate the amount of welding work that contributed to the formation of the welding line,
An option function fee calculation method for calculating a fee for the optional function according to the control program, based on the calculated welding work amount. Information indicating the operation of the welding system includes information related to the movement of the welding torch,
The welding work amount is
The option function usage fee calculation method according to claim 1, further comprising a length of a welding line formed when the welding system is operated by the control program related to the selected optional function. The information indicating the operation of the welding system includes information related to the welding wire feed amount or welding current, and welding time,
The welding work amount is
The option function usage fee calculation method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a consumption amount of the welding wire when the welding system is operated by the control program related to the selected optional function. The method for calculating the fee for using an optional function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the welding amount includes the number of workpieces or welding sections where welding has been performed. Store in the storage device a usage fee balance charged in advance to use the optional function,
It is determined whether the usage fee balance stored in the storage device is less than the usage fee in a unit welding process performed using the optional function selected by the user,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the usage fee balance is determined to be less than the usage fee in the unit welding step, execution of the control program related to the optional function is restricted. How to calculate the optional function usage fee. An optional function usage fee calculation device that calculates a usage fee for the optional function when the welding system is operated by a control program related to the optional function selected by the user and welding is performed,
An operation information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating an operation of the welding system based on the control program,
Based on the information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit, calculates the amount of welding work that has contributed to the formation of the welding line, based on the calculated amount of welding work, the fee for the optional function according to the control program, An optional function usage fee calculation device comprising a calculation unit for calculating. A welding program is operated by a control program according to an optional function selected by a user, and when welding is performed, a computer program for causing a computer to calculate a fee for using the optional function,
Said computer,
Acquiring information indicating the operation of the welding system based on the control program,
Based on the acquired information, calculate the amount of welding work that contributed to the formation of the welding line,
A computer program for executing a process of calculating a usage fee for the optional function according to the control program based on the calculated welding work amount.

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