JP3885613B2 - Machine tool controller - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a machine tool control apparatus that performs control when a plurality of compatible tools are mounted in a machine tool such as a lathe.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, when the same processing is performed on a large number of workpieces in a turret lathe, etc., in order to avoid a decrease in operating rate due to the time to replace a tool that has reached the end of its life, Equipped with tools. When a compatible tool is installed in this way, when one tool reaches the end of its life, control is performed so that another compatible tool is indexed in response to the command for indexing the tool. Yes.
When using roughing tools and finishing tools, these roughing tools and finishing tools are interchangeable when compatible tools are mounted on the tool post and the tool life is reached as described above. Control to index the tool is performed.
When the last compatible tool reaches the end of its life, the tool post is replaced with a new tool.
[0003]
The finishing tool may be used for roughing even if it reaches the end in terms of accuracy and machining quality for finishing. In such a case, a finishing tool that has reached the end of its life is mounted on a tool support section for roughing in the tool post and re-used as a roughing tool when the tool is replaced. This makes it possible to effectively use the tool, but has not yet reached a point where the frequency of tool replacement for exchanging the tool with respect to the tool post is reduced.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to make effective use of a tool such as reusing a finishing tool as a roughing tool, and to increase the operating rate and productivity by increasing the continuous operation time and reducing the frequency of tool replacement. It is to provide a control device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 corresponding to the embodiment. A machine tool (2) to be controlled by the control device of the present invention includes a workpiece support means (6) for supporting a workpiece (W) and a plurality of tool support portions (S), and an arbitrary tool support portion (S Tool support means (7) capable of selecting a tool so as to use the tool (T)), and finishing each other as a plurality of tools (T) supported by the plurality of tool support portions (S). There are processing tools (T) having different degrees, and a plurality of interchangeable tools (T) are mounted as tools (T) having predetermined finishing degrees.
The control device (1) of the present invention is a control device for controlling the machine tool (2) having the above-described configuration, and the setting of the tool (T) at the predetermined finishing level as the tool (T) at that level. Instead of selecting the tool (T) that has reached the end of life after detecting that the end of the life has been detected by the end of life check means (25) and the end of life check means (25). , Select another compatible tool (T) at the same stage, and use the tool (T) that has reached the end of life as a tool (T) at a lower finishing level than the predetermined finishing level. And tool selection control means (24) for controlling the tool selection operation of the tool support means (7).
The above-mentioned “difference in finishing level from each other” refers to a difference in stage divided into roughing and finishing. Even if there are two stages of roughing and finishing, or three stages of roughing, intermediate finishing, and finishing, roughing, intermediate finishing, finishing, and super finishing For example, four or more stages may be used.
According to the control device having this configuration, when the tool (T) at a predetermined finishing level reaches the set life as the tool (T) at that stage, it is detected by the life confirmation means (25) that the life has been reached. The When this detection is performed, the tool selection control means (24) replaces the selection of the tool (T) that has reached the end of life when selecting a tool with a tool selection command or the like, and at the same stage as that tool (T). The tool selection operation of the tool support means (7) is controlled so as to select another compatible tool (T). Further, the tool selection control means (24) uses the tool support means (7) so that the tool (T) that has reached the end of its life is used as a tool (T) in a finishing degree level lower than the predetermined finishing degree stage. ) Controls the tool selection operation.
[0006]
A case where there are two stages of the roughing tool (T) and the finishing tool (T) will be described as an example. When the finishing tool (T) reaches the set life and is detected by the life confirmation means (25), the tool selection control means (24) reaches the life when selecting the finishing tool by a tool selection command or the like. Instead of selecting the finished finishing tool (T), another compatible finishing tool (T) is selected. The finishing tool (T) that has reached the end of its life controls the tool selection operation of the tool support means (7) so as to be used as the roughing tool (T).
Thus, since the tool (T) that has reached the end of its life is used as the tool (T) at the lower finishing level, the tool (T) can be used effectively. Further, the tool (T) that has reached the end of its life can be reused as a lower-stage finishing degree stage tool (T) by the control of the tool selection control means (24) without performing the setup change for exchanging the tool position. As a result, the frequency of tool replacement can be reduced, and the operating rate and productivity can be improved.
[0007]
The tool selection means (24) includes a plurality of tool registration units (registered with a plurality of tools (T) mounted on the tool support means (7)) for registering compatible tools (T) for each finishing level. 27a, 27b) and the tool (T) that has reached the end of its life when it is confirmed that the end of life has been reached by the above-mentioned life check means (24), Tool registration change processing means (29) that is deleted from the tool registration unit (27a, 27b) and registered in the tool registration unit (27a, 27b) at a finishing level that is rougher than the finishing level that it belonged to. good.
By providing the tool registration unit (27a, 27b) and the tool registration change processing means (29) as described above, the above-mentioned life can be reached only by performing deletion and registration processing on the tool registration unit (27a, 27b). Instead of selecting the selected tool (T), another compatible tool (T) at the same stage is selected, and the tool (T) having reached the end of its life is selected as a finishing degree stage lower than the predetermined finishing degree stage. It is possible to control the tool selection operation of the tool support means (7) to be used as the tool (T).
For example, the tool selection command in the machining program (21) is set as a group command (T100, T200) for selecting a desired tool registration unit (27a, 27b), and the tool selection control means (24) uses the group command (T100, Tb). For T200), any tool (T) in the selected tool registration unit (27a, 27b) is selected according to the setting criteria. For this setting criterion, for example, the same tool (T) is selected until the lifetime is reached, and the next tool (T) in the same tool registration unit (27a, 27b) is selected when the lifetime is reached. . In the case of the tool selection means (24) having such a configuration, the tool registration unit (27a, 27b) and the tool registration change processing means (29) are provided, so that the life tool (T ) As a lower-level tool (T) can be controlled.
For this reason, it is easy to identify and manage the finishing tool (T) and the roughing tool (T), and the registration change from the finishing tool (T) or the like to the roughing tool (T) or the like is easy.
[0008]
In the case of this configuration, at the time of initial registration of each tool registration unit (27a, 27b) after tool replacement with respect to the tool support means (7), it is registered in the tool registration unit (27a, 27b) at a predetermined finishing level. The tool registered in the tool registration section (27a, 27b) at the lower finishing degree stage where tool selection is changed by the tool selection control means (24) from the predetermined finishing degree stage rather than the number of tools (T) to be The number of (T) may be smaller.
In anticipation of the above-mentioned effective utilization, the number of mounting of the roughing tool (T) etc. of the tool support means (7) is reduced and other tools (T) can be mounted. T) and the like can be increased, continuous operation over a long period of time becomes possible, and the effect of improving the operation rate and productivity due to the decrease in the frequency of tool replacement can be obtained.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This machine tool control device 1 controls a machine tool 2 composed of a lathe or the like. The machine tool 2 includes workpiece support means 6 that supports the workpiece W and tool support means 7. The work support means 6 comprises a main shaft and is installed on a main shaft base 9 on a bed 8. The machine tool 2 includes a transfer device 5 that automatically loads and unloads the workpiece W on the workpiece support means 6. The tool support means 7 includes a tool post having a plurality of tool support portions S that can support the tools T (T1 to Tn). The tool support means 7 can perform a tool selection operation so as to use a tool T of an arbitrary tool support S. This tool selection operation is an operation for indexing the tool T to the use position P corresponding to the workpiece W supported by the workpiece support means 6, and is performed by the index driving means 11. In the illustrated example, the tool support means 7 is formed of a turret and performs a tool selection operation by a turning operation. The tool support means 7 can be moved in the cutting direction (X-axis direction) and the feed direction (Z-axis direction) with respect to the work support means 6 by the advance / retreat drive mechanism 12. The advancing / retracting drive mechanism 12 has a work support means 6 made of a turret mounted on a feed base 10 that is movable in the X-axis direction on the bed 8 to enable movement in each axial direction.
[0010]
The plurality of tool support portions S of the tool support means 7 are equipped with processing tools T having different finishing levels. Specifically, the finishing degree stage is two stages, and the tool T is equipped with a roughing tool and a finishing tool. Among these, as a finishing tool T that is a tool for a predetermined finishing level, a plurality of compatible tools are mounted. Each tool T consists of bytes. Each tool T is not limited to a cutting tool, and may be a rotating tool such as a milling head.
[0011]
The control device 1 performs control according to the machining program 21, and includes a computer-type numerical control device and a programmable controller. The machining program 21 is described by NC code or the like. The control device 1 includes, as its basic configuration, a decoding processing means 22, an axis control means 23, a tool selection control means 24, and means (not shown) for performing sequence control of each part of the machine tool 1. This control device 1 is provided with this basic configuration, and is provided with a life confirmation means 25 and a tool selection control means 24 with the following configuration.
[0012]
The decoding processing means 22 is means for sequentially decoding the commands of the machining program 21 and transferring or executing the commands to the axis control means 23, the tool selection control means 24, and the sequence control means.
The axis control means 23 is means for controlling the movement of each axis (X axis, Z axis) in the machine tool 2, that is, the advance / retreat drive mechanism 12 in accordance with the movement command of the machining program 21. The axis control means 23 is provided with a control means for each axis, but is shown as one representative of the control means for both axes.
[0013]
The life checking means 25 is a means for detecting that the tool T at each finishing level has reached the set life as a tool at that stage. The set life as a tool at that stage is a life set for each stage of the tool T when the tool T is reused as a tool at another stage. For example, when used as a finishing tool at first and then reused as a roughing tool, a life as a finishing tool is set, and when reusing, a life as a roughing tool is newly set.
The life check means 25 is provided with a counter for each tool T, for example, for each tool support portion S of the tool support means 7, and the set life is set as the number of times in the counter. Each counter counts each time the corresponding tool T is used, and detects that the lifetime has been reached when the count value reaches the set lifetime. For example, the count is subtracted from the set life count, and when the remaining life count is zero, it is detected that the life has been reached. The counting is performed by, for example, reading the count command described in the machining program by the decoding processing means 22. The count command is described by an auxiliary function word or the like. The number of times that the set life is reached is appropriately set by an operator or the like based on experience values or the like.
[0014]
As the basic control, the tool selection control means 24 controls the tool support means 7 so that the tool T instructed by the command corresponding to the tool command of the machining program 21 is indexed to the use position P. Means. The tool support means 7 is controlled by the index drive means 11. This basic control is performed by a tool selection control unit 26 constituting the tool selection control means 24. The tool selection control means 24 is provided with a comparison table (not shown) in which the number of the tool number T is attached to the number of the tool support portion S, and the tool number is the same as the above-described comparison table. The indexing control of the workpiece support means 7 is performed by collating.
[0015]
The tool commands in the machining program 21 include tool group commands T100, T200,. Tool group commands T100, T200,... Are commands for selecting groups G1, G2,. The tool selection control unit 24 has a tool registration unit 27, and a plurality of tool registration units 27a, 27b,... For registering compatible tools are provided in the tool registration unit 27. When the tool command of the machining program 21 is a tool group command (T100, T200), the tool selection control unit 26 of the tool selection unit 24 uses the tool T included in the tool group G1, G2. Are selected from the tool registration units 27a, 27b, ..., and the workpiece support means 7 is indexed and controlled so that the selected tool T is indexed to the use position P. Which tool T in the tool group G1, G2,... Is selected is selected according to the setting criteria. For example, the same tool T is selected until the lifetime is reached, and the next tool T is used when the lifetime is reached. The end of life is detected by the life confirmation means 25.
[0016]
In this embodiment, the tool registration units 27a and 27b register compatible tools T for each finishing level. As described above, when the finishing level is distinguished into two stages, each roughing tool T is registered in the tool registration unit 27a of the tool group G1, and the finishing tool T is registered in the tool registration unit 27a of the tool group G2. Is done.
[0017]
The tool selection control means 24 has the following functions in addition to the above functions. That is, after it is detected that the life has been reached by the life confirmation means 25, the tool selection control means 24 replaces the tool T that has reached the life with another tool T having the same level of compatibility. A function of controlling the tool selection operation of the tool support means 7 is provided so that the tool T that has been selected and has reached the end of its service life is used as the tool T at a finishing level lower than the predetermined finishing level. This function is performed by a tool registration change processing unit 29 provided in the tool selection control means 24.
[0018]
When it is confirmed that the life has been reached by the life checking means 29, the tool registration change processing unit 29 determines the tool T that has reached the end of life from the tool registration unit 27b at the finishing level to which the tool T belongs. It is means for deleting and registering in the tool registration unit 27a at a finishing degree level rougher than the finishing degree level to which it belonged.
[0019]
The control operation of the above configuration will be described. As the tool T, two types of a roughing tool and a finishing tool are attached to the tool support means 7. In the tool registration means 27, at the time of initial registration, one tool T1 is registered in the tool registration section 27a of the tool group G1, and a plurality of tools T4, T5, and T6 are registered in the tool registration section 27b of the tool group G2. Suppose that A description will be given assuming that all the set lifetimes of the tools T1, T4, T5, and T6 are 100.
[0020]
By executing the machining program 21, the tool group commands T100 and T200 are sequentially executed, and roughing and finishing are performed for each workpiece W. Roughing is initially performed by the roughing tool T1, and finishing is initially performed by the finishing tool T4. Each time each machining is performed, the counter of the tool T corresponding to the life checking means 25 is counted by the count command provided after the tool group commands T100 and T200.
When 100 workpieces W are processed, that is, when 100 times of processing is performed, it is detected that the roughing tool T1 and the finishing tool T4 have reached the set life, and the life check means 25 has reached the end of the life. Is done.
[0021]
The tool registration change processing unit 29 changes the registration as follows in response to detection that the finishing tool T4 has reached the set life. This change is a process of deleting the tool T4 from the tool registration unit 27b of the finishing tool group G2 and registering it in the tool registration unit 27a of the roughing tool group G2. As described above, when the tool T4 is registered in another tool registration unit 27a, the life confirmation unit 25 newly sets a life as a roughing tool for the tool T4. In the tool registration change processing unit 29, whether or not to delete the registration and register to another group is determined according to the presence / absence of a group reset request. The presence / absence of a group reset request is set in appropriate presence / absence setting means (not shown). FIG. 2 shows a flow of this series of registration change.
[0022]
In FIG. 2, as a result of the subtraction process (R1) of each counter of the life confirmation means 25 (FIG. 1), the remaining life becomes 0 (R2), and when there is a group resetting request (R3) Reset (R4) and group number reset (R5), that is, change of the registration described above.
[0023]
After the tool T registration is changed due to the end of the life in this way, the next 100 workpieces W are subjected to rough machining with the tool T4 whose registration is changed as the rough machining tool, and the finishing machining is performed. This is performed by the next tool T5 in the finishing tool group G2. When the finishing tool T5 reaches the set life, the registration change similar to the case of the tool T4 is performed, and the tool 5 is used as a roughing tool.
[0024]
By controlling the registration change in this way, the four tools T1, T4 to T6 keep the tools T mounted on the tool support means 7 and the three tools T4 to T4 that have been set as finishing tools. 300 processes corresponding to the total lifetime of T6 are continuously performed.
In the conventional process of remounting the tool at the end of its life, in the setting state as the roughing and finishing tools of the above four tools T1, T4 to T6, the tool reaches the end of life only after machining 100, and the attachment of the tool T is attached. Repair is required. That is, according to the control of the embodiment, three times the number of continuous processing can be performed. In the case of the conventional control method, in the four tool support portions S of the tool support means 7, the number of continuous processing can be increased by attaching two roughing processing tools and finishing processing tools at first. , Only continuous machining up to 200 can be performed.
[0025]
As described above, the tool that has reached the end of its life in the finishing process cannot be reused unless it is once removed and reattached. However, according to this embodiment, the tool support portion S that has once reached the end of its life is used. By automatically resetting as another group again, continuous operation is possible without stopping. Therefore, the operation rate and productivity are improved.
[0026]
In the above-described embodiment, the section for the finishing level of the tool is divided into two sections of roughing and finishing, but for example, as shown in FIG. 3, there are three sections of roughing, intermediate finishing, and finishing. Also good. In this case, three tool registration units 27a to 27c are provided. Moreover, it is good also as four or more divisions like roughing, intermediate finishing, finishing, super finishing, etc.
As described above, when there are three or more categories, tools that have reached the end of their life are re-registered as, for example, one lower (rough) finishing degree tool group. It should be noted that tools that have reached the end of their service life may be re-registered as two or more subordinate finishing level tool groups.
[0027]
Moreover, although the case where the tool support means 7 was a turret was demonstrated in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, as for this invention, the tool support means 7A attaches the some tool T to a comb-tooth shape etc. It can also be applied to
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
The machine tool control device according to the present invention has a life check means for detecting that a set life as a tool at that stage has been reached for a tool at a predetermined finishing level, and that the life has been reached by this life check means. After detection, instead of selecting a tool that has reached the end of its life, select another compatible tool at the same stage, and select a tool that has reached the end of life at a finish level lower than the predetermined finish level. Since it is equipped with tool selection control means for controlling the tool selection operation of the tool support means to be used as a stage tool, continuous operation as well as effective use of tools such as reusing a finishing tool as a roughing tool Longer time, improved operating rate and productivity due to reduced tool replacement frequency.
The tool selection control means has reached the end of life by means of a plurality of tool registration sections for registering compatible tools for each finishing degree step and the life check means for a plurality of tools mounted on the tool support means. When the tool has been confirmed, the tool that has reached the end of its service life is deleted from the tool registration section at the finishing level to which the tool belongs, and is registered with the tool registration section at a finishing level that is rougher than the finishing level to which the tool belongs. When the tool registration change processing means is provided, it is easy to identify and manage the finishing tool and the roughing tool, and the registration change from the finishing tool to the roughing tool is easy.
At the time of initial registration of each tool registration unit after the tool replacement with respect to the tool support unit, the number of tools registered in the tool registration unit at a predetermined finish level is determined by the tool selection control unit from the predetermined finish level. If the number of tools registered in the tool registration section at the lower finishing level where the tool selection is changed is set to a smaller number, the number of finishing tools can be increased, and continuous operation over a long period of time can be achieved. This makes it possible to improve the operating rate and productivity by reducing the frequency of tool replacement more effectively.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a machine tool control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of registration change processing of the control device.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conceptual configuration of a machining program and tool registration means in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modification of the tool support means in the machine tool to be controlled by the control device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control apparatus 2 ... Machine tool 5 ... Conveyance apparatus 6 ... Work support means 7 ... Tool support means 21 ... Processing program 24 ... Tool selection control means 25 ... Life confirmation means 26 ... Tool selection control part 27 ... Tool registration means 27a- 27c ... Tool registration unit 29 ... Tool registration change processing unit G1, G2 ... Tool group S ... Tool support unit T, T1-Tn ... Tool T100, T200 ... Tool group command W ... Work

Claims (3)

Work support means for supporting a work, and tool support means having a plurality of tool support portions and capable of selecting a tool so as to use a tool of an arbitrary tool support portion, are supported by the plurality of tool support portions. As a plurality of tools, there are machining tools having different finishing levels, and a control device for controlling a machine tool equipped with a plurality of compatible tools as a predetermined finishing level. And
Life check means for detecting that the set life as a tool at that stage has been reached for the tool at the predetermined finishing level,
After it has been detected that the lifetime has been reached, instead of selecting the tool that has reached the end of its life, select another compatible tool at the same stage, A control device for a machine tool, comprising tool selection control means for controlling a tool selection operation of the tool support means so that the tool support means is used as a tool at a finishing degree stage lower than a predetermined finishing degree stage. The tool selection control means has reached the end of life by means of a plurality of tool registration units for registering compatible tools for each finishing level and the life confirmation means for a plurality of tools mounted on the tool support means. When the tool has been confirmed, the tool that has reached the end of its service life is deleted from the tool registration section at the finishing level to which the tool belongs, and is registered in the tool registration section at a finishing level that is rougher than the finishing level to which the tool belongs. The machine tool control device according to claim 1, further comprising tool registration change processing means. At the time of initial registration of each of the tool registration units after the tool replacement with respect to the tool support means, the number of tools registered in the tool registration unit at the predetermined finish level is determined by the tool selection control unit from the predetermined finish level. 3. The machine tool control device according to claim 2, wherein the number of tools registered in the tool registration unit at the lower finishing level where the tool selection is changed is smaller.

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