JP5307917B1 - Control device for index table - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select an arbitrary program from a plurality of machining programs with peace of mind, and to apply it to a current index table with high versatility.
A housing 12 of a controller 11 is provided with a color display 14 for displaying an image of a workpiece at a position close to an operation unit 13. The input / output control unit 31 of the controller 11 stores the external data in which the processed data of the workpiece and the image data are associated in advance in the internal memory unit 30 of the controller 11 in an updatable manner according to the operation of the operation unit 13. The control circuit unit 24 selects the processed data and image data of the workpiece stored in the internal memory unit 30 according to the operation of the operation unit 13, and displays the color image of the selected processed product on the screen by the color display 14. A configuration that can be used.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an index table control device used as an accessory device for an NC machine tool, for example.

  In general, an NC machine tool such as a numerically controlled (NC) lathe is provided with one or more index tables that can be rotated in a state where a workpiece to be processed is held. Such an index table is provided with a dedicated control device (controller), and the rotation of the index table is controlled according to control data such as a machining program output from the control device (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).

  In addition, a large machine tool that performs laser processing or the like includes a display unit and a selection unit in the control device, and when the final machining shape of the workpiece is selectively displayed as an image by operating the selection unit, this image is displayed. There has been proposed a control device for an interactive machine tool in which a corresponding workpiece machining program and machining conditions are automatically set (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2000-137513 A JP 2002-251210 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-143516

  By the way, the prior art according to Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above is a configuration in which a dedicated control device is individually provided for each index table, and the file name, drawing number, etc. of the machining program are displayed on such a control device. Only a simple indicator is installed. For this reason, when an operator of a machine tool selects an arbitrary machining program from a plurality of machining programs, it is necessary to estimate the final shape of the workpiece from the file name and drawing number and perform the selection work. There is a problem that selection mistakes of the program are likely to occur.

  On the other hand, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 3 is configured to selectively display an image of the final machining shape of the workpiece, and thus errors in selecting a machining program are unlikely to occur. However, interactive machine tool control devices are limited to large machine tools, and are highly versatile machine tools (that is, a dedicated control device is individually provided for one index table). ) Has a problem that it is difficult to apply.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to select an arbitrary machining program from a plurality of machining programs with a high degree of generality even in the current index table. It is an object of the present invention to provide an index table control device that can be applied with high performance.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an operation unit that includes a plurality of key switches and is operated by an operator, a control circuit unit that rotationally controls an index table on a machine tool side according to the operation of the operation unit, and the index This is applied to an index table control device having an internal memory unit for storing control data for controlling rotation of the table in an updatable manner and an input / output control unit for inputting / outputting external data to / from the internal memory unit. The

  A feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 1 is that a color display that displays an image of a workpiece processed by the machine tool is provided at a position close to the operation unit, and the input / output control unit includes: External data in which processed data of the workpiece and image data are associated in advance is stored in the internal memory unit in an updatable manner according to the operation of the operation unit, and the control circuit unit is stored in the internal memory unit The processed data and the image data of the processed product are selected according to the operation of the operation unit, and the selected image data is displayed on the screen by the color display.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control circuit unit is configured to control the rotation of the index table according to the processed data associated with the image data of the processed object displayed on the screen by the color display.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input / output control unit is provided with a USB connection terminal to which a USB memory as an external memory is detachably connected, and the processed data of the workpiece and the image data are associated in advance. The external data thus stored is stored in the internal memory unit in an updatable manner in accordance with the operation of the operation unit while being stored in the USB memory.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to store, in the internal memory unit, data for each arbitrary workpiece that is previously associated with the processing data and the image data. When one data is selected by the operation unit, the image data of the selected workpiece can be displayed on the screen by a color display. For this reason, when an operator of the control device selects an arbitrary machining program from among a plurality of machining programs, the operator performs the index table rotation control and machining operations with confidence while checking the image of the corresponding workpiece. can do. Moreover, the index table control device can be applied to the current index table with high versatility.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the rotation of the index table is controlled, the image of the workpiece can be displayed on the screen in advance by the color display, and according to the processing data of the specific workpiece displayed on the image, Rotation control and machining operations can be performed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the external data for each arbitrary processed product in which the processed data and the image data are associated in advance can be stored in the internal memory unit in an updatable manner by using the USB memory.

1 is an overall view showing a connection state between a controller, which is an index table control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a machine tool. FIG. It is the front view which looked at the controller in FIG. 1 from the front side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the controller shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the controller shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the controller shown in FIG. 2. It is a whole block diagram including the controller and machine tool in FIG. It is a front view which shows the processed product used as the components A. FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a processed product to be a part B. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a processed product that becomes a part C. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which associates the process program and image of a workpiece, and preserve | saves it to a USB memory. It is a screen state figure which shows the management screen of the machining program displayed on the screen of a personal computer. It is a screen state figure which shows the display image of the image correlation software following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which preserve | saves the external data which linked | related the processing program and image of the processed material to the controller through USB memory. It is a screen state figure which shows the menu screen displayed on the color display of the controller. It is a screen state figure which shows the menu screen following FIG. It is a screen state figure which shows the USB selection screen following FIG. It is a screen state figure which shows the program selection screen following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which reads the data which linked | related the process program of the workpiece, and the image from the internal memory part of a controller, and displays an image. It is a screen state figure which shows the menu screen displayed on the color display of the controller. FIG. 20 is a screen state diagram illustrating a machining program selection screen subsequent to FIG. 19. It is a screen state figure which shows the state which displayed the image of the workpiece on the color display of the controller. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing which controls rotation of an index table by a controller. It is a whole block diagram including the controller and machine tool by 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an index table control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking as an example the case of being used by being connected to an NC machine tool.

  Here, FIG. 1 to FIG. 22 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes an NC machine tool. The NC machine tool 1 includes an NC control device 2 and a machining device 3 that is driven and controlled by the NC control device 2. The processing device 3 includes a support table 4, a movable table 5 that is moved on the support table 4 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and a cutter provided at a position facing the movable table 5 in the up and down directions. The head 6 is configured to move the tool 6 in the Z-axis direction and to rotate the tool 6 around the Z-axis.

  An index table 8 is detachably provided on the movable table 5 of the processing apparatus 3. The index table 8 is rotationally driven by an electric motor 9 and a reduction mechanism (not shown) by the electric motor 9. The rotating disk 10 is provided. The rotating disk 10 is provided with a chuck (none of which is shown) for gripping a workpiece to be processed by the NC machine tool 1. The index table 8 is controlled to rotate at an arbitrary angle by supplying power to the electric motor 9 in accordance with a control signal output from a controller 11 described later.

  Here, when the NC machine tool 1 performs machining on the workpiece, the workpiece is fixed by the index table 8 in a state where the workpiece is fixed (gripped by the chuck) to the rotary table 10 of the index table 8. Rotate at any angle. Further, the machining apparatus 3 moves the movable table 5 to any position in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in accordance with the control signal output from the NC control apparatus 2. As a result, the workpiece fixed to the index table 8 on the movable table 5 is arranged at a position directly below the head portion 7, and arbitrary processing is performed as the tool 6 moves and rotates in the Z-axis direction. Is called.

  Next, when changing the machining position with respect to the workpiece, the workpiece is rotated by the index table 8. Also, the machining position of the workpiece can be changed as appropriate by moving the movable table 5 of the machining apparatus 3 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as necessary. The index table 8 constitutes an accessory device of the NC machine tool 1 together with a controller 11 described later.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a controller as an index table control device. The controller 11 is a dedicated control device for controlling the rotation of the index table 8, and as shown in FIG. Is arranged through. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the controller 11 includes a housing 12 having a substantially rectangular box structure.

  On the front side of the housing 12, an operation unit 13 composed of a plurality of key switches, a color display 14 composed of a quadrangular liquid crystal display disposed at a position adjacent to the left side close to the operation unit 13, and the color display A power switch 15 disposed on the lower side of the device 14 and a USB connection terminal 16 to be described later are provided. The color display 14 is configured using, for example, a color liquid crystal monitor of 5 inches or more, and a color image (see FIG. 21) in a finished state of processed products 36, 37, and 38, which will be described later, and FIGS. The screen shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. The color display 14 has a function of displaying information necessary for rotation control of the index table 8, an operating state of the index table 8, operation contents on the operation unit 13 side, and the like.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 13 of the controller 11 includes a numeric keypad 13A capable of inputting numerical values, a start key 13B and a stop key 13C arranged on the right side of the numeric keypad 13A, and a left side of the numeric keypad 13A. A total of six selection keys 13D labeled “N”, “A”, “D”, “G”, “F”, “LP / BF”, and a lower side of the numeric keypad 13A. A cancel key 13E, an enter key 13F, and a jog key 13G consisting of four keys arranged on the left side of the three lower keys of the six selection keys 13D, and an upper side of the jog key 13G. Machine home position return key 13H, workpiece home position return key 13I, switching key 13J arranged above the machine home position return key 13H and performing an automatic / manual switching operation, and workpiece home position return key 13H And a operation key 13K and delete operations and arranged reset operation on the upper side of the return key 13I is constituted.

  Of the six selection keys 13D, the “N” key is operated to select the sequence number of the machining program. The “A” key, “D” key, “F” key, and “LP / BF” key of the selection key 13D are selectively operated as appropriate when performing operation designation, etc., and the “G” key is a function key. It is operated when specifying.

  The jog key 13G of the operation unit 13 has a function of selecting machining data (program), setting (selecting) parameters, and the like. That is, the jog key 13G is operated when selecting any of a plurality of functions displayed on the screen of the color display 14, and any one of the functions is arbitrarily selected by appropriately pressing any of the four keys. Finally, the function selection is confirmed by pressing the enter key 13F.

  Further, during the driving operation in which the index table 8 is rotated by a control signal from the controller 11, the operator manually operates one of the upper and lower keys of the jog key 13G (one-shot), so that the index table The eight turntables 10 can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions by a predetermined angle (for example, 0.001 degree). When it is desired to increase the rotation angle of the turntable 10, the turntable 10 continues to rotate by the rotation angle corresponding to the operation time by pressing the jog key 13G for a long time.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a USB connection terminal provided on the front surface side of the housing 12, and the USB connection terminal 16 is disposed on the lower side of the color display 14 at a position between the jog key 13 </ b> G and the power switch 15. . Here, an insulating protective cover 16A is detachably attached to the USB connection terminal 16, and the protective cover 16A is made of oil mist (cutting oil is scattered in a mist) at the work site, dust such as dust. The USB connection terminal 16 is protected from the above. The protective cover 16A is removed from the USB connection terminal 16 in advance when a USB memory 34 described later is used.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes an emergency stop button provided at the upper right corner of the front side of the housing 12, and the emergency stop button 17 is arranged at a position on the upper right side of the operation unit 13 for performing an emergency operation. Yes. That is, the operator presses the emergency stop button 17 of the controller 11 when the rotation of the index table 8 is urgently stopped. Thereby, the electric motor 9 of the index table 8 is urgently stopped, and the operation of the NC machine tool 1 is also immediately stopped.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a power cable connecting portion 18, a motor cable connecting portion 19, an accessory connecting portion 20, a synchronizing connecting portion 21 with the NC machine tool 1, and the like are provided on the rear side of the housing 12. It has been. The power cable connection unit 18 is a connection unit for connecting a power source (not shown) of a factory where the NC machine tool 1 is installed to the controller 11. The motor cable connecting portion 19 is connected to the electric motor 9 of the index table 8 via the power supply cable 22 shown in FIG. 1, and the electric motor 9 is supplied with a drive current from a motor driver 32 (described later) to supply power.

  A manual pulse generator 33, which will be described later, is detachably connected to the accessory connection unit 20. The synchronization connection unit 21 is connected to the NC control device 2 of the NC machine tool 1 via a signal line 23 shown in FIG. That is, by connecting the NC control device 2 and the controller 11 using the signal line 23, the movement of the movable table 5 and the tool 6 of the machining device 3 and the movement of the index table 8 are associated with each other. In addition, by synchronizing the respective operations, the machining operation for the workpiece can be performed smoothly.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a control circuit unit that constitutes a part of the controller 11. The control circuit unit 24 includes a central processing unit 25 (hereinafter referred to as a CPU 25), an operation control unit 26, a display, as shown in FIG. The control unit 27, the motor control unit 28, and the external synchronization unit 29 are included. Here, the CPU 25 inputs and outputs signals (information) between the operation control unit 26, the display control unit 27, the motor control unit 28, the external synchronization unit 29, an internal memory unit 30 and an input / output control unit 31 described later. In other words, various arithmetic control processes necessary for the rotation control of the index table 8 are performed.

  The operation control unit 26 is provided between the operation unit 13 and the CPU 25, and inputs an instruction signal when operating a key switch (that is, each key 13A to 13K) of the operation unit 13 to the CPU 25 as operation information. The operation control unit 26 also has a function of inputting a signal output from a manual pulse generator 33 described later to the CPU 25 as operation information.

  The display control unit 27 is provided between the color display 14 and the CPU 25 and controls an image displayed on the screen of the color display 14, display contents, and the like according to a signal from the CPU 25. The motor control unit 28 is provided between a motor driver 32 (described later) and the CPU 25, and controls a signal output from the CPU 25 toward the motor driver 32. The external synchronization unit 29 is provided between the synchronization connection unit 21 and the CPU 25, and inputs and outputs a synchronization signal and the like between the NC control device 2 and the CPU 25.

  Thus, the control circuit unit 24 including the CPU 25, the operation control unit 26, the display control unit 27, the motor control unit 28, and the external synchronization unit 29 operates the key switch (that is, any one of the keys 13A to 13K) of the operation unit 13. Accordingly, control for displaying an image on the screen of the color display 14, rotation control of the index table 8, input / output control of information via the USB memory 34 described later, and further, the movable table 5 and the tool 6 of the processing device 3. Is associated with the movement of the index table 8 and the movement of the index table 8.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes an internal memory unit that constitutes a part of the controller 11. The internal memory unit 30 is housed and provided in the housing 12 of the controller 11, and uses, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile flash memory, or the like. It is configured. The internal memory unit 30 stores control data necessary for controlling the rotation of the index table 8 (for example, processing data and processing data including processing programs for processed products 36, 37, and 38 described later) in an updatable manner. Is. Further, in the internal memory unit 30, a machining program input program shown in FIG. 13, a workpiece machining program selection and image display program shown in FIG. 18, and an index table 8 rotation control process shown in FIG. Stores programs, etc.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes an input / output control unit that constitutes an interface of the controller 11. The input / output control unit 31 inputs and outputs external data to and from the internal memory unit 30 via the CPU 25. Here, the input / output control unit 31 is provided between the CPU 25 of the control circuit unit 24 and the USB connection terminal 16, and external data stored in advance in the USB memory 34 described later is operated on the operation unit 13 (that is, In accordance with a command from the CPU 25, control and the like are stored in the internal memory unit 30 in an updatable manner.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a motor driver provided in the housing 12 of the controller 11. The motor driver 32 generates a drive current for rotationally driving the electric motor 9 of the index table 8 in accordance with a control signal output from the motor control unit 28. generate. That is, the motor driver 32 is connected to the electric motor 9 of the index table 8 via the motor cable connecting portion 19 and the power feeding cable 22 provided on the back side of the housing 12 and controls power feeding to the electric motor 9. .

  Reference numeral 33 denotes a manual pulse generator which is an accessory device of the controller 11, and the manual pulse generator 33 is detachably connected to the accessory device connection portion 20 provided on the back side of the housing 12. In this connection state, for example, when the operation unit 13 of the controller 11 is manually operated, and the manual pulse generator 33 is manually operated, a pulse signal for performing origin search when machining the workpiece is obtained. 20 to the operation control unit 26. As a result, the work origin of the workpiece can be easily obtained when the controller 11 is manually operated.

  Reference numeral 34 denotes a USB memory as an external memory used in the first embodiment. The USB memory 34 can be inserted and removed with the protective cover 16A removed from the USB connection terminal 16 provided on the front surface side of the housing 12. (Removable). The USB memory 34 is a portable storage medium with a built-in nonvolatile flash memory, in which processing data and processing data including processing programs for processed products 36, 37, and 38 to be described later are stored in an updatable manner. is there.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes an external control device (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer 35) that is arranged away from the controller 11. Since the personal computer 35 is a precision machine, the installation location of the NC machine tool 1 (for example, dust such as oil mist and dust). It is arranged at a position away from the work site where there are many. The personal computer 35 has a function of creating machining data for each of a plurality of workpieces (for example, the workpieces 36, 37, and 38 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9) as a machining program, a function of storing each machining program, The image data (for example, image data obtained by photographing the processed products 36, 37, and 38 with a digital camera) and a processing program are associated with each other.

  The external data created using the personal computer 35 in this way (that is, data in which the machining program and the image data are associated with each of the processed products 36, 37, and 38) is stored (stored) in the USB memory 34. It can be carried away from the personal computer 35. Further, by connecting the USB memory 34 to the USB connection terminal 16 of the controller 11, the external data associated as described above is stored in the internal memory unit 30 of the controller 11 in an updatable manner according to the operation of the operation unit 13. The

  Then, the control circuit unit 24 of the controller 11 stores data in which processing data and image data for each of a plurality of processed products (for example, processed products 36, 37, and 38) stored in the internal memory unit 30 are associated in advance. The operator selects the operation unit 13 by manually operating it, and the selected image data is displayed on the screen by the color display 14.

  The NC machine tool 1 and the controller 11 for the index table 8 according to the first embodiment have the configuration as described above. Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, an image for each of a plurality of workpieces (for example, workpieces 36, 37, and 38 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9) is taken using a digital camera or the like. Next, when creating or editing machining data for each of the processed products 36, 37, and 38 as a machining program using the personal computer 35, the program shown in FIG. 10 is started, and the machining program management software for PC is started in step 1. .

  As a result, an image as shown in FIG. 11, that is, an image 39 of the machining program management software is displayed on the screen 35A of the personal computer 35. Here, on the upper part of the image 39, operation button fields 39A of "Create machining program", "Save machining program", and "Associate image" are displayed. A machining program edit column 39B is displayed at the center of the image 39, a save folder selection column 39C is displayed on the left side of the machining program edit column 39B, and a machining program selection column 39D is displayed below the machining program edit column 39B. Has been.

  Of the parts A, B, and C displayed in the processing program selection field 39D, the part A is an image corresponding to the processed product 36 shown in FIG. Further, the part B is an image corresponding to the processed product 37 shown in FIG. 8, and the part C is displayed as an image corresponding to the processed product 38 shown in FIG. In the machining program selection field 39D, only parts A, B, and C are displayed for the sake of simplicity, but a plurality of other parts can be displayed as images.

  Next, in step 2, “Create machining program” in the operation button column 39A is selected with a mouse (not shown) of the personal computer 35, and a machining program corresponding to each workpiece is created or edited. That is, the machining program to be edited is selected by a selection operation in the save folder selection field 39C and the machining program selection field 39D. In this state, the function G, the index table rotation angle A, the division number D of the rotation angle A, the index table rotation speed F, and the like in the machining program edit field 39B are edited using the keyboard of the personal computer 35. Thereafter, by selecting “save machining program”, data saving on the personal computer 35 is executed.

  Next, when “image association” in the operation button column 39A is selected in step 3, an image as shown in FIG. 12, that is, an image 40 of image association software is displayed on the screen 35A of the personal computer 35. Here, the upper left column of the image 40 is a storage folder selection column 40A, the upper right column is an image selection column 40B, the lower left column is a processing program storage folder selection column 40C, and the lower right column is a processing program selection column 40D. is there.

  Next, when associating the image with the processed data in step 4, an arbitrary image (for example, the image of the part C) is selected from the image selection field 40B in FIG. 12, and is selected using, for example, the mouse of the personal computer 35 or the like. Drag the image to the processing program selection field 40D. Thereby, the correlation between the image of the part C and the processing data of the part C is executed. On the image 40 in FIG. 12, the association between the image and the processed data has already been executed for the other parts A and B.

  Next, in step 5, with the USB memory 34 connected to the main body side of the personal computer 35, for example, using mouse operation or the like, data in which the processing program and the image are associated (hereinafter referred to as image association data) The data is stored in the USB memory 34 as external data for the controller 11. Thereafter, the process returns at step 6.

  Next, a procedure for inputting the external data thus created (that is, image association data of a plurality of workpieces using the personal computer 35) to the controller 11 using the USB memory 34, and registering and storing the data is shown in FIG. Description will be made with reference to FIG.

  In order to start the controller 11 in step 11 of FIG. 13, the power switch 15 is turned on on the front side of the controller 11. Next, in step 12, the USB memory 34 is inserted and connected to the USB connection terminal 16 with the protective cover 16 </ b> A removed from the USB connection terminal 16 provided on the front side of the controller 11. At this time, a menu screen 41 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the color display 14 of the controller 11 on the screen.

  Therefore, in the next step 13, color display is performed by pressing the upper and lower keys (specifically, the lowermost key) among the jog keys 13G of the operation unit 13 provided on the front side of the controller 11. The screen display of the device 14 is changed from the display of FIG. 14 to the display of FIG. 15, and the column “4. USB” is selected. In this state, the function selection of “4. USB” is executed by pressing the rightmost key among the jog keys 13G. Thereby, the screen display of the color display 14 is switched from the menu screen 41 of FIG. 15 to the USB selection screen 42 shown in FIG.

  Next, in step 14, “00: USB In” is selected by the jog key 13G on the screen shown in FIG. The selection operation in this case is also performed by using the jog key 13G in the same manner as described above, and finally, the function selection of “USB In” is executed by pressing the rightmost key among the jog keys 13G. As a result, the screen display of the color display 14 is switched from the USB selection screen 42 in FIG. 16 to the program selection screen 43 shown in FIG.

In the next step 15, one of a plurality of machining programs is selected on the program selection screen 43 of the color display 14 shown in FIG. 17, and finally the “Enter” key, that is, the enter key 13 F is pressed. To confirm the function selection. Specifically, using the jog key 13G from among a plurality of machining programs, for example, “00: A” in FIG. When a specific machining program displayed as “0001.PRM” is selected, this machining program (that is, control data of the machining program associated with the image data) is determined by pressing the enter key 13F, and the internal memory of the controller 11 It is stored in the unit 30 in an updatable manner.

Also, other machining programs such as “01: A” from the plurality of machining programs shown in FIG. Even when “0002.PRM” is selected and input, an arbitrary processing program (control data associated with image data) can be updated in the internal memory unit 30 of the controller 11 by repeating the same operation. It can be stored, i.e. stored. Finally, the process returns at step 16.

  Next, the control data registered (stored) in the internal memory unit 30 of the controller 11 in this way (for example, data in which each processing program and image data are associated with each of the processed products 36, 37, and 38) A procedure of reading from the internal memory unit 30 prior to the machining operation by the NC machine tool 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Also in this case, the power switch 15 of the controller 11 is turned on to start the controller 11 in step 21 of FIG. At this time, the menu screen 41 (see FIG. 14) is displayed on the color display 14 of the controller 11 on the screen. Next, in step 22, the jog key 13G is operated in the same manner as described above to select the "3. Select / Edit" field from the menu screen 41 as shown in FIG. As a result, the screen display of the color display 14 is switched from the menu screen 41 of FIG. 19 to the “Select” selection screen 44 shown in FIG.

  Next, in step 23, a processing program for a workpiece whose image is to be displayed is selected from among a plurality of processing programs on the selection screen 44 of the color display 14 shown in FIG. 20 using the jog key 13G. Then, by pressing the “A” key among the selection keys 13D of the operation unit 13 provided on the front side of the controller 11, the image of the corresponding workpiece is displayed on the screen of the color display 14 in the next step 24. Is displayed.

That is, in step 23, for example, “05: gear” in FIG. When a specific machining program displayed as “22” is selected, the selection key 13D of “A” is pressed, and in the next step 24, as shown in FIG. , An image of the processed product 36) is displayed on the color display 14 as a screen 45. Then, the process returns at step 25.

  Next, when processing the workpiece displayed on the color display 14 in this way is performed by the NC machine tool 1, a control signal is output from the controller 11 to the index table 8 to control the rotation of the index table 8. The processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  That is, when the control process of FIG. 22 starts, the controller 11 reads the synchronization signal from the NC control device 2 of the NC machine tool 1 in step 31. In step 32, an external synchronization signal (that is, an M signal that is a request signal for “execution of machining program” input from the outside) is input.

  Thereby, in the next step 33, the program for one step of the machining program stored in advance from the RAM of the internal memory unit 30 is read. In the next step 34, a rotation command is output from the motor control unit 28 of the control circuit unit 24 to the motor driver 32 based on the machining program for one step. In step 35, a drive current is output from the motor driver 32 to the electric motor 9 of the index table 8 according to this rotation command, and the turntable 10 of the index table 8 is rotated.

  In the next step 36, an external synchronization signal (that is, a completion signal for transmitting “machining program execution completion” output from the controller 11 to the external NC control device 2) is output, and the process returns in the next step 37. Thereafter, the processing after step 31 is repeated. Thereby, in the NC machine tool 1, the rotation operation of the index table 8 is associated with the operation of the movable table 5 of the machining apparatus 3 and the movement of the tool 6 as a series of operations, and the respective operations are synchronized to the workpiece. Processing operations can be performed smoothly.

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, on the front side of the housing 12 of the controller 11, the color display 14 for displaying the processed image is provided at the position adjacent to the left side close to the operation unit 13. The input / output control unit 31 is configured to store external data in which processing data of the workpiece and image data are associated in advance in the internal memory unit 30 in an updatable manner according to the operation of the operation unit 13, and a control circuit unit Reference numeral 24 denotes a configuration in which processing data and image data of the workpiece stored in the internal memory unit 30 are selected according to the operation of the operation unit 13, and the selected image data is displayed on the screen by the color display 14.

  With this configuration, data for each arbitrary processed product (for example, processed products 36, 37, and 38) in which processed data and image data are associated in advance can be stored in the internal memory unit 30 in an updatable manner. When one piece of data of these workpieces is selected by the operation unit 13, the image data of the selected workpiece can be displayed in color on the color display 14.

  Therefore, when the operator of the controller 11, which is a dedicated control device for the index table 8, selects an arbitrary processing program from among a plurality of processing programs, the index table while confirming the color image of the corresponding workpiece. Thus, the rotation control of 8 and the machining work of the workpiece by the NC machine tool 1 can be executed with peace of mind. Moreover, the controller 11 can be applied to a current index table (current product) equivalent to the index table 8 with high versatility.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the index table 8 is rotationally controlled according to the control signal from the controller 11, the image of the workpiece can be displayed on the screen in advance by the color display 14. The rotation control of the index table 8 and the machining operation by the NC machine tool 1 can be performed in accordance with the machining data for each of the displayed specific workpieces (for example, the workpieces 36, 37, and 38).

  Moreover, since the input / output control unit 31 of the controller 11 is provided with the USB connection terminal 16 to which the USB memory 34 is detachably connected, the processing data and the image data are associated with each of the arbitrary processed objects associated in advance. By using the USB memory 34, the external data can be stored in the internal memory unit 30 in an updatable manner, and writing and / or reading of data associated in this way can be easily performed.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, when machining with the NC machine tool 1, not only the file number and drawing number of the workpiece but also the color image of the workpiece (finished product) It can be confirmed by the color display 14, and an erroneous operation in selecting machining data (program) of an arbitrary workpiece from a plurality of workpieces can be prevented in advance.

  Further, the operation of associating the processing data and the image data of a plurality of workpieces (for example, the processed products 36, 37, 38) is performed at a position away from the NC machine tool 1 (that is, machine noise, oil mist at the work site). It can be performed using the personal computer 35 in a quiet environment that is not affected by dust or other dust. Thereafter, the data associated with the internal memory unit 30 of the controller 11 can be easily registered and stored using the USB memory 34.

  In the first embodiment, data created by the personal computer 35 (for example, data associated with an image for each workpiece) is input to the controller 11 by the USB memory 34 and stored as an example. did. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the controller 11 may be configured to input / output data, information, and the like using a portable recording medium such as a known memory card or an external hard disk. Good.

  Next, FIG. 23 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. To do. However, a feature of the second embodiment is that the controller 11 and the personal computer 35 are connected using a communication line.

  In the figure, 51 is a connection terminal for a communication line provided on the housing 12 of the controller 11. The connection terminal 51 inputs external data to the input / output control unit 31 or outputs data from the controller 11 to the outside. It is a terminal for doing. Here, the connection terminal 51 is detachably connected to the external personal computer 35 via the communication line 52. The connection terminal 51 may be constituted by a known “RS-232C” terminal. In this case, the controller 11 and the personal computer 35 may be connected by a serial line.

  A communication line 52 connects the controller 11 and the personal computer 35. The communication line 52 is configured by, for example, a wireless LAN. Of course, the communication line 52 is not limited to a wireless LAN, and may be configured using a wired LAN. Here, by connecting the communication line 52 to the connection terminal 51 of the controller 11, data and information are transmitted and received between the controller 11 and the personal computer 35. That is, external data created using the personal computer 35 (that is, data in which the processing program and image data are associated with each of the processed products 36, 37, and 38) is transferred to the internal memory unit 30 of the controller 11 through the communication line 52. The data is stored in an updatable manner according to the operation of the operation unit 13.

  Thus, in the second embodiment configured as described above, between the controller 11 and the personal computer 35 without using a portable recording medium such as the USB memory 34 as in the first embodiment. The communication line 52 can be used for connection. For this reason, as in the first embodiment, the data for each arbitrary processed product in which the processed data and the image data are associated in advance can be stored in the internal memory unit 30 in an updatable manner. When one piece of data is selected by the operation unit 13, the image data of the selected workpiece can be displayed in color on the color display 14.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the controller 11 serving as the index table control device is connected to the NC machine tool 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to various machine tools configured to control rotation of a workpiece to be machined using the index table 8.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 NC machine tool 2 NC control apparatus 3 Processing apparatus 4 Support table 5 Movable table 6 Tool 7 Head part 8 Index table 9 Electric motor 10 Turntable 11 Controller (control apparatus for index tables)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Case 13 Operation part 14 Color indicator 15 Power switch 16 USB connection terminal 22 Power supply cable 23 Signal line 24 Control circuit part 25 CPU (central processing unit)
26 Operation control unit 27 Display control unit 28 Motor control unit 29 External synchronization unit 30 Internal memory unit 31 Input / output control unit 32 Motor driver 33 Manual pulse generator (attached device)
34 USB memory 35 Personal computer 36, 37, 38 Processed product
51 Connection terminal 52 Communication line

Claims (3)

An operation unit comprising a plurality of key switches and operated by an operator, a control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the machine table in accordance with the operation of the operation unit, and control data for controlling rotation of the index table are stored in an updatable manner. In an index table control device comprising an internal memory unit and an input / output control unit for inputting and outputting external data to and from the internal memory unit,
At a position close to the operation unit, a color display for displaying an image of a workpiece processed by the machine tool is provided.
The input / output control unit is configured to store external data in which processing data of the workpiece and image data are associated in advance in an updateable manner in the internal memory unit according to an operation of the operation unit,
The control circuit unit selects processing data and image data of the workpiece stored in the internal memory unit according to an operation of the operation unit, and displays the selected image data on the color display. An index table control device characterized by that.   2. The index table control device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit unit is configured to control the rotation of the index table according to the processing data associated with the image data of the workpiece displayed on the screen of the color display. 3. .   The input / output control unit is provided with a USB connection terminal to which a USB memory as an external memory is detachably connected, and the external data in which processing data of the workpiece and image data are associated in advance is stored in the USB memory 3. The index table control device according to claim 1, wherein the index table control device is configured to be stored in the internal memory unit in an updatable manner in accordance with an operation of the operation unit in a state stored in the storage unit.

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