JP5763352B2 - NC program creation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an NC program creation device, and more particularly, to an device capable of easily creating an NC program output to an NC machine tool.

Conventionally, NC machine tools are controlled by an NC program optimized for each model. In general, an NC program converts a shape model of a machined part or the like drawn using software of a CAD device into shape data and outputs it to the CAM device. The CAM device converts the shape data into machining data, and the machining data Optimized for each model by post processing equipment.
The shape data created by the CAD device is registered in the CAD device as a part in the machine design, is read again as a reference when performing a new machining design, and changes to the shape model make it possible to Shape data is created. Further, the shape data registered as a part in the CAD device creates processing data corresponding to the shape data in which the shape model is changed by registering the processing data corresponding to the shape data in the CAM device. Making it easy. Then, the machining data is converted into an NC program optimized for an NC machine tool used for machining a part by a post processing device.
In the series of CAM-post processing as described above, machining data in which a tool path is described in general coordinates in a language called APT format, for example, is converted into machine coordinates by the post processing device, and processed by the post processing device. Machining by converting the movement and rotation of the tool according to conditions into G code or M code called NC code, or S, T, F, etc. that control the tool, and controlling the NC code output order Data is converted to NC program.
However, the NC code is generally standardized by JIS, but depends on the model because the functions to be provided are different for each NC machine tool. For this reason, in post processing for optimizing machining data for each model, it is necessary to learn a language and code corresponding to the model of the NC machine tool, and a high level of skill is required. In addition, with the spread of multi-axis NC machine tools, for example, 5-axis machining centers and turning centers, even parts with complex machining shapes can be machined with a single machine tool. The machining posture of the tool with respect to the workpiece is complicated. For this reason, in post processing, when optimizing the tool replacement operation and the tool approach operation to the workpiece, the processing process becomes complicated, and even if simple post processing is changed, it is not changed to the part other than the changed part. May have an effect. In addition, it is difficult to predict where the change in the post processing will affect the NC program, and it takes a lot of time to verify the NC program after the post processing and to debug the post processing when a failure occurs in the NC program. The current situation is costing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-3111

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an NC program creation device capable of easily creating an NC program optimized for an NC machine tool without requiring acquisition of high skills in creating an NC program. The purpose is to do.

An NC program creation device for creating an NC program to be output to an NC machine tool from shape data created by a CAD device as a configuration for solving the above-mentioned problem, a machining procedure corresponding to the shape data, a machining method, a tool used, tool shape, a machining information memory means for storing processing information including the processing conditions, and machining route creating means for creating a machining path based on the shape data and machining information, the predetermined position before or after the machining path A format file storage means for storing a format file in which the NC program format is formatted with a part as a variable, a format file reading means for reading the format file from the format file storage means and creating machining data , Variable conversion means for replacing variables in the format file included in the data with numerical values based on the machining information is adopted .
According to this configuration, a format file in which the NC program format is formatted is stored in the format file storage means, and the format file reading means reads the format file together with the machining path created by the machining path creation means, Since the NC program can be created simply by arranging the format files before and after, the NC program can be created without going through complicated steps.

The block diagram which shows the structure of NC program creation apparatus. The illustration figure of the process data created by the CAM processing means. FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a format file group stored in a format file storage unit. The example figure of the tool exchange format file read with respect to a process. Process diagram from creation of machining data to creation of NC program. The process figure of a post-processing means.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included in the invention. It is not necessarily essential to the solution, but includes a configuration that is selectively adopted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the NC program creation device 1.
The NC program creation device 1 creates machining data including machining paths and machining information based on the shape data output from the CAD device 2, and machining data created by the CAM processing device 3. The post processing unit 4 converts the NC program into an optimum NC program for each NC machine tool 10 to be used, and the format file storage unit 5 stores a plurality of types of format files to be described later in which the NC program is formalized.
The NC program creation device 1 is a computer that executes CAM processing and post processing, and includes a CPU as arithmetic processing means, ROM, RAM and HDD as storage means, and an interface as communication means, and is stored in the storage means. Operates based on the program.

The CAD device 2 is, for example, a computer that executes CAD software, and includes a CPU as arithmetic processing means, ROM, RAM, and HDD as storage means, and an interface as communication means, and is based on a program stored in the storage means. Works.
The CAD device 2 converts, for example, a three-dimensional shape model of a processed part drawn using the CAD device 2 into numerical shape data and outputs the numerical shape data to the NC program creation device 1. The shape data numerically represents the outer shape of the shape model and the surface shape surrounded by the outer shape. The shape data is stored as basic data in the CAD device 2 together with the shape model. The shape data may be parametric data or non-parametric data. Parametric data is graphic data in which distance, length, angle, and the like are defined by variables rather than numerical values, and is a graphic data format in which a graphic can be easily changed by exchanging variables.

  The CAM processing unit 3 creates machining data based on the shape data created by the CAD device 2. The CAM processing unit 3 includes a machining information storage unit 31 that stores machining information including a machining procedure, a machining method, a tool used, a tool shape, and machining conditions corresponding to the shape data, and machining data based on the shape data and the machining information. The processing path creation means 32 for creating the file and the format file reading means 33 for reading the format file stored in the format file storage means 5 described later.

FIG. 2 shows an example of processing data created by the CAM processing means 3.
The machining data is created by the machining path creation means 32 so as to include, for example, a plurality of machining steps (1) to (4) based on a machining procedure of machining information stored in the machining information storage means 31. The machining path creation means 32 automatically sets a machining operation such as a tool approach operation for a machining material in machining, for example, the tool passes through a workpiece that is a material when cutting a die. Calculate the machining path. The machining path is set for each machining process, and a tool having a tool shape suitable for the machining method is selected as a tool to be used. In addition, the approach operation | movement of the tool with respect to the process raw material in a process shows the operation | movement which approaches so that a tool may not contact with a workpiece, the operation | movement which controls the attitude | position of the tool with respect to a workpiece.
In addition, the optimum tool rotation speed and feed speed are automatically set in the machining path so that the machining with the tool used satisfies the machining conditions. For example, the machining process includes processes such as roughing, finishing, and external cutting.

  The format file reading means 33 reads a later-described format file group corresponding to the machining path created by the machining path creation means 32 and creates machining data. Specifically, the format file reading means 33 reads the format file suitable for each machining process constituting the machining path, and outputs the format file at a predetermined position before and after each machining process, thereby creating machining data. The

The post processing means 4 includes a variable conversion means 41 and an NC code conversion means 42, and creates an NC program based on the machining data and machining information output from the CAM processing means 3. The variable conversion means 41 performs numerical conversion of a portion represented by a variable in the machining data format file. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the case of a tool change format file, the variables [A1] and [A2] of the tool change format file read by the CAM processing means 3 are tool variables [A1] included in the machining information. , [A2],... That is, the variable conversion means 41 substitutes a numerical value based on the machining information, in other words, a tool number, into the variable portion of the machining data output from the CAM processing means 3. Therefore, since the post processing means 4 does not need to create a portion corresponding to the NC program format file, the burden on post processing can be reduced.
The NC code conversion means 42 converts a tool path described with reference to general coordinates and coordinates based on the workpiece in each machining step to NC codes and also to machine coordinates of the NC machine tool. That is, the tool path generated by the CAM processing unit 3 is converted into a machining program sentence in the NC program.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a format file group stored in the format file storage means 5.
The format file storage means 5 is an NC program other than an operation for creating a machining path of a tool from the shape data corresponding to the number of machine tool axes of an NC machine tool for which an NC program is to be created, a tool approach operation for a workpiece, etc. A plurality of format files in which the program sentence is formalized by partially dividing the format is stored.
The format file includes, for example, a comprehensive header format file describing the header format for the entire NC program, a tool change format file describing a tool change command format for instructing tool replacement, and a process header format described before the machining process The process header format file corresponding to the process header format, the process footer format file describing the process footer format described after the machining process, and the comprehensive footer format file corresponding to the comprehensive header format file are included. The format file is stored in the NC program creation device 1 as a format file group for each shape data. The type of format file is not limited to the above, and can be appropriately formatted.

The general header format file is obtained by formatting the header for the entire processing data in a predetermined format, and is described as text data. For example, the file name of the machining program, the setting of the machining origin in the machine coordinates, and the setting of the tool movement instruction with respect to the machining origin are described.
The tool exchange format file is a format for instructing the exchange of the tool used for machining in a predetermined format, and is described as text data. Specifically, a tool change format file is selected and read corresponding to the work coordinate system represented by the G code defined in JIS, for example, G54, G55, G56, G57 and the like. In this example, when the use coordinate system is G54 and G55, the tool change format file α1 is selected, when G56 is selected, the tool change format file α2 is selected, and when G57, the tool change format file α3 is selected. When a special tool is used, the tool exchange format file α4 is selected. In each of the tool exchange format files α1 to α4, a tool for which an exchange command is output by the tool exchange format file has a tool number as a variable [A1], [A2],. It is expressed as follows.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the tool change format file α1 read for the machining step (1). For example, in the tool change format file α1, there is a description of tool change twice. Therefore, the CAM processing means 3 describes the tool variables [A1] and [A2] in the tool number description column of the tool exchange format file α1.

The process header format file is formed by formatting the header described before the tool path of each process in a predetermined format, and is described as text data. The process header format file describes a process name of a machining process, a tool movement instruction in the machining process, a coordinate system setting, and the like. The format contents of the process header format file differ depending on the processing method and the coordinate system used. In the machining method of the present example, either milling or turning is selected. Then, different process header format files are selected and read depending on the coordinate system used for the selected processing method. Specifically, the process header format file β1 is selected when the machining method is milling and the coordinate system used is G54, the process header format file β2 when G55, the process header format file β3 when G56, and the process header format when G57. File β4 is selected. When the machining method is turning and the coordinate system used is G54, the process header format file β5 is selected. When G55 is used, the process header format file β6 is selected. When G56 is used, the process header format file β7 is selected. .
The process footer format file is formed by formatting the footer described after the tool path of each process in a predetermined format and describing it as text data. The format of the process footer format differs depending on the machining method. For example, the process footer format file γ1 is selected when the machining method is milling, and the process footer format file γ2 is selected and read when the machining method is turning.
The general footer format file is a text data format in which the footer format for the entire NC program is formatted in a predetermined format. In the general footer format file, the contents described in the general header format file are released, or the contents for instructing the end of the NC program are described.
Note that the text data indicates that the NC program creator is described in a language or NC code that can be directly understood. The program may be created and computerized in a computer language that can be understood by the computer of the NC machine tool that creates the NC program.

  That is, since the NC program has a predetermined format, the same format is required for one NC program a plurality of times. Therefore, a format used multiple times is created in advance as a format file, and the CAM processing means 3 creates machining data by sequentially reading the format file corresponding to the machining path created by the machining data creation means 32. It is possible to reduce the burden on post processing. Moreover, in each format file, only a different part is described with a variable, so that the same format file can be used repeatedly. Further, since each format file can be used when creating NC programs with different shape data, the process of creating an NC program for a new machining model can be speeded up.

FIG. 5 is a process diagram from the machining data creation step by the CAM processing means 3 to the NC program creation via the post processing means 4. FIG. 6 shows the processing steps of the post processing means 4.
The NC program creation procedure by the NC program creation device 1 will be described below.
First, the CAM processing means 3 reads machining information corresponding to the shape data of the machined part output from the CAD device 2, and the tool path for each of the machining steps (1) to (4) based on the shape data and the machining information. (1) to (4) are created. In the tool paths (1) to (4), the machining method, the used coordinate system, the used tool, and the machining conditions are described by NC codes.
Next, the format file reading means 33 reads the format file before and after the tool paths (1) to (4) for each of the machining steps (1) to (4). Specifically, based on the machining method described in the tool path (1), the coordinate system used, and the tool used, the comprehensive header format file, tool exchange format file α1, process header before the tool path (1) The format file β1 is read in the order, and the process footer format file γ1 is read after the tool path (1).
Also, based on the machining method, use coordinate system, and tool used described in the tool path (2), the process header format file β2 is read before the tool path (2), and after the tool path (2). Read the process footer format file γ1. Note that, in the tool path (1) and the tool path (2), the same tool “A” is specified for the tool to be used. Therefore, the tool exchange format file is read for machining the tool path (2). Absent.
Also, based on the machining method described in the tool path (3), the coordinate system used, and the tool used, the tool exchange format file α2 and the process header format file β2 are read before the tool path (3), and the tool The process footer format file γ1 is read after the path (3).
Also, based on the machining method described in the tool path (4), the coordinate system used, and the tool used, the tool exchange format file α3 and the process header format file β8 are read before the tool path (4), and the tool After the route (4), the process footer format file γ2 is read.
Then, after the process footer format file γ2, the processing data is created by reading the comprehensive footer format file.

Next, the machining data and machining information created by the CAM processing unit 3 are output to the post processing unit 4.
In the post processing means 4, the tool number of the numbered tool to be used is substituted into the part represented by the machining data variable. Further, the used coordinate system described in each of the machining steps (1) to (4) is converted into the machine coordinate system of the NC machine tool to create an NC program. The NC program is output from the post processing means 4 to the NC machine tool 10 via a network or a storage medium.

As described above, a plurality of format files are stored in the NC program creation device 1 separately from the CAM processing means 3 and the post processing means 4, and the format files are CAM processed when the machining data is created by the CAM processing means 3. By creating the machining data by reading the data into the means 3, it is possible to reduce the burden when the NC program is created by the post processing means 4.
That is, in the conventional NC program creation device, the post processing means creates a program part other than the machining path in the machining data from the machining data in which only the machining path is created by the CAM processing means, and the machining path is optimal for the NC machine tool. Since the processing was performed so as to be a proper NC program, the burden on the post processing means was large. Therefore, as in the present invention, a format file in which the format of the NC program other than the machining path conversion operation and the approach operation in accordance with the configuration of the machine tool axis of the NC machine tool is formalized as the CAM processing means 3 and the post processing means 4. Separately configured, the format file is read when the machining data is created by the CAM processing means 3, and the configuration necessary for the NC program is prepared formally, and the variable portion in the machining data is numerically calculated based on the machining information by the post processing means 4. An NC program can be created by substituting.
Therefore, the burden on the post processing means 4 can be reduced. In addition, since the format file is described by NC codes such as G code and M code that can be directly used in the NC program, it is not necessary to perform language conversion by the CAM processing means 3 or the post processing means 4, so that the shape data Even when a change is made to, it can be easily handled by changing the format file. That is, conventionally, since the NC program is created by the operator processing the CAM software executed by the post processing means 4 in an interactive format, for example, the influence of the change of the post processing could not be visualized. According to the method of the present invention, since the format for creating the NC program is formalized and prepared in advance in the format described by text data, the format data can be easily converted even when there is a change in the shape data and the processing method. It is possible to make changes to the NC program and to easily create the NC program.

  In the above embodiment, the CAD apparatus 2 is described as being configured by a computer different from the NC program creating apparatus 1, but the CAD apparatus 2 and the NC program creating apparatus 1 may be configured by one computer. Further, the NC program creation device 1 is configured to include the CAM processing unit 3, the post processing unit 4, and the format file storage unit 5. However, the CAM processing unit 3, the post processing unit 4, and the format file storage unit 5 are provided. May be configured by separate computers, and a network capable of transmitting and receiving information to each other may be configured.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiments. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 NC program creation device, 2 CAD device, 3 CAM processing means,
4 post processing means, 5 format file storage means, 31 processing information storage means,
32 machining path creation means, 33 format file reading means, 41 variable conversion means,
42 NC code conversion means.

Claims (1)

An NC program creation device for creating an NC program to be output to an NC machine tool from shape data created by a CAD device,
Processing information storage means for storing processing information including processing procedures, processing methods, tools used, tool shapes, processing conditions corresponding to the shape data ;
And machining route creating means for creating a machining path based on the previous SL shape data and processing information,
Format file storage means for storing a format file that is output to a predetermined position before or after the machining path and that formats the NC program format with a part as a variable;
A format file reading means for reading the format file from the format file storage means and creating machining data ;
Variable conversion means for replacing the variables of the format file included in the processing data with numerical values based on the processing information;
An NC program creation device comprising:

Images