JP7093897B1 - Air supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a decrease in supply air pressure due to overlapping air usage timings between machine tools in an air supply system for supplying air from one air supply source to a plurality of machine tools. SOLUTION: An air supply system is being executed by one machine tool when the supply air pressure to one machine tool is lower than a predetermined pressure based on the execution status of an automatic operation program of each machine tool. It is determined whether or not the air use operation in which the air use operation and the execution time zone overlap with each other is currently being executed or is scheduled to be executed in another machine tool (steps SA103 and SA105). When it is determined that the overlapping air usage situation has occurred (YES in step SA103 or YES in SA105), in order to avoid the situation, the air usage in the one machine tool or the other machine tool is used. Correct the execution timing of the operation (step SA104 or SA106). [Selection diagram] FIG. 4

Description

The present invention has one air supply source that is commonly provided for a plurality of machine tools, and an air supply that is connected to each machine machine and supplies air supplied from the air supply source to each machine machine. The present invention relates to an air supply system including a path and a pressure adjusting valve provided in each of the air supply paths and for adjusting the pressure of the supply air supplied to each of the machine tools.

Conventionally, an air supply system that supplies compressed air to a machine tool from an air supply source such as a compressor provided in a factory has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The compressed air supplied to the machine tool is used for air-using equipment such as a door opening / closing device and an air blow device using a pneumatic cylinder. A pressure regulating valve is usually provided in the air supply path connecting the air supply source and the air-using equipment of the machine tool. The high-pressure compressed air supplied from the air supply source is depressurized (adjusted) to the set pressure by passing through this pressure regulating valve.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-019846

The air supply system of Patent Document 1 discloses an air supply system in which one machine tool is connected to one air supply source, but in an actual factory, a plurality of machine tools are connected to one air supply source. May be done. In this case, if the timing of using air overlaps between a plurality of machine tools, the amount of air supplied to each machine tool becomes insufficient. When the amount of air supplied to each machine tool is insufficient, the pressure of air supplied to the air-using equipment decreases, and as a result, there arises a problem that the normal operation of the air-using equipment is hindered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air supply system capable of preventing a decrease in supply air pressure due to overlapping air usage timings between machine tools.

In one aspect of the invention to solve the above problems,
A single air supply source commonly provided for a plurality of machine tools, an air supply path connected to each machine tool and supplying air supplied from the air supply source to each machine tool, and the same. An air supply system provided in each air supply path and provided with a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure of the supply air supplied to each machine tool.
Each of the machine tools is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on the automatic operation program stored in each machine tool.
A pressure detecting unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the supplied air after adjusting the pressure supplied to each machine tool.
The execution status acquisition unit that acquires the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool,
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the pressure of the supply air detected by the pressure detection unit in one machine tool is lower than the predetermined pressure. In addition, an air use determination unit for determining whether or not the one machine machine is executing an air use operation using the supply air, and
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the air usage determination unit determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. In addition, whether or not there is an overlapping air usage situation in which the air usage operation that is being executed by one machine tool and the execution time zone overlaps with that of another machine tool that is currently being executed or will be executed in the future. The pneumatic condition judgment unit that determines whether or not
When it is determined by the pneumatic condition determination unit that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the overlap of the execution time zones of the air usage operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. The present invention relates to an air supply system having a correction processing unit for executing a correction processing for correcting the execution timing of the air use operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool in order to avoid it.

According to this air supply system, when the supply air pressure after pressure adjustment by the pressure adjusting valve in one machine tool falls below a predetermined pressure due to the overlap of the air usage timing between the machine tools, the work is performed. Whether or not the machine is executing the air use operation is determined by the air use determination unit. When the air use determination unit determines that the air use operation is being executed by the one machine tool, the execution time zone overlaps with the air use operation being executed by the one machine tool. The pneumatic status determination unit determines whether or not the air usage operation is currently being executed or is scheduled to be executed by another machine tool in the future. The determination process by the pneumatic status determination unit is performed based on the execution status of the automatic operation program (for example, NC program) of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit. Then, when the pneumatic pressure status determination unit determines that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the correction processing unit executes the correction processing in order to avoid overlapping of the execution time zones of the air usage operations. To. In this correction process, the execution timing of the air use operation in one machine tool or another machine tool is corrected. As will be described later, this correction process can be realized by, for example, skipping or delaying the execution timing of the air use operation. When this correction process is executed, the overlap of current or future air-using operations between one machine tool and another machine tool is avoided. As a result, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the supply air pressure to one machine tool.

It should be noted that it may be decided in advance whether the correction process of the air use operation is executed for one machine tool or another machine tool, and the execution priority of the air use operation will be described later. It may be decided according to.

When the air-using operation for correcting the execution timing is an operation scheduled to be executed in the future in another machine tool, the correction processing unit skips the execution of the air-using operation, or the air-using operation. It is preferable that the timing change process for delaying the execution start time of the above is executed as the correction process.

According to this, if the supply air pressure is lower than the predetermined pressure while the air use operation is being executed on one machine tool, it will be executed on another machine tool in the future under the control of the correction processing unit. The skip processing or the timing change processing of the air use operation is executed. In the skip process, the air use operation scheduled to be executed is skipped, and in the timing change process, the execution start time of the air use operation is delayed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the execution time zones of the air use operation from overlapping between one machine tool and the other machine tool, and prevent the supply air pressure from further decreasing. The skip process has the advantage that quick processing can be performed by skipping the air use operation, and the timing change process has the advantage that the required air use operation can be reliably executed although the cycle time is extended. Have.

When the air use operation for correcting the execution timing is an operation currently being executed, the correction processing unit interrupts the air use operation in the middle and skips the rest, or the air use. It is configured to execute the timing change process for resuming the suspended air use operation as the correction process after the operation is temporarily interrupted and another continuous air use operation is completed without interruption. preferable.

That is, when the air use operation is simultaneously executed by one machine tool and another machine tool, the correction processing unit for the air use operation currently being executed by one machine tool or another machine tool. Correction processing is executed. Then, this correction process is a skip process for stopping and skipping the air use operation currently being executed, or a timing change in which the air use operation currently being executed is temporarily interrupted and then restarted after the end of another air use operation. It is realized by processing. By this correction process, the situation where one machine tool and another machine tool execute the air use operation at the same time is eliminated at an early stage, and the supply air pressure can be recovered. The advantages of the skip process and the timing change process are as described above.

The correction processing unit further includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of air use operations that can be executed by each machine tool and a predetermined execution priority of each air use operation as priority information. When executing the correction process, the execution priority of the air use operation to be the target of the correction process is specified based on the priority information stored in the storage unit, and the specified execution priority is less than a predetermined level. If this is the case, the skip process is executed as the correction process, and if the specified execution priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, the timing change process is executed as the correction process. Is preferable.

According to this configuration, when the correction processing unit executes the correction processing, the execution priority of the air use operation to be the correction processing is specified based on the priority information stored in the storage unit. If the specified execution priority is less than the predetermined level, the skip process is executed as the correction process, and if the execution priority is the predetermined level or higher, the timing change process is executed as the correction process. Therefore, while skipping the air use operation with low execution priority to speed up the process, delay or suspend the execution timing (timing change process) without skipping the air use operation with high execution priority. By doing so, it is possible to reliably execute the air use operation while recovering the supply air pressure.

The correction processing unit further includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of air use operations that can be executed by each machine tool and a predetermined execution priority of each air use operation as priority information. The air use operation whose execution priority is higher than the predetermined level is excluded from the execution target of the correction process, and the air use operation whose execution priority is lower than the predetermined level is set as the execution target of the correction process. Is preferable.

According to this configuration, the execution target of the correction processing by the correction processing unit is limited to the case where the execution priority is less than the predetermined level, and the skip processing or the timing change processing is performed for the air use operation whose execution priority is the predetermined level or higher. The correction process such as is not executed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation of the machine tool from being adversely affected by skipping the operation using air, which has a high execution priority.

The plurality of air use operations include a door opening / closing operation in which an opening / closing door of a machining area of each machine tool is driven by an air actuator and an air blow operation executed in each machine tool, and execution of the door opening / closing operation. It is preferable that the priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, and the execution priority of the air blow operation is lower than the predetermined level.

According to this, since the execution priority of the door opening / closing operation is set higher than that of the air blow operation, the door opening / closing operation is executed as much as possible even when the overlapping air usage situation occurs. On the other hand, since the air blow operation has a low execution priority, recovery of the supply air pressure is prioritized by skipping when an operation using overlapping air occurs.

The correction processing unit further includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of air use operations that can be executed by each machine tool and a predetermined execution priority of each air use operation as priority information. When the pneumatic condition determination unit determines that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the one machine tool and the other machine tool are based on the priority information stored in the storage unit. The execution priority of the air-using operation that causes the overlap of the execution time zones is specified in each of the above, the execution priority of each specified air-using operation is compared, and based on the comparison, with the above-mentioned one machine tool. It is preferable that it is configured to determine which air-using operation with the other machine tool is to perform the correction process.

According to this configuration, when it is determined by the pneumatic condition determination unit that an overlapping air usage condition has occurred between one machine tool and another machine tool, the one machine tool and the other machine tool are used. The execution priority of the air-using operation that causes the overlap of the execution time zones with the machine tools of the above is specified by the correction processing unit. Then, in the correction processing unit, the execution priority of each air use operation between one machine tool and another machine tool is compared, and the execution target of the correction processing is determined based on the comparison. As an example of this determination process, for example, it is conceivable to determine the air use operation having the lowest execution priority as the target of the correction process. In this way, by considering the execution priority of the air use operation and determining the air use operation to be corrected by the correction processing unit, skip processing and timing change for the air use operation with high execution priority. It is possible to prevent the process from being executed and adversely affecting the operation of the entire machine tool.

As described above, according to the air supply system according to the present invention, when the air pressure supplied to one machine tool is lower than the predetermined pressure based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool, the first It is determined whether or not the air use operation that is being executed by the machine tool of the machine tool and the air use operation that overlaps with the execution time zone are currently being executed or will be executed in the future by another machine tool. When it is determined that the overlapping air usage situation has occurred, the execution timing of the air usage operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool is corrected in order to avoid the situation. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the supply air pressure due to overlapping air usage timings between machine tools.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the air supply system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the air pressure situation information generated by a monitoring server. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the air pressure monitoring control of each machine tool executed by a monitoring server. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the correction control executed by the correction control unit of each machine tool. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the second embodiment. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1 which shows Embodiments 3 and 4. It is a figure which shows an example of the priority data stored in the priority storage part in the air supply system of Embodiments 3 and 4.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
First, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the air supply system 1 of this example is connected to a plurality of (three in this example) machine tools 10 and supplies air to the air-using equipment 11 mounted on each machine tool 10. do. In FIG. 1, as an example of an air-using device 11, a door for driving an opening / closing door of a machining area of a machine tool 10 by using an air blow device 11a for blowing air such as chips and a pneumatic cylinder (an example of an air actuator). The opening / closing device 11b is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, each machine tool 10 is composed of, for example, a machining center, a turning center, or the like, but the machine tool 10 is not limited thereto.

The air supply system 1 is branched from one air supply source 2 commonly provided for the three machine tools 10, one supply pipe 3 connected to the air supply source 2, and the supply pipe 3. A branch pipe 4 connected to each machine tool 10 and a pressure adjusting valve 5 (pressure detecting unit) provided in the middle of each branch pipe 4 to adjust the supply air to a preset set pressure (an example of a predetermined pressure). (Example), a pressure sensor 6 provided on the downstream side of the pressure control valve 5 to measure the supply air pressure after pressure adjustment, an NC (Numerical Control) device 12 for controlling each machine tool 10, and each NC device 12. It has a connected monitoring server 20.

The air supply source 2 is composed of, for example, an air compressor, and compresses the sucked outside air and supplies it into the supply pipe 3. The air supplied into the supply pipe 3 flows into the three branch pipes 4. The air flowing into each branch pipe 4 is adjusted to a set pressure by passing through the pressure adjusting valve 5. An electromagnetic flow path switching valve 7 using a solenoid or the like is provided between the pressure control valve 5 and the air-using device 11, and the operation of the flow path switching valve 7 is controlled by an NC device 12 described later. As a result, the air supply control to each air-using device 11 is executed. An accumulator may be arranged in the middle of the flow path in order to suppress fluctuations in the supply air pressure.

The NC device 12 has a program storage unit 12a, a machining control unit 12b, an execution status acquisition unit 12c, a pneumatic status determination unit 12d, and a correction processing unit 12e. The NC device 12 is composed of a computer having a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, the program storage unit 12a is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a ROM or a magnetic storage device, and the other functional units are realized by a computer program. To.

The program storage unit 12a stores an NC program (an example of an automatic operation program) executed when the machine tool 10 is automatically operated. This NC program includes a code for driving an auxiliary device such as the air blow device 11a and a door opening / closing device 11b in addition to a code for driving a feed mechanism unit and a spindle drive unit (both not shown). It has been.

When the operation start button provided on the operation panel (not shown) is pressed, the machining control unit 12b executes the NC program stored in the program storage unit 12a. The machining control unit 12b extracts an operation command regarding the feed mechanism unit and the spindle drive unit specified in the NC program, and outputs a drive signal corresponding to the extracted operation command to the feed drive unit and the spindle drive unit. Then, the machining control unit 12b processes the work into a predetermined shape by changing the relative position between the tool mounted on the spindle and the work by the feed drive unit. Further, the machining control unit 12b extracts operation commands of auxiliary devices such as the air blow device 11a and the door opening / closing device 11b specified in the NC program, and outputs operation signals to these auxiliary devices.

The execution status acquisition unit 12c acquires the execution status of the NC program stored in the program storage unit 12a.

The pneumatic status determination unit 12d uses the overlapping air usage status based on the pneumatic status information I (see FIG. 2) received from the monitoring server 20 described later and the execution status of the NC program acquired by the execution status acquisition unit 12c. Is determined whether or not is occurring. Here, the overlapping air usage status means a status in which the air usage operation of the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on and the air usage operation in which the execution time zone overlaps is currently being executed or is scheduled to be executed in the future. do.

When the pneumatic condition determination unit 12d determines that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the correction processing unit 12e avoids the overlap of the execution time zones of the air usage operation with the other machine tools 10. Therefore, under the control of the machining control unit 12b, a correction process for correcting the execution timing of the air use operation currently being executed or scheduled to be executed is executed. In this example, this correction process is a skip process that skips the execution of the air use operation as described later.

The monitoring server 20 is communicably connected to each NC device 12 mounted on the three machine tools 10. Further, the monitoring server 20 is configured to be able to receive a pressure signal from the pressure sensor 6 that measures the supply air pressure to each machine tool 10. The monitoring server 20 monitors the operating status of each machine tool 10 by communicating with each NC device 12. Further, the monitoring server 20 monitors the supply air pressure to each machine tool 10 based on the pressure signal received from each pressure sensor 6. Then, the monitoring server 20 generates pneumatic status information I (see FIG. 2 described later) based on these monitoring results, and transmits the generated pneumatic status information I to the NC device 12 of each machine tool 10.

Specifically, the monitoring server 20 has an execution status acquisition unit 21, an air usage determination unit 22, and a pneumatic information generation unit 23. The monitoring server 20 is composed of a computer having a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and each functional unit is realized by a computer program.

The execution status acquisition unit 21 acquires the execution status of the NC program in the NC device 12 of each machine tool 10. The execution status acquisition unit 21 is different from the execution status acquisition unit 12c provided in each machine tool 10 in that the execution status of all the machine tools 10 is acquired.

The air use determination unit 22 calculates the pressure of the supply air to each machine tool 10 based on the pressure signal received from each pressure sensor 6, and determines whether or not the calculated supply air pressure is lower than the set pressure. .. Then, the air use determination unit 22 is based on the execution status of the NC program of each machine tool 10 acquired by the execution status acquisition unit 21, and the air by the air use device 11 in the machine tool 10 whose supply air pressure is lower than the set pressure. It is determined whether or not the operation in use is being executed, and if it is determined that the operation is being executed, the air shortage flag of the machine tool 10 is turned on. Here, the air shortage flag is assigned to each of the machine tools 10 in the NC program, for example, and the machine tool 10 in which the air shortage flag is turned on is in a state where the supply air pressure is lower than the set pressure. It means that the use operation is being performed.

The pneumatic information generation unit 23 generates pneumatic status information I including on / off information of the air shortage flag of each machine tool 10. FIG. 2 is an example of this pneumatic pressure status information I. In the example of this figure, the air pressure status information I consists of four columns of table data, the first column is the MC number n (identification number assigned to each machine tool 10 in advance), and the second column is the air pressure insufficient flag. On / off information, the third column is the air use operation currently being executed, and the fourth column is the estimated time until the end of the air use operation. The air use operation during execution and the estimated time until the end of the air use operation (data of the third row and the fourth row surface) can be specified based on the execution status of the NC program in each machine tool 10. ..

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of pneumatic pressure monitoring control of each machine tool 10 executed by the monitoring server 20 will be described.

In step S1, the execution status acquisition unit 21 acquires the execution status of each NC program from the NC device 12 of each machine tool 10.

In step S2, the air usage determination unit 22 receives the pressure signal from each pressure sensor 6 and acquires (calculates) the supply air pressure to each machine tool 10 based on the received pressure signal.

In step S3, the air usage determination unit 22 temporarily sets the MC number n as 1. In this example, since the number of machine tools 10 is 3, each machine tool 10 is assigned an MC number of 1 to 3 as a serial number.

In step S4, the air use determination unit 22 determines whether or not the air pressure supplied to the machine tool 10 of MC number n is less than the set pressure of the pressure adjusting valve 5, and if this determination is NO. While returning, if YES, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, based on the execution status of the NC program of each machine tool 10 acquired by the execution status acquisition unit 21 in step S1, it is determined whether or not the machine tool 10 having the MC number n is executing the air use operation. The use determination unit 22 determines. If this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S7, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the pneumatic information generation unit 23 sets the pneumatic insufficient flag of the machine machine 10 having the MC number n to on, and the current MC number n and the information that the pneumatic insufficient flag is on, and Pneumatic status information I is generated by associating the running air use operation with the estimated time until the end of the air use operation (see FIG. 2).

In step S7, which proceeds when the determination in step S5 is NO, the pneumatic information generation unit 23 sets the pneumatic insufficient flag of the machine tool 10 of MC number n to off, and the pneumatic pressure status information is in the same data format. Generate I.

In step S8, the air use determination unit 22 raises the MC number n by 1 (n = n + 1) and sets the new machine tool 10 with the MC number n as the determination target.

In step S9, the air use determination unit 22 determines whether or not the new MC number n exceeds the total number of machine tools 10 (3 in this example), and if this determination is NO, the process returns to step S4. If YES, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the pneumatic information generation unit 23 transmits the pneumatic pressure status information I generated in steps S6 and S7 to each machine tool 10, and then returns.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the correction control process executed by the NC device 12 of each machine tool 10 will be described based on the pneumatic pressure status information I generated by the monitoring server 20.

In step SA101, the pneumatic status determination unit 12d receives the pneumatic status information I of each machine tool 10 from the monitoring server 20.

In step SA102, the pneumatic pressure status determination unit 12d determines whether or not there is a machine tool 10 other than the own machine in which the pneumatic pressure shortage flag is turned on, based on the pneumatic pressure status information I received in step SA101. A determination is made, and if this determination is NO, a return is made, while if YES, the process proceeds to step SA103.

In step SA103, the pneumatic status determination unit 12d identifies and identifies the machine tool 10 other than the own machine in which the pneumatic insufficient flag is turned on, based on the pneumatic status information I received in step SA101. It is determined whether or not the machine 10 is currently executing the air usage operation in which the air usage operation and the execution time zone overlap (overlapping air usage status), and if this determination is NO, the step is performed. The process proceeds to SA105, and if YES, the process proceeds to step SA104.

In step SA104, the correction processing unit 12e executes a skip process (an example of the correction process) in which the air use operation currently being executed by the machining control unit 12b is stopped halfway and the remaining air use operation is skipped. It returns after executing this skip process.

In step SA105, which proceeds when the determination in step SA103 is NO, the pneumatic status determination unit 12d is based on the pneumatic status information I received in step SA101, except for the own machine in which the pneumatic insufficient flag is turned on. The machine tool 10 is specified, and it is determined whether or not the machine tool is planning to execute the air use operation in which the air use operation of the specified machine tool 10 overlaps with the execution time zone in the future (overlapping air usage situation occurs). (Determining whether or not this is true), and if this determination is NO, a return is made, while if YES, the process proceeds to step SA106.

In step SA106, the correction processing unit 12e sets the skip flag to ON, and then returns. The skip flag is a flag that the machining control unit 12b refers to when the air-using device 11 executes the air-using operation, and the machining control unit 12b is scheduled when the skip flag is turned on. Even if the execution timing of the air use operation arrives, the air use operation is skipped and the next operation specified in the NC program is executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when there is a machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on among the three machine tools 10, the other machine tools 10 execute the air use operation. Since the correction process (process within the two-point chain line in FIG. 4) is executed so that the time zones do not overlap, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the supply air pressure to the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is on. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently secure the amount of air supplied to the air-using device 11 mounted on the machine tool 10 and avoid malfunction of the air-using device 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, the correction process executed by the correction process unit 12e is a skip process for skipping the execution of the air use operation.

According to this, the shortage of air pressure can be quickly resolved without increasing the cycle time in the other machine tool 10.

Specifically, when the air use operation to be corrected in the other machine tool 10 is the operation currently being executed, the correction processing unit 12e stops the air use operation in the middle and skips the rest. (Step SA104).

According to this, the air pressure shortage can be solved by increasing the amount of air supply to the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure shortage flag is turned on by stopping the air use operation currently being executed.

On the other hand, the correction processing unit 12e is configured to skip the execution of the air use operation when the air use operation to be corrected is an operation scheduled to be executed in the future (step SA106).

According to this, it is possible to prevent the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on and the other machine tool 10 from overlapping in the execution time zone of the air use operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air supply amount to the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on from further decreasing due to the overlap of the air use operation with the other machine tool 10.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the content of the correction process (process of the portion surrounded by the two-dot chain line in the figure) executed by the NC device 12 of each machine tool 10 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the correction control process executed by the NC device 12 of the present embodiment.

Since the processing of steps SB101 to SB103 is the same as the processing of steps SA101 to SA103 of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step SB104, the correction processing unit 12e executes a process of interrupting the air use operation currently being executed by the own machine under the control of the machining control unit 12b.

In step SB105, the correction processing unit 12e uses the air in the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on based on the signal from the pressure sensor 6 (other air that is continuing without interruption). It is determined whether or not the operation) has been completed, and if this determination is NO, the process returns to step SB104, and if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step SB106.

In step SB106, the correction processing unit 12e executes a process of resuming the currently suspended air use operation, and then returns.

In step SB107, which proceeds when the determination in step SB103 is NO, the pneumatic pressure status determination unit 12d has insufficient pneumatic pressure based on the pneumatic status information I received in step SB101, as in step SA105 of the first embodiment. The machine tool 10 other than the own machine whose flag is turned on is specified, and the air use operation in which the air use operation of the specified machine tool 10 and the execution time zone overlap is scheduled to be executed in the future (overlapping air use situation). Whether or not it is determined, and if this determination is NO, a return is made, while if YES, the process proceeds to step SB108.

In step SB108, the correction processing unit 12e sets to delay the execution timing of the air use operation scheduled to be executed in the future so that the execution time zones of the air use operation do not overlap. This setting is made, for example, by changing the length of the delay time in the NC program. The length of the delay time may be set to be slightly longer than, for example, the predicted end time of the air use operation included in the pneumatic condition information I. Further, the delay time may be a predetermined fixed time. It is preferable to set this fixed time longer than the execution time of the air-using operation, which requires the longest time. Then, after the processing of this step SB108 is completed, the process returns.

As described above, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if there is a machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on among the three machine tools 10, the other machine tool 10 is used. Since the correction process (process within the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) is executed so that the execution time zones of the air use operation do not overlap with each other, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the correction process executed by the correction process unit 12e is a timing change process for delaying the execution timing of the air use operation.

According to this, in the machine tool 10 other than the machine tool 10 in which the pneumatic shortage flag is turned on, the execution timing of the air use operation is delayed so that the execution time zones of the air use operation do not overlap. Therefore, as compared with the case of skipping the execution of the air-using operation, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the supply air pressure without losing the execution opportunity of the air-using operation.

When the air use operation for correcting the execution timing is the operation currently being executed, the correction processing unit 12e temporarily suspends the air use operation and air use in the machine tool 10 in which the pneumatic insufficient flag is turned on. After the operation is completed, it is configured to restart the suspended air use operation (step SB104 to step SB106).

According to this, in another machine tool different from the machine tool 10 in which the pneumatic insufficient flag is turned on, the air use operation currently being executed is temporarily interrupted, so that the machine tool 10 in which the pneumatic insufficient flag is turned on is temporarily interrupted. It is possible to improve the air pressure shortage by increasing the air supply amount.

Further, the correction processing unit 12e is configured to delay the execution start time of the air use operation when the air use operation for correcting the execution timing is an operation scheduled to be executed in the future (step SB108). ..

According to this, it is possible to prevent the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on and the other machine tool 10 from overlapping in the execution time zone of the air use operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air supply amount to the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on from further decreasing due to the overlap of the air use operation with the other machine tool 10.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the NC device 12 of each machine tool 10 is provided with a priority storage unit 12f, and a correction processing unit is provided according to the execution priority of each air use operation stored in the priority storage unit 12f. The point that the content of the correction process by 12e is determined is different from each of the above-described embodiments.

The priority data (corresponding to the priority information) shown in FIG. 7 is stored in advance in the priority storage unit 12f. The priority storage unit 12f is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a ROM or a hard disk.

As shown in FIG. 7, the priority data consists of three columns of table data, and corresponds to the type of air use operation, the command code in the NC program of the air use operation, and the execution priority of the air use operation. It is configured with.

FIG. 7 discloses, but is not limited to, a door opening / closing operation by the air cylinder of the door opening / closing device 11b and an air blow operation by the air blow device 11a as an example of the type of air use operation.

Here, the execution priority is an indispensable degree of operation when machining a work by the machine tool 10, and in this example, the operator makes "high", "medium", and "low" through the operation panel. It can be set in 3 steps. The method of expressing the execution priority is not limited to this, and may be expressed by, for example, a numerical value. In FIG. 7, the priority of the door opening / closing operation is set to "high" and the priority of the air blow operation is set to "low". It can be seen that the degree of necessity) is high.

Then, when the air pressure status determination unit 12d determines that the above-mentioned overlapping air usage status has occurred, the correction processing unit 12e is based on the priority data stored in the priority storage unit 12f. , The execution priority of each air use operation that causes the overlap of the execution time zone between the machine machine 10 with the air shortage flag turned on and the other machine tools 10 is specified, and the specified execution priority is "medium". For the air use operation lower than the above, skip processing (the same processing as in the two-point chain line of FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment) is executed as the correction processing, and the specified execution priority is "medium" or higher. As for the use operation, the timing change process (the same process as in the two-point chain line of FIG. 5 described in the second embodiment) is configured to be executed as the correction process.

Therefore, when an overlapping air usage situation occurs, the air usage operation with a low execution priority (air blow operation in this example) is skipped to speed up the processing, and the air usage operation with a high execution priority (air blow operation). In this example, the execution timing is delayed or temporarily interrupted (timing change processing) without skipping the door opening / closing operation), so that the air use operation can be reliably executed while suppressing the decrease in the supply air pressure. ..

As a modification of the third embodiment, the correction processing unit 12e excludes the air use operation having the execution priority of "medium" or higher from the execution target of the correction processing, and the execution priority is less than "medium". The air use operation may be configured to be the execution target of the correction process.

According to this configuration, the execution target of the correction processing by the correction processing unit 12e is limited to the case where the execution priority is less than "medium", and the skip processing or the air use operation having the execution priority of "medium" or higher is performed. Correction processing such as timing change processing is not executed. Therefore, the air use operation having a high execution priority can be reliably executed even if the supply air pressure is insufficient, and it is possible to prevent the operation of the machine tool 10 from being adversely affected.

(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment has the priority storage unit 12f (see FIG. 6) that stores the priority data (see FIG. 7) as in the third embodiment, but the air use operation specified in the priority data. It is different from the third embodiment in that the air use operation to be the target of the correction process is determined based on the execution priority of the above.

That is, in the first and second embodiments, the correction processing unit 12e executes the correction processing for the air use operation of another machine tool 10 different from the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on. However, in the present embodiment, the air use operation for which the correction process is performed is determined according to the execution priority of the air use operation executed by each machine tool 10.

Specifically, when the execution status acquisition unit 12c determines that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the correction processing unit 12e of the present embodiment stores the priority data in the priority storage unit 12f. Based on the above, the execution priority of the air use operation that causes the overlap of the execution time zones in each of the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on and the other machine tool 10 is specified. Then, the correction processing unit 12e compares the execution priorities of the specified air use operations, and based on the comparison, the machine tool 10 in which the air pressure insufficient flag is turned on and the other machine tool 10 It is configured to determine which air usage operation to perform the correction process. In this example, the correction processing unit 12e compares the execution priority of the air use operation in the machine tool 10 in which the pneumatic insufficient flag is turned on with the execution priority of the air use operation of the other machine tool 10. , The air-using operation of the machine tool 10 having the lowest execution priority is determined as a correction target. The determination procedure is not limited to this, and for example, all air use operations having an execution priority of a predetermined level or less may be determined as a correction target.

In this way, by considering the execution priority of the air use operation and determining the air use operation to be the target of the correction process in the correction processing unit 12e, skip processing and timing are performed for the air use operation having a high execution priority. It is possible to prevent the change process from being executed and adversely affecting the operation of the entire machine tool 10.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, a monitoring server 20 for monitoring the operating status of the three machine tools 10 is separately provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the monitoring server 20 may be abolished and each NC device 12 may be provided with the above-mentioned function of the monitoring server 20 by communicating with the NC devices 12 of each machine tool 10.

In each of the above embodiments, the set pressure of the pressure regulating valve 5 is adopted as an example of the predetermined pressure, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a pressure lower than the set pressure of the pressure regulating valve 5 (for example, the set pressure) is adopted. 70% to 80%).

In each of the above embodiments, as an example of the air use operation, the door opening / closing operation by the air cylinder of the door opening / closing device 11b and the air blow operation by the air blow device 11a have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a driving operation of a pneumatic work chuck mechanism.

In the second embodiment, after the air use operation (YES in step SB105) of the machine tool 10 in which the pneumatic insufficient flag is turned on is completed (YES in step SB105), the suspended air use is completed. The operation is restarted (step SB106), but is not limited to this, for example, the suspended air after the supply air pressure is restored to the set pressure in the machine tool 10 in which the pneumatic insufficient flag is turned on. The operation may be resumed.

It should be noted that the description of the above-described embodiment is exemplary in all respects and is not restrictive. Modifications and changes can be made as appropriate for those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments described above. Further, the scope of the present invention includes modifications from the embodiments within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the claims.

1 Air supply system 2 Air supply source 5 Pressure control valve 6 Pressure sensor (pressure detection unit)
10 Machine tool 11 Air-using equipment 11a Air-blowing equipment (air-using equipment)
11b Door opening / closing device (air equipment)
12d Pneumatic status determination unit 12e Correction processing unit 12f Priority storage unit (storage unit)
21 Execution status acquisition unit 22 Air usage determination unit

Claims (5)

One air supply source commonly provided for a plurality of machine tools, an air supply path connected to each machine machine and supplying air supplied from the air supply source to each machine machine, and each of them. An air supply system provided in an air supply path and provided with a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure of the supply air supplied to each of the machine tools.
Each of the machine tools is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on the automatic operation program stored in each machine tool.
A pressure detecting unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the supplied air after adjusting the pressure supplied to each machine tool.
The execution status acquisition unit that acquires the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool,
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the pressure of the supply air detected by the pressure detection unit in one machine tool is lower than the predetermined pressure. In addition, an air use determination unit for determining whether or not the one machine machine is executing an air use operation using the supply air, and
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the air usage determination unit determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. In addition, whether or not there is an overlapping air usage situation in which the air usage operation that is being executed by one machine tool and the execution time zone overlaps with that of another machine tool that is currently being executed or will be executed in the future. The pneumatic condition judgment unit that determines whether or not
When it is determined by the pneumatic condition determination unit that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the overlap of the execution time zones of the air usage operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. In order to avoid this, it has a correction processing unit that executes a correction process for correcting the execution timing of the air use operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool.
When the air-using operation for correcting the execution timing is an operation scheduled to be executed in the future in another machine tool, the correction processing unit skips the execution of the air-using operation, or the air-using operation. It is configured to execute the timing change process for delaying the execution start time of the above as the correction process.
Further, a storage unit for storing a plurality of air use operations that can be executed by each machine tool and a predetermined execution priority of each air use operation as priority information is further provided.
When the correction processing unit executes the correction processing, the correction processing unit specifies the execution priority of the air use operation that is the target of the correction processing based on the priority information stored in the storage unit, and the specified execution. If the priority is less than the predetermined level, the skip process is executed as the correction process, and if the specified execution priority is higher than the predetermined level, the timing change process is executed as the correction process. An air supply system characterized by being configured in such a way . One air supply source commonly provided for a plurality of machine tools, an air supply path connected to each machine machine and supplying air supplied from the air supply source to each machine machine, and each of them. An air supply system provided in an air supply path and provided with a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure of the supply air supplied to each of the machine tools.
Each of the machine tools is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on the automatic operation program stored in each machine tool.
A pressure detecting unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the supplied air after adjusting the pressure supplied to each machine tool.
The execution status acquisition unit that acquires the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool,
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the pressure of the supply air detected by the pressure detection unit in one machine tool is lower than the predetermined pressure. In addition, an air use determination unit for determining whether or not the one machine machine is executing an air use operation using the supply air, and
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the air usage determination unit determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. In addition, whether or not there is an overlapping air usage situation in which the air usage operation that is being executed by one machine tool and the execution time zone overlaps with that of another machine tool that is currently being executed or will be executed in the future. The pneumatic condition judgment unit that determines whether or not
When it is determined by the pneumatic condition determination unit that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the overlap of the execution time zones of the air usage operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. In order to avoid this, it has a correction processing unit that executes a correction process for correcting the execution timing of the air use operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool.
When the air use operation for correcting the execution timing is an operation currently being executed, the correction processing unit interrupts the air use operation in the middle and skips the rest, or the air use. It is configured to execute the timing change process for resuming the suspended air use operation as the correction process after the operation is temporarily interrupted and another continuous air use operation is completed without interruption.
Further, a storage unit for storing a plurality of air use operations that can be executed by each machine tool and a predetermined execution priority of each air use operation as priority information is further provided.
When the correction processing unit executes the correction processing, the correction processing unit specifies the execution priority of the air use operation that is the target of the correction processing based on the priority information stored in the storage unit, and the specified execution. If the priority is less than the predetermined level, the skip process is executed as the correction process, and if the specified execution priority is higher than the predetermined level, the timing change process is executed as the correction process. An air supply system characterized by being configured in such a way . One air supply source commonly provided for a plurality of machine tools, an air supply path connected to each machine machine and supplying air supplied from the air supply source to each machine machine, and each of them. An air supply system provided in an air supply path and provided with a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure of the supply air supplied to each of the machine tools.
Each of the machine tools is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on the automatic operation program stored in each machine tool.
A pressure detecting unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the supplied air after adjusting the pressure supplied to each machine tool.
The execution status acquisition unit that acquires the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool,
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the pressure of the supply air detected by the pressure detection unit in one machine tool is lower than the predetermined pressure. In addition, an air use determination unit for determining whether or not the one machine machine is executing an air use operation using the supply air, and
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the air usage determination unit determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. In addition, whether or not there is an overlapping air usage situation in which the air usage operation that is being executed by one machine tool and the execution time zone overlaps with that of another machine tool that is currently being executed or will be executed in the future. The pneumatic condition judgment unit that determines whether or not
When it is determined by the pneumatic condition determination unit that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the overlap of the execution time zones of the air usage operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. In order to avoid this, it has a correction processing unit that executes a correction process for correcting the execution timing of the air use operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool.
Further, a storage unit for storing a plurality of air use operations that can be executed by each machine tool and a predetermined execution priority of each air use operation as priority information is further provided.
The correction processing unit excludes an air use operation having an execution priority of a predetermined level or higher from the execution target of the correction process, and sets an air use operation having an execution priority of less than a predetermined level as an execution target of the correction process. An air supply system characterized by being configured in such a way. One air supply source commonly provided for a plurality of machine tools, an air supply path connected to each machine machine and supplying air supplied from the air supply source to each machine machine, and each of them. An air supply system provided in an air supply path and provided with a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure of the supply air supplied to each of the machine tools.
Each of the machine tools is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on the automatic operation program stored in each machine tool.
A pressure detecting unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the supplied air after adjusting the pressure supplied to each machine tool.
The execution status acquisition unit that acquires the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool,
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the pressure of the supply air detected by the pressure detection unit in one machine tool is lower than the predetermined pressure. In addition, an air use determination unit for determining whether or not the one machine machine is executing an air use operation using the supply air, and
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition unit when the air usage determination unit determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. In addition, whether or not there is an overlapping air usage situation in which the air usage operation that is being executed by one machine tool and the execution time zone overlaps with that of another machine tool that is currently being executed or will be executed in the future. The pneumatic condition judgment unit that determines whether or not
When it is determined by the pneumatic condition determination unit that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the overlap of the execution time zones of the air usage operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. In order to avoid this, it has a correction processing unit that executes a correction process for correcting the execution timing of the air use operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool.
Further, a storage unit for storing a plurality of air use operations that can be executed by each machine tool and a predetermined execution priority of each air use operation as priority information is further provided .
When the air pressure status determination unit determines that the overlapping air usage status has occurred, the correction processing unit is based on the priority information stored in the storage unit, and the machine machine is one. The execution priority of the air-using operation that causes the overlap of the execution time zones is specified in each of the above-mentioned other machine and the other machine machine, the execution priority of each specified air-using operation is compared, and based on the comparison, the above-mentioned An air supply system characterized in that it is configured to determine for which air-using operation of one machine and the other machine the correction process is performed. The plurality of air-using operations include a door opening / closing operation in which an opening / closing door of a machining area of each machine tool is driven by an air actuator, and an air blow operation executed in each machine tool.
The execution priority of the door opening / closing operation is equal to or higher than the predetermined level.
The air supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the execution priority of the air blow operation is less than the predetermined level .

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