JP7187759B2 - Measuring machine management device and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a measuring machine management device and method, and more particularly to a measuring machine management device and method for managing the operating status of a plurality of measuring machines.

A three-dimensional measuring machine (CMM: Coordinate Measuring Machine) has a probe at the tip of a stylus. It is possible to measure the Such a three-dimensional measuring machine has an independent driving unit for each axial direction in order to relatively move the probe and the object to be measured along each three-dimensional axial direction.

Patent document 1 discloses a Y-axis driving unit for driving a beam supporter that supports a beam in the Y-axis direction, and an X-axis driving unit for driving a column supported by the beam in the X-axis direction along the beam. and a Z-axis drive for driving a spindle with a contact probe mounted thereon along the column in the Z-axis direction.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-328018

In a measuring machine having independent driving units for each three-dimensional axial direction, each driving unit has a different operating record. In addition, errors and failures are more likely to occur in a drive unit with a larger amount of operation (for example, a drive distance, a cumulative value of drive speed, the number of times the drive direction is switched, etc.). Since the drive unit of the three-dimensional measuring machine requires high alignment accuracy, it is necessary to carry out maintenance and calibrate the errors and failures.

In order to carry out such maintenance of the drive unit and calibrate the error, it is necessary to secure an operator skilled in the calibration work, and it takes a lot of time. For this reason, it is desirable to reduce the frequency of errors and failures in the drive unit of the measuring machine, and to reduce the frequency of maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a measuring machine management apparatus and method capable of reducing the frequency of occurrence of errors and failures in the driving part of a measuring machine and the like, thereby reducing the frequency of maintenance. intended to provide

In order to solve the above-described problems, a measuring machine management apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an operation result acquisition unit that acquires operation results for each drive axis of a plurality of measuring machines each having a plurality of drive axes. , an estimated working amount calculation unit that calculates the estimated working amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine when performing measurement work using the measuring machine, 2, based on the average operation amount calculation unit that calculates the average operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine when performing the measurement work, and the operation performance, estimated operation amount and average operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine, a selection unit that selects a measuring machine to which a measuring task is to be assigned from among the plurality of measuring machines so that the operating results of each measuring machine and the operating results of each driving shaft of the measuring machine are even.

According to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the frequency of occurrence of errors and failures in the drive unit of the three-dimensional measuring machine, thereby reducing the frequency of maintenance. This makes it possible to reduce the cost required for maintenance of the three-dimensional measuring machine while maintaining the accuracy of the driving section of the three-dimensional measuring machine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring-instrument management apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the selection unit includes an absolute difference value between a value obtained by adding an estimated operation amount to the operation results of the plurality of measuring apparatuses and an average operation amount. The measuring machine to which the measuring work is assigned is selected so that the sum of .

According to the second aspect, by minimizing the sum of the absolute difference between the value obtained by adding the estimated working amount to the operating results of the measuring machines and the average working amount, the plurality of measuring machines are evenly distributed. it becomes possible to operate.

A measuring machine management apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is, in the first or second aspect, the upper limit operation amount acquisition for acquiring the upper limit operation amount until maintenance is required for the drive shafts of the plurality of measuring machines. and the selection unit selects the measuring machine to which the measurement work is to be assigned based on the operation record, the estimated operation amount, and the upper limit operation amount.

In the measuring instrument management apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the selection unit divides the sum of the operation record and the estimated operation amount by the upper limit operation amount so that the variance of the value is minimized. It is designed to select the measuring machine to which the measuring work is assigned.

According to the third and fourth aspects, it is possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance by using the upper limit operation amount until maintenance is required.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring machine management device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the estimated working amount calculation unit performs the measurement work while changing the arrangement of the object to be measured on the measuring machine. The average operation amount calculation unit calculates the average operation amount when the measurement work is performed by changing the arrangement of the object to be measured in the measuring machine, and the selection unit calculates the The measuring machine to which the measurement work is to be assigned is selected based on the actual operating results, estimated operating amount, and average operating amount for each drive shaft.

According to the fifth aspect, by changing the arrangement of the object to be measured, it is possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance.

A measuring machine management method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention acquires the operation results for each drive axis of a plurality of measuring machines each having a plurality of drive axes, and performs measurement work using the measuring machines. Calculate the estimated operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine in the above, and based on the actual operation results and estimated operation amount, average operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine when performing measurement work for each drive axis of the measuring machine is calculated, and based on the operation results, estimated operation amount, and average operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine, multiple units are selected so that the operation results for each measuring machine and the operation results for each drive axis of the measuring machine are equal. Select the measuring machine to which the measuring work is assigned from among the measuring machines in the

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the frequency of errors and failures in the drive section of the measuring machine, and to reduce the frequency of maintenance. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost required for maintenance of the measuring machine while maintaining the accuracy of the drive unit of the measuring machine.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a measuring-machine management system including a measuring-machine management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the measuring-instrument management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a measuring-machine management device (measuring-machine operation management server) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a three-dimensional measuring machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a three-dimensional measuring machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a measuring machine management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a measuring machine management method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a measuring machine management method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a measuring machine management device and method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Measuring machine management system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a measuring-machine management system including a measuring-machine management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the measuring-instrument management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The measuring machine management system 1 according to the present embodiment selects a measuring machine 10 to which work is assigned based on the operation records of a plurality of measuring machines (coordinate measuring machines) 10, and adjusts the operation records of each measuring machine 10. . According to the measuring machine management system 1 , it is possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance by adjusting the operation results of the driving units of the measuring machines 10 so as to be uniform.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the measuring-machine management system 1 includes a measuring-machine management device (measuring-machine operation management server) 100 and a workpiece transport device 200 .

The measuring machine 10 is a device that measures the three-dimensional shape of an object (work) to be measured. The configuration of the measuring instrument 10 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

When the measurement of the workpiece is executed in the measuring machine 10 (step S10), the operation record of each driving unit of the measuring machine 10 is transmitted from the measuring machine 10 to the measuring machine management device 100. (step S12).

The measuring-machine management device 100 acquires and aggregates data relating to operation results from a plurality of measuring machines 10 (step S14).

When a new workpiece to be measured is supplied and an input of an instruction to start measurement is received, the workpiece transporting device 200 transmits workpiece information related to the workpiece to be measured to the measuring machine management device 100, and uses the workpiece for measurement. An inquiry is made about the measuring instrument 10 to be measured (step S16). Here, the work information includes information on the estimated operating amount for each drive shaft in the measuring machine 10 when the work is measured.

The measuring machine management device 100 selects the measuring machine 10 based on the operation record of each measuring machine 10 in response to the inquiry from the work transporting device 200 (step S18). Then, the measuring machine management device 100 transmits the selection result of the measuring machine 10 to the work transporting device 200 (step S20).

The work transporting device 200 transports and installs the work on the measuring machine 10 selected by the measuring machine managing device 100 (step S22). Then, the measuring machine 10 on which the workpiece is installed performs measurement (step S24) and transmits the operation record. In FIG. 2, the processing after step S24 is omitted because it is the same as steps S10 to S14.

[Measuring machine management device (measuring machine operation management server)]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a measuring-machine management device (measuring-machine operation management server) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The measuring machine management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment selects the measuring machine 10 to be used for measurement when measuring a new workpiece based on the operating status of a plurality of measuring machines 10, and transports the workpiece. The device 200 is instructed. As shown in FIG. 3 , the measuring-apparatus management apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a processing section 102 , an operation section 104 , a storage section 106 , a display section 108 and a communication interface (communication I/F) 110 .

The processing section 102 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the operation of each section of the measuring-machine management apparatus 100 . The processing unit 102 receives an operation input from the operator via the operation unit 104, and transmits a control signal corresponding to the operation input to each unit of the measuring-instrument management apparatus 100 to control the operation of each unit. The processing unit 102 is capable of transmitting control signals and data to the measuring instrument 10 and the workpiece transporting device 200 via the communication I/F 110 . The processing unit 102 functions as an estimated working amount calculating unit, an average working amount calculating unit, and a selecting unit.

The operation unit 104 includes operation members that receive operation inputs from the operator. For example, a keyboard, pointing device, mouse or the like for inputting characters can be used as the operating member.

The communication I/F 110 is means for performing communication between the measuring machine 10 and the work transporting device 200 and performs conversion processing of data transmitted and received between the measuring machine 10 and the work transporting device 200 . The communication I/F 110 includes a D/A (digital-to-analog) converter for converting digital commands sent to the measuring instrument 10 into analog signals, and signals sent from the measuring instrument 10 to the measuring instrument management apparatus 100. An A/D (analog-to-digital) converter for converting data such as operating conditions into digital data may also be included. The communication I/F 110 functions as an operation result acquisition unit that acquires operation result information (pX, pY and pZ) from each measuring instrument 10 . The communication I/F 110 sets the upper limit operation amount (mX, mY, and mZ) for each drive axis (hereinafter referred to as axis) required when executing a new measurement job (measurement job) from each measuring machine 10. It functions as an upper limit operation amount acquisition unit that acquires amount information.

Note that the operating status information and the upper limit operating amount information may be stored in a database separate from that of the measuring instrument 10 .

The storage unit 106 stores programs used in calculations by the processing unit 102 and data such as operating conditions acquired from the measuring instrument 10 . As the storage unit 106, for example, a device including a magnetic disk such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a device including a flash memory such as an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like can be used. can. FIG. 3 shows an operation management program as an example of a program stored in the storage unit 106, and an operation status as an example of data stored in the storage unit 106. As shown in FIG. The operation management program is a program used by the processing unit 102 to select the measuring instrument 10 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 .

The display unit 108 is a device for displaying character information, images, GUI (Graphical User Interface), and the like. As the display unit 108, for example, a liquid crystal display can be used. The display unit 108 can display data such as the operating status acquired from the measuring instrument 10 .

[CMM]
4 and 5 are a perspective view and a block diagram, respectively, showing a three-dimensional measuring machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the measuring instrument 10 according to this embodiment includes a base 20 and a surface plate 18 provided on the base 20 . The surface of the platen 18 is formed in a planar shape parallel to the XY plane. The work is transported to the surface of the surface plate by the work transport device 200 . Then, the work is fixed on the surface of the surface plate 18 . As means for fixing the workpiece to the surface of the surface plate 18, for example, a clamping mechanism can be used.

A pair of columns (struts) 16 extending upward (+Z direction) in the drawing from the surface of the surface plate 18 is attached to the surface plate 18 . A beam 14 spans over the upper end of the column 16 (the end on the +Z side). The pair of columns 16 are synchronously movable on the surface plate 18 in the Y direction, and the beam 14 is movable in the Y direction while being parallel to the X direction. Note that the pair of columns 16 may be connected on the lower surface side of the surface plate 18 .

A head 12 extending in the Z direction is attached to the beam 14 . The head 12 is movable along the length direction (X direction) of the beam 14 .

A probe 22 is attached to the lower end (-Z side end) of the head 12 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z direction) in the figure.

The probe 22 includes a highly rigid shaft-shaped member (stylus 24). As the material of the stylus 24, for example, super hard alloy, titanium, stainless steel, ceramics, carbon fiber, etc. can be used.

A probe 26 is provided at the tip of the stylus 24 of the probe 22 . The probe 26 is a spherical member having high hardness and excellent wear resistance. Ruby, silicon nitride, zirconia, ceramic, or the like can be used as the material of the probe 26, for example. The diameter of the stylus 26 (hereinafter referred to as stylus diameter) is, for example, 4.0 mm.

When measuring a workpiece, the column 16, head 12 and probe 22 are moved in the XYZ directions to bring the stylus 26 into contact with the workpiece. Then, the amount of displacement of the probe 26 and the like are measured while scanning the probe 26 along the contour of the workpiece. Data such as the measured value of the displacement amount is transmitted to the measuring instrument management apparatus 100 . The measuring machine management device 100 can obtain the shape (contour), dimensions, etc. of the workpiece by processing this data using a general-purpose measuring program.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the measuring instrument 10 according to this embodiment includes a processor 50 , an operation section 52 , a memory 54 and a communication interface (communication I/F) 56 .

The processor 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the operation of each section of the measuring instrument 10 . The processor 50 receives operation inputs from the operator via the operation unit 52, and transmits control signals according to the operation inputs to each unit of the measuring instrument 10 to control the operation of each unit. The processor 50 can transmit control signals and data to the measuring-instrument management device 100 and the work transport device 200 via the communication I/F 56 .

The operation unit 52 includes operation members that receive operation inputs from the operator.

The memory 54 stores programs used for calculations by the processor 50 and data such as operating conditions of the drive units (the X-axis drive unit 58X, the Y-axis drive unit 58Y and the Z-axis drive unit 58Z).

The communication I/F 56 is means for performing communication between the measuring-instrument management apparatus 100 and the work transporting apparatus 200, and converts data transmitted and received between the measuring-instrument management apparatus 100 and the work transporting apparatus 200. conduct.

As shown in FIG. 5, the measuring instrument 10 includes an X-axis drive section 58X, a Y-axis drive section 58Y and a Z-axis drive section 58Z. The Y-axis driving section 58Y is driving means for moving the column 16 with respect to the surface plate 18, and includes, for example, a motor. The X-axis driving section 58X is driving means for moving the head 12 in the X direction along the beam 14, and includes, for example, a motor. The Z-axis driving section 58Z is driving means for moving the probe 22 in the Z direction, and includes, for example, a motor.

Furthermore, the measuring machine 10 includes an X-axis scale 60X, a Y-axis scale 60Y and a Z-axis scale 60Z for measuring the amounts of movement of the probe 22, the column 16 and the head 12, respectively. Linear encoders, for example, can be used as the X-axis scale 60X, the Y-axis scale 60Y, and the Z-axis scale 60Z.

[Measuring machine management method]
(First embodiment)
Next, a measuring instrument management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the i-th measuring machine 100 will be referred to as measuring machine i, and the number of measuring machines 100 will be n.

In this embodiment, when receiving a new inquiry about workpiece measurement from the workpiece transporting device 200, the processing unit 102 uses the estimated operation amount of each driving unit of the measuring machine i when the workpiece layout j is changed. Find the variance s(i,j) (see equation (1)). Next, the processing unit 102 selects the work placement j that minimizes the variance s(i,j) in each measuring machine 100, and sets the parameter di (see formula (2)) to the work placement j. calculate. Then, the processing unit 102 selects the measuring machine i that minimizes the parameter di, and sends an instruction to the measuring machine i and the workpiece transport device 200 to perform measurement with the selected measuring machine i and workpiece placement j.

First, the processing unit 102 calculates the variance s(i,j ) is calculated (step S34). Then, the processing unit 102 sets j=j+1 (step S38) and repeats the calculation of the variance s(i,j) for all the work placements (j=1, . . . , 6) (steps S34 to S38).

Estimated operation when the actual operation amounts of the X-axis drive unit 58X, Y-axis drive unit 58Y, and Z-axis drive unit 58Z of the measuring machine i are set to pX, pY, and pZ, respectively, and measurements are performed for a workpiece that has received a new inquiry. Let the quantities be X', Y' and Z' respectively. Then, let mX, mY, and mZ be the reference working amounts until maintenance of the X-axis drive section 58X, Y-axis drive section 58Y, and Z-axis drive section 58Z of the measuring machine i becomes necessary, respectively. The upper limit operation amount mX, mY, and mZ may differ depending on the model of the measuring instrument i, the age, or the operation record of each axis (for example, the model with low durability, or the number of years or operation record, The upper operating amounts mX, mY, and mZ may be made smaller as they are larger.) may be arbitrarily designated by the operator. In this case, the calculation of the variance s(i,j) can be done as follows.

The processing unit 102 calculates estimated working amount information related to the estimated working amount required for each axis when a new measurement job (measurement job) is executed for each work placement j from the work transporting device 200 . Work placement 1 (j=1) is a placement where the estimated working amount (Xj, Yj, Zj)=(X', Y', Z').

Parameters s(i,1)X, s(i,1)Y, and s(i,1)Z are the sum of the actual operating amount of each axis and the estimated operating amount when a new measurement job is performed. It is a parameter obtained by dividing by an amount, and is a parameter that indicates the necessity of performing maintenance on each axis. s(i,1)X, s(i,1)Y and s(i,1)Z are obtained by the following formulas.

s(i,1)X = (pX+X')/mX
s(i,1)Y = (pY+Y')/mY
s(i,1)Z = (pZ+Z')/mZ
The average value s(i,1) _ave and the variance s(i,1) of the parameters s(i,1)X, s(i,1)Y and s(i,1)Z are obtained by the following formula .

s(i,1) _ave = {s(i,1)X+s(i,1)Y+s(i,1)Z}/3
s(i,1) = [{s(i,1)Xs(i,1) _ave } ² +{s(i,1)Ys(i,1) _ave } ² +{s(i,1)Zs (i,1) _ave } ² ]/3
Work placements 2 to 6 (j=2, .
・Work placement 2 (j = 2): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (X', Z', Y')
・Work placement 3 (j = 3): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (Y', X', Z')
・Work placement 4 (j = 4): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (Y', Z', X')
・Work placement 5 (j = 5): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (Z', X', Y')
・Work placement 6 (j = 6): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (Z', Y', X')
Parameters s(i,j)X, s(i,j)Y and s(i,j)Z for work placements 2 to 6 (j=2, . . . , 6) are obtained by the following equations. The parameters s(i,j)X, s(i,j)Y and s(i,j)Z are the parameters s(i,1)X, s(i,1)Y and s(i,1)Z is a parameter that indicates the necessity of performing maintenance on each axis.
・Work placement 2 (j=2)
s(i,2)X = (pX+X')/mX
s(i,2)Y = (pY+Z')/mY
s(i,2)Z = (pZ+Y')/mZ
・Work placement 3 (j=3)
s(i,3)X = (pX+Y')/mX
s(i,3)Y = (pY+X')/mY
s(i,3)Z = (pZ+Z')/mZ
・Work placement 4 (j=4)
s(i,4)X = (pX+Y')/mX
s(i,4)Y = (pY+Z')/mY
s(i,4)Z = (pZ+X')/mZ
・Work placement 5 (j=5)
s(i,5)X = (pX+Z')/mX
s(i,5)Y = (pY+X')/mY
s(i,5)Z = (pZ+Y')/mZ
・Work placement 6 (j=6)
s(i,6)X = (pX+Z')/mX
s(i,6)Y = (pY+Y')/mY
s(i,6)Z = (pZ+X')/mZ
The average value s(i,j) _ave and variance s(i,j) of the parameters at each work placement j are obtained by the following equations.

s(i,j) _ave = {s(i,j)X+s(i,j)Y+s(i,j)Z}/3
s(i,j) = [{s(i,j)Xs(i,j) _ave } ² +{s(i,j)Ys(i,j) _ave } ² +{s(i,j)Zs (i,j) _ave } ² ]/3 (1)
This variance s(i,j) increases as the variation in the ratio of the operating amount to the upper operating amount of the drive unit corresponding to each axis increases after the measurement is performed with the workpiece arrangement j for the measuring machine i. It is a parameter having the property of It is estimated that the smaller the variance s(i,j), the more evenly the drive units corresponding to the axes of the measuring machine i are used.

When the calculation of the variances s(i,j) is completed for all work placements j (j=1, . . . , 6) (Yes in step S36), the processing unit work placement j is selected (step S40). Then, the processing unit 102 calculates the difference di for the selected workpiece placement j (step S42).

Let (Xi, Yi, Zi) be the operation amount of each axis of the measuring machine i before a new measurement job is performed. Since the estimated operation amount when a new measurement job is performed with work placement j is (Xj, Yj, Zj), the average operation amount for each axis of all measuring machines i after a new measurement job is aX , aY and aZ are obtained by the following equations.

X-axis average operation amount: aX = (X1+X2+...+Xn + Xj)/n
Y-axis average operation amount: aY = (Y1+Y2+...+Yn + Yj)/n
Z-axis average operation amount: aZ = (Z1+Z2+...+Zn + Zj)/n
In the measuring machine 1, the difference d1 when the measurement is performed at the work placement j is obtained by the following formula.

d1X = |(X1+Xj)-aX| + |X2-aX| + ... + |Xn-aX|
d1Y = |(Y1+Yj)-aY| + |Y2-aY| + ... + |Yn-aY|
d1Z = |(Z1+Zj)-aZ| + |Z2-aZ| + ... + |Zn-aZ|
d1 = d1X + d1Y + d1Z
The processing unit 102 obtains the workpiece placement j that minimizes the variance s(i,j) for all measuring machines i (step S40). Then, the processing unit 102 obtains the difference di from the following formula for the work placement j obtained for each measuring machine i (step S42). The processing unit 102 sets i=i+1 (step S46) and repeats calculation of the difference di for all measuring instruments i (steps S32 to S46).

diX = |X1-aX| + ... + |(Xi+Xj)-aX| + ... + |Xn-aX|
diY = |Y1-aY| + ... + |(Yi+Yj)-aY| + ... + |Yn-aY|
diZ = |Z1-aZ| + ... + |(Zi+Zj)-aZ| + ... + |Zn-aZ|
di = diX + diY + diZ (2)
This difference di is a parameter that has the property of increasing in value as the absolute value of the difference between the operating amount and the average operating amount of the measuring machine i increases. It is estimated that the smaller the difference di, the more evenly the measuring device i is used.

As the difference di, the sum of the absolute difference between the operation amount after execution of the measurement job and the average operation amount is calculated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sum of squares may be used instead of the sum of absolute difference values.

When processing unit 102 finishes calculating differences di for all measuring machines i (i=1, . , instructs the workpiece transport device 200 and the measuring machine i to perform measurement by the selected measuring machine i and workpiece placement j (step S50).

According to this embodiment, when there are a plurality of measuring machines i, each measuring machine i can be used equally. Therefore, jobs are concentrated on a specific measuring machine i, which increases the frequency of maintenance. can be prevented. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance by selecting the workpiece placement j based on the amount of operation until maintenance becomes necessary.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a measuring instrument management method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the difference d(i,j) is calculated for each measuring machine i and each work arrangement j, and the measuring machine i and work arrangement j that minimize the difference d(i,j) are selected. , work arrangement j, the measuring machine i is used equally.

First, the processing unit 102 calculates the difference d(i,j) when workpiece placement j (j=1) is selected (step S62) in the measuring machine i (i=1) (step S60) (step S64). Then, the processing unit 102 sets j=j+1 (step S68), and repeats the calculation of the difference d(i,j) for all work placements (j=1, . . . , 6) (steps S64 to S68). Next, the processing unit 102 sets i=i+1 (step S72) and repeats the calculation of the difference d(i,j) for all measuring instruments i (steps S62 to S72).

The difference d(i,j) when the measurement is performed with the workpiece layout j in the measuring machine i can be obtained as follows.

First, similarly to the first embodiment, work placement j is defined as follows.
・Work placement 1 (j = 1): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (X', Y', Z')
・Work placement 2 (j = 2): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (X', Z', Y')
・Work placement 3 (j = 3): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (Y', X', Z')
・Work placement 4 (j = 4): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (Y', Z', X')
・Work placement 5 (j = 5): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (Z', X', Y')
・Work placement 6 (j = 6): (Xj, Yj, Zj) = (Z', Y', X')
Next, for each workpiece arrangement j, the average working amounts aX, aY and aZ of each axis are calculated by the following formulas.

X-axis average operation amount: aX = (X1+X2+...+Xn + Xj)/n
Y-axis average operation amount: aY = (Y1+Y2+...+Yn + Yj)/n
Z-axis average operation amount: aZ = (Z1+Z2+...+Zn + Zj)/n
Next, using the average operating amount aX, aY and aZ of each axis calculated for each workpiece arrangement j, the differences d(i,j)X, d(i,j)Y and d(i,j )Z and compute the difference d(i,j). By repeating this calculation for each work placement j and each measuring machine i, d(i,j) (i=1, . . . , n, j=1, . . . , 6) is obtained.

d(i,j)X = |X1-aX| + ... + |(Xi+Xj)-aX| + ... + |Xn-aX|
d(i,j)Y = |Y1-aY| + ... + |(Yi+Yj)-aY| + ... + |Yn-aY|
d(i,j)Z = |Z1-aZ| + ... + |(Zi+Zj)-aZ| + ... + |Zn-aZ|
d(i,j) = d(i,j)X + d(i,j)Y + d(i,j)Z
This difference d(i,j) increases as the absolute value of the difference between the operating amount and the average operating amount for a specific measuring machine i increases. It is a parameter that has the property that its value increases as . It is estimated that the smaller the difference d(i,j) is, the more evenly the drive units corresponding to the axes of the measuring machine i are used.

When the calculation of the difference d(i,j) is completed for all measuring instruments i (i=1, . . . , n) (Yes in step S70), the processing unit A different measuring machine i and workpiece layout j are selected (step S74). Then, the processing unit 102 instructs the work transporting device 200 and the measuring machine i to perform measurement with the selected measuring machine i and work arrangement j (step S76).

According to this embodiment, when there are a plurality of measuring machines i, the drive units of each measuring machine i can be used equally. You can prevent it from getting too high.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a measuring instrument management method according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the variance s(i,j) is calculated for each measuring machine i and each work placement j, and the measuring machine i and work placement j that minimize the variance s(i,j) are selected. , work arrangement j, the measuring machine i is used equally.

First, the processing unit 102 calculates the variance s(i,j) in the case of selecting the work arrangement j (j=1) in the measuring machine i (i=1) (step S80) (step S82) (step S84). Then, the processing unit 102 sets j=j+1 (step S88) and repeats the calculation of the variance s(i,j) for all the work placements (j=1, . . . , 6) (steps S84 to S88). Next, the processing unit 102 sets i=i+1 (step S92) and repeats the calculation of variance s(i,j) for all measuring instruments i (steps S82 to S92).

Variance s(i,j) when measurement is performed with work placement j in measuring machine i can be obtained as follows.

First, work placement j is defined in the same way as in the first and second embodiments. Next, parameters s(i,j)X, s(i,j)Y and s(i,j)Z are obtained by the following equations. Parameters s(i,j)X, s(i,j)Y and s(i,j)Z are the sum of the actual operating amount of each axis and the estimated operating amount when a new measurement job is performed. It is a parameter obtained by dividing by an amount, and is a parameter that indicates the necessity of performing maintenance on each axis.

s(i,j)X = (pX+Xj)/mX
s(i,j)Y = (pY+Yj)/mY
s(i,j)Z = (pZ+Zj)/mZ
Next, the average value s(i,j) _ave and the variance s(i,j) of the parameters for each work placement j are obtained from the following equations.

s(i,j) _ave = {s(i,j)X+s(i,j)Y+s(i,j)Z}/3
s(i,j) = [{s(i,j)Xs(i,j) _ave } ² +{s(i,j)Ys(i,j) _ave } ² +{s(i,j)Zs (i,j) _ave } ² ]/3
This variance s(i,j) increases as the variation in the ratio of the operating amount to the upper operating amount of the drive unit corresponding to each axis increases after the measurement is performed with the workpiece arrangement j for the measuring machine i. It is a parameter having the property of It is estimated that the smaller the variance s(i,j), the more evenly the drive units corresponding to the axes of the measuring machine i are used.

When the calculation of the variances s(i,j) is completed for all measuring instruments i (i=1, . . . , n) (Yes in step S90), the processing unit 102 A different measuring machine i and workpiece layout j are selected (step S94). Then, the processing unit 102 instructs the work transporting device 200 and the measuring machine i to perform measurement with the selected measuring machine i and work arrangement j (step S96).

According to this embodiment, when there are a plurality of measuring machines i, it is possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance by selecting the work placement j based on the amount of operation until maintenance becomes necessary. .

In the first to third embodiments, the work placement j is also selectable, but the work placement may be fixed, for example. In addition, for example, when it is difficult to measure with a specific work arrangement due to the shape of the work, the variance s(i, j) or the difference d(i, j ) may be calculated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Measuring machine management system 10... Measuring machine, 12... Head, 14... Beam (beam), 16... Column (post), 18... Surface plate, 20... Base, 22... Probe, 24... Stylus, 26... Probe 50 Processor 52 Operation unit 54 Memory 56 Communication interface (communication I/F) 58X X-axis drive unit 58Y Y-axis drive unit 58Z Z-axis drive unit 60X X-axis scale 60Y Y-axis scale 60Z Z-axis scale 100 Measuring instrument management device 102 Processing unit 104 Operation unit 106 Storage unit 108 Display unit 110 Communication interface (communication I /F), 200 ... work carrier

Claims (7)

an operation result acquisition unit that acquires an operation result for each drive axis of a plurality of measuring machines each having a plurality of drive axes;
an estimated working amount calculation unit that calculates an estimated working amount for each drive shaft of the measuring machine when the measuring work is performed using the measuring machine;
Average operation amount calculation unit for calculating an average operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine when the measurement work is performed for each drive axis of the measuring machine, based on the actual operation record and the estimated operation amount. When,
Based on the operation result, the estimated operation amount, and the average operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine, the operation result for each measuring machine and the operation result for each drive axis of the measuring machine are equalized. a selection unit that selects a measuring machine to which the measuring work is to be assigned from among the plurality of measuring machines;
measuring machine management device. 2. The measuring machine management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said estimated working amount calculation unit calculates said estimated working amount for each arrangement of an object to be measured on said measuring machine. The selecting unit allocates the measuring work such that the sum of the absolute difference between the estimated operation amount added to the operation results of the plurality of measuring machines and the average operation amount is minimized. 3. The measuring-machine management device according to claim 1 or 2, which selects . further comprising an upper limit operation amount acquisition unit that acquires an upper limit operation amount until maintenance is required for the drive shafts of the plurality of measuring instruments;
4. The measuring instrument management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the selection unit selects a measuring instrument to which the measurement work is to be assigned based on the operation record, the estimated operation amount, and the upper limit operation amount. . 5. The measuring machine according to claim 4, wherein the selection unit selects the measuring machine to which the measurement work is to be assigned so that the variance of a value obtained by dividing the sum of the operation record and the estimated operation amount by the upper limit operation amount is minimized. Measuring machine management device. The estimated working amount calculation unit calculates the estimated working amount when the measurement work is performed by changing the arrangement of the object to be measured in the measuring machine,
The average operation amount calculation unit calculates the average operation amount when the measurement work is performed by changing the arrangement of the object to be measured in the measuring machine,
6. The selecting unit selects a measuring machine to which the measuring work is to be assigned based on the operation record, the estimated working amount, and the average working amount for each of the drive shafts of the plurality of measuring machines. The measuring machine management device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3. Acquiring operation results for each drive shaft of a plurality of measuring machines each having a plurality of drive shafts,
calculating an estimated operating amount for each drive shaft of the measuring machine when performing a measuring operation using the measuring machine;
calculating an average operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine when the measurement work is performed for each drive axis of the measuring machine based on the actual operation record and the estimated operation amount;
Based on the operation result, the estimated operation amount, and the average operation amount for each drive axis of the measuring machine, the operation result for each measuring machine and the operation result for each drive axis of the measuring machine are equalized. , a measuring machine management method of selecting a measuring machine to which the measuring work is assigned from among the plurality of measuring machines.

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