JPH0579461B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a machining setup method for machining centers, FMS, etc.

Conventional technology In conventional machining centers and machines used for FMS, the operator confirms the type and number of workpieces using a process schedule table, searches for a jig, and checks the tool list to ensure that the machine is equipped with the necessary tools. The conventional method was to check if the tool was running properly, replenish tools if it was found, and call up a machining program or set a new machining program, but this was time consuming and prone to errors, so automation was considered. As a known technology related to this automation, as in Utility Model Publication No. 61-154658, an LSI chip that stores information such as the type of work, work number, etc. is attached to the transport pallet on which the work is placed and transported to a predetermined processing position. This is a data reading/writing device for the transport pallet that sends the information read by the reading means to the NC.

In addition, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-85849, the workpiece, pallet, and jig are transported from the automatic warehouse to the setup adjustment section by a transport robot based on a signal from the central control device, and the workpiece is fixed on the pallet via the jig. There are automatic setup devices, etc. that transport materials to machine tools using unmanned guided vehicles, process them, and store them after the processing is complete.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention These devices, such as automatic attachment of workpieces to pallets or jigs, automatic transportation, etc., are part of the automation when viewed from a series of setup work processes, but cannot be completely automated throughout. It was hoped that a new machining setup method would emerge.

Means for Solving the Problem Prior to machining, the reading device 15 reads the workpiece number, tool number, and machining program number stored in the identification means 14 provided on the workpiece mounting jig 7, and reads them via the controller 16. The workpiece number is output to the NC device 18, and the NC-controlled robot 25 attaches the workpiece W to the jig 7. Upon receiving the attachment completion signal, the controller 16 again outputs the tool number to the NC device 18, and the tool number is stored in the tool magazine. It determines whether all tools are equipped, and if they are, outputs a tool complete signal, and if the necessary tools are not present, the NC-controlled automatic tool replenishment device replenishes the necessary tools, and the replenishment is completed. If the tool complete signal is used, the machining program number is output to the controller or the NC device 18, and if the program with the machining program number is in the NC device, the machining preparation is completed, otherwise the machining program is supplied from the host computer 19 and the machining preparation is completed. This is what was done.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. A sliding guide surface in the left-right (X-axis) direction is installed on a sliding guide surface in the front-rear (Z-axis) direction cut into the front side of the upper surface of the bed 3 of a machining center 2 equipped with a tool magazine 1 for mounting a plurality of tools. A carriage 4 on the upper surface is placed so as to be movable and positionable in the Z-axis direction under NC control, and a table 5 is provided on a sliding guide surface of the carriage 4 in the X-axis direction so as to be movable and positionable under NC control. The table 5 is provided with a turning table 6 which can be rotated horizontally and can be rotated and indexed, and a workpiece W can be mounted on the turning table 6 via a jig 7. Furthermore, the upper and lower (Y
A spindle head 9 is provided on a sliding guide surface in the Y-axis direction so that it can be moved and positioned in the Y-axis direction by a ball screw (not shown) rotated by an NC-controlled servo motor 10. The main shaft 11 is supported horizontally by a bearing so as to be rotatable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the jig 7 fixed on the revolving table 6 has a publicly known identification means 14 attached or embedded therein, in which information such as a workpiece number, tool number, machining program number, etc. can be freely written and changed. A controller 16 with a manually or robotically operated reader 15 for reading the jig 7 is installed near the jig 7. The controller 16 is of an interactive type that is connected to the NC device 18 and sequentially outputs the contents of read signals to the NC device 18 in response to inquiry signals from the NC device 18. The NC device 18 is capable of storing a plurality of machining programs, and the host computer 19 also supplies a large number of machining programs. On the other hand, a tool storage 21 is provided near the tool magazine 1 in which a plurality of tools are stored in line.
Known automatic tool replenishment device 22 that automatically exchanges tools under control
is installed. Further, the workpieces W are arranged and placed on a workpiece stand 24 that is brought in from the workpiece storage area 26 by an unmanned carrier at a predetermined position provided around the jig 7 on the turning table 6. ing. This workpiece W is attached to a jig by an NC-controlled robot 25.

Operation In FIG. 3 of the operation flowchart, in step S1, the reading device 15 is applied to the identification means 14 attached to the jig 7, and the controller 16 reads the data stored in the identification means 14. step
In S2, the work number is from controller 16.
It is output to the NC device 18. In step S3, the corresponding workpiece W is moved to the jig 7 by the robot 25.
The installation completion signal is output from the NC device 18 to the controller 16. In step S4, the tool number is output from the controller 16 to the NC device 18. In step S5, it is determined whether all the necessary tools are included in the tool magazine 1, and if so, a tool complete signal is output to the controller 16. If the necessary tools are not provided, the NC-controlled automatic tool replenishment device 22 replenishes the necessary tools from the tool storage 21 in step S6, and when the replenishment is completed, a tool completion signal is output to the controller. step
In S7, the machining program is controller 16
is output to the NC device 18. In step S8, if the corresponding machining program exists in the NC device 18, it is called and preparation for machining is completed. If there is no corresponding machining program in the NC device 18, the machining program is supplied from the host computer 19 in step S9, and then preparation is completed.

Effects As detailed above, the present invention provides a workpiece mounting jig with an identification means in which the workpiece number, tool number, and machining program number are stored, and reads the data stored in this identification means with a reading device. By sequentially outputting data to the device, attaching the workpiece to the jig, loading the necessary tools into the tool magazine, and calling up the machining program, it is possible to automatically perform the following steps in order, making it possible to significantly shorten setup time. Furthermore, it has the advantage of eliminating human checking errors, and is effective in improving machine operating rates, automation, and labor saving in machining centers and FMS.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the setup method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the identification means attached to the jig and reading and mounting, and FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart. 7... Jig, 18... NC device, 19... Host computer, 21... Tool storage, 22
... Automatic tool replenishment device, 24 ... Workpiece stand, 2
5... Robot, 26... Workpiece storage area, W...
...Workpiece.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 It has a tool magazine that can hold multiple tools,
In a machining center or FMS equipped with an NC device backed up to a host computer that stores multiple machining programs corresponding to the workpiece,
Prior to machining, a reading device reads the work number, tool number, and machining program number stored in the identification means provided on the workpiece mounting jig, outputs the work number to the NC device via the controller, and then outputs the work number to the NC device.
The control robot attaches the workpiece to the jig, and upon receiving the attachment completion signal, the controller outputs the tool number to the NC device again, determines whether all the necessary tools are in the tool magazine, and if so, A tool complete signal is output, and if the necessary tool is not present, the NC-controlled automatic tool replenishment device replenishes the necessary tool. When replenishment is complete, the controller outputs a machining program number to the NC device with a tool complete signal and machining begins. A setup method using a jig with information, characterized in that if a program with a program number is in the NC device, machining preparation is completed, and if not, machining preparation is completed by receiving a machining program from a host computer.