JPH07129222A - Automatic programming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To generate NC data of an NC machine tool in a short period in the automatic programming system, which generates the NC data, even without any special knowledge such as NC codes by easily inputting a figure in a short period even when the shape is complicated. CONSTITUTION:A digitizer 5 is used and graphic data are inputted to an automatic programming device to generate the NC data. At this time, the coordinate values of a specific point on a drawing mounted on a tablet 6 are inputted with a cursor 8, and shape data on the drawing is selected in a menu 7 stuck at an optional position on the tablet 6 and inputted. On the side of the automatic programming device 2, the input data are converted into graphic data, and the NC data are generated from the graphic data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic programming system for automatically creating numerical control data for NC machine tools, and more particularly to an automatic programming system using a digitizer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An NC machine tool performs a predetermined machining on a work according to NC (numerical control) data. As a method of creating the NC data, conventionally, a method shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has been used. Are known. That is, FIG.
1 shows a method of inputting the coordinates of the processed figures one by one, calculating the coordinates one by one from the drawing 101 and inputting the coordinate values and shape information to the automatic programming device 102. The automatic programming device 102 is then configured to create NC data from the input information.

FIG. 12 shows an input method using a tablet. The coordinate information of a predetermined point on the drawing placed on the tablet 103 and the tablet 103 are shown.
Two pieces of information, which are information for identifying the type of NC data in the above function switch area, are provided to the automatic programming device 102
To input NC data. In this case, a menu 104 on which the function switch area is printed is pasted on the tablet 103 as an input means for inputting information for identifying the type of NC data described above, and desired information can be selected from it by the cursor 105. Is configured.

[0004]

However, in the conventional automatic programming system for creating NC data as described above, when the coordinate input is performed one by one from the drawings, the coordinate input is repeated as many times as necessary. This is very effective when the shape of the figure is simple, because NC data is created by using it. However, when the shape is complicated, the number of times of input becomes large and it takes time, and it takes a long time to detect and calculate the coordinate values. There was a problem that it would take.

Further, when the coordinate value is designated on the tablet, it is necessary to input the information for specifying the type of NC data to be created from the function switch area for each coordinate value. There is a problem that it takes time and effort for one input, the input is troublesome, and the input time becomes long.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53002/1993, it has been proposed to use a menu in which a function switch area indicating information for identifying the type of NC data is printed, but in this case, Since the NC code is pasted directly on the menu, there is a problem that only the person who knows the NC code can quickly create the NC data.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and even if the shape is complicated, the figure input can be performed easily and in a short time.
It is intended to provide an automatic programming system capable of creating C data.

[0008]

In the automatic programming system of the present invention, the coordinate value of a predetermined point in a drawing on a tablet is input, and a menu attached at an arbitrary position on the tablet is selected. Input means for inputting the shape data of the drawing selected from the above, conversion means for converting the input coordinate values and shape data into graphic data for numerical control, and the numerical control data based on the converted graphic data. And an automatic programming device having control means for creating.

[0009]

In the automatic programming system of the present invention, the coordinate values of predetermined points in the drawing on the tablet and the shape data of the figure are input to the automatic programming device, and the automatic programming device NC-controls the input data. It is converted into graphic data for use and NC data is created based on the graphic data.

[0010]

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic programming system according to the present invention. In the figure,
1 is an input for inputting coordinate data (coordinate values) of a predetermined point in a drawing on a tablet (not shown) and also for inputting shape data of the above drawing selected from a menu pasted on the tablet. By means of them, those data are entered into the automatic programming device 2. The automatic programming device 2 has a conversion means 2a for converting the input coordinate data and shape data into NC graphic data, and a control means 2b for creating NC data based on the converted graphic data. The created NC data is output via the output means 3. Reference numeral 4 is a display means for displaying the edited contents of the above-mentioned data.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the above system. In this system, a digitizer 5 is used to easily and quickly create graphic data in which dimensions are not written. On the tablet 6, a drawing area where drawings are placed and the menu 7 are attached. The menu area is divided into two areas, and the above-mentioned input is performed by the cursor 8.

The NC data created by the automatic programming device 2 is sent to a laser processing machine (multifunction machine) 9 which is an NC machine tool, and the work is processed according to the NC data. Reference numeral 10 denotes an operator who operates the digitizer 5 and the automatic programming device 2, and the digitizer 5 and the automatic programming device 2 and the automatic programming device 2 and the laser processing machine 9 are connected by communication paths. There is.

The position of the menu area on the tablet 6 to which the menu 7 is attached can be set to an arbitrary position on the tablet 6 by designating the coordinate values at the lower right of the menu sheet, for example. it can.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation up to NC data output in the above system. The data that the automatic programming device 2 receives from the digitizer 5 is
Basically, it is only coordinate data (point data). For example, in one figure shape, the data to be sent is the type of the button pressed by the cursor 8 and the point coordinate data, which is simplified.

That is, in the case of inputting a straight line or a curved line,
First, after pressing the start button in the menu area on the tablet 6 (step S1a), point coordinate data is input in the drawing area (step S2a), and this is repeated as many times as necessary (step S3a). When this point coordinate input is completed, the end button is pressed again in the menu area (step S4a), and then a predetermined keyboard button is pressed (step S5a). Then, the above operation is repeated until the digitizer input is completed (step S6). that time,
It is also possible to continuously perform hole input together with the above line input. In this case, the hole shape is first selected in the menu (step S1b), the size of the hole shape is subsequently designated (step S2b), and the hole shape data is input (step S).
3b). Then, this hole shape input is repeated as many times as necessary (step S4b), and when the hole shape input is completed, a predetermined keyboard button is pressed (step S5b).

When the digitizer input for the line input and the hole input required in step S6 is completed, the data input to the automatic programming device 2 is completed (step S7). Next, the automatic programming device 2 generates tool trajectory data of the NC machine tool from these input data (step S8), creates NC data based on this, and outputs it (step S9).

Here, in the hole input, after the shape on the menu is specified as described above, each size is input, so that a complicated shape such as a round hole or an oval hole is formed. In addition, it is possible to input graphics easily in a short time, and moreover, spline curves can be drawn quickly and neatly by sending point coordinate data. Also, NC data can be easily created in a short time without special knowledge such as NC code.

Next, regarding the overall structure of the system,
This will be described in detail with reference to the block diagram of FIG. CAD part 11
Is a place where the operator inputs a given drawing, for example, a sheet metal drawing, where graphic data is created. There are the following methods for creating this graphic data.

That is, one of them is a method in which an operator actually inputs data by using a keyboard or mouse while viewing a sheet metal drawing, a method of generating drawing data from image data by using a scanner, and a figure by using a digitizer. There is a method of inputting point coordinates of each point of data.

In the above digitizer, the point is directly input even in a complicated drawing such as a curve.
It has the advantage of being quick. Especially, it is effective for inputting spline curves other than circles and arcs. The generated graphic data is stored in the graphic database 12.

The tool locus instructing unit 13 takes in the graphic data created by the CAD unit 11 from the database 12 and allocates a predetermined tool to the graphic data. The tool locus data generated here is stored in the tool locus database 14.

The plate removing section 15 takes out the tool trajectory data created by the tool trajectory designating section 13 from the database 14 and arranges it on a predetermined sheet. This plate removing part 15
The functions include: multi-picking, copying, moving, rotating, reversing, etc., and the tool locus data can be arranged on the sheet with good yield.

The post processor 16 includes the database 1
The tool locus data stored in 4 is taken out, and the NC data for the processing machine is output based on the data. The simulation unit 17 simulates the NC data generated by the post processor 16. At that time, specifically, the processing locus and the processing order by drawing are checked, and the interference between the clamping member holding the sheet and the processing locus is checked.

The NC data created by the post processor 16 is stored in the data management database 19 and the save NC data file 21 through the data management unit 18. Further, since the data of the graphic database 12 and the tool trajectory database 14 are intermediate data on the memory, these data are also passed through the data management unit 18, the data management database 19, the save graphic data file 20 and the save tool trajectory data file 22. Stored in.

Further, each of the above-mentioned data files for storage 2
The actual data for storage is stored in 0, 21, 22 and the management data is managed by the data management database 19, so that various kinds of saved data are centrally managed. Note that the management data includes, for example, management name, comment, data creation date, and the like.

The input / output unit 23 searches the data management database 19 through the data management unit 18 to find the corresponding NC.
Retrieve the data from the NC data file for storage 21,
The data is output to the IC card 24, the floppy disk 25, the communication cable 26, the paper tape 27, the magneto-optical disk 28, etc., which are input / output media. The output NC data is taken into each processing machine, and the actual processing of the work is performed according to the data.

Further, when the existing NC data or the NC data created by another computer is taken in, it is read from each of the above-mentioned input / output media. The read data is stored in the data management database 19 and the save NC data file 21 through the data management unit 18.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the contents of the above-mentioned menu sheet. The blanks are the portions without items, and the four images of the hole shape selection portion are round holes, oblong holes, and Square hole / oblong hole, single D / double D oval, and R-angled / oblong angle are shown. The size of this menu sheet is about 400 mm × 100 mm.

The menu sheet is used by being stuck on the tablet 6 of the digitizer 5, and the input processing procedure of the digitizer 5 will be described here. First, after selecting the digitizer input, various settings in the digitizer 5 are performed. I do.
At that time, the position of the menu sheet is set (unnecessary if it has already been set), but this is done by picking the lower right position of the menu sheet. In addition, the scale is input, but the input limit at this time is 0.01 ≦
The scale value ≦ 9999.9 is set, and when a negative value is input, the menu sheet position is reset. Also, the origin of the drawing is set and the X coordinate axis is set.
At this time, an arbitrary point on the X axis is picked, and the coordinate system is determined from this point and the origin of the drawing set above.

Next, digitizer input is performed. At that time,
Draw using each command on the menu sheet.
Specifically, the point coordinates (X, Y) and the data of the type of the button of the cursor 8 that is pressed when the coordinates are designated are used to draw an image. In the case of shape input, one shape of data is saved temporarily. Even when a hole is input, it is temporarily saved until the next hole shape data is set or the next shape is input. If there is an error in the operation, the buzzer sounds and the operator 10 is warned.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the details of the cursor 8 of the digitizer 5 shown in FIG. 2, in which (a) shows a cursor with a liquid crystal and (b) shows the positional relationship of pushbutton switches of a normal cursor. There is. In the figure, 31 is a P button used for command selection and point (coordinate value) input and hole input on the menu sheet of FIG. 5, 32 is an SM button used for spline curve input in shape input, and 33 is continuous. The continuous button for inputting the coordinates manually, 34 is the PE button for canceling the corner R and the point input at the same time in the point input mode, and the P button 3 if there is no instruction of the corner R.
It has the same function as 1.

Next, a procedure for actually inputting a figure using the cursor will be described. FIG. 7 shows an example thereof. First, when inputting a figure connected by five straight lines as shown in (a), select the "start" command on the menu sheet, and then start (end) each straight line.
Press the P button 31 six times in sequence, and finally select the "end" command on the menu sheet. This time,
When a curved line is present at a straight line connection (corner) as shown in (b), it is possible to instruct the value of the corner R by using the ten keys on the menu sheet when inputting a point at the connection. The value is "C
It is also possible to input by a calculation formula using the “R” switch.

FIG. 7C shows a case where the SM button 32 is used to input a spline curve. In this case, the area between the point where the SM button 32 is pressed and the point where the P button 31 is pressed is a spline curve, and the corner R cannot be designated. Table 1 shows the handling of the SM button 32 according to the number of input points, and shows the relationship between the button input and the processing result in association with each other.

[0034]

[Table 1]

FIG. 7D shows an example of using the continuous button 33. As shown in the figure, the continuous button 3 is pressed after the P button 31 is input.
By operating 3 at a predetermined point, it is possible to continuously input coordinates at regular intervals. In this case, the corner R cannot be designated.

FIG. 7E shows an example of using the PE button 34. When the corner R is instructed in the point input mode,
The corner R is canceled and point input is performed at the same time.
Further, as shown in the figure, in the spline mode (when the SM button is input), edge processing is performed.

FIG. 8 shows the specific contents of the internal processing of the digitizer 5. When the digitizer 5 has the input data of the point coordinate data (X, Y) and the cursor button number (type), the digitizer 5 determines the input content. At this time, first, it is determined whether the input point coordinates are within the effective reading range, and at the same time, the number of the pressed cursor button is determined.

If the judgment of the above point coordinates is outside the effective range, a buzzer sounds to warn the user, and the next input waiting state is entered.
If it is within the effective range, it is next determined whether it is not on the menu sheet. If it is on the menu sheet, the coordinates are judged and the menu content (command) is executed, and if there is an operation error, a buzzer sounds to warn. Also, if it is not on the menu sheet but on the coordinate system of the tablet 6 of the digitizer 5, draw a line shape or input a hole according to the input data, and if an operation error occurs, sound a buzzer to warn and input. It will be in a waiting state.

Further, when executing the above menu contents, if the command is "keyboard", the process is returned from the digitizer 5 to the graphic part of the automatic programming device 2, and the above-mentioned tool locus data is created. In other cases, the process is executed and the input waiting state is set.

The number (type) of the cursor button
After the judgment of, the drawing processing as shown in FIG. 7 is performed, but at this time also, in the case of an operation error, a buzzer sounds and a warning is given, and the input standby state is entered.

Then, the shape of the figure created by judging the above-mentioned input contents is registered in the automatic programming device 2, and thereafter, this system is in a state of waiting for input of the digitizer section. Further, when the digitizer input is selected on the automatic programming device 2 side, the process is moved from the graphic part to the digitizer 5 side, and after various initializations of the digitizer 5 are performed, the digitizer part waits for input. Becomes

Next, the commands on the menu sheet will be described in detail. In the menu sheet shown in FIG. 5, when the "start" command is instructed, the shape can be input thereafter. If this "start" is instructed again during shape input or if hole input is selected, a buzzer sounds and a warning is given. When the "end" command is given, the shape input ends there. "End" again after this shape input
, The buzzer sounds as in the above and a warning is given. Further, when the shape is input from “start” to “end” and the coordinate value is stored in “P writing”, the coordinate value is output and then the processing ends.

When the "P write" is instructed, the coordinate value input immediately before is stored. That is, the previously stored coordinate values are erased and the new coordinate values are overwritten. This "P writing" instruction can be performed during shape input after "start". If it is instructed at a time other than during shape input, it is determined as an operation error as above and a buzzer sounds and a warning is given. Be seen. At this time, the stored coordinate values (X, Y) are displayed at, for example, the lower position on the screen.

When "P call" is instructed, the coordinate value stored by "P write" is called and output,
After that, the stored coordinate values are cleared. The instruction of "P call" can also be issued during the shape input after "start" like "P write", and the display on the screen is erased at this time. When the "keyboard" is instructed, the digitizer process is stopped and the process is returned to the graphic part (CAD part). At that time, if the shape is being input, the process is returned to the graphic portion after the end processing is performed.

The "drawing movement" is used to input a drawing larger than the effective reading range of the digitizer 5, and is processed as an interrupt during shape input and hole input.
That is, as shown in (a) of FIG. 9, the word for which "drawing movement" is selected, the point P1 to be moved is designated. At this time, if a command on the menu sheet is selected, the drawing moving process is canceled.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the point P2 after the movement is designated. Then, the reference point P3 on the X axis
To set a new coordinate axis and a new origin from these points P2 and P3. By moving the drawing in this way, it is possible to create data from the original size drawing.

The "back" is used when sequentially erasing input figures. The points and holes input from the digitizer 5 are sequentially erased after the "back" is selected. FIG. 10 shows an example thereof. However, as a restriction, in the case of shape input, back deletion can be performed only up to the start point of the shape and in the case of hole input, up to the first hole input.

To register the hole shape, the hole can be input by simply selecting the hole shape shown in FIG. 5 on the menu sheet, inputting the respective dimensions, and then designating the position by the coordinate values. It can be done easily in a short time.

The numeric keypad is used to set the corner R value during hole input and shape input.
"0", "1", "2", "3", "4", "5",
"6", "7", "8", "9", "*", "+",
There are 16 types of "-", "/", "," and "CR".
In the input method using the ten-key pad, not only the numerical values can be directly substituted, but also the calculation formula can be input as described above. For example, if you enter "50/4" CR "",
Internally, it is processed as the input value “12.5”.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, the coordinate value of the predetermined point in the drawing on the tablet is input, the shape data of the drawing selected from the menu is input, and the input is made. Since the NC data is created from the data, it is possible to easily input the figure in a short time even if the shape is complicated, and it is possible to create the NC data in a short time without special knowledge. To be

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic programming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration inside the system.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of a menu sheet.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a digitizer cursor.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for inputting a figure with the cursor shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing specific contents of internal processing of the digitizer.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing procedure when inputting a drawing larger than a tablet.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a case of sequentially erasing figures input from a tablet.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 input means 2 automatic programming device 2a conversion means 2b control means 5 digitizer 6 tablet 7 menu 8 cursor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an automatic programming system for creating numerical control data from a drawing on a tablet, the coordinate value of a predetermined point in the drawing on the tablet is input, and the tablet is attached at an arbitrary position on the tablet. Input means for inputting the shape data of the drawing selected from the menu, conversion means for converting the input coordinate values and shape data into graphic data for numerical control, and the above-mentioned based on the converted graphic data. An automatic programming system comprising: an automatic programming device having control means for creating numerical control data.