JPH08129411A - Multimedia nc controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To extremely reduce the setup manhour in a manufacturing mode and to reduce the production cost by providing a means which turns the machining know-how of each product into an image and uses this image. CONSTITUTION: The multimedia NC controller is provided with a TV camera 12, a picture recording part 22, an image storing part 23, a reproduction part 24, and a software part 21 which controls the picture recording and reproduction, and also, the NC controller contains an operating system, a display control part 20 which is set under the MS-Windows, a display part 11, and an NC device connected to a personal computer consisting of both parts 20 and 11 as the primary component elements.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is a multimedia application for supporting production activities (repeat order) by reproducing machine operations and setups for each product, or how to handle and inspect products. NC controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to fully utilize the performance of a machine with an NC device, in addition to the problem of fully knowing the machine and the NC device itself, in the metal working industry such as sheet metal working,
There was also the problem of processing know-how that the setup process, processing process, and inspection process were different for each product, so there was no choice but to rely on professional craftsman know-how. However, as far as the operation method of the NC device is concerned, conventionally, there is an example in which a guide image of the operation method is displayed on the CRT screen of the NC device. However, this is general and educational operation guidance, not specific guidance for each product.

[0003]

In the above example, in order to support the manufacturing activity by teaching others the processing know-how to make a product, the expensive control device is limited to the purpose of education. However, there is a problem that it is not possible to deal with it with a uniform manual or education, and so far, there has not been found a method for spreading the multimediaization of NC devices.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to visualize the processing know-how of each product, store it, and use it to reduce the number of setup steps in manufacturing activities. An object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia NC control device capable of significantly reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a conventional NC device and a bus connection or RS-.
A TV that is connected via the H.232C and takes a picture of the operation status of the processing machine under the control of the NC device, the setup status associated with the processing, and the status of the process itself of processing the product.
Means for capturing an image viewed by the TV camera according to an execution state of an NC processing program input to the NC device or a predetermined switch operation, the camera including a camera;
A multimedia NC control device comprising means for storing the image and means for reproducing the image.

[0006] Further, in order to distinguish various images attached to one product photographed by the TV camera from other images into one group, the ID (program name) of the NC processing program executed by the NC device is set. The automatic labeling function for giving the same ID as the above) to the video is provided in the multimedia NC controller.

[0007]

The display of the multimedia NC control device is
It is under the OS of Windows (OS of Microsoft Corporation), and characters, figures, and images are displayed in respective windows. Various video signals are taken into the video storage means according to the execution status of the NC processing program and the reading of a predetermined bar code. At this time, the same ID as the program name (ID) of the NC processing program is automatically labeled on the video. The image may be labeled according to the process. The process label mainly corresponds to the barcode input operation. Therefore, the reproduction of the image is also searched for mainly by inputting the barcode and reproduced in one of the windows.

In addition to this, labeling may be automatically given in response to a specific execution state of the NC machining program. At this time, each time the NC machining program is executed again, the video is searched and reproduced.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of a press brake as an example of a processing machine embodying the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multimedia NC control device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a press brake 1 has a lower frame 2 and an upper frame 3, and both frames 2,
3 are connected by a side frame 4 which is C-shaped when viewed from the side. A vertical movement member (ram) 5 driven by a cylinder is provided in the lower frame 2, and a die 6 is provided on the upper surface of the lower frame 2 via a die holder. On the other hand, below the upper frame 3, a punch 8 is provided corresponding to the die 6 via an intermediate plate 7.

In the above structure, a plate-like work (not shown) is interposed between the die 6 and the punch 8, and the ram 5 (die 6) is raised with respect to the punch 8 to allow the work between the punch 8 and the die 6. Can be bent at any angle. As a bending method, the die 6 is firmly pressed against the punch 8 to perform coining for forming into a shape determined by both dies, or the rising position of the die 6 is optimized, and for example, according to the distance between both dies, An air bend or the like that bends the work at 90 degrees is common. In this example, air bending is performed.

When the die 6 is pressed against the punch 8 as described above, the upper frame 3 is inevitably distorted even if the upper frame 3 is firmly manufactured, which causes the work to bend laterally and to be seen from the front. It becomes a boat bottom type. The role of the intermediate plate 7 is to correct this. That is, the intermediate plate 7 properly adjusts the lateral warp of the punch 8 by wedge adjustment.

A pendant type operation box 10 is suspended above the upper frame 3 via an arm 9. The operation box 10 is connected to an NC device body (not shown) and can give various operation commands. On the front surface of the operation box 10, switches for giving instructions such as start and stop, operation keys, a CRT and the like are provided. The operation box 10 is rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the arm 9, and is movable within the limited range in combination with the turning operation of the arm 9, but can be freely moved on the front surface side of the frame 3. .

On the front surface of the upper frame 3 at the approximate center thereof,
Large plasma display of 30 to 50 inches 1
1'is provided. This is provided as a user option other than the CRT display unit 11.

Here, particularly in this embodiment, a TV camera 12 is installed on the upper surface of the operation box 10 so that the machine operator and the machine operation portion can be photographed.

Further, in this embodiment, a bar code reading switch 13 for controlling video recording, retrieval and reproduction is provided at an appropriate position on the front surface of the operation box 10 (this switch is also pressed at the time of die setup). Multiple code switches for each work point such as "setup code" and "bending code" pushed during bending are set), and the image captured by the operator with the TV camera 12 is captured. When operated when desired, the video data is captured and stored in the multimedia control device, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the system configuration of the multimedia NC control device includes a TV camera 12 and a recording unit 2.
2. A personal computer including an image storage unit 23, a reproduction unit 24, and a software unit 21 for controlling the recording and reproduction, and an operating system, a display control unit 20 and a display unit 11 placed under MS-Windows. The NC device connected to this personal computer is the main component.

The VFW of the display control unit 20 means a video capture board for capturing an external image and software for displaying a window. Display control unit 20 and N
The purpose of connection with the C device is to download / upload NC machining data and to transmit the execution status of the NC machining program to the display control unit 20. Considering the utilization of NC devices already in use all over the world, this connection is
Besides integration by bus connection, retrofitting via RS-232C was also devised. Since it is economically difficult to modify the software of the NC device which has already been used, the retrofitting of the NC device allows the display control unit 20 to display an electric signal such as a foot switch for starting the machine via DI. And use it to record and play video as needed.

<Mechanism of recording / playback> When NC processed data is sent from the host computer to the display controller 20 via RS-232C, the display controller 20 downloads the NC processed data to the NC device. An index table 26 having the program name as an ID is created. "Record" and "setup" from barcode reader
When a switch input such as is input, the display control unit 20 activates the control software unit 21 and instructs the recording unit 22 to record. Since the recording unit 22 returns the recording start time code to the control software unit 21 this time,
The system writes the time code in the "setup step" column of the index table 26.

In this way, the index table 26 is sequentially generated. This system manages NC processed data (program) and the index table 26 as a pair of software. Therefore, the NC
When the processed data is given again from the host computer, the index table 26 is also given to the display control unit 20, so that the playback unit 24 searches for and plays back the image of the process designated by the barcode reader or the like. VF
Can be sent to W.

Although the CD-ROM is the world trend in the video storage unit 23, the moving image of the CD-ROM is not usable yet at this stage. Unless it is a clear image, it will not be useful for manufacturing activities. Therefore, in the embodiment, Hi which is an analog tape system and capable of labeling and managing the time code is also used.
I am using -8 (Sony). If the CD-ROM can be used in the future, the index table will be
It is recorded on the CD-ROM.

<Example of Work Guidance> When handling a repeat product, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the work arrangement document is displayed on the display 11 ', and the delivery date,
Check the program, quantity, material, shape, dimensions, etc. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a tool layout screen is displayed on the display 11 'in a multi-window manner, and the tool setup is confirmed by this tool layout. And
As shown in FIG. 5, the already-stored mold setup video is displayed, and the mold setup method is used to confirm the mold mounting method.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a bending simulation screen is displayed in a window to confirm the bending order. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a window is further opened on this bending simulation screen to display the bending work video that has already been saved, and the work sequence and the points of inspection are confirmed by looking at this video. As described above, the display control unit 20 is a multimedia-compatible personal computer that is becoming popular recently. The price is cheap and there are many peripheral devices. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of processed sheets is confirmed by displaying the actual number of processed sheets. In this way, in the case of repeat products, it is possible to significantly reduce the setup man-hours by performing the above-mentioned guidance before work, and even beginners can perform the same work as skilled workers. It is what

The location of the large plasma display 11 'is not limited to that shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a panel-shaped display 1 beside the operator
1'may be provided. Further, not only the plasma display but also various kinds of liquid crystal displays and other large and thin display screens can be applied. Further, the mounting position of the TV camera 12 is not limited, and the position may be appropriately selected and mounted according to the working condition of the worker, the driving condition of the machine, and the like.

[0025]

As described above, the present invention is a multimedia N for a processing machine as described in the claims.
Since it is a C control device, various information necessary for processing can be integrated; that is, an image that you want to save for each product from the operation status of the machine and its control device, work of each process, maintenance work, etc. You can take a picture and save it freely, and play back the image as needed to help with manufacturing support.
Therefore, manufacturing instructions are friendly to humans, the setup time for manufacturing is shortened, and it can be used for educational purposes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of a power brake that is an embodiment to which a multimedia NC control device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multimedia NC control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of an execution procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of an execution procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of an execution procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of an execution procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of an execution procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of an execution procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an external configuration diagram of a power brake that is another embodiment to which the multimedia NC control device according to the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 (CRT) display section 11 'Large plasma display 12 TV camera 13 Recording / playback search switch 21 Recording / playback control section 22 Recording section 23 Video storage section 24 Playback section 26 Index table

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location G05B 23/02 L 7618-3H V 7618-3H G09F 9/00 7426-5H (72) Inventor Yanagiya Kozo 200 Ishida, Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture Meteora System Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Horima 200, Ishida City, Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture Meteora System Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Shinji Suzuki 200 Ishida City, Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture Address inside Meteora System Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A TV camera, which is connected to an NC device and takes a picture of an operating condition of a processing machine under the control of the NC device, a setup condition accompanying the processing, and a process itself of processing a product, The TV according to the execution state of the NC machining program input to the NC device or a predetermined switch operation.
A multimedia NC control device comprising: a unit for capturing an image viewed by a camera, a unit for storing the image, and a unit for reproducing the image. 2. The multimedia NC control device according to claim 1, wherein an NC executed by the NC device is provided to distinguish various images associated with one product from other images.
A multimedia NC control device having an automatic labeling function for giving the same ID as a processing program ID (program name) to the video.