JPH11245141A - Process design automating system for machining line - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release a designer from the work for combining complicated processes, and to reduce the man-hours of the process design by automatically performing a processing for extruding a combination candidate for a objective process, for selecting the optimal value among the candidate group and for assigning the selected value to a finishing machine in order. SOLUTION: When a process design automating module 12 is started so as to start a program, the process design automating module 12 takes the informations such as s coordinate value of a machining part, kind of machining, machining diameter, machining starting coordinate, machining completing coordinate from a machining part file 20. All processes of all machining parts are assigned to the finishing machine or not is judged. On the basis of the information of the process of the machining part, which is not assigned yet, all patterns of combination of the objective process is extracted. At this stage, combination is extracted in consideration of the process order. When the extraction of all the pattern of combination of the objective process in finished, a non-machining time computing module 14 is started.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a work for designing a processing line for sequentially processing (surface processing, hole processing, etc.) a work which is arranged with a processing machine in a transfer device and input.
In particular, the present invention relates to a process design automation system for a machining line that employs a computer system to automatically examine a process of a machining line employing a machining center (hereinafter, referred to as “machining center line”).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A process reviewing operation is a process of deciding which process is assigned to which processing machine in a processing line. In this process study work, it is necessary to always calculate the time as to whether or not a required upper limit time called a cycle time determined from the manufacturing capacity given to the processing equipment can be cleared as a precondition (cycle time study). In this cycle time study, it is necessary to consider not only the time required for the process, but also the transport time of the processing line and the operation time unique to the processing machine.

[0003] In the examination of cycle time in consideration of the operation time peculiar to a processing machine, that is, in the cycle time management of the processing machine, the non-machining operation time can be calculated by creating cycle diagram information described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-160749 of the present applicant. It can be calculated in considerable detail from the output information of the device. Further, in the cycle time management device described in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-61053 according to the applicant of the present invention, which manages the cycle time in the processing machine by comprehensively utilizing this technical content and the processing axis assignment device, Considering the machining operation time and the non-machining operation time comprehensively, the operation time of the non-machining operation part is reduced, the possibility of the parallel operation is verified, and the like, and the detailed cycle time is examined.

[0004]

However, the operation time of the machining machine, especially the study of the machining sequence, is exclusively dependent on the knowledge and experience of the designer. The only way to do this is through trial and error.

[0005] In particular, when a machining center is used as a processing machine, the versatility of the processing machine is increased, so that the processing machine can be inserted or removed due to a change in production amount (increase or decrease in cycle time). When the processing machine is inserted and removed, it is necessary to re-design the process, but when reliant on the knowledge and experience of the designer, this work is often re-doed. Such a problem could be solved if the process design could be automated by the system.

When the machining center is used as the processing machine, the versatility of the processing machine is increased for the following reasons. A multi-axis machine that processes two or more processing parts simultaneously
Since the positional relationship of the processing part is determined by the work, if the processing machine is transferred to another line, it is necessary to recreate the gear head (a device that rotates two or more processing axes by combining gears from the motor rotation axis) There is.
That is, diversion is low. On the other hand, since the machining center has only one machining axis, there is no such restriction, and the machining axis can be moved to any position only by changing the NC program.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problem in studying the process of a machining center line.
An object of the present invention is to provide a system for automatically designing a process of a machining line, which can automatically perform a complicated process combination work relying on the knowledge and experience of a conventional designer by a computer system.

[0008]

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) A system for automating the process design of a processing line according to the present invention is a process line automation system for automatically designing a processing line for sequentially processing workpieces which are provided in parallel with a processing machine in a transfer device. A processing part information storage means for storing required information about a processing part; a cutting condition storage means for storing required information about a cutting condition; and a process combination candidate from all the combination patterns of the target process. A precondition storage means for extracting and storing a predetermined precondition for obtaining an optimum value from the candidate group, and calculating a cutting time for each process of each processing site from predetermined processing site information and cutting conditions; , Extracting all combination patterns of the target process, and selecting the combination of the process from all the combination patterns of the target process based on the obtained cutting time for each process and the precondition. Choose an optimal value extracted from the relevant candidates and is characterized in that a step design calculation means for assigning the obtained sequentially processing machine an optimum combination.

(2) The precondition includes an allowable value for defining a margin time with respect to a cycle time, and a selection pattern serving as a reference for selecting one combination from a combination candidate group.

(3) The selection pattern has three criteria, that is, priority is given to a group of identical machining specifications, priority to a group of identical machining parts, and priority to a cycle time.

(4) Priorities for application are determined in advance among the three criteria.

(5) A non-machining operation comprising a non-machining time element of a predetermined item, based on the processing machine performance information storage means for storing required information on the performance of the processing machine, and predetermined processing site information and processing machine performance information. Non-machining time calculation means for calculating time, wherein the step design calculation means extracts a process combination candidate from among all the combination patterns of the target process, the process design calculation means adds The extraction processing is performed based on the total time obtained by adding the non-machining operation time.

(6) The non-processing time element of the predetermined item is:
These are a fast-forward operation time, an ATC time, and a jig operation time of the processing machine.

(7) The cutting conditions are corrected on the basis of the predetermined processing machine performance information, the processing part information and the cutting conditions, and the process-specific cutting time of each processing part is recalculated. There is further provided a machine number optimizing means for optimizing the number of processing machines on the basis of the processing number.

[0016]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained for each claim.

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a process for extracting a combination candidate of a target process, selecting an optimum value from the candidate group, and sequentially assigning the optimum value to a processing machine is automatically performed. The designer can be released from the work of combining the processes, and the man-hours for the process design can be reduced.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, a non-machining time element of a predetermined item constituting a non-machining operation time in a time calculation for extracting a process combination candidate, for example, a fast-forward operation time of a machining machine. , ATC time, and jig operation time can be taken into account, so that the degree of detail of the process design increases, and more accurate examination becomes possible.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a function of optimizing the contents of the process design by correcting the cutting conditions is provided, so that it is easy to determine how much cutting condition correction can reduce the number of machining machines. Can be determined.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, a description will be given with a machining line (machining center line) using a machining center in mind as the machining line.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system for automatically designing a process of a machining line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This process design automation system is a system built on a computer system (for example, a CAD system), and is a process design calculation means for obtaining candidate process combinations, extracting and assigning optimum values in the CPU 10. And a non-machining time calculation module 1 as non-machining time calculation means for automatically calculating a non-machining operation time of a predetermined item based on a combination of processes.
4 and a machine number optimizing module 16 as machine number optimizing means for optimizing the number of machines by correcting the cutting conditions. These modules 12, 1
The contents of the operations 4 and 16 will be described later in detail with reference to flowcharts and the like.

The CPU 10 includes the modules 12, 1
A processing part file 20, a cutting condition file 22, a precondition file 24, and a processing machine performance file 26 are connected as data files for storing various information used in the processes 4 and 16.

The processing part file 20 functions as a processing part information storage means, and various information on the processing part, for example, coordinate values of the processing part, processing type, processing diameter, processing depth, processing start coordinates, processing end. Coordinates and the like are stored in advance.

The cutting condition file 22 functions as a cutting condition storage means, and stores various information on cutting conditions,
For example, the standard cutting speed (m / mi
n), feed speed (mm / rev), allowable values (maximum value) of feed speed (mm / rev), cutting speed (m / min) and the like are stored in advance.

The prerequisite file 24 functions as prerequisite storage means, and is a file for storing prerequisites for extracting process combination candidates. As prerequisites, in addition to an allowable value (allowable time) that defines a margin time with the cycle time, several selection patterns serving as criteria for selecting one combination from a candidate group including a plurality of candidates are: It is set in advance. For this selection pattern, the user sets in advance what to adopt and in what order. For example, here, three patterns are prepared as selection patterns, that is, priority is given to the collection of the same processing data, priority to the collection of the same processing part, and priority to the one near the cycle time. Is appropriately determined in advance by the user.

The processing machine performance file 26 functions as a processing machine performance information storage means, and various information related to the performance of the processing machine, for example, a rapid traverse speed, a rapid traverse acceleration time, a rapid traverse deceleration time, an ATC (Autom
atic Tool Changer) position, ATC time, jig operation time,
The index center, index rotation axis direction, tilt center, tilt rotation axis direction, spindle rotation start-up time, and the like are stored in advance.

The non-machining time calculation module 14 of the CPU 10 is connected to an interference simulation unit 30 having a three-dimensional interference simulation function. Preferably, in order to reduce the calculation load per CPU, this interference simulation unit 30 is provided with another CPU.
Has been realized.

Further, an input device such as a keyboard 42 and the like via the input / output interface 40 are connected to the CPU 10.
Output devices such as a display 44 and a printer 46 are connected.

Next, the operation of the present system configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of the operation of the process design automation module 12, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the operation of the non-machining time calculation module 14, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the above. 3 and 4 are executed as subroutines of the non-machining time calculation process and the machine number optimization process in FIG. 2, respectively, and the description will be made in the corresponding portions in FIG.

Hereinafter, the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 4 will be described for each step (step).

Step S1 When the process design automation module 12 is started and the program is started, the process design automation module 12
Fetches information on the coordinate value of the processing part, the processing type, the processing diameter, the processing start coordinate, and the processing end coordinate from the processing part file 20.

Step S2 Information on the standard cutting speed (m / min) and feed speed (mm / rev) is fetched from the cutting condition file 22 by using the processing type and the processing diameter obtained in step S1 as keys.

Step S3 Based on the machining start coordinates, machining end coordinates, machining diameter, cutting speed, and feed speed obtained in steps S1 and S2, the cutting time for each process site is calculated for each process. Specifically, the following formula, cutting distance (mm) = cutting distance (mm) by the distance between the processing start coordinate and processing end coordinate, and the following formula, spindle rotation speed (rpm) = cutting speed (m / min) × 1000 ÷
(Processing diameter (mm) x π) After calculating the spindle rotation speed (rpm) respectively,
The following formula, Cutting time (min) = Cutting distance (mm) ÷ (Spindle speed (rp
m) x feed speed (mm / rev)) to determine the cutting time (min).

The processing result of this step is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is as shown in the bar graph of (A). Here, the alphabets (A, B, C, D,...) On the abscissa indicate the processing parts, and the numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 4) in the bar graph of each processing part.
...) indicate a process number. The vertical axis is time, and the height of the bar graph is the cutting time calculated in the step.
(min). In the following, specific examples are all based on FIG.

Here, the processed part and the process number will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), when the processing part A is a tap hole, the processing part A is divided into two steps of drilling (step 1) and tapping (step 2) and processed in this order. Must. The numbers assigned to the divided steps are the step numbers.

Step S4 In this step, it is determined whether or not all the processes of all the processing parts have been assigned to the processing machines (machining centers).

If the result of this determination is YES, a series of processing is terminated upon achievement of the purpose, and if NO, the flow proceeds to the next step S5.

Step S5 In this step, information of the process of the machining portion not yet allocated (this is the target process) (FIG. 5A,
Based on FIG. 7A), all combination patterns of the target process are extracted. At this time, a combination is extracted in consideration of the process order. For example, in the example of FIG. 5B, it is not possible to extract step 2 of the processing part A alone. This is because tapping without drilling is physically impossible.

The result of this processing is, for example, as shown in the bar graph of FIG. 6A when the assignment to the station 1 is considered based on the combination candidates shown in FIG. Fig. 7 (A) upon assignment to 2
In the case where the combination candidates shown in FIG. 7 are assumed, the results are as shown in the bar graph of FIG.

Step S6 When the extraction of all the combination patterns of the target process is completed in step S5, the non-machining time calculation module 14 is started.

The operation of the non-machining time calculation module 14 is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The outline of the operation is to calculate the non-machining operation time by calculating the rapid traverse operation time of the machining machine, and then adding the rapid traverse operation time, the ATC time, and the jig operation time.

As will be described later, in the time calculation, a non-machining time element of a predetermined item is added to the cutting time of each step, here,
Three non-machining time elements of the rapid traverse operation time, ATC time, and jig operation time of the processing machine are added. These added non-machining time elements are automatically calculated by the operation simulation or obtained by reading from the machining machine performance file 26.

Before explaining the contents of each step, the details of the fast-forward operation time, the ATC time, and the jig operation time of the processing machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation path of the spindle 2 when drilling the work 1. Solid line 3 in FIG.
Is a fast-forward operation path. The fast-forward operation path 3 is a path for moving the spindle 2 to the processing position. The path 3 is desirably the shortest distance. However, since the processing machine includes a jig for gripping the work 1 and a structure of a transfer device for moving the work 1 between the processing machines, interference with these is avoided. It is necessary to determine the operation path as follows. Here, the optimal route is calculated using a motion simulation using a three-dimensional model. The rapid traverse operation time is obtained from the path information and the rapid traverse speed and the rapid traverse acceleration / deceleration time obtained from the processing machine performance file 26.

A point 4 in FIG. 8 is a position (ATC position) where the tool 5 is exchanged. Tool change time (A
The (TC time) depends on the performance of the processing machine, and is stored in the processing machine performance file 26 in advance.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation time of the jig. In the case where there is a process in which the processing is not realized unless the jig is operated in the combination of processes, for example, the two processes p and q in FIG. When defined as a combination, the jig operation time is added to the time calculation. In the example of FIG.
Is performed, the jig 6 is rotated by 90 ° from the state shown in FIG. 6A to the state shown in FIG.
The time required for this rotation is the operation time of the jig 6. The jig operation time depends on the performance of the jig, and is stored in the processing machine performance file 26 in advance. In the figure, "7" is a machining center.

Step S21 When the non-machining time calculation module 14 is started, the non-machining time calculation module 14 reads the processing machine performance, specifically, the rapid traverse speed and rapid traverse acceleration time of the processing machine from the processing machine performance file 26. , Rapid traverse deceleration time, AT
Information on the C position, ATC time, jig operation time, index center, index rotation axis direction, tilt center, tilt rotation axis method, and spindle rotation start-up time are fetched.

Step S22 In this step, step S22 is executed for all the combinations.
It is determined whether a series of calculation processes from 23 to step S28 has been completed.

If the result of this determination is YES, the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG.
If so, the process proceeds to the next step S23.

Step S23 In this step, the position information of each processing part, specifically, information of the processing type, the processing diameter, the processing depth, the processing start coordinate, and the processing end coordinate are fetched from the processing part file 20.

Step S24 In this step , among the combinations of the target processes, processes having the same processing specifications (that is, processes that can be performed by the same tool) are combined into one. Whether or not the processing parameters are the same is determined based on the information on the processing type, processing diameter, and processing depth obtained in step S23.

In other words, if there is one combination having exactly the same processing specifications, these combinations are sequenced so that the processing is performed continuously. For example, assuming that the processing portions A and B have exactly the same processing specifications, they can be processed by the same tool, so that the processing is continuously performed (see FIG. 10A). This saves ATC time. Therefore, the combination as shown in FIG. 10B is not adopted as a candidate.

Further, when there are three or more steps having exactly the same processing specifications, the order of the continuous processing is determined so that the rapid traversing operation distance is minimized.

More specifically, for example, when the breakdown of the combinations is as follows, ABCDEFGHI I first, C, D, G, H and B, F, E There (as described above, the processing type, processing diameter, is the determination by the processing depth) the same processing specifications respectively if, as described below, a B E F C D G H I same processing specifications each other is Rearrange them so that they are next to each other.

Further, C, which are the same processing specifications,
If G is closest to the ATC position among D, G, and H, G is arranged at the head of the group, D closest to G is arranged next, and so on. Sort. The rearrangement order at this time is determined based on the ATC position obtained in step S21 and the machining start coordinates obtained in step S23.

Therefore, in this example, the final processing order is ABEFGDHCI, and the tool change is the smallest and the rapid traverse operation path is the shortest.

Step S25 In this step, it is determined whether or not the jig operation is necessary. Specifically, when the vector connecting the processing start coordinates and the processing end coordinates is different from the processing direction vector of the processing machine, the processing cannot be performed as it is, and the jig is rotated so that those vectors are matched. Then, the processing start coordinates and the processing end coordinates are changed according to the rotation of the jig, and the changed data is stored in the processing part file 20. For the rotation of the jig, information on the index center, the index rotation axis direction, the tilt center, and the tilt rotation axis direction obtained in step S21 is used.

Step S26 In this step, a fast-forward operation path is determined so as to connect the ATC position with the processing order determined in step S24.
When determining this motion path, the interference simulation unit 30 is started, and an optimum value is calculated using a three-dimensional interference simulation, that is, the shortest distance motion path that can avoid interference with a jig or a transport device is calculated. I do.

Step S27 In this step, the fast-forward operation time is calculated from the fast-forward operation path obtained in step S26 and the fast-forward speed, fast-forward acceleration time, and fast-forward deceleration time obtained in step S21.

Step S28 In this step, the ATC time and the jig operation time obtained in step S21 are added to the fast-forward operation time obtained in step S27, that is, three non-machining time elements are added to reduce the non-machining time. obtain.

Thereafter, the process returns to step S22, and the processes of steps S23 to S28 are repeated until the calculation for all the combinations is completed. When the calculation is completed, the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG.

As described above, in the time calculation based on the combination of the processes, the three non-machining time elements constituting the non-machining operation time, that is, the fast-forward operation time, the ATC time, and the jig operation time of the machining machine are considered. Thus, the degree of detail of the process design is increased, and more accurate examination can be performed.

Step S7 Returning to the main flowchart of FIG. 2, in this step, the process design automation module 12 determines whether or not to minimize the number of processing machines. This determination is made based on a user's instruction. The user, for example, see FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, when it can be determined that there is much waste of time (that is, there are many combinations less than the allowable value like the stations 3 and 8 in FIG. 11), an instruction to minimize the number of machines is given. At this time, in order to provide the user with information for judgment, a graph or the like representing the current assignment status as shown in FIG. 10 is preferably displayed on the display 44 or printed by the printer 46. ing.

If the result of this determination is YES, the flow proceeds to step S15, and if it is NO, the flow proceeds to step S8.

Step S8 If it is declared in step S7 that the number of machines is not to be minimized, the process design automation module 12 fetches from the precondition file 24 the preconditions for extracting combination candidates to be assigned to stations. The prerequisite is, as mentioned above,
It consists of an allowable value (allowable time) and a selection pattern (and its order).

Here, an outline of the process of assigning to stations using preconditions will be described. When assigning combinations to stations, first, combinations that fall within a range (allowable range) between the cycle time and the allowable value are candidates for allocation. When there are a plurality of allocation candidates as a result, one combination is selected from the candidate group according to the selection pattern. If no candidate combination exists within the allowable range, or if one candidate cannot be selected according to the selection pattern, one combination closest to the allowable value is selected. As a result, the selected optimum value (one combination) is assigned to each station (processing machine).

The details will be described below with reference to the flowchart.

Step S9 When the prerequisites are input in step S8, the process design automation module 12 sets each combination (FIG. 5 (A), FIG. 7 (A)
), The total of the total cutting time for each process obtained in step S3 and the non-machining operation time obtained in step S6 is calculated, and this total is a range (permissible range) between the cycle time and the allowable value. Are extracted as allocation candidates.

Step S10 In this step, it is determined whether or not a candidate has been extracted as a processing result of step S9.

If the result of this determination is YES, the operation proceeds to the next step S11, but if NO, the operation proceeds to step S11.
Proceed to 14.

Step S11 If the decision result in the step S10 is YES, then it is decided whether or not the number of candidates extracted in the step S9 is one.

If the result of this determination is YES, the process immediately proceeds to step S16, but if NO, the process proceeds to the next step S12.

Step S12 In this step, from the candidate group including a plurality of candidates,
Choose one combination according to the selection pattern. As described above, here, as the selection pattern, three patterns,
That is, a priority is given to a group of identical machining specifications, a priority to a group of identical machining parts, and a priority to a cycle time close to the cycle time. The order of application among these three selection patterns is determined in advance, and starting with the highest priority (highest) selection pattern and sequentially determining the combination using the upper selection pattern,
The lower selection pattern is used for the result.

Step S13 In this step, it is determined whether or not one combination has been selected as a result of the processing in step S12.

If the result of this determination is YES, the operation proceeds to step S16, and if it is NO, the operation proceeds to step S14.

Step S14 In this step, if the result of determination in step S10 is NO (if there is no candidate whose total time is within the allowable range), or if the result of determination in step S13 is NO (selection pattern In the case where one combination cannot be selected), only the closest combination is selected using the allowable value (allowable time) in the precondition. More specifically, in the former case, it is not allowed to exceed the cycle time, and therefore, of all the combination patterns extracted in step S5, the largest one of the combinations whose total time is less than the allowable value is selected. Choose one. On the other hand, in the latter case, one candidate having the minimum total time is selected from the candidate groups remaining after applying the selection pattern.

Step S16 In this step, one of the combinations selected in step S9, step S12, or step S14 is assigned to the processing machine (station) as an optimum value.

The result of this processing is, for example, as shown in FIG.

When the process of allocating the optimum value is completed in step S16, the process returns to step S4, and if there is a process of a machining portion that has not been allocated yet, the process of allocating to the next station is performed using this as a target process. . That is, a series of processing is repeated until all the steps are assigned to the stations.

On the other hand, if the instruction to minimize the number of machines is recognized in step S7, the process proceeds to step S15.

Step S15 In this step, the machine number optimization module 16 is activated to optimize (minimize) the number of machines.

The specific operation is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Step S31 When the machine number optimizing module 16 is started, the machine number optimizing module 16 fetches information on the spindle rotation start time in the performance of the processing machine from the processing machine performance file 26.

Step S32 In this step, it is determined whether or not the following calculation has been completed for all the combinations extracted in step S5.

If the result of this determination is YES, the flow proceeds to step S37, and if NO, the flow proceeds to step S33.

Step S33 In this step, the information of each processing part, specifically, the processing type, the processing diameter, the processing depth, the processing start coordinate, and the processing end coordinate of each processing part are read from the processing part file 20. take in.

Step S34 Using the processing type and processing diameter obtained in step S33 as keys,
From the cutting condition file 22, information on the permissible range of the cutting conditions, that is, the allowable value (maximum value) of the feed speed (mm / rev) and the cutting speed (m / min) is fetched.

Step S35 In this step, the cutting conditions are corrected within a range where no waiting occurs in the rapid traverse operation.

Specifically, first, the spindle speed is calculated from the processing diameter and the cutting speed (see the description of step S3). Next, the time required to reach the required spindle rotation speed is calculated from the spindle rotation start-up time, and this time is compared with the fast-forward operation time. Then, the cutting speed is increased within a range not exceeding the rapid traversing operation time (of course, within a range not exceeding its own allowable value (maximum value)).

Step S36 In this step, based on the correction value of the cutting condition obtained in step S35, the cutting time for each process of the processing portion is recalculated. Since the method of calculating the cutting time has already been described in step S3, the description is omitted here.

When the recalculation of the cutting time in this step is completed, the process returns to step S32, and the processing from step S33 to step S36 is repeated until the calculation is completed for all combinations.

When the recalculation of the cutting time is completed for all the combinations, the process proceeds to step S37. The processing after step S37 is for allocating to the station based on the obtained recalculated value of the cutting time. Except that step S44 is added, the processing in FIG.
Steps S8 to S in the main flowchart of FIG.
This is exactly the same as the processing up to 14. So, below,
Just a brief explanation.

Step S37 In this step, the machine number optimization module 16
From the precondition file 24, preconditions for extracting combination candidates to be assigned to stations are taken. The preconditions include an allowable value and three selection patterns (and their application order).

Step S38 In this step, for each combination, step S36
Calculates the total of the total cutting time for each process recalculated in the above and the non-machining time obtained in step S6, and assigns all the total within the range (permissible range) between the cycle time and the permissible value. Extract as candidates.

Step S39 In this step, it is determined whether or not a candidate has been extracted as a result of the processing in step S9. If YES, the process proceeds to the next step S40, but if NO, the process proceeds to step S43.

Step S40 If the decision result in the step S39 is YES, it is next decided whether or not the number of candidates extracted in the step S38 is one, and if YES, the process immediately returns to the main flowchart of FIG. If NO, the process proceeds to the next step S41.

Step S41 In this step, from the candidate group including a plurality of candidates,
One combination is selected by using three selection patterns (priority for a group of the same processing specifications, priority for a group of the same processing parts, and priority for a part close to the cycle time).

Step S42 In this step, it is determined whether one combination has been selected as a processing result of step S41. If YES, the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG.
If O, the process proceeds to step S43.

Step S43 In this step, if the result of determination in step S39 is NO (if there is no candidate whose total time is within the allowable range), or if the result of determination in step S42 is NO (selection pattern (When one combination cannot be selected), only one closest combination is selected using an allowable value (allowable time).

Step S44 In this step, the cutting conditions corrected in step S35 are returned to the original values before correction, and the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG. The reason for restoring the cutting conditions is that, depending on the corrected cutting conditions, after all, the optimum values could not be determined by a regular procedure.

One of the combinations selected in step S38, step S41, or step S43 is assigned to the processing machine (station) as an optimum value in step S16 of the main flowchart of FIG.

As described above, the machine number optimizing module 16 is provided, and the function of optimizing the contents of the process design by correcting the cutting conditions is provided. Can be easily determined.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a process line automation system for processing lines according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the process design automation module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation content of a non-machining time calculation module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the machine number optimization module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example for explanation of the above flowchart.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the next development of the specific example.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a further development of the specific example.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation path of a spindle when processing a work.

FIG. 9 is a diagram provided for explaining a jig operation time.

FIG. 10 is a diagram provided for explaining a combination of steps.

FIG. 11 is a diagram provided for explanation of minimizing the number of machines.

[Explanation of symbols]

12: process design automation module (process design calculation means), 14: non-processing time calculation module (non-processing time calculation means), 16: machine number optimization module (machine number optimization means), 20: processing part file (processing) Site information storage means), 22 cutting condition file (cutting condition storage means), 24 precondition file (precondition storage means), 26 processing machine performance file (processing machine performance information storage means).

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A process design automation system for a machining line for automatically designing a machining line for sequentially machining a workpiece inputted by arranging a machining machine in parallel with a transfer device, wherein necessary information on a machining site is stored. Machining part information storage means, cutting condition storage means for storing required information on cutting conditions, and extracting process combination candidates from all the combination patterns of the target process and obtaining an optimum value from the candidate group A precondition storage means for storing predetermined preconditions, a cutting time for each process of each processing site is calculated from predetermined processing site information and cutting conditions, and all combinations of target processes are extracted and obtained. A process combination candidate was extracted from all the combination patterns of the target process based on the process-specific cutting time and the precondition, and an optimal value was selected from the candidate group, and the obtained value was obtained. Process design automation system processing line, characterized in that and a step design calculation means assigned to sequential processing machine suitable combination. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the prerequisite includes an allowable value defining a margin time with respect to a cycle time, and a selection pattern serving as a criterion for selecting one combination from a combination candidate group. 2. A process design automation system for the processing line according to 1. 3. The selection pattern according to claim 3, wherein said selection pattern is composed of three criteria: priority of a group of same processing data, priority of a group of same processing parts, and priority of a cycle time. Item 2. An automatic process design system for a processing line according to Item 2. 4. The application priority is determined in advance between the three criteria.
A process design automation system for the described processing line. 5. A non-machining operation time comprising a non-machining time element of a predetermined item, based on predetermined processing part information and processing machine performance information, based on predetermined processing part information and processing machine performance information. And a non-machining time calculation unit that calculates the process design calculation unit, wherein the process design calculation unit extracts a process combination candidate from all the combination patterns of the target process, The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the extraction process is performed based on a total time obtained by adding a non-machining operation time. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the non-machining time elements of the predetermined items are a fast-forward operation time, an ATC time, and a jig operation time of the processing machine. 7. A cutting condition is corrected based on predetermined processing machine performance information, processing portion information, and cutting conditions, a process-specific cutting time of each processing portion is recalculated, and the process-based cutting time is obtained. The process line automation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a machine number optimizing means for optimizing the number of processing machines.