JPH11300583A - Starting method of automatic machining equipment, and automatic machining equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an electric equipment material in a power circuit in an automatic machining equipment. SOLUTION: Machine tools M1-M2 are classified into three machine groups A, B, C each four tools in the order of longer machining time. The machine tools belonging to the machine group A are first started, and in the elapse of the start delay time TT1 therefrom, the machine tools in the machine group B are started, and further in the elapse of the time TT2 from the machine group A, the machine tools of the machine group C are started. The current value running in a main circuit breaker of a poser circuit to supply the power to a whole automatic machining equipment when the respective machine groups A, B, C are started, is reduced compared with a case where the machine tools M1-M2 are simultaneously started, and thus, the main circuit breaker can be reduced in capacity, and a power cable is also reduce in size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic processing facility (transfer line) having a large number of machine tools for performing various types of machining, measurement, and the like on a workpiece and sequentially performing the workpiece on the workpiece.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional automatic processing equipment will be described with reference to FIG. Generally, a plurality of machine tools M
1 to M12 are arranged in the longitudinal direction so as to face each other, and a transfer device 1 for transferring a work is arranged between the machine tools facing each other. These machine tools M1 to M12 are usually divided into a plurality of blocks (here, four blocks S1 to S4 each of three units), and a power transformer 12 for performing voltage conversion is connected to the temporary power supply cable 11. ,
The power transformer 12 is connected to a main breaker 13 for protecting the power cable from a short circuit accident and overload for the entire automatic processing equipment, and a power cable 14 branches from the main breaker 13 corresponding to the block. From each branch power cable 15 through a branch circuit breaker 16 for protecting a power cable from a short circuit accident or overload in a machine tool (load) included in each block S1 to S4, and an electromagnetic switch 17 for opening and closing the load. Thus, electric power is supplied to each of the machine tools M1 to M12. In such conventional automatic processing equipment, when the workpiece W is transported to the front side of each machine tool by the transport device 1 and is positioned and fixed, all the machine tools M1 to M12 are started at once as shown in FIG. It has become so. Thus, for example, in a machine tool having X, Y, and Z axes, the machining spindle is positioned at a desired position with respect to the workpiece, and the machining spindle is fed in the cutting direction with respect to the workpiece. , And a plurality of (three) corresponding motors for controlling each of the Y and Z axes are simultaneously driven,
In addition to this, the spindle motor is rotated to rotate the spindle, and even in the case of one Z-axis, the Z-axis movement and the spindle rotation are performed simultaneously. When machining by each machine tool of the automatic machining facility is completed, each machine tool stops machining, the workpiece is transported and fixed, and all machine tools are started again at the same time.

[0003]

Conventionally, at the start of a machining cycle of an automatic machining facility, all the machine tools of the automatic machining facility, M1 to M12 in this example, are operated simultaneously (simultaneously) as described above. Therefore, at a short time at the start of the machining cycle, as shown in FIG.
An extremely large rush current Io for simultaneously activating M12 to M12 flows through the main circuit breaker 13. Also, in each of the branch circuit breakers 16 and the electromagnetic switches 17 of each of the blocks S1 to S4, the corresponding machine tool is started at the same time, so that a large current flows due to the simultaneous start of these machine tools. However, during the machining after the start, as shown in FIG. 7, due to the length of the machining operation time T1 to T12 of each machine tool and the magnitude of the machining load, a large current does not flow as at the start. Conventionally, a power transformer, a main breaker, and a branch breaker, an electromagnetic switch, and a power cable corresponding to the capacity of the main breaker, which have an extremely large capacity to withstand the large inrush current Io at the same time as described above, are used. Was. Therefore, those electrical equipment and equipment used for the power circuit become large and expensive, and the equipment cost rises.Also, the wiring work involves handling large-diameter heavy power cables corresponding to a large current. Equipment work was extremely troublesome. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the capacity of various electric devices constituting a power circuit for supplying power to a machine tool included in an automatic machining facility, reduce the diameter of a power cable, and perform wiring work. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic processing equipment start-up method and an automatic processing equipment which facilitate the processing.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems,
In the present application, for the workpiece, processing, provided with a plurality of machine tools to perform measurements, etc., handing the workpiece between each machine tool, in an automatic processing equipment that sequentially performs a series of workpieces on the workpiece, A plurality of machine tools are divided into a plurality of machine groups based on the machine operation time, and the machine tools included in each of the divided machine groups are activated between the machine groups within a range that does not disrupt the machining cycle in the automatic machining equipment. The operation is started so that the timing is shifted (claim 1). Specifically, a plurality of machine tools are divided into a first machine group including a machine tool requiring the longest machine operation time that governs the machining cycle time of the automatic machining equipment and a machine tool requiring a shorter machine operation time. Divided into a plurality of other machine groups, and the plurality of other machine groups are divided so that there is a difference between the machine groups in the longest machine operation time of the machine tool in each machine group. After a predetermined time delay from the activation of one machine group, the other machine groups are sequentially activated in the order of the longest machining operation time of the machine tools included in the machine group (claim 2).
Alternatively, the machine grouping may be divided into two groups (claim 3). The startup delay time between the divided machine groups can be set to a time at which the next machine group starts up after the peak of the startup current value of the machine tool belonging to the machine group that starts up first. The machine tool is divided into machine groups (claim 4).
The start delay time between the divided machine groups depends on the load of the divided machine groups, that is, the peak time length of the current value due to the activation of the machine groups, but is 0.2 seconds to less.
It may be at least 0.3 seconds, preferably at least about 0.5 seconds. In this method, when the machine tools are started, they are not started all at once, but are started sequentially with a time difference for each machine group divided by the machining operation time. The value of the current is smaller than the conventional case of simultaneous activation, and as a result, various types of electrical equipment, including the main circuit breaker, can be made smaller and smaller in size and less expensive. In addition, since the current value of the power cable connecting various electric facilities can be suppressed to a small value, a thinner cable can be used than before, and wiring work can be easily performed, and the facility cost can be reduced. In addition, since the machine groups that have been grouped are only sequentially delayed, it can be easily implemented using, for example, a timer, and the existing equipment can be implemented with only slight electrical modification.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of machine tools for performing machining, measurement, and the like on a workpiece, transfers the workpiece by a transfer device between the respective machine tools, and sequentially transfers the workpiece to the workpiece. In an automatic machining facility that performs a series of machining, multiple machine tools are divided into multiple machine groups based on the length of machining time, and the machine tools included in each divided machine group are processed by the machining cycle time of the automatic machining facility. And a start control unit for starting the machine groups so that the start timing is shifted between the machine groups within a range that does not disturb. In this case, the activation control means is activation timing delay means for shifting the activation timing (claim 6), and specifically, is a timer provided in each machine tool (claim 7). As the timing delay means, other current peak detecting means for detecting the peak of the starting current value of the machine group that has been activated earlier and activating the next machine group after a certain time delay is used. Is also good.

Further, the present invention is provided with a plurality of machine tools for performing machining, measurement, and the like on a workpiece, transferring the workpiece by a transfer device between the respective machine tools, and sequentially performing a series of operations on the workpiece. In an automatic machining facility for performing machining, wherein power is supplied to the entire automatic machining facility via a main circuit breaker, a plurality of machine tools are divided according to a length of machining operation time, and a plurality of machines are divided. The machine is provided with start control means for starting the machine tools included in each divided machine group so that the start timings of the machine groups are different from each other. Is set to a value smaller than when all the machine tools are started at a time (claim 8). More specifically, a plurality of machine tools are divided into a first machine group including a machine tool requiring the longest machine operation time that governs the machining cycle time of the automatic machining equipment, and a machine tool requiring a shorter machine operation time. Divided into a plurality of other machine groups consisting of, the plurality of other machine groups being divided such that there is a difference between the machine groups in the longest machine operation time of the machine tool in each machine group, Starting timing delay means for sequentially activating the other machine groups in order of the longest machining operation time of the machine tools included in the first machine group after the start of the first machine group is provided in the other machine group. (Claim 9). Further, a plurality of machine tools are divided into a first machine group including a machine tool requiring the longest machine operation time which governs a machining cycle time of the automatic machining equipment, and a second machine group including a machine tool requiring a shorter machine operation time. The second machine group may be provided with activation timing delay means for activating the second machine group after the activation of the first machine group. In these devices, the method of the present invention can be implemented, and the effects described in the above method can be obtained.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, a plurality of (for example, 12) machine tools M1 for performing various operations such as drilling, milling and boring, or measuring.
M12 are opposed to each other (of course, there is also an array that does not face each other), and a plurality of M12 are arranged side by side in the work transfer direction. As the machine tools M1 to M12, the machining spindle S is provided only in the front-back direction with respect to the workpiece (workpiece) W.
P is moved, so-called one-axis type, three-axis control type that moves the processing spindle SP back and forth, left and right, up and down, and further, with a tool changing function, etc. Depending on the variety. A transport device 1 for transporting a workpiece W between adjacent machine tools in the workpiece transport direction is provided between the opposing moving machine tools M1 to M12. The transport device 1
In the illustrated apparatus, the work W is hooked (pushed) by a transfer bar (not shown) along the rail 2 to move the work W by a predetermined pitch, and the work W is moved to a positioning fixed position in front of each machine tool.
Is a slide-and-carry type that fixes it when it arrives (such as Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 62-46532), but once the work is lifted from the machining position in front of the machine tool to the machining position of the next machine tool Lift-and-carry type that transports to
No. 6, etc.). Here, the machine tools M1 to M12 are divided into four blocks S1 to S4. Machine tools M1 to M3 are provided in block S1, and machine tools M4 to M6 are provided in block S2.
However, the machine tools M7 to M9 belong to the block S1, and the machine tools M10 to M12 belong to the block S1.

Next, a power circuit 1 for the machine tools M1 to M12
0 will be explained. The power transformer 12 is connected to the temporary power supply cable 11. The power transformer 12 is used when the voltage supplied by the temporary power supply cable 11 is different from the voltage required on the processing equipment machine side, and the temporary supply voltage and the required voltage on the equipment machine side are different. It is unnecessary when they match. Next, the main breaker 13 is connected to the power transformer 12. The main circuit breaker 13 is for preventing a fire by tripping due to an excessive load or a large-scale short-circuit of a power cable, which affects the entire equipment machine. The power cable 14 connected to the main circuit breaker 13 is connected to the blocks S1 to S4.
The branch power cable 15 is branched into four branch power cables 15, and a branch breaker 16 and a branch switch 17 are connected to each branch power cable 15, and a power cable 18 from the branch switch 17 is branched. , Each machine tool M1 to M12
Are respectively connected to the control devices CB1 to CB12. In contrast to the main circuit breaker 13, each branch circuit breaker 16 has a machine tool (M1-M3) (M4-M
6) Trips due to relatively small overloads (M7 to M9) and (M10 to M12) are used, and those having a smaller capacity than the main circuit breaker 13 are used. The main circuit breaker 13 does not trip when the branch circuit breaker 13 is overloaded.

Each of the machine tools M1 to M12 has a plurality (three in this case) of machine groups A,
B and C are divided. Now, as shown in FIG. 6 used in the description of the prior art, the length of the machine operation time T1 to T12 of each machine tool M1 to M12 is T3>T4>T1> T8.
>T9>T5>T12>T7>T11>T10>T6>
T2, the time difference between the machining operation time T3 and the machining operation time T9, and the time difference between the machining operation time T9 and the machining operation time T11 each slightly exceed 0.5 seconds. In FIG. 6, among the machine tools M1 to M12, the machining time T3 of the machine tool M3 is the longest, and the machining operation time T3 governs the machining cycle time of the entire machining equipment. The machine group A includes four processing machines M1, M3, M4, and M8 that require longer working operation times in order from the longest working operation time T3. Machine group B has the shortest machine tool M8 in machine group A.
Four machine tools M5, M requiring shorter machine operation time
7, M9, and M12. The machine group C includes four machine tools M2, M6, M10, which require a shorter machine operation time than the shortest machine tool M7 in the machine group B.
M11 is included. In other words, in this embodiment, the groups are grouped in groups of four in the order of the longest operation time, and the start delay time between the groups is first activated as described later due to the difference in the longest operation time of each group. When the starting current value in the machine group falls past the peak, it can be set to the length of time that the next machine group will be started, and it is grouped so as not to break the machining cycle time. .

Each machine tool M1, 3, belonging to group A
Control circuit SA in control devices CB1, 3, 4, 8 of 4, 8
Is shown in FIG. Here, the activation circuit 30 immediately excites the electromagnetic switch MSA and maintains the state when the confirmation switch SW for confirming the transfer fixing of the work W by the transfer device 1 is closed, and the corresponding machine tool M1, 3, 4,
8, the operation control circuit 31 of each of the machine tools M1, 3,
Activate and process multiple motors (control loads) of 4, 8
When processing is completed, the processing completion confirmation switch STA is opened, the magnetic switch MSA is demagnetized, and the machine tool is stopped. Machine tools M belonging to machine groups B and C
2, control means CB2, CB of M5 to M7, M9 to M12
The control circuits SBC of 5 to 7 and CBs 9 to 12 control the start timing of the machine tools M2, M5 to M7 and M9 to M12 of the machine groups B and C with respect to the machine tools M1, M3, M4 and M8 of the machine group A. A start control circuit (start control means) 40 for shifting is provided. The activation control circuit 40 includes an on-delay timer t as activation timing delay means, and when the confirmation switch SW for confirming the conveyance fixing of the work W by the transportation device 1 is closed, that is, after the machine group A is activated, After a certain period of time has elapsed, the timer contact t1 of the starting circuit 41 is closed to excite the electromagnetic switch MSBC,
The operation control circuit 42 of the corresponding machine tool is energized to start the motor (control load) of the machine tool to perform machining. When machining is completed, the machining end confirmation switch STBC is opened and the machine tool is stopped. . In the machine group B and the machine group C, since the longest machine operation time of the machine tool in each machine group is longer in the machine group B than in the machine group C, the machine groups B and C are started in order after the machine group A is started. The delay time set in the timer t is as follows. That is, the delay time TT1 set in the timer t of the machine tools M5, 7, 9, 12 belonging to the machine group B is (the longest machine operation time T3 of the machine group A).
-(Longest machining operation time T9 of machine group B)> TT1
> 0, and may be about 0.5 seconds. Further, the machine tools M2, 6, 10,
The delay time TT2 set in the timer t of No. 11 is set between (the longest machining operation time T3 of the machine group A) − (the longest machining operation time T11 of the machine group C)>TT2> TT1. Delay about 0.5 seconds to start, that is, 1 for the start of machine group A.
Seconds may be sufficient. With such a delay time setting,
The processing cycle time itself does not increase, and is not different from the conventional one. The start delay time between the machine groups A, B, and C is such a time that the start of the next machine group is performed when the start current value of the previously started machine group falls past the peak. It only has to be set to the length,
The time is not limited to about 0.5 seconds.

When the previous cycle is completed and the transfer of the work W by the transfer device 1 is completed, the confirmation switch SW is closed. Thereby, the machine tool M belonging to the machine group A
In 1, 3, 4, and 8, the electromagnetic switch MSA of the starting circuit 30
Is closed, the operation control circuit 31 is immediately energized, and the machine tools M1, 3, 4, and 8 are started to start machining. At this time, in this embodiment, among the twelve machine tools in total, four machine tools belong to machine group A, and therefore flow through main circuit breaker 13 when machine group A is activated as shown in FIG. The current value Ia is smaller than in the conventional case where all the machine tools are started simultaneously. On the other hand, in the machine tools belonging to the machine groups B and C, the timer t of the start control circuit 40 starts counting time, and when the set time TT1 has elapsed from the start of the machine group A, each of the machine tools M5, 7, 9 in the machine group B. , 12 control devices CB5, 7, 9,
When the timer t in the timer 12 has timed out, the corresponding starter circuit 41 is energized, and the respective machine tools M5, 7,.
9 and 12 are activated. Further, when the TT2 time elapses from the activation of the machine group A, the control devices CBM2, 6, and 10 of the machine tools M2, 6, 10, and 11 belonging to the machine group C.
The timer t in each of the timers 10 and 11 times out, and accordingly, the corresponding activation circuit 41 is energized, and each of the machine tools M2, 6, 10, and 11 of the machine group C is activated. When the machine group B is started, the machine group A has already started up, the starting current value Ia has passed its peak, and in the machine group B, only four out of twelve machine tools are started simultaneously. Also in this case, the current value Ib flowing through the main circuit breaker 13 is smaller than in the conventional case where all the machine tools are started simultaneously. Further, when the machine group C is started, the machine groups A and B have started up, the starting current value Ib of the machine group B has passed its peak, and in the machine group C, four of the twelve machine tools are simultaneously started. Only the main circuit breaker 13
Is smaller than the conventional case where all the machine tools are started simultaneously.

Next, the same applies to the branch circuit breaker 16 for controlling the blocks S1 to S4. For example, when the machine group A is activated, two machine tools M1 and M3 are used in block S1 and blocks S2 and S3 are used in block S1.
Then, only the machine tools M4 and M8 are activated, respectively.
Since the machine tools belonging to the machine group B and the machine group C start sequentially with a delay, the load (the number of motors of the machine tool) is dispersed and the current value flowing through the corresponding branch breaker 16 is also reduced. As described above, in each of the blocks S1 to S4, the size is smaller than when three machine tools belonging to the respective blocks are started simultaneously. Therefore, the power transformer 1
2. Main circuit breaker 13, branch circuit breaker 16, branch switch 17
Can be downsized to a capacity corresponding to the reduced current value as described above. In addition, since the current value is reduced in this manner, the power cables 14 and 15 connecting the above-described electrical equipment can be thinned to a diameter corresponding to their capacity. And the installation wiring work in the processing equipment machine becomes easy. When the machining is completed in each of the machine tools M1 to M12, the machine tool stops, and when the machine tool M3 requiring the longest machining operation time T3 completes the machining, the workpiece W is transferred to the next machine by the transfer device 1. The machine tools M1 to M12 are conveyed to the front of the machine, are positioned and fixed, and are started again from the machine group A with a delay of a predetermined time.

Next, a case where the machine tool is divided into two will be described. In FIG. 5, each of the machine tools M1 to M12 having the above-described machine operation time is replaced with a machine tool M1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12 including the machine tool M3 requiring the longest machine operation time T3 which governs the machining cycle time. And the machine tools M2, 5, 6, 9 to which the machine operation time T9 of the machine tool M9 shorter than the machine operation time T3 of the machine tool M3 is the longest machine operation time in the machine group.
11 into two machine groups. In this case, machine tools M2, 5, 6, belonging to machine group B
The control devices 9 to 11 each include a start control circuit including a timer as described above, and the timer includes a delay time TT3 (0.5 to 1) with respect to the start of the machine group A as described above.
Seconds). Also in this embodiment, the machine group B is started with a timer set time delay after the machine group A is started. When all the machine tools are started simultaneously, the current value becomes smaller than the value of the current flowing through the main circuit breaker 13.

[0014]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the automatic processing equipment, when the divided individual machine groups are started, a smaller current flows than when the entire equipment is started at once. It is not necessary to use electrical equipment such as a circuit breaker with a large rating that can withstand a large current when the entire equipment is started up at once as in the past, making it possible to reduce the size and cost. . In addition, since the power cable can be made thinner, the weight of the power cable is reduced, and electric wiring work is facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an automatic processing facility of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing grouping and starting timing of the machine tools of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a case where activation is controlled at the activation timing shown in FIG. 2;
It is a figure which shows the electric current value which flows through a main circuit breaker.

4A shows a control circuit of a machine tool of a machine group A, and FIG. 4B shows a control circuit of a machine tool of a machine group B or C. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another grouping.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a start timing of a conventional machine tool.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a current value flowing through a main circuit breaker in the case of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveying device 13 Main circuit breaker 14 Power cable 40 Start-up control circuit A, B, C Machine group M1-M12 Machine tool t Timer

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An automatic machining facility comprising a plurality of machine tools for performing machining, measurement, and the like on a workpiece, transferring the workpiece between the machine tools, and sequentially performing a series of machining on the workpiece. In the above, a plurality of machine tools are divided into a plurality of machine groups based on the machine operation time, and the machine tools included in each of the divided machine groups are separated between machine groups within a range that does not disrupt the machining cycle in the automatic machining equipment. A method for starting automatic processing equipment, characterized in that the starting is performed so that the starting timing is shifted. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of machine tools are divided into a first machine group including a machine tool requiring the longest machine operation time which governs a machining cycle time of the automatic machining equipment and a machine tool requiring a shorter machine operation time. Divided into a plurality of other machine groups, the plurality of other machine groups comprising:
The longest machine operation time of the machine tool in each machine group is divided so that there is a difference between machine groups,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the other machine groups are sequentially activated in order of the longest machining operation time of the machine tools included in the machine group, after a predetermined time delay from the activation of the first machine group. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of machine tools are divided into a first machine group including a machine tool requiring the longest machine operation time which governs a machining cycle time of the automatic machining equipment and a machine tool requiring a shorter machine operation time. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second machine group is divided into a second machine group and the second machine group is started with a predetermined time delay from the start of the first machine group. 4. The starting delay time between the divided machine groups is set to a time at which the next machine group starts up after the peak of the starting current value of the machine tool belonging to the machine group that starts first. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the machine tool is divided into machine groups so that the machine tools can be set. 5. A plurality of machine tools for performing processing, measurement, and the like on a workpiece are provided. The workpiece is transferred between the respective machine tools by a transfer device, and a series of workpieces are sequentially machined on the workpiece. In automatic processing equipment, multiple machine tools are divided into multiple machine groups based on the length of machining time,
An automatic processing equipment comprising start control means for starting the machine tools included in each divided machine group so that the start timing is shifted between the machine groups within a range that does not disrupt the processing cycle time of the automatic processing equipment. 6. The automatic processing equipment according to claim 5, wherein the activation control means is activation timing delay means for shifting the activation timing. 7. The automatic processing equipment according to claim 6, wherein the activation timing delay means is a timer. 8. A plurality of machine tools for performing processing, measurement, and the like on a workpiece, a workpiece is transferred between the machine tools by a transfer device, and a series of workpieces are sequentially machined on the workpiece. Automatic processing equipment, in an automatic processing equipment that supplies power to the entire automatic processing equipment through the main circuit breaker, a plurality of machine tools are divided into a plurality of machine groups according to the length of the machine operation time, and a plurality of machine groups, Machine control tools included in each of the divided machine groups are provided with start-up control means for starting the machine groups so that the start timings are shifted from each other.
An automatic processing facility wherein the value is set to be smaller than when all the machine tools of the automatic processing facility are started at once. 9. A plurality of machine tools are divided into a first machine group including a machine tool requiring the longest machine operation time which governs a machining cycle time of the automatic machining equipment and a machine tool requiring a shorter machine operation time. Divided into a plurality of other machine groups, the plurality of other machine groups comprising:
The longest machine operation time of the machine tool in each machine group is divided so that there is a difference between machine groups,
Starting timing delay means for sequentially activating the other machine groups in order of the longest machining operation time of the machine tools included in the first machine group after the start of the first machine group is provided in the other machine group. 9. The automatic processing equipment according to claim 8, wherein 10. A plurality of machine tools are divided into a first machine group including a machine tool requiring the longest machine operation time which governs a machining cycle time of the automatic machining equipment and a machine tool requiring a shorter machine operation time. 9. A second machine group, comprising: a second machine group; and a start timing delay unit for activating the second machine group after the first machine group is started. Automatic processing equipment as described.