JPS63102858A - Direct numerical control system for numerically controlled machine tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To aim at improvement in reliability in a system, by connecting a personal computer, performing operating result control or the like, and another personal computer, feeding NC data to plural numerically controlled machine tools both to a host computer via a local arear network. CONSTITUTION:A host computer 10 performs the control of NC data fed out of a small scheduling-technical calculating computer 11 on the basis of data out of an office computer 12, while it constrols a local arear network (LAN) 13, and performed transfer of various data with subordinate personal computers 6 and 7. This personal computer 6 performs operating result control and work schedule control for plural units of numerically controlled machine tools 2-5, while another personal computer 7 supplies NC data and controls the work schedule, but both these personal computers 6 and 7 are provided with a backup function with each other and directly connected together, and even if either of them gets out of order, the other is able to control the whole system. Thus, reliability in the system is made improvable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a group control system for NC machine tools in which a workpiece is machined by a plurality of NC machine tools.

[Conventional technology]

In the conventional method, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-167749, group control of multiple NC machine tools is performed by directly connecting the upper control computer and the numerical control device of the NC machine tools using an optical fiber cable. There is a method of controlling by connecting and transmitting transport instruction signals, NC data transmission, etc.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, multiple NC machine tools are directly controlled by a host control computer, which requires an expensive control computer and a large amount of complicated software. Development was necessary.

Furthermore, there was a problem that no consideration was given to the human-machine nature of the system, resulting in a lack of interactivity. Also, NC
There is a problem in that expansion is difficult because the load on the control computer increases as the system is expanded by adding more machine tools, etc.

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable group control system with excellent man-machine functionality and extensive expandability by using two personal computers in group control of a plurality of NC machine tools. be.

[Means for solving problems]

The above purpose is to connect two personal computers between the host computer and the NC machine tool when performing group control of multiple NC machine tools, and to avoid placing a load on the host computer. Since two computers are used, each has a backup function, and even if one computer goes down, control can continue, improving the reliability and scalability of the entire system.Furthermore, by using a personal computer, This can be achieved by improving man-machine performance, simplifying processing by changing from the complicated conventional DNC method to a method for transmitting NC information all at once to NC machine tools, and shortening the software development period.

[Effect]

The above two personal computers are connected to a host post computer and a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LA).
(referred to as N).

As a result, the two personal computers receive NC data from the upper host computer.

If data necessary for control such as work schedule data is transmitted, it becomes possible to control NC machine tools and automatic guided vehicles.During this time, the upper host computer can perform other processing, reducing the load. reduced, and
Even when the system is expanded, such as by adding more NC machine tools or adding control functions, there are almost no changes to the software on the host computer, making system expansion easy.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of group control of an NC machine tool according to the present invention. In the figure, there are multiple (four in the figure) NC machine tools 2, 3, 4, and 5.

They are arranged in horizontal rows at fixed locations. Each NC machine tool 2-5
is equipped with spindle heads 24, 25, 26° 27 and work tables 20, 21, 22, 23, and each spindle of the spindle heads 24-27 is used for a workpiece mounted on these work tables 20-23. Machining is performed using a processing tool attached to the machine.

A setup station 1 is arranged at a fixed position close to these NC machine tools 2 to 5.

The unprocessed workpieces are carried into the setup station 1 and the processed workpieces are carried out using a manned or unmanned transport vehicle.

Further, between the plurality of NC machine tools 2 to 5 described above and the setup station 1, an automatic guided vehicle 9 that runs on a track 30 in both directions indicated by arrows is arranged. This automated guided vehicle 9
The machine travels on the track 9 to the designated location of the setup station 1 in response to an electrical signal from the transfer control panel 8, takes in the unprocessed workpiece attached to the pallet, and then transfers the NC machine tools 2 to 5. The robot travels on the track 9 to a designated location, and sets the work tables 20 to 23 at a designated location.

Conversely, for a machined workpiece, the automatic guided vehicle 9 travels on the track 9 to the designated location of the NC machine tools 2 to 5 based on the electrical signal from the transport control panel 8, as described above. death,
The machine takes in the processed workpieces placed on the worktables 20 to 23, travels on the track 9 to a predetermined setup station 1, and stores the workpieces.

The above-mentioned transport control panel 8 is connected to a sequencer built into the personal computer 7, and performs input/output of the operation pattern Nα, input/output of the pallet Na, etc. to control the automatic guided vehicle 9.

Further, the personal computer 7 is connected to a plurality of NC machine tools 2 to 5, and has functions such as inputting signals to manage the states of the NC machine tools 2 to 5.

Further, the personal computer 6 is connected to a plurality of NC machine tools 2 to 5, and has the main functions of transmitting and receiving NC data 9 and managing work schedules.

Next, specific operations and data flow will be explained with reference to FIG.

The host computer 1o is responsible for group control of NC machine tools, small schedule planning of work, management of NC data, and LAN.
Its main function is communication processing with 13. The data for the small work schedule is created from the medium work schedule and work procedure data transmitted from the large-scale office calculation computer 12 connected to the upper level. Further, the NC data created by the large-scale technical calculation computer 11 connected to the upper level is transmitted and stored in the host computer 10. In the communication processing with the LAN 13, various data is received from the personal computer 6.7 connected to the lower level, and various data is transmitted to the personal computer 6.7.

The personal computer 6 has a CRT display 14
．． It is equipped with a kanji printer 15, etc., and displays and prints the contents of NC data, work schedule status, etc. to understand them. Here, the functions of the personal computer 6 will be explained in more detail.

First, the man-machine function has two functions; the first is a function that allows the system operation mode to be easily switched between online mode and offline mode. Online mode means that the system is operated under the control of the personal computer 6, including data input/output and status management with multiple NC machine tools 2 to 5. N.C.
The machine tools 2 to 5 are no longer under the control of the personal computer 6, and local processing becomes possible.

The second NC data output function is performed by the host computer 10.
With respect to the NC data transmitted from .

Next, in the communication function with the host computer 10, the NC
It is possible to send and receive data. host computer 10
In response to an NC data transmission request, the NC data is transmitted, and in response to an NC data reception request, NC data is received and stored.

Further, the communication function with the plurality of NC machine tools 2 to 5 allows transmission and reception of NC data. This allows the NC data received from the host computer 10 to be sent to multiple NCs.
It is possible to transmit NC data to the machine tools 2 to 5 or to receive NC data from a plurality of NC machine tools 2 to 5.

The personal computer 7 has a CRT display 16
．． Equipped with 17 kanji printers, work schedule status 9
The work results, the status of the plurality of machine tools 2 to 5, etc. can be grasped by displaying and printing them. Here, the functions of the personal computer 7 will be explained in more detail.

First, the man-machine function mainly has the following five functions.

The first system management function allows setting the system time and the cycle necessary for sampling the states of the plurality of NC machine tools 2 to 5.

In the second work instruction function, when a request is made to the host computer 10 to send work instruction data, the host computer 10 sends up to about 200 pieces of work instruction data and displays it on the CRT display 16. Additional registration, modification, and deletion of work instruction data is possible. Further, when an instruction to transmit NC data is given to the personal computer 6, the NC data is transmitted and received between the personal computer 6 and a plurality of NC machine tools, as described above. Furthermore, we provide pallet loading/unloading instructions and reports on work results associated with setup work.

Performs pallet loading/unloading orders and registers work associated with machining.

The third pallet status display function allows status display such as usage status of the pallet.

The fourth machine status display function instructs the sequencer built in the personal computer 7 to detect the operating status of multiple NC machine tools 2 to 5, and displays the results on the CRT display 16. do. The main display contents include operation start time, end time and total time, cutting time 2 manual operation time, NC data value 9 positioning value during cutting, measured value, etc.

In the fifth work result output function, multiple NC machine tools 2
The work name of the work imported from ~5, the product name of the workpiece, N
Work performance data such as C data Nα, NC machine tool island, machining time, etc. are displayed on the CRT display 16, and output to the Kanji printer 17 if necessary.

Next, in the communication function with the host computer 10, work instruction data is transmitted from the host computer 10 in response to a request for work instruction data from the personal computer 7 to the host computer 1o, and is received and stored. Furthermore, in response to a request for work performance data from the host computer 10, all work performance data that has already been collected by the personal computer 7 is transmitted. moreover,
In response to a request for machine state data from the host computer 10, state data of the plurality of NC machine tools 2 to 5 is transmitted.

Finally, the sequencer function enables the automatic guided vehicle to operate by controlling the input and output of transport command data to and from the transport control panel 8. Additionally, status signals are taken in from a plurality of NC machine tools 2 to 5 in order to display the machine status as described above.

Personal computer 6 and personal computer 7
Because they are directly connected, even if one of them fails, the remaining one can control the entire system, improving reliability.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, two personal computers are used to control multiple NC machine tools, so even if one of them fails, the remaining one can control the entire system. System reliability can be improved.

Furthermore, by using two personal computers, the load on the upper host computer is reduced, making it easy to expand the system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of group control of an NC machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the equipment configuration and data flow. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Setup station, 2-5... NC machine tool, 6-7... Personal computer, 9... Automatic guided vehicle, 10... Host computer, 13... Local area network ( LAN), 14.16...
・CRT display, 15.17...Kanji printer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of NC machine tools arranged in rows at a certain location, a setup station arranged in parallel at a position adjacent to the plurality of NC machine tools, and the plurality of NC machine tools;
In an NC machine tool group consisting of an automated guided vehicle that travels between a setup station and carries in and out workpieces, and a transfer control panel that controls the operating procedure of the automated guided vehicle, various data for the transfer control panel are used. a personal computer that performs input/output, operation record management of the plurality of NC machine tools, and work schedule management;
A group control system for NC machine tools, characterized in that the system is equipped with a local area network for connecting a personal computer that supplies NC data to C machine tools and manages work schedules to an upper host computer.