KR101840051B1 - Apparatus for checking tool status of tool magazine and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for confirming the state and lifetime of a tool in accordance with a picked-up image and a number of times of picking up a tool previously recorded beforehand by photographing and recording each tool transported from a tool magazine to a standby port and a tool status checking method . According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the preparation time necessary for visually inspecting the state of the tool in the tool magazine, and it is possible to eliminate the unnecessary inspection of the tool that has not been used, Can reduce the fatigue of the safety accident can be prevented.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS FOR CHECKING TOOL STATUS OF TOOL MAGAZINE AND METHOD THEREOF [0002]

More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for confirming a tool status of a tool magazine, and more particularly, to a tool magazine for detecting a tool status of a tool magazine, And a tool status checking method using such a tool.

BACKGROUND ART A machine tool is a machine for processing various kinds of metal / non-metal workpieces (hereinafter referred to as workpieces) into desired shapes and dimensions.

The machine tool for this purpose is provided with a separate tool magazine which can mount a plurality of tools to be used for machining. Such tool magazines usually include various tools having various sizes or shapes depending on the purpose and shape of the tool And is provided so as to be able to select and transfer a tool among the mounted tools, which is required in the machining process.

Therefore, conventionally, a machine operator performs the work only on the tool that can be machined after visually confirming the state of the tool installed on the tool magazine before machining. However, when the number of tools is as high as 200 ~ 375, and the number of machine tools used in machining is several, there is a problem that it takes a lot of standby time to visually confirm and prepare for normal machine operation.

FIG. 1 shows a process of checking the state of a conventional tool.

Tools that have completed the tool life on the machine tool are subject to replacement. Therefore, in order to check the lifetime of each tool, the tool can be transferred from the port where the tool is stored to the manual discharge port (waiting port), and then checked by inspection.

To do this, first, the tool list is checked through the tool life management function in the numerical controller (NC) of the machine tool (S100), the port number of the tool to be inspected is input in the checked tool list, (S110). Then, the tool magazine moves the tool from the respective storage position port to the manual discharge outlet (S120) in order to confirm the state of the tool, and at this time, it takes usually about one minute to move the tool.

Thereafter, the door of the manual discharge port is opened and the tool is pulled to visually check the tool abnormality (S130).

If the visual inspection shows that the tool is normal, push the tool and close the door of the manual outlet, then push the tool return button on the manual control panel to move the tool to the tool storage position port (S140).

If the visual inspection shows that the tool is faulty, replace the tool (S150).

The above process is performed on all the tools (200 to 375) to complete the inspection (S160).

However, in order to check the tool status through such a process, the whole process is repeated by the number of tools. That is, if the maximum number of tools is 375 (500 when using the robot), the worker goes through the inspection process 375 times. Therefore, the worker's fatigue is increased and the preparation time required for the tool loading and returning is also delayed have.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a tool magazine, which records and records each tool transferred to a standby port before machining, By checking the status and lifetime of the tool according to the number of times it is possible to minimize the movement and preparation wait time of the tool for the inspection of the tool and to record unnecessary inspection of the unused tool The present invention relates to a tool status checking apparatus and method.

To this end, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for checking the tool status of a tool magazine according to the present invention, comprising: a photographing unit for photographing a state of a tool mounted on a tool magazine; A numerical controller for managing a tool list in which tool attribute information including a port number and life time information of a tool mounted on the tool magazine is recorded; And a tool list of a tool which is required to be replaced with a tool because the tool life is full or the actual use frequency is large, And a panel PC for displaying the generated candidate list to induce tool exchange.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool status check method for a tool magazine according to the present invention, comprising: a tool list including a port number of a tool mounted on a tool magazine, life information, Recording the shot image and the number of times of shooting in advance; Generating a tool abnormality candidate list requiring a tool change in priority because the tool life span is full or the actual use frequency is large by counting the tool-by-tool shot image and the number of times of shooting, which are recorded in advance by the panel PC; And displaying the generated tool abnormality candidate list to confirm the state of the tool and performing exchange for a tool requiring a tool change.

According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the movement of the tool for visually inspecting the state of the tool in the tool magazine, to record the data immediately before use for each tool, thereby eliminating unnecessary inspection of the unused tool It is possible. Therefore, when the tool magazine having a large number of tools is used, the inspection time of the tool can be remarkably shortened, so that the operation rate of the equipment can be increased and the safety fatigue of the worker can be reduced.

In addition, the tool status information can be directly inquired and confirmed on the tool magazine side, not on the NC main screen of the machine tool.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process of checking a state of a conventional tool.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the tool state checking apparatus of the present invention.
3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for identifying the tool status of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the process after the tool status check of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the present invention and the operation and effect thereof will be clearly understood through the following detailed description. Before describing the present invention in detail, the same components are denoted by the same reference symbols as possible even if they are shown in different drawings, and a detailed description of known configurations will be omitted if it is determined that the gist of the present invention may be blurred Please note. In addition, when a part includes an element, it does not exclude other elements unless specifically stated otherwise, but may include other elements.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the tool state checking apparatus of the present invention.

2, the tool status verifying apparatus of the tool magazine according to the present invention includes a photographing unit 220 having a plurality of photographing means 211 and 212, a panel PC 220, a panel PC 220, And a numerical controller 230 of a machine tool connected by communication.

The photographing unit 210 photographs a tool that is transported to the standby port of the tool magazine. In the case of transferring the tool to the standby port of the tool magazine, the tool may be transferred separately for tool inspection. However, in the present invention, rather than being transferred to the standby port for inspection, the tool is returned to the tool magazine In other words, it can be taken at the waiting port before and after using the tool.

The photographing unit 210 includes a plurality of photographing units 211 and 212, which are installed at different angles to photograph the state of the tool in various angles, and set the photographing range variously. The plurality of photographing means 211 and 212 may be a web cam, a camera, or the like, and may be mounted on or adjacent to the tool magazine.

The photographing unit 210 may be connected to the panel PC 220 or may be connected to the numerical controller 230 via the panel PC 220. Therefore, when the tool is transferred to the standby port of the tool magazine, the operator requests the start of photographing through the panel PC 220 and the image (hereinafter, photographed image) photographed by the photographing unit 210 is sent to the panel PC 220, And transmits it to the numerical controller 230 through the PC 220.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the photographing unit 210 may be installed with additional lighting in preparation for nighttime or dark work.

The numerical controller 230 of the machine tool stores and manages, as a list, attribute information on the tool number, tool length, machining shape, and life span for the tool mounted on each tool magazine. Lifetime information for each tool is automatically set for each tool.

In addition, the numerical controller 230 can selectively record the shot image and the number of shooting times of the tool with the tool list, and record the latest data recorded in the tool list. At this time, the picked-up image of each tool and the number of picked-up images can be supplied from the photographing unit 210 through the panel PC 220 and recorded.

The numerical controller 230 transmits and receives data to and from the panel PC 220 through a local area network.

The panel PC 220 stores the photographed image photographed through the photographing unit 210 and the number of times of photographing for each tool and displays the photographed image on the display unit. The storage space may be stored in the panel PC 220 or may be transferred to the numerical controller 230 and stored in the local storage unit.

For the sake of convenience, the storage method can be divided into the file name by storing the tool information added to the file name of the shot image. For example, if the tool number is 42, the shooting date and time is 12 o'clock on November 5, and the number of shooting times is 32, the file name of the shot image can be input and stored in T042D110512C032. Such a series of processes can be automatically processed through the management program of the panel PC 220.

On the other hand, when the operator does not recognize the number of times of shooting of each tool and information on the number of times of shooting is not provided, the panel PC 220 determines the number of times of final shooting Quot; 1 " and " 2 "

Particularly, the panel PC 220 of the present invention can be used for a tool having a tool life or a tool having many threads, through a tool list provided from the numerical controller 230, a shot image acquired by the shooting unit 210, And displays the generated candidate list on the display unit, thereby providing a candidate list for the tool having an abnormality, thereby inducing the tool exchange. The tool abnormality candidate list may be a whole list sorted in descending order (descending order), or may be a top portion list limited to the upper 5th to 10th order in descending order.

The tool abnormality candidate list includes not only attribute information for each tool, but also information about a shot image and the number of shots that can grasp the tool status.

Therefore, when the present invention calls for a tool mounted on a tool magazine to use the tool during automatic, manual operation in the machine tool, the called tool is transferred to the standby port of the tool magazine, The tool number, the life span, and the damage state (shot image) are transmitted to the panel PC 220 via the Ethernet (local area network). The panel PC 220 photographs the tool using the photographing unit 210, and records the number of times of photographing together with the photographed image. The panel PC 220 compiles the final data to provide the tool abnormality candidate list. Before the operator uses the equipment, the tool abnormality candidate list is checked and only the tool which needs to be exchanged is exchanged and the work is performed. Therefore, The verification time is greatly reduced. The tool change method is similar to the conventional method in which the tool is called by inputting the number and the exchange is performed through visual confirmation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a process of confirming the tool status according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a process after the tool status check of the present invention.

The process for exchanging tools according to the present invention is similar to the conventional method shown in FIG. 1, but in the case of applying the present invention, only the tools necessary to be exchanged And the inspection is carried out by selectively calling only some upper tools instead of all the tools mounted on the tool magazine.

First, referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus of the present invention photographs a tool mounted on a tool magazine before and after using a tool, and records the final shot image and the number of times of photographing for each tool (S200).

At this time, the photographed image and the number of photographed images are recorded and displayed together with attribute information for each tool by matching with the tool list. The attribute information of each tool includes the tool number, the length and shape of the tool, and the life information.

Then, the panel PC compiles a final shot image and the number of times of photographing for each tool to generate and provide a candidate list (tool abnormal candidate list) having a tool life span or a lot of actual tool use (S210).

A large number of shots means that the number of actual use of the tool is large. The tool life is the number of shots, that is, the number of times the tool is used, the life is reduced. Therefore, the tool life can be checked in association with the number of times of use. Therefore, the tool abnormality candidate list can be calculated by including all of the candidate lists of the tools whose tool life has reached the end of the tool life, and the candidate lists of the tools whose actual use frequency is large, in consideration of the above relationship.

The tool abnormality candidate list includes the tool attribute information and the shot image which can grasp the state of the tool.

This tool abnormality candidate list can be displayed at the request of the operator, but it can be set to be displayed before the machining step at predetermined time intervals.

If the worker checks the panel PC (220) every morning or before work, the final shot image will be displayed together with information about the tools that have reached the end of the tool life and many tools that are in use. (S220).

As a result of checking through the photographed image, a tool error is judged and the tool exchange is processed (S230). If it is judged that there is an abnormality of the tool, the tool change is performed. If it is judged that there is no abnormality of the tool, the following operation is performed. Or, if it is difficult to judge the abnormality of the tool, a reconfirmation procedure may be added by calling the tool.

Referring to FIG. 4, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the tool through the tool abnormality candidate list, the port number of the tool is inputted and called (S231).

The tool magazine is rotated by the call request and the corresponding tool is selected by the 2 to 3 axis loader and moved from the mounting port of the tool to the manual discharge port (standby port) (S232).

Thereafter, the door of the manual discharge port is opened and the tool is pulled to visually confirm the tool abnormality (S233).

If the inspection result shows that the tool is normal, push the tool and close the door of the manual discharge port, then push the tool return button on the manual operation panel to move the tool to the tool mounting port (S234).

If the inspection result indicates that the tool is abnormal, the tool is replaced (S236).

Thereafter, the inspection of the tool for the candidate list is performed to complete the tool status check (S235). As an example, a tool error candidate list can be presented with one to five tools that need to be replaced first. According to this procedure, the inspection time for carrying and transporting the tool to check the state of the tool in the tool magazine can be shortened to the minimum, and the problem of unnecessary inspection of the unused tool can be eliminated. Further, the tool status information can be directly inquired from the tool magazine through the panel PC, not from the screen of the numerical controller (NC), which is the main operation panel of the machine tool, so that the operation is convenient.

The foregoing detailed description is illustrative of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention only, and that the invention may be used in various other combinations, modifications and environments. That is, it is possible to make changes or modifications within the scope of the concept of the invention disclosed in this specification, the disclosure and the equivalents of the disclosure and / or the scope of the art or knowledge of the present invention.

210:
220: Panel PC
230: Numerical controller

Claims (5)

A photographing part (210) for photographing the tool at the standby port when the tool is transported to the tool magazine before use of the tool or after the tool magazine (tool magazine);
A numerical controller 230 for managing a tool list in which tool attribute information including the port number and life time information of the tool mounted on the tool magazine is recorded; And
The photographed image photographed through the photographing section 210 and the number of times of photographing are matched with the tool list provided from the numerical controller 230 and recorded. The tool life is full or the actual use frequency is large, And a panel PC (220) for generating a necessary tool abnormality candidate list and displaying a generated candidate list to induce tool exchange,
The tool abnormality candidate list includes attribute information about the tool, a shot image capable of grasping the state of the tool, and the number of shots, and is displayed as a whole list or an upper part list arranged in the order of necessity of tool change Of the tool magazine. delete The method according to claim 1,
The photographing unit 210,
And a plurality of photographing means for photographing the state of the tool in multiple angles. A tool list including the port number and life information of the tool mounted on the tool magazine and the tool taken at the standby port when the tool is returned to the tool magazine before the tool is used A step (S200) of recording in advance a shot image and a shooting count of shooting the state of the tool by the shooting unit;
A step (S210) of generating a tool abnormality candidate list which requires the tool change in priority because the tool life span is full or the actual use frequency is high by counting the tool-by-tool shot image and the number of times of photographing previously recorded by the panel PC; And
(S220, S230) of displaying a generated tool abnormality candidate list to confirm the state of the tool and performing exchange for a tool requiring a tool change,
The step (S210) of generating the tool abnormality candidate list includes:
Attribute information about the tool, a shot image capable of grasping the state of the tool, and a shooting count,
Characterized in that it is displayed as a whole list or an uppermost list arranged in the order of necessity of tool change. delete

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