WO2002032601A1

WO2002032601A1 - Spring production system

Info

Publication number: WO2002032601A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/007241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomoaki Hachiya; Hirochika Takahashi; Masashi Nakayama; Yuuichi Komazawa; Kiyoshi Natsume; Eiji Obayashi
Original assignee: Technowave, Ltd.; Asahi-Seiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-10-18
Filing date: 2000-10-18
Publication date: 2002-04-25
Also published as: JP3947466B2; JPWO2002032601A1

Abstract

A spring production system comprising a spring machining unit for machining a spring by applying a tool to a wire fed from a quill according to command data, and a section for generating the command data to be delivered to the spring machining unit, characterized in that the data generating section comprises a screen display means, means for storing therein a conversion rule for machining shape elements and an operation sequence, means for selecting/inputting a machining shape element, means for inputting parameters of the selected machining shape element, means for converting the inputted machining shape element and the parameters thereof into an operation program using the conversion rule stored in the storing means, and means for outputting command data corresponding to the operation program to the spring machining unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a spring manufacturing system that can easily produce a machining program for automatically machining a wire spring. BACKGROUND ART Wire-worked springs are obtained by cold-working spring wires into various shapes in the cold, and in addition to coil-shaped tension or compression panels specified by JIS standards and the like, It is formed in various dimensions, shapes and combinations of shapes according to the application. A general NC controller is used for a spring forming machine for processing this type of wire spring.

In order to program the machining procedure in the NC controller, a general cutting machine has a support system such as CAD, which can cut into that shape only by specifying the shape and parameters.However, in the case of a spring, a three-dimensional geometric shape Therefore, the spring forming machine is different from a general machine tool mainly composed of orthogonal axes, and has a large number of rotating axes, so that this kind of programming method cannot be applied. Therefore, in the manufacture of springs, conventionally, the G-code, a programming language peculiar to the NC controller, was usually used, and there was virtually no other option.

The G code expresses a command to the controller by combining a single alphabetic character called an address and a numerical value added thereto. The combination of the address and the numerical value is called a word. A read called a dimension word is a command that has an axis name (X, Υ, Ζ · · ·) at its address, and is interpreted as a movement command to that axis.

In addition to axis movement, there are preparation and auxiliary functions.

The preparation function is a word with G as the address, and instructs the controller to perform various operations according to the numerical value. For example, GO 0 is rapid traverse, GO 1 is processing by linear interpolation, GO 2 is processing by counterclockwise circular interpolation, GO 3 «processing by clockwise circular interpolation contrary to G 02, G 04 is time waiting , G90 is an absolute position command mode, G91 is a relative travel distance command mode, and so on, and these are words that are the basis of the G code designation and are frequently used.

The auxiliary function is a word having M as an address, and instructs the controller to execute various auxiliary functions according to the numerical value. The execution of auxiliary functions is often performed by an external sequencer, etc., and in that case, the controller simply outputs the value after M as it is or decodes it into a BCD code etc. and outputs it to the digital output port It is.

In some cases, instead of using a general NC controller as it is, a controller customized for a spring molding machine may be used.However, the programming method using the G code remains the same, and only a spring molding machine is specified. A new preparation function has been added to control the address G Only assigns a numerical value to be added to

Writing with G and some numerical value must still be done by human workers. As described above, a program based on G code is represented by a combination of numerical values meaningless to humans, and has a low function as a programming language. For example, calculations using variables and conditional branches cannot be performed.

Therefore, programming using the G code as it is is a heavy burden for workers. :

By creating a preprocessor that generates G codes, humans need not use G code for programming, but the syntax of G code is not structured, so creating and modifying preprocessors However, there were drawbacks such as difficulty. Note that it is relatively easy to prepare a large number of spring shape templates, select a spring shape, and then input parameters to form a spring with a specific shape. However, with this method, it is not possible to freely create a spring shape that is not in the template. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method that can flexibly program a spring load by an input that is intuitively understandable. Disclosure of the invention The invention described in claim 1

A spring manufacturing system,

A spring processing device that forms a spring by abutting a tool against a wire fed from a quill according to command data;

A data creation unit for creating command data for outputting to the spring working device,

The data creation department,

Screen display means;

Storage means for storing a conversion rule between a processing shape element and an operation sequence; a selection input means for a processing shape element;

Parameter input means for the selected machining shape element,

Conversion means for converting the input machining shape element and its parameters into an operation program using a conversion rule stored in the storage means;

Output means for outputting command data corresponding to the operation program to the spring working device;

A spring manufacturing system characterized by having: According to the present invention, a "spring" is a continuous connection of a group of a plurality of processing shape elements, for example, a bend, a gang, and the like. It is an assembly of angle, bending R and extension length.In addition, since each geometric element corresponds to the operation of the tool on each axis, the assembly of geometric elements is considered as one unit and each processing element Focusing on the possibility of constructing the shape of the spring, inputting the parameters of the shape of the spring to be made and the dimensions of each processing shape element related to this shape enables the final creation of the machining command data. A spring manufacturing system is provided.

As described above, the processing shape element means a set of a plurality of geometric elements that can be converted into an operation sequence. For example, bending, coiling, taper coiling, wire feed, etc. can be defined as appropriate.

By sequentially specifying these processing shape elements and parameters, springs of various shapes can be manufactured.

For this purpose, the above-mentioned processed shape elements are defined in advance, and can be selectively input by the control means. The correspondence between the machining shape element and the operation sequence is stored in the conversion rule storage means. The storage means in this case simply means a storage part of such a correspondence rule between the processing shape element and the operation sequence, and it is not necessary to secure a coherent area at one place.

The data of the spring shape input by the selection input means and the parameter input means of the processing shape element is converted into an operation program by the conversion means of the data creation unit. The operation program referred to here is a program corresponding to the operation sequence, and may be the command data itself output to the spring working device or a program at a stage that can be recognized by a human. In the latter case, this is further converted into command data that can be distinguished by the spring working device.

Then, command data corresponding to the operation program is output to the spring working device. The spring working device referred to here is a spring working device such as NC capable of performing an operation corresponding to the input of command data.

As described above, a flexible spring can be manufactured. The invention described in Claim 2 is

The processing shape element selection input means and the parameter overnight input means, ： Has the form of a tabular input field to be displayed,

In addition, when inputting parameters, only the parameters necessary for the selected machining shape element can be input.

2. The spring manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein: By enabling tabular input, it is possible to perform intuitively easy and clear input. Also, by enabling the input of only the parameters necessary for the machining shape element, the user can search for the parameter position of the machining shape element, or input an unnecessary numerical value for the machining shape element by mistake. Can be prevented. The invention described in claim 3 is:

Graphic display means for continuously displaying the selected and input machining shape element and spring shape indicated by the parameter in a dramatic manner

A spring manufacturing system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: The graphic display corresponding to the input machining shape element allows the user to input numerical values while intuitively confirming the shape of the spring currently being input. The invention described in Claim 4 is

The data creation unit has an operation program editing unit

A spring manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: By making it possible to edit the operation program, it is possible to make detailed settings such as fine adjustment of the shape. The invention described in claim 5 is

The spring manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data creation unit includes means for determining whether an operation program can be executed. The operation program generated from the input machining shape elements and parameters is not actually executable in some cases, so this is checked. The invention described in claim 6

Software for operating a spring working device for forming a spring by abutting a tool against a wire fed from a quill,

Having a conversion table indicating a conversion rule between a machining shape element and an operation sequence, and selecting and inputting a machining shape element;

Inputting parameters of the selected machining shape element,

Converting the selected machining shape element and its parameters into an operation program using the conversion table;

Step to output command data corresponding to the operation program to the spring working device

Computer readable recording software characterized by having It is a recording medium. The invention described in claim 7 is

The parameter input means of the processing shape element is

Display machining shape elements and parameters in a table format,

In addition, when inputting parameters, only parameters required for the selected machining shape element can be input.

A computer-readable recording medium on which the software according to claim 6 is recorded. The invention described in claim 8 is

Continuously display the selected and input machining shape elements and the spring shape indicated by the parameter continuously.

A computer-readable recording medium on which the software according to claim 6 or 7 is recorded. The invention described in claim 9 is

Operation program can be edited

A computer-readable recording medium on which the software according to any one of claims 6 to 8 is recorded. The invention described in Claim 10 is

Having a step of determining whether or not the operation program can be executed

10. The software according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein It is a computer-readable recording medium on which air is recorded. The invention described in Claim 11 is:

A method of creating an operation program for a spring processing apparatus in which a processing shape element that can be converted into an operation sequence is defined in advance so that a spring is formed by abutting a tool against a wire rod fed from a quill.

Steps to select the machining shape element,

Steps to input the parameters of the selected machining shape element,

A procedure for converting the selected machining shape element and its parameter into an operation program,

Outputting a command data corresponding to the operation program to the spring working device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall view showing the configuration of a spring manufacturing system to which the method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display in a processing shape element selection input means.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a screen display on the parameter input means.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a graphic display state (upper right part) by the graphic display means during input.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display at the time of completion of the input operation.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which conversion to an operation program is displayed. Explanation of reference numerals

1 Spring processing equipment

2 Data creation section

2 0 1 Screen display means

2 0 2 Conversion rule storage means

2 0 3 Selection input means for machining shape element

2 0 4 Parameter input method

2 0 5 Means of conversion to operation program

2 0 6 Means for coding command data

2 0 7 Command output overnight

1 0 Tabular input field

1 8 Machining shape element selection input field

20 Spring Shape Graphics Display Section Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing the overall configuration of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a spring working device, and 2 is a data creation unit. The spring processing device 1 has a plurality of tool units 102 for cutting and bending radially arranged around the supply quill 101 for supplying the wire W so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the quill 101. This is a multi-axis machining machine with a tool holding plate 103 provided with multiple tools for left and right winding and bending at the opposite position of Processing is performed according to the contents of the program. The spring working apparatus 1 has, for example, an eight-axis tool, and each axis has a relationship between the following axis symbol and operation.

z axis-Wire feed,

C axis- '• Cut-off,

I axis · quill,

W axis.

11 axes' unit rotation,

K axis · Tool rotation,

Y axis · · · Servo slide,

X axis • Curling. Data creation unit 2 includes screen display means 201. This is usually achieved by a display.

In addition, the data creation unit includes a conversion rule storage means 202, a processing shape element selection input means 203, a parameter input means 204, a conversion means 205 to an operation program, and coding to command data. Means 206 and command data output means 207 are provided. These are usually implemented by a computer device and its software. You.

The conversion rule storage means 202 stores a conversion rule between a processing shape element and an operation sequence.

Then, when the software for creating the spring machining data in the data creating section is started, the step of selecting and inputting the machining shape element by the input means 203 for selecting the machining shape element, and the parameter input means 20 The step of inputting the parameters of the selected processing shape element according to 4 is repeated, and the input of the spring shape is performed by the user. At this time, every time the machining shape element and the parameter corresponding thereto are input, the selected machining shape element and its parameter are converted into the operation program by the conversion means 205 to the operation program. At this time, the conversion rules stored in the conversion rule storage means 202 are used. By repeating these steps, an operation program for processing the spring shape required by the user is created.

In this embodiment, since the operation program is a numerical value in the form of a table that is easy for the user to recognize, the spring program can be recognized by the coding means 206 for the command data after the operation program is created. Converted to command data. Then, the command data corresponding to the operation program is output to the spring working device by the command data output means 207. In this way, the user specifies the processing shape element with the mouse or the like in an interactive manner, and further repeats the numerical key input for the parameter input along the display screen sequentially, so that the step corresponding to the numerical input is performed. Each drive program is generated, and by pressing the execution key, the spring working device 1 is driven according to the program contents, thereby making it possible to manufacture a spring having a required shape. Also, the program contents If the content contains a non-executable content, a warning will be issued and execution will be disabled. Next, display contents of software for realizing the above operations and operations will be described with reference to FIGS. First, Fig. 2 shows the initial screen when the relevant software has just been started. This initial screen, like a normal Windows screen, has a menu bar, title bar, and header bar at the top of the display screen. Is displayed, and a table (hereinafter, referred to as a “first table”) 10 for inputting and displaying the processing shape elements and parameters is displayed on the upper left side inside. Further, help graphics 12 showing the explanation of the machining shape element is displayed on the right, and a table (hereinafter referred to as “second table”) 14 for displaying the operation program in tabular form is displayed at the bottom. Have been. Of these, the first Table 10 shows the case where the operator specifies dimensions by numerical input while actually specifying the processing shape elements, and the step numbers 0 1, 0 2, 0 on the left side of the vertical axis along the processing procedure. 3 · · · are displayed in a column, and the contents of the command and the related feed length, forming direction, bending bending angle, OD (s), OD (E), number of turns, forward and reverse LR, core metal Items such as LR and winding sensor are displayed in rows, and the inside of these boxes is separated by vertical and horizontal 蓽 lines as inside. The help graphics 12 displays a side view and a front view of the quill 101 and the parameters of the processing shape element. The display is changed and displayed every time the processing shape element is selected. The second table 14 displays the actual axis drive numbers 001, 002, 003, ... related to the first table 10 in columns with the vertical axis on the left, and the label, full synchronization, speed, and 1 The display from the axis to the 8th axis, the axis name and the home position HP below the axis are displayed in a row at the top of the display, and the interior enclosed by the vertical and horizontal directions is divided by vertical and horizontal lines. When an input is made, after the conversion operation, it is automatically converted into the movement and moving distance of each axis for each step and displayed. In Tables 10 and 14, horizontal and vertical scroll bars are displayed along the vertical direction on the right side of the screen, and can be moved by the cursor. From the above initial screen, when the user selects new creation, a dialog box 18 is opened, where a program name for new creation is input. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, a state of waiting for the selection of the processing shape element is set.

The machining shape elements are “forming (1)”, “feed song (1)”, “coil (1)”, “taper coil (1)”, “B forming (1)”, “ Forming

(2) "," Feeding (2) J, "Coil (2)", "Tapered coil (2) J," B forming (2) "," Wire " Contains necessary commands.

The above processing shape elements are converted into operation programs according to the conversion rules for the operation sequence. Examples of the conversion rules are shown below. Forming (bending) [Condition 1.] When there is no coiling (including taper coil) immediately before this molding.

(1) Wire feed

(2) Quill + unit rotation + tool rotation (Start position of tool F) * Above is a short-cut rotation from the previous position by direction data.

(3) Unit advance / retreat (forward)

(4) Tool rotation (tool-in) · · 'Bend

(5) Unit advance / retreat (retreat) · · · Return to home position

[Condition 2.] When there is a coiling (including a taper coil) immediately before this molding. (1) Wire feed + (equivalent to 1/2 coil diameter) Extra feed

(3) Unit advance / retreat (forward) + 1Z2 coil diameter equivalent) Pull in extra feed

(4) Tool rotation (tool-in)

(5) Unit advance / retreat (small amount of advance)

(6) Unit advance / retreat (retract) Line feed bending

[Condition 1.] When there is no coiling (including taper coil) immediately before this molding. (1) Wire feed

(2) Quill + unit rotation + tool rotation (start position of tool RorL)

(3) Unit advance / retreat (forward)

(4) Tool rotation (position where wire and tool tip touch)

(5) Tool rotation + wire feed (eg, bending RXa) + unit advance / retreat (after a small amount Retired)

(6) Wire feed (eg, bending RX (bending angle / 360 ° —)

(7) Unit advance / retreat (retreat)

[Condition 2.] When there is a coiling (including a taper coil) immediately before this molding. As in bending, (1) and (3) change. Coiling (same as Tepacoling)

[Condition: None]

(1) Wire feed

(2) Quill + unit rotation + tool rotation (start position of tool RorL)

(3) Unit advance / retreat (forward)

(4) Tool rotation (position where wire and tool tip touch)

(5) Tool rotation + wire feed (eg, coil diameter RXa) + unit advance / retreat (small

(6) Wire feed (+ tool rotation + unit advance / retreat)

* Katsuko is only for Tepaco ring

(7) Wire feed (skip control by winding sensor) + winding sensor ON

(8) Wire feed (rewind)

(9) Unit advance / retreat (retreat)

* (7) and (8) are developed only when the winding sensor is selected. At this time, the wire feed amount in (6) is subtracted by the amount Xk in (7).) As described above, the machining shape elements are developed as the operation sequence of the tool. An operation program is created according to the above. From the user's point of view, if the user selects “forming (1)” from the various commands (machining shape elements) in FIG. As shown in Fig. 3, “Forming (1)” is displayed as the command content in step 01, and the parameters required for the forming operation, namely, feed length, forming direction, bending, bending angle, and reciprocal LR Only the entry fields of the core metal LR are displayed as active, and key entry is possible only in these entry fields. Here, there are several types of machining shape elements with the same name, such as “forming (1)” and “forming (2)”.

-There are cases where it is better to have a different tool operation sequence where there is no relation to the direct shape, such as how the tool escapes, so several patterns are prepared.

Next, when the user inputs a numerical value in each of the description fields and clicks a shape display button in the task bar, as shown in FIG. 4, a spring shape graphics display field 2 graphically displays the spring shape at that time. 0 opens and the diagram is displayed.

This figure is a three-dimensional diagram developed on the XY Z-axis coordinates with the origin of the wire feeding position of the quill 101 in the spring processing device 1 as the origin. A three-dimensional graphic is displayed with the direction active. By operating the scroll bar in the spring-shaped graphics display section 20, the direction of each axis can be changed vertically and horizontally, and the position that is most visible to the user can be selected. As described above, the operation to input the dimensions (parameters) is repeatedly performed by sequentially designating the processing shape element for each step, and when the required spring shape is completed, the input operation is completed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the cumulative shape of the figure processed for each step is displayed in the spring shape graphics display column 20. Then, when the user moves the force solver to each step in the first table 10, the machining shape in that step is converted to be active, and it is easy to determine what kind of machining is performed in which column. To be displayed. This makes it easy to change parameters after the input operation.

In addition, a wire cut-off process is automatically incorporated in the next step after the last input step of the operation. This is because in the final step of spring processing, the product is always forced into a product. Such commands are provided to prevent erroneous input due to user input. After the input operation is completed, when the user mouse-clicks the program conversion button in the task bar, as shown in Fig. 6, the numerical values are converted to the displacement amounts of each axis in the second table 14 and are transplanted. The first table 10 and the help display column 12 disappear, and only the second table 14 is displayed in full screen. After this, it can be executed by clicking the “AUT〇” button on the menu bar with the mouse. In this state, although not shown, a dialog box for inquiring the number of products to be opened opens.Enter the number of products in this box and press the key to execute the key. The operation is performed, and the springs are sequentially and repeatedly manufactured. However, if the cumulative result of each input numerical value exceeds the processing limit value, a warning is displayed.In this case, no conversion is performed, and correction processing such as rewriting the numerical value in the second table is performed again. If this result is correct, the second table can be displayed by the program conversion button.

The processing limit value is, for example, when the three-dimensional shape of the spring obtained as a result of instructing the bending of each part protrudes to the back side of the quill 101 and interferes with the face plate, or if the dimensions or position are not reachable by each tool It is. In this embodiment, the procedure from the production of a new program to the execution of the production has been described. However, it is also possible to open a stored existing program and execute the production program as it is. After the modification and editing of the program, the manufacturing program may be executed. In the case of modification, the production program is further simplified because only a part of the existing program needs to be modified. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, each processing shape element relating to the shape of a spring to be formed and its parameters are displayed in a display column displayed on a PC screen. Since the operation program can be produced by selecting and inputting in the column while looking at it, the work is easier and the change can be made easier than the conventional G code programming method.

Also, according to the present invention, when a spring shape is input, visual programming can be realized by graphically expressing the spring shape that is being input or the spring shape that has already been input.

Claims

Claims. A spring manufacturing system,

A spring processing device for forming a spring by abutting a tool against a wire fed from a quill according to command data;

A data creating unit for creating command data for outputting to the spring working device,

The data creation unit,

Screen display means;

Parameter input means for the selected machining shape element;

Conversion means for converting the input machining shape element and its parameters into an operation program using the conversion rules stored in the storage means;

A spring manufacturing system comprising: . The selection input means of the processing shape element and the parameter input means

It has a tabular input box format displayed on the display, and when parameters are input, only the parameters required for the selected machining shape element can be input.

The spring manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein:

3. Graphic display means for continuously and graphically displaying the selected and input machining shape element and the spring shape indicated by the parameter

3. The spring manufacturing system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: 4. The data creation unit has an operation program editing unit

The spring manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:

5. The data generator has means for determining whether the operation program can be executed.

The spring manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

6. Software for operating a spring working device that forms a spring by abutting a tool against a wire rod fed from a quill,

Having a conversion table indicating a conversion rule between the processing shape element and the operation sequence, and selecting and inputting the processing shape element;

Inputting parameters of the selected machining shape element,

A step of converting the selected processing shape element and its parameters into an operation program using the conversion table;

A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon software.

. The parameter input means of the processing shape element is

Display machining shape elements and parameters in a table format,

In addition, when inputting parameters, only the parameters required for the selected machining shape element can be input.

7. A recording medium readable by a computer, on which the software according to claim 6 is recorded. Graphically display the selected and input machining shape element and the spring shape indicated by the parameter continuously.

A computer-readable recording medium on which the software according to claim 6 or 7 is recorded. . Operation program can be edited

A computer-readable recording medium on which the software according to any one of claims 6 to 8 is recorded. 0. It has a step of determining whether or not the operation program can be executed

A computer-readable recording medium on which the software according to any one of claims 6 to 9 is recorded. 1. A method for creating an operation program for a spring processing apparatus in which a processing element that can be converted into an operation sequence is defined in advance, and a spring is formed by abutment of a tool against a wire rod fed from a quill.

Steps to select the machining shape element, Steps to input the parameters of the selected machining shape element,

A procedure for converting the selected machining shape element and its parameters into an operation program,

Procedure for outputting command data corresponding to the operation program to the spring working device,

A method for creating a program for a spring working apparatus, comprising: