WO2023135961A1

WO2023135961A1 - Air supply system

Info

Publication number: WO2023135961A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/043950
Authority: WO
Inventors: 静雄西川
Original assignee: Dmg森精機株式会社
Priority date: 2022-01-14
Filing date: 2022-11-29
Publication date: 2023-07-20
Also published as: JP2023103628A; JP7093897B1

Abstract

This air supply system: in a case where an air supply pressure to the one machine tool is less than a prescribed pressure, determines whether an overlapping air use state is occurring in which an air use operation, having an overlapping execution time period with an air use operation currently being executed by one machine tool, is also currently being executed or is to be executed later by another machine tool, such determination made on the basis of the execution state of an automatic operation program of the machine tools (step SA103 and SA105); and if it is determined that the overlapping air use state is occurring (YES in step SA103 or YES in step SA105), the execution timing of the air use operation by the one machine tool or the other machine tool is corrected in order to avoid such a state (step SA104 or SA106).

Description

air supply system

The present invention includes one air supply source provided in common for a plurality of machine tools, and an air supply connected to each of the machine tools and supplying the air supplied from the air supply source to each of the machine tools. The present invention relates to an air supply system comprising a passage and a pressure regulating valve provided in each of the air supply passages for regulating the pressure of the supplied air supplied to each of the machine tools.

Conventionally, there has been known an air supply system that supplies compressed air to a machine tool from an air supply source such as a compressor installed in a factory (see Patent Document 1, for example). Compressed air supplied to the machine tool is used in air-using equipment such as a door opening/closing device using a pneumatic cylinder and an air blow device. A pressure regulating valve is usually provided in an air supply path that connects an air supply source and an air-using device of a machine tool. High-pressure compressed air supplied from an air supply source is decompressed (adjusted) to a set pressure by passing through this pressure regulating valve.

JP-A-11-019846

The air supply system of Patent Document 1 discloses an air supply system in which one machine tool is connected to one air supply source, but in an actual factory, a plurality of machine tools are connected to one air supply source. sometimes. In this case, if the use timings of air overlap between a plurality of machine tools, the amount of air supplied to each machine tool will be insufficient. If the amount of air supplied to each machine tool is insufficient, the air pressure supplied to the air-using equipment will drop, resulting in a problem that normal operation of the air-using equipment will be hindered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air supply system that can prevent the supply air pressure from dropping due to overlapping air use timings of machine tools.

In one aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems,
an air supply source provided in common for a plurality of machine tools; an air supply path connected to each machine tool and supplying the air supplied from the air supply source to each machine tool; An air supply system comprising: a pressure regulating valve provided in each air supply path for regulating the pressure of supply air supplied to each machine tool,
Each machine tool is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on an automatic operation program stored therein,
a pressure detection unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the air supplied to each of the machine tools after the pressure adjustment;
an execution status acquisition unit that acquires an execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool;
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition section when the pressure of the supplied air detected by the pressure detection section in one machine tool is below a predetermined pressure. an air usage determination unit that determines whether or not the one machine tool is executing an air usage operation using the supplied air;
based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquiring section when the air usage determination section determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. (2) whether or not there is an overlapping air use situation in which an air use operation that is currently being executed by the one machine tool and an air use operation that overlaps the execution time zone is currently being executed or will be executed in the future by another machine tool; A pneumatic condition determination unit that determines whether
When the air pressure situation determination unit determines that the overlapping air use situation is occurring, overlap of execution time zones of the air use operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. In order to avoid this, the present invention relates to an air supply system having a correction processing section that executes correction processing for correcting execution timing of the air use operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool.

According to this air supply system, when the supply air pressure after pressure adjustment by the pressure regulating valve falls below a predetermined pressure in one machine tool due to overlap of air use timings of the machine tools, the machine tool The air use determination unit determines whether or not the machine is executing an air use operation. Then, when the air usage determination unit determines that the air usage operation is being executed in the one machine tool, the air usage operation being executed in the one machine tool overlaps with the execution time period. The air pressure condition determination unit determines whether or not there is a redundant air use condition that is currently being executed or is scheduled to be executed in another machine tool. The determination processing by the air pressure status determination section is performed based on the execution status of the automatic operation program (eg, NC program) of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition section. Then, when the air pressure condition determination unit determines that the overlapping air use condition occurs, the correction processing unit performs correction processing to avoid overlapping of the air use operation execution time zones. be. In this correction process, the execution timing of the operation using air in one machine tool or another machine tool is corrected. This correction processing can be realized by skipping or delaying the execution timing of the air use operation, as will be described later. When this correction process is performed, overlapping current or future air usage operations between one machine tool and another is avoided. This makes it possible to avoid a drop in the air pressure supplied to one machine tool.　

It should be noted that it may be determined in advance which of the one machine tool and the other machine tool should be subjected to the air-using operation correction process. You may make it determine according to.

The correction processing unit performs a skip process for skipping the execution of the air using operation when the air using operation whose execution timing is to be corrected is an operation scheduled to be executed in the future in another machine tool, or the air using operation. It is preferable that timing change processing for delaying the execution start time of is executed as the correction processing.

According to this, when one machine tool is executing an operation using air and the supplied air pressure is lower than a predetermined pressure, another machine tool is scheduled to execute it under the control of the correction processing unit. air use operation skip processing or timing change processing is executed. The skip processing skips the air use operation scheduled to be executed, and the timing change processing delays the execution start timing of the air use operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the execution time periods of the air-using operations from overlapping between one machine tool and another machine tool, thereby preventing a further decrease in the supplied air pressure. The skip process has the advantage of enabling quick processing by skipping the air use operation, and the timing change process has the advantage of being able to reliably execute the required air use operation although the cycle time is extended. have.

When the air using operation whose execution timing is to be corrected is the operation currently being executed, the correction processing unit performs a skip process of interrupting the air using operation and skipping the rest of the operation, or a skip process of skipping the remaining air using operation. The operation may be temporarily interrupted, and after another air use operation that is continuing without being interrupted is completed, timing change processing for resuming the interrupted air use operation may be executed as the correction processing. preferable.

That is, when one machine tool and another machine tool are simultaneously executing air-using operations, the correction processing unit is performed. This correction process is a skip process of stopping and skipping the air using operation currently being executed, or a change in the timing of once interrupting the air using operation currently being executed and then resuming it after another air using operation is completed. Realized by processing. With this correction processing, the situation in which one machine tool and another machine tool simultaneously perform air-using operations can be quickly resolved, and the supply air pressure can be recovered. Advantages of skip processing and timing change processing are as described above.

A storage unit that associates a plurality of air-using operations that can be executed by each of the machine tools with predetermined execution priorities of the air-using operations and stores them as priority information, wherein the correction processing unit comprises: When executing the correction process, the execution priority of the operation using air to be subjected to the correction process is specified based on the priority information stored in the storage unit, and the specified execution priority is less than a predetermined level. , the skip process is executed as the correction process, and the timing change process is executed as the correction process when the identified execution priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined level. is preferred.

According to this configuration, when the correction processing is executed by the correction processing section, the execution priority of the air use operation to be corrected is specified based on the priority information stored in the storage section. If the identified execution priority is less than the predetermined level, skip processing is executed as correction processing, and if the execution priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, timing change processing is executed as correction processing. Therefore, air-using operations with low execution priority are skipped to speed up processing, while air-using operations with high execution priority are not skipped, and the execution timing is delayed or temporarily interrupted (timing change processing). By doing so, it is possible to reliably perform the air use operation while recovering the supplied air pressure.

A storage unit that associates a plurality of air-using operations that can be executed by each of the machine tools with predetermined execution priorities of the air-using operations and stores them as priority information, wherein the correction processing unit comprises: Air-using operations with an execution priority of a predetermined level or higher are excluded from execution targets of the correction process, and air-using operations with an execution priority level of less than a predetermined level are subjected to the correction process. is preferred.

According to this configuration, the execution target of the correction processing by the correction processing unit is limited to cases where the execution priority is less than the predetermined level, and the skip processing and the timing change processing are performed for the air use operations with the execution priority of the predetermined level or higher. Such correction processing is not executed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation of the machine tool from being adversely affected by skipping the air use operation with high execution priority.

The plurality of air-using operations includes a door opening/closing operation for driving an opening/closing door of the processing area of each machine tool by an air actuator, and an air blow operation performed by each machine tool, and execution of the door opening/closing operation. Preferably, the priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, and the execution priority of the air blow operation is lower than the predetermined level.

According to this, the execution priority of the door opening/closing operation is set higher than that of the air blow operation, so the door opening/closing operation will be executed as much as possible even if duplicate air usage occurs. On the other hand, since the execution priority of the air blow operation is low, priority is given to recovery of the supplied air pressure by skipping the operation when the duplicate air use operation occurs.

A storage unit that associates a plurality of air-using operations that can be executed by each of the machine tools with predetermined execution priorities of the air-using operations and stores them as priority information, wherein the correction processing unit comprises: When it is determined by the air pressure situation determination unit that the overlapping air usage conditions are occurring, the one machine tool and the other machine tool are determined based on the priority information stored in the storage unit. to identify the execution priority of the air-using operation that causes overlapping of the execution time zones in each of the above, compare the execution priority of each of the identified air-using operations, and based on the comparison, the one machine tool and It is preferably configured to determine for which air use operation with the other machine tool the correction process is to be performed.

According to this configuration, when it is determined by the air pressure status determining unit that an overlapping air usage status is occurring between the one machine tool and the other machine tool, the one machine tool and the other machine tool The correction processing unit identifies the execution priority of the air-using operation that causes overlap of the execution time zones in each of the machine tools. Then, in the correction processing section, the execution priority of the air-using operation of the one machine tool and the other machine tools are compared, and the execution target of the correction processing is determined based on the comparison. As an example of this determination process, for example, it is conceivable to determine the operation using air with the lowest execution priority as the target of the correction process. In this way, by taking into consideration the execution priority of the air-using motions and determining the air-using motions to be corrected by the correction processing unit, the air-using motions with high execution priority can be skipped or changed in timing. Processing can be prevented from being performed and adversely affecting the operation of the overall machine tool.

As described above, according to the air supply system of the present invention, when the air pressure supplied to one machine tool is lower than the predetermined pressure based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool, It is determined whether or not there is an overlapping air use situation that is currently being executed or scheduled to be executed in the future by other machine tools. , when it is determined that the redundant air usage situation is occurring, the execution timing of the air usage operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool is corrected in order to avoid the situation. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the supply air pressure caused by overlapping air use timings of the machine tools.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an air supply system according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the air pressure condition information produced|generated by the monitoring server. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of air pressure monitoring control of each machine tool executed by a monitoring server; 5 is a flow chart showing an example of correction control executed by a correction control section of each machine tool; 4 equivalent view showing Embodiment 2. FIG. 1 equivalent

view showing Embodiments

3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of priority data stored in a priority storage unit in the air supply systems of

Embodiments

3 and 4;

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
First, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an air supply system 1 of this example is connected to a plurality of (three in this example) machine tools 10, and supplies air to air-using devices 11 mounted on each machine tool 10. do. In FIG. 1, as an example of the air-using device 11, an air blow device 11a for blowing chips and the like with air, and a door for driving the opening/closing door of the machining area of the machine tool 10 using a pneumatic cylinder (an example of an air actuator). Although the opening/closing device 11b is disclosed, it is not limited to this. Each machine tool 10 is configured by, for example, a machining center or a turning center, but is not limited to this.

The air supply system 1 includes one air supply source 2 provided in common for three machine tools 10, one supply pipe 3 connected to the air supply source 2, and branching from the supply pipe 3. A branch pipe 4 connected to each machine tool 10 via a branch pipe 4, and a pressure regulating valve 5 (of the pressure detection unit) that is provided in the middle of each branch pipe 4 and adjusts the supply air to a preset set pressure (an example of a predetermined pressure). an example), a pressure sensor 6 that is provided downstream of the pressure regulating valve 5 and measures the supply air pressure after pressure regulation, an NC (Numerical Control) device 12 that controls each machine tool 10, and each NC device 12 It has a monitoring server 20 connected thereto.

The air supply source 2 is composed of, for example, an air compressor, which compresses the sucked outside air and supplies it into the supply pipe 3 . Air supplied into the supply pipe 3 flows into the three branch pipes 4 . The air that has flowed into each branch pipe 4 is adjusted to a set pressure by passing through the pressure regulating valve 5 . An electromagnetic flow path switching valve 7 using a solenoid or the like is provided between the pressure regulating valve 5 and the air-using device 11, and the operation of the flow path switching valve 7 is controlled by an NC device 12, which will be described later. Thus, air supply control to each air-using device 11 is executed. In addition, an accumulator may be arranged in the middle of the flow path in order to suppress fluctuations in the supplied air pressure.

The NC device 12 has a program storage section 12a, a machining control section 12b, an execution status acquisition section 12c, an air pressure status determination section 12d, and a correction processing section 12e. The NC device 12 consists of a computer having a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, the program storage part 12a consists of a non-volatile storage medium such as a ROM and a magnetic storage device, and the functions of other functional parts are realized by computer programs. be.

The program storage unit 12a stores an NC program (an example of an automatic operation program) that is executed when the machine tool 10 is automatically operated. This NC program includes code for driving the feed mechanism and spindle drive (not shown), as well as code for operating auxiliary equipment such as the air blower 11a and the door opening/closing device 11b. is

The machining control unit 12b executes the NC program stored in the program storage unit 12a when an operation start button provided on an operation panel (not shown) is pressed. The machining control unit 12b extracts operation commands relating to the feed mechanism unit and the spindle drive unit defined in the NC program, and outputs drive signals corresponding to the extracted operation commands to the feed drive unit and the spindle drive unit. Then, the machining control section 12b changes the relative position between the tool mounted on the spindle and the workpiece by the feed driving section to machine the workpiece into a predetermined shape. The machining control unit 12b also extracts operation commands for auxiliary equipment such as the air blow device 11a and the door opening/closing device 11b defined in the NC program, and outputs operation signals to these auxiliary equipment.

The execution status acquisition unit 12c acquires the execution status of the NC programs stored in the program storage unit 12a.

The air pressure status determination unit 12d determines the overlapping air usage status based on the air pressure status information I (see FIG. 2) received from the monitoring server 20, which will be described later, and the execution status of the NC program acquired by the execution status acquisition unit 12c. is occurring. Here, the overlapping air use state means a state in which an air use operation whose execution time zone overlaps with the air use operation of the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON is currently being executed or is scheduled to be executed in the future. do.

When the air pressure condition determination unit 12d determines that an overlapped air usage condition is occurring, the correction processing unit 12e avoids overlapping of execution time zones of air usage operations with other machine tools 10. In order to do so, a correction process for correcting the execution timing of the air use operation currently being executed or scheduled to be executed in the future is executed under the control of the processing control unit 12b. In this example, this correction process is a skip process for skipping the execution of the air use operation, as will be described later.

The monitoring server 20 is communicatively connected to each NC unit 12 mounted on the three machine tools 10. Also, the monitoring server 20 is configured to be able to receive a pressure signal from a pressure sensor 6 that measures the air pressure supplied to each machine tool 10 . The monitoring server 20 monitors the operation status of each machine tool 10 by communicating with each NC device 12 . The monitoring server 20 also monitors the air pressure supplied to each machine tool 10 based on pressure signals received from each pressure sensor 6 . The monitoring server 20 then generates air pressure condition information I (see FIG. 2 described later) based on these monitoring results, and transmits the generated air pressure condition information I to the NC unit 12 of each machine tool 10 .

Specifically, the monitoring server 20 has an execution status acquisition unit 21, an air use determination unit 22, and an air pressure information generation unit 23. The monitoring server 20 is composed of a computer having a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, and each functional unit implements its function by a computer program.

The execution status acquisition unit 21 acquires the execution status of the NC program in the NC unit 12 of each machine tool 10 . This execution status acquisition unit 21 is different from the execution status acquisition unit 12 c provided in each machine tool 10 in that it acquires the execution status of all machine tools 10 .

The air usage determination unit 22 calculates the pressure of the air supplied to each machine tool 10 based on the pressure signal received from each pressure sensor 6, and determines whether the calculated supply air pressure is lower than the set pressure. . Then, based on the execution status of the NC program of each machine tool 10 acquired by the execution status acquisition section 21, the air use determination section 22 determines whether the supply air pressure from the air-using equipment 11 in the machine tool 10 where the supply air pressure has fallen below the set pressure is determined. It is determined whether or not the use operation is being executed, and if it is determined that it is being executed, the air shortage flag of the machine tool 10 is turned on. Here, an air shortage flag is assigned to each machine tool 10 in, for example, an NC program, and the machine tool 10 with the air shortage flag turned on will have an air shortage in a state where the supply air pressure is lower than the set pressure. It means that a use operation is being performed.

The air pressure information generation unit 23 generates air pressure status information I including on/off information for the air shortage flag of each machine tool 10 . FIG. 2 is an example of this air pressure status information I. As shown in FIG. In the example of this figure, the air pressure status information I consists of four columns of table data, the first column being the MC number n (identification number assigned to each machine tool 10 in advance), and the second column being the air pressure shortage flag. , the third column is the air use operation currently being executed, and the fourth column is the predicted time until the end of the air use operation. The operation using air being executed and the predicted time until the end of the operation using air (data on the third and fourth rows) can be specified based on the execution status of the NC program in each machine tool 10. .

Next, an example of air pressure monitoring control of each machine tool 10 executed by the monitoring server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S1, the execution status acquisition unit 21 acquires the execution status of each NC program from the NC unit 12 of each machine tool 10.

In step S2, the air usage determination unit 22 receives pressure signals from the pressure sensors 6 and acquires (calculates) the air pressure to be supplied to each machine tool 10 based on the received pressure signals.

In step S3, the air usage determination unit 22 temporarily sets the MC number n to 1. In this example, since the number of machine tools 10 is three, MC numbers 1 to 3 are assigned to each machine tool 10 in serial numbers.

In step S4, the air usage determining unit 22 determines whether or not the air pressure supplied to the machine tool 10 with the MC number n is less than the set pressure of the pressure regulating valve 5. If the determination is NO, On the other hand, if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, based on the execution status of the NC program of each machine tool 10 acquired by the execution status acquisition unit 21 in step S1, it is determined whether or not the machine tool 10 with the MC number n is executing an operation using air. The usage determination unit 22 determines. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S7, and if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the air pressure information generation unit 23 sets the air pressure shortage flag of the machine tool 10 with the MC number n to ON, the current MC number n, the information that the air pressure shortage flag is ON, Air pressure status information I is generated by associating the air use operation being executed with the predicted time until the end of the air use operation (see FIG. 2).

In step S7, which is followed when the determination in step S5 is NO, the air pressure information generation unit 23 sets the air pressure shortage flag of the machine tool 10 with MC number n to off, and generates air pressure status information in the same data format. Generate I.

In step S8, the air use determination unit 22 increments the MC number n by 1 (n=n+1), and sets the machine tool 10 with the new MC number n as the determination target.

In step S9, the air usage determining unit 22 determines whether or not the new MC number n exceeds the total number of machine tools 10 (3 in this example). , YES, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the air pressure information generator 23 transmits the air pressure status information I generated in steps S6 and S7 to each machine tool 10, and then returns.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of correction control processing executed by the NC unit 12 of each machine tool 10 based on the air pressure status information I generated by the monitoring server 20 will be described.

At step SA101, the air pressure situation determination unit 12d receives the air pressure situation information I of each machine tool 10 from the monitoring server 20.

At step SA102, the air pressure condition determination unit 12d determines whether or not there is a machine tool 10 other than the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON, based on the air pressure condition information I received at step SA101. If the determination is NO, the process returns, while if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step SA103.

At step SA103, the pneumatic condition determination unit 12d identifies machine tools 10 other than the machine tool 10 whose pneumatic pressure shortage flag is ON based on the pneumatic condition information I received at step SA101. It is determined whether or not the machine 10 is currently executing an air use operation whose execution time zone overlaps with the air use operation of the machine 10 (overlapping air use condition), and if the determination is NO, step While proceeding to SA105, if YES, proceed to step SA104.

At step SA104, the correction processing unit 12e executes a skip process (an example of correction processing) in which the air use operation currently being executed by the processing control unit 12b is interrupted and the remaining air use operations are skipped. After execution of this skip process, the process returns.

In step SA105, which is followed when the determination in step SA103 is NO, the air pressure condition determination unit 12d determines, based on the air pressure condition information I received in step SA101, machine tool 10 is specified, and it is determined whether or not it is scheduled to execute an air use operation whose execution time zone overlaps with the air use operation of the specified machine tool 10 (if an overlapped air use situation occurs is determined), and if the determination is NO, the process returns, while if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step SA106.

At step SA106, the correction processing unit 12e sets the skip flag to ON, and then returns. The skip flag is a flag that the processing control unit 12b refers to when causing the air-using device 11 to perform an air-using operation. Even if the execution timing of the air use operation comes, the air use operation is skipped and the next operation specified in the NC program is executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when there is a machine tool 10 for which the air pressure shortage flag is ON among the three machine tools 10, the other machine tool 10 executes the operation using air. Since the correction process (the process within the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 4) is executed so that the time periods do not overlap, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the air pressure supplied to the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON. Furthermore, it is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of air to be supplied to the air-using equipment 11 mounted on the machine tool 10, thereby avoiding malfunction of the air-using equipment 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, the correction processing executed by the correction processing unit 12e is skip processing for skipping the execution of the air using operation.

According to this, the lack of air pressure can be quickly resolved without increasing the cycle time of the other machine tools 10.

Specifically, when the operation using air to be corrected is currently being executed in another machine tool 10, the correction processing unit 12e stops the operation using air halfway and skips the rest. It is configured as follows (step SA104).

According to this, the air pressure shortage can be resolved by increasing the amount of air supply to the machine tool 10 with the air pressure shortage flag turned on by stopping the air use operation that is currently being executed.　

On the other hand, the correction processing unit 12e is configured to skip the execution of the air use operation when the air use operation to be corrected is scheduled to be executed in the future (step SA106).

According to this, it is possible to prevent overlap between the execution time zones of the air use operation between the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON and another machine tool 10 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of air supplied to the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON from being further reduced due to overlap of air use operations with other machine tools 10 .　

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the content of the correction process (the process surrounded by the two-dot chain line in the figure) executed by the NC unit 12 of each machine tool 10 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same constituent elements as in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of correction control processing executed by the NC device 12 of this embodiment.

The processing of steps SB101 to SB103 is the same as the processing of steps SA101 to SA103 in the first embodiment, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

At step SB104, the correction processing unit 12e executes a process of interrupting the air use operation that is currently being executed by the machine under the control of the processing control unit 12b.

At step SB105, based on the signal from the pressure sensor 6, the correction processing unit 12e causes the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is on to operate using air (other air If the determination is NO, the process returns to step SB104, and if the result is YES, the process proceeds to step SB106.

At step SB106, the correction processing unit 12e executes processing for resuming the currently interrupted air use operation, and then returns.

In step SB107, which is followed when the determination in step SB103 is NO, as in step SA105 of the first embodiment, the air pressure condition determination unit 12d determines whether the air pressure is insufficient based on the air pressure condition information I received in step SB101. A machine tool 10 other than the machine tool 10 whose flag is turned on is specified, and an air use operation whose execution time zone overlaps with the air use operation of the specified machine tool 10 is scheduled to be executed in the future (duplicate air use condition). If the determination is NO, the process returns, and if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step SB108.

At step SB108, the correction processing unit 12e sets to delay the execution timing of the air use operation scheduled to be executed in the future so that the execution time zones of the air use operation do not overlap. This setting is made, for example, by changing the length of the delay time in the NC program. The length of the delay time may be set slightly longer than the estimated end time of the operation using air included in the air pressure condition information I, for example. Also, the delay time may be a predetermined fixed time. This fixed time is preferably set longer than the execution time of the air using operation which takes the longest time. Then, after the process of step SB108 is completed, the process returns.

As described above, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if there is a machine tool 10 with an air pressure shortage flag turned on among the three machine tools 10, the other machine tool 10 Since the correction process (the process within the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 5) is performed so that the execution time zones of the air use operation do not overlap at , the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the correction processing executed by the correction processing unit 12e is timing change processing for delaying the execution timing of the operation using air.

According to this, in the machine tools 10 other than the machine tools 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON, the execution timing of the air use operation is delayed so that the execution time periods of the air use operation do not overlap. Therefore, compared to skipping execution of the air using operation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the supplied air pressure without losing an opportunity to execute the air using operation.

If the air use operation whose execution timing is to be corrected is currently being executed, the correction processing unit 12e temporarily suspends the air use operation and corrects the air use operation in the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is on. After the operation is finished, it is configured to resume the suspended air use operation (steps SB104 to SB106).

According to this, in another machine tool different from the machine tool 10 with the air pressure shortage flag on, the operation using air currently being executed is temporarily interrupted, so that the machine tool 10 with the air pressure shortage flag on Insufficient air pressure can be improved by increasing the amount of air supplied to the　

Further, the correction processing unit 12e is configured to delay the execution start timing of the air use operation when the air use operation whose execution timing is to be corrected is scheduled to be executed in the future (step SB108). .

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment. In this embodiment, the NC unit 12 of each machine tool 10 is provided with a priority storage unit 12f. 12e differs from each of the above-described embodiments in that the content of the correction processing by 12e is determined.

The priority data (corresponding to priority information) shown in FIG. 7 is stored in advance in the priority storage unit 12f. The priority storage unit 12f is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a ROM or hard disk.

As shown in FIG. 7, the priority data consists of three columns of table data, and corresponds to the type of air use operation, the command code in the NC program of the air use operation, and the execution priority of the air use operation. It is configured with　

In FIG. 7, the door opening/closing operation by the air cylinder of the door opening/closing device 11b and the air blowing operation by the air blowing device 11a are disclosed as examples of types of air use operation, but are not limited to these.

Here, the execution priority is the degree of necessity of operation when the machine tool 10 processes a workpiece. ” can be set in three steps. Note that the execution priority is not limited to this, and may be represented by, for example, numerical values. In FIG. 7, the priority of the door opening/closing operation is set to "high" and the priority of the air blow operation is set to "low". It can be seen that the degree of necessity) is high.

Then, when the air pressure condition determination unit 12d determines that the above-described overlapping air usage condition is occurring, the correction processing unit 12e determines the priority data stored in the priority storage unit 12f. , specify the execution priority of each air-using operation that causes overlapping of execution time zones between the machine tool 10 whose air shortage flag is on and the other machine tool 10, and the specified execution priority is set to "medium , skip processing (the same processing as that within the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment) is executed as the correction processing for the air use operations lower than the specified execution priority of "medium" or higher. As for the use operation, the timing changing process (the same process as that within the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 5 described in the second embodiment) is executed as the correction process.

Therefore, when a duplicate air usage situation occurs, the air usage operation with a low execution priority (air blow operation in this example) is skipped to speed up the processing, while the air usage operation with a high execution priority ( In this example, the door opening/closing operation) is not skipped, but the execution timing is delayed or temporarily interrupted (timing change processing), so that the air use operation can be reliably executed while suppressing the decrease in the supply air pressure. .

As a modification of the third embodiment, the correction processing unit 12e excludes air use operations with an execution priority of "middle" or higher from the execution targets of the correction process, and It may be configured such that the air use operation is targeted for execution of the correction process.

According to this configuration, the execution target of the correction processing by the correction processing unit 12e is limited to the case where the execution priority is less than "medium", and the air use operation with the execution priority of "medium" or higher is skipped or executed. Correction processing such as timing change processing is not executed. Therefore, even if the supplied air pressure is insufficient, the operation using air having a high execution priority can be reliably executed to prevent the operation of the machine tool 10 from being adversely affected.

(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment has a priority storage unit 12f (see FIG. 6) storing priority data (see FIG. 7) as in the third embodiment. 3 is different from the third embodiment in that the air use operation to be corrected is determined on the basis of the priority of execution.

That is, in

Embodiments

1 and 2, the correction processing unit 12e executes the correction processing for the air use operation of a machine tool 10 other than the machine tool 10 for which the air pressure shortage flag is turned on. However, in this embodiment, the operation using air to be subjected to the correction process is determined according to the execution priority of the operation using air executed by each machine tool 10 .

Specifically, the correction processing unit 12e of the present embodiment, when it is determined by the execution status acquiring unit 12c that an overlapping air usage condition is occurring, the priority data stored in the priority storage unit 12f. Based on this, the execution priority of the air use operation that causes the execution time periods of the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON and the other machine tool 10 to overlap is specified. Then, the correction processing unit 12e compares the execution priority of each specified air use operation, and based on the comparison, the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is on and the other machine tool 10 It is configured to determine for which air usage operations a corrective action is to be performed. In this example, the correction processing unit 12e compares the execution priority of the operation using air in the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON with the execution priority of the operation using air in the other machine tools 10. , the air use operation of the machine tool 10 with the lowest execution priority is determined as a correction target. Note that the determination procedure is not limited to this, and for example, all air using operations whose execution priority is equal to or lower than a predetermined level may be determined as correction targets.

In this way, by considering the execution priority of the air using operation and determining the air using operation to be corrected by the correction processing unit 12e, the skip processing and the timing of the air using operation with high execution priority can be determined. It is possible to prevent the change processing from being executed and adversely affecting the operation of the entire machine tool 10 .

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the monitoring server 20 for monitoring the operation status of the three machine tools 10 is provided separately, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the monitor server 20 may be abolished, and the NC units 12 of the machine tools 10 may communicate with each other to provide each NC unit 12 with the functions of the monitor server 20 described above.

In each of the above embodiments, the set pressure of the pressure regulating valve 5 is used as an example of the predetermined pressure, but this is not the only option. 70% to 80%).

In each of the above-described embodiments, the door opening/closing operation by the air cylinder of the door opening/closing device 11b and the air blowing operation by the air blowing device 11a have been described as examples of the operation using air, but the operation is not limited to this. For example, it may be a driving operation of a pneumatic work chuck mechanism.

In the second embodiment, after the air use operation of the machine tool 10 whose air pressure shortage flag is ON (another air use operation that is continuing without being interrupted) is completed (YES in step SB105), the interrupted air use operation Although the operation is restarted (step SB106), the operation is not limited to this. The use operation may be resumed.

It should be noted that the above description of the embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. Modifications and modifications are possible for those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention includes modifications from the embodiments within the scope of claims and equivalents.

1 air supply system 2 air supply source 5 pressure regulating valve 6 pressure sensor (pressure detector)
10 machine tool 11 air-using device 11a air blow device (air-using device)
11b Door opening and closing device (equipment using air)
12d air pressure condition determination unit 12e correction processing unit 12f priority storage unit (storage unit)
21 execution status acquisition unit 22 air use determination unit

Claims

one air supply source provided in common for a plurality of machine tools; an air supply path connected to each machine tool and supplying the air supplied from the air supply source to each machine tool; An air supply system comprising a pressure regulating valve provided in an air supply path for regulating the pressure of supply air supplied to each machine tool,
Each machine tool is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on an automatic operation program stored therein,
a pressure detection unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the air supplied to each of the machine tools after the pressure adjustment;
an execution status acquisition unit that acquires an execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool;
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition section when the pressure of the supplied air detected by the pressure detection section in one machine tool is below a predetermined pressure. an air usage determination unit that determines whether or not the one machine tool is executing an air usage operation using the supplied air;
based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquiring section when the air usage determination section determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. (2) whether or not there is an overlapping air use situation in which an air use operation that is currently being executed by the one machine tool and an air use operation that overlaps the execution time zone is currently being executed or will be executed in the future by another machine tool; A pneumatic condition determination unit that determines whether
When the air pressure situation determination unit determines that the overlapping air use situation is occurring, overlap of execution time zones of the air use operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. a correction processing unit that executes correction processing for correcting the execution timing of the air-using operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool,
The correction processing unit performs a skip process for skipping the execution of the air using operation when the air using operation whose execution timing is to be corrected is an operation scheduled to be executed in the future in another machine tool, or the air using operation. is configured to execute a timing change process for delaying the execution start time of as the correction process,
further comprising a storage unit that associates a plurality of air-using operations that can be executed by each machine tool with a predetermined execution priority of each of the air-using operations and stores them as priority information;
When executing the correction processing, the correction processing unit specifies execution priority of the air using operation to be subjected to the correction processing based on the priority information stored in the storage unit, and performs the specified execution. If the priority is less than a predetermined level, the skip process is executed as the correction process, and if the specified execution priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, the timing change process is executed as the correction process. An air supply system characterized by being configured as follows.
one air supply source provided in common for a plurality of machine tools; an air supply path connected to each machine tool and supplying the air supplied from the air supply source to each machine tool; An air supply system comprising a pressure regulating valve provided in an air supply path for regulating the pressure of supply air supplied to each machine tool,
Each machine tool is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on an automatic operation program stored therein,
a pressure detection unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the air supplied to each of the machine tools after the pressure adjustment;
an execution status acquisition unit that acquires an execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool;
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition section when the pressure of the supplied air detected by the pressure detection section in one machine tool is below a predetermined pressure. an air usage determination unit that determines whether or not the one machine tool is executing an air usage operation using the supplied air;
based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquiring section when the air usage determination section determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. (2) whether or not there is an overlapping air use situation in which an air use operation that is currently being executed by the one machine tool and an air use operation that overlaps the execution time zone is currently being executed or will be executed in the future by another machine tool; A pneumatic condition determination unit that determines whether
When the air pressure situation determination unit determines that the overlapping air use situation is occurring, overlap of execution time zones of the air use operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. a correction processing unit that executes correction processing for correcting the execution timing of the air-using operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool,
When the air using operation whose execution timing is to be corrected is the operation currently being executed, the correction processing unit performs a skip process of interrupting the air using operation and skipping the rest of the operation, or a skip process of skipping the remaining air using operation. The operation is temporarily interrupted, and after another air use operation that is continuing without being interrupted is completed, a timing change process for resuming the interrupted air use operation is executed as the correction process,
further comprising a storage unit that associates a plurality of air-using operations that can be executed by each machine tool with a predetermined execution priority of each of the air-using operations and stores them as priority information;
When executing the correction processing, the correction processing unit specifies execution priority of the air using operation to be subjected to the correction processing based on the priority information stored in the storage unit, and performs the specified execution. If the priority is less than a predetermined level, the skip process is executed as the correction process, and if the specified execution priority is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, the timing change process is executed as the correction process. An air supply system characterized by being configured as follows.
one air supply source provided in common for a plurality of machine tools; an air supply path connected to each machine tool and supplying the air supplied from the air supply source to each machine tool; An air supply system comprising a pressure regulating valve provided in an air supply path for regulating the pressure of supply air supplied to each machine tool,
Each machine tool is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on an automatic operation program stored therein,
a pressure detection unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the air supplied to each of the machine tools after the pressure adjustment;
an execution status acquisition unit that acquires an execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool;
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition section when the pressure of the supplied air detected by the pressure detection section in one machine tool is below a predetermined pressure. an air usage determination unit that determines whether or not the one machine tool is executing an air usage operation using the supplied air;
based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquiring section when the air usage determination section determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. (2) whether or not there is an overlapping air use situation in which an air use operation that is currently being executed by the one machine tool and an air use operation that overlaps the execution time zone is currently being executed or will be executed in the future by another machine tool; A pneumatic condition determination unit that determines whether
When the air pressure situation determination unit determines that the overlapping air use situation is occurring, overlap of execution time zones of the air use operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. a correction processing unit that executes correction processing for correcting the execution timing of the air-using operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool,
further comprising a storage unit that associates a plurality of air-using operations that can be executed by each machine tool with a predetermined execution priority of each of the air-using operations and stores them as priority information;
The correction processing unit excludes air-using operations whose execution priority is equal to or higher than a predetermined level from execution targets of the correction processing, and sets air-using operations whose execution priority is lower than a predetermined level as execution targets of the correction processing. An air supply system characterized by being configured as follows.
one air supply source provided in common for a plurality of machine tools; an air supply path connected to each machine tool and supplying the air supplied from the air supply source to each machine tool; An air supply system comprising a pressure regulating valve provided in an air supply path for regulating the pressure of supply air supplied to each machine tool,
Each machine tool is configured to be capable of automatic operation based on an automatic operation program stored therein,
a pressure detection unit provided for each of the air supply paths and detecting the pressure of the air supplied to each of the machine tools after the pressure adjustment;
an execution status acquisition unit that acquires an execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool;
Based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquisition section when the pressure of the supplied air detected by the pressure detection section in one machine tool is below a predetermined pressure. an air usage determination unit that determines whether or not the one machine tool is executing an air usage operation using the supplied air;
based on the execution status of the automatic operation program of each machine tool acquired by the execution status acquiring section when the air usage determination section determines that the one machine tool is executing the air usage operation. (2) whether or not there is an overlapping air use situation in which an air use operation that is currently being executed by the one machine tool and an air use operation that overlaps the execution time zone is currently being executed or will be executed in the future by another machine tool; A pneumatic condition determination unit that determines whether
When the air pressure situation determination unit determines that the overlapping air use situation is occurring, overlap of execution time zones of the air use operation between the one machine tool and the other machine tool is determined. a correction processing unit that executes correction processing for correcting the execution timing of the air-using operation in the one machine tool or the other machine tool,
further comprising a storage unit that associates a plurality of air-using operations that can be executed by each machine tool with a predetermined execution priority of each of the air-using operations and stores them as priority information;
The correction processing unit, when the air pressure situation determination unit determines that the duplicated air usage situation is occurring, determines whether the one machine tool and the other machine tool, the execution priority of the air-using operation that causes overlapping of the execution time zones is specified, the execution priority of each of the specified air-using operations is compared, and based on the comparison, the An air supply system, wherein the air supply system is configured to determine which of the air-using operations of one machine tool and the other machine tool is to be subjected to the correction process.
The plurality of air-using operations include a door opening/closing operation for driving an opening/closing door of the processing area of each machine tool by an air actuator, and an air blow operation performed by each machine tool,
the execution priority of the door opening/closing operation is equal to or higher than the predetermined level;
4. The air supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the execution priority of said air blow operation is lower than said predetermined level.