JPH04322934A - Tool change control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a tool change control system that is able to stationarily address the specified pot of a tool magazine so simple enough, in a numerically controlled machine tool provided with the random storage type tool magazine. CONSTITUTION:A fact that whether a tool is attached to a spindle or not is judged on the basis of the tool number to be stored in a stationarily addressed pot of a tool magazine, and when the tool is attached aright, a preparatory command of the tool at the next process is stored in memory, and the stored next working tool preparatory command is constituted so as to be executed after a tool change since machining by the specified tool has been over. With this constitution, even in the case where such a large-sized tool as preventing any interference by way of spacing an adjacent pot of the tool magazine is used, this large-sized tool is controlled so as to be returned to the original pot automatically by only making out a machining program like as an ordinary tool, thus programming becomes simple.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool exchange control method in an NC machine tool equipped with a random pot type tool magazine in which the correspondence between the pot number of the tool magazine and the tool number changes each time a tool is exchanged.

0002

[Prior Art] In an NC machine tool equipped with a tool magazine that stores tools randomly, the correspondence between tools and pots changes each time a tool is replaced. , a situation may occur in which the large diameter tool physically interferes with a tool in an adjacent pot on the magazine.

Currently, in order to avoid this, a tool change (M06) command is inserted before and after the machining program part that uses a large-diameter tool in the NC program, and the large-diameter tool is always returned to its original predetermined pot position. It is configured to return (Figure 4
(See (B)).

0004

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, when using large-diameter tools, the work of constantly being aware of this and changing or creating programs to avoid mistakes becomes quite troublesome and troublesome. ing. Therefore, we have eliminated this trouble and can easily program in the same way as when using only regular tools, regardless of the type of tool, and avoid the above-mentioned inconveniences associated with using large diameter tools as before. The objective is to provide a rational and economical tool change control method.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a tool exchange control method for fixing a specific pot of a tool magazine in an NC machine tool equipped with a tool magazine of a random tool storage type. Based on the tool number to be stored in the pot to be fixed address, it is determined whether the tool is installed on the spindle, and if the tool is installed, a command to prepare the tool for the next machining is issued. is memorized, and after the tool is replaced after machining with that tool is completed,
The present invention is characterized in that it is configured to execute the stored next processing tool preparation command.

[0006]

[Operation] When a tool to be stored in a pot to be fixed at a fixed address is mounted on the spindle, a command for preparing a tool for the next machining is stored. After machining with that tool is completed, the tool is replaced, and then the previously stored next machining tool preparation command is executed. In other words, the tool will be reliably returned to the designated pot.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic principle of a tool change control device for realizing a tool change control method for fixing some pots to fixed addresses according to the present invention. Referring to the figure, the tool change control device 1 of this embodiment basically consists of pot and tool number storage means 2, tool determination means 3, tool preparation command storage means 4, and tool change control means 5.

The pot and tool number storage means 2 stores the pot number to be converted into a fixed address and the tool number to be accommodated therein. The tool here means a large-diameter tool, and the reason why the address is fixed is to ensure that the large-diameter tool always returns to its original predetermined pot. The tool determining means 3 determines whether a large diameter tool is attached to the spindle.

The tool preparation command storage means 4 stores a tool preparation command for the next machining when a large diameter tool is mounted on the spindle. The tool exchange control means 5 exchanges the tool after machining with the large diameter tool is completed, returns the large diameter tool on the spindle to the original pot, and then executes the stored next machining tool preparation command. That is, magazine indexing and tool exchange are performed according to the command.

An example of the operation of the tool change control device 1 of this embodiment described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is an operation flow chart of the next tool preparation (T code) command. First, in step 101, it is determined whether the tool on the spindle is a large diameter tool. If it is a large diameter tool (YES), proceed to step 103, memorize the commanded T code, and proceed to the next step 10.
Proceed to 5.

If the tool is not a large-diameter tool (NO), the process proceeds to step 107, where it is determined whether the tool has the same T code as the tool indexed in the magazine. Here, the same T
If it is a code (YES), proceed to step 105. In step 105, a command to start the next machining is sent to the NC machine tool side, and then this subroutine is ended.

In step 107, if the T codes are not the same (NO), the start of the next machining is commanded (step 109), the tool specified by the T code is indexed into the magazine (step 111), and then this subroutine is executed. end. Next, to explain the operation of the tool change (M06) command, referring to FIG. 3 showing its flow chart, first, in step 201, it is determined whether or not the tool on the spindle is a large diameter tool. .

If the tool is a large diameter tool (YES), the process proceeds to step 203; if not (NO), the process jumps to step 207. In step 203, a tool change is performed, ie the large diameter tool on the spindle is returned to the pot from which it should be returned. Note that at this time, a tool unrelated to the next machining is temporarily attached to the spindle.

Next, in step 205, the next machining tool based on the previously stored T code is indexed into the magazine. Then, the tool is exchanged with the tool on the spindle (step 207), a command to start the next machining is sent (step 209), and this subroutine ends. As described above, and as can be understood from FIG. 4, which compares the main parts of an example of the NC program in this embodiment with a conventional one, special consideration must be taken in programming when using a large diameter tool. Unlike the conventional method, which requires special skills and techniques, programming can be done easily without worrying about the type of tool, which greatly reduces the psychological and time burden on the operator. Furthermore, since the large-diameter tool always returns to its original predetermined pot position, the tools do not interfere with each other on the magazine, which is favorable from the standpoint of safety and work.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to set a specific pot in a tool magazine of a tool random storage method to a fixed address, and the programming thereof can be done as usual. Since it is easy to return to the previous state, work efficiency and efficiency can be significantly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic principle of a tool change control device in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a next processing preparation command.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a tool change command.

FIG. 4 is a diagram comparing essential parts of an example of the NC program in this embodiment and a conventional one.

[Explanation of symbols]

1...Tool change control device 2...Pot and tool number storage means 3... Tool determination means 4...Tool preparation command storage means 5...Tool change control means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A tool change control method for fixing a specific pot of a tool magazine in an NC machine tool equipped with a tool magazine of a random tool storage type, comprising:
Based on the tool number to be stored in the pot to be fixed address, it is determined whether the tool is installed on the spindle, and if the tool is installed, a preparation command for the next machining tool is stored, A tool exchange control method characterized in that the stored next machining tool preparation command is executed after the tool is exchanged after completion of machining with the tool.