JPH10133870A - Device and method for controlling nc machine tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively and quickly provide trial or temporary use by allowing a service man to visit a customer and making an additional function, which is not required to be added, usable. SOLUTION: An instruction is inputted from an input device 32, an additional function slecting screen is selected, additional function software stored in an additional function software storing part 22 is displayed on a display device 31, and an additional function to be used is selected from the additional function selecting screen by using an input device 32 in accordance with the screen. Then, a working program is executed and a machine tool is driven to work parts. A control part 10 multiplies the application time of application frequency of the selected additional function software by application quantity per unit stored in an additional function software unit application quantity storing part 25 in accordance with use right point calculation software stored in a storage device 20 to find out the application quantity and subtracts the calculated application quantity stored in a held use right point storing part 26. A use right point obtained by the calculation is stored in the storing part 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for adding an additional function to an NC machine tool.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An NC machine tool usually has a basic function and an additional function. Additional functions are available at various levels, such as factory installation, service installation on site, user installation, and additional software only. Conventionally, when adding additional functions, a service technician would visit the user and perform work even if only software was added. As a result, the serviceman was required to travel and took a long time to visit. In addition, users could confirm the contents of the additional functions through exhibitions and demonstrations in maker's showrooms. In this case, even the same NC machine tool has various specifications, and the specifications are often different from those of the NC machine tool owned by the user. For this reason, additional functions that cannot be actually used are purchased or temporarily used and not used thereafter. There was a waste of buying additional functions or buying and preparing all additional functions so that sudden orders could be dealt with.

[0003]

In the conventional method, the additional functions were purchased and could not be easily tried. In addition, it was necessary to buy additional functions that are used temporarily and are not frequently used. Furthermore, even if additional functions were added by adding user-installable hardware and software, or additional functions were added only by adding software, the serviceman had to visit the customer, which was costly and time-consuming. An object of the present invention is to provide a trial and temporary use at a low cost and in a short time by enabling a serviceman to use an additional function that does not need to be visited and added to a customer.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is an additional function software storage unit for storing additional function software, and a usage right point for obtaining a usage right of the additional function software. Input means for inputting the right-of-use, a right-of-use point storage unit for storing the right-of-use points inputted from the input means, and a unit required for using each of the additional function software stored in the additional function software storage unit. A usage amount storage unit for storing the usage amount of the usage right point, an additional function selection function for selecting additional function software to be used from the additional function software stored in the additional function software storage unit, and the additional function When the additional function software selected by the selection function is used, Calculates the usage right point after using the additional function software from the usage right point usage amount and usage unit per unit of the additional function software that has been remembered and the usage right point stored in the holding usage right point storage unit. It is configured to have a usage right point calculation function stored in the right point storage unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a step of inputting and storing a usage right point for obtaining a usage right of the additional function software, and a step of selecting additional function software to be used from the previously stored additional function software And calculating the usage right points after using the additional function software from the usage right points held and the usage right point usage per unit of the additional function software selected and used and the usage unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additional function use right data storage unit for storing information on a use right of the additional function software, and additional function software to be used among the stored additional functions. The configuration is such that a usable additional function data storage unit that stores therein and a usage amount storage unit that stores a usage right point usage amount per unit determined for each additional function software are used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the additional function software stored in the additional function software storage unit, the usage right point usage per unit of the additional function software stored in the unit usage storage unit, and Including a step of selecting additional function software from a display screen including information on the held use right points stored in the held use right point storage unit.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control device of the present invention. The control unit 10 controls the control device, a storage device 20 stores software and data necessary for control of the control device, and serves as an interface with an external device. I
The I / O circuit 30, the display device 31, the input device 32, and the external storage device 33 controlled by the control unit 10 via the I / O circuit 30, and an interface for exchanging information with the outside via a communication line. Communication I / O circuit 40 and NC
Controls the drive of motors and actuators of machine tools,
An NC unit 50 receives signals from sensors and determines the state of the machine and controls the operation of the machine.

The storage device 20 includes an additional function software storage unit 22 for storing additional function software, an additional function use right data storage unit 23 for storing information on the use right of the additional function software, and a stored additional function. A usable additional function data storage unit 24 for storing the additional function software to be used in the function, and a unit for storing the usage right point usage amount per unit time or number of uses determined for each additional function software A usage amount storage unit 25, a stored usage right point storage unit 26 that stores usage right points currently held by the user, and a usage amount storage unit 27 that stores the usage amount during use of the additional function software such as during execution of a machining program. There is. Further, in accordance with the usage right point input software stored in the storage device 20, the control unit 10 uses the external storage device 33 via the I / O circuit 30 and externally uses the communication I / O circuit 40. The right point is input and added to the held right point stored in the held right point storage unit 26. Further, according to the additional function selection software stored in the storage device 20, the control unit 10 displays the additional function software stored in the additional function software storage unit 22 on the display device 31 via the I / O circuit 30. . From the additional function software displayed on the display device 31,
The additional function software to be selected by the input from the input device 32 via the O circuit 30 is designated. Further, in accordance with the usage right point calculation software stored in the storage device 20, the control unit 10 stores the usage time or the number of times of use of the selected additional function software in the unit usage storage unit 25 of the additional function software. The usage amount is calculated by multiplying the usage amount per unit to obtain the usage amount, and subtracting the usage amount from the holding right point stored in the holding right point storage unit 26 to calculate the holding right point. The resulting usage right point is stored in the held usage right point storage unit 26.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the control method of the NC machine tool according to the present invention. First, an instruction is input from the input device 32, the usage right point input screen of FIG. 3 is selected and displayed on the display device 31, and the input device 32 is used in accordance with the screen, via the external storage device 33 or the communication I / O circuit 40. Enter or select the usage right point by communication. When the external storage device 33 is selected, the right of use stored in a storage medium suitable for the device, for example, a memory card or a floppy disk is input. When the use right point input by communication is selected, communication is performed in accordance with a predetermined procedure, and the use right point is input from outside.

Next, an instruction is inputted from the input device 32 and FIG.
Is displayed on the display device 31, and the additional function desired to be used using the input device 32 is selected from the additional function selection screen according to the screen. After that, a machining program is executed to drive the machine tool to perform component machining. This is executed even when the additional function software does not actually drive the machine tool as in the case of the simulation software. The control unit 10 stores the usage time or the number of times of use of the additional function software selected in accordance with the usage right point calculation software stored in the storage device 20, and stores the usage amount per unit of the additional function software.
5 is calculated by multiplying the usage amount per unit stored in 5 to obtain the usage amount and subtracting it from the usage right point stored in the holding right point storage unit 26. The resulting usage right point is stored in the held usage right point storage unit 26.
This is repeated until the number of times of repetition processing normally set in the processing program and the scheduled amount of use time of the additional function software are completed.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 of the control device uses the control software and data stored in the storage device 20 to execute I / O.
The screen of the display device 31 is controlled via the I / O circuit 30, the input signal from the input device 32 is controlled, and the external storage device 33 is controlled.
Exchange software and data with Communication I / O
In the case of communication via the circuit 40, control is similarly performed to exchange software and data. The storage device 20 stores control software and data necessary for controlling the control device, and also has a RAM used for calculations and the like. All the additional function software for controlling additional functions other than the basic functions of the NC machine tool, including those not purchased by the user, are stored in the additional function software storage unit 22 in advance. The stored various data on the additional function software is also stored in the storage device 20 in advance. The storage section for various data stores an additional function usage right data storage section 23 for storing information indicating the status of purchase and use of each of the stored additional function software. The available additional function data storage unit 24 that stores the additional function software that can be used in the machine configuration of the above, and the usage right points necessary for using each of the additional function software are used for a certain unit of time and number of times. There is a storage amount storage unit 25 shown in FIG. The storage device 20 also has a stored usage right point storage unit 26 for storing the amount of usage right points currently held by the user.

The display device 31 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, etc.
The display is controlled by the control unit 10 in accordance with display control software and display data stored in the storage device 20 via the display device 0. Various data related to the additional function software is read from the storage unit and displayed on the screen as it is or after being processed. The input device 32 is configured by a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like, and is controlled by the control unit 10 according to input control software stored in the storage device 20 via the I / O circuit 30 to input instructions and data. Selection of a screen, selection of additional function software to be used, and the like are performed by input from the input device 31. The additional function selection function is controlled by the control unit 10 using display control software and input control software according to the additional function selection software stored in the storage device 20, the display device 31 controlled by the control unit 10 to display the additional function selection screen, and the selection input. Is formed by the input device 32 that performs the following.

The external storage device 33 is constituted by a card reader, a floppy disk device or the like, and is controlled by the control unit 10 according to the external storage device control software stored in the storage device 20 via the I / O circuit 30, and is controlled by an IC card or a floppy disk. Exchanges software and data with storage media such as disks. The user inputs the usage right point to the control device from the storage medium storing the purchased usage right point, adds the usage right point to the usage right point stored in the held usage right point storage unit 26, and inputs the usage right point.
Replenish. The communication I / O circuit 40 controls the control unit 10 according to the communication control software stored in the storage device 20.
And communicates with the outside via a communication line. The use right point storage unit 26 has a use right point storage unit 26 in which the user can send the use right point by using a predetermined procedure or a user-specific keyword or the like as a communication facility of an NC machine tool maker or a dealer having the ability to send the use right point via a communication line. Is added to the usage right points stored in the storage device, and the usage right points are input and supplemented. The input means for inputting the usage right point of the additional function software is configured using the external storage device 33 and the communication I / O circuit 40 as described above.

When the processing program is executed and the selected additional function software is used, the control unit 10 according to the usage right point calculation software stored in the storage device 20 is used.
Reads out the usage right points required to use the additional function software for the unit time or the unit number from the usage amount per unit storage unit 25, and stores a value indicating how many unit times or how many times the usage right points have been used for the usage right points. Calculate the amount of the usage right point usage. Holding right point storage unit 26
The usage right point held by the user until the previous time stored in the previous time is read out, the usage right point usage amount calculated as described above is subtracted from this value to calculate the usage right point held by the current user, It is stored in the held use right point storage unit 26. In this way, a usage right point calculation function is formed.

The NC unit 50 drives and controls motor actuators 51 constituting the machine according to instructions and data issued from the control unit 10 according to a machining program.
2 to determine the state of the mechanical section and use it for drive control of the motor actuators 51 or send it to the control section 10 to display data of the state of the machine on the display device 31.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the control method of the NC machine tool according to the present invention. First, an input is made from the input device 32 to select the usage right point input screen shown in FIG. Input of the usage right point is performed by an external storage device 33 such as a card reader or a floppy disk device.
, Or through communication via the communication I / O circuit 40. When the external storage device 33 is selected, an instruction is displayed to set a storage medium such as an IC card or a floppy disk in the external storage device 33 storing the usage right points purchased by the user. The user sets a storage medium and instructs the input device 32 to input a usage right point. The control unit 10 inputs the usage right point stored in the storage medium via the I / O circuit 30 and adds the usage right point to the already held usage right point stored in the held usage right point storage unit 26. It is stored in the owned right point storage unit 26 as a new owned right point. Communication I
When the user selects a method of inputting the usage right point by communication via the / O circuit 40, input instructions such as a user code, a keyword, and the number of purchase usage right points are displayed. When necessary data is input from the input device 32 in accordance with this,
The right-of-use point is sent from the NC machine tool maker or dealer of the communication partner via a communication line. Control unit 10
Receives this, processes it in the same manner as the input from the external storage device 33, and stores it in the owned right point storage unit 26 as a new owned right point.

The additional function software is loaded with N
Everything that can be used in the C machine tool is stored in the additional function software storage unit 22 in advance. When the additional function selection screen shown in FIG. 4 is selected by the input of the input device 32, the data of the additional function software which can be used in the current NC machine tool is read from the available additional function data storage unit 24, and the additional function is selected. A list of additional functions displayed on the selection screen includes available additional function software.
For the usable additional function software, data indicating that the usage right has been purchased or not is selected and used, and the like is read from the additional function usage right data storage unit 23 and processed and displayed in the current column of the additional function list. The usage right points required to use each of the additional function software are indicated by the amount of use per unit of time or number of times, and the data from the unit usage storage unit 25 is read out and displayed in the additional function list. In FIG. 3, the unit is minutes. The number of currently used right points stored in the held right point storage unit 26 is also read out and displayed on the additional function selection screen. For temporary use Specify the additional function software to be used, and enter the time and number of times to use it.

An alarm can also be generated when the usage time or the number of times of use of the additional function software selected from the current possession right point is insufficient. If the additional function software is selected after selecting the processing program, an alarm can be generated for software not used in the processing program.

The additional function software can be purchased on the additional function selection screen. When the additional function software desired to be purchased is selected, the control unit 10 calculates by subtracting the usage right points required for purchasing the desired additional function software from the currently held usage right points stored in the held usage right point storage unit 26. The usage right point thus obtained is stored in the held usage right point storage unit 26, and the data of the additional function software in the additional function usage right data storage unit 23 is changed to purchased.

The additional function software is specified on the additional function selection screen, and the time and the number of times of use are input. Next, a machining program is executed. After inputting data necessary for executing the machining program with the input device 32, the machining program is executed. When the additional function software is used during execution, the control unit 10 measures the use time and the number of times of use, and stores the measured time and the number of times of use in the usage amount storage unit 27. At the end of one cycle, the usage amount calculated by multiplying the usage amount stored in the usage amount storage unit 27 by the usage amount per unit of the additional function software used and subtracting from the held usage right point stored in the held usage right point storage unit 26. Right point holding use right point storage unit 26
To memorize. This operation is repeated when the processing amount is reached. After reaching the scheduled processing amount, the usage right point can be calculated in the same manner as described above.

[0022]

According to the present invention, the NC machine tool can be temporarily enhanced in function or multi-function by using the additional functions, and the necessary additional functions can be easily used when necessary. It is possible to build a machining program, shorten the machining time and improve the machining system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control device for an NC machine tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control method of the NC machine tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an additional function selection screen of the display device of the NC machine tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a usage point input screen of the display device of the NC machine tool according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 control unit 20 storage device 30 I / O circuit 40 communication I / O circuit 50 NC unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An NC machine tool control device, wherein: an additional function software storage unit for storing additional function software; input means for inputting a usage right point for obtaining a usage right of the additional function software; A stored right-of-use point storage unit for storing the right-of-use points inputted from the means, and a usage amount of the right-of-use points per unit required to use each of the additional function software stored in the additional function software storage unit. An additional function selection function for selecting an additional function software to be used from the additional function software stored in the additional function software storage section; and an additional function software selected by the additional function selection function. When used, the additional function stored in the unit usage storage unit Calculates the usage right point after using the additional function software from the usage right point usage amount and usage unit per software unit and the usage right point stored in the holding usage right point storage unit and stores it in the holding usage right point storage unit. An NC machine tool control device having a right-of-use point calculation function. 2. A method for controlling an NC machine tool, comprising: inputting and storing a usage right point for obtaining a usage right of the additional function software, and selecting an additional function software to be used from the previously stored additional function software. And the step of calculating the usage right points after using the additional function software from the usage right points possessed and the usage right point usage per unit of the additional function software selected and used and the usage unit. NC machine tool control method. 3. An additional function use right data storage unit for storing information on the use right of the additional function software, and a usable additional function for storing the additional function software to be used among the stored additional functions. 2. The control device for an NC machine tool according to claim 1, further comprising a data storage unit and a unit usage amount storage unit for storing a usage right point usage amount per unit determined for each additional function software. 4. The additional function software stored in the additional function software storage unit, the usage right point usage amount per unit of the additional function software stored in the unit usage storage unit, and the owned usage right point storage unit. 3. The method for controlling an NC machine tool according to claim 2, further comprising a step of selecting additional function software from a display screen including the information on the held use right points stored in the storage device. 5. The control device for an NC machine tool according to claim 3, wherein the additional function software usage amount is a usage time. 6. The control device for an NC machine tool according to claim 3, wherein the amount of additional function software used is the number of uses.