JPH1115512A - Recognition method for unmachined part - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the burden of a designer by minimizing the number of tools which are used after the tool paths are set and also minimizing the changes of design of machining conditions, etc. SOLUTION: The balls A having their diameters equal to the constant depth of unmachined value are arranged on a machining object surface (final target shape) 64. Meanwhile, the balls B having diameters equal to the diameter of a hemispherical shape of the machining part of a machining tool are produced and placed so as to touch the largest distance points of balls A respectively. Then the balls A (black circles) crossing the balls B are displayed in images as the unmachined parts. As a result, the areas where the unmachined parts occur can be confirmed without setting the tool paths.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for recognizing beforehand using a computer the remaining machining that occurs to avoid excessive machining due to interference between a machining tool and a target machining shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, the design of a processing apparatus and a processing procedure used when manufacturing a product such as a press die is generally based on CA.
After creating the shape data of the product using a computer system such as D / CAM (shape design), design (machining design) the machining process, tools to be used, machining conditions, etc. for each of a plurality of machining parts of the product. Machines and work processes (order of processing) so that the entire product can be processed efficiently
Is designed (process design) over a plurality of processing parts. After that, while setting the movement path (CL data) of the machining tool, and moving the machining tool according to the movement path by simulation, check the remaining machining that occurs to avoid excessive machining due to tool interference, etc. The design items in the above machining design such as tools to be used are changed according to the situation.

[0003]

However, when the machining design is changed at the simulation stage as described above,
Since the process design and the setting of the movement route (CL calculation) must be performed again, the design change is restricted, and C
There is a problem that the L calculation takes a long time and requires a lot of man-hours because it is a work of trial and error. In recent years, it has been considered that machining design and process design are automatically performed by a computer using past information. However, unless the validity of these designs is verified at an early stage (before CL calculation), The above problem becomes remarkable, and on the contrary, there is a possibility that a burden on a designer such as a tool moving path is increased.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-91477 discloses that
The tool used in the previous machining step is moved according to the predetermined tool movement path, and it is determined whether or not it overlaps the current target machining shape. Exists, but
A technique has been proposed in which a non-overlapping portion is determined to have the current target processing shape formed in the previous processing step, and that portion is excluded from the movement path. However, it does not recognize the remaining machining before setting the tool movement path,
Since it does not recognize the remaining machining in the current machining process, it is not possible to optimize the machining design of a machining tool or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to minimize the design change of a tool to be used and a machining condition after setting a tool moving path, and to reduce a design change of a designer. The purpose is to reduce the burden.

[0006]

In order to achieve this object, before setting a tool moving path, for example, a machining design in which a machining process, a tool to be used, machining conditions, etc. are set according to a target shape (product shape). The first invention may be configured to determine the presence or absence of an unprocessed portion or the amount at the stage. In the first invention, when a workpiece is processed into a target processing shape using a predetermined processing tool, the processing tool and its target A method of recognizing using a computer before setting a tool moving path for processing, the processing residue generated to avoid excessive processing due to interference with the processing shape, wherein (a) the processing tool by the computer And (b) when the tool shape is to be brought into contact with substantially the entire surface of the created target processing shape, the target processing shape overlaps with the target processing shape. And having a processability balance remaining machining unit and determines the remaining machining unit resulting determination step portion can not be Ku contact.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recognition method of the first aspect, the (b) remaining machining portion determination step includes (b-1) contacting a large number of contact points set on substantially the entire surface of the target machining shape. An arrangement step of arranging the tool shape, and (b-2) an overlap determination step of determining the remaining machining portion when the arranged tool shape overlaps another portion of the target machining shape. There is a feature.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recognition method according to the first or second aspect, the (b) remaining machining portion determination step includes the step of contacting the tool with the target machining shape without overlapping the target machining shape. It is characterized in that a gap between the entire range of the shape and its target machining shape is obtained as a remaining machining shape.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a target machining shape having a remaining amount of a certain thickness with respect to the target shape is machined by using a machining tool having a hemispherical shape at the tip, the machining tool and the target A method for recognizing, using a computer, residual machining that occurs to avoid excessive machining due to interference with the machining shape, comprising: (a) a target shape creating step of creating the target shape by the computer; The computer creates a remaining sphere having a diameter of the constant thickness of the remaining amount, and the remaining spheres are laid at predetermined intervals over the entire surface of the target shape, and the surface is formed with the target processing shape. A target machining shape creating step, and (c) creating, by the computer, a tool sphere having a diameter dimension equal to the hemispherical diameter of the machining portion of the machining tool, and each of the plurality of remaining spheres. And (d) calculating by a computer whether or not the tool ball placed on each of the remaining balls overlaps with the other remaining balls, and And an overlap determination step of determining the portion as the unprocessed portion where the unprocessed portion occurs.

[0010]

According to the method for recognizing the remaining portion of machining according to the first aspect of the present invention, the tool shape and the target machining shape of the machining tool are created by the computer before setting the tool moving path for machining. When trying to contact the tool shape with almost the entire target machining shape, the part that cannot be contacted without overlapping the target machining shape is determined as the remaining machining portion, so it is used at that stage as necessary. By changing the machining design such as tools and machining conditions or modifying the target machining shape, design changes such as machining design after setting the tool movement path are reduced, and the burden on the designer is reduced. You. In addition, since the remaining machining can be recognized before setting the tool movement path, it is possible to flexibly change the machining design of the tool to be used without affecting the setting work of the tool movement path, and the best Workarounds can be taken.

In the second invention, the tool shape is arranged so as to contact a large number of contact points set on substantially the entire surface of the target machining shape, and the arranged tool shape overlaps another portion of the target machining shape. It is not necessary to set a movement path or the like according to the target machining shape, as compared with, for example, moving the tool shape along the target machining shape. The part can be determined quickly.

In the third aspect of the present invention, a gap between the entire range of the tool shape that can be brought into contact with the target machining shape without overlapping the target machining shape and the target machining shape is obtained as the remaining machining shape. Not only the presence / absence but also the amount (thickness, volume, etc.) can be known, and the processing design and the like can be easily optimized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for recognizing an unprocessed portion. On the other hand, while laying out at intervals, create a tool ball with a diameter equal to the diameter of the hemispherical shape of the processing part of the processing tool, and arrange so that the tool ball is in point contact with each of the many remaining spheres. Since the portion where the tool ball arranged on each remaining ball overlaps with the other remaining ball is determined as the remaining portion to be processed, the remaining portion to be processed can be recognized without requiring a tool moving path. Therefore, check the remaining machining before setting the tool movement path, and if necessary, change the machining design such as the tool used or machining conditions at that stage,
Alternatively, by modifying the target machining shape including the remaining amount, design changes such as machining design after setting the tool moving path are reduced, and the burden on the designer is reduced. Also,
Since the remaining machining can be recognized before setting the tool movement path, it is possible to flexibly change the machining design of the used tool etc. without affecting the setting work of the tool movement path, and the best workaround Can be taken, and the unprocessed portion is recognized by the overlap of the balls, so that the calculation is easy and the unprocessed portion can be determined quickly.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is suitably applied to the case of cutting a three-dimensionally changed target machining shape using a cutting tool such as a ball end mill as a machining tool. It can be applied to the case of processing with. In the case of a rotary cutting tool such as a ball end mill, the tool shape of the processing tool may be represented by the shape of a rotation locus. In the case of a ball end mill, the tool shape may be replaced by a hemispherical shape, or by a sphere as in the fourth invention. The target machining shape and the tool shape, or the remaining sphere and the tool sphere created by the computer may have only the surface shape, and the overlap in that case can be determined by the intersection of the surfaces.

It is desirable that the present invention is applied to recognize the unprocessed portion at the stage of machining design in which the machining process, tools to be used, machining conditions, and the like are set for each machining portion obtained by dividing the target product shape into a plurality. . At the machining design stage, it does not affect the process design or the setting of the tool movement path, so it is possible to flexibly change the contents of the machining design, such as the range of machining parts and the type of tool used, as necessary. It is possible to optimize the machining design, ie to take the best workaround.

The target processing shape may be a target shape (product shape) which is a final shape, or may be an intermediate product shape having a predetermined remaining amount to be processed in a roughing process, a semi-finishing process, or the like. good. However, since the present invention is for recognizing the remaining machining that occurs in order to avoid excessive machining due to interference between the machining tool and the target machining shape, when there are recesses, small inner corners of R, etc. It is valid.

The contact between the target machining shape and the tool shape may be made in the same posture as when actually machining.
In the case where the processing portion is a hemispherical shape and a sphere is used as the tool shape as in the invention, since the tool movement path is set on an offset plane offset from the target processing shape by the tool radius dimension in the surface normal direction, the contact point The tool shape (sphere) may be arranged such that the center of the sphere is located on the surface normal at. 4th
In the present invention, since the target machining shape is formed of a remaining sphere, for example, the tool sphere may be arranged so as to make a point contact with a position farthest from the target shape in a range visible from the machining axis direction of the remaining sphere, Normally, the ball is arranged such that the center of the sphere is located on the surface normal at the contact point between the remaining sphere and the target shape. When controlling the attitude of the tool during a series of machining steps,
That is, even when the machining axis changes sequentially, the tool ball may be arranged such that the center of the sphere is located on the surface normal at the contact point between the remaining sphere and the target shape.

In the second invention, the tool shape is arranged so as to contact a large number of contact points set on substantially the entire surface of the target machining shape. However, the tool shape is arranged according to an arbitrary moving path set along the target machining shape. The overlap with the target machining shape may be determined while moving the tool shape. Since the actual processing is not performed, the moving route can be freely set without considering the processing conditions and the like.

In the third invention, the unprocessed portion is determined as the unprocessed portion. However, in other embodiments, for example, a portion of the target processed shape that overlaps with the tool shape may be processed. It may be simply displayed as an area. Also in the fourth invention, for example, the tool sphere overlapping the remaining sphere may be deleted, and the gap between the remaining tool sphere and the remaining sphere may be obtained as the remaining machining shape. For the processing after determining the unprocessed portion such as the unprocessed shape, it is desirable to display it on an image display device connected to a computer and let the designer confirm it, but it is automatically used according to the unprocessed amount It is also possible to change the design of a tool or the like, or to modify a target machining shape. In addition, various utilization modes can be adopted, such as adding information on the remaining machining to the machining design.

The method of the present invention is preferably implemented by a computer having a machine-readable recording medium on which a program for executing each of the above-described steps is recorded, in other words, a recognition device having means for executing each of the steps. The present invention is suitably applied to a design support system that automatically performs machining design and process design using past data and the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a basic configuration of a production design support system 10 having a remaining machining portion recognition function for recognizing a remaining machining portion according to the method of the present invention, wherein a CAD / CAM device 12 connected online and an external storage are connected. The external storage device 14 includes a CAD device.
Many computers are connected in addition to the / CAM device 12. The CAD / CAM device 12 is a microcomputer and includes a central processing unit 16 connected to a data bus line and a main storage unit 18 such as a RAM or a ROM. In accordance with a program stored in advance, various arithmetic processes are performed, and a CAD function and a CAM function can be executed. The CAD / CAM device 12 is a network terminal device having only a CAD function, only a CAM function, or both functions depending on the work content. The central processing unit 16 also includes a display device 20 such as a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal panel for displaying simulation results and work instructions for subsequent processes, and the like, and a keyboard 22, a dial 24, The tablet 26 and the like are connected. The network controller 28 is connected to a workstation, a machine tool, or the like, and controls data output such as file transfer.

The production design support system 10 of the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 2, the external storage device 14 includes a product data storage unit 30, a process data storage unit 32, and a resource data storage unit. 34,
Product data, process data, and resource data relating to a large number of press dies manufactured in the past are stored in association with each other. The external storage device 14 can appropriately write and read data. Note that the above manufacturing design consists of a machining design that designs the machining process, tools to be used, machining conditions, etc. for each of a plurality of machining parts of the product (press mold), and the machine and work to be used so that the entire mold can be machined efficiently. This is a general term for a process design for designing a process (order of processing) over a plurality of processing parts.

The product data storage unit 30 stores “vehicle type”, “model name”, “part name”,
Data on “shape data” representing the shape of the press die, “feature amount” for each of a plurality of processing portions of the press die, and the like are stored. The “shape data” includes data of each processing part in addition to data of the entire press die. A plurality of processing parts, such as the same finishing surface accuracy, can be processed simultaneously by a common cutting tool, such as a `` pressure receiving plate mounting seat '' as a meaningful group in producing a press die by performing cutting processing on the material, It is determined in advance for each type of press die, such as “guide pin hole”, “screw hole”, and “door handle”.

The above “shape data” is obtained by converting data of a surface or a line created by a CAD function into an IGES
The data is stored after being converted into data, so that the system can be used on various computers. Such “shape data” is geometric information of a plane or a line, and its mutual positional relationship is unknown. In the present embodiment, however, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, “position data” for specifying the position of each component corresponding to the external name by the surface representative vector and the surface representative coordinate value is text data (hereinafter, text data). This is referred to as data), which makes it possible to automatically reproduce a united processing part shape. FIG. 5 (a) is a reproduction of the “shape data” of the processed part “concave seat” based on the “position data”, and the “shape data” is as shown in FIG. 5 (b). “Shape and dimension data” is attached as text data.

The "feature amount" is a characteristic necessary for manufacturing design and actual cutting, such as a name of a processing portion (pressure receiving plate mounting seat, guide pin hole, screw hole, door handle, etc.),
The arrangement plane (arrangement direction), the wall height, the shape and dimensions of the corner R, and the like are given. The shape dimensions are the same as those described in the above
It is a dimension necessary for production design, such as determining the maximum value of the tool diameter and the minimum value of the tool length. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a predetermined “feature amount” for the “concave seat” shown in FIG. 5, which is obtained from the “shape and dimension data” and the like. ",
“Β”, “W”, “H”, and “R” correspond to the respective symbols shown in FIG. FIG. 7B is an example of feature amount data relating to a predetermined “feature amount” for the “pressure receiving plate mounting seat” shown in FIG.
Is an example of feature amount data relating to a "feature amount" predetermined for the "slide plate mounting seat" shown in (a). 7 and 8, "R" is a corner R, "D" is a diameter dimension, "L1" and "L2" are width dimensions, and "H1" is a wall height. The data of the “feature amount” is stored as text data.

Returning to FIG. 2, the process data storage unit 32 and the resource data storage unit 34 are parts that store processing data for a processing apparatus and a processing procedure for manufacturing a press die. It is stored as data. The process data storage unit 32 relates to a processing procedure and includes data such as “work process”, “setup”, “work sequence”, and “work process”. The "work process" is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, related to the crosswalk of a machine group such as four-side machining, inclined hole machining, finishing, etc., and includes data such as the "vehicle type", "model name", and "part name". Is linked to and stored. The “setup” relates to what setup method is used for processing, and is stored by linking to data such as the “work process” and “part name”.
The “work sequence” relates to where to start machining, and is stored in a manner linked to data such as “work process” and “setup”. The “processing step” relates to a processing procedure (roughing, semi-finishing, finishing, etc.) for each processing part, a processing method, a processing condition, a remaining amount, and the like in each step. Is linked to and stored. FIG. 10A shows an example of the machining process data relating to the “pressure receiving plate mounting seat” of FIG.
0 (b) is an example of machining process data relating to the “slide plate mounting seat” in FIG. It is also possible to store CL data and the like linked to each processing step of this processing step data. Note that the "target work process" in FIG.
Is data representing which work process of the work process data was performed.

The resource data storage unit 34 relates to a processing device, and stores physical information such as "tool" and "machine". The "tool" data includes data on the tool itself, such as type, diameter, tool length, and material, as well as data on arbors and chucks. And data such as line names. The data of “tool” is stored by linking to each processing step of the processing step data, and the data of “machine” is stored by linking to each operation step of the operation step data.

Next, the production design support system 1 of the present embodiment.
The operation at the time of designing and manufacturing a new product by using “0” will be described. The flowchart of FIG. 11 is a part for creating shape data of a new press die as a new product, and for designing and diverting a working process and a working process, and has both CAD and CAM functions and is shown in FIG. Feature extraction means 3
8. A CAD / CAM device 12 having the functions of a diversion design unit 40, an interference check unit 42, an optimization unit 44, and a data output unit 46 is used. The feature extracting means 38 executes step SA4, and the diversion designing means 40 executes steps SA1, SA6, SA7, SA1.
3. Execute SA14, the interference check means 42
Executes step SA9, and the optimizing means 44 executes step SA11.
Step 6 executes step SA15.

In step SA1 of FIG. 11, the "model" or "model name" of the press die to be manufactured is input by the designer or the like, and the process data storage unit 3 is entered.
2 are automatically extracted from the work process data (see FIG. 9) stored in the storage unit 2 in which the "vehicle type", "model name", and the like match. In step SA2, a plurality of machining parts are automatically determined according to the "vehicle type" and "model name" or by the intention of the designer or the like. In step SA3, the shape data is formed for each machining part using the CAD function. Is created. This shape data is automatically obtained based on the components (pressure receiving plate, slide plate, etc.) arranged in the press die, the shape of the press product to be manufactured by the press die, or by the input operation of the designer. Created. It can also be created by using the “shape data” of past press dies stored in the product data storage unit 30.

In step SA4, a feature amount similar to the feature amount data shown in FIGS. 7 (b) and 8 (b) is automatically generated based on the machining site name and the shape data created in step SA3. To extract. As shown in FIG. 6, the item of “feature amount” and the extraction method (conversion method) are set in advance for each processing portion, and
The shape data created in A2 also includes shape and dimension data.

In step SA5, the feature quantity extracted in step SA4 is compared with the feature quantity data stored in the product data storage section 30 and stored in the process data storage section 32. It is determined whether process data, specifically, processing step data can be used. The process data can be diverted not only when the values of the respective items of the feature amount completely match, but also when some of them are different within a predetermined allowable range, it is determined that the process data can be diverted. If it can be diverted, step S
At A6, the machining process data is taken out, and at Step SA7
In step SA8, the designer manually inputs the process data relating to the machining process and the tools to be used, and sets the design.

In step SA6, when there are a plurality of processing process data that can be diverted, all of the plurality of processing process data may be taken out. However, in this embodiment, each item of the feature amount is weighted. Priority is assigned, and one piece of data having the highest priority is taken out. In Step SA7, Step SA
For each processing step of the processing step data extracted in step 6, a tool to be used, a protrusion length, and the like are automatically set based on the feature amount and the like. FIGS. 13A and 13B show a state in which a tool to be used and the like are set for each processing step of the processing step data shown in FIG. The “machining axis” in FIG. 13 indicates the tool posture (the axis of the tool), and is set in advance for each machining step based on the machining step data. Note that FIG.
"↓" in the column of "machining axis" means the Z-axis direction.

When the working process is designed in step SA6 and SA7 or step SA8, step S
In A9, whether or not processing is possible is evaluated. This means, for example, that the outermost shape of the tool (including arbor and chuck etc.) when processing the processing part is determined, and whether or not it interferes with the product, that is, the press die at the time of cutting, for all the tools used Check automatically. Further, in the present embodiment, the remaining machining that occurs to avoid excessive cutting due to interference between the machining tool and the target machining shape here,
It is detected according to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
4 is a case where a ball end mill is used as a processing tool.

Each step in FIG. 14 is automatically performed by a computer.
In step 1, a target processing step is extracted from the processing step data designed in steps SA6 to SA7, a processing area in which the processing is performed in the processing step is extracted in step SB2, and a processing target surface in the processing area is extracted in step SB3. Is extracted. FIG. 15A is a perspective view showing an example of a product (press die) 60 to be processed. A frame 62 shown in FIG. 15B is a processing area line (two-dimensional) set in step SB2. Are set in a plan view state that is the processing axis direction, and the inside of the area line is a processing target surface (surface group) 6.
4 is taken out at step SB3. Processing target surface 6
4 corresponds to the target shape and has a concave portion, and the processing target surface 64 itself corresponds to the step SA3.
In step SB3, the created shape data is simply read. Steps SA3 and SB
Reference numeral 3 corresponds to the target shape creating step of claim 4.

In step SB4, data relating to the remaining amount of the target machining process is extracted, and in step SB5,
A sphere A having the remaining amount as a diameter is created. The “remaining amount” is, for example, 1.0 (mm), 0.5 (m) for each processing step as shown in the processing step data of FIG.
m) or the like, that is, a fixed thickness is left uncut. In the next step SB6, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, a large number of spheres A are laid out so as to be in contact with each other in a plan view state that is the processing axis direction, and they are brought into contact with the surface of the processing target surface 64, that is, the surface on the side where cutting is performed. Approach to the position where Further, in step SB7, it is determined whether or not the sphere A has been arranged until the processing target surface 64 becomes invisible in plan view. If the processing target surface 64 is visible, in step SB8, processing is performed as indicated by a black circle in FIG. The sphere A is further arranged at a portion where the target surface 64 is visible so as to contact the processing target surface 64. In this case, the spheres A are arranged so as to overlap (intersect) each other in plan view. FIG. 18 shows XVIII-XVI of FIG.
This is a view corresponding to the II section. However, when the inclination of the processing target surface 64 is relatively steep, the processing target surface 64 can be viewed from any position, not only in a planar view, which is the processing axis direction, as necessary.
The sphere A may be arranged so that is not visible. As described above, the spheres A having the diameter of the “remaining amount” are laid out on the processing target surface 64, and the spheres at the position most distant from the processing target surface 64 among the many spheres A Thus, a target processing shape to be processed in the current processing step is formed. These steps SB4 to SB
B8 corresponds to the target machining shape creation step of claim 4, and sphere A corresponds to a remaining sphere.

In the next step SB9, a sphere B having the same diameter as the tool diameter of the ball end mill used in the target machining step, that is, the diameter of the hemispherical shape which is the rotation trajectory of the cutting edge at the tool tip is created. Steps SB4 to SB9
Corresponds to the shape forming step of claim 1, and in this case, the sphere A
Is the target machining shape and sphere B corresponds to the tool shape.

In step SB10, the maximum distance point α farthest from the processing target surface 64 in the range of the spherical surface of the sphere A that can be seen from the processing axis direction is calculated.
Then, the ball B is arranged so as to make point contact with the maximum distance point α. The maximum distance point α is usually located on the surface normal at the point of contact between the sphere A and the processing target surface 64, and the sphere B is arranged such that the center of the sphere is located on the surface normal. Step S
In B12, all the spheres A arranged on the processing target surface 64
It is determined whether or not ball B has been placed with respect to all balls A.
Steps SB10 and SB1 until the ball B is placed on
Step 1 is repeated. FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which the spheres B are arranged on all the spheres A. The diameter of the spheres B, that is, the tool diameter is generally larger than the diameter of the spheres A, that is, the remaining amount. Steps SB10 to SB12 correspond to the arrangement step of claim 2, and the maximum distance point α corresponds to the contact point. Steps SB9 to SB12 correspond to the tool ball arrangement step of claim 4, and the ball B corresponds to the tool ball.

At step SB13, it is determined whether or not the ball A and the ball B intersect, and if so, the intersecting ball A is taken out at step SB14, and the process proceeds to step SB1.
In 5, the extracted ball A is color-changed and displayed as an image, and is presented to the designer as a remaining portion where the remaining portion is left unprocessed. The fact that the sphere A and the sphere B intersect means that the remaining amount and the machining tool interfere with each other, and that the tool cannot enter the range and the machining remains. The sphere A indicated by a black circle in FIG. 20 intersects with the sphere B, and is displayed on the display device 20 by changing colors. If the determination in step SB13 is NO, step SB1
In step 6, a message indicating that there is no remaining machining is displayed. Step SB13-S
B16 corresponds to the overlap determination step in claims 2 and 4.
Steps SB10 to SB16 correspond to the remaining machining portion determination step in claim 1.

Returning to FIG. 11, if the result of the interference check in step SA9, such as the presence or absence of the remaining machining, indicates that machining is impossible, it is determined whether or not the machining can be performed without changing the shape of the machined part by changing the tool length. If the determination can be made automatically or by the designer and the change can be made without changing the shape, step SA11 is executed, and several options that enable the processing automatically or by changing the tool length or tool diameter are selected. The process data relating to the used tool and the like is optimized so as to be able to be machined by indicating and allowing the designer to select, and step SA9 is executed again as necessary. Subsequent to step SA11, step SA12 may be immediately executed. If the shape needs to be changed, the shape of the processed part is changed automatically so as to enable the processing in step SA10, or by the input operation of the designer, and the steps from step SA4 are executed again. This shape change is performed within a predetermined allowable range where rigidity, strength, dimensions, and the like are satisfied as a press die.

If the determination in step SA9 is OK, that is, if machining can be performed without interference, step SA9
In step 12, whether or not design of process data such as machining steps and tools to be used has been completed for all machining portions set in step SA2 is automatically or determined by a designer. SA3 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed. When the design of the process data for all the processing parts is completed and the determination in step SA12 is YES,
Step SA13 is executed, the processing steps of a plurality of processing parts are consolidated for each operation step of the operation step data extracted in step SA1, and the processing steps that can be processed using a common processing machine are summarized. As shown in FIG. 10, the processing step data includes data relating to the “target operation step”, that is, information indicating in which operation step (processing machine) the processing was performed, and is automatically aggregated according to this information. . FIG.
In the state where the processing steps of the two processing step data shown in FIG. 13 are integrated into the work step data of FIG. 9, a portion surrounded by a thick dashed line is a “pressure receiving plate mounting seat” shown in FIG.
In the processing steps related to FIG.
This is a processing step related to the “slide plate mounting seat” shown in FIG.

In the next step SA14, the tools used in the machining process, which have been collected for each work process in the above step SA13, are automatically collected within the range of strictly observing the order of the process for each processing portion, and The processing order is determined over a plurality of processing parts. FIG. 22 shows a case where the tools used in the work process data shown in FIG. 13 are consolidated. In the four-side machining of the work process 1, first, (1) machining process 1 (rough) of the pressure receiving plate mounting seat using a φ30 helical cutter. Take)
(2) Processing step 1 (roughing) of the slide plate mounting seat using a φ50 helical cutter, and (3) Processing step 2 of the pressure receiving plate mounting seat using a φ20 helical cutter.
(Medium finish) and machining process 2 of the slide plate mounting seat (medium finish), and finally (4) machining process 3 of the pressure receiving plate mounting seat (prepared hole) using a φ10.8 drill, and mounting of the slide plate This means that the seat processing step 4 (prepared hole) is performed. In the finishing of the working process 4, first, (1) a working process 4 of the pressure receiving plate mounting seat (finishing), a working process 3 of the slide plate mounting seat (medium finishing), and a working process 5 (finishing) using a φ10 end mill. After that, (2) the processing step 5 (screw) of the pressure receiving plate mounting seat and the processing step 6 (screw) of the slide plate mounting seat are performed using a φ12 tap.

In the last step SA15, a data output process is executed in accordance with the storage instruction operation by the designer, and the shape data and the process data created in each of the above steps are stored in the external storage device 14 in association with each other. The data output means 46 for executing step SA15 includes a shape data output means 48, a process data output means 50, a position data output means 52, and a feature data output means 54, as shown in FIG. The data output process is automatically executed according to the flowchart of FIG. The shape data output means 48 executes steps SC1, SC2 and SC5, and the process data output means 50 executes steps SC3 and SC6.
The position data output means 52 executes steps SC4 and SC7, and the feature data output means 54 executes step SC8.

In step SC1 of FIG. 23, the element ID assigned to each component of the surface or line of the shape data is extracted, and in step SC2, the element ID is assigned as the external name of the file for each component. I do. Element ID
Is unique for each type of CAD system, and is effective in that system. However, since it is deleted upon conversion to IGES, an element ID is given as an external name before conversion.

In step SC3, a correspondence relationship between the external name and the surface related to the shape data, such as the surface to be processed, of the process data created according to the flowchart of FIG. 11 is given. Associate with components. The process data shown in FIG. 24 is an example of such a case.
By writing data such as "(external name)",..., The surface 1 and the like written in the target area of the production information are associated with the components of the shape data.
“Surface 1 = 10 (external name)”, “Surface 2 = 20 (external name)”,... Correspond to the IGES data in FIG. The data stored in the process data storage unit 32 also includes data associated with the components of the shape data.

In step SC4, a surface representative vector and a surface representative coordinate value are extracted for each component of the surface of the shape data, and the position data as shown in FIG. 4 is created as text data. This makes it possible to specify the mutual relationship between the constituent elements of the shape data, which is merely geometric information, and reproduce a single integrated processing part shape.

Then, in step SC5, the shape data created by the CAD function is converted into IGES data as shown in FIG. In step SC6, the process data as shown in FIG. 24 associated with each component of the shape data by the external name is output to the external storage device 14 as text data. In step SC7, the position data as shown in FIG. The data is output to the external storage device 14 as text data. Further, in step SC8, the feature amount data extracted in step SA4 in FIG. 11 is output as text data in association with the shape data and the process data. Various other data to be stored in the external storage device 14, such as the "vehicle type" and "model name" of the newly created press die, are also output in this data output process, Each is stored in the storage unit.

Since the process data created as described above is not always complete, the process data is further optimized by performing a simulation of the work process and the like, and thereafter, the movement path data of the tool for performing the NC machining is obtained. (CL
Data) is created.

Here, in the interference check in step SA9, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 14, spheres A having a diameter of a constant thickness of the remaining amount are laid out and arranged on the processing target surface 64 having the target shape. (SB3 to SB8) On the other hand, a sphere B having a diameter dimension equal to the hemispherical diameter of the processing portion of the processing tool is created and arranged so as to make point contact with each of the plurality of spheres A at the maximum distance point α. SB9 to SB1
2) The image of the ball A intersecting with the ball B is displayed as an unprocessed portion where the unprocessed portion occurs. That is, before setting the tool movement path, check the remaining machining portion, and if necessary, change the machining design such as the tool used and machining conditions at that stage, or modify the target machining shape including the remaining amount. By doing so, design changes such as machining design after setting the tool movement path are reduced, and the burden on the designer is reduced.

Further, since the remaining portion to be machined can be recognized before setting the tool moving path, it is possible to flexibly change the working design of the tool to be used without affecting the setting work of the tool moving path. The best avoidance measure can be taken, and the unprocessed portion is recognized by the intersection of the balls, so that the calculation is easy and the unprocessed portion can be quickly determined.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The ball A intersecting with the ball A is displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. 25A, the ball B intersecting with the ball A is deleted, and the gap 70 between the remaining ball B and the ball A, that is, In (b), the shaded portion may be displayed in a color-changed form as the unprocessed shape. This corresponds to an embodiment of claim 3, in which not only the presence or absence of unprocessed portions but also the amount (thickness, volume, etc.) can be determined, so that the process design and the like can be easily optimized.

In the above embodiment, the target processing shape is a sphere A
As shown in FIG. 26A, the target processing surface 72 is created at a position offset from the processing target surface 64 by a residual amount a in the surface normal direction, while one target surface 72 is perpendicular to the processing axis. In a plane, for example, the spheres B are laid out at intervals equal to or smaller than the remaining amount a, and (b)
As shown in the figure, the sphere B is brought close to a position in contact with the target processing surface 72 so as not to intersect with the target processing surface 72.
The gap 74 between the target processing surface 72 and the target processing surface 72 may be displayed in a different color as a remaining processing shape. Target machining surface 7
2 corresponds to the target processing shape.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, this is merely an embodiment, and
For example, the present invention can be applied to a processing step of processing the processing target surface 64 that is the final shape, and the present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved aspects based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a production design support system having a function of recognizing a remaining portion to be processed according to a method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the contents stored in an external storage device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating shape data stored in a product data storage unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating position data stored along with the shape data of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of shape data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a feature amount related to the shape data of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of shape data and feature amount data thereof stored in a product data storage unit of FIG. 2 for each processing part.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of shape data and feature amount data stored in the product data storage unit of FIG. 2 for each processing portion.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of work process data stored in a process data storage unit in FIG.

10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of machining process data stored in the process data storage unit in FIG. 2; FIG. 10A is related to the machined portion in FIG. 7; Things.

11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when performing a shape design using the production design support system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 shows a CAD used when performing the shape design of FIG. 11;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the / CAM device.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a state in which a tool to be used is set for each machining step in step SA7 in FIG. 11, wherein (a) and (b) correspond to (a) and (b) in FIG. 10, respectively.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for recognizing a remaining portion to be processed according to the method of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation of steps SB2 and SB3 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation of step SB6 in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the operation of step SB8 in FIG.

18 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the operation of steps SB9 to SB12 in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the operation of steps SB13 to SB15 in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state in which processing steps are integrated for each work step in step SA13 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state where tools are integrated for each work process in step SA14 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the specific contents of step SA15 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 24 is a view for explaining process data to which an external name has been given in step SC3 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining another embodiment of the present invention, and shows a case where a remaining machining shape is displayed.

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining still another embodiment of the present invention, in which a target machining shape is created without using a sphere.

[Explanation of symbols]

 64: Processing target surface (target shape) 70, 74: Clearance (remaining processing shape) 72: Target processing surface (target processing shape) A: Sphere (remaining sphere, target processing shape) B: Sphere (tool sphere, tool shape) Steps SB4 to SB9: Shape creation step Steps SB10 to SB16: Unprocessed portion determination step Steps SB10 to SB12: Arrangement step Steps SB13 to SB16: Overlap determination step Steps SA3 and SB3: Target shape creation step Steps SB4 to SB8: Target machining shape Creation process Steps SB9 to SB12: Tool ball placement process

Claims (4)

[Claims] When a workpiece is machined into a target machining shape using a predetermined machining tool, machining residue generated to avoid excessive machining due to interference between the machining tool and the target machining shape is machined. Before setting a tool movement path for use by a computer, comprising: a shape creating step of creating a tool shape of the machining tool and the target machining shape by the computer; and the created target machining. When the tool shape is to be brought into contact with substantially the entire surface of the shape, a remaining machining portion determining step of determining a portion that cannot be contacted without overlapping the target machining shape as a machining remaining portion in which machining remainder occurs. A method for recognizing a remaining portion of a process, characterized in that: 2. The processing remaining portion determination step includes: arranging the tool shape so as to contact a large number of contact points set on substantially the entire surface of the target processing shape; 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: an overlap determination step of determining the remaining portion to be processed when overlapping with another portion of the target processed shape. 3. The unprocessed portion determination step includes determining a gap between the entire range of the tool shape brought into contact with the target processed shape without overlapping the target processed shape and the target processed shape. 3. The method for recognizing a remaining portion to be processed according to claim 1, wherein: 4. When a target processing shape having a remaining amount of a constant thickness with respect to the target shape is processed using a processing tool having a hemispherical shape at the tip, the processing tool and the target processing shape are used. A method for recognizing, using a computer, residual processing that occurs to avoid excessive processing due to interference of a target shape creating step of creating the target shape by the computer, and a constant of the remaining amount by the computer. A target sphere forming step of forming a remaining sphere having a thickness of a diameter dimension, arranging the remaining spheres at predetermined intervals over the entire surface of the target shape, and setting the surface thereof to the target processing shape, The computer creates a tool ball having a diameter equal to the hemispherical diameter of the processing portion of the processing tool, and the tool ball makes point contact with each of the plurality of remaining balls. A tool ball arranging step of arranging in such a manner that a computer calculates whether or not the tool sphere arranged in each remaining sphere overlaps with the other remaining spheres, and calculates the overlapped portion with a remaining machining portion in which the remaining machining is generated. A method of recognizing a remaining portion to be processed, comprising: an overlap determination step of determining.