WO2025018417A1 - Centralized processing control system - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEM] To provide a processing control system that uniformly and externally monitors and manages, regardless of a communication method/variables, a CNC control device capable of communication with each machine device operated by various NC programs. [SOLUTION] This centralized processing control system has a stored and updated communication method/variable correspondence table showing a communication method and macro variable name of an NC program corresponding to each machine device, and a unified communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the centralized processing control system. When a read request of operation information is made to an arbitrary machine device, the read request is translated into read-requested content and a communication method and a macro variable name corresponding to the machine device, a call command is transmitted to a CNC control device of the read-requested machine device, and by receiving the command, a response numerical value in the called macro variable is output as a response numerical value in the communication method and macro variable name of the system.

Description

Centralized Processing Control System

The present invention relates to a centralized machining control system that can remotely manage the NC programs of each machine using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names for each machine that is CNC-controlled using NC programs with various different communication methods (languages) and macro variables, and for a machining line made up of multiple machines.

In processing lines at manufacturing sites, a single processed product is formed through a processing process using multiple NC devices that execute computerized numerical control (hereinafter referred to as "CNC" or "CNC control") and machinery such as industrial robots. Conventionally, the CNC devices of the multiple machinery used in such processing lines control each machinery with an NC program (Numerical control program) that has its own communication method (language) and macro variable (macro variable name), and in actual processing sites, machinery with different communication methods (languages) and macro variable names are arranged and replaced for each process, and the processes corresponding to each machinery are executed sequentially to generate the final processed product.

However, because the communication method (language) and macro variable names applied to the CNC devices of each manufacturer of machinery and equipment are different, users must execute programs or instructions (commands) that match the connected machinery and equipment, and it has traditionally been difficult to centrally manage from a remote location a machining line in which multiple machinery and equipment made by different manufacturers are used in sequence for each machining process to produce the final machined product.

In particular, when promoting the next-generation IoT society, the inventors believe that it is essential to build an operating system that can unify the management of different NC programs, even when considering the potential need for comprehensive remote management of the accuracy, time, and cost of each machining process and the accuracy, time, and cost of the entire machining process while freely combining multiple different machines and devices at the machining site within a factory.

On the other hand, in recent years, technologies have been proposed for centrally managing machining lines that use multiple CNC-controlled machines, such as those in Patent Documents 1 to 5. However, these technologies are limited to linking the before and after of each machining process, or to centralized management within the same communication method (language). Although some technology has been suggested that can manage different communication methods (languages), no specific method has been established, and it has remained difficult to achieve centralized and unified machining management in remote locations.

JP 2000-317775 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-63652 JP 2003-295920 A JP 2021-92855 A JP 2021-96498 A

The present invention was created in consideration of the above situation, and aims to provide a centralized machining control system that can centrally manage the NC programs of each machine from a remote location by making specific write/read requests to the CNC control device of each machine, while centrally storing past data using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names in each machine that is CNC-controlled using NC programs with various different communication methods (languages) and macro variables, and complementing the calculations in the NC programs of each machine, in a machining line made up of multiple machines.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a centralized machining control system that externally and in a unified manner monitors and manages the CNC control devices of various machines that operate according to various NC programs, regardless of the communication method or variables, and
The centralized processing control system includes:
A communication method/variable correspondence table showing the communication method and macro variable name of the NC program corresponding to each machine device and CNC control device, and the unified communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the centralized machining control system is stored and updated;
When a request is made to read the operation information of any machine, the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the requested content and the machine are determined from the communication method/variable correspondence table, a command is sent to the CNC control device of the machine for which the read request is made to call the determined macro variable using the determined communication method, and a response value for the macro variable called upon receiving the command is output from the communication method/variable correspondence table as a response value for the unified communication method and macro variable name.

The centralized machining control system of the present invention focuses on the various macro variable names that determine the communication method (language) and control mode of each machine controlled by CNC, sets a unified communication method (language) and macro variable name that can be compared with each communication method (language) and macro variable name, manages this in a correspondence table (managed in the "communication method/variable correspondence table" of the present invention) so that it can be compared with the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine, and based on that correspondence table, the unified communication method (language) and macro variable name are used as a bridge tool to (a) call up the operation information of each machine and translate it into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the bridge tool, or (b) translate it from the bridge tool into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine and write it to the CNC device of that machine. This is a major feature of the system.

First, the centralized processing control system of the first invention provides the calling of the operation information of each machine device as described above in (a). Specifically, a communication method/variable correspondence table (see FIG. 3 described later) is set up that lists the correspondence between the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the NC program corresponding to each machine device and CNC control device, and the communication method (language) and macro variable name as a unified bridge tool corresponding to this centralized processing control system. When a request is made to read the operation information of each machine device using the communication method (language) and macro variable name of this centralized processing control system as a bridge tool, the communication method (language) and macro variable name suitable for that machine device are translated from the communication method/variable correspondence table, and a command is issued to read the operation information of the CNC control device of each machine device.

This allows the operation information of various machines to be read simply by making a read request using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable name, and each machine can be monitored from a remote location in a centralized manner, even in a machining line formed by multiple machines with various NC programs. Here, an NC program is generally a program for controlling machines using numerical control, and is mainly used in machine tools and robots, and refers to instructions such as position, speed, and acceleration within the program. In this specification, however, it refers to a control program related to NC technology, including CNC (Computer Numerical Control), which allows for more complex machining and system integration. For example, it also includes PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) that issue stop instructions when an abnormality occurs during the operation of an NC machine and manage the flow and safety of the entire machining process, and PMCs (Programmable Machine Controllers) that control sensors and actuators, and adjust the operating sequence of the entire system and manage input and output when an NC program starts operating in precision machining.

In the centralized machining control system of the present invention,
When a request is made to write operation information to any machine, the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the requested content and the machine is determined from the communication method/variable correspondence table, and a command is sent to write a numerical value to the macro variable determined using the communication method determined according to the CNC control device of the machine for which the request is made, and the machine for which the request is made permits or rejects the command.When a response signal is received, the fact that permission or refusal has been granted is output as the unified communication method and macro variable name in the communication method/variable correspondence table.

In other words, the centralized machining control system of the present invention provides a specific method for translating from the bridge tool (b) to the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine and writing it to the CNC control device of that machine. The present invention provides a reading function, so to speak, that reads the operation information of each machine having various communication methods (languages) and macro variable names simply by making a read request with a unified communication method (language) and macro variable name using a communication method/variable correspondence table, but this invention has the function of issuing operation commands for each machine having various communication methods (languages) and macro variable names simply by making a write request with a unified communication method (language) and macro variable name using the same communication method/variable correspondence table.

Therefore, when combined with the reading function described above, even in a machining line formed of multiple machines with NC programs, each machine can be monitored intensively from a remote location in a unified language, and the monitoring results can be reflected to control the operation of each machine. As a result, even in a machining line where multiple different machining processes are performed by machines that each operate with a different NC program, remote monitoring and management can be performed intensively in a unified language, such as monitoring the machining in the previous process and reflecting the machining results in the next process (post-process) in real time, which can greatly contribute to promoting the use of IoT in machining sites.

As an example of the present invention in which the processing results of the previous process are reflected in the processing of the next process in real time while the processing results of the previous process are monitored, a specific configuration is provided below in which correction of the shape information of the workpiece, such as dimensional correction, or correction of processing conditions in other processing equipment used in the next processing process is performed in accordance with the processing results of the previous processing process.

When performing correction of shape information of a workpiece such as dimensional correction or correction of processing conditions, specifically, in the centralized processing control system,
When the operation of a certain machine is completed, the operation of the certain machine, the workpiece, and the measurement positions and the measurement values of the workpiece after processing are linked to each other and stored as previous process measurement data;
When operating another machine device after the operation of the one machine device,
It is preferable to search for measurement values stored as the previous process measurement data, and based on the calculated measurement values, send a write request to other predetermined machinery or other machinery that has been changed based on the measurement values, to correct shape information of the workpiece (e.g., changes to dimensions, surface roughness, roundness, etc.) or correct processing conditions (e.g., changes to blades, processing time, processing speed, etc.), and determine a communication method corresponding to the other machinery and macro variable names related to the correction of shape information or processing conditions from the communication method/variable correspondence table, and send a command to the CNC device of the other machinery to write a numerical value into the macro variable determined using the determined communication method.

In this centralized management control system, when moving from the previous processing step (pre-processing) to the next processing step (post-processing) on a processing line, shape information such as dimensions measured after the completion of the pre-processing is taken into consideration to select the machining equipment or other machinery to be used in the post-processing (predetermined machining equipment, etc. or a change to that machining equipment, etc.), and the shape information of the workpiece fed into the machinery to be used in the post-processing and the machining conditions of the blades, etc. can be corrected. As a specific example, in this centralized control system, the dimensions of the workpiece are measured at a specified measurement position after the previous process is completed, and the machine (machine tool, etc.), processing process, workpiece, measurement position, and the measurement value of the dimensions are linked and stored in an external device, etc., using the communication method (language) of this centralized control system and macro variable names related to dimensional correction. This linked data (previous process measurement data) is searched when the workpiece is input/attached to the next process, and the numerical value calculated as the measurement value of the dimension of the workpiece to be input to the next process is converted to the communication method (language) of the CNC device of the next process and the macro variable names related to dimensional correction, and written to the macro variable related to dimensional correction in the NC program of the next process. In such dimensional correction, various differences can occur in the extent to which the dimensional correction calculation performed by the NC program of the machine is supplemented in this centralized control system, and at what stage the dimensional correction calculation process is performed. For example, the following are examples of dimensional correction.

Specifically, in the first dimensional correction example (dimensional correction 1),
The centralized processing control system includes:
When operating another machine device after the operation of the one machine device,
The measurement values of the previous process are searched for from the previous process measurement data, and based on the averaged measurement value, a write request is made to the other machine to perform dimensional correction of the workpiece, and a communication method and macro variable name related to the dimensional correction that corresponds to the other machine is determined from the communication method/variable correspondence table, and a command is sent to the CNC device of the other machine to write a numerical value into the macro variable name determined using the determined communication method.

In the first example of dimensional correction (dimensional correction 1), this centralized machining control system searches for the measurement values of the dimensions of the workpiece after pre-processing from the pre-process measurement data that was measured and stored after the pre-processing, and requests that the measurement values be written to the macro variables of the post-processing machine using the communication method (language) and macro variable name based on the average measurement value. Therefore, not only can the dimensional results of the workpiece after pre-processing be reflected in the post-process between pre-processing and post-processing machines that have different communication methods (languages) and macro variable names, but the measurement values of the workpiece after pre-processing can be calculated on the NC program of the post-processing machine to calculate a correction value, and the machining position can be corrected by the NC program by the correction value.

Specifically, in the second dimensional correction example (dimensional correction 2),
The centralized processing control system includes:
Furthermore, when the operation of another machine that has been operated after the operation of the one machine is completed, the other machine, its operation, the workpiece, and the measurement positions and measurement values of the workpiece after processing are linked to each other and stored as post-process measurement data;
When operating another machine device after the operation of the one machine device,
A measurement value of a front-end process is searched for from the front-end measurement data, and a statistical process is performed on the most recent back-end measurement data to calculate an error due to the influence of other current machines and devices as a correction value;
Based on the measurement value and the correction value, a write request for dimensional correction of the workpiece is sent to the other machine, and a communication method and macro variable name related to the dimensional correction corresponding to the other machine are determined from the communication method/variable correspondence table, and a command is sent to the CNC device of the other machine to write a numerical value into the determined macro variable using the determined communication method.

In the second example of dimensional correction (dimensional correction 2), complex calculations that are difficult to perform with the NC program of a normal machine are performed in advance by this centralized machining control system, which has a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names, and the results are fed back to calculate a correction value that takes into account the effects of tool wear and thermal variation in the current downstream machine (other machine), and this correction value is written together with the measurement value of the previous process in the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the downstream machine, so that the machining position can be corrected by the correction value in the NC program of the downstream machine as the dimension of the workpiece input to the downstream process. In this way, even with the NC program of a machine that is difficult to perform complex calculations, it is possible to statistically process past measurement data from the downstream process in advance by this centralized machining control system and reflect it in the downstream machine.

The centralized control machining system of the present invention makes it possible to centrally manage from a remote location the NC programs of multiple machines that are CNC controlled with NC programs using various different communication methods (languages) and macro variables, while centrally storing past data using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names. In addition, this centralized control machining system complements the CNC control devices of conventional machines by performing complex calculations that were difficult to perform in the NC programs of each machine in advance externally, and then reflecting the results in the NC programs of each machine.

There is shown an example of a conceptual diagram in which the centralized control system of the present invention is used to read NC programs from the CNC control devices of a plurality of machines and monitor the operating conditions of each machine. An example conceptual diagram is shown in which the centralized management system of the present invention is used to manage the operating status of each of a plurality of machines by writing requests to the NC program of each CNC control device to modify the operation of each of the machines. An example of a communication method/variable correspondence table is shown which lists the correspondence between the communication method (language) and macro variable name of each machine device and CNC control device and the communication method (language) and macro variable name corresponding to the centralized management system of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a photograph showing an example of an actual machining line in a centralized machining control system that executes dimensional correction 1. A flow for executing dimension correction 1 is shown. A flow for executing dimension correction 1 is shown. A part of the flow for executing the dimension correction 2 is shown. A part of the flow for executing the dimension correction 2 is shown. 1 shows a main program for a process of executing dimension correction 1. This shows a step 1 program in the step 1 processing process in the main program of FIG. 10 shows a subprogram for recording the work offset in the step 1 machining process and the step 2 machining process in the main program of FIG. 9 to an external device. 11 shows a subprogram for recording the tool offset in the process 1 program of FIG. 10 to an external device. This shows a list of the macro variable names and the contents of each variable shown in FIGS. 1 shows a main program for a process of executing dimension correction 2.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a conceptual diagram in which the centralized management system of the present invention is used to read the NC programs of the CNC control devices of multiple machines and monitor the operating status of each machine. FIG. 2 shows an example of a conceptual diagram in which the centralized management system of the present invention is used to manage the operating status of each machine by requesting writing to the NC program of each CNC control device to modify the operation of each machine. FIG. 3 shows an example of a communication method/variable correspondence table that lists the correspondence between the communication method (language) and macro variable names of each machine and CNC control device and the communication method (language) and macro variable names that correspond to the centralized management system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this centralized processing control system, a centralized processing control means 10 capable of bidirectional communication with an external device 12 monitors the operating status of CNC-controlled machine tools 14 (14a, 14b, etc.), industrial robots 16 (16a, 16b, etc.), and other industrial CNC machines 18 (18a, 18b, etc.) that constitute a processing line that processes workpieces.

The centralized machining control means 10 is software that runs on a PC (Personal computer) and communicates with the CNC control devices of machine tools 14, the robot control devices (CNC control devices (robot controllers)) of industrial robots 16, and other CNC control devices of industrial CNC machinery 18, acquires, calculates, and draws internal variable information (macro variable names and their numerical values), and executes pre-programmed feedback to each CNC control device depending on the calculation results. The external device 18 is assumed to be a device with communication and calculation functions, such as a server, PC, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller: a control device used to control equipment and facilities), or microcomputer. In addition, the centralized processing control means 10 is software that monitors (reads) the operating status of the machine tools 14 and the like and controls (writes) the operations described below in the centralized processing management control system of the present invention. If the external device 12 is a PC, the centralized processing control means 10 may be installed in the PC and operate through bidirectional communication within the PC, or bidirectional communication may occur between the PC as the external device 12 and the PC on which the centralized processing control means 10 is installed.

The machine tool 14 is a so-called NC machine tool that performs cutting, grinding, shearing, forging, rolling, etc. of workpieces, and has a CNC control device with an external communication function for operating the machine tool according to commands in an NC program. The industrial robot 16 performs various processing steps such as transport, processing, assembly, cleaning, and deburring using a robot body equipped with movable axes (joints) and arms driven by actuators, and has a similar CNC control device with an external communication function called a "control box". Other industrial CNC machines 18 are, for example, numerically controlled measuring devices 18a such as three-dimensional measuring devices and numerically controlled transport machines 18b such as loaders, and are controlled by a CNC control device with an external communication function like the machine tool 14 and the industrial robot 16.

Regarding reading operation information of each machine device
Next, regarding the centralized management system of the present invention, a flow for reading the NC programs of the CNC control devices of a plurality of machine tools 14a to 14c, industrial robots 16a to 16b, and other industrial CNC machinery 18a to 18b, using the centralized machining control means 10 and the external device 12, and monitoring the operating conditions of each machinery 14 to 18 will be described with reference to FIG.

When it is desired to monitor the current operating status of any of the machines 14, 16, and 18, the centralized machining control means 10 first makes an information read request to the external device 12 for the target machine 14, 16, and 18. For example, when reading information from the CNC control device of the machine tool 14a (machine 0001, manufactured by company A), a read request with the content "Read information ＠＠ from machine 0001" is made from the centralized machining control means 10 of the present invention using the communication method "function (language) σ" of the centralized machining control means 10, and the communication method/variable correspondence table shown in Figure 3 stored in the external device 12 is called (STEP 1: see reference numeral 20).

When the communication method/variable correspondence table is called in STEP 1, the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the read request and the target machine device 14, 16, 18 is determined from the communication method/variable correspondence table (STEP 2). For example, in the case of reading information from the CNC control device of the above-mentioned machine tool 14a (machine 0001, manufactured by Company A) using the communication method/variable correspondence table in FIG. 3 as an example, if the macro variable name corresponding to "information @@" in the communication language "σ" of the centralized machining control means 10 (machine number "0": control device "this software") is "A1", it is determined that the communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1" correspond to the machine tool 14a (machine number "1": control device "Company A CNC") (STEP 2 above). As a result, it will be understood from the communication method/variable correspondence table in FIG. 3 that the write request in the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the centralized machining control means 10 of the present invention has been translated into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine tool 14a.

Furthermore, in STEP 2, once the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine 14, 16, 19 that is the target of the read request have been determined and translated, the write request is used to inquire about the operation information of the machine 14, 16, 18 in a translation language that matches the machine 14, 16, 18 (STEP 3). For example, in the case of the read request "Read information @@ from machine 0001" described above, the communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1" that match the machine tool 14a are determined in STEP 2, and once they are translated, the communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1" of the machine tool 14a are determined, and a command to read the machine tool 14a is sent from the centralized machining control means 10 (see reference numeral 22), and the CNC control device of the machine tool 14a that receives the command reads the numerical value of the macro variable name "#1" that is in operation and sends it from the centralized machining control means 10 (STEP 4). As a result, the centralized machining control means 10 acquires operation information of the machine tool 14a using the communication method (language) and macro variable names of the machine tool 14a.

Furthermore, when operation information of the machine tool 14a is obtained using the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine tool 14a in STEP 4, the centralized processing control means 10 again calls up and updates the communication method/variable correspondence table stored in the external device 12, and in the opposite direction to STEP 2, determines from the communication method/variable correspondence table the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the centralized processing control means 10 that correspond to the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine tool 14a, and transmits and outputs this communication method (language) and macro variable name (its numerical value) to the external device 12 (see symbol 21). For example, if the operation information from machine tool 14a (machine number "1": control device "Company A CNC") is in communication language "a" and macro variable name "#1" and has the numerical value ddd, the macro variable name in communication language "σ" of this centralized machining control means 10 is updated to "A1" with the numerical value ddd, and is output to external device 12 such as a PC in communication language "σ" as "The value of information @@ from machine 0001 is ddd" (STEP 5 above). This shows that even if machines 14, 16, and 18 have different communication methods (languages) and macro variable names, this centralized machining control means 10 can monitor the operation information using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names (and their numerical values).

<About writing operation information to each machine>
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the centralized control system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flow of controlling, for example correcting, the operating conditions of each of the machines 14 to 18 by writing information into the NC program of the CNC control device of each of the multiple machines (machine tools 14, industrial robots 16, and other industrial CNC machines 18) similar to those shown in FIG. 1 using the centralized processing control means 10 and external device 12.

When it is desired to correct or otherwise manage the current operating status of any of the machines 14, 16, and 18, the centralized processing control means 10 first makes an information write request to the external device 12 for the machine 14, 16, and 18 that is the target. For example, when writing correction or other information to the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a (industrial robot 001 manufactured by company A), a write request to "write the value dd to the information @@ of industrial robot 001" is made from the centralized processing control means 10 of the present invention using the communication method "function (language) σ" of the centralized processing control means 10, and the communication method/variable correspondence table shown in FIG. 3, which is stored in the external device 12, is called up (STEP A: see reference numeral 30).

When the communication method/variable correspondence table is called in STEP A, the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the machine 14, 16, 18 that is the write request is determined from the communication method/variable correspondence table (STEP B). For example, in the case of writing correction information to the robot control device of the above-mentioned industrial robot 16a (industrial robot 001, manufactured by Company A) using the communication method/variable correspondence table in Figure 3 as an example, if the macro variable name corresponding to "information @@" in the communication language "σ" of the centralized processing control means 10 (machine number "0": control device "this software") is "A2", it is determined that the communication language "d" and macro variable name "register 2" correspond to the industrial robot 16a (machine number "1001": control device "Company A ROBOT") (STEP B above). As a result, it can be seen from the communication method/variable correspondence table in FIG. 3 that the write request in the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the centralized processing control means 10 of the present invention is translated into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the industrial robot 16a.

Furthermore, in STEP B, once the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the machine 14, 16, 18 that is the target of the write request have been determined and translated, the write request is used to inquire about the operation information of the machine 14, 16, 18 in a language that matches the machine 14, 16, 18 (STEP C). For example, in the case of the above-mentioned write request to "write the number dd to the information @@ of industrial robot 001", once the communication language "d" and macro variable name "cash register 2" that matches the industrial robot 16a are determined and translated in STEP B, a command to write the communication language "d" and macro variable name "cash register 2" of the industrial robot 16a to the industrial robot 16a is sent from the centralized processing control means 10 (see reference numeral 32), and the numerical value of the macro variable name "cash register 2" in the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a that received the command is changed to dd, and sent from the centralized processing control means 10 (STEP D). As a result, the centralized processing control means 10 issues a write request input using the centralized processing control means 10's communication method (language) and macro variable name, which are set as a unified one, as a write request to modify the NC program using the industrial robot 16a's unique communication method (language) and macro variable name.

Furthermore, in STEP D, when the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a receives a write command made in that communication method (language) and macro variable name, it judges whether to allow or reject the control to modify the numerical value of the corresponding macro variable in the NC program of the industrial robot 16a, and if it is allowed, it rewrites the NC program and simultaneously sends an allow response signal, and if it is rejected, it sends a reject response signal. Upon receiving this allow or reject response signal, the centralized machining control means 10 again calls up the communication method/variable correspondence table (Figure 3) stored in the external device 12, saves and updates the numerical value "dd" and "allow/reject" in the past history of the macro variable name "cash register 2" of the machine number "1001", and transmits the "allow/reject" response to the external device 12 such as a PC, outputting the "allow/reject" response in the communication language "σ" (see reference numeral 31: STEP E). This shows that even if the machines 14, 16, and 18 have different communication methods (languages) and macro variable names, the centralized processing control means 10 can control their operation using a unified communication method (language) and macro variable names (and their numerical values).

Example 1 (dimension correction 1)
Next, correction of machining dimensions of the machines 14, 16, 18 (hereinafter also referred to as "dimension correction 1") executed by software (hereinafter also referred to as "this software 10") as the centralized machining control means 10 in the centralized machining control system of the present invention will be illustrated. Figure 4 is a photograph showing an example of an actual machining line in the centralized machining control system that executes dimension correction 1. Figures 5 and 6 show the flow of executing dimension correction 1.

As shown in the example of the processing line in Figure 4, when the processing of the workpiece (workpiece) is completed on the machine tool 14a, the industrial robot 16a grasps the workpiece. At this time, as shown in the flow diagram in Figure 5, the software 10 requests the CNC control device of the machine tool 14a to read the workpiece (workpiece) after processing in the previous process, together with its number (workpiece number), obtains the information of the workpiece number, and transmits the workpiece number to the industrial robot 16a (STEP 111, STEP 113).

Specifically, when machining of the machine tool 14a is completed, as explained with reference to FIG. 1, a read request is made from the software 10 to "read information (numerical value) of the workpiece number from the machine tool 00011" using the communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable name "A1, A2, ... etc.", the communication method/variable correspondence table (see FIG. 3) stored in the external device 12 is called up, the software 10 determines the communication language "a" and macro variable names "#1, #2, ... etc." of the machine tool 14a (machine number 1: control device "Company A CNC"), and the CNC control device of the machine tool 14a, which receives the command in that communication language and macro variable name, reads the response numerical value of the workpiece number of that macro variable from the NC program and acquires the software 10 (STEP 111).

Next, the software 10, which has acquired the workpiece number of the machine tool 14a after the previous process has been completed, issues a write request to the industrial robot 16a to "write the workpiece number (numerical value) to the workpiece information of industrial robot 0001" using the communication method "function (language) σ" of the software 10 and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc." as described with reference to FIG. 2. As in STEP 111, the communication method/variable correspondence table is called from the external device 12, and the communication language "d" and macro variable names "register 1, register 2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16a (machine number 1001: control device "A Company ROBOT") are determined, and the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a, which has received the command in that communication language and macro variable name, writes the numerical value of the workpiece number to the corresponding macro variable of the NC program (STEP 113).

Next, as shown in the example of the processing line in Figure 4, when the industrial robot 16a acquires the workpiece, the dimensions of the workpiece after the previous processing step by the machine tool 14a are measured at multiple points on the workpiece using the industrial robot 16a and a separate measuring device 19. At this time, as shown in the flow diagram in Figure 5, the software 10 requests the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a to read the workpiece number and each measurement position when the multiple points on the workpiece are measured by the industrial robot 16a and measuring device 19, and links the workpiece number and measurement position information obtained by the read request to the measurement value information by the measuring device 19 and saves (stores) them (STEP 121 to STEP 125).

Specifically, the industrial robot 16a moves the workpiece obtained from the machine tool 14a in the previous process, sets it so that multiple positions (measurement points) of the workpiece can be measured by the measuring device 19, and measures the dimensions with the measuring device 19 (STEP 121). The measurement values from the measuring device 19 are separately transmitted to the external device 12 and saved (stored). At this time, as explained with reference to FIG. 2, at each measurement position, the software 10 makes a read request to "read the work number and robot coordinate information (numerical value) from the industrial robot 1001" in the communication method "function (language) σ" of the software 10 and the macro variable name "A1, A2, ... etc." as in STEP 111, and the communication language "d" and macro variable name "register 1, register 2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16a (machine number 1001: control device "A company ROBOT") are determined from the communication method / variable correspondence table, and the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a that receives the command in that communication language and macro variable name reads the response numerical value of the robot coordinate of that macro variable from the NC program, which is acquired by the software 10 together with the work number, and translated into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the software 10 as explained in FIG. 1, inputs it into the communication method / variable correspondence table, and saves it in the external device 12 (STEP 123).

Next, the workpiece number and the robot coordinates at each measurement position stored (stored) in the external device 12 are linked to the measurement values of the measuring device 19 at each measurement position stored (stored) in the external device 12 described above, and are stored (stored) in the external device 12 (STEP 125).

The workpiece whose dimensions have been measured by the industrial robot 16a and measuring device 19 is transferred from the industrial robot 16a to the industrial robot 16b as shown in the example of the processing line in Figure 4, and is then transported by the industrial robot 16b and inserted and attached to the machine tool 14b, and the workpiece after processing by the machine tool 14a is further processed by the machine tool 14b. At this time, as shown in the flow diagrams of Figures 5 and 6, the software 10 requests the industrial robot 16a and the machine tool 14b to write the workpiece number, requests the machine tool 16b to write the workpiece number and the average value of the past history of the workpiece measurement values as the workpiece dimensions in the variable area of the machine tool 16b, and executes the NC program of the machine tool 14b (STEP 131 to STEP 153).

Specifically, for industrial robot 16b to which the workpiece is handed over from industrial robot 16a, this software 10 uses the communication method/variable correspondence table in the same manner as in STEPs 111 and 115 to translate the communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc." of this software 10 into the communication language "e" and macro variable names "B1, B2, ... etc." of industrial robot 16b (machine number 1002: control device "Company E ROBOT"), and the robot control device of industrial robot 16b, receiving the command in that communication language and macro variable names, writes the numerical value of the workpiece number into the corresponding macro variable of the NC program (STEP 131). Then, similar to STEP 131, the software 10 translates the "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc." into the communication language "b" and macro variable names "#1, #2, ... etc." of the machine tool 14b (machine number 2: control device "Company B CNC"), and the CNC control device of the machine tool 14b, receiving a command in that communication language and macro variable names, writes the numerical value of the work number into the corresponding macro variable of the NC program (STEP 141).

Next, the software 10 causes the external device 12 to search for the measurement values of the workpiece No. after the previous process that have been stored (recorded) in the external device 12 in STEP 125 and in the past, and causes the external device 12 to calculate the average value of the searched measurement values (STEP 151). The software 10 requests the machine tool 14b to write the calculated average value of this workpiece No., sends it to the variable area of the machine tool 14b as the initial dimension of the attached workpiece, and executes the NC program (STEP 153: see NC programs in Figures 9 to 13). Specifically, the software 10 makes a write request to "write the calculated average value zz into the variable area of the workpiece initial dimensions of the machine tool 2" using the communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc." of the software 10, and similarly to STEP 113, the communication method/variable correspondence table is called from the external device 12, and the CNC control device of the machine tool 14b writes the calculated value zz into the variable area of the communication language "b" of the machine tool 14b (machine number 2: control device "Company B CNC") and the macro variable names "#1, #2, ... etc." indicating the initial dimensions (STEP 153). This allows the machine tool 14b to perform machining on the machine tool 14b, with the initial state being the dimensions after pre-machining.

Then, after STEP 153 by the software 10, the machine tool 14b receives the dimensional value (average value) of the workpiece No., processes the dimensional value in its NC program for the workpiece that has been input and attached, calculates a correction value, and checks whether the correction value is within the normal range. If the confirmed correction value is outside the normal range and is judged to be abnormal in the NC program of the machine tool 14, an error signal is sent, and the software 10, which receives this, outputs an error signal to the external device 12. On the other hand, if the confirmed correction value is within the normal range and is judged to be normal, the machine tool 14 reflects the machining position by the correction value in its NC program and executes machining. Therefore, even if there is a dimensional error in the previous machining, it is possible to always machine with accurate dimensional values by taking the dimensional error into account.

For reference, the NC program for the machine tool 14b is shown in Figs. 9 to 13. Fig. 9 shows the main program for the process of executing dimension correction 1 in the machine tool 14b, Fig. 10 shows the process 1 program for the process 1 machining process (N111) in the main program in Fig. 9, Fig. 11 shows subprogram 1 for recording the work offset in the external device 12 (external PC) in the process 1 machining process (N111) and the process 2 machining process (N02) in the main program in Fig. 9, and Fig. 12 shows subprogram 2 for recording the tool offset in the process 1 program in Fig. 10 to the external device 12 (external PC). Fig. 13 lists the macro variable names and their respective variable contents shown in Figs. 9 to 12, and in particular macro variables #501 to #516 show the macro variables used in the read/write commands from this software. In Figs. 9 to 13, brief explanations of the NC program and macro variables are given in parentheses.

Returning to the execution flow of the software 10 shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the machining of the machine tool 14b is completed, the workpiece is removed from the machine tool 14b and received by the industrial robot 16b, as shown in the example machining line of Figure 4. At this time, the software 10 causes the industrial robot 16b to acquire the workpiece of the machine tool 14b after the completion of the subsequent machining process together with the workpiece number, and transmits the workpiece number to the industrial robot 16a (STEP 181).

Specifically, when machining of the machine tool 14b is completed, a read request is made from the software 10 to "read the workpiece No. information (numeric value) from the machine tool 2" (similar to STEP 111, so omitted), and the software 10, having acquired the workpiece No. of the machine tool 14b after machining is completed, makes a write request to the industrial robot 16b to "write the workpiece No. (numeric value) to the workpiece information of industrial robot 0002" using the communication method "function (language) σ" of the software 10 and macro variable names "A1, A2, ... etc.", the communication method/variable correspondence table is called up, the communication language "e" and macro variable names "register 1, register 2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16b (machine number 1002: control device "E Company ROBOT") are determined, and the robot control device of the industrial robot 16b, which has received a command in that communication language and macro variable name, writes the workpiece No. to the corresponding macro variable of the NC program. The numerical value is then entered (STEP 181).

Example 2 (dimension correction 2)
Next, dimensional correction 2 will be described as an example of a modification of dimensional correction 1 for the machines 14, 16, 18, which is executed by the software 10 in the centralized machining control system of the present invention described above. Dimension correction 2 is executed in the machining line shown in Fig. 4, similar to dimensional correction 1, and the flow executed by the software 10 is generally similar to Figs. 5 to 6, so that the flow executed by the software 10 that differs from dimensional correction 1 (Figs. 5 to 6) will be described here with reference to the flow diagrams of Figs. 7 and 8.

As described above, in the example machining line in Figure 4, when machining of a workpiece is completed in the previous process by the machine tool 14a, the machined workpiece is acquired by the industrial robot 16a, and the industrial robot 16a and measuring device 19 measure the workpiece before handing it over to the industrial robot 16b. The industrial robot 16b then inserts and attaches the workpiece to the machine tool 14b to perform machining. At this time, as described above in the flow chart of Figure 5, the software 10 requests the CNC control device of the machine tool 14a to read the workpiece number of the machine tool 14a after machining in the previous process and transmits it to the industrial robot 16a (STEP 111, STEP 113), and then requests the robot control device of the industrial robot 16a to read the workpiece number and each measurement position when multiple points on the workpiece are measured by the industrial robot 16a and measuring device 19, and transmits the workpiece number. The measurement position information is linked to the measurement value information by the measuring device 19 and saved (stored) (STEP 121 to STEP 125), and a request is made to the industrial robot 16a and the machine tool 14b to write the workpiece number (STEP 131 to STEP 141). Up to this point, the flow executed by the software 10 in dimensional correction 2 is the same as that in dimensional correction 1 described above.

After this, in the example of dimensional correction 1, the software 10 causes the external device 12 to search the past history for the measured values from pre- and post-machining using the workpiece number, calculates the "average value", requests the calculated average value to be written as the workpiece dimension in the variable area of the downstream machine tool 14b, and executes the NC program of the machine tool 14b (STEP 131 to STEP 153). Then, in dimensional correction 1, the dimensional value (average value) received by the machine tool 14b is processed in the NC program as the workpiece that has been input and attached to calculate a "correction value", and the "correction value" is used to determine whether it is abnormal or normal.

On the other hand, in the case of dimensional correction 2, the calculation flow for the "correction value" of the workpiece input to the machine tool 14b in STEPs 131 to 153 in Figures 5 and 6 above is different. In dimensional correction 2, after the software 10 requests the industrial robot 16a and machine tool 14b to write the workpiece number in STEPs 131 to 141, the software 10 causes the external device 12 to search the past history for the measurement value after the previous process based on the workpiece number (STEP 251a), and performs a composite calculation of the "correction value" of the workpiece based on the measurement value (*) after machining by the machine tool 14b in the most recent subsequent process (STEP 251b). Specifically, in STEP 291 to STEP 295 described later, the most recent data are extracted from the stored data in which the measurement positions of multiple points of the workpiece in the subsequent process by the machine tool 14b are linked to the measurement values (dimension values) at each position, and a composite calculation is performed on the data, taking into account the amount of machining error due to various factors such as tool wear and thermal variation of the machine tool 14b from statistics, to calculate a "correction value" (STEP 251b). In this way, the dimensional data after the past subsequent process is fed back, and the influence on the machining error in the machine tool 14b that performs the subsequent process is subjected to a composite calculation from the statistical data to calculate a "correction value" for the subsequent process to be performed in the future. Therefore, in Dimension Correction 1, which simply takes the average of the past history of dimensional measurement values after machining by the machine tool 14a in the upstream process as the "correction value" for the downstream process, the dimensional measurement error of the workpiece after the upstream process is reflected in the downstream process, but Dimension Correction 2 is more advanced in that it calculates the "correction value" by statistically considering the effects of tool wear and thermal deformation in the downstream process of the input workpiece from the past results when a workpiece with dimensions after the upstream process is input to the downstream process and processed. This software 10 can perform statistical processing using a past database that is difficult to execute with a CNC control device, and even if some dimensional error occurs in the upstream process by the machine tool 14a, it is possible to always process with accurate dimensional values by taking the dimensional error into account.

Specifically, in STEP 251b, the software 10 performs a compound calculation of the "correction value" of the workpiece using the external device 12, and then links the "correction value" to the workpiece number and the measurement values at each measurement position saved (stored) in the external device 12 in STEP 125, and saves (stores) it in the external device 12 (STEP 251c). The software 10 then determines whether the "correction value" is within a preset normal range (STEP 251d), and if it is determined to be outside the normal range and abnormal, outputs an error signal to the external device 12, and the output error signal is saved (stored) in association with the previously saved (stored) workpiece number and the measurement values at each measurement position (STEP 251d to STEP 251e).

If this software 10 judges that the "correction value" is within the normal range and is normal, this software 10 searches for the measurement value of the workpiece number after the previous process stored (stored) in the external device 12 and its "correction value", or calculates the average value of the searched "correction values" (STEP 251f), requests that this "correction value" be written to the CNC control device of the machine tool 14b, sends it to the variable area of the machine tool 14b as the initial dimension of the workpiece, and causes the machine tool 14b to input the "correction value" as an offset in the NC program and execute the NC program (STEP 253: see NC program in Figure 14). The above STEPs 251a to 253 are one of the flows of this software 10 in dimension correction 2 that differ from STEPs 151 to 153 in dimension correction 1.

For reference, an example of an NC program for such a machine tool 14b is shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 shows the main program of the process that executes dimensional correction 1 in the machine tool 14b, and for the process 1 program and subprograms that are the same as dimensional correction 1, refer to Figures 10 to 13. Also in Figure 14, as in Figures 9 to 13, a brief explanation of each NC program and macro variable is written in parentheses. From the main program of the NC program for the machine tool 14b shown in N01 in Figure 14, it can be seen that in dimensional correction 2, the "correction value" calculated by the composite calculation is calculated in advance by the external device 12 by the software 10, and the NC program of the machine tool 14b simply writes the "correction value" to the offset.

Returning to the execution flow of this software 10, when the machining of the machine tool 14b is completed, the workpiece is removed from the machine tool 14b and received by the industrial robot 16b as shown in the example machining line of FIG. 4, just like in dimensional correction 1, and just like in STEP 181 of FIG. 6, this software 10 obtains the industrial robot 14b along with the workpiece number after machining by the machine tool 16b in the subsequent process, and transmits the workpiece number to the industrial robot 16a.

In dimensional correction 2, the software 10 measures multiple points on the workpiece after processing in the subsequent process using the industrial robot 16b, and links the workpiece number, the measurement position of the workpiece (robot coordinate information), and each measurement value of the dimension to each other and stores (stores) them in the external device 12 so that the results can be fed back to the subsequent process using the machine tool 14b in the next processing line in Figure 4 and the "correction value" of the workpiece dimension in the subsequent process of the machine tool 14b can be calculated in STEP 251b described above.

Specifically, in this software 10, the industrial robot 16b, to which the workpiece number has been written, moves the workpiece obtained from the downstream machine tool 14b, sets it up so that multiple positions (measurement points) of the workpiece can be measured with a measuring device (not shown (hereinafter also referred to as the "measuring device (etc.)")), and measures the dimensions with the measuring device (etc.) (STEP 291). The measurement values from the measuring device (etc.) are transmitted to the external device 12 and saved (stored). At this time, at each measurement position, the software 10 makes a read request to "read the workpiece number and robot coordinate information (numerical values) from the industrial robot 1002" in the communication method "function (language) σ" and macro variable name "A1, A2, ... etc." of the software 10, and the communication language "e" and macro variable name "B1, B2, ... etc." of the industrial robot 16b (machine number 1002: control device "E company ROBOT") are determined from the communication method / variable correspondence table, and the robot control device of the industrial robot 16b that receives the command in that communication language and macro variable name reads the response numerical value of the robot coordinate of that macro variable from the NC program, which is acquired by the software 10 together with the workpiece number, translated into the communication method (language) and macro variable name of the software 10, inputted into the communication method / variable correspondence table, and saved in the external device 12 (STEP 293).

Then, the workpiece number and the robot coordinates at each measurement position stored (stored) in the external device 12 are linked to the measurement values of the measuring device 19 at each measurement position stored (stored) in the external device 12 described above, and are stored (stored) in the external device 12 (STEP 125). The stored (stored) workpiece number and the measurement values at each measurement position are fed back in the above-mentioned STEP 251b in the next and subsequent machining lines, and are used in the composite calculation of the "correction value" of the workpiece to be fed into the machine tool 14b in the subsequent process.

The above describes an embodiment of the centralized processing control system as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and those skilled in the art will easily understand that other embodiments exist from the description and concept of the claims.

10 Centralized machining control means 12 External device 14, 14a, 14b Machine tool 16, 16a, 16b Industrial robot 18, 18a, 18b Other industrial CNC machine device 19 Measuring instrument

Claims (5)

A centralized machining control system that externally and in a unified manner monitors and manages the CNC control devices of various machines that operate according to various NC programs, regardless of the communication method or variables. The centralized machining control system comprises:
A communication method/variable correspondence table showing the communication method and macro variable name of the NC program corresponding to each machine device and CNC control device, and the unified communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the centralized machining control system is stored and updated;
when a request is made to read operation information of an arbitrary machine, the communication method and macro variable name corresponding to the requested content and the machine are determined from the communication method/variable correspondence table, a command is sent to a CNC control device of the machine from which the read request is made to call the determined macro variable using the determined communication method, and a response value for the macro variable called upon receiving the command is output from the communication method/variable correspondence table as a response value for the unified communication method and macro variable name. In the CNC management means,
2. The centralized machining control system according to claim 1, wherein, when a request for writing operation information is made to any machine, a communication method and a macro variable name corresponding to the requested content and the machine are determined from the communication method/variable correspondence table, a command is sent to a CNC control device of the machine to which the writing request is made to write a numerical value into the determined macro variable using the determined communication method, and the machine to which the writing request is made permits or rejects the command, and when a response signal is received, a fact of permission or rejection is output as the unified communication method and macro variable name in the communication method/variable correspondence table. The centralized processing control system includes:
When the operation of a certain machine is completed, the operation of the certain machine, the workpiece, and the measurement positions and the measurement values of the workpiece after processing are linked to each other and stored as previous process measurement data;
When operating another machine device after the operation of the one machine device,
3. The centralized machining control system according to claim 2, further comprising: a command to search for measurement values stored as the previous process measurement data, to determine a communication method corresponding to the other machine and a macro variable name related to the correction of the shape information or the correction of the machining conditions as the write request for correcting the shape information of the workpiece or the correction of the machining conditions from the communication method/variable correspondence table, and to transmit a command to a CNC device of the other machine to write a numerical value into the determined macro variable using the determined communication method. The centralized processing control system includes:
When operating another machine device after the operation of the one machine device,
4. The centralized machining control system according to claim 3, further comprising: a command to write a dimensional correction of a workpiece to the other machine based on an averaged measurement value of the previous process measurement data, a communication method corresponding to the other machine and a macro variable name related to the dimensional correction from the communication method/variable correspondence table, and a command to write a numerical value to the macro variable name determined by the determined communication method to a CNC device of the other machine. The centralized processing control system includes:
Furthermore, when the operation of another machine that has been operated after the operation of the one machine is completed, the other machine, its operation, the workpiece, and the measurement positions and measurement values of the workpiece after processing are linked to each other and stored as post-process measurement data;
When operating another machine device after the operation of the one machine device,
A measurement value of a front-end process is searched for from the front-end measurement data, and a statistical process is performed on the most recent back-end measurement data to calculate an error due to the influence of other current machines and devices as a correction value;
4. The centralized machining control system according to claim 3, further comprising: a command to write a correction to the dimensions of the workpiece to the other machine device based on the measurement value and the correction value, the command determining a communication method corresponding to the other machine device and a macro variable name related to the correction of the dimensions from the communication method/variable correspondence table, and the command to write a numerical value to the determined macro variable using the determined communication method to the CNC device of the other machine device.