JP2597756Y2 - NC machine tool management device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for an NC machine tool, and more particularly, to an NC machine such as an NC lathe, an NC milling machine, a machining center and a wire cut electric discharge machine.
The present invention relates to an NC machine tool management device that manages operation control of a machine tool.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Before operating an NC machine tool provided in a factory, an operator first needs to input machining data of a workpiece to the NC machine tool according to a data input procedure of the NC machine tool. For this reason, conventionally, a computer connected to a plurality of NC machine tools is installed in a factory, and an operator sends machining data from the computer to each NC machine tool to set the operation of the NC machine tool. After operating the NC machine tools, the operating status of each NC machine tool is managed using this computer. At that time, since the NC machine tool scatters the workpiece and generates electromagnetic waves during operation that adversely affect the human body and the computer, the computer that manages the NC machine tool is away from the place where the NC machine tool is installed. It is provided in the management room.

[0003]

However, the conventional management apparatus for an NC machine tool has the following problems. When processing data for processing an object to be machined is transferred from a computer to an NC machine tool using a LAN network, the LAN and the NC machine tool are connected by a computer for changing communication methods and the like. Must be installed between machine tools. Also, communication control software for this is required. Therefore, in a general company in which various machine tools are mixed, a computer and communication control software are required for each NC machine tool, and many computers and software are required. Also,
If the NC machine tools are made by different manufacturers or the same manufacturer has different models, different communication control software is required for each NC machine tool. When a LAN is not used, when inputting machining data for machining a workpiece to an NC machine tool from a computer, if the machine manufacturer of the NC machine tool is different or the model is different even for the same manufacturer, each model is different. Since the input procedure before inputting the machining data is different, the worker once goes to each NC machine tool, operates the operation unit provided on the NC machine tool, sets the NC machine tool to a data receivable state, and manages again. Returning to the room, operating the computer, and transferring the processing data is troublesome. Further, in order to eliminate the work of reciprocating between the computer in the control room and the NC machine tool, each processing data is automatically transferred to each NC machine tool using the computer provided in the control room. A dedicated software must be developed for each NC machine tool, and there is a problem that it takes time and money to install the software. Therefore,
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a management apparatus for an NC machine tool which can be installed in a short time and at a low cost, and has no trouble in inputting data to the NC machine tool. To provide.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, a computer main body connected to the NC machine tool for controlling the operation of the NC machine tool, provided near the computer main body, receiving the first image signal output from the computer main body, and outputting as a video image A first display unit that is provided near the computer main body, and a first keyboard for inputting data to the computer main body. Converting the first image signal branched between the computer main body and the first display unit into an optical signal,
A first interface unit that converts the signal into a second image signal, which is an electric signal, a first signal transmission path for transmitting the second image signal output from the first interface unit; A second display unit that receives the second image signal transmitted via the first signal transmission path and outputs the second image signal as an image, and is provided in close proximity to the second display unit. A second keyboard, a second interface for converting data input from the second keyboard into an optical signal, a second signal transmission path for transmitting an optical signal output from the second interface, A third interface unit that receives the optical signal transmitted via the second signal transmission path and converts the optical signal into an electric signal; the computer main body, the first keyboard, and the third interface Scan unit connects, characterized in that it comprises a data input from the first keyboard, a signal switching device that switches the input data from the third interface unit outputs to the computer.

Further, in the present invention, a computer main body which is connected to the NC machine tool and controls the operation of the NC machine tool, and which is provided close to the computer main body,
A first display unit that receives the first image signal output from the computer main body and outputs the image as a video; and a first keyboard provided close to the computer main body for inputting data to the computer main body. In the management device for an NC machine tool, the first image signal attached to the first display unit and branched between the computer main body and the first display unit is converted into an optical signal, and is again converted into an electric signal. A first interface unit for converting into a certain second image signal, a first signal transmission line for transmitting the second image signal output from the first interface unit, and a first signal transmission line provided near the NC machine tool. A second display unit that receives the second image signal transmitted via the first signal transmission path and outputs the second image signal as an image, and a second key provided close to the second display unit. And the board, the first keyboard,
A second signal transmission path for an optical signal, provided between the second keyboard and the computer main body, for transmitting data of the first keyboard and the second keyboard to the computer main body; The input device is provided between the first keyboard and between the second signal transmission path and the second keyboard, and converts data input from the first keyboard and the second keyboard into an optical signal. A second interface unit for controlling output to the second signal transmission line, and the second interface unit disposed between the second signal transmission line and the computer main body, and transmitted via the second signal transmission line. And a third interface unit that receives the optical signal, converts the optical signal into an electric signal, and outputs the signal to the computer main body.

[0006]

According to the configuration of the first aspect, the NC machine tool has the first
A second display unit that receives a second image signal sent from the computer main body via the interface unit and the first signal transmission path and outputs the second image signal as a video, a second interface unit, a second signal transmission path, Since the interface unit and the second keyboard connected to the computer main body via the signal switch are provided close to each other, the signal switch is set so that data input from the second keyboard is input to the computer main unit. , The operator can operate the operation unit of the NC machine tool and operate the second keyboard to input data to the computer in the control room while looking at the second display unit on the spot. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the NC machine tool receives the second image signal transmitted from the computer main body via the first interface section and the first signal transmission path, and receives the second image signal as an image. A second display unit for outputting, a second keyboard connected to the computer body via the third interface unit, the second signal transmission path, and the second interface unit are provided close to each other. The data input from the second keyboard is converted into an optical signal by the second interface unit, output-controlled, and output to the second signal transmission path. Further, since the third interface unit converts the optical signal from the second signal transmission path into an electric signal and inputs the electric signal to the computer main body, the operator operates the operation unit of the NC machine tool to perform the second display on the spot. While looking at the section, the user can operate the second keyboard to input data to the computer main body in the management room.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device for an NC machine tool according to a first embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device for an NC machine tool according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device for an NC machine tool according to a third embodiment. First in the beginning
An example will be described. First, the configuration will be described. An NC machine tool management device 10 includes a main terminal 14 disposed in a control room 12 and an NC terminal disposed in a work place 16.
An NC machining system is constituted by a wire cut electric discharge machine 18 as a machine tool, a machining center 20 and a sub terminal 22 also as an NC machine tool, and further with a CAD / CAM device 26 arranged in a design room 24. .

More specifically, the main terminal 14 is connected to a wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 and a machining center 20, and exchanges data with the wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 and the machining center 20; A first display unit 30 that is provided close to the main body 28, receives the first image signal output from the computer main body 28, and outputs it as a video; Keyboard 32 for inputting
And the computer main body 28 attached to the first display unit 30.
A first interface unit that converts the first image signal branched between the first display unit 30 and the first display unit 30 into an optical signal, and converts it again into a second image signal that is an electric signal; and a second signal transmission path described later. Is connected to the computer main body 28, the first keyboard 32, and the third interface unit 36, which receive the optical signal transmitted through the first interface unit and converts the optical signal into an electric signal. A signal switch 38 for switching between input data and data input from the third interface section 36 and outputting the data to the computer main body 28.

The sub-terminal 22 is provided close to the wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 and the machining center 20 and receives a second image signal transmitted via a first signal transmission path described later. A second display unit 40 for outputting an image, a second keyboard 42 provided close to the second display unit 40, and a second interface unit 44 for converting data input from the second keyboard 42 into an optical signal. It is composed of Further, the second interface unit 44
Is provided with a first selection switch (not shown), and has a function of transmitting data input from the second keyboard 42 and data of the ON / OFF state of the first selection switch to a second signal transmission path described later. Have. A first signal transmission line 46 using a metal cable for transmitting the second image signal output from the first interface unit 34 to the second display unit 40 is provided between the main terminal 14 and the sub terminal 22. The optical signal output from the second interface unit 44 is
It is connected to a second signal transmission path 48 using an optical fiber for transmission to the interface unit 36. Also,
The signal switch 38 includes a first relay (not shown) and a second relay (not shown) as electronic switches, a relay control circuit (not shown), and a second selection switch (not shown). One end of the contact of the relay and one end of the contact of the second relay are commonly connected and connected to the computer main body 28, and the other end of the contact of the first relay is connected to the first keyboard 32. The other end and the third interface 36 are connected. The relay control circuit
When the state where the relay is on and the second relay is off is state 1, and the state where the second relay is on and the first relay is off is state 2, the state from the state 2 is detected by detecting the on state of the second selection switch. Change the state to 1 and
It has a function of detecting data indicating the state of the first selection switch from the signal input from the third interface 36 and changing the state from state 1 to state 2 when the first selection switch is on. However, there is no state other than the state 1 and the state 2, and even if the second selection switch is turned on in the state 1, the state 1 does not change. Even if the switch is on,
A function in which the state 2 does not change is provided in addition to the function.

The wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 comprises a first machining section 50, a first control section 52, and a first operation section 54. The first control section 52 is a third signal transmission line using an optical fiber. It is connected to the computer main body 28 via 56, and can exchange data with the computer main body 28. The machining center 20 includes a second processing unit 58, a second control unit 60, and a second operation unit 62.
The second controller 60 controls the fourth signal transmission line 6 using an optical fiber.
4, and can exchange data with the computer main body 28. CA
The D / CAM device 26 and the main terminal 14 are connected by a fifth signal transmission line 66 using an optical fiber.

Next, the operation will be described. First, an operator designs a workpiece using the CAD / CAM device 26 in the design room 24, creates a drawing of the workpiece, and controls data for processing the workpiece from the created drawing. Is generated as NC processing data. Next, the operator turns on the second selection switch provided on the signal switch 38 of the main terminal 14, and operates the first keyboard 32 to put the computer main body 28 into the data receiving state. Next, the CAD / CAM device 26 is operated, and the fifth signal transmission path 6 is operated.
The NC processing data is sent to the computer main body 28 of the main terminal 14 disposed in the management room 12 via the computer 6. The sent NC machining data for the wire cut electric discharge machine 18 and the NC machining data for the machining center 20 are stored in the computer main body 28. Next, the operator operates the first operation unit 54 of the wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 at the work place 16 according to a predetermined procedure, and sets the wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 to a data receiving state. Further, the operator can use a sub-terminal 22 provided near the wire-cut electric discharge machine 18.
Is turned on, and the signal switch 38 is turned on.
Then, the second relay is turned on to connect the third interface section 36 to the computer main body 28. Thereafter, the user operates the second keyboard 42 while looking at the second display section 40 to input data for transmitting the NC machining data for the wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 to the computer main body 28 in the management room 12. Thereby, the NC machining data for the wire cut EDM 18 stored in the computer main body 28 is sent to the third signal transmission path 56, and the wire cut EDM 18 can receive the NC machining data required for the wire cut EDM 18. , The first control unit 52
The processing data is stored in.

Similarly, the second machining center 20
After operating the operation unit 62 to set the machining center 20 to the data receiving state, the second keyboard 4 of the sub terminal 22 is set.
2 is operated while looking at the second display unit 40, so that the second control unit 60 of the machining center 20 transmits the fourth signal transmission path 6
N for machining center 20 sent via
C processing data is stored. In this way, the worker
Wire cut electric discharge machine 18 and machining center 2
0 can operate the computer main body 28 in the management room 12 while staying at the work place 16 where the work room 0 is installed, so that there is no need to move back and forth between the work place 16 and the management room 12 provided separately. , Wire cut electric discharge machine 1
8 and the machining center 20 can store processed data. After that, the first operation unit 54 and the second operation unit 62 of the wire cut electric discharge machine 18 and the machining center 20 are operated to operate the first processing unit 50 and the second processing unit 58, thereby performing the processing operation of the workpiece. To start. In the present embodiment, the number of inputs of the signal switch is two since there is only one sub terminal. However, the number of systems may be increased as the number of sub terminals is increased. The electronic switch used for the signal switch may be an analog switch instead of a relay.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. First,
The configuration will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The NC machine tool management device 70 includes a main terminal 14 disposed in the control room 12, two wire cut electric discharge machines 18a and 18b as NC machine tools disposed in the work place 16, and also as NC machine tools. A machining center 20, and three sub-terminals 22a, 22b, 22c arranged close to the machining center 20 and the two wire-cut electric discharge machines 18a, 18b, respectively. Together with the CAD / CAM device 26, an NC machining system is formed.

More specifically, the main terminal 14 includes a computer main body 28, a first display unit 30, a first keyboard 32, a first interface unit 34, a first keyboard 32, and a second signal transmission path 48. Provided between the first
The data input from the keyboard 32 is converted into an optical signal, and the optical signal is transmitted via a second interface unit 72 for controlling the output of the optical signal to the second signal transmission line 48 and the second signal transmission line 48. And a third interface unit 74 that receives the incoming optical signal, converts the received optical signal into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the computer main body 28. The second interface unit 72 constantly detects the presence or absence of an optical signal on the second signal transmission line 48, and is input from the keyboard and converted to an optical signal only when there is no optical signal on the second signal transmission line 48. It has a function of controlling data to be output to the second signal transmission path 48. Therefore, the second signal transmission path 48 is formed as a so-called unidirectional serial bus.

Each of the sub terminals 22a, 22b, 22c
Receives the second image signal transmitted via the first signal transmission path 46 and outputs the second image signal as an image.
A second keyboard 42 provided close to the second display unit 40; a second keyboard 42 provided between the second keyboard 42 and the second signal transmission path 48; And a second interface unit 72 for controlling the output of the optical signal to the second signal transmission line 48. A first signal transmission line 46 using a metal cable and a second signal transmission line 48 using an optical fiber are provided between the main terminal 14 and each of the sub terminals 22a, 22b, 22c. Each of the wire-cut electric discharge machines 18a and 18b has a configuration similar to that of the wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 described in the first embodiment, and includes a computer main body 28 and a third signal transmission path 5 respectively.
6a and 56b.

Next, the operation will be described. The first
The description of the same operation as that of the embodiment is omitted. First, the worker uses the CAD / CAM device 26 in the design room 24,
A workpiece is designed, a drawing of the workpiece is created, and NC processing data as control data for processing the workpiece is generated from the created drawing. Next, the operator operates the first keyboard 32 of the main terminal 14 to put the computer main body 28 into a data receiving state. CAD again
By operating the / CAM device 26, the NC processing data is sent to the computer main body 28 of the main terminal 14 disposed in the management room 12 via the fifth signal transmission path 66. The NC machining data for the wire cut electric discharge machine 18 and the NC machining data for the machining center 20 are transmitted to the computer main body 2.
8 is stored. Next, the operator operates the wire-cut electric discharge machines 18a and 18b in the work place 16 according to a predetermined procedure, and sequentially sets the wire-cut electric discharge machines 18a and 18b to the data receiving state. Further, the operator sequentially operates the second keyboards 42 of the sub-terminals 22b and 22c provided near the wire-cut electric discharge machines 18a and 18b while looking at the second display unit 40, and the computer main body in the management room 12 To 28, wire cut electric discharge machines 18a, 18
Data for transmitting the NC processing data for b is input.
As a result, the NC machining data for the wire cut electric discharge machines 18a and 18b stored in the
The signals are sequentially transmitted to the signal transmission paths 56a and 56b and stored in the wire-cut electric discharge machines 18a and 18b. Similarly, when the operator operates the sub-terminal 22a, the machining center 20 can also store the NC processing data for the machining center 20 via the fourth signal transmission path 64.

In this way, the worker stays in the work place 16 where the wire cut electric discharge machines 18a and 18b and the machining center 20 are installed, and
Since the computer main body 28 can be operated, there is no need to move back and forth between the work place 16 and the management room 12 provided separately, and the machining data is stored in the wire-cut electric discharge machine 18 and the machining center 20. It becomes possible. When the configuration of the present embodiment is adopted,
Even if a plurality of NC machine tools are used and the number of sub-terminals needs to be increased accordingly, a signal is branched from the first signal transmission line 46 to add the second display unit 40, and the second display unit 40 is added.
By connecting the second keyboard 42 to the second signal transmission path 48 via the interface unit 72, it is possible to easily add a sub terminal, and it is not necessary to add the second signal transmission path 48.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the signal transmission path between the main terminal 14 and each NC machine tool is formed on a bidirectional serial bus 76, and the third signal transmission paths 56a, 56b in the second embodiment. And the fourth signal transmission path 64 are collectively formed as one signal transmission path. According to this configuration, the number of signal transmission paths between the main terminal 14 and each NC machine tool can be reduced, and further signal transmission paths need to be added between the main terminal 14 and the main terminal 14 when the NC machine tool itself is added. It is possible to increase the number of units at a low cost and in a short time.

As described above, various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the NC machine tool may be a wire cut electric discharge machine,
Not only the machining center, but also other machines that have been converted to NC may be used, for example, a lathe, a milling machine, a press machine, or the like. Many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0021]

According to the present invention, when the NC machine tool management device is used, the NC machine tool is provided with the second display unit and the second keyboard close to each other. While operating the operation unit, the user can operate the second keyboard while looking at the second display unit to input data to the computer body in the control room. This eliminates the trouble of moving back and forth, so that there is no trouble in inputting data to the NC machine tool. In addition, since one computer can be shared by a simple and low-cost terminal using a display unit and a keyboard, processing data can be managed by one computer, and software dedicated to NC machine tools is produced. Since there is no need to perform this, there is a significant effect that the management device can be installed in a short time and at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a management device for an NC machine tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the management device for an NC machine tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the management device for an NC machine tool according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 NC machine tool management device 18, 20 NC machine tool 28 Computer body 30 First display unit 32 First keyboard 34 First interface unit 36 Third interface unit 38 Signal switch 40 Second display unit 42 Second keyboard 44 First 2 interface section 46 first signal transmission path 48 second signal transmission path

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-251408 (JP, A) JP-A-60-254303 (JP, A) JP-A-62-135906 (JP, A) 341831 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G05B 19/414 G05B 19/418

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A computer main body connected to the NC machine tool for controlling the operation of the NC machine tool; a first image signal provided near the computer main body and receiving a first image signal output from the computer main body; A management apparatus for an NC machine tool, comprising: a first display unit that outputs a video image; and a first keyboard that is provided close to the computer main unit and that inputs data to the computer main unit. A first interface unit that is attached, converts the first image signal branched between the computer main body and the first display unit into an optical signal, and converts it again into a second image signal that is an electric signal; A first signal transmission path for transmitting the second image signal output from the first interface unit, and a first signal transmission path provided near the NC machine tool; A second display unit that receives the second image signal transmitted via the first signal transmission path and outputs the second image signal as a video, a second keyboard provided close to the second display unit, A second interface unit for converting data input from the second keyboard into an optical signal; a second signal transmission line for transmitting an optical signal output from the second interface unit; and a second signal transmission line A third interface unit for receiving the optical signal transmitted through the first interface unit and converting the optical signal into an electric signal; and connecting the computer main unit, the first keyboard, and the third interface unit, and inputting from the first keyboard. A signal switch for switching between the input data and the data input from the third interface unit and outputting the data to the computer main body. Management apparatus. 2. A computer main body which is connected to the NC machine tool and controls the operation of the NC machine tool, and is provided close to the computer main body and receives a first image signal output from the computer main body. A management apparatus for an NC machine tool, comprising: a first display unit that outputs a video image; and a first keyboard that is provided close to the computer main unit and that inputs data to the computer main unit. A first interface unit that is attached, converts the first image signal branched between the computer main body and the first display unit into an optical signal, and converts it again into a second image signal that is an electric signal; A first signal transmission path for transmitting the second image signal output from the first interface unit, and a first signal transmission path provided near the NC machine tool; A second display unit that receives the second image signal transmitted via the first signal transmission path and outputs the second image signal as a video, a second keyboard provided close to the second display unit, A second signal transmission path for an optical signal, provided between the first keyboard, the second keyboard, and the computer main body, for transmitting data of the first keyboard and the second keyboard to the computer main body; Two signal transmission paths are provided between the first keyboard and the second keyboard and between the second keyboard and the second keyboard, respectively, and convert data input from the first keyboard and the second keyboard into optical signals. And the second of the optical signal
A second interface unit that controls output to a signal transmission line; and a second interface unit that is disposed between the second signal transmission line and the computer main body and transmits the optical signal transmitted through the second signal transmission line. And a third interface unit that receives the signal, converts the signal into an electric signal, and outputs the signal to a computer main body.