JP7250202B1 - Information processing device and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to generate an NC program that shortens the machining time of a machine tool. According to one aspect, an information processing apparatus processes an NC program to which a clamp code for clamping a rotating shaft is added, based on a simulation of cutting force in machining executable by a machine tool having a rotating shaft. have a department. If the simulation cutting force is equal to or less than a predetermined value between the first indexing code of the rotating shaft and the second indexing code after the first indexing code, the processing unit selects the corresponding part between the codes of the NC program. Do not add clamp code to . [Selection drawing] Fig. 5

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for generating NC programs used in machine tools.

As a machine tool, for example, a five-axis machine having three orthogonal linear axes (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis) and two rotary axes (B-axis, C-axis) is known. Rotation of the B axis tilts the spindle, and rotation of the C axis rotates the workpiece. In such a machine tool, a numerical control device executes an NC program (machining program) to control five axes and machine a workpiece into a desired shape while changing the position and posture of the tool. There are also four-axis machines with four axes.

If the B-axis or C-axis vibrates due to the cutting load during machining, the tool or table becomes unstable and the quality of the cut surface deteriorates. Therefore, after the B-axis or C-axis is indexed, the rotating shaft is fixed by a clamp.

JP-A-5-313718

The operation of the clamp takes a certain amount of time because it is performed by a hydraulic circuit. Therefore, if the number of indexing times of the B-axis or the C-axis is large, the number of clamping operations will be large, and the entire machining time will be long.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for shortening the machining time by executing clamp control and subsequent operation control in parallel. This technique does not wait for the end of a clamp operation under certain conditions to start the next operation, but does not eliminate the clamp. It still takes time to operate the clamp, and complicated control is required.

An aspect of the present invention is an information processing unit that processes an NC program to which a clamp code for clamping a rotating shaft is added based on a simulation of cutting force in machining that can be performed by a machine tool having a rotating shaft. It is a device. If the simulation cutting force is equal to or less than a predetermined value between the first indexing code of the rotating shaft and the second indexing code after the first indexing code, the processing unit selects the corresponding part between the codes of the NC program. Do not add clamp code to .

Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing function having a function of processing an NC program to which a clamp code for clamping a rotating shaft is added based on a simulation of cutting force in machining that can be performed by a machine tool having a rotating shaft. It's a program. In this function, if the simulation cutting force is less than a predetermined value between the first indexing code of the rotary axis and the second indexing code after the first indexing code, the corresponding part between the codes of the NC program Do not add clamp code to .

According to the present invention, it is possible to generate an NC program that shortens the machining time of the machine tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram showing schematic structure of the machine tool which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a machine tool according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an information processing device; FIG. It is a figure showing the NC program before optimization, and the graph of cutting force. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an overview of clamp code optimization processing; 4 is a flowchart showing NC program generation processing; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an overview of clamp code optimization according to a modification;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In addition, about the following embodiment and its modification, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected about the substantially same component, and the description is abbreviate|omitted suitably.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a machine tool according to an embodiment. Here, when the machine tool 1 is viewed from the front, the left-right direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction are defined as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, respectively.

The machine tool 1 is a 5-axis control machining center, and includes a processing device 2 having three orthogonal linear axes (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis) and two rotary axes (B-axis, C-axis). These five axes are simultaneously controlled by a numerical control device, which will be described later, to move the tool and perform various machining while changing the tool attitude.

The processing device 2 includes a spindle head 12 that supports the spindle 10 and a table 14 that supports the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. A spindle head 12 has a B axis, and supports the spindle 10 so as to be rotatable (tiltable) about the B axis. The spindle 10 supports the tool T coaxially. The tool T is, for example, an end mill or the like. The spindle head 12 is provided with a spindle motor for rotating the spindle 10 around the axis and a servomotor for rotating the spindle 10 around the B axis. Since the tilt angle of the tool T with respect to the Z-axis direction changes due to the rotation of the main shaft, the B-axis also functions as a "rotation axis" as a tilt axis.

The tilt angle of the tool T with respect to the work W changes as the spindle 10 rotates. The spindle head 12 is also driven in three axial directions by a plurality of servo motors. The spindle 10 is movable in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions by driving the spindle head 12 .

A workpiece W is fixed to the table 14 via a jig (not shown). A C-axis is provided along the axis of the table 14 . The table 14 is rotationally driven around the C-axis by a servomotor (not shown). That is, with the configuration described above, the relative positions of the workpiece W and the tool T can be adjusted three-dimensionally.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the machine tool according to the embodiment.
The machine tool 1 includes an operation control device 50 , a numerical control device 52 , a processing device 2 , a tool changing section 54 , a tool storage section 56 and a clamping mechanism 3 . The numerical controller 52 transmits control signals to the processing device 2 according to the NC program. The processing device 2 drives the spindle 10 and the table 12 of the processing device 2 according to instructions from the numerical control device 52 to process the workpiece.

The clamping mechanism 3 has a hydraulic circuit and performs clamping and unclamping operations on the B-axis and the C-axis. In the clamping operation, hydraulic pressure is increased by the hydraulic circuit to fix the B and C axes. A state in which the rotating shaft is fixed is called a “clamped state”. In the unclamping operation, the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit is lowered to release the B and C axes. A state in which the rotating shaft is released is called an “unclamped state”. The clamping mechanism 3 can separately perform clamping and unclamping operations with respect to the B-axis and the C-axis.

The operation control device 50 includes an operation panel that provides user interface functions to the user. A user controls the numerical controller 52 via the operation controller 50 . The tool storage section 56 stores tools. The tool changer 54 corresponds to a so-called ATC (Automatic Tool Changer). The tool changer 54 takes out the tool T from the tool storage part 56 according to the change instruction from the numerical controller 52, and changes the tool T on the spindle 10 with the tool T taken out.

An information processing device 100 is connected to the numerical controller 52 . The information processing device 100 generates an NC program in which the clamp code is optimized (hereinafter referred to as “optimized NC program”) and outputs it to the numerical controller 52 . A clamp code is an NC code corresponding to a clamp command. Optimization of the clamp code will be described later. The numerical controller 52 executes the post-optimization NC program to control the machining device 2 . The information processing device 100 may be configured as part of the operation control device 50 . The information processing apparatus 100 may be a general laptop PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet computer.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the information processing device 100. As shown in FIG.
Each component of the information processing apparatus 100 includes computing units such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various computer processors, storage devices such as memory and storage, hardware including wired or wireless communication lines connecting them, and storage devices. , and implemented by software that supplies processing instructions to the computing unit. A computer program may consist of a device driver, an operating system, various application programs located in their higher layers, and a library that provides common functions to these programs. Each block described below represents a functional block rather than a hardware configuration.

Each component of the operation control device 50 and the numerical control device 52 is also stored in hardware including computing units such as processors, storage devices such as memories and storages, and wired or wireless communication lines connecting them, and storage devices. It may be implemented by software that supplies processing instructions to the computing unit.

Information processing apparatus 100 includes input/output interface section 110 , data processing section 112 , data storage section 114 and user interface processing section 116 . The input/output interface unit 110 is in charge of input/output interface processing including data exchange with external devices. The data storage unit 114 stores various programs and various data. The user interface processing unit 116 is in charge of processing related to the user interface, such as image display and audio output, in addition to receiving operations from the user.

The data processing unit 112 executes various processes based on the data acquired by the input/output interface unit 110, the data stored in the data storage unit 114, and the data acquired by the user interface processing unit 116. The data processing unit 112 also functions as an interface for the input/output interface unit 110 , the data storage unit 114 and the user interface processing unit 116 .

The input/output interface section 110 includes an input section 120 and an output section 122 .
Input unit 120 includes data acquisition unit 124 . The data acquisition unit 124 acquires CL (Cutter Location) data from a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) device 160 . The CL data may also be called "machining path data" or "tool path data". Output section 122 includes program output section 126 . The program output unit 126 outputs the optimized NC program generated by the data processing unit 112 to the numerical controller 52 .

The CAM device 160 acquires CAD data generated by a CAD (Computer Aided Design) device (not shown), and also acquires path generation information (coordinate system, tool shape, feed rate, rotating shaft speed, etc.). CAM device 160 includes CL data generator 162 and data output unit 164 . The CL data generator 162 generates CL data based on the CAD data and the route generation information. Data output unit 164 outputs the generated CL data to information processing apparatus 100 .

User interface processing unit 116 includes an input unit 150 and an output unit 152 .
The input unit 150 receives an operation input from the user via a hard device such as a touch panel, various keys, or a handle. The output unit 152 provides various information to the user through image display or audio output on a display unit (not shown). The display unit may be provided in the information processing device 100 or may be provided outside the information processing device 100 and connected via a communication line.

Data processing unit 112 includes display control unit 130 , simulation unit 132 , processing unit 134 and conversion unit 136 .
The display control unit 130 controls image display on the display unit. The conversion unit 136 functions as a post-processor and converts the CL data acquired by the data acquisition unit 124 into a pre-optimization NC program.

The simulation unit 132 executes a cutting force simulation for an NC program in which the clamp code is not optimized (hereinafter referred to as "pre-optimization NC program"). In the simulation, an actual machining environment is reproduced by the information processing device 100 based on the pre-optimization NC program, and an estimated cutting force is calculated. The cutting force is the force applied to the tool T during machining of the workpiece W. Specifically, the simulation unit 132 calculates the positional relationship between the tool T and the work W during machining based on the NC code described in the pre-optimization NC program, and calculates the time-series cutting force. Factors that determine the time-series cutting force include the feed rate, the type of material to be cut, the tool diameter, the number of tool teeth, the number of tool rotations, the feed amount per tooth, and the contact area. The simulation unit 132 also records the timing of indexing the rotation axis as the indexing time.

The processing unit 134 optimizes the clamp code included in the pre-optimization NC program to generate the post-optimization NC program.

The data storage unit 114 stores the CL data, the pre-optimization NC program, and the post-optimization NC program. Data storage unit 114 includes a memory functioning as a working area when data processing unit 112 performs arithmetic processing. The data storage unit 114 also includes a program storage unit 140 , a cutting data storage unit 142 and an index time storage unit 144 . The program storage unit 140 stores an information processing program for generating an NC program. The cutting data storage unit 142 stores time-series cutting forces. The indexed time storage unit 144 stores the indexed time.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the pre-optimization NC program P and a graph of the cutting force.
An example of the pre-optimization NC program P is shown on the left side of FIG. The pre-optimization NC program P is converted from the CL data by the post-processor function. Here, of the pre-optimization NC program P, codes mainly related to the indexing and clamping of the rotating shaft are shown.

"M79" is a B-axis unclamp code Ub that instructs unclamping of the B-axis. The unclamp code is an NC code corresponding to an unclamp command. When this code is executed by the numerical controller 52, the clamping mechanism 3 performs an unclamping operation for the B axis. "M11" is a C-axis unclamp code Uc that instructs unclamping of the C-axis. Similarly, this code causes an unclamping motion for the C-axis.

"G00 B-25.0 C-10.0" is the first indexing code I1. The first indexing code I1 designates the angle between the B-axis and the C-axis. When this code is executed by the numerical control device 52, the processing device 2 changes the angles of the B-axis and the C-axis.

"M78" is a B-axis clamp code Cb that instructs clamping of the B-axis. When this code is executed by the numerical controller 52, the clamping mechanism 3 performs a clamping operation for the B axis. "M10" is a C-axis clamp code Cc that instructs clamping of the C-axis. Similarly, this code provides a clamping action for the C-axis.

With the B-axis and the C-axis fixed at different angles in this manner, the processing of step A is performed. In step A, predetermined cutting is performed. After the process A is completed, the next indexing is performed.

A second indexing code I2 "G00 B-20.0 C-15.0" is described after the B-axis unclamping code Ub and the C-axis unclamping code Uc. The second indexing code I2 specifies the angle between the B-axis and the C-axis. Similarly, after the angles of the B-axis and C-axis are changed and clamped respectively, the processing of step B is performed. After step B is completed, the next indexing is performed.

"G00 B-15.0" is the third indexing code I3. The third indexing code I3 specifies the angle of the B axis. In this case, only the angle of the B-axis is changed, and the angle of the C-axis remains unchanged. At this time, the unclamping operation and the clamping operation are performed only for the B axis.

In a general post-processor, clamp codes are added to all index codes on the B-axis and C-axis in this way, so a waiting time due to clamp operation occurs every time indexing is performed. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 of the embodiment automatically determines whether or not to add a clamp code to the indexed rotation axis according to the cutting force obtained by the simulation.

An example of a cutting force graph is shown on the right side of FIG.
This graph represents the time-series cutting force obtained by the simulation for the NC program P before optimization. The vertical axis represents cutting force [N] generated during machining, and the horizontal axis represents elapsed time [seconds] during machining. The illustrated T1, T2 and T3 represent the times of the first, second and third indexing.

Time: 1st indexing at T1, then step A starts. Time: Approximately 1 second after T1, allowing time for the clamping action. After moving to process A, the cutting force increases and remains stable within the range of 650 to 780 [N]. In process A, a relatively strong cutting force is generated. However, since the B-axis and C-axis are fixed, the spindle 10 and table 14 do not vibrate.

After completing step A, the second indexing is performed at time T2. After the second indexing, it takes time for the clamping operation. After that, go to step B. In process B, the cutting force remains stable at approximately 200 [N]. The cutting forces generated in step B are relatively weak. However, the spindle 10 and the table 14 are fixed during this period as well.

After finishing step B, the third indexing is performed at time T3. Thus, the indexing and the process are repeated.

If process A were to be performed without clamping the B and C axes, the spindle 10 and table 14 would vibrate, making it impossible to perform machining accurately. On the other hand, in the process B, the spindle 10 and the table 14 do not vibrate even if the B and C axes are not clamped, and accurate machining can be performed. The servomotor that rotates the spindle 10 has a holding force, and can maintain the attitude of the spindle 10 even when a cutting force of 200 [N] is generated. The table 14 is also the same. As described above, in a process in which only a weak cutting force is generated, there is no problem even if machining is performed in an unclamped state without clamping.

In the embodiment, if the cutting force is always equal to or less than a predetermined value until the next indexing, the clamping is omitted and the machining is performed. The following indexing is an example of "second indexing code after first indexing code". The interval to the next index is an example of "between codes". By omitting the clamp, the waiting time during the clamping operation is eliminated, and the entire machining time is shortened. In this example, the predetermined value is set to 300 [N]. On the other hand, if the cutting force exceeds the predetermined value even once before the next indexing, it is clamped. This is because if the cutting force exceeds the predetermined value even temporarily, the spindle 10 or the table 14 may vibrate at that moment, which may interfere with cutting. In this way, the process of determining whether or not clamping is necessary for all indexing and changing the NC program so that clamping is performed only when necessary to ensure machining accuracy is called "clamp code optimization process".

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the clamp code optimization process.
The processing unit 134 reads the code described in the pre-optimization NC program P from the beginning and copies it to the post-optimization NC program. In particular, when an index code is read, it is determined whether or not to add a clamp code after the index code, and update is performed so that the clamp code is added only when necessary.

Here, the relationship between the first indexing code I1 and the process A will be described as an example. When reading the first indexing code I1, the processing unit 134 specifies the cutting force in the interval from the first indexing time: T1 to the second indexing time: T2. Specifically, the maximum value in cutting force during step A is identified. When the cutting force (maximum value) exceeds a predetermined value, the B-axis clamp code Cb and the C-axis clamp code Cc are added to the clamp code description portion R1 immediately after the first indexing code I1. That is, the post-optimization NC program Q1 is written so that the process A is performed after both rotary shafts are clamped. In the example of the graph in FIG. 4, the cutting force in process A exceeds the predetermined value, so both clamp cords are added in this way.

On the other hand, if the cutting force (maximum value) in process A is less than or equal to the predetermined value, no clamp code is added to the clamp code description portion R2. That is, the post-optimization NC program Q2 is written so that the process A is performed without clamping both rotating shafts.

Although the processing in the case of indexing both rotation axes has been described here, the processing unit 134 performs the same processing in the case of indexing only one rotation axis. For example, as in the third indexing code I3 (see FIG. 4), when only the B-axis is indexed and the cutting force (maximum value) exceeds a predetermined value, not only the B-axis clamp code Cb but also the C-axis clamp code Cc Append. This is because it is necessary to fix not only the spindle 10 but also the table 14 . On the other hand, if the cutting force (maximum value) is less than or equal to the predetermined value, no clamp cord is added. This is because neither the spindle 10 nor the table 14 is likely to vibrate and does not need to be fixed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing NC program generation processing.
The data acquisition unit 124 inputs CL data (S10). The input CL data is stored in the data storage unit 114 .

The conversion unit 136 converts the CL data into an NC program (S12). The converted optimized NC program is stored in the data storage unit 114 .

The simulation unit 132 executes a cutting force simulation for the pre-optimization NC program P (S14). By this simulation, when the pre-optimization NC program P is executed, the time-series cutting force and the indexing time generated during machining are obtained. The time-series cutting force is stored in the cutting data storage unit 142 and the indexed time is stored in the indexed time storage unit 144 .

The processing unit 134 executes the clamp code optimization process described above (S16). A post-optimization NC program based on the pre-optimization NC program P is generated by the clamp code optimization process.

The program output unit 126 outputs the generated optimized NC program (S18).

The information processing apparatus 100 has been described above based on the embodiment.
The information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment updates the NC program to which the clamp code for clamping the rotating shaft is added, based on the simulation of the cutting force in the machining that can be performed by the machine tool having the rotating shaft. . In particular, when the simulation cutting force is equal to or less than a predetermined value between the first indexing code of the rotating shaft and the second indexing code following the first indexing code, the processing unit 134 determines that between the codes of the NC program. No clamp code is added to the corresponding part (in this example, the part describing the clamp code). As a result, the machining time can be shortened by avoiding clamping in processes that do not affect the machining accuracy.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to those specific embodiments, and that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Nor.

[Modification]
In the embodiment described above, when only one rotating shaft is indexed, a clamp code is added to the other rotating shaft as well. However, for the other rotating shaft, the clamp code may be added after confirming that it is in the unclamped state. In other words, when it is already clamped, it is not necessary to add a clamp code.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of clump code optimization according to the modification.
Here, the relationship between the third indexing code I3 and the process C will be described as an example. When reading the third indexing code I3, the processing unit 134 specifies the cutting force in the section from the third indexing time: T3 to the fourth indexing time: T4. If the cutting force (maximum value) in that section exceeds a predetermined value, the processing unit 134 determines the state of the C-axis.

If the C-axis is in the unclamped state, the B-axis clamp code Cb and the C-axis clamp code Cc are added to the clamp code description portion R3 immediately after the third index code I3. That is, the post-optimization NC program Q3 is written so that the process C is performed after both axes are clamped.

On the other hand, if the C-axis is clamped, only the B-axis clamp code Cb is added to the clamp code description portion R4, and the C-axis clamp code Cc is not added. That is, the post-optimization NC program Q4 is written so that the process C is performed after only the B axis is clamped. Since the C-axis is already in a clamped state, no clamping operation is required. Therefore, the C-axis clamp cord can be omitted. By omitting the C-axis clamp code, the post-optimization NC program Q4 can be shortened. When the cutting force (maximum value) is equal to or less than a predetermined value, an optimized NC program Q5 that does not include a clamp code in the clamp code description portion R5 is generated.

[Other Modifications]
The display control unit 130 may display the cutting force graph shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to set a predetermined value. In that case, the input unit 150 accepts the predetermined value and stores it in the data storage unit 114 . The input unit 150 may receive a predetermined value by inputting a numerical value using a keyboard or the like, or change the predetermined value by operating a mouse or a touch panel to slide the line of the predetermined value displayed in the graph in the vertical direction. may be accepted. Then, the processing unit 134 uses the predetermined value stored in the data storage unit 114 .

In the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 includes the conversion unit 136 and the simulation unit 132 . Another computer connected to the information processing apparatus 100 may include the conversion unit 136 and the simulation unit 132 . In that case, the information processing apparatus 100 acquires the pre-optimization NC program P, the time-series cutting force, and the indexing time from another computer.

In the above embodiment, an example of the 5-axis machine tool 1 having the B-axis and the C-axis was shown, but the 5-axis machine tool 1 having the A-axis and the C-axis, or the 5-axis machine tool 1 having the A-axis and the B-axis The techniques of the above embodiment and modifications may be applied to the machine tool 1 . Also, the techniques of the above embodiments and modifications may be applied to a four-axis machine tool 1 having an A axis, a B axis, or a C axis. In the above embodiments and modifications, the rotation axes to be clamped and unclamped are the additional axes (A-axis, B-axis, C-axis) other than the basic axes (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis). At least one.

Although not described in the above embodiment, the information processing program described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and provided.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention. Various inventions may be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications. Also, some constituent elements may be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the above embodiments and modifications.

Reference Signs List 1 machine tool 2 processing device 3 clamping mechanism 10 spindle 12 spindle head 14 table 100 information processing device 110 input/output interface section 112 data processing section 114 data storage section 116 user interface processing section 120 Input unit 122 Output unit 124 Data acquisition unit 126 Program output unit 130 Display control unit 132 Simulation unit 134 Processing unit 136 Conversion unit 140 Program storage unit 142 Cutting data storage unit 144 Index time storage unit , 150 input unit, 152 output unit, 160 CAM device, 162 CL data generation unit, 164 data output unit, T tool, W workpiece, Ub B-axis unclamp code, Uc C-axis unclamp code, Cb B-axis clamp code, Cc C-axis clamp code, I1 1st indexing code, I2 2nd indexing code, I3 3rd indexing code, I4 4th indexing code, T1 1st indexing time, T2 2nd indexing time, T3 3rd indexing time, P Correct NC program before optimization, Q1-Q5 NC program after optimization, R1-R5 Clamp code description part.

Claims (5)

A processing unit that processes an NC program based on a simulation of cutting forces in machining that can be performed by a machine tool having a rotating shaft,
If the cutting force in the simulation is equal to or less than a predetermined value between the first indexing code of the rotating shaft and the second indexing code subsequent to the first indexing code, the processing unit performs the An information processing device that performs a process of not adding a clamp code for clamping the rotating shaft to a corresponding portion between codes. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit adds said clamp cord to said corresponding portion between said cords when said cutting force exceeds said predetermined value. wherein the processing unit identifies a maximum value of the cutting force between the codes, and determines that the cutting force in the simulation is equal to or less than the predetermined value when the maximum value does not exceed the predetermined value. Item 1. The information processing apparatus according to item 1. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a simulation unit that executes said simulation. Having a function to process an NC program based on a simulation of cutting force in machining that can be executed by a machine tool having a rotating shaft,
In the function, if the cutting force in the simulation is equal to or less than a predetermined value between the first indexing code of the rotating shaft and the second indexing code after the first indexing code, the code of the NC program An information processing program for performing a process of not adding a clamp code for clamping the rotating shaft to a corresponding portion in between.

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