JPH045203B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic processing system using a group of NC machine tools.

In recent years, processing has been developed that is equipped with a central control device and an NC device provided with an interface for exchanging information with the central control device, and is controlled by the NC device and transferred from the central control device via the interface. Multiple types of programs that operate according to the program.
Automatic machining systems equipped with NC machine tools are rapidly becoming popular. This kind of automatic processing system is
It is generally considered to be suitable for high-mix, medium- to small-volume production, and therefore, a method for storing a wide variety of machining programs corresponding to a wide variety of processed products becomes a problem.

There are two ways to do this, the first is
provides machining programs to individual NC machine tools.
This is a storage method using the memory device of the NC device, and in this case, during actual operation, the central controller only gives commands to call and execute machining programs to individual NC machine tools. The second method is to store the machining program in the storage device of the central controller, and in this case, the central controller transfers the machining program and issues an execution command. The former has relatively few types of machining programs and is suitable for systems where the production plan is fixed to some extent, such as when the same machined product is always machined with the same NC machine tool, but there are many types of machining programs. It is unsuitable if you have grown old.

On the other hand, the latter is suitable for systems where there are many types of machining programs, production plans are fluid, and the same machined product is not necessarily machined by the same NC machine tool, but it takes time to transfer the machining programs. There are also drawbacks such as the cost.

Therefore, in many systems in practical use, the first and second methods are mixed, and usually once a day.
Once in a while, several types of machining programs required for that day are transferred from the central controller to the NC device of each NC machine tool, and during actual operation, the central controller only sends commands to call and execute the machining programs to the NC machine. A method is used to give it to machine tools.

Now, the individual NCs that make up the automatic processing system
Because machine tools are systems that handle a wide variety of products, they may come in different types and models, and even if they are of the same type and model, the jigs and tools installed may differ depending on the processed product. are doing.
Therefore, the central control unit divides the machining program into individual
When transferring all programs to the NC device of an NC machine tool, the machining programs required by the NC machine tool must be transferred correctly.

If the central controller transfers an incorrect machining program and the NC machine tool executes it, the NC machine tool that is of a different type and model than what was originally supposed to be executed will cause the moving table to run out of control. This can lead to serious accidents such as overruns and collisions between structures, and with NC machine tools that have different jigs and tools, interference between tools and workpieces can occur, which is extremely dangerous.

The present invention was made against this background, and is an automatic machining system in which at least n types of codes predetermined corresponding to n types of NC machine tools constituting the automatic machining system are included in a machining program. The NC device of the NC machine tool reads the code, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it. It identifies at least n types of electrical signals and outputs an alarm signal for electrical signals caused by incorrect codes. Each of the n types of NC machine tools is equipped with an electrical identification means that can check for incorrectly transferred machining programs, prevent serious accidents, and create a smooth automatic machining system. The purpose is to realize the operation of the vehicle.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail according to embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the automatic processing system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the flow of signals, and FIG. 3 is a model diagram when the processing program is paper tape information. Here, 10 is a central control device consisting of a computer 11 and its input/output interface 12, and 20 is a horizontal machining center that is operated based on commands from the central control device 10, and has an information exchange interface with the central control device 10. An NC device 22 equipped with a face 21, a strong electric device 23 that sends and receives signals to and from the NC device 22 to control actual machine operations, and a horizontal machining center 20.
The machine is comprised of an electrical identification means 24 for identifying a unique code given to the machine, and a machine body 25.

Further, 30 is an NC lathe, and 40 is a vertical machining center, each of which has an NC device having the same configuration as the horizontal machining center 20.
However, in FIG. 2, only the horizontal machining center 20 is illustrated.
Others are omitted.

Now, from the central controller 10, the machining program 5
0 via the information exchange interface 21
It is transferred to the NC device 22. At this time, the machining program 50 is given a program number 51 at the beginning, and before entering the actual machining program 53, a unique code 52 given to each processing machine, for example, the horizontal machining center 20, is given. . The unique code 52 specifies the well-known auxiliary function code of the NC device, and when this code is read, the NC device 2
2 outputs an electrical contact signal corresponding to the unique code 52 to the electrical identification means 24. In response to this, the electrical identification means 24 identifies whether it is a unique code given to the horizontal machining center 20 or not. This electrical identification means 24 is configured, for example, by a well-known relay sequence circuit, and uses a confirmation relay that is closed by the electrical contact signal, and transmits the contact signal of the confirmation relay directly or to another relay. indirectly via the NC device 22
In response, the NC device 22 uses this as a confirmation signal for the unique code 52 and starts executing the machining program 53. The confirmation relay does not operate in response to the electric contact signal due to the incorrect unique code, and therefore, the confirmation signal for the unique code 52 is not returned to the NC device 22, so the machining program 53 is not executed. If the confirmation relay does not operate within a certain period of time after the electrical contact signal is output, a timer causes the NC device 22 to
An alarm signal is issued to the central controller 10, the horizontal machining center 20 is stopped from operation, and a supervisor is alerted.

As described above, according to the present invention, the transferred machining program is confirmed to be a machining program compatible with that NC machine tool by the electrical identification means provided in each NC machine tool, Since machining is then started, accidents caused by errors in the machining program can be prevented and the automatic machining system can operate smoothly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the automatic processing system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the flow of signals, and FIG. 3 is a model diagram when the processing program is paper tape information. 10... Central control device, 20... Horizontal machining center, 30... NC lathe, 40... Vertical machining center, 21... Information exchange interface, 22... NC device, 23... Strong electric device, 2
4...Electrical identification means, 25...Machine body.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 comprising a central control device and an NC device each provided with an interface for exchanging information with the central control device, and controlled by the NC device and transferred from the central control device via the interface. Operate according to the machining program
In an automatic machining system having n types of NC machine tools, the machining program includes n types of NC machine tools.
At least n types of predetermined codes are assigned to each type of NC machine tool, and
The NC machine tool has at least n
It is characterized by having an electrical identification means capable of identifying different types of electrical signals and outputting an alarm signal in response to electrical signals with incorrect codes.
Automatic processing system using NC machine tools.