JPH0784623A - Cad/cam connecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a CAD/CAM connecting system capable of automatically preparing CAM information for surface machining based upon CAD information. CONSTITUTION:This CAD/CAM connecting system is provided with a CAD system for preparing CAD information for work done on a workpiece, an AI tool for converting the CAD information into CAM information and a CAM system for converting the CAM information into an NC code. A knowledge base for the AI tool expresses the contour of a finished surface S1 by four line elements La, Lb, Lc, Ld as models like S-P PO La, Lc, Lb, Ld. In this expression, the line element La is expressed as a reference line, the line element Lc is expressed as a target line and the line elements Lb, Ld are expressed as outlines 1, 2. The initial tool route runs along the reference line La. The tool route is gradually reached to the target line Lc along the outlines Lb, Lc as shown by broken lines and finally runs along the target line Lc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a CAD / CAM combination system capable of automatically converting CAD information into CAM information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when machining an object to be machined based on CAD information of an object to be machined created by a CAD system, a user operates a keyboard to add tool paths to CAD information one by one to create CAM information. It was This CA
The M information is converted into an NC code corresponding to the NC machine tool.

[0003]

As described above, the CA
Since the CAM information is created based on the D information by the keyboard operation of the user, the workability is extremely poor. In particular, when the surface to be machined is not a flat surface orthogonal to the axis of the tool, the CAM information creation work for machining this surface is even more complicated. Therefore, it has been desired to automatically create CAM information for such surface processing based on the CAD information.

[0004]

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its gist is to provide a CAD system for creating CAD information to be processed, and this CAD system.
An AI tool that converts information into CAM information and this CAM
And a CAM system for converting information into an NC code,
The knowledge base of the AI tool described above represents a model of a large number of tool paths that cross a finishing surface. Specifically, the contour of the surface to be machined is defined by four line elements, and the first tool of these line elements is defined. The line element along which the path follows is set as the reference line, the line element along which the last tool path follows is set as the target line, and the remaining two line elements are set as the first contour line and the second contour line. The CAD / CAM combined system is characterized in that the tool path is modeled so as to go from the reference line to the target line along the first contour line and the second contour line in order by setting.

[0005]

Operation: The first tool path is along the reference line. The tool path gradually moves toward the target line along the first and second contour lines, and finally follows the target line. Therefore, the contour of the surface to be machined is modeled by the reference line, the target line, and the first and second contour lines, and by incorporating the CAD information in this model representation, the CAM information for finishing surface machining is automatically generated. Can be generated.

[0006]

EXAMPLES The principle of the present invention will be described with examples.
In order to facilitate understanding, a case will be described in which the surface to be machined, that is, the finished surface has a simple shape as shown in FIG. The contour of the finishing surface S1 has four line elements L
It is composed of a, Lb, Lc, and Ld. Line element L
a and Lc are arcs that are parallel to each other, and line elements Lb and
Since Ld is a straight line parallel to each other, the finished surface S1
Has a convex curved surface (cylindrical surface).

Here, the contour of the finished surface is modeled as follows. (SP starting point, reference line, target line, contour line 1, contour line 2) The starting point is the starting point of the tool path when machining this finishing surface S1, and is located at one end of the reference line. Of the four line elements La, Lb, Lc, and Ld, two facing line elements are set as a reference line and a target line, and the other facing line elements are contour line 1 and contour line 2.

In the case of the finished surface S1 of FIG. 1A, the following model expression is possible, for example. (S-P P0 La, Lc, Lb, Ld) This expresses the line element La as the reference line, the line element Lc as the target line, and the line elements Lb and Ld as the contour line 1 and the contour line 2. is there. In the case of such a model representation,
As shown in (B), many tool paths parallel to the reference line La and the target line Lc are set. That is, the tool path starts from the starting point PO, and the first tool path is the reference line L.
Follow a. Then, as shown by the broken line in the figure, the tool path gradually approaches the target line Lc along the contour lines Lb and Lc, and finally follows the target line Lc. In this case, the tool path is an arc and its length is determined by the contour lines Lb and Ld.

The finished surface S1 can also be modeled as follows. (S-P P0 Ld, Lb, La, Lc) This expresses the line element Ld as the reference line, the line element Lb as the target line, and the line elements La, Lc as the contour line 1 and the contour line 2. is there. In the case of such a model representation,
As shown in (C), many tool paths parallel to the reference line Ld and the target line Lb are set. That is, the tool path starts from the starting point PO, and the first tool path is the reference line L.
Along d. Then, as shown by the broken line in the figure, the tool path gradually approaches the target line Lb along the contour lines La and Lc, and finally follows the target line Lb. In this case, the tool path is a straight line, and its length is determined by the contour lines La and Lc.

Of the four line elements forming the contour of the finished surface, the two line elements facing each other may not be parallel to each other, and may be different from each other such as a straight line and a circular arc, or may have different lengths. May be different. When the reference line and the target line are different, the tool path initially has a shape along the reference line, gradually deforms, and finally has a shape along the target line.

The actual contour of the finished surface to be machined is not always composed of four line elements as in the above example. For example, there may be three line elements or five or more line elements. The contour of the finished surface in FIG. 2 is made up of only three line elements, namely, a straight line Le, a straight line Lf, and an arc Lg. In this case, the model is expressed as follows. (S-P P0 Le Lf Lg) In this model expression, line elements Lx are automatically added as described below in the finishing surface processing procedure described later. (S P P0 Le Lf Lg Lx) This line element Lx is formed in the vicinity of the intersection of the reference line Le and the target line Lf, is continuous with these, and is set as the second contour line. The shape of the second contour line Lx is determined in consideration of the diameter of the drill, and is similar to the first contour line Lc, for example. As a result, the tool path shown by the dotted line is set.

The contour of the finished surface in FIG. 3 has five line elements L.
It is composed of h, Li, Lj, Lk, and Ll. In order to express the contour of the finished surface as a model, it is necessary to compulsorily set four line elements and set the reference line, the target line, the contour line 1, and the contour line 2 as described above. For example, the model is expressed as follows. (S-P P0 Lh Lk (Li Lj) Ll) Here, the line element Li and the line element Lj are regarded as one line element and set as the first contour line. With this model representation,
The tool path is set as shown by the dotted line.

Further, when the contour of the finished surface is constituted by one line element such as a circle or an ellipse, or when the contour of the finished surface is constituted by only two line elements, this is forced. Is divided into four line elements, each of which is a reference line,
By setting the target line, the contour line 1, and the contour line 2, a model can be expressed. Also, if the machining target is a complicated finished surface, divide the finished surface into multiple surface parts,
A model may be expressed for each of the divided surface portions.

Next, a more specific example will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the work 100 made of a rectangular parallelepiped block has a rectangular outer contour line wor in a plan view.
It has a k-line. By cutting the workpiece 100, the illustrated processing target 200 (half the bolt)
To get The processing target 200 is a semi-cylindrical screw planned portion 2
01 and a trapezoidal head portion 202. The planned screw portion 201 has a semi-cylindrical surface segments-1. Further, the head portion 202 has three flat surfaces segmen.
ts-2, segments-3, segments-
Have four. The contour of the semi-cylindrical surface segments-1 is formed by two straight lines LI and L2 that are parallel to each other and two arcs AR1 and AR2 that are parallel to each other. Further, the flat surface segments-2 is inclined with respect to the z-axis, and its contour has two straight lines L3 and L4 which are parallel to each other and two straight lines which are orthogonal to these straight lines L3 and L4 and are parallel to each other. It is formed by L5 and L6. The knowledge representation of the present invention described above can be applied to the processing of all the surfaces of the processing target 200. Especially the surface seg that is not orthogonal to the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the tool (drill)
ments-1, segments-2, segmen
This is effective when processing ts-4.

In order to obtain half of the bolt shown in FIG. 4 (A), first, a rectangular parallelepiped shaped work piece is prepared as shown in FIG. 4 (B).
As shown in, rough processing for contouring is performed to form a T-shaped convex portion 300. This convex portion 300 is bordered by a surface parallel to the Z axis, and the planar shape of this convex portion 300 is the same as the processing target 200 of FIG. next,
As a pre-stage process for finishing surface processing, the convex portion 300 is shaved to approximate the shape of FIG. Finally, finish surface processing is performed. The tool path at the time of the pretreatment of the finishing surface processing is determined by the tool path at the time of finishing surface processing.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 5, the CAD / CAM of the present invention
The coupling system is a CA that creates CAD information of a processing target.
The system includes a D system 1, an AI tool 2 for converting this CAD information into CAM information, and a CAM system 3 for converting this CAM information into an NC code based on machine setting information. The machine setting information differs depending on the type of NC machine tool 5. The CAD system 1 and AI tool 2 are running on the workstation 4, and the CAM system is running on a personal computer. The workstation 4 and the personal computer are connected by an internet, and a keyboard and a display are attached to each. The personal computer and the NC machine tool 5 are connected by a cable.
The CAD information is stored in a CAD language format and has a format conforming to IGES.

Next, the relationship between the CAD information and the CAM information will be described. Each line element is given individual CAD information and CAM information. If the line element is a straight line,
The CAD information and the CAM information basically include coordinates of both ends. In the case of an arc, CAD information, C
In principle, the AM information includes, in addition to the coordinates of both ends, the coordinates of the center point of the arc, the radius, the angle from the basic line at both ends, and the like. Since the CAM information for rough machining determines the tool path forming the contour line of the plane shape, the relationship with the previous line element on this tool path,
And the direction of the toolpath. Further, it is possible to omit some of the CAM information for rough machining related to the line element by the CAM information of the line element before and after on the tool path.
However, some CAM information for finishing surface processing cannot be omitted. In this embodiment, the CAM information for each line element is used for both rough machining and finished surface machining.

The knowledge base of the AI tool 2 prepared for cutting the bolts includes the frame system shown in FIG. This frame system is
SA related frames "kernel", "bolt-ass"
It has “embly”, “bolt”, “bolt ***”, and “bolt ###”. Here, the frame "kernel" is the highest-level concept frame, and the frame "bolt ###" is the lowest-level concept frame or instance. In FIG. 6, I
The SA relationship is shown by solid arrows. Further, the frame system includes a frame "LispProc" having an ISA relationship with the frame "kernel". In this embodiment, the lowest conceptual frame “bolt ###” is for storing CAD information of an actual processing target, does not exist when the knowledge base is constructed, and is automatically created by the AI tool 2. It

Next, the most important frame "bolt" in the present invention is
*** "will be described with reference to FIG. This frame "bolt ***" is a tool file slot "tool-file"
The file name of the tool information corresponding to the material is stored here. In this embodiment, since wax is specified as the material, a file name (wax1) containing information on a drill suitable for cutting this wax is stored. In addition, the slot "work
-Size ", slot" pas "that represents the feed in the depth direction of the drill
s-pitch ”, viewpoint slot“ view-point ”for simulation of tool path, etc. In this embodiment, the viewpoint slot stores (iso), that is, the viewpoint from diagonally above.

The frame "bolt ***" has a slot "cam-drawing-1" for rough processing. The following function drawing is stored in this slot. cam-drawing-1: (drawing (work-line segments-1 segments-2 segments-3 segments-4)) This is the contour of each surface segments-1, 2, 3, 4 from the work-line in rough machining. It is expressed that the drill is cut toward and the convex portion 300 having the contour as shown in FIG. 4B is formed. In addition,
The description of the slot that represents the tool path in the rough machining as a model is omitted.

Further, the frame "bolt ***" is shown in FIG.
A slot "segm" that represents a model of a tool path for machining the surface segments-1, 2, 3 and 4 of (A)
ents-1 ”,“ segments-2 ”... The following model expression is stored in the slot “segments-1”. (SP P1 L1 L2 AR2 AR1) This is one in which the straight line L1 is set as the reference line, the straight line L2 is set as the target line, and the arcs AR1, AR2 are set as the contour lines 1, 2. Therefore, when finishing the surface,
The tool path is the same as in (C). Slot "segme
The following model expression is stored in "nts-2". (S-P P2 L3 L4 L5 L6) Other slots "segments-3", "segme"
The model representation similar to that of the slot “segments-2” is also stored in “nts-4”.

The frame "bolt ***" is a finished surface seg
It has the starting points of the mens-1, 2, 3, 4 and the slot of the line element. CAD information is stored in each slot. That is, the x, y, z coordinates of the starting point slot are stored. In each line element slot, the type of line element such as an arc (arc) or a straight line (line) is stored first. For example, in the case of a straight line, x, y, z coordinates at one end and x, y, z at the other end are stored in order.
In FIG. 7, the slot of the line element L5 is shown as a typical example.

An attribution "cam" is attached to each line element slot of the frame "bolt ***". Attribution manages a kind of daemon function with specific attributes.

In the above configuration, first the CAD system 1
The reading of the CAD information created in 1. will be described. The basic method of this reading is the Society of Design Engineering, Vol. 27,
12 (1992), pages 537-542. By the keyboard operation, a CAD information read command and each frame "bolt ***" are specified. Then, the slot "recognition" value of the frame "bolt ***" is activated as an additional procedure, and the system shifts to the production system. At this time, the value of the attribution “rule” existing in the slot of the frame “bolt ***” is incorporated in the production system. As a result, the following procedure is executed.

Recognizing each line element, the frame "bolt
The CAD information for each line element is stored in the line element slot "***". The frame "bolt ***" may store CAD information of a bolt that is actually desired to be cut, but in the present embodiment, CAD information of a standard model bolt is stored.

Next, the CAD of the cam which is actually desired to be cut
The reading of information will be described. In this case, the CAD information read command and the frame "bolt ###" are specified by operating the keyboard. Then, the frame system automatically generates a frame “bolt ###” as a subordinate concept of the frame “bolt ***”. Similarly to the above, the slot “recognition” value of the frame “bolt ***” is activated as an additional procedure, the production system is entered, line element slots are created in the frame “bolt ###”, and The CAD information for each line element is stored.

Next, how the CAM information is generated based on the CAD information stored in the frame "bolt ###" will be described in detail. The user operates the keyboard to generate the CAM information and the frame "bolt #".
When “##” is designated, the slot “macro-template” of the frame “bolt” of FIG. 9 having an ISA relationship is referred to. In this slot, for example, a framework (hereinafter referred to as macrotemplate) including 11-step procedure codes is stored. Hereinafter, description will be made step by step. (1) Start the CAM information generation program. (2) Load tool information. Specifically, "bolt **
The value of the slot "tool-file" of "*" is substituted into the above procedure code, and the following macro code is created. (New wax1 @ cr) This macro code is an instruction to load the tool information file wax1 (drill for wax) and select the tool to be used from this file. It should be noted that new means generation of new CAM information.

(3) CAM information regarding the tool path is generated. Specifically, slot “c” of frame “bolt ***”
am-drawing-1 "is referenced, and as a result, the segemnt
s-1, 2, 3, 4 etc. are referenced, and the frame "bo
The line element "lt ###" is referred to. At this time, since the attribution "cam" is not attached to the frame "bolt ###", the attribution "cam" of each slot of "bolt ***" is inherited and evaluated. . The evaluation of the attribution "cam" means that the CAD information stored in the line element slot is used for the CAM information. The CAM information of the generated line element is stored. Further, in this procedure, CAM information of the tool path along the contour line of the convex portion 300 of FIG. 4B described above is created based on the CAM information of the line element.

(4) The tool path on the contour line is redrawn based on the CAM information of the tool path. (5) Store the CAM information in a dedicated file. (6) The data is compressed. (7) Set the interlace value between tool cutting paths. (8) Roughing processing is determined based on the CAM information and the tool information. In rough machining, in addition to the tool path, finishing allowance, machining depth, feed depth, drill selection at each stage of rough machining, drill rotation speed, etc. are determined. The rough machining tool path is obtained based on CAM information relating to the contour tool path. The rough machining tool path is a tool path for cutting from the contour line work-line of the workpiece to the contour line of the machining target (planar contour line).

(9) Determine the finishing surface treatment. In the finishing surface processing, the tool path is determined based on the macro template created in advance based on the above-described model expression of the finishing surface and the CAM information regarding each line element obtained in the procedure of the third step. It Also, attribute information for finishing surface processing is defined. The attribute information includes the following. i) Offset (Offset) In finishing surface processing, if the coordinates of the tip of the axis of the drill are moved along the finishing surface, the planned finishing surface cannot be obtained. This is because the radius of the drill is cut too much. Therefore, it means to horizontally shift the axis of the drill by the radius of the drill. ii) Connect This means, for example, that the end of the previous tool path is continuous with the start of the next tool path, in other words, the tool path alternates right and left. . If you want the tool path to always be in one direction, use Conn.
It is defined as “nil” instead of “ect”. iii) Tool path spacing (Spacing Distance)
e) This means the distance between adjacent tool paths (paths of the drill axis). Normally, if the radius of the drill is used, surface processing can be performed without omission. iv) Division Distance When the tool path is a curved line, this curved line is formed by connecting fine linear movements. The length of this straight line is called the division distance. This usually matches the radius of the drill. The drill diameter for obtaining the attribute information as described above is obtained from the tool file loaded in the second procedure stage described above. By the way, in this procedure, only the path along the reference line and the path along the target line are defined as the tool path for finishing surface machining. CA
The M system 3 defines a large number of actual tool paths based on this path information and attribute information.

(10) The CAM system 3 is instructed to perform the simulation of the tool path for the rough machining and the finishing process on the display. The starting point in this simulation is the slot "vit" of the frame "bolt ***".
ew-point ". (11) The CAM system 3 issues a conversion command so as to create an NC code based on the CAM information and the machine setting information (camm-3 in this embodiment).

When the CAM information is generated based on the CAD information of the standard model stored in the frame "bolt ***", the user operates the keyboard to generate the CAM information and the frame "bolt **". * "Is specified.
The following is the same as the case of designating the frame "bolt ###", and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

In this embodiment, the "macro-template", which is the framework of the procedure for obtaining the CAM information and the like, is initially undefined, and the frame "bo" that stores the model expression is stored.
"lt ***" is automatically created. This allows the user to "macro-template" according to the model.
You can save the trouble of rewriting. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given with reference to FIG. When the user issues a "macro-template" generation command using the keyboard, the frame "bolt-assembly" is displayed.
With reference to the slot "macro-template" of, the daemon function "if-needed" is activated. As a result, the slot "cam-macro-template" of the frame "LispProc" is referenced, the file "/ private / source / ..." is loaded, and the function "cam-macro-" stored in this file is loaded.
template "is evaluated. That is, the process of FIG. 10 is executed with reference to the frame “bolt-***” to create a “macro-template”, and this is stored in the frame “bolt” as shown in FIG.

Next, the "macro-template" shown in FIG.
The generation flow of will be described in detail. In FIG. 10, other than the routine for generating the graphic information and the routine for generating the tool path (tool path), the procedure code of FIG. 8 is stored as it is, and therefore its explanation is omitted. In the routine for generating graphic information, the frame "bolt- *" in FIG.
Create the following procedure code that will be a part of the macro template by referring to the slot "cam-drawing-1" of ** ". (? Cam-drawing-1) At this time, check the value of the slot "cam-drawing-1".

Next, the routine for generating the tool path will be described. In the present embodiment, the creation of the macro template for roughing processing is not a characteristic part, so it is omitted.
Only the finishing surface processing will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the following procedure code that means finishing surface processing is set. Surfaces Build From Patch Next, set the reference line. Here, "? Genate
l-str ”and“? general-end ”
The first and last line elements of the reference line are frame "bolt **
* "Finished surface slot" segments-2,
It means that it is set with reference to the model representation of "3, 4". In the case of the finished surface segments-1, since the reference line is formed by one line element L1, the following macro code is formed. (L1 @cr) (L1 @cr) Next, the target line is set. Here, "? Generate2
"-Str" and "? Generate2-end" mean that the first and last line elements of the reference line are set with reference to the model representation of the finishing surface slot of frame 1. In the case of the finished surface segments-1, since the target line is constituted by one line element L2, the following macro code is formed. (L2 @cr) (L2 @cr) Hereinafter, similarly, the contour line 1 (director 1) and the contour line 2 (director 2) are set. Therefore, the macro template for processing the finishing surface segments-1 is as follows. (L1 @cr) (L1 @cr) (L2 @cr) (L
2 @cr) (AR1 @cr) (AR1 @cr) (AR2 @c
r) (AR2 @cr)

Note that the subsequent Offset ... Is stored as the procedure code as it is in FIG. As mentioned above, the macro template uses the frame "bolt- *"
It can be automatically generated with reference to the model expression "**".

Incidentally, in the case of the finished surface as shown in FIG. 2, the macro template is as follows. The fictitious second contour line Lx may be created when the macro template is generated, or may be created when the actual CAM information is generated. (Le @ cr) (Le @ cr) (Lf @ cr) (Lf @
cr) (Lg @ cr) (Lg @ cr) (Lx @ cr) (Lx @
cr) Further, in the case of the finished surface as shown in FIG. 3, the macro template is as follows. (Lh @ cr) (Lh @ cr) (Lk @ cr) (Lk @
cr) (Li @ cr) (Lj @ cr) (Ll @ cr) (Ll @
cr)

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the surface to be machined is modeled by the reference line, the target line, and the first and second contour lines, the CAM information for finishing surface machining is automatically generated. Can be generated dynamically.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example for explaining the principle of the present invention, FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a surface to be processed and line elements forming its contour, and FIG. 1B is an example of a model representation. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a tool path set in the model expression, and FIG. 6C is a diagram showing another example of the model expression and the tool path set in the model expression.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a surface to be processed and its contour according to another aspect,
It is a figure showing a model expression and a tool course.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a surface to be machined and its contour, a model expression, and a tool path according to still another aspect.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing an example of a processing target;
FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a shape obtained by the roughing process before FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a CAD / CAM combination system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a frame system included in a knowledge base of an AI tool.

7 is a diagram showing the contents of a frame "bolt ***" in FIG.

8 is a diagram showing the contents of a frame "bolt" in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a message communication function between frames when generating a macro template.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow for generating a macro template.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow relating to a finishing surface processing portion in the processing flow shown in FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CAD system 2 ... AI tool 3 ... CAM system S1, segments-1, segments-2, segments-3 ... Finished surface to be processed La to Ll, Lx, L1 to L6, AR1, AR2 ...
Line element

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical display location G06F 17/50 7623-5L G06F 15/60 400 K

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A CAD for creating CAD information to be processed
System and A that converts this CAD information into CAM information
I tool and C that converts this CAM information into NC code
The knowledge base of the AI tool, which includes an AM system, represents a model of a large number of tool paths that cross a finishing surface. Specifically, the contour of the surface to be machined is defined by four line elements, and Of the elements, the line element along which the first tool path follows is set as a reference line, the line element along which the last tool path follows is set as the target line, and the remaining two line elements are set as the first contour line. A CAD / CAM combination system characterized in that the tool path is modeled so as to go from the reference line to the target line along the first contour line and the second contour line in order by setting as the second contour line.