JPH0850601A - Jig layout method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a jig layout method and a jig layout method in which a plurality of jigs can be arranged without interfering with each other. [Structure] An input / output device 6 for inputting an initial placement, a layout allowable range calculation unit 3 for calculating a position change allowable range from the initial placement, and a CAD device 1 for designing individual jigs.
0, an interference check unit 4 for checking interference between individual jigs when the individual jigs designed by the CAD device are arranged at the positions in the initial arrangement, and the individual jigs from the initial arrangement described above. A jig layout device (1) comprising: a re-layout unit (5) that moves and rearranges within an allowable range.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of assembly jigs used in factory automation lines and the like, for example, when a plurality of clamping devices for fixing workpieces or tools to be processed are arranged on the same stage. The present invention relates to a jig layout method and apparatus for automatically performing jig layout.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to the development of CAD technology, the design of assembly jigs used in automated lines has become CAD / CA.
It is performed by a design support device such as M, and based on the information on the shape of the workpiece to be processed, a jig necessary for processing the workpiece, such as a workpiece or a tool, is fixed or guided to a predetermined position. Jigs for doing so are automatically designed. Specifically, a database that stores data on the structures and shapes of various parts that make up the jig in the CAD device, and shape and cross-section data on the workpiece with which the jig abuts (also stored in the CAD. ), The designer searches the database while considering various design conditions and constraints, and connects the components that make up the jig on the screen of the CAD device, and the database of the required component structure If it is not inside, the jig is designed by the designer newly designing the part. In addition, a device invented for the purpose of automating the jig design in order to reduce the burden on the designer is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1159.
77, JP-A-2-115978, JP-A-2
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 115980.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the automatic designing apparatus described in the above publication, which is composed of workpiece machining surface data related to the machining surface of a workpiece to be machined and movable and non-movable parts of parts constituting a jig. Starting from a basic relationship model consisting of a component part and a mathematical model showing its mechanical relationship, a structural model that is a set of part specifications that specifies the jig unit to be designed is generated from these, and this structure is generated. From the model, the selection condition for selecting the one that matches the part structure in the standard part database and the creation condition for designing the part that does not exist in the standard part are derived. The selected part specification selected from the standard part database is determined, and the creation part specification is determined from the creation condition to draw the jig to be designed.

[0004]

In such a conventional jig automatic design, the designer first arbitrarily determines the arrangement of the jig on the stage, and then the shape information of the work at that portion is determined. Mainly, the jigs that come into contact with the part are automatically designed one by one, mainly based on the cross-sectional shape data of the work. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, when a plurality of jigs (clamping device in the case shown) 20 are arranged on the same stage 25, each automatically designed jig is actually used. When the jigs 20 are placed on the stage 25, the jigs 20 interfere with each other and the jigs 20 cannot be placed well. This is for each jig installation position instructed by the designer.
Since the jigs with the optimal shapes and structures in the designated parts are designed separately, each jig is designed while carefully considering the arrangement state with other jigs and their sizes. It is because it is difficult to do.

This is the same in the automatic designing apparatus described in each of the above publications, and although the individual jigs are automatically designed in consideration of the interference between the work and the jigs,
Since no consideration is given to interference between jigs when a plurality of jigs are arranged in the same stage, there is a similar problem.

When the jigs interfere with each other after designing the individual jigs as described above, the jig arrangement is reconsidered from the beginning, and the individual jigs, or at least the jigs having the interference are designed. It requires a lot of time and effort such as starting over.

Therefore, the present invention, when a plurality of jigs are arranged, considers the positional relationship between the jigs and arranges the jigs without interfering with each other, and a jig layout method therefor. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0008]

The present invention for achieving the above object comprises a step of designating an initial arrangement of a plurality of jigs,
Calculating a position change allowable range from the initial placement, obtaining design data of individual jigs in the initial placement, and individually setting the individual jigs at the positions in the initial placement. In the step of checking the interference between the jigs from the jig design data and in the step of checking the interference, move the jigs with the interference within the position change allowable range and re-execute so as to eliminate the interference. It is a jig layout method characterized by comprising the steps of arranging.

In the present invention, the step of calculating the position change allowable range is based on the machining accuracy of the workpiece to be machined in the jig arrangement state in the initial arrangement, among the plurality of jigs. The jig layout method is characterized in that, when each jig is moved by an arbitrary movement amount, it is judged whether or not it is within an allowable range in which the processing accuracy can be maintained.

According to the present invention for achieving the above object, an input means for inputting an initial arrangement of a plurality of jigs, an allowable range calculating means for calculating a position change allowable range from the initial arrangement, and an initial arrangement in the initial arrangement are provided. Design means for designing individual jigs, interference checking means for checking interference between individual jigs when the individual jigs designed by the design means are placed at the positions in the initial placement, and the initial placement The jig layout device comprises: a jig rearrangement unit that moves and rearranges each jig within the allowable range calculated by the allowable range calculation unit.

Further, the present invention for achieving the above object comprises an input means for inputting an initial arrangement of a plurality of jigs, an allowable range calculating means for calculating a position change allowable range from the initial arrangement, and the initial step. Design data storage means for storing design data of individual jigs arranged in the arrangement, and individual design data storage means for arranging the jigs at the positions in the initial arrangement based on the design data of the individual jigs stored in the design data storage means. Interference checking means for checking interference between jigs, and jig repositioning means for moving and rearranging individual jigs within the allowable range calculated by the allowable range calculating means from the initial arrangement, This is a jig layout device.

[0012]

According to the jig layout method of the present invention having the above-described structure, the position change permissible range is determined by determining to what extent the position of each jig can be changed from the initial arrangement arbitrarily designated by the designer. Then, check the design data of each jig for the presence of interference between the individual jigs, and if there is interference, change the position of the interfering jig within the position change allowable range The layout of multiple jigs without

Further, in the jig layout method of the present invention, the allowable range of the processing accuracy is determined by deciding how much the processing accuracy in the initial placement can move each jig before keeping the position changeable range. By calculating as a reference, even when the layout of each jig is changed from the initial layout, it is possible to perform a layout in which the jigs do not interfere with each other while maintaining the machining accuracy of the work as a whole of the jigs. .

Further, the jig layout device of the present invention is
The input means inputs the initial placement of multiple jigs arbitrarily specified by the designer, and the allowable range calculation means determines how much the individual jig positions can be changed from the initial placement and the allowable position change range. The individual jigs in the initial arrangement that have been calculated and input are designed. Then, the interference checking unit checks the design data designed by the designing unit for the presence of interference between the jigs, and the jig rearranging unit checks for interference within the allowable range calculated by the allowable range calculating unit. By moving and changing the position of a jig with
The jigs are laid out so that they do not interfere with each other.

Further, the jig layout device of the present invention is
The input means inputs the initial placement of multiple jigs arbitrarily specified by the designer, and the allowable range calculation means determines how much the individual jig positions can be changed from the initial placement and the allowable position change range. It is calculated. Then, the interference checking means obtains the design data of individual jigs designed in advance from the design data storing means, checks whether there is interference between the jigs, and the jig rearranging means causes the allowable range calculating means. By moving and changing the positions of the jigs having the interference within the allowable range calculated in step 1, the plurality of jigs are laid out so as not to interfere with each other.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a jig layout device to which the present invention is applied. This layout device 1 is
It comprises a CAD device 10 which is a design means for designing individual jigs, and a layout section 2 which performs interference check and rearrangement of the jigs. The CAD device 10 is an input unit for inputting an initial layout (initial layout), which includes a unit 3, an interference check unit 4 which is an interference check unit, and a relayout unit 5 which is a jig rearrangement unit. An input / output device 6 including an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and an output device such as a monitor and a printer, a work database 7 that stores work data such as a work shape, and component data for designing a jig are stored. The jig database 8 is connected,
The jig layout is automatically performed so that the jigs do not interfere with each other based on the input initial layout and the design data of each jig designed by the CAD device 10.

The operation of each unit will be described below. To what extent the layout allowable range calculation unit 3 may move the layout from the initial layout, which is the position of the plurality of jigs for the work input by the designer from the input / output device 6,
The allowable range is calculated. For example, in the case of a clamp device for fixing a work, the initial layout to be input may be various according to the shape of the work 26 so that the designer can process the work most easily as shown in FIG. Specify arbitrarily considering the conditions. In the illustrated case, there are m clamp devices up to P1, P2, ... Pm. The layout allowable range calculation unit 3 calculates the position change allowable range of each jig from the arrangement of each jig in this initial layout as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, the position Pn of each clamp device (n represents the number of an arbitrary clamp device) is substituted into a variable Pn '(S1), and the arbitrarily designated position change amount δA is added to Pn', The variable Pn 'is substituted (S2). The position of the clamp device Pn is changed to Pn ′, the other clamp devices are left at the positions P1, P2, ... Pm in the initial layout, and a simulation is performed to see how the machining accuracy of the workpiece changes, and the simulation is performed. The result is α (S3). The steps 2 and 3 are repeated until all the clamp devices including the simulation results α and Pn become larger than the machining precision allowable value ε, that is, the machining precision becomes poor, and the position change amount δA is sequentially increased. When the machining accuracy α becomes larger than the machining accuracy ε, the process ends (S4), and Pn ′ at that time is added to the allowable amount Pn + on the (+) side of Pn (S5). Next, in the same manner as above, the position Pn of the same clamp device is substituted into the variable Pn '(S6), the arbitrarily designated position change amount δA is subtracted from Pn' and substituted into the variable Pn '(S7). ). The position of the clamp device Pn is changed to Pn ′, the other clamp devices are left at the positions P1, P2, ... Pm in the initial layout, and a simulation is performed to see how the machining accuracy of the workpiece changes, and the simulation is performed. The result is set to α (S8). The above steps 2 and 3 are repeated until all the clamping devices including the simulation result α and Pn become larger than the machining accuracy ε in the initial layout state, and the position change amount δA is sequentially increased. When the value exceeds the allowable value ε, the process ends (S
9), Pn 'at that time is added to the allowable amount Pn- on the (-) side of Pn.
(S10). This determines the tolerance of one clamping device.

This is sequentially performed for all the clamp devices to calculate the position change allowable range in all the clamp devices. FIG. 4 shows the state of this allowable amount calculation.
With respect to the position Pn in the initial layout, the (+) side allowable range Pn + and the (−) side allowable range Pn− calculated as described above are determined. In the figure, A indicates the moving direction within the allowable range, and the arrow direction is the (+) side.

Next, the interference check unit 4 is a CA which will be described later.
Based on the design data of each jig in the D device 10, the presence or absence of interference when arranging each jig according to the initial layout is checked. As shown in FIG. 5, the surface data of each jig, that is, the data of the outline that allows the size of each jig to be determined from the design data of each jig is set in the horizontal and depth directions. It is extracted as a surface segment and it is determined whether or not there is an intersection on the surface segment line of each jig. As shown in the figure, when there is an intersection, it can be seen that the jigs of the surface data having the intersections Q1 and Q2 interfere with each other.

Next, the relayout section 5 changes the position of the jig for which the interference is detected by the interference check section 4 within the allowable position change range. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the processing for changing the position, and FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a jig having interference and jigs on both sides of the jig. In FIG. 8, jigs having interference are Ps and Pt, Pk is next to Ps, and Pr is next to Pt. The interfering jigs Ps and Pt are detected by the interference checking unit 4 as having interference.

In the re-layout, first, the jig P with interference is used.
A unit vector Fs (hereinafter simply referred to as Fs) in a direction in which s moves away from Pt is obtained (S20), and then a unit vector Ft (hereinafter simply referred to as Ft) in a direction in which Pt moves away from Ps is obtained. Since it is in the opposite direction, Ft = −Fs (S21).

Next, the shortest distance ds between Ps and another jig (excluding Pt) is obtained (S22). In the case shown in FIG. 8, the shortest distance from Pk is obtained. Next, it is confirmed that ds is not less than 0 (S23), and if ds is 0
In the case of the following, error processing is displayed (S40), the relayout of Ps and Pt this time is completed, and the jig with the shortest distance ds of 0 or less (Pk in the case of FIG. 8 is shown. ) And Ps relayout will be performed.
However, at the first stage, the interference check unit 4 does not detect the interference between Ps and Pk, and therefore ds is a value larger than 0. Therefore, next, the shortest distance dt between Pt and another jig (excluding Ps) is obtained (S24).
In the case shown in FIG. 8, the shortest distance from Pr is obtained. Then, confirm that dt is not 0 or less (S2
5) If dt is less than or equal to 0, that effect is displayed as error processing (S41), the relayout of Ps and Pt this time is completed, and the jig with the shortest distance ds of less than or equal to 0 ( In the case of FIG. 8, the relayout of Pr) and Pt is executed. However, at the first stage, since the interference check unit 4 does not detect the interference between Pt and Pr in the same manner as described above, dt is a value larger than 0.

Next, when Ps is moved in the Fs direction by the step size β, the shortest distance ds' between Ps of βFs and other jigs (excluding Pt) is obtained (S26). In the case shown in FIG. 8, the shortest distance from Pk is obtained. In this example β
Was set to 5 mm. At this stage, Ps is still actually
Is not processed. Next, ds ′ and ds are compared (S27), and when ds ′ ≧ ds, Ps is set to βF
The process of moving by s is performed (S35), and the process of step 32 (S32) and subsequent steps described later is performed.

At step 27 (S27), ds'
If ≧ ds is not satisfied, then Pt is divided into F with a step size β.
When moved in the t direction, Pt of βFt (excluding Ps)
The shortest distance dt 'with another jig is obtained (S28). FIG.
In case of, the shortest distance from Pr is obtained.
At this stage, the Pt transfer process is not actually performed yet. Then, dt 'and dt are compared (S29),
If dt ′ ≧ dt, a process of moving Pt by βFt is performed (S36), and step 32 (S3) described later is performed.
2) Perform the following processing.

At step 29 (S29), dt '
If ≧ dt does not hold, then ds ′ and dt ′ are compared (S30), and if ds ′ is larger than dt ′, Ps is moved by βFs (S37), and the steps described below are performed. If the dt 'is larger than the ds', Pt is moved by βFt (S31).

With the processing up to now (excluding error processing),
Since either Ps or Pt is being moved,
Next, it is confirmed whether or not Ps is within the permissible range Ps− to Ps + (S32), and if it is not within the permissible range, error processing is performed to display that relayout is impossible (S42). ), The processing ends. If it is within the allowable range, then Pt is changed from the allowable range Pt− to Pt +.
If it is not within the allowable range, it is displayed as an error process that relayout is impossible (S43), and the process is terminated.
If it is within the allowable range, the interference between Ps and Pt is checked again by the interference check unit 4 (S34). If there is no interference, the process is terminated, and if the interference still remains, the step is performed again. Then, the process returns to step 22 (S22) to execute the above-mentioned processes.

By this, until the interference gradually disappears,
When Ps or Pt is moved to eliminate the interference, or when Ps or Pt is moved to cause interference with other jigs (Pk or Pr) (steps 22 (S22), 23 above). (S23) and step 24
In (S24) and 25 (detected in S25), the re-layout of the jig is performed, and as a result, the re-layout is executed until all the jigs do not interfere with each other. Become. Note that step 42 (S42)
And 43 (S43), if the jig is moved, the machining accuracy will be deteriorated because the position change allowable range will be exceeded when the jig is moved. It may be changed, the initial layout itself is changed, or the design of each jig is changed. The above is the relayout processing operation in the relayout unit 5.

In this embodiment, the design of each jig is
As has been done in the past using the CAD device 10,
It is assumed that the designer designs the workpiece data stored in the jig database 8 to configure the jig and the machining shape data of the workpiece stored in the work database 7. Specifically, first, the machining shape data of the work of the arrangement part of each jig in the initial layout of the jig is extracted from the work database 7, and the jig component having the shape suitable for the machining shape is acquired in the jig database 8. The jigs are constructed by connecting the necessary parts to the jigs, and by inputting the height and positional relationship data from the stage to the workpiece, the dimensions of the parts that make up the jigs are adjusted. , Designing and drawing individual jigs. Regarding the design of each individual jig, the automatic design device described in each publication described in the prior art may be used as the design means, or else the design data of the jig designed by the designer in advance may be used as it is. In that case, instead of the CAD device 10 which is the designing means for each jig, a design data storing means for storing designing data for each predesigned jig is connected to the layout section 2. By allowing the layout unit 2 to obtain the surface data necessary for re-execution of the interference check from the data such as the shape and size of each jig,
The present invention can be implemented.

Here, the flow of the relayout processing as a whole will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the layout allowable range calculation unit 3 calculates the layout allowable range as described above (S
50) Next, individual jigs are designed (S5
1) The interference check unit 4 checks the design data for interference (S52), and if it is detected that there is interference (S5).
3) The relayout section rearranges the jig as described above (S54). As a result, the plurality of jigs are laid out without interference.

[0033]

As described above, according to the jig layout method of the present invention, the jigs having interference are checked by checking the presence or absence of interference in each jig designed in an arbitrarily designated initial arrangement. Since the position change is performed within the position change allowable range, the design work of the jig having the interference is less likely to be redone and the design work can be made efficient. Further, by calculating the allowable position change range using the machining accuracy of the workpiece as a criterion, the machining accuracy of the workpiece is guaranteed even when the position of the jig having the interference is changed.

Further, the jig layout device of the present invention calculates the extent to which the position of each jig can be changed by the allowable range calculation means from the initial arrangement arbitrarily input by the designer by the input means, The presence or absence of interference of each jig designed by the means is checked by the interference check means, and the position of the jig having the interference is changed by the rearrangement means. Individual jigs can be designed without considering the presence or absence of interference, and the design efficiency is improved.

Further, in the jig layout device of the present invention, the allowable range calculation means calculates from the initial position arbitrarily input by the designer by the input means, how much the position of each jig can be changed, and it is calculated in advance. The design data of each designed jig is obtained from the design data storage means, and the presence or absence of interference of each jig is checked by the interference check means, and the relocation means changes the position of the jig with the interference. Therefore, when designing each jig, it is possible to design without considering the interference of each jig. If there is design data for each jig that has already been designed, design it. The jig layout without interference can be automatically performed only by storing the jig in the data storage means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a jig layout device that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an initial layout of a plurality of jigs in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of calculation of a position change allowable range in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a position change allowable range in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of surface data of a jig for explaining the interference check in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of relayout in the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of relayout following FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an interfering jig for explaining a relayout in the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the entire layout apparatus in the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional automatic jig designing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a bird's eye view showing a plurality of jigs (clamping devices) arranged on the same stage.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Layout device, 2 ... Layout unit, 3 ... Layout allowable range calculation unit, 4 ... Interference check unit, 5 ... Relayout unit, 6 ... I / O device, 7 ... Work database, 8
... jig database, 10 ... CAD device.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A step of designating an initial placement of a plurality of jigs, a step of calculating a position change allowable range from the initial placement, and a step of obtaining design data of individual jigs in the initial placement. , Checking the interference between the individual jigs when the individual jigs are placed at the positions in the initial placement from the jig design data, and checking the interference, the jigs that have interference Is moved within the position change allowable range and rearranged so as to eliminate interference, and a jig layout method. 2. The step of calculating the position change allowable range is based on the processing accuracy of a workpiece to be processed in the arrangement state of the jigs in the initial arrangement, among the plurality of jigs. 2. The jig layout method according to claim 1, wherein the jig is laid out according to whether or not it is within an allowable range in which the processing accuracy can be maintained when the jig is moved by an arbitrary amount. 3. An input means for inputting an initial arrangement of a plurality of jigs, an allowable range calculating means for calculating a position change allowable range from the initial arrangement, and a designing means for designing individual jigs in the initial arrangement. And an interference check means for checking interference between individual jigs when the individual jigs designed by the design means are arranged at the positions in the initial arrangement, and the individual jigs from the initial arrangement to the allowable range. A jig layout device, comprising: a jig rearrangement unit that moves and rearranges within an allowable range calculated by a calculation unit. 4. Input means for inputting an initial arrangement of a plurality of jigs, allowable range calculation means for calculating a position change allowable range from the initial arrangement, and design of individual jigs arranged in the initial arrangement. An interference check for checking the interference between the individual jigs when the jigs are arranged at the positions in the initial arrangement based on the design data storage means storing the data and the design data of the individual jigs stored in the design data storage means. And a jig rearrangement means for moving and rearranging individual jigs within the allowable range calculated by the allowable range calculating means from the initial arrangement, and a jig layout device comprising: .