Patent Application
20080086221
A specific embodiment of the present invention is explained hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As illustrated in
First, the NC lathe 30 will be explained hereinafter. As illustrated in
The chuck 33 comprises a chuck body 33a and a plurality of grasping claws 33b that grasp a workpiece W. The tool rest 36 is configured with a tool rest body 36a and a tool spindle 36b that holds a tool T. The tool T, which is cutting tools and other turning tools, is configured with a tool body Ta and a tip (blade) Tb for machining the workpiece W.
The control panel 41 comprises an input device 42, such as an operation keys for inputting various signals to the controller 1 and a manual pulse generator for inputting a pulse signal to the controller 1, and a screen display device 43 for displaying onscreen a state of control by the controller 1.
The operation keys include an operation mode selecting switch for switching operation modes between automatic and manual operations, a feed axis selector switch for selecting feed axes (X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis), movement buttons for moving the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 along a feed axis selected by the feed axis selector switch, a control knob for controlling feedrate override, and setup button for defining a display magnification that will be described hereinafter. The signals from the operation mode selecting switch, feed axis selector switch, movement buttons, control knob, and setup button are sent to the controller 1.
The manual pulse generator is provided with the feed axis selector switch for selecting the feed axes (X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis), a power selector switch for changing travel distance per one pulse, and a pulse handle that is rotated axially to generate pulse signals corresponding to the amount of the rotation. The operating signals from the feed axis selector switch, power selector switch, and pulse handle are sent to the controller 1.
Next, the controller 1 will be explained. As described above, the controller 1 is provided with the program storage 11, program analyzing unit 12, drive control unit 13, move-to point predicting unit 14, modeling data storage 15, interference data storage 16, display magnification data storage 17, movement-status recognition processor 18, and screen display processor 19. It should be understood that the program storage 11, program analyzing unit 12 and drive control unit 13 function as a control execution processing unit recited in the claims.
In the program storage 11, a previously created NC program is stored. The program analyzing unit 12 analyzes the NC program stored in the program storage 11 successively for each block to extract operational commands relating to the move-to point and feed rate of the tool rest 36 (the first saddle 34 and second saddle 35), and to the rotational speed of the spindle motor 40, and sends the extracted operational commands to the drive control unit 13 and move-to point predicting unit 14.
When the operation mode selecting switch is in automatic operation position, the drive control unit 13 controls, based on the operational commands received from the program analyzing unit 12, rotation of the main spindle 32 and movement of the tool rest 36. Specifically, the rotation of the main spindle 32 is controlled by generating a control signal, based on feedback data on current rotational speed from the spindle motor 40, and based on the operational commands, to send the generated control signal to the spindle motor 40. Additionally, the movement of the tool rest 36 is controlled by generating a control signal, based on feedback data on a current point of the tool rest 36 from the feed mechanism 37, 38, 39, and based on the operational commands, to send the generated control signal to the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39.
Furthermore, when the operation mode selecting switch is in the manual operation position, the drive control unit 13 generates, based on the operating signal received from the input device 42, operational signals for the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39 to control their actuations. For example, when the movement button is pushed, the drive control unit 13 recognizes, from a selection made from feed axes by means of the feed axis selector switch, which of the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39 is to be activated, and recognizes from the control exerted by means of the control knob the adjusted value of the feedrate override, to generate an operational signal including data on the recognized feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39, and on the movement speed in accordance with the recognized adjusted value to control the actuations of the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39, based on the generated operational signals. Furthermore, when the pulse handle of the manual pulse generator is operated, the drive control unit 13 recognizes from the feed axis selected by means of the feed axis selector switch which of the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39 is to be activated, and recognizes from the power selected with the power selector switch the amount of travel per one pulse, to generate operational signals including data on that of the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39 having been recognized, data on the recognized amount of movement per one pulse, and a pulse signal generated by the pulse handle, and performs controlling, based on this operational signals.
The drive control unit 13 stops the actuation of the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39 and spindle motor 40 when receiving an alarm signal sent from the movement-status recognition processor 18. In addition, the drive control unit 13 sends data involving the tool T to the movement-status recognition processor 18 when the tool T set up in the tool rest 36 is changed to another tool T. Also the drive control unit 13 sends to the move-to point predicting unit 14 the current points and speeds of the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36, and the generated operational signals.
The move-to point predicting unit 14 receives from the program analyzing unit 12 the operational commands relating to the move-to point and feed rate of the tool rest 36, and receives from the drive control unit 13 the current points, the current speeds, and the operational signals of the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36, to predict, based on the received operational commands or operational signals and current points, and on the received current points and speeds, the move-to points into which the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 are moved after a predetermined period of time passes, and then the move-to point predicting unit 14 sends to the movement-status recognition processor 18 the predicted move-to points, and received operational commands and received operational signals. In the move-to point predicting unit 14, block operational commands on block or more in advance (ahead) of those that are analyzed by the program analyzing unit 12 and executed by the drive control unit 13 are processed in succession.
In the modeling data storage 15, for example, three-dimensional modeling data, previously generated as appropriate, involving at least the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 is stored. Such three dimensional modeling data is formed with at least geometry data defining three-dimensional shapes of the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 being included.
It should be understood that the three-dimensional modeling data, which is employed as interference region when interference checking, may be generated as large as, or so as to be slightly larger than, the actual size.
In the interference data storage 16, previously determined interference data defining interference relationships among the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 is stored.
In the NC lathe 30, the main spindle 32 is held in a (not-illustrated) headstock, with the main spindle 32, chuck 33 and workpiece W being integrated, and the first saddle 34 is disposed on the bed 31, with the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T being integrated. Therefore, interference relationships are not established among the main spindle 32, chuck 33 and workpiece W, and among the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T. The interference relationships, however, are established only between the main spindle 32, chuck 33 and workpiece W and the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36, and tool T.
Moreover, although the interference among the tool T and workpiece W is regarded as machining of the workpiece W with the tool T (that is, not regarded as interference), it is not regarded as machining, but regarded as interference, except when the interference occurs between the tip Tb of the tool T and the workpiece W.
Therefore, specifically, as illustrated in
And, according to this interference data, the main spindle 32, chuck 33 and workpiece W are classified to a first group, and the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T are classified to a second group. It should be understood that as described above, no interference occurs among items in the same group, but it occurs among items belonging to different groups, and additionally, even if the interference occurs between the items belonging to the different groups, it is not regarded as interference in the situation in which these items establish cutting relationship—that is, the items establishing the interference relationship are tip Tb of the tool T and workpiece W.
As represented in
As illustrated in
The display magnifications are defined so that a scale applied within the first interference-risk region A is larger than that outside the regions A with respect to offset orientation, a scale applied within the second interference-risk region B is larger than that outside the region B with respect to the offset orientation, and a scale applied within the third interference-risk region C is larger than that outside the region C with respect to the offset orientation—that is, the display magnification is increased as the interference-risk regions A, B, C are narrowed. It should be understood that outside the third interference-risk region C, entire image including the chuck 33, workpiece W, toot T and a part of tool spindle 36b is displayed on the screen display device 43, and a display magnification applied outside the third interference-risk region C is defined so as to be smaller than that applied inside the third interference-risk region C.
The movement-status recognition processor 18 receives successively from the move-to point predicting unit 14 the predicted move-to points of the first saddle 34, second saddle 35 and tool rest 36 to check, based on the received predicted move-to points, and on data stored in the modeling data storage 15 and interference data storage 16, whether or not the tool T and tool spindle 36b will intrude into the interference-risk regions A, B, C, and to check whether or not the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35 and tool rest 36 interfere with each other.
Specifically, the movement-status recognition processor 18 is configured to successively execute a series of processes as represented in
Next, referring to the read interference data, the movement-status recognition processor 18 recognizes to which groups the tool T, workpiece W main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 belong, as well as recognize the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 establish which of the cutting relationship and interference relationship (Step S3).
Subsequently, the movement-status recognition processor 18 receives from the move-to point predicting unit 14 the predicted move-to points of the tool rest 36, and the operational commands and signals (a speed command signal) involving the moving speed (step S4), and generates, based on the defined interference-risk regions A, B, C, on the read three-dimensional modeling data, and on the received predicted move-to points, three-dimensional modeling data describing the situation in which the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T have been moved into the predicted move-to points (Step S5).
After that, the movement-status recognition processor 18 checks, based on the read interference data, and on the generated three-dimensional modeling data, whether or not the movements of the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T cause interference among the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36—that is, whether or not there is a contacting or overlapping portion in the three-dimensional modeling data for the items belonging to the different groups (among the three-dimensional modeling data for the main spindle 32, chuck 33 and workpiece W belonging to the first group, that of the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T belonging to the second group (Step S6).
When it is determined in Step S6 that there is contacting or overlapping portion, the movement-status recognition processor 18 checks whether or not the contacting or overlapping occurs between items establishing a cutting relationship—that is, the contacting or overlapping occurs between the tip Tb of the tool T and the workpiece W (Step 7), and when the contacting or overlapping is determined to do so, the movement-status recognition processor 18 checks whether or not the received command speed is within the maximum cutting feed rate (Step S8).
When the command speed is determined in Step S8 to be within the maximum cutting feed rate, the movement-status recognition processor 18 defines that the contacting or overlapping in the three dimensional modeling data is caused by machining the workpiece W with the tool T, and calculates the overlapping portion (interference (cutting) region) (Step S9), and then updates the three-dimensional modeling data in order to delete the calculated cutting regions from the workpiece W, as well as redefines the three interference-risk regions A, B, C for the workpiece three-dimensional model (Step S10), and sends to the screen display processor 19 the updated three-dimensional modeling data (Step S11), and proceeds to Step S20.
On the other hand, when determining in Step S7 that the contacting or overlapping does not occur between items establishing the cutting relationship (it does not occur between the tip Tb of the tool T and the workpiece W), the movement-status recognition processor 18 defines that interference occurs between the main spindle 32, chuck 33 and workpiece W, and the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T. Additionally, when determining in Step S8 that the command speed exceeds the maximum cutting feed rate, the movement-status recognition processor 18 does not regard the contacting or overlapping as machining of the workpiece W with the tool T, but define that interference occurs, and sends the alarm signal to the drive control unit 13 (Step S12) to end the series of the processes.
Moreover, in Step S12, the movement-status recognition processor 18 sends the generated three-dimensional modeling data to the screen display processor 19, and when the tool T interfere with the workpiece W and chuck 33, recognizes an interference point at where the tool T interferes with the workpiece W and chuck 33, and sends the recognized interference point to the screen display processor 19. It is because only the chuck 33, workpiece W, tool T and part of the tool spindle 36b are displayed on the screen display device 43 why the sending of the interference point is limited to when the tool T interferes with the workpiece W and chuck 33.
When it is determined in Step S6 that there is no contacting or overlapping portion (no interference occurs), the movement-status recognition processor 18 sends the generated three-dimensional modeling data to the screen display processor 19 (Step S13), and then checks, based on the generated three-dimensional modeling data, whether or not the three-dimensional modeling data for the tool T and tool spindle 36b enters (is present in) the first interference-risk region A (Step S14). For example, when the three-dimensional modeling data is determined to enter the region A, as illustrated in
When the three-dimensional modeling data is determined in Step S14 not to enter the first interference-risk region A, the movement-status recognition processor 18 checks whether or not the three-dimensional modeling data for the tool T and tool spindle 36b enters (is present in) the second interference-risk region B (Step S16). For example, when the three-dimensional modeling data is determined to enter the second interference-risk region B as illustrated in
When the three-dimensional modeling data is determined in Step S16 not to enter the second interference-risk region B, the movement-status recognition processor 18 checks whether or not the three-dimensional modeling data for the tool T and tool spindle 36b enters (is present in) the third interference-risk region C (Step S18). For example, when the three-dimensional modeling data is determined to enter the third interference-risk region C as illustrated in
In Step S20, it is determined whether or not the processes are completed, and when the processes are not completed, the Step S4 or later steps are repeated. When the processes are determined to be over, the movement-status recognition processor 18 ends the series of processes.
The screen display processor 19 receives successively from the movement-status recognition processor 18 three-dimensional modeling data generated by the movement-status recognition processor 18, and describing the situation in which the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T have been moved into the predicted move-to point, and generates, based on the received modeling data, three-dimensional image data in accordance with the modeling data to display the generated image data onscreen on the screen displaying device 43.
Specifically, the screen display processor 19 carries out a series of processes as represented in
As represented in
After that, the screen display processor 19 checks whether or not the interference point is received form the movement-status recognition processor 18 (Step S23), and when it is not received, proceeds to Step S25. When the interference point is received, the screen display processor 19 generates, based on the received interference point, the image data to allow the screen display device 43 to display it so that, for example, an interference point R at where the tool T interferes with the workpiece W and chuck 33 coincides with the center point of the onscreen display area H of the screen display device 43, as illustrate in
In step S25, the screen display processor 19 checks whether or not the first intrusion-determination signal and intrusion location have been received from the movement-status recognition processor 18, and when they have been received, checks whether or not a plurality of intrusion locations has been received (Step S26). When the plurality of the intrusion locations has not been received (that is, there is one entrance-occurring part), the screen display processor 19 generates, based on the received intrusion location P, and on the read display magnification defined for the first interference-risk region A, the image data to allow the screen display device 43 to display it so as to, as illustrate in
On the other hand, when a plurality of intrusion locations has been received in Step S26 (that is, there are a plurality of entrance-occurring parts), the screen display processor 19 checks, from the received intrusion locations, and from the read display magnification defined for the first interference-risk region A, whether or not the intrusion locations can be displayed at this display magnification (Step S28).
Subsequently, when it is determined that the intrusion locations can be displayed, the screen display processor 19 generates the image data to allow the screen display device 43 to display the image data so as to, as illustrated in
It should be understood that in generating and displaying the image data in Step S29 and Step S30, generating the image data to display it so that the center points and gravity center points of a line segment or regions formed by joining a plurality of intrusion locations coincide with the center point of the onscreen display area H of the screen display device 43 enables effective display of the intrusion locations. The same goes for the Steps S35, S36, S41 and S42 that will be described hereinafter.
When it is determined in Step S25 that the first intrusion-determination signal and intrusion location have not been received, the screen display processor 19 checks whether or not the second intrusion-determination signal and intrusion location have been received from the movement-status recognition processor 18 (step S31). When they have been received, the screen display processor 19 checks whether or not a plurality of intrusion locations have been received (Step S32), when they have not been received (that is, there is one entrance-occurring part), generates, based on the received intrusion location P, and on the read display magnification defined for the second interference-risk region B, the image data to allow the screen display device 43 to display the image data so as to appear at this display magnification with the received intrusion location P coinciding with the center point of the onscreen display regions H of the screen display device 43 (Step S33), as illustrate in
On the other hand, when the plurality of the intrusion locations has been received in Step S32 (that is, there are a plurality of entrance-occurring parts), the screen display processor 19 checks, from the received intrusion locations, and from the read display magnification defined for the second interference-risk region B, whether or not the intrusion locations can be displayed at this display magnification (Step S34).
Then, when the intrusion locations are determined to be displayed, the screen display processor 19 generates the image data to allow the screen display device 43 to display it so as to include the intrusion locations, and so as to appear at the display magnification defined for the second interference-risk region B (Step S35), proceeding to Step S44. When it is determined that the intrusion locations cannot be displayed, the screen display processor 19 generates the image data to allow the screen display device 43 to display it so as to include the intrusion locations, and so as to appear at the maximum display magnification that enables their display (Step S36), proceeding to Step S44.
When it is determine in Step S31 that the second intrusion-determination signal and intrusion location have not been received, the screen display processor 19 checks whether or not the third intrusion-determination signal and intrusion location are received from the movement-status recognition processor 18 (Step S37). When they have been received, the screen display processor 19 checks whether or not a plurality of intrusion locations has been received (Step S38), and when they have not been received (that is, there is one entrance-occurring part), for example, as illustrate in
On the other hand, when a plurality of intrusion locations has been received in Step S38 (that is, there are a plurality of entrance-occurring parts), the screen display processor 19 checks, form the received intrusion locations, and from the read display magnification defined for the third interference-risk region C, whether or not the intrusion locations can be displayed at this display magnification (Step S40).
Subsequently, it is determined that the intrusion locations can be displayed, the screen display processor 19 generates the image data to allow the screen display device 43 to display it so as to include the intrusion locations, and so as to appear at the display factor defined for the third interference-risk region C (step S41), proceeding to Step S44, and when it is determined that they cannot be displayed, generates the image data to allow the screen display device 43 to display it so as to include the intrusion locations, and so as to appear at the maximum display magnification that enables their display (Step S42), proceeding to Step S44.
When it is determined in Step S37 that the third intrusion-determination signal and intrusion location have not been received—that is, for example, as illustrated in
In Step S44, it is determined whether or not the processes are completed, and when the processes are not completed, the Step S22 or later steps are repeated. When the processes are determined to be completed, the screen display processor 19 ends the series of processes.
According to the controller 1 configured as above, of this embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling data involving at least the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 is stored previously in the modeling data storage 15, and interference data defining interference relationships among the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 is stored previously in the interference data storage 16. The image data display magnifications defined for the interference-risk regions A, B, C are stored previously in the display magnification data storage 17.
The feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39 are controlled by the drive control unit 13, based on the operational commands issued by means of the NC program and manual operation, and as a result, the movement of the tool rest 36 is controlled. At this time, the move-to points for the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 are predicted by the move-to point predicting unit 14, and based on the predicted move-to points, and on the data stored in the modeling data storage 15, the three-dimensional modeling data describing the situation in which the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T have been moved into the predicted move-to points is generated by the movement-status recognition processor 18. Based on the generated modeling data, command speed, data stored in the interference data storage 16, whether or not the tool T and tool spindle 36b intrude into the interference-risk regions A, B, C, and whether or not the tool T, workpiece W, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 interfere with each other are checked, and based on the three-dimensional modeling data generated by the movement-status recognition processor 18, and on the data stored in the display magnification data storage 17, the image data is generates, and displayed on the screen display device 43, by the screen display processor 19.
Subsequently, when the tool T and tool spindle 36b are determined to intrude into the interference-risk regions A, B, C, the intrusion-determination signal and intrusion location are sent from the movement-status recognition processor 18 to the screen display processor 19. Receiving them, the screen display processor 19 generates, when there is one entrance-occurring part, the image data to display it on the screen display device 43 so as to appear at the display magnification corresponding to the interference-risk regions A, B, C, with intrusion location coinciding with the center point of the onscreen display area of the screen display device 43, and generates, when there are a plurality of entrance-occurring parts, the image data to display it on the screen display device 43 so as to include the intrusion locations, and so as to appear at a display magnification corresponding to the interference-risk regions A, B, C, or so as to include the intrusion locations, and so as to appear at the maximum display magnification that enable display of the intrusion locations.
For this reason, in the situation in which the tool T and tool spindle 36b approach toward the workpiece W and chuck 33, and intrude into the interference-risk regions A, B, C for the workpiece W and chuck 33, the entrance-occurring part can be enlarged at a predetermined display magnification, and be displayed on the center part of the display screen of the screen display device 43 when there is one entrance-occurring part. When there are a plurality of entrance-occurring parts, the image data is enlarged and displayed on the screen display device 43 at the predetermined display magnification, or at the maximum display magnification enabling display of all the entrance-occurring parts.
Furthermore, when interference occurrence is determined, an alarm signal is sent from the movement-status recognition processor 18 to the drive control unit 13, which stops the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39. Moreover, when the tool T will interfere with the workpiece W and chuck 33, their interference point is sent from the movement-status recognition processor 18 to the screen display processor 19, which generates, when receiving the interference point, the image data to display it in the screen display device 43 so as to appear at a display magnification larger than that applied when the tool T and tool spindle 36b intrude into the first interference-risk region A, with the interference point coinciding with the center point of the onscreen display area of the screen display device 43, and blinks the displayed image.
As just described, according to the controller 1 of this embodiment, a part at where approach of the tool T and tool spindle 36b toward the work W and chuck 33 increases the chance of the interference occurrence is enlarged and displayed onscreen, so that operators can grasp smoothly through the display screen of the screen display device 43 the positional relationship between the tool T and the workpiece W, and the movement of the tool T because the controller 1 is configured so that when the tool T and tool spindle 36 intrude into the interference-risk regions A, B, C, the entrance-occurring part is enlarged at a predetermined display magnification, and is displayed on the center part of the display screen of the screen display device 43, or is enlarged at the predetermined display magnification or at the maximum display magnification that enables display of the entrance-occurring parts, and is displayed onscreen, with the three interference-risk regions being defined around the chuck 33 and workpiece W, and with the display magnification in the situation in which the tool T and tool spindle 36b enter the three interference-risk regions A, B, C being defined so as to be larger than that in the situation in which the tool T and tool spindle 36b do not enter.
Furthermore, because the display magnification is defined so that the display magnifications inside the interference-risk regions A, B, C are larger than those outside the regions A, B, C, the smaller the distance between the tool T and the workpiece W and chuck 33, the larger the displayed interference-occurring part, which enables the operators to grasp quickly where is a part having a higher chance that interference may occur.
Moreover, the controller 1 is configured so that the screen display processor 19 checks the number of the parts in which the tool T and tool spindle 36b intrude into the interference-risk regions A, B, C, and when there is one entrance-occurring part, enlarges the part at the predetermined display magnification and displays it on the center part of the display screen, and when there are a plurality of the entrance-occurring parts, enlarges them at the predetermined display magnification, or at the maximum scale enabling display of all of the entrance-occurring parts, and displays them. Therefore, the workpiece W, chuck 33, tool T and a part of the tool spindle 36b can be effectively displayed onscreen even if there are a plurality of the entrance-occurring parts, not only one part.
Additionally, the configuration in which the screen display processor 19 receives the interference point recognized and sent when the movement-status recognition processor 18 checks interference, and at where the tool T interferes with the workpiece W and chuck 33, and then based on the received interference point, the interference point between the tool T and the workpiece W and chuck 33 is enlarged at a display magnification larger than the maximum display magnification stored in the display magnification data storage 17, and is displayed on the center part of the screen display of the screen display device 43 enables easier identification of the interference parts, improving the efficiency of the operators' work.
Moreover, the controller 1 is configured so that the modeling data describing the situation in which the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, tool rest 36 and tool T have been moved is generated, based on the move-to points, predicted by the move-to point predicting unit 14, and into which the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 are moved after a predetermined period of time, and whether or not interference will occur among the tool T, main spindle 32, chuck 33, first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 and whether or not the tool T and tool spindle 36b intrude into the interference-risk regions A, B, C are checked, and image data is generated so as to be onscreen, based on the generated modeling data. In such a configuration, before the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 are actually moved as a result of driving of the feed mechanisms 37, 38, 39, under the control of the drive control unit 13, a chance of interference occurrence can be checked previously, and positional relationship between the tool T and the workpiece W, movement of the tool T can be checked. Therefore, in performing various operations, interference occurrence is advantageously prevented.
The above is a description of one embodiment of the present invention, but the specific mode of implementation of the present invention is in no way limited thereto.
The embodiment above presented the NC lathe 30 as one example of the machine tool, but the controller 1 according to this embodiment can be set up also in a machining center and various other types of machine tools. For example, in a lathe provided with a plurality of tool rests, advantageously, when the tool rests intrude into the interference-risk regions for the workpiece, it is determined that there are a plurality of entrance-occurring parts, and the image data is generated and displayed onscreen so that the entrance-occurring parts in the tool rests are included, and are displayed at a predetermined display magnification or at the maximum display magnification that enables display of each of the entrance-occurring parts in the tool rests.
Moreover, the three-dimensional modeling data stored in the modeling data storage 15 may be generated by any means, but in order to perform with a high degree of accuracy image data generation, determination of entrance to the interference-risk regions, and interference checking, it is preferable to use data that is generated accurately rather than data that is generated simply. And two-dimensional model, as an alternative to the three-dimensional model, may be stored in the modeling data storage 15.
In the example described above, the controller 1 is configured so that the movement-status recognition processor 18 employs the move-to points, predicted by the move-to point predicting unit 14, of the first saddle 34, second saddle 35 and tool rest 36, to generate the three-dimensional modeling data describing the situation in which they have been moved, but there is no limitation on the configuration, so the controller 1 may be configured so that the move-to point predicting unit 14 is omitted and the current points of the first saddle 34, second saddle 35, and tool rest 36 are received from the drive control unit 13, and based on the current points, the three-dimensional modeling data describing the situation in which they have been moved is generated.
Additionally, in above example, as illustrated in
Furthermore, in above example, although the interference-risk regions A, B, C are defined around the chuck 33 and workpiece W, they may be defined both around the chuck 33 and workpiece W and around a part of the tool spindle 36b and tool T, as illustrated in
Also in this configuration, the part in which the approach of the tool T and tool spindle 36b toward the workpiece W and chuck 33 increases the chance of interference occurrence is enlarged and displayed onscreen by checking whether or not the three-dimensional model for the tool spindle 36b and tool T enters the interference-risk regions A, B, C around the chuck 33 and workpiece W, and whether or not the three-dimensional modeling data for the chuck 33 and workpiece W enters the interference-risk regions A, B, C around the tool spindle 36b and tool T.
Furthermore, although in above example, the controller 1 is configured so that when confirming at the tool T and tool spindle 36b do not enter any interference-risk regions A, B, C, the screen display processor 19 generates the image data, as illustrated in
Only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention. To those skilled in the art, however, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the embodiments according to the present invention is provided for illustration only, and not for limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-276469 | Oct 2006 | JP | national |
