JP3203604B2 - NC data creation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an NC data generating apparatus, and more particularly, to occupying an NC machine tool for numerically controlling an NC machine tool such as a machining center or a laser machine capable of numerical control (NC). The present invention relates to an improvement of an NC data creating device capable of creating NC data including a code of a control command of an NC machine tool without performing the process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The functions of NC machine tools are based on JIS B6.
Although it is standardized to some extent by 314 or the like, there are actually different parts depending on the machine tool manufacturer and model. Due to the existence of standardization according to such standards and individual differences in actual devices, many conventional NC data creation devices have a configuration that reflects this. FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of such a conventional NC data creation device. Where 7
00 is a main processor, 701 is a post processor, and these are realized as a program. 60
1 is an NC data creation system main body, 603 is an input device,
Reference numerals 604 denote display devices, which are computer systems for actually executing and processing the programs.

In such an apparatus, machining conditions such as machining procedures and tools, cutting conditions, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as “machining shapes”)
(Abbreviated as a processing instruction) is input via the input device 603, and the main processor 700 generates cutter location data CL from the processing instruction. This cutter location data CL is, for example, JIS B63
The control for general-purpose functions is determined by using a standard code defined by 25 or the like. This addresses standardization.

After the cutter location data CL is generated, the post-processor 701 uses the cutter location data CL to generate, for example, NC data 605 corresponding to a machine tool A and NC data 606 corresponding to a machine tool B. Is generated. Although only one post processor 701 is shown in the figure, a plurality of post processors 701 are often provided for each type of machine tool, for example, for each type of machining center or laser processing machine. Furthermore, even for the same model, different post-processors are often required depending on differences in manufacturers, differences in upper and lower function levels, and the like. This addresses individual differences.

[0005]

As described above, the conventional N
In the C data creation device, in order to deal with standardization and individual differences, NC data is created by performing a two-stage process using a main processor that performs standard general-purpose processing and a post-processor that performs individual and specific processing. are doing. by the way,
In such a processing procedure, since the first machining instruction is given to the main processor, only an extremely standard check common to all models can be performed at the initial stage, and most of the realistic checks are performed in the second step. Carried over to the stage.

[0006] In the processing of the second stage, a processing instruction expressed as cutter location data is given to the post processor. For this reason, the check at the second stage reflecting the individual differences requires an understanding of the cutter location data, which is the intermediate data. However, this is a collection of command words for the machine, and even if the input function of the main processor is excellent, it is useless at this stage. As a result, an inhuman and difficult check is eventually imposed. In short, in the conventional apparatus, the means for coping with the versatility and the individual correspondence merely have the context of the processing and are merely separated and coexist.

On the other hand, the NC data finally output is
For example, if it is created directly by an NC control device or the like incorporated in a machine tool, the use of control commands unique to the machine tool and individual checks are performed immediately at the time of input of the machining instruction. However, since NC data is a command code for directly controlling a machine tool, its code system is extremely machine tool-oriented and hardly familiar to humans. Moreover, even if the codes themselves are unified, the functions indicated by the codes are different for each model, so that the codes are difficult to remember and understand. Rather, the above-mentioned standardization is attempted to reduce such difficulties, and it is impractical to directly create NC data except for a case where a part of skilled individual machine tools is used.

[0008] However, demands for automation and efficiency of the production process are only increasing, and the NC ratio of machine tools is only increasing to meet the demands. What's more, there is no end to the diversification of the models. In such a situation, there is a problem that the conventional inefficient NC data creating apparatus cannot cope with the trends and demands of such an era. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem of the prior art, and has a versatility that can be easily used even by a non-expert, and a processing instruction corresponding to a specific machine tool. It is an object of the present invention to realize an NC data creation device that has both the individual correspondence that the check can be performed and the individual correspondence.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an NC data generating apparatus comprising: a code for a control command for numerical control of an NC machine tool;
An NC data creating apparatus that uses a menu screen in a pull-down menu format when creating C data, wherein the menu screen includes a plurality of first-level menu items and one of the first-level menu items. A plurality of second level menu items selected and displayed;
Includes a plurality of menu items of the third level or menu item is selected and displayed level of the selection
The first level menu item corresponds to any one of the plurality of NC machine tools, and any one of the first level menu items is generated. One model is selected from the plurality of models and the second level menu item corresponds to the function or group of functions of the NC machine tool of the selected model, and the second level menu item is selected. Either one is selected to select one function or function group from the function or function group, and a third level menu item is a control command belonging to the selected function or function group, and A code for a control command that can be processed by the selected type of NC machine tool, and a description character string of the code, the description character string relating to the NC machine tool of the selected type. .

[0010] The third level menu item may not include the code. Also, this N
In the C data creation device, any of the second level menu items may display the same content as the content of the third level menu item.

[0011]

The NC data generating apparatus of the present invention having such a configuration utilizes one characteristic tendency of the NC machine tool. That is, it is a feature that most NC machine tools are configured by combining the NC machine tool main body and the NC control device with other units. Because of this feature, the code of the control command for the NC control device is easy to standardize, but the functions indicated by each of the standard codes are individual ones determined by the combination of units. NC even if exists
The characteristic of NC data that a code that cannot be processed by the machine tool body does not make sense appears.

Of course, the conventional NC data creation device also
Based on this feature, standard processing is performed in the first stage and individual processing is performed in the second stage as described above. However, conventionally, the NC controller has grasped the characteristics from the mechanical aspect of controlling the NC machine tool main body, and lacked the concept grasp from the human aspect. For this reason, the conventional N which only has the main processor and the post processor coexist
As described above, it is difficult for the C data creation device to input and check a processing instruction, and the NC data creation efficiency is not good.

Therefore, in grasping the characteristics of the NC machine tool, the entire concept from the creation of the NC data to the machining is integrated and reconstructed, and the machining instructor and the NC machine tool main body are directly opposed to each other. The controller was positioned as the medium between them. Then, on the menu screen of the NC data generating apparatus of the present invention based on this new concept, the upper first level menu items correspond to the model of the NC machine tool. This clarifies the NC machine tool main body to be subjected to the processing instruction, and the selection operation is easy because the pull-down menu is adopted.

Further, since the menu items of the second level correspond to the functions of the selected NC machine tool, the functions which can be processed by the NC machine tool can be grasped only by looking at the menu. Therefore, no special knowledge about the NC machine tool is required. Further, the third level menu item includes a standard code of a processable control command belonging to the function of the selected NC machine tool and the like, and an explanatory character string of the standard code. Moreover, since this explanation character string is an explanation relating to the selected NC machine tool, the NC machine tool main body and the NC machine tool are displayed in the display of the standard code and the explanation character string.
The correspondence in combination with the control device is condensed. So, just look at the description string and select it,
Even a person who does not have special knowledge of the NC machine tool can easily select a code required for a machining instruction from usable control command codes. It should be noted that even a menu having a content corresponding to the third level menu item is not limited to the third level. For example, a menu item or the like corresponding to a particularly frequently used code may be replaced with a second menu item. Then, since the selection can be made directly, the operability is further improved.

Therefore, the NC data generating apparatus of the present invention can be easily used even by a non-specialized expert, so that the operability is good and a specific data can be obtained without being conscious of the internal configuration and combination of the machine tool. Since machining instructions and checks corresponding to the machine tool can be performed, the production efficiency is high. That is, it can be said that the versatility and individual correspondence are integrated. Moreover, if sub-modules in a program are provided corresponding to codes for control commands processed by the NC control device, which is an intermediate medium in the concept of the hardware configuration, the codes are considerably standardized. From the viewpoint, common use and generalization are possible. From this, it is not always necessary to display the code itself as long as the relationship between the explanatory character string corresponding to the code and the submodule in the program is clear.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an NC data generating apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail. FIGS. 1 to 3 show examples of some typical menu screens in which features are often shown. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of NC data creation, FIG. 5 is an example of a file having menu items, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the device. First, FIG. 1A shows the screen 100 in an initial state (however, a dotted pull-down menu is not displayed). Screen 10
At 0, an upper level menu is displayed at the top of the screen. This menu is simpler than the actual one. When "F file" is designated in this menu, a menu of various machine tools to be selected corresponding to the file is pulled down as indicated by a dotted frame. In the initial state, the first machine tool, the machine tool A, is selected in advance. Reference numeral 101 denotes a menu item (first menu item) for selecting creation of NC data of a certain A machine tool, and reference numeral 102 denotes another menu item for selecting display of a drawing relating to a workpiece. .

Initially, only the menu at the top of the screen is displayed on the screen 100, but when the NC data creator selects the menu item 102 with an input device such as a mouse, a list 103 of drawing names is displayed. (See the screen in FIG. 1B). Further, by selecting one drawing name from the list 103 via the input device, the drawing 104 is displayed. By providing the drawing display function in this way, it is not necessary to interrupt the operation to view the separately-owned processing drawing.
It is convenient because subsequent processing instructions can be performed while referring to the screen 04 on the screen.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the A of the menu item 101a.
This is an example of a screen in a state in which NC data for a machine tool A is being created while a pull-down menu item is displayed by selecting a machine tool with a mouse or the like and referring to FIG. When "A machine tool" is selected from the menu items of the upper level, a menu 200 of the middle level relating to the A machine tool is displayed in a pull-down display (FIG. 2).
(See the screen of (a)). The menu 200 includes a second menu item corresponding to a function or a function group of the machine tool A. For example, the second menu item includes “coordinate designation” for indicating the position of the cutter and the like, and “auxiliary function” for collecting functions specific to the machine tool.

When the NC data creation device also serves as CAD or the like, the menu display area 207 at the top of the screen is displayed.
Is restricted. In such a case, the menu item “F file” for selecting a machine tool, which has been assigned to one of the menu display areas 207 at the top of the screen in the above description, is replaced with the second menu item that has been pulled down. May be assigned to the item 208 which is one of the following. When the item 208 is selected, the first menu item is displayed next to the item, and the subsequent operations and the like are the same as those described above. In this case, in the initial state, one of the machine tools, for example, the A machine tool is displayed by default, and the second menu item corresponding to each machine tool corresponds to the menu item “F file”. It is only necessary to include menu items. By doing so, the menu display area at the top of the screen can be saved without reducing operability.

Further, by selecting one of the second menu items from the menu 200, a lower level menu is displayed next to the menu 200 (FIG. 2).
(See the screen of (b)). The lower-level menu includes a third menu item in which a code of the corresponding detailed function and a meaning of the code (an explanatory word to a human about the function of the machine tool) are paired. For example,
The third menu item includes “M03 main shaft rotation” and “M09 coolant off” as pairs of codes corresponding to so-called M codes and their meanings. In such a menu display state, one of the third menu items
By selecting one, NC data as a sequence of codes corresponding to specific control commands is created. Here, if necessary, additional data and the like are input in addition to the item selection.

Hereinafter, the NC data to be machined in the direction of the arrow along the contour of the machine drawing displayed on the screen will be specifically described by way of an example in which the above operation is repeated. NC data 20 displayed on the screen of FIG.
Numeral 1 is in the process of being created, and its actual code is stored in a memory, a file, or the like. NC data 2
01 is the point P1 from the point P1 (X coordinate position is 150.0
, Where the Y coordinate position is 350.0).

In the NC data 201, G01 is a code for instructing movement (cutting operation or the like) by linear interpolation.
03 is a code for instructing movement by circular interpolation, X and Y following them are codes for designating coordinate values of the movement destination, and G90 is to be understood that those coordinate values are not absolute coordinate values but absolute coordinate values. A code indicating the absolute mode, which is the mode, and R is a code indicating the radius. From this, when the NC data 201 is executed, from the point P1,
Processing of the vertical portion is performed by processing the line 6 (line 006), processing of the arc portion is performed by processing of the line 7 (line 007), and processing of the inclined portion is performed by processing the line 8 (line 008). Is performed to reach the point P2.

Here, it is assumed that the cutting is temporarily interrupted, the spindle rotation is stopped, and the NC data for stopping the coolant is created. In this case, first, "auxiliary function" (202) is selected from the second menu item. Then, a menu 203 is displayed. In the menu items therein, in addition to the code of the NC data, an explanatory word meaning the code is also displayed. Therefore, the creator of the NC data can know the detailed codes and the meanings of the auxiliary functions corresponding to the machine tool A just by looking at the menu 203, so that the NC data creator can easily create the NC data even if he is not an expert. it can.
From the menu 203, select “M05 Spindle stop”
Select (204), then “M09 Coolant off”
(205) is selected. With this alone, the NC data 206 indicating that the spindle rotation of the machine tool A is stopped and the coolant is stopped can be easily transferred to the lines 9 (009 line) and 10 (01 line).
(0th line).

The creation of NC data when the same object is machined by another machine tool such as a laser machine will be described. For example, "F file" is selected, and B machine tool is selected from the menu items. The displayed drawing may be the same as the above case, and the same processing (processing from point P1 to point P2) is performed. FIG.
When referring to the screen of (a) which will be described, NC data 301 halfway, the Ru der similar to NC data 201 of FIG. However, the second menu item of “B machine tool” corresponding to the laser beam machine includes “coordinate designation” and “auxiliary function” common to the machining center .
(A) shows the function of A machine tool or one of the function groups.
Since the items such as the fixed cycle shown are not included in the function of the laser beam machine, the function shown in FIG.
Or, as shown in the menu of the function group, menu items such as “fixed cycle” are omitted. On the other hand, menu items such as “laser beam diameter correction” corresponding to functions unique to the laser beam machine are added.

Further, when the cutting is temporarily interrupted at the point P2 as in the above case, the "auxiliary function" (302) is also selected from the second menu item. In the lower-level menu 303, a standard M code is displayed as in the case of the A machine tool. However, the "auxiliary function" of the "B machine tool" (30
In the second menu item 2), an explanatory word having a different meaning from the case of the machine tool A is displayed. For example, instead of "main shaft rotation" or "coolant on", "gas on" or "laser beam on" is displayed. Further, the M used
The code numbers and the like are not always the same combination. As described above, a code corresponding to a function not possessed by the B machine tool is not displayed, so that an unprocessable code is not input.

Therefore, since conventionally required extra work such as deletion and replacement of the intermediate code after creation does not occur, the efficiency of NC data creation is improved. Therefore, from the menu 303, select “M21 laser beam off” (30
4), followed by “M16 gas off” (305)
Select With this alone, it is possible to easily stop the laser beam output of the machine tool B and stop the gas flow.
6 can be created. As described above, even if the machine tool is replaced and the function is different, the NC data can be easily created by switching the menu. The same is true even if the number of machine tools increases.

The screen configuration which characterizes the present invention has been described above in detail, but the entire configuration of the NC data generating apparatus which supports the operation of the screen will be described. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the NC data creation device of the present invention. Where 6
Reference numeral 01 denotes an NC data generating apparatus main body composed of a computer system, 607 denotes NC data generating processing means as a program executed and executed therein, 602 denotes file data having menu items of various machine tools, 60
3 is an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a digitizer;
A display device 04 displays the above-described menu screen and the like. Numerals 605 and 606 denote NC data for machine tools A and B, respectively. As described above, the NC data creation processing means 607 is configured as a single unit, but the configuration is made up of a set of sub-modules corresponding to each of the almost standardized NC data codes. It is compact because it is designed.

On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the file 602, which holds unique data corresponding to each menu item, and condenses the characteristics of individual machine tools. Further, data is added which can be found by simply examining the file data to find out the level to which the menu item belongs and the submodule of the corresponding program. Therefore, it is possible to deal with individual functions of the machine tool only by editing the file data 302, so that functions such as menu expansion can be easily extended without changing the program. The operation procedure of the NC data creating apparatus having such a configuration has already been described in detail and will not be described again. However, FIG. 4 also shows a flowchart summarizing the outline of the description as a reference.

[0029]

As can be understood from the above description, in the NC data generating apparatus having the configuration of the present invention, the menu items on the menu screen are made to correspond to the NC machine tool.
The model selection is made a higher-level menu item, and a lower-level menu item is displayed with a description code string in addition to a standard code. Through this menu screen, it is possible to save the trouble of memorizing the control commands of the individual machine tools and referring to the manual. Therefore, it can be easily used even by a non-specialized expert, and can perform machining instructions and checks corresponding to a specific machine tool. Therefore, the versatility and individual correspondence can be integrally provided, so that the operability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one display state of a menu screen in an embodiment of an NC data creating apparatus having a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows one display state of a menu screen in the embodiment of the NC data generating apparatus having the configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows one display state of a menu screen in one embodiment of the NC data generating apparatus having the configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of an operation procedure in an embodiment of the NC data creating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example of file data having menu items in an embodiment of the NC data creating apparatus having the configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an NC data creation device having the configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional NC data creation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 screen 101, 102 menu item 103 menu 104 display drawing 200 menu 201 display of NC data 202 menu item 203 menu 204, 205 menu item 206 display of NC data 300 menu 301 display of NC data 202 menu item 303 menu 304, 305 menu Item 306 Display of NC data 401 to 406 Processing steps 501 A machine tool data 502 B machine tool data 601 NC data creation device main body 602 File data 603 Input device 604 Display device 605, 606 NC data 607 NC data creation processing means 700 Main processor 701 post processor

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] When creating NC data consisting of codes for control commands for numerically controlling an NC machine tool, a pull-down menu-type menu screen is used.
A C data creation device, wherein the menu screen includes a plurality of first level menu items corresponding to any one of a plurality of NC machine tools, and any one of the first level menu items. A plurality of second-level menu items that are displayed corresponding to the functions or function groups of the NC machine tool of the selected model by selecting one model from the plurality of models; A control command belonging to a function or a function group corresponding to the selected second-level menu item when one of the second-level menu items is selected, and the control command of the NC machine tool of the selected model. a plurality of third-level menu items of the display description string about NC machine tool of the selected type corresponding to the code for the processable control command is made, the possess, Said selected
N, which generates a code corresponding to the selected model.
C data creation device. 2. A NC data creation apparatus according to claim 1, item for entering the display model selection with the menu item of the second level of the menu screen is displayed, the
An NC data creation device, wherein an item for entering a model selection is selected and a first level menu item is displayed for selection of the model of the NC machine tool. 3. The NC data creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the menu items at the second level of the menu screen display the same contents as the contents of the menu items at the third level. An NC data creation device characterized by performing: