JP5898946B2 - Mold management system and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mold management system and method, and more particularly, to a mold management system and method for providing a usage method in consideration of a machining position even in the same mold in a bending machine.

  Conventionally, a mold in a bending machine (for example, a press brake) is worn out when used for many years. That is, if the same surface is used repeatedly, the portion will be more worn out, so the surface where the bending work comes into contact with the mold is shifted each time, and the device is devised to wear on average. .

  See US Pat.

JP 2006-346707 A

  Without years of experience, it is difficult to know which side of the mold is more worn. In addition, if the mold users are the same, it is easy to grasp the usage status, but it is difficult to do so because usually a plurality of bending machines (for example, press brakes) are used. For this reason, there is a problem that the life of the mold differs depending on the worker who uses it.

  It is difficult to grasp this with a robot bending system. Therefore, when processing the same parts continuously, the parts are always set at the same mold position for processing, and there is a problem that a lot of partial wear occurs. Therefore, when the part W is bent by the mold (punch P1, die D1) as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the part W and the mold (punch P1, die D1) as shown in FIG. 11 (b). The wear part BW is generated only in a specific contact range (region in contact during bending).

  The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problem, and the invention according to claim 1 is a mold management system for managing a mold, wherein the use surface for specifying a contact surface of a work contact portion of the mold is specified. A surface identification unit, a usage history storage unit that associates the mold with the usage surface and stores the usage history as a usage history, and a notification that notifies the usage for each area based on the usage history stored in the usage history storage unit Means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the automatic program device or the bending machine control device includes a display unit, and the notification unit has a function of outputting, to the display unit, information obtained by color-coding the usage for each area. Features.

  The invention according to claim 3 is provided with an update means for updating the use history for each press of the bending machine, and the notification means notifies the use status in real time.

The invention according to claim 4 includes an automatic program device for creating a bending program for each part, a bending machine for bending the workpiece with a mold, and an operation corresponding to the bending machine that holds the workpiece. In a bending system equipped with a robot to perform
Use surface specifying means for specifying the use surface related to the contact portion of the workpiece of the mold, use history storage means for storing the mold and the use surface in association with each other, and each cycle based on the use history And an operation control means for changing the installation of the workpiece.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the mold management method for managing a mold, a use surface specifying step for specifying a use surface related to a contact portion of the work of the mold, and the mold and the use surface are associated with each other. And a usage history storage step for storing the usage history in the usage history storage unit, and a notification step for notifying the usage for each area based on the usage history stored in the usage history storage unit.

The invention according to claim 6 includes an automatic program device for creating a bending program for each part, a bending machine for bending the workpiece with a mold, and an operation corresponding to the bending machine that holds the workpiece. In the bending method with the robot to perform,
A use surface specifying step of specifying a use surface related to a contact portion of the workpiece of the mold, a use history storage step of associating the mold and the use surface with each other and storing them in a use history storage means, and the use And an operation control step of changing the installation of the workpiece for each cycle based on the history.

  According to the present invention, the main object is to extend the life of a mold, and anyone can confirm the history of the usage surface of the mold and realize which surface should be used now. Further, in the case of a bending system using a robot, it is possible to create an operation in consideration of performing wear of the mold on an average, and it is possible to extend the life of the mold.

It is the schematic which shows the outline of a metal mold | die management system (a bending process system is included). It is explanatory drawing explaining the data structure of program DB. It is explanatory drawing explaining the data structure of metal mold | die DB. It is explanatory drawing explaining the log | history management of the usage surface of a metal mold | die. It is explanatory drawing explaining the log | history management of the usage surface of a metal mold | die. It is explanatory drawing explaining the log | history management of the usage surface of a metal mold | die. It is explanatory drawing explaining positioning of a workpiece | work. It is explanatory drawing explaining positioning of a workpiece | work. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a metal mold | die management system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a metal mold | die management system. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing explaining the conventional subject.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a mold management system 1 in a bending system. The mold management system 1 in the bending system includes an automatic program device 3, a program DB (database) 4, a mold DB (database) 5, and a bending machine (for example, a press brake) via a network 2. 6) and the robot 7 are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

  The automatic program device 3 is composed of a computer, and a main body 3a includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). Also, input / output devices such as a display device 3c, a keyboard 3d, a mouse 3e, and a printer 3f for outputting a form are provided.

  The main body 3a is provided with a control unit 3b and performs various controls related to program creation. A bending program is created for each part W. That is, a press brake bending program is created. In addition to creating a robot operation program, a mold to be used and arrangement information are created.

  The program DB (database) 4 is a database for storing a program for each part W to be processed, and is connected to a computer. All the created programs are stored in a program DB (database) 4. Further, the program is read from the program DB (database) 4 and edited.

  The mold DB (database) 5 is a database in which owned molds are registered, and is connected to a computer. Then, the usage history of the mold is saved. In addition, the mold usage status can be output as a form.

  The bending machine 6 (for example, a press brake) 6 replaces the die P facing the punch P on the lower table 6b on the lower front surface of the main body, by mounting the punch P on the upper table 6a on the upper front surface of the main body. Mount freely. Then, the part (work) W positioned between the punch P and the die D is bent. In this example, the mold may include a punch P and a die D, or may include only the punch P and only the die D.

  The control device 6c for controlling the bending machine 6 comprises a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). Moreover, an input / output device, an output device, etc. are provided. The control device 6c reads the program created by the automatic program device 3 from the program DB (database) 4 and controls the bending process. Furthermore, an operation program is transmitted to the robot controller 7a so as to synchronize with the operation of the bending machine 6. During the bending process, the usage frequency of the mold is displayed on the display 6d.

  The robot 7 performs bending on behalf of a person in accordance with a robot operation program created by the automatic program device 3 and received by the robot controller 7a.

  The data structure of the program DB (database) 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2, and the data structure of the mold DB (database) 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Reference is first made to FIG. The memory (stores part information) 4a includes a memory (stores a bending program for a bending machine) 4b, a memory (stores a robot operation program) 4c, and a memory (a mold to be used (punch P, die)). 4d for storing D or contents including both) and 4d for storing the mold arrangement information) and 4e for storing the range of parts and the installation surface of the mold for each bending process.

  Please refer to FIG. The memory (mold ID (mold identification information) is stored) 5a includes a memory (mold type is stored) 5b, a memory (mold usage history is stored) 5c, It is associated with a memory (a parameter is stored) 5d.

  Further, the memory (a mold usage history is stored) 5c includes a memory (an area from 0 to pitch is stored) 5e, and a memory (an area from the pitch to pitch * 2 is stored) 5f. , 5g (which stores the area from the pitch n to the mold length) is associated. Further, a memory (stores the number of times the mold is used) 5i is associated with the memory (stores the area from 0 to the pitch) 5e, and the memory (stores the area from the pitch to the pitch * 2) 5f. Is associated with a memory (a number of times the mold is used) 5j, and a memory (a region from the pitch n to the mold length is stored) 5g is a memory (a number of times the mold is used is stored). 5k is associated. Then, the specified pitch amount is associated with the memory (a parameter is stored) 5d. In other words, the number of times of pressing is registered in the usage history for each usage range of the mold. The pitch of each range (amount for dividing the range) is a parameter and can be changed.

  Please refer to FIG. When the bending program is created in the automatic program device 3, the state of the used surface on the selected mold is displayed in color. Based on the usage history registered in the mold DB (database) 5, the usage rate of each mold range is displayed in four stages.

  [Red]: An area where the usage rate is particularly high relative to the overall usage rate. [Yellow]: Area with the next highest usage rate relative to the overall usage rate. [Blue]: Area close to the overall average rate. [Pink]: Area where the usage rate is lower than the overall usage rate. As described above, the color is classified according to the relative usage rate of the usage surface of the mold. However, the relationship between the number of times of use and the color may be set in advance and color coded.

  Specifically, for example, the area EA1 is displayed in pink for the mold K1. Area EA2 is displayed in red. Area EA3 is displayed in blue. Area EA4 is displayed in yellow. Area EA5 is displayed in pink. When the whole is the same color, it is used on average (in the above color scale, in the case of blue).

  Thus, when the usage surface of the mold is color-coded for each area and displayed on the display unit 6d of the bending machine 6, the size of the area color-coded on the mold and the actual mold dimension can be associated with each other. desirable.

  On the other hand, it is also possible to create a robot operation program so that the position where the robot 7 places the parts (work etc.) W on the mold K1 is a position where the frequency of use is low.

  Please refer to FIG. The position where the robot 7 places the part W is set so that the left end of the part W enters the yellow area EA1 or area EA5 of the mold K1.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, in the mold K2, the area EB1 is displayed in pink, the area EB2 is displayed in red, the area EB3 is displayed in yellow, the area EB4 is displayed in blue, and the area EB5 Is displayed in pink, the position where the robot 7 places the part W in the areas EB1 and EB5 is offset every bending cycle (1 cycle to n cycles). As a result, the dimensions Pa and Pb are within the ranges of the areas EB1 and EB5, respectively.

  Please refer to FIG. 7 and FIG. The bending machine (for example, press brake) 6 can update the usage history of the usage area of the mold K2 and update the mold DB (database) 5 for each bending process. The use area is determined based on the mold use area for each bending process registered by the automatic program device 3. On the screen of the display device 3c, the above-described mold usage frequency is displayed, and the part and the mold installation surface can be determined based on this even when the robot 7 is not used.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, in the bending machine 6, when the robot 7 is not used and the position where the part is placed on the mold is offset, the sensor position of the abutting portion S is corrected and corrected. The history management of the new die usage surface is performed using the abutting sensor position information.

  That is, when processing a part (workpiece or the like) W, the part W comes into contact with the contact portions SA and SB of the abutment S and is positioned. After the contact is completed, the abutting portion S moves by the movement amount M, so that the part W moves (offsets) by the movement amount M.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, when the butting portion S is moved for each bending cycle, the part W moves to the position of W1 in the arrow AR1 direction with respect to the mold K2, and the position of W2 in the arrow AR2 direction. And move to the position of W3 in the direction of the arrow AR3, and move to the position of W4 in the direction of the arrow AR4. As a result, the use area information updated for each bending process is reflected in the display of the use frequency described above, and the position where the part (workpiece or the like) W is placed in the mold even when the robot 7 is not used in bending with many lots. Can be adjusted.

  The operation of the mold management system 1 is shown.

  Control means of the die management system 1 in the bending system configured as described above (including the control unit 3b of the automatic program device 3, the control device 6c of the bending machine 6, the robot controller 7a of the robot 7, etc. Refers to a coordinated control or the like), a use surface specifying means for specifying a use surface related to a contact portion between a mold and a workpiece during processing (the specified use surface is stored in the memory 4e), a mold And a usage history storage unit that associates the usage plane with each other and stores it as a usage history, and functions as a notification unit that notifies the usage history of each area based on the usage history stored in the usage history storage unit. In addition, the automatic program device 3 or the bending machine control device 6c includes a display unit, and the notification unit has a function of color-coding the usage for each area and outputting the usage status to the display unit. Furthermore, the update means which updates a use log | history for every press of the bending machine 6 is provided, and an alerting | reporting means alert | reports a use condition in real time. These means are distributed in the automatic program device 3 and the bending processing control device 6c.

  FIG. 9 shows the operation (relationship of the bending machine 6) in the mold management system 1. First, in step SA01, information on the mold use surface area used by the control means of the mold management system 1 is acquired. That is, the program is read from the program DB (database) 4. Also, mold information is read from the mold DB (database) 5. Then, the use surface area, the number of uses, etc. are extracted and stored. In step SA02, the bending machine 6 performs a bending operation.

  In step SA03, the control means of the mold management system 1 sets the current use surface area usage count to +1. In step SA04, the control means of the mold management system 1 updates information on the mold usage surface area to be used. The updated usage count of the usage area is written in the program DB (database) 4 and the mold DB (database) 5.

  In step SA05, the control means of the mold management system 1 determines whether or not the abutment sensor position has been changed. When it is determined that the abutment sensor position has been changed, the process proceeds to step SA06. If it is determined that the abutment sensor position has not been changed, the process proceeds to step SA08.

  In step SA06, the control means of the mold management system 1 sets “current use surface area” = “current use surface area + abutting sensor position change amount”. In step SA07, the control means of the mold management system 1 acquires information on the changed mold use surface area from the program DB (database) 4 and the mold DB (database) 5.

  In step SA08, the control means of the mold management system 1 reflects the usage surface area information on the screen display (such as the display unit 6c). In step SA09, it is determined whether or not the planned number of processed sheets has been completed. The process ends when the bending machine 6 determines that the scheduled number of processed sheets has been completed. If the bending machine 6 has not finished the scheduled number of processing, the process returns to step SA02.

  FIG. 10 shows operations related to the robot 7 of the mold management system.

  In step SB01, the bending machine 6 performs a bending operation. In step SB02, the control unit of the mold management system 1 acquires the latest information on the mold use surface area from the program DB (database) 4 and the mold DB (database) 5.

  In step SB03, the control means of the mold management system 1 determines whether or not the current surface usage rate is high. If it is determined that the usage rate of the current surface is high, the process proceeds to step SB04. If it is determined that the usage rate of the current surface is low, the process proceeds to step SB06.

  In step SB04, the control means of the mold management system 1 refers to the program DB (database) 4 and the mold DB (database) 5 to search for a surface with a low usage rate. In step SB05, the control means of the mold management system 1 updates the difference in distance from the current usage surface to the surface with a low usage rate to the target value of the robot.

  In step SB06, the control means of the mold management system 1 determines whether or not the planned number of processed sheets has been completed. The process ends when it is determined that the planned number of processed sheets has been completed. If it is determined that the scheduled number of processed sheets has not ended, the process returns to step SB01.

  The operation and effect of the mold management system 1 will be described. All the mold information possessed is registered in a mold DB (database) 5. The usage history for each mold surface is managed for each pitch.

  The automatic program device 3 creates a bending program based on the part information and registers it in the program DB (database) 4. At this time, the position where the part is placed on the mold is determined based on the usage status of the surface of the mold to be used. Further, the range of parts that come into contact with the surface of the mold used for each bending process is stored as program information in the program DB (database) 4 in association with the part information.

  The control device 6c of the bending machine (for example, press brake) 2 acquires bending data of the part to be processed from the program DB (database) 4. In addition, the corresponding robot program is transmitted to the robot 7. Bending is performed in cooperation with robot movement. During the execution of bending, the number of presses for the range of the part W in contact with the surface of the mold is recorded in the usage surface history of the mold DB (database) 5 from the program information created by the automatic program device 3 for each bending process. Update. In addition, the surface usage is reflected on the screen display for each press.

  The robot 7 bends according to the robot operation program created by the automatic program device 3. At this time, if the change operation of the part placement position on the mold is set for each cycle, the position where the part (work) W is placed on the mold for each cycle is changed at the set pitch within the offset range. To do.

  Because it works as described above, it is possible to grasp the usage frequency for each surface based on the usage history for each surface for each mold, and which mold surface should place the part W to prevent the worn mold from being worn away. Can be judged.

  By displaying the usage status of the surface of the mold used in the automatic program device 3, the placement position of the part W that prevents the uneven wear of the mold can be calculated as the target value of the robot 7. In addition, by printing the mold usage status on a form, it is possible to build a processing plan for bending work by a person.

  The timing of offsetting the position of the workpiece on the mold when machining a lot of parts by reflecting the surface usage status on the screen display for each press by the control device 6c of the bending machine (press brake, etc.) 2 Can be grasped.

  The robot 7 bends according to the robot operation program created by the automatic program device 3. By the offset operation of the part placement position on the mold for each cycle, it is possible to realize the optimum operation considering the wear of the mold.

  Use history is managed in the database for the mold surface, and the use history for the mold surface is displayed in different colors in the control device 6c of the automatic programming device 3 and bending machine 2 to inform the operator of the use status. Is possible. A function that updates the die usage history for each press of the bending machine 6, updates the die usage surface status in real time, and notifies the operator. The robot 7 can perform an operation of offsetting the installation surface of the mold and the part W for each cycle in consideration of the wear of the mold.

  The main purpose is to extend the life of the mold, and anyone can confirm the history of the usage surface of the mold, and it is possible to clarify which surface should be used now. As a result, in the case of a bending system using a robot, it is possible to create an operation taking into account the wear of the mold on average, and to extend the life of the mold.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the invention described above, and can be implemented in other modes by making appropriate modifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mold management system 2 Network 3 Automatic program apparatus 3a Main body 3b Display apparatus 3c Input part 3d Mouse 3e Form 4 Program DB
4a Memory (parts)
4b Memory (Bending program for press brake)
4c Memory (Robot operation program)
4d memory (mold used and mold arrangement information)
4e Memory (range of parts and mold contact surface for each bending process)
5 Mold DB (database)
5a Memory (Mold ID)
5b Memory (type)
5c Memory (Usage history)
5d memory (parameter)
5e Memory (0-pitch)
5f memory (pitch-pitch * n)
5g memory (pitch * n-mold length)
5h memory (1 pitch dimension)
5i memory (number of times)
5j memory (number of times)
5k memory (number of times)
6 Bending machine 7 Robot W Work P Punch mold D Die mold

Claims (6)

In a mold management system for managing a mold, a use surface specifying unit that specifies a use surface area related to a contact portion of a work of the mold and the mold and the use surface area are associated and stored as a use history. A mold management system comprising: a use history storage unit; and a notification unit that notifies the usage for each use surface area based on the use history stored in the use history storage unit. The automatic program device or the bending machine control device is provided with a display means, and the notification means has a function of outputting, to the display means, information obtained by color-coding the usage for each use surface area. The mold management system described in 1.   The mold management system according to claim 1, further comprising an updating unit that updates the usage history for each press of the bending machine, wherein the notification unit reports the usage status in real time. Bending process comprising an automatic program device for creating a bending program for each part, a bending machine for bending the workpiece with a mold, and a robot for gripping the workpiece and performing an operation corresponding to the bending machine In the system,
Based on the use history, use surface specifying means for specifying a use surface area related to a contact portion of the work of the mold, use history storage means for storing the mold and the use surface area in association with each other, and use history An operation control means for changing the position of the workpiece for each cycle. In a mold management method for managing a mold, a usage history specifying process for identifying a usage surface area related to a contact portion of a workpiece of the mold, and a usage history as a usage history by associating the mold and the usage surface area. A mold management method comprising: a use history storage step stored in a storage unit; and a notification step of notifying the usage for each use surface area based on the use history stored in the use history storage unit . In a bending method by an automatic program device for creating a bending program for each part, a bending machine for bending a workpiece with a mold, and a robot for gripping the workpiece and performing an operation corresponding to the bending machine ,
A use surface specifying step for specifying a use surface area related to a contact portion of the workpiece of the mold, a use history storage step for storing the mold and the use surface area in association with each other in a use history storage means, An operation control step of changing the position of the workpiece for each cycle based on the use history.

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