JP7542151B2 - Press Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a press equipment.

Patent document 1 describes a processing system in which material sent out from a feeding device is processed using a die attached to the slide of a press machine.

JP 2018-176204 A

The material in the feeding device is fed to the press equipment at a feed speed corresponding to the capacity of the feeding device. The amount of material fed from the feeding device to the press equipment is set according to the size of the product that the press equipment processes the material to manufacture. If the material feed speed is slow compared to the processing speed of the press equipment regardless of the product size, or if the material feed rate is too large depending on the product size and the material feed speed is not enough, there is a possibility that the feeding device will not be able to finish feeding the material while the slider of the press equipment is rising and falling in the non-processing area of the material.

If the feed device cannot finish feeding the material while the slider is rising and falling in the non-processing area, the operator can deal with the situation by changing the settings of the press motion. However, the operator must decide how to change the motion settings by relying on the experience of an expert, or by repeated trial and error in which the operator reviews the changes to the settings while observing the results of the changes. Changing the motion settings can be a heavy burden for the operator. In other words, if the material feed speed is slow compared to the processing speed of the press, the operator or the press cannot easily obtain parameters that optimize the motion of the press.

One aspect of the present invention is
a slide that is vertically movable and has a die attached thereto for pressing the material intermittently fed from the feed device and placed at the processing position;
a crankshaft that rotates by the rotation transmitted from the drive unit;
a connecting rod that is connected to an eccentric portion of the crankshaft that is located eccentrically from the center of rotation, and converts the rotational motion of the crankshaft into linear motion to reciprocate the slide in a vertical direction;
a control unit that defines a processing area where the slide can process the material and a non-processing area other than the processing area based on a rotation angle of the crankshaft, and controls a rotation speed of the crankshaft based on the rotation angle of the crankshaft;
a setting unit that sets a physical quantity corresponding to a feed amount of the material fed to the machining position while the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining region;
a calculation unit that calculates a feed time of the material to the processing position corresponding to the physical quantity set in the setting unit, and an interference check time required for the rotation angle of the crankshaft to rotate in the non-processing area from a position at which the material is started to be fed relative to the processing position to a position for checking interference between the slide and the material; and
a determination unit that determines, when the feed time exceeds the interference check time, content of control on the rotation speed of the crankshaft to be executed by the control unit while the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining region, so that the interference check time is equal to or longer than the feed time; and
It is a press device equipped with:

In one aspect of the present invention, the drive unit vertically reciprocates a slide, on which a die for pressing a material is attached, via a crankshaft and a connecting rod. The feed time from the start to the end of the material feed required to intermittently feed the material to be pressed from the feed device to the processing position by the die is determined by the physical quantities set in the setting unit. While the slide reciprocates vertically in the non-processing area of the material, it takes an interference check time for the crankshaft to rotate from the position at the start of the material feed to the interference check position between the slide and the material. If the feed time determined from the physical quantities of the setting unit exceeds the interference check time, the slide reciprocating vertically in the non-processing area along with the crankshaft rotating in the non-processing area will interfere with the material being fed at the interference check position.

If the feed time exceeds the interference check time, the control over the crankshaft rotation speed can be changed while the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining area to increase the time it takes for the crankshaft to rotate from the position where the material feed starts to the interference check position, thereby lengthening the interference check time. Depending on the control over the crankshaft rotation speed, the interference check time can also be made longer than the feed time. The control over the crankshaft rotation speed determined by the determination unit when the feed time exceeds the interference check time is the content that allows the drive unit to rotate the crankshaft with that content, thereby lengthening the interference check time to be longer than the feed time.

According to one aspect of the present invention, even when the material feed rate is slow compared to the processing rate of the press equipment, the press equipment can easily obtain parameters that optimize the motion of the press equipment without relying on the experience of the operator.

FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram of a press working system including a press device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a control system for the press equipment and the feed device of the press working system of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the press device of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D is a diagram for explaining the eccentric structure of the crankshaft in FIG. 1C. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the crankshaft in FIG. 1C and the processing steps of the press machine in the case of a motion rotating in one direction. FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the crankshaft in FIG. 1C and the processing steps of the press machine S in the case of a first motion in a motion in which forward and reverse rotations are continuously performed. FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the crankshaft in FIG. 1C and the processing step of the press machine S in the case of a second motion in a motion in which forward and reverse rotations are continuously performed. FIG. 3A is a graph showing the relationship between the feed speed and the feed time of the metal material from the feeder of FIG. 1A to the press machine. FIG. 3B is a graph showing the relationship between the feed speed and the feed time of the metal material from the feeder of FIG. 1A to the press device. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the motion pattern and crankshaft operation of the press apparatus of FIG. 1A. FIG. 5 is a graph showing a comparison of the motion pattern of the crankshaft in the non-machining region of FIG. 4 before and after changing the motion magnification of the rotational motion of the crankshaft. FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of processing performed by the arithmetic device of the press device of FIG. 1B. FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the arithmetic device of the press device of FIG. 1B.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts or components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

The embodiments described below are examples of devices and the like for embodying the technical idea of this invention. The technical idea of this invention does not specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, function, etc. of each component to those described below.

With reference to the drawings, a press apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram of a press working system including a press apparatus S according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a control system for the press apparatus S and a feed device FD of the press working system of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the press apparatus S of FIG. 1A. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the press apparatus S according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
a slide 12 that is movable in a vertical direction and has a die 3a attached thereto for pressing a material WS that is intermittently fed from a feed device FD and is at a processing position;
A crankshaft 8 that rotates by the rotation transmitted from the drive unit 4;
a connecting rod 10 that is connected to an eccentric portion of the crankshaft 8 that is located eccentrically from the center of rotation, and converts the rotational motion of the crankshaft 8 into linear motion, thereby causing the slide 12 to reciprocate in a vertical direction;
a control unit that defines a processing area where the slide 12 can process the material WS and a non-processing area other than the processing area based on a rotation angle of the crankshaft 8, and controls a rotation speed of the crankshaft 8 based on the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8;
a setting unit for setting a physical quantity corresponding to a feed amount of the material WS fed to the processing position while the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the non-processing region;
a calculation unit which calculates a feed time of the material WS to the processing position corresponding to the physical quantity set in the setting unit, and an interference check time required for the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 to rotate in the non-processing region from a position at which the material WS starts to be fed relative to the processing position to a position for checking interference between the slide 12 and the material WS;
a determination unit that determines, when the feed time exceeds the interference check time, the content of control for the rotation speed of the crankshaft 8 executed by the control unit while the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the non-machining region, so that the interference check time is equal to or longer than the feed time;
Equipped with.

Details of the press equipment S of this embodiment are described below.

In the press processing system shown in FIG. 1A, the feed device FD sends out a hoop material (metal material) WS to the press machine S. The press machine S performs press processing using a die with the metal material WS fed from the feed device FD as the workpiece W.

The feeding device FD can be configured to have, for example, an uncoiler 31 and a straightener feeder 32. A coil material made by winding metal material WS into a coil shape is loaded onto the uncoiler 31. The metal material WS of the coil material loaded onto the uncoiler 31 is unwound from one end of the coil material and fed to the straightener feeder 32. In the straightener feeder 32, the winding tendency of the metal material WS is flattened. The flattened metal material WS is fed from the straightener feeder 32 to the press equipment S.

As shown in Figure 1B, the feeding device FD has a motor 33. The motors 33 and amplifiers 35 are shown as a single block in the figure, but represent the motors and amplifiers provided in the uncoiler 31 and the straightener feeder 32, respectively. The motor 33 is the power source for the uncoiler 31 and the straightener feeder 32 to feed the metal material WS.

The feed device FD has a calculation device 34 and an amplifier 35. The calculation device 34 can be configured, for example, using a controller that performs numerical control. The calculation device 34 controls the rotation speed of the motor 33 via the amplifier 35 to match the feed speed of the metal material WS. The feed speed of the metal material WS can be set in the feed parameters input to the calculation device 34.

The feed parameters can be input to the calculation device 34 from the press device S. The feed parameters can be stored in the memory device 36 of the feed device FD. The feed parameters input from the press device S can be read from the memory device 36 and displayed on the display device 37 of the feed device FD.

The feed parameters may be input to the calculation device 34 from the input device 38 of the feed device FD while being displayed on the display device 37, and stored in the memory device 36. When the feed parameters are input to the calculation device 34 from the input device 38, the calculation device 34 outputs the feed parameters stored in the memory device 36 to the calculation device 14 of the press equipment S.

The feed device FD has a DI (Digital Input) port 39 and a DO (Digital Output) port 41 for transmitting digital signals for synchronization with the press equipment S.

The feed device FD feeds out the metal material WS at the slowest feed speed corresponding to the capacity of the feed device FD, the uncoiler 31 and the straightener feeder 32, and supplies it to the press equipment S.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the press equipment S has, inside and outside the housing 2, a motor 4, a transmission mechanism 6, a crankshaft 8, a connecting rod 10, a slide 12, a computing device 14, a memory device 15, a display device 16, an input device 18 and a bolster 22.

The motor 4 functions as a drive unit that reciprocates the slide 12 (described later) in the vertical direction. The motor 4 is, for example, a servo-controlled servo motor. The motor 4 reciprocates the slide 12 in the vertical direction via the transmission mechanism 6, crankshaft 8, and connecting rod 10 while controlling the rotation angle and rotation speed. The motor 4 rotates the crankshaft 8 via the transmission mechanism 6. The motor 4 is provided with an encoder 25 for detecting the rotation angle and rotation speed.

The transmission mechanism 6 has transmission members such as gears and belts, and acts as a reducer that amplifies and transmits the torque of the motor 4 to the crankshaft 8. A control signal to the motor 4 is sent from the computing device 14. The transmission mechanism 6 can also be provided with an encoder 25 for detecting the rotation angle and rotation speed.

The crankshaft 8 and connecting rod 10 convert the rotation transmitted by the transmission mechanism 6 into vertical reciprocating motion via the eccentric part of the crankshaft 8 and transmit it to the slide 12. One end of the connecting rod 10 is connected to the eccentric part of the crankshaft 8. The converted vertical reciprocating motion is transmitted to the slide 12 via a connecting member 11 connected to the other end of the connecting rod 10. The slide 12 reciprocates vertically due to the force transmitted from the connecting rod 10.

Figure 1D is a diagram for explaining the eccentric structure of the crankshaft 8 in Figure 1C. In Figure 1D, the motor 4 rotates the crankshaft 8 via the transmission mechanism 6. Generally, the eccentric structure refers to a structure in which the rotation center 8a of the crankshaft 8 can rotate eccentrically from the center position C, but in the present invention, the explanation is based on the premise that the rotation center 8a of the crankshaft 8 rotates without eccentricity from the center position C. In the following explanation, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 is defined as 0 degrees when the eccentric part 8b of the crankshaft 8 is above the rotation center of the crankshaft 8 and the connecting rod 10 is aligned vertically so as to pass through the rotation center of the crankshaft 8. The upper end of the connecting rod 10 is rotatably connected to the eccentric part 8b of the crankshaft 8. A connecting member 11 with a slide 12 is attached to the lower end of the connecting rod 10, and the slide 12 is connected to the lower part of the connecting member 11. The connecting member 11 is supported by a fulcrum 13 so as to be capable of reciprocating motion in the vertical direction.

In FIG. 1D, when the motor 4 is driven and the crankshaft 8 rotates in the clockwise direction DR, the connecting rod 10 connected to the eccentric part 8b of the crankshaft 8 converts the rotation of the crankshaft 8, i.e., the rotational motion of the crankshaft 8, into a vertical reciprocating motion and transmits it to the connecting member 11. The connecting member 11 connected to the connecting rod 10 reciprocates in the vertical direction. Along with the reciprocating motion of the connecting member 11, the slide 12 connected to the connecting member 11 also reciprocates in the vertical direction. The vertical position of the slide 12 corresponds to the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8. When the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 is 0 degrees, the slide 12 is at the top dead center. When the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 is 180 degrees, the slide 12 is at the bottom dead center. When the crankshaft 8 rotates in the clockwise direction DR from 0 degrees to 180 degrees, the slide 12 moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center. When the crankshaft 8 further rotates in the clockwise direction DR from 180 degrees to 360 degrees (0 degrees), the slide 12 moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center. The slide 12 can reciprocate within its maximum movable range from the top dead center to the bottom dead center.

Note that the vertical movement speed of the slide 12 due to the rotation of the crankshaft 8 is not constant. For example, when the crankshaft 8 passes through 0 degrees and 180 degrees, the vertical movement speed of the slide 12 slows down.

Due to the eccentric structure of the crankshaft 8 described above, the calculation device 14 can control the rotational angle and rotational speed of the motor 4, i.e., the rotational angle and rotational speed of the crankshaft 8, thereby controlling the vertical reciprocating motion of the slide 12.

The bolster 22 is disposed below the slide 12. The upper die 3a of the die 3 is attached to the underside of the slide 12, and the lower die 3b of the die 3 is attached to the upper surface of the bolster 22. A metal material WS is fed as a workpiece W between the upper die 3a and the lower die 3b by a feed device FD. The fed workpiece W is pressed by the upper die 3a and the lower die 3b, which reciprocate vertically.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the calculation device 14 of the press equipment S can be configured using, for example, a controller that performs numerical control. The calculation device 14 controls the rotation angle and rotational velocity of the motor 4 via an amplifier 21 in accordance with the press processing process performed by the press equipment S. The calculation device 14 can detect the rotation angle and rotational velocity of the motor 4 rotated under the control of the calculation device 14 by feedback encoder pulses input from an encoder 25.

The calculation device 14 executes a motion program to control the rotational speed of the motor 4 in accordance with the press processing process by the press equipment S. The storage device 15 stores and manages the motion programs for each type of motion. The input device 18 is operated when selecting a type of motion. The input device 18 is also operated when setting parameters for the motion program corresponding to the selected type of motion.

The types of motion include a motion that rotates in one direction and a motion that continuously rotates in the forward and reverse directions. In a motion that rotates in one direction, the slide 12 performs one cycle of vertical reciprocating motion while the crankshaft 8 rotates once in one direction. In a motion that continuously rotates in the forward and reverse directions, the crankshaft 8 continuously reciprocates between forward and reverse rotations in a limited partial rotation angle range. The motion that continuously rotates in the forward and reverse directions includes a first motion in which the crankshaft 8 continuously reciprocates between forward and reverse rotations from the starting position via the bottom dead center, and a second motion in which the crankshaft 8 reciprocates in a limited partial rotation angle range within 180 degrees from the top dead center to the bottom dead center. In the first motion, the slide 12 performs one cycle of vertical reciprocating motion while the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the forward direction, and further, the slide 12 performs one cycle of vertical reciprocating motion while the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the backward direction. On the other hand, in the second motion, the slide 12 performs one cycle of vertical reciprocating motion during the forward rotation and the return rotation of the crankshaft 8. The press S loads and unloads the metal material WS and presses the workpiece W within the time it takes the slide 12 to perform one cycle of vertical reciprocating motion. The motion setting refers to determining what type of motion is used for press processing.

Figure 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 in Figure 1C and the processing process of the press equipment S in the case of a unidirectional rotation motion. In a unidirectional rotation motion, as shown in Figure 2A, when the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 is 0 degrees, the start position ST of the motion is reached. The start position ST of the unidirectional rotation motion is the top dead center of the slide 12.

2A, when the crankshaft 8 rotates in the clockwise direction DR and passes a rotation angle of 120 degrees, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 shifts from the non-machining area NPA of the workpiece W to the machining area PA, and the press equipment S presses the workpiece W. When the crankshaft 8 rotates in the clockwise direction DR and passes a rotation angle of 180 degrees (bottom dead center of the slide 12) and a rotation angle of 240 degrees, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 shifts from the machining area PA to the non-machining area NPA. When the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 shifts to the feed section FS in the non-machining area NPA, the feed device FD supplies the metal material WS to the press equipment S.

In a unidirectional motion, the feed section FS in which the feed device FD feeds the metal material WS to the press equipment S is set while the crankshaft 8, rotating in the clockwise direction DR, is at a rotation angle of 240 degrees to 120 degrees around the starting position ST. The feed section FS is set within the range of rotation angles while the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 is in the non-machining area NPA, where the slide 12 is in a position where it can avoid interference with the feed device FD, the die 3, or the workpiece W.

Figure 2B is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 in Figure 1C and the processing process of the press machine S in the case of the first motion in a motion that continuously rotates forward and backward. In the case of the example shown in Figure 2B, in a motion that continuously rotates forward and backward, the crankshaft 8 reciprocates between a rotation angle of 60 degrees and a rotation angle of 300 degrees, passing through a rotation angle of 180 degrees (bottom dead center of the slide 12). In the motion shown in Figure 2B, the start position ST of the motion is when the crankshaft 8 is at each of the rotation angles of 60 degrees and 300 degrees, which are the turning points at which it reciprocates. The start position ST of the motion that continuously rotates forward and backward is the top dead center of the slide 12 only in the first cycle of the motion, but in the second and subsequent cycles, it is a position that is not the top dead center of the slide 12.

2B, on the outward journey, when the crankshaft 8 rotates in the clockwise direction DR1 from the starting position ST of 60 degrees and passes a rotation angle of 120 degrees, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 shifts from the non-machining area NPA to the machining area PA, and the press equipment S presses the workpiece W. On the outward journey, when the crankshaft 8 rotates in the clockwise direction DR1, passes through bottom dead center, and passes a rotation angle of 240 degrees, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 shifts from the machining area PA to the non-machining area NPA, and the feed device FD supplies the metal material WS to the press equipment S.

2B, on the return path, when the crankshaft 8 rotates in the counterclockwise direction DR2 from the starting position ST of 300 degrees and passes a rotation angle of 240 degrees, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 shifts from the non-machining area NPA to the machining area PA, and the press equipment S presses the workpiece W. On the return path, when the crankshaft 8 rotates in the counterclockwise direction DR2 and passes a rotation angle of 120 degrees, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 shifts from the machining area PA to the non-machining area NPA, and the feed device FD supplies the metal material WS to the press equipment S.

In the first motion shown in Figure 2B, which performs forward and reverse rotations continuously, the feed section FS in which the feed device FD feeds the metal material WS to the press machine S is set between the forward and return paths, when the crankshaft 8 turns from a rotation angle of 240 degrees at the starting position ST of 300 degrees and returns to a rotation angle of 240 degrees, and between the return path and the forward path, when the crankshaft 8 turns from a rotation angle of 120 degrees at the starting position ST of 60 degrees and returns to a rotation angle of 120 degrees. Note that Figure 2B only illustrates the feed section FS from the forward path to the return path, and does not illustrate the feed section from the return path to the forward path.

Figure 2C is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 in Figure 1C and the processing process of the press machine S in the case of the second motion in the motion that continuously rotates forward and backward. In the example shown in Figure 2C, the crankshaft 8 repeats forward and reverse rotation between a rotation angle of 30 degrees and a rotation angle of 150 degrees, and does not pass through a rotation angle of 180 degrees (bottom dead center of the slide 12). In the motion shown in Figure 2C, the start position ST of the motion is when the eccentric part of the crankshaft 8 is at a rotation angle of 30 degrees. The start position ST of the motion that continuously rotates forward and backward is the top dead center of the slide 12 only in the first cycle of the motion, but in the second and subsequent cycles, it is a position that is not the top dead center of the slide 12.

In the example shown in Figure 2C, on the outward journey, when the crankshaft 8 rotates in the clockwise direction DR1 from the starting position ST of 30 degrees and passes a rotation angle of 90 degrees, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 moves from the non-machining area NPA to the machining area PA, and the press equipment S presses the workpiece W.

In the example shown in Figure 2C, on the outbound journey, the crankshaft 8 turns back at a rotation angle of 150 degrees. On the return journey, when the crankshaft 8 rotates in the counterclockwise direction DR2 from the rotation angle of 150 degrees and passes a rotation angle of 90 degrees, the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 shifts from the processing area PA to the non-processing area NPA, and the feed device FD supplies the metal material WS to the press equipment S.

In the second motion shown in Figure 2C, which continuously performs forward and reverse rotations, the feed section FS in which the feed device FD feeds the metal material WS to the press equipment S is set from the return path to the forward path, until the crankshaft 8 turns from a rotation angle of 45 degrees at the starting position ST of 30 degrees and returns to a rotation angle of 45 degrees.

The type of motion to be selected is set in the calculation device 14 by operating the input device 18. The calculation device 14 reads out from the storage device 15 a motion program corresponding to the set type of motion and executes it. The calculation device 14 sets parameters required for executing the motion program by operating the input device 18.

The parameters set in the calculation device 14 include the motion parameters, cam setting parameters, feed parameters and function setting parameters of the press equipment S. Each parameter set by operating the input device 18 can be stored in the storage device 15.

The motion parameters include the starting position ST of the motion, the start position of the motion's processing, the approach speed of the motion, the end position of the motion's processing, the operation settings of the motion in the processing area, and the end position of the motion's processing.

The start position ST of the motion is the start position ST described with reference to Figures 2A to 2C. In other words, the start position ST of the motion is the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 when the eccentric portion of the crankshaft 8 is at the start position ST.

The machining start position of the motion is the rotational angle of the crankshaft 8 when the rotational angle of the crankshaft 8 becomes the boundary position where the non-machining area NPA changes to the machining area PA.

The approach speed of the motion is the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 when the eccentric portion of the crankshaft 8 approaches the machining start position from the starting position ST.

The machining end position of the motion is the rotational angle of the crankshaft 8 when the rotational angle of the crankshaft 8 becomes the boundary position where it transitions from the machining area PA to the non-machining area NPA.

The operation settings of the motion in the machining area PA include, for example, the rotational speed (machining speed) of the crankshaft 8 in the machining area PA, i.e., the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 when the rotational angle of the crankshaft 8 moves from the machining start position to the machining end position. Also, the operation settings of the motion in the machining area PA include, for example, the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 when the rotational angle of the crankshaft 8 rotates from the machining end position to the starting position ST.

The cam setting parameters are parameters for reading the rotation angle and rotation speed of the motor 4 from the encoder 25 attached to the motor 4, and for feedback controlling the rotation angle and rotation speed of the motor 4 when the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 becomes the feed start position and the interference check position. The cam setting parameters include the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 when the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 becomes the feed start position, and the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 when the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 becomes the interference check position. The feed start position is the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 when the feed device FD starts to feed the metal material WS to the press equipment S. For convenience, the conversion of the rotational motion of the crankshaft into a start signal for opening/closing or reciprocating motion is referred to as a cam.

The feed start position is the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 when the feed device FD starts one cycle of feeding the metal material WS. The feed start position is set while the crankshaft 8 is rotating at the approach speed in the non-machining area NPA.

In the example of a motion that rotates in one direction shown in Figure 2A, the feed start position is when the crankshaft 8 is at a rotation angle of 270 degrees. In the example of a motion that rotates forward and reverse continuously shown in Figure 2B, for example, the feed start position is when the crankshaft 8 rotated in the clockwise direction DR1 on the outgoing path is at a rotation angle of 270 degrees. In the example of a motion that rotates forward and reverse continuously shown in Figure 2C, for example, the feed start position is when the crankshaft 8 rotated in the clockwise direction DR1 on the outgoing path is at a rotation angle of 130 degrees.

The interference check position is the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 when the calculation device 34 performs an interference check while the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the non-machining area NPA. The interference check is to detect errors before and after the press working, and specifically, at least the following five items are detected.
(1) Material end detection: Detects when the material is out of stock using a light sensor. (2) Material wave detection: Detects contact between the material and the touch sensor using the material wave. (3) Scrap detection: Detects whether the punched scrap is passing through. (4) Workpiece discharge error detection: Detects whether the workpiece has passed the light sensor and been discharged. (5) Material feed error detection: Detects whether the material feed is complete and is in contact with the touch sensor.

For example, if one cycle of feeding the metal material WS is not completed before the crankshaft 8 finishes rotating at the approach speed in the non-machining area NPA, the metal material WS being fed by the feed device FD will interfere with the slide 12 reciprocating vertically within the non-machining area NPA. The interference check position is set to a position that the crankshaft 8 reaches before finishing rotating at the approach speed in the non-machining area NPA.

When the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 reaches the feed start position, the calculation device 14 outputs a digital signal to the feed device FD to start feeding the metal material WS. When the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 reaches the interference check position, the calculation device 14 outputs a digital signal to the feed device FD to instruct an interference check. The calculation device 14 can output each digital signal to the feed device FD based on a pulse signal input from a cam positioner (not shown), for example.

The press equipment S has a DI (Digital Input) port 27 and a DO (Digital Output) port 29 for transmitting electrical signals to and from the feed device FD. The calculation device 14 outputs electrical signals of the feed start position and interference check position of the slide 12 from the DO port 29 to the DI port 41 of the feed device FD.

When an electrical signal instructing the start of feeding is input from the DI port 39, the calculation device 34 of the feed device FD can start feeding the metal material WS, assuming that the conditions for the feed device FD to perform the feeding operation are met.

The arithmetic unit 34 executes an interference check when the crankshaft 8 passes the interference check position. When a digital signal instructing an interference check is input, if one cycle of feeding of the metal material WS according to the contents of the feed parameters has not been completed, the arithmetic unit 34 can emergency stop the feeding of the metal material WS as an error has occurred. This emergency stop can prevent the occurrence of an event in which machining of the metal material WS is started before one cycle of feeding is completed, resulting in the production of a defective product, or an event that leads to damage to the mold 3 (upper mold 3a, lower mold 3b).

The feed parameters are parameters related to the feeding of the metal material WS that are input to the calculation device 34 of the feed device FD. The feed parameters are set in the calculation device 14 of the press equipment S, and the same values of the feed parameters are transferred to the calculation device 34 of the feed device FD via network communication or the like. The feed parameters include the feed speed, feed acceleration/deceleration time, and feed amount.

The feed speed is the command speed when the metal material WS is fed to the press machine S by the feed device FD. The feed acceleration/deceleration time is the time for accelerating the speed at which the metal material WS is fed to the command speed during one cycle from when the metal material WS is fed by the feed device FD until the feed device FD retreats, and the time for decelerating the speed at which the metal material WS is fed from the command speed when the metal material WS is retreated after being fed. However, the deceleration time and acceleration time of the feed speed do not necessarily have to be the same. Depending on the weight and size of the metal material WS or the command speed, the deceleration time and acceleration time of the feed speed may be different. The feed speed and the feed acceleration/deceleration time may be fixed or variable.

The feed amount is the length of metal material WS that the feed device FD sends to the press machine S for one cycle. The feed amount is a variable value whose length corresponds to the product to be manufactured by processing the workpiece W with the press machine S.

The calculation device 14 in which the feed parameters are set functions as a setting unit. By setting the feed parameters including the feed amount in the calculation device 14, it is possible to set in the setting unit a physical quantity (the feed length of the workpiece in one cycle) corresponding to the feed amount of the metal material WS (material) sent to the processing position during the rotation angle range of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area in which the workpiece W is not machined. When the feed parameters are set, the calculation device 14 transfers the set feed parameters to the calculation device 34 of the feed device FD.

The function setting parameter is a parameter related to a flag indicating whether the synchronous control, which synchronizes one cycle operation of the press equipment S with the feeding of the metal material WS by the feeding device FD, is disabled or enabled. For example, the parameter indicating that the synchronous control is disabled can be set to "0," and the parameter indicating that the synchronous control is enabled can be set to "1."

When the type of motion to be selected and the above-mentioned parameters are set, the calculation device 14 calculates the motion of the crankshaft 8, outputs a speed command for the crankshaft 8, and performs override control of the speed command for the crankshaft 8. Note that the override control in this embodiment refers to deceleration command control at a percentage of the commanded rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 taken as 100% when the metal material WS length for one cycle cannot be fed during rotation at the commanded rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 from the feed start rotational angle to the interference check rotational angle.

The calculation device 14 calculates the feed time T required for the feed length (feed amount) of one cycle of the metal material WS by the feed device FD, which corresponds to the command speed of the feed parameter, and is the premise for calculating the motion of the crankshaft 8.

For example, when the feed speed and feed acceleration/deceleration time are predetermined fixed values, the feed time T required for one cycle of the feed length of the metal material WS is determined by the feed amount, which is a variable value.

Figure 3A is a graph showing the relationship between the feed speed and feed time of the metal material WS from the feed device FD in Figure 1A to the press equipment S. Figure 3A shows a case where the feed amount (area) Y [mm] set by the feed parameters is equal to or greater than the moving distance (area) obtained by multiplying the feed acceleration/deceleration time Ta [s] by the command speed F [mm/s], and shows a state in which movement is possible at a constant speed of the command speed. Note that the vertical axis of the graph in Figure 3A shows the feed speed [mm/s] of the metal material WS, and the horizontal axis shows the feed time [s] of the metal material WS. The command speed F of the feed speed and the acceleration/deceleration time Ta are both fixed values.

The feed amount when the feed device FD feeds the metal material WS to the press machine S at the command speed F and acceleration/deceleration time Ta corresponds to the area of a trapezoid surrounded by the horizontal axis and the waveform of the feed speed, as shown in Figure 3A. The feed time T [s] required to feed the metal material WS to the press machine S at the feed amount Y set in the feed parameters can be calculated from the following formula (1) using the general formula for calculating the area of a trapezoid.
T=(Y-F×Ta)/F+2×Ta...(1)

Figure 3B is a graph showing the relationship between the feed speed and feed time of the metal material WS from the feed device FD in Figure 1A to the press equipment S. Figure 3B shows a case where the feed amount Y set by the feed parameters is a feed amount of a moving distance obtained by multiplying the feed acceleration/deceleration time t [s] by the speed f [mm/s], which is shorter than the moving distance obtained by multiplying the feed acceleration/deceleration time Ta [s] by the command speed F [mm/s]. In the graph of Figure 3B, the vertical axis also indicates the feed speed [mm/s] of the metal material WS, and the horizontal axis indicates the feed time [s] of the metal material WS. The command speed F of the feed speed and the acceleration/deceleration time Ta are both fixed values.

When the feed device FD performs a feeding operation of the metal material WS with a peak feed speed f, with each acceleration and deceleration taking an elapsed time t, the feed amount Y of the metal material WS corresponds to the area of an isosceles triangle surrounded by the horizontal axis and the feed speed waveform, as shown in Figure 3B. The feed time T required to feed the metal material WS to the press machine S at the feed amount Y set in the feed parameters can be calculated from the following formula (2) using a general formula for calculating the area of an isosceles triangle.
T=2√(Y/(F×Ta))...(2)

The calculation device 14 can calculate the feed time T of the metal material WS using the method described above. The calculation device 14 calculates a numerical control value for the rotational speed command of the crankshaft 8 according to the calculated feed time T, and outputs the calculated numerical control value as the rotational speed command of the crankshaft 8 to the motor 4 via the amplifier 21.

When the feed time T of one cycle of the metal material WS by the feed device FD calculated based on the feed amount Y set by the feed parameter exceeds the interference check time T' (T>T'), the calculation device 14 determines that the metal material WS has not been fed for one cycle by the time the interference check starts, and it is necessary to delay the timing of the interference check. Therefore, override control is performed on the rotation speed of the crankshaft 8. The interference check time T' is the time from when the calculation device 14 sends the feed start position signal to the feed device FD to when the interference check position signal is turned ON, and is the time until the feed device FD finishes feeding the metal material WS for one cycle and the interference check of the press device S can be started. The calculation device 14 can calculate the interference check time T' based on the motion parameters and cam setting parameters of the press device S set in the calculation device 14 and the feed parameters of the feed device FD.

Figure 4 is a graph showing the motion pattern of the press equipment S in Figure 1A and the operation of the crankshaft 8. The relationship between the feed time T of the metal material WS and the interference check time T' will be explained using Figure 4. For ease of explanation, hereafter, the explanation will focus on an example where the type of motion is a motion that rotates in one direction, and if necessary, will also touch upon a type of motion that performs forward and reverse points consecutively. The vertical axis of the graph in Figure 4 indicates the rotation speed of the crankshaft 8, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

The motion pattern shown in Figure 4 causes the crankshaft 8 to perform one cycle of rotational motion by rotating the crankshaft 8 from the starting position ST to the next starting position ST. One cycle of rotational motion of the eccentric part of the crankshaft 8 includes the following operations (1) to (6).

(1) Rotation of the crankshaft 8 is started from the start position ST of the non-machining area NPA, and the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 is accelerated to the approach speed V1. When the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 reaches the approach speed, the crankshaft 8 is thereafter rotated at the approach speed.
(2) The rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 starts to be decelerated just before the machining start position P1.
(3) At the machining start position P1 where the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 is decelerated to the machining speed V2, when the rotational angle of the crankshaft 8 moves from the non-machining area NPA to the machining area PA, the crankshaft 8 is rotated at the machining speed V2 in the machining area PA up to the machining end position P2.
(4) When the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 reaches the machining end position P2 and the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 moves from the machining area PA to the non-machining area NPA, the rotation speed of the crankshaft 8 is accelerated from the machining speed V2 to the approach speed V1.
(5) During the section in which the crankshaft 8 rotates at the approach speed V1, after the crankshaft 8 passes the feed start position P3 of the metal material WS, the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 begins to decelerate just before the next start position ST.
(6) The rotation of the crankshaft 8 is stopped at the rotation angle at which the crankshaft 8 reaches the next starting position ST.

As shown in Figure 4, in one cycle of rotational operation of the crankshaft 8, the starting points for the feed time T of the metal material WS and the interference check time T' are both the feed start position P3 of the metal material WS by the feed device FD.

If the feed time T is equal to or less than the interference check time T' (T≦T'), one cycle of feeding the metal material WS is completed before the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA finishes rotating at the approach speed V1. In this case, the metal material WS being fed does not interfere with the slide 12 reciprocating vertically in the non-machining area NPA.

When there is no interference between the metal material WS and the slide 12, the calculation device 14 sets the operation multiplier R of the rotational operation of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA to "100%". The operation multiplier R is a value expressed as a percentage of the command rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 that is changed by override control when the command rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 derived from the motion pattern is set to 100. When the operation multiplier R is "100%, " the calculation device 14 does not perform override control of the speed command of the slide 12.

As shown in Figure 4, if the feed time T is longer than the interference check time T' (T' < T), one cycle of feeding the metal material WS will not be completed before the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA finishes rotating at the approach speed V1. In this case, an error will occur in the interference check.

If the feed time T is longer than the interference check time T', the calculation device 14 calculates the operating multiplier R of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA. The calculation device 14 sets the operating multiplier R of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA to a value less than 100%. Note that if the feed time T is equal to or shorter than the interference check time T', the calculation device 14 sets the operating multiplier R of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA to 100%.

In the override control of the speed command of the crankshaft 8, the calculation device 14 decelerates the rotational speed (approach speed) of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA to a speed (V1 x R/100) lower than the normal speed.

In addition, in the override control of the speed command of the crankshaft 8, the calculation device 14 decelerates the acceleration of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA to an acceleration lower than the normal speed.

Even when the calculation device 14 performs override control of the speed command of the crankshaft 8, it does not change the rotational speed (machining speed V2) of the crankshaft 8 in the machining area PA, and controls the rotational operation of the crankshaft 8 normally.

When the calculation device 14 performs deceleration control of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA in the override control of the speed command of the crankshaft 8, it determines the operating multiplier R of the rotational operation of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA as the content of the deceleration control.

Figure 5 is a graph showing a comparison of the operating patterns of the eccentric part of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA in Figure 4 before and after changing the operating ratio R of the rotational operation of the crankshaft 8. The imaginary line (two-dot chain line) in Figure 5 shows the operating pattern M1 before the operating ratio R is changed (R = 100%), and the solid line shows the operating pattern M2 after the operating ratio R is changed (R < 100%).

In the operation pattern M1 before the operation multiplier R is changed (R = 100%), the interference check time T' is shorter than the feed time T. In this operation pattern, one cycle of feeding the metal material WS is not completed before the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA finishes rotating at the approach speed V1. In this case, an error occurs in the interference check. If it is calculated that an error will occur in the interference check, the calculation device 14 calculates an operation multiplier R (R < 100%) where the interference check time T' is greater than or equal to the feed time T.

In operation pattern M2, in which the operation multiplier R is changed to a value less than 100, the time it takes for the crankshaft 8 to rotate in the non-machining area NPA becomes 100/R times (a value greater than 1), and the interference check time increases from T' before the operation multiplier R was changed to T' x 100/R. When the interference check time T' x 100/R becomes equal to or longer than the feed time T, the metal material WS being fed no longer interferes with the slide 12 reciprocating in the vertical direction.

When the calculation device 14 changes the operating ratio R to a value less than 100%, the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 slows down, making it possible to reduce the speed at which the slide 12 of the press equipment S reciprocates vertically.

The feed amount Y of the metal material WS in the section from the feed start position P3 to the starting position ST corresponds to the area A1 of the trapezoidal portion enclosed by the horizontal axis and the feed speed waveform of the graph in Figure 5 in that section. The feed amount Y of the metal material WS from the starting position ST to the feed end position P5 corresponds to the area A2 of the trapezoidal portion enclosed by the horizontal axis and the feed speed waveform in that section.

If the calculation device 14 sets the value of the operating magnification R of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA to, for example, 80%, the approach speed V1 will be 0.8 times, and in addition, the acceleration of the acceleration/deceleration will also be 0.8 times. In exchange, the time required for the operation will be 1.25 times (= 100 ÷ 80).

Before and after changing the operating ratio R, the upper and lower bases of the trapezoidal portion enclosed by the horizontal axis and the feed speed waveform become 1.25 times larger, and the height becomes 0.8 times larger.

In the section from the feed start position P3 to the starting position ST, the feed time t1' corresponding to the bottom base of the trapezoid before the change in the operating magnification R is 0.8 times the feed time t1' x 100/R corresponding to the bottom base of the trapezoid after the change in the operating magnification R. In the section from the starting position ST to the feed end position P5, the feed time t2' corresponding to the bottom base of the trapezoid before the change in the operating magnification R is 0.8 times the feed time t2' x 100/R corresponding to the bottom base of the trapezoid after the change in the operating magnification R. The same applies to the upper base of the trapezoid.

In both the section from the feed start position P3 to the starting position ST and the section from the starting position ST to the feed end position P5, the areas A1 and A2 do not change before and after the change in the operating ratio R. The feed amount Y of the metal material WS, which corresponds to the sum of the areas A1 and A2, also does not change before and after the change in the operating ratio R.

The calculation device 14 calculates the operation multiplier R (R < 100) at which the interference check time T' is greater than or equal to the feed time T as follows:

The interference check time T' and the feed time T are calculated by applying the operation magnification R to the interference check time T' (dividing the interference check time T' by the operation magnification R/100) as follows: T' x 100/R ≥ T
Therefore, the desired value of the operating ratio R is
R≦T′/T×100
The value satisfies.

This calculation is performed when the type of motion of the press S is a motion that rotates in one direction. In a motion that performs forward and reverse rotation consecutively, a stop time Ts may be set for the turning of the eccentric part of the crankshaft 8 at the start position ST. When the stop time Ts is set, the time obtained by applying the operation magnification R to the interference check time T' plus the stop time Ts must be longer than the feed time T, so
(T'×100/R)+Ts≧T
The desired value of the operation magnification R is
R≦T'/(TTs)×100
In addition, since the motion rotating in one direction shown in FIG. 5 is temporarily stopped at the top dead center, it is possible to assume that the stop time Ts is set in a similar manner.

In the press machine S, when an operation magnification R is set for the rotation operation of the eccentric part of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA, the set operation magnification R may also be applied to the stop time Ts. In this case,
(T'+Ts)×100/R≧T
Therefore, the required R is
R≦(T'+Ts)/T×100
The value satisfies.

Whether or not the setting of the operating ratio R is applied to the stop time Ts depends on the settings of the motion parameters, cam setting parameters, feed parameters and function setting parameters of the feed device FD of the press equipment S, so the operating ratio R can be calculated accordingly. In the machining area PA, normal control is performed without deceleration control of the rotational speed (machining speed) of the crankshaft 8, so the operating ratio R of the rotational operation of the crankshaft 8 in the machining area is left at "100%" as shown in Figure 5.

The computing device 14 determines the content of the deceleration control as a determination unit when the feed time T of the metal material WS corresponding to the feed parameters including the feed amount Y set therein exceeds the interference check time T' during which the crankshaft 8 rotates from the feed start position P3 to the interference check position P4. The deceleration control to be determined is for the rotation speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA, and is deceleration control that sets the interference check time T' to be longer than the feed time T.

The calculation device 14 functions as a control unit that controls the motor 4 as a drive unit based on the deceleration control determined by the calculation device 14 as a determination unit during rotation of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA. The calculation device 14 further functions as a control unit that controls the drive unit with normal control content rather than deceleration control content during rotation of the crankshaft 8 in the machining area PA of the metal material WS.

Based on the above, an example of the processing procedure performed by the calculation device 14 of the press equipment S will be described with reference to a flowchart. Figures 6A and 6B are flowcharts showing an example of the processing procedure performed by the calculation device 14 of the press equipment S of Figure 1B. The calculation device 14 sets motion parameters input by operating the input device 18 (step S1). The calculation device 14 also sets cam setting parameters input by operating the input device 18 (step S3). The order of obtaining the motion setting and cam setting parameters may be one before the other, or they may be obtained simultaneously.

The calculation device 14 calculates the interference check time T' from the acquired parameters (step S5) and performs feed setting (step S7). The feed setting refers to the calculation device 14 setting feed parameters including the feed amount corresponding to the product to be manufactured by the press machine S, which is input by operating the input device 18. The calculation device 14 transfers the contents of the set feed parameters to the calculation device 34 of the feed device FD.

The calculation device 14 calculates the feed time T for one cycle of the metal material WS from the set feed parameters (step S9). The calculation device 14 also sets the operating ratio R of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA to "100%."

6B, the calculation device 14 checks whether the forwarding time T is longer than the interference check time T' (T'<T) (step S11). If the forwarding time T is longer than the interference check time T' (YES in step S11), the calculation device 14 calculates the value of the operation multiplier R (R<100%) at which the forwarding time T is equal to or shorter than the interference check time T' (step S13), and changes the operation multiplier R set in step S9 from "100%" to the calculated value (R<100%).

In the above-mentioned step S11, if the feed time T is equal to or less than the interference check time T' (NO in step S11), the calculation device 14 does not change the operating multiplier R of the eccentric part of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA from "100%".

The calculation device 14 causes the display device 16 to display information on various conditions, including the operating magnification R (step S15). The calculation device 14 starts the operation of the press machine S (step S17).

The calculation device 14 checks whether the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the non-machining area NPA (step S19). If the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the non-machining area NPA (YES in step S19), the calculation device 14 checks whether the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 has reached the feed start position. When the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 has reached the feed start position, the calculation device 14 transmits a feed start position signal indicating that the rotation angle of the crankshaft 8 has reached the feed start position to the feed device FD (step S21). If the crankshaft 8 is not rotating in the non-machining area NPA (NO in step S19), return to step S19.

The calculation device 14 checks whether the production of a product (not shown) from the workpiece W by the press equipment S has been completed (step S23). If the production of the product has been completed (YES in step S23), the calculation device 14 ends the process of FIG. 6B. If the production of the product has not been completed (NO in step S23), the calculation device 14 checks whether the interference check time T' has arrived (step S25). If the interference check time T' has arrived (YES in step S25), the calculation device 14 proceeds to step S27, where the calculation device 14 performs an interference check (step S27). If the interference check time T' has not arrived (NO in step S25), the calculation device 14 returns to step S25.

The calculation device 14 checks whether the feed setting has been changed due to a change in the product being manufactured, etc. (step S29). If the feed setting has not been changed (NO in step S29), the process returns to step S17. If the feed setting has been changed, the process suspends operation (step S31) and returns to step S7 in FIG. 6A. If the motion parameters and cam setting parameters have also been changed, the process suspends operation and returns to step S1 in FIG. 6A.

In this embodiment, the calculation device 14 calculates the feed time T for one cycle in which the metal material WS is fed as the workpiece W from the feed device FD between the upper die 3a and the lower die 3b of the press machine S based on the feed amount Y (physical quantity) set in the calculation device 14. If the feed time T exceeds the interference check time T' required for the crankshaft 8 to rotate from the feed start position P3 of the metal material WS to the interference check position P4, the calculation device 14 performs deceleration control of the rotation speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA. In this deceleration control, the calculation device 14 sets the operation magnification R of the rotation operation of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA to an appropriate value less than 100% so that the feed time T is equal to or less than the interference check time T'.

In this embodiment, even if the feed amount of metal material WS corresponding to the product to be manufactured by the press equipment S is large, parameters can be easily obtained that optimize the motion of the press equipment S without causing the metal material WS being fed to interfere with the slide 12 reciprocating vertically.

In the press equipment S, the content of the deceleration control is the value of the operating multiplier of the rotation of the crank shaft 8 by the drive unit, and the determination unit may determine the value of the operating multiplier to be a value lower than the value when the feed time T is less than or equal to the interference check time T'.

In more detail, when the feed time T of the metal material WS exceeds the interference check time T', the operating ratio R of the rotational operation of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA may be changed to a value that makes the feed time T equal to or less than the interference check time T', thereby performing deceleration control of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8. The operating ratio R can be changed by override control, not by resetting the motion parameters, so that the user who sets the motion parameters in the press equipment S is not burdened with resetting the motion parameters when performing deceleration control.

The press machine S may further include a control unit. The control unit controls the drive unit 4 with the content of the deceleration control determined by the determination unit while the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the non-machining area NPA. The control unit also controls the drive unit 4 with the content of normal control, not the deceleration control, while the crankshaft 8 is rotating in the machining area PA of the material WS.

In detail, the calculation device 14 constituting the control unit normally controls the rotation speed (processing speed) of the crankshaft 8 by the motor 4 functioning as the drive unit 4 in the processing area PA, even if the feed time T of the metal material WS exceeds the interference check time T'. Since the rotation speed of the crankshaft 8 is not decelerated in the processing area PA, it is possible to prevent the processing time of the workpiece W in the press equipment S from being unnecessarily long.

The content of the deceleration control may be the maximum rotational speed in the non-machining area of the crankshaft 8, and the determination unit may determine the maximum rotational speed in the non-machining area to be a speed lower than the speed when the feed time is equal to or shorter than the interference check time.

In detail, the deceleration control of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA may be performed by changing the maximum rotational speed (approach speed V1) of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA. The changed approach speed V1 may be a value that makes the feed time T of the metal material WS equal to or shorter than the interference check time T'.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the calculation device 14 changes the operation magnification R of the rotational operation of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA, and as a result, the approach speed V1 of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA is decelerated to the approach speed V1×R/100. When the feed time T of the metal material WS exceeds the interference check time T', instead of changing the operation magnification R, the calculation device 14 may change the approach speed V1 of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA. By changing the approach speed V1 to a value lower than normal, the feed time T of the metal material WS can be made to be equal to or shorter than the interference check time T'. The changed approach speed V1 can be calculated by the calculation device 14.

When directly slowing down the approach speed V1 of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA, only the parameter of the approach speed V1 needs to be changed when resetting the motion parameters. There is no need to change other parameters in accordance with the change in the approach speed V1. In deceleration control that slows down the approach speed V1 of the crankshaft 8, it is possible to prevent the resetting of the motion parameters from becoming complicated.

The drive unit 4 may repeatedly rotate the crank shaft 8 to which the slide 12 is connected in forward and reverse directions within a partial rotation range to raise and lower the slide 12.

As described in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the calculation device 14 controls the deceleration of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 in the non-machining area NPA when the feed time T of the metal material WS exceeds the interference check time T' can be realized even if the type of motion is a motion that performs continuous forward and reverse rotation. In a motion that performs continuous forward and reverse rotation, the crankshaft 8 reciprocates within a limited range of rotation angles, so that a motion that is not present in a unidirectional motion occurs around the point where the crankshaft 8 switches between the forward and reverse directions.

By applying the configuration of this embodiment when the press equipment S performs a motion that continuously rotates forward and reverse, the calculation device 14 can easily execute deceleration processing for complex motions that continuously rotate forward and reverse, such that the feed time T of the metal material WS is equal to or shorter than the interference check time T'.

The calculation device 14 can function as a control unit that performs deceleration control of the rotational speed of the crankshaft 8 when the crankshaft 8 is rotated in a non-machining area at an approach speed V1 changed by resetting the motion parameters.

The user can reset the motion parameters that change the approach speed V1, for example, by operating the input device 18, which is an input unit. The calculation device 14 can automatically calculate the value of the changed approach speed V1 and notify the user of the changed approach speed, for example, by displaying it on the display device 16. When notifying the user of the value of the changed approach speed V1 by display, the display device 16 functions as a notification unit that notifies the user as an operator of the changed approach speed V1 determined by the calculation device 14, which is a determination unit.

By displaying the value of the changed approach speed V1 on the display device 16, the user can easily grasp the changed approach speed V1 from the display on the display device 16 and can easily reconfigure the motion parameters by simply operating the input device 18.

The disclosure of this application is related to the subject matter described in Patent Application No. 2021-113520, filed on July 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (5)

a slide that is vertically movable and has a die attached thereto for pressing the material intermittently fed from the feed device and placed at the processing position;
a crankshaft that rotates by the rotation transmitted from the drive unit;
a connecting rod that is connected to an eccentric portion of the crankshaft that is located eccentrically from the center of rotation, and converts the rotational motion of the crankshaft into linear motion to reciprocate the slide in a vertical direction;
a control unit that defines a processing area where the slide can process the material and a non-processing area other than the processing area based on a rotation angle of the crankshaft, and controls a rotation speed of the crankshaft based on the rotation angle of the crankshaft;
a setting unit that sets a physical quantity corresponding to a feed amount of the material fed to the machining position while the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining region;
a calculation unit that calculates a feed time of the material to the processing position corresponding to the physical quantity set in the setting unit, and an interference check time required for the rotation angle of the crankshaft to rotate in the non-processing area from a position at which the material is started to be fed relative to the processing position to a position for checking interference between the slide and the material; and
a determination unit that, when the feed time exceeds the interference check time, determines content of control over the rotation speed of the crankshaft to be executed by the control unit while the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining region so that the interference check time is equal to or longer than the feed time ,
the content of the control over the rotation speed of the crankshaft determined by the determination unit is a value of an operational magnification R of the rotation of the crankshaft by the drive unit, and the determination unit determines the value of the operational magnification R to be a value lower than a value in which the feed time T is equal to or shorter than the interference check time T';
When the stop time Ts of the crankshaft is set, the value of the operation magnification R is
R≦T'/(TTs)×100
Press equipment that satisfies the above criteria . a slide that is vertically movable and has a die attached thereto for pressing the material intermittently fed from the feed device and placed at the processing position;
a crankshaft that rotates by the rotation transmitted from the drive unit;
a connecting rod that is connected to an eccentric portion of the crankshaft that is located eccentrically from the center of rotation, and converts the rotational motion of the crankshaft into linear motion to reciprocate the slide in a vertical direction;
a control unit that defines a processing area where the slide can process the material and a non-processing area other than the processing area based on a rotation angle of the crankshaft, and controls a rotation speed of the crankshaft based on the rotation angle of the crankshaft;
a setting unit that sets a physical quantity corresponding to a feed amount of the material fed to the machining position while the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining region;
a calculation unit that calculates a feed time of the material to the processing position corresponding to the physical quantity set in the setting unit, and an interference check time required for the rotation angle of the crankshaft to rotate in the non-processing area from a position at which the material is started to be fed relative to the processing position to a position for checking interference between the slide and the material; and
a determination unit that, when the feed time exceeds the interference check time, determines content of control over the rotation speed of the crankshaft to be executed by the control unit while the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining region so that the interference check time is equal to or longer than the feed time,
the content of the control over the rotation speed of the crankshaft determined by the determination unit is a value of an operational magnification R of the rotation of the crankshaft by the drive unit, and the determination unit determines the value of the operational magnification R to be a value lower than a value in which the feed time T is equal to or shorter than the interference check time T' ;
When the stop time Ts of the crankshaft is set, the value of the operation magnification R is
R≦(T'+Ts)/T×100
Press equipment that satisfies the above criteria . The control unit is
While the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining region, the drive unit is controlled in accordance with the control content for the rotation speed of the crankshaft determined by the determination unit;
3. The press machine according to claim 1, wherein while the crankshaft is rotating in the machining area, the drive unit is controlled in accordance with normal control content rather than control over the rotational speed of the crankshaft determined by the determination unit. The press machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control content for the rotation speed of the crankshaft determined by the determination unit is the maximum rotation speed of the crankshaft while the crankshaft is rotating in the non-machining area, and the determination unit determines the maximum rotation speed to be a speed lower than the speed when the feed time is equal to or shorter than the interference check time. The press machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drive unit causes the crankshaft to continuously rotate back and forth between forward and reverse within a limited range of rotation angles, thereby causing the slide to reciprocate in the vertical direction.

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