JP7690764B2 - Machine tool system and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a machine tool system including a machine tool and a transport device, and a computer program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a machine tool equipped with a spindle head having a spindle, a workpiece holder, a control device, and a reception unit. In Patent Document 1, the control device controls the driving of the spindle head and the workpiece holder, and the reception unit has switches or buttons, etc., and receives operations by the operator.

JP 2013-202765 A

There is a machine tool system that has a transport device that transports workpieces with a machine tool. Maintenance of the transport device of the machine tool system is performed by connecting a dedicated information processing device to the transport device and operating it from the information processing device. Therefore, maintenance of the transport device always requires that a dedicated information processing device be brought into the workplace, and if the information processing device cannot be brought in for security reasons, for example, maintenance of the transport device cannot be performed. However, the machine tool of Patent Document 1 does not take such problems into consideration and is unable to deal with them.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a machine tool system and computer program that can maintain a machine tool or a conveying device without connecting to a dedicated information processing device.

The machine tool system according to the present invention is a machine tool system including a machine tool and a transport device connected by a first communication path, and includes an input/output terminal provided on at least one of the machine tool and the transport device, and acquires data from the outside via the input/output terminal, and updates first data on at least one of the machine tool and the transport device.

In the present invention, data is acquired from the outside via an input/output terminal provided on the machine tool or the transport device, and the acquired data is used to update the first data of at least one of the machine tool and the transport device. Therefore, when updating the machine tool or the transport device, a dedicated information processing device is not required, improving workability.

In the machine tool system according to the present invention, the machine tool and the transport device are connected by a second communication path having a larger communication capacity than the first communication path, and the first data is updated via the second communication path.

In the present invention, the update device uses a second communication path with a large communication capacity when updating a machine tool or a conveying device. Therefore, it can handle large amounts of data communication such as firmware updates.

In the machine tool system according to the present invention, the first data includes a program or variables related to the control of the machine tool or the conveying device.

In the present invention, the update device updates the first data, such as programs and variables, related to the control of the machine tool or the conveying device.

In the machine tool system according to the present invention, the input/output terminal outputs second data from at least one of the machine tool and the conveying device to the outside.

In the present invention, the input/output terminal outputs second data to the outside, the second data being different from the first data held by the machine tool and the conveying device.

The machine tool system according to the present invention includes a servo amplifier for driving the feed axis of the machine tool, and updates programs or variables related to the control of the servo amplifier via the second communication path.

In this invention, data is acquired from the outside via an input/output terminal provided on the machine tool or conveying device, and the acquired data is used to update the program or variables related to the control of the servo amplifier.

The computer program of the present invention executes a process in which a computer of a machine tool system having a machine tool and a transport device connected by a communication path acquires data from the outside via an input/output terminal provided on at least one of the machine tool and the transport device, and updates the data held by at least one of the machine tool and the transport device.

In the present invention, data is acquired from the outside via an input/output terminal provided on the machine tool or the conveying device, and the acquired data is used to update the first data of at least one of the machine tool and the conveying device.

The present invention provides a machine tool system and computer program that can maintain a machine tool or a conveying device without connecting to a dedicated information processing device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a machine tool system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a machine tool and a transport device. FIG. 13 is an illustrative view showing an example of a maintenance menu screen displayed on a display unit of the machine tool. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the machine tool system when a user selects to upgrade the firmware. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the machine tool system when a user selects to upgrade the firmware. FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram showing a display example by a display unit. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the machine tool system when a user selects upgrading the servo amplifier. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the machine tool system when a user selects upgrading the servo amplifier. FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram showing a display example by a display unit. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the machine tool system when a user selects to output the survey data. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the machine tool system when a user selects to output the survey data. FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram showing a display example by a display unit. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the machine tool system when a user selects to input all data. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the machine tool system when a user selects to input all data. FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram showing a display example by a display unit.

The following describes a machine tool system and a computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a simplified view of a machine tool system 100. In the following description, the directions up, down, front, back, left and right of the figure will be used.
As shown in Fig. 1, the machine tool system 100 includes a machine tool 1 and a transport device 20. The machine tool 1 includes a base 2 and a column 3 attached to the base 2. The column 3 supports a spindle head (not shown) so that it can move up and down. A spindle motor 5 is provided at the upper end of the spindle head. The column 3 supports a turret-type tool magazine 6. The tool magazine 6 is disposed in front of the spindle head. A plurality of tools 7 are held around the tool magazine 6.

A cover 8 covers the front, rear, right and left sides of the machine tool 1. A door 9 is provided in the approximate center of the front of the cover 8, and an operation unit 11 that accepts operations by the operator and a display unit 12 that displays images are provided on the right side of the door 9. The display unit 12 is, for example, an LCD or an EL (Electroluminescence) panel. A touch panel may be provided on the display screen of the display unit 12. An input/output terminal 14 is provided on the operation unit 11. The input/output terminal 14 is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. A control device 10 is provided behind the cover 8. The control device 10 controls the operation of the machine tool 1.

A side door 13 is provided on the right side of the cover 8. The transport device 20 is disposed to the right of the side door 13. The transport device 20 includes a support portion 30, a first arm 31, a second arm 32, and a hand 33.

At the upper end of the support part 30, a first reducer 31a is provided which is connected to a first motor (not shown). The output shaft of the first reducer 31a has a rotation axis direction in the front-rear direction and protrudes backward. One end of the first arm 31 is connected to the output shaft of the first reducer 31a. At the other end of the first arm 31, a second reducer 32a is provided which is connected to a second motor (not shown). The output shaft of the second reducer 32a has a rotation axis direction in the front-rear direction and protrudes backward. One end of the second arm 32 is connected to the output shaft of the second reducer 32a. When the first motor is driven, the first arm 31 rotates around the rotation axis of the first reducer 31a, and when the second motor is driven, the second arm 32 rotates around the rotation axis of the second reducer 32a. At the other end of the second arm 32, a third reducer 33a which is connected to a third motor (not shown) is provided, and the hand 33 is connected to the output shaft of the third reducer 33a.

The conveying device 20 is equipped with a drive system 40 having a saddle 41 that drives in the forward and backward directions. The drive system 40 supports the support part 30. The base 2 is connected to the drive system 40 and supports the drive system 40. The drive system 40 has a linear guide and a ball screw (not shown), and is configured so that the conveying device 20 moves linearly in the forward and backward directions.

The side door 13 is linked to the transport device 20, and when the transport device 20 is driven forward, the side door 13 opens, allowing the first arm 31, the second arm 32, and the hand 33 to enter the machine tool 1. When the transport device 20 is driven backward, the side door 13 closes.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the machine tool 1 and the transport device 20. The machine tool 1 and the transport device 20 are connected by a first communication path 200 and a second communication path 300. The second communication path 300 has a larger communication capacity than the first communication path 200. The second communication path 300 uses, for example, Ethernet, and is mainly used for sending and receiving data between the machine tool 1 and the transport device 20. The first communication path 200 uses, for example, EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology), and is used for synchronization between the machine tool 1 and the transport device 20, etc.

Furthermore, the conveying device 20 is connected to the servo amplifiers 400 of each axis (feed axis) motor (main axis motor 5, first motor, second motor, third motor) via a first communication path 200, and is connected to the teaching pendant 500 and PC 600 via a second communication path 300. For convenience, only one servo amplifier 400 is shown in FIG. 2.

The operation unit 11, the display unit 12, and the input/output terminals 14 of the machine tool 1 are electrically connected to the control device 10. The control device 10 has a CPU 101, a storage unit 102, and a RAM 103. The storage unit 102 is a rewritable memory, such as an EPROM or an EEPROM, and stores firmware (first data) for controlling workpiece machining, variables (first data) required for executing the firmware, log data (second data) such as history, and the like. The RAM 103 temporarily stores, for example, a program read from the storage unit 102, various data generated by executing the program, parameters that change appropriately during the execution, and the like. The RAM 103 also stores data read via the input/output terminals 14 and data received from the conveying device 20. The CPU 101 controls each piece of hardware of the machine tool 1 by loading a program previously stored in the storage unit 102 onto the RAM 103 and executing it.

The transport device 20 has a CPU 201, a memory unit 202, and a RAM 203. The memory unit 202 is a rewritable memory, such as an EPROM or EEPROM. The memory unit 202 stores firmware (first data) for controlling the replacement of the workpiece, variables (first data) required for executing the firmware, log data (second data) such as history, etc. The CPU 201 controls the transport device 20 based on a program pre-stored in the memory unit 202. The CPU 201 controls the driving of the first arm 31, the second arm 32, and the hand 33. The CPU 201 controls the opening and closing of the side door 13 in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the transport device 20.

A USB memory 15 is connected to the input/output terminal 14 of the machine tool 1. The USB memory 15 stores, for example, new versions of firmware, variables, etc. of at least one of the machine tool 1 and the conveying device 20, and executable files for performing version upgrades of the firmware, variables, etc. The USB memory 15 is removable.

The machine tool system 100 uses the USB memory 15 to update the firmware, variables, etc. of at least one of the machine tool 1 and the transport device 20. The USB memory 15 stores an execution program used to update the firmware, variables, etc., new versions of firmware, variables, etc. Below, we will explain the case where the USB memory 15 is connected to the input/output terminal 14 of the machine tool 1 to upgrade the firmware, variables, etc. of the transport device 20.

When the USB memory 15 is connected to the input/output terminal 14 of the machine tool 1, the display unit 12 of the machine tool 1 displays a maintenance menu screen for receiving maintenance instructions such as upgrading firmware, upgrading the servo amplifiers of each axis motor, outputting investigation data, outputting all data, and inputting all data. Here, outputting investigation data, outputting all data, and inputting all data are inputting and outputting programs, variables, log data, etc. of the machine tool 1 or the conveying device 20 according to the user's needs. Table 1 lists the data that is subject to input and output when outputting investigation data, outputting all data, and inputting all data. In Table 1, a circle indicates that the data is subject to input and output, and a cross indicates that the data is not subject to input and output.

Figure 3 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a maintenance menu screen displayed by the display unit 12 of the machine tool 1. The maintenance menu screen displays soft keys such as output all data, input all data, output all data banks, output survey data, firmware upgrade, servo amplifier upgrade, etc. The user can select any of the soft keys by operating the operation unit 11 or by touching the screen.

Using Figures 4 and 5, we will explain what happens when a user selects to upgrade the firmware.

For example, when the user touches the firmware upgrade soft key on the maintenance menu screen, the control device 10 of the machine tool 1 accepts the selection of a firmware upgrade (step S101).

For example, by issuing a PING command, the control device 10 determines whether the communication status of the first communication path 200 and the second communication path 300 is normal (step S102). When the control device 10 determines that the communication status of either the first communication path 200 or the second communication path 300 is not normal (step S102: NO), the process ends. When the control device 10 determines that the communication status of both the first communication path 200 and the second communication path 300 is normal (step S102: YES), the display unit 12 displays a soft key for accepting the selection of upgrading the firmware of the transport device 20 and the current version of the firmware of the transport device 20 (step S103). Hereinafter, upgrading the firmware of the transport device 20 is referred to as a firmware update of the transport device 20.

Figure 6 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a display by the display unit 12. As shown in Figure 6, a key for accepting the selection of "loader version upgrade (not loader version upgrade)" is displayed at the bottom of the display screen of the display unit 12, and the current version of the firmware of the conveying device 20 is displayed at the top. The control device 10 accepts an instruction to "upgrade the loader version" with one operation of the key, and an instruction to "not upgrade the loader version" with another operation.

The control device 10 determines whether or not a file for updating the firmware of the transport device 20 is stored in the connected USB memory 15 (step S104). When the control device 10 determines that a file for updating the firmware of the transport device 20 does not exist (step S104: NO), the process ends. When the control device 10 determines that a file for updating the firmware of the transport device 20 exists (step S104: YES), the display unit 12 displays the version of the firmware stored in the USB memory 15 (step S105).

The control device 10 monitors the keys on the display screen of the display unit 12 to determine whether or not a selection to update the firmware of the transport device 20 has been accepted (step S106). When the control device 10 determines that a selection to update the firmware of the transport device 20 has not been accepted (step S106: NO), the process ends. When it determines that a selection to update the firmware of the transport device 20 has been accepted (step S106: YES), the control device 10 monitors the "Version Upgrade" key (see FIG. 6) on the display screen of the display unit 12 to determine whether or not an instruction to start updating the firmware of the transport device 20 has been accepted (step S107). When it determines that an instruction to start updating the firmware of the transport device 20 has not been accepted (step S107: NO), the control device 10 repeats the determination. When it is determined that an instruction to start updating the firmware of the transport device 20 has been received (step S107: YES), the control device 10 requests execution condition information from the transport device 20 that indicates the conditions for executing the firmware update of the transport device 20 (hereinafter referred to as the execution conditions).

The execution conditions are that the operation mode of the conveying device 20 is manual mode and that neither device (teaching pendant 500, PC 600) has acquired the authority to operate the conveying device 20. The conveying device 20 transmits execution condition information representing the operation mode and operation authority of its own device to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S201). The control device 10 determines whether the execution conditions are met based on the received execution condition information (step S108).

When the control device 10 determines that the execution conditions are not satisfied (step S108: NO), the display unit 12 notifies the user of this fact (step S116). When the control device 10 determines that the execution conditions are satisfied (step S108: YES), it requests operation authority from the conveying device 20 via the second communication path 300 (step S109). The conveying device 20, which has received a request for operation authority from the machine tool 1, grants operation authority to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S202). Specifically, the conveying device 20 stores a value indicating that the machine tool 1 has operation authority in a specified memory area of the memory unit 202. As a result, the control device 10 acquires operation authority for the conveying device 20 (step S110). Specifically, the control device 10 stores a value indicating that the machine tool 1 has operation authority in a specified memory area of the memory unit 102.

The transport device 20 transmits data files such as programs and variables used by the transport device 20 to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S203). The control device 10 transfers the data files received from the transport device 20 to the USB memory 15 via the input/output terminal 14 (step S111).

The control device 10 reads the firmware update file for the transport device 20 from the USB memory 15 (step S112) and transfers it to the transport device 20 via the second communication path 300 (step S113). The display unit 12 displays the transfer status.

The conveying device 20 receives the firmware update file from the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S204), loads it into the RAM 203, and starts the firmware update (step S205).

The transport device 20 determines whether the firmware update is complete (step S206). When the transport device 20 determines that the firmware update is not complete (step S206: NO), the transport device 20 periodically repeats the determination until the firmware update is complete. When the transport device 20 determines that the firmware update is complete (step S206: YES), the transport device 20 transmits a completion notification indicating that the firmware update is complete to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S207). Before the transmission, the transport device 20 may perform self-diagnosis.

The control device 10 of the machine tool 1, which has received the completion notification from the transport device 20, requests the transport device 20 to release the operating authority that it currently has via the second communication path 300 (step S114). In response to the request to release the operating authority from the machine tool 1, the transport device 20 performs a process to release the operating authority that was granted to the machine tool 1 (step S208). Specifically, a value indicating that the operating authority has been released is stored in a specified memory area of the memory unit 202 and memory unit 102 described above. Since the firmware update of the transport device 20 is completed by the above process, the display unit 12 displays the completion of the firmware update of the transport device 20 (step S115).

Next, a case where the user selects to upgrade the servo amplifier 400 from the maintenance menu screen in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. Note that the process in S102 is the same as the previous one, so the description will be omitted.

For example, when the user touches the servo amplifier 400 version upgrade soft key on the maintenance menu screen, the control device 10 of the machine tool 1 accepts the selection of the servo amplifier 400 version upgrade (step S301).

When the control device 10 determines that the communication status of both the first communication path 200 and the second communication path 300 is normal (step S102: YES), the display unit 12 displays soft keys that accept the selection of an upgrade of the servo amplifier 400 of each axis motor, and the current version of the servo amplifier 400 of each axis motor (step S303).

As shown in FIG. 9, keys that accept the selection of upgrading the servo amplifier 400 for each axis motor (J1-J3 axes, TR axis) are displayed at the bottom of the display screen of the display unit 12, and the current version of the servo amplifier 400 for each axis motor is displayed in the center of the display screen. The control device 10 accepts an instruction to "upgrade" with one operation of each key, and an instruction to "not upgrade" with another operation. Hereinafter, upgrading the servo amplifier 400 is referred to as updating the servo amplifier.

The control device 10 determines whether or not a file for updating the servo amplifier of the transport device 20 is stored in the connected USB memory 15 (step S304). When the control device 10 determines that a file for updating the servo amplifier of the transport device 20 does not exist (step S304: NO), the process ends. When the control device 10 determines that a file for updating the servo amplifier of the transport device 20 exists (step S304: YES), the display unit 12 displays the version of the servo amplifier 400 of each axis motor stored in the USB memory 15 (step S305).

The control device 10 monitors the keys on the display screen of the display unit 12 to determine whether or not a selection of a servo amplifier update for any of the axis motors has been received (step S306). When the control device 10 determines that a selection of a servo amplifier update for any of the axis motors has not been received (step S306: NO), that is, when the user does not want to update the servo amplifiers for all of the axis motors, the process ends. When it determines that a selection of a servo amplifier update for one or more axis motors has been received (step S306: YES), the control device 10 monitors the "Version Upgrade" key (see FIG. 9) on the display screen of the display unit 12 to determine whether or not an instruction to start a servo amplifier update for the selected axis motor (hereinafter referred to as the selected servo amplifier update) has been received (step S307). When it determines that an instruction to start the selected servo amplifier update has not been received (step S307: NO), the control device 10 repeats the determination. When it is determined that an instruction to start updating the selected servo amplifier has been received (step S307: YES), the control device 10 requests the transport device 20 to transmit execution condition information that indicates the conditions (execution conditions) for executing the selected servo amplifier update. The execution conditions have already been described.

The conveying device 20 transmits execution condition information indicating the operation mode and operation authority of the device to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S401). The control device 10 determines whether the execution conditions are met based on the received execution condition information (step S308).

When the control device 10 determines that the execution conditions are not met (step S308: NO), the display unit 12 notifies the user accordingly (step S317). When the control device 10 determines that the execution conditions are met (step S308: YES), it requests operation authority from the conveying device 20 via the second communication path 300 (step S309). Having received a request for operation authority from the machine tool 1, the conveying device 20 grants operation authority to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S402). As a result, the control device 10 acquires operation authority for the conveying device 20 (step S310).

The transport device 20 transmits a data file, such as a program and variables used by the transport device, to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S403). The control device 10 transfers the data file received from the transport device 20 to the USB memory 15 via the input/output terminal 14 (step S311).

The control device 10 reads the selected servo amplifier update file from the USB memory 15 (step S312) and transfers it to the transport device 20 via the second communication path 300 (step S313). The display unit 12 displays the transfer status.

The transport device 20 receives the selected servo amplifier update file from the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 and transfers it to the servo amplifier 400 of the corresponding axis motor (step S404). The servo amplifier 400 of the corresponding axis motor receives the servo amplifier update file (step S01). The transport device 20 notifies the machine tool 1 of the transfer status via the second communication path 300 (step S405). The machine tool 1 receives the transfer status notification from the transport device 20, and the display unit 12 displays the transfer status (step S314).

The servo amplifier 400 that has received the servo amplifier update file from the transport device 20 performs the update (step S02). When the update is complete, the servo amplifier 400 transmits a completion notification indicating that the update has been completed to the transport device 20 via the second communication path 300 (step S03).
When conveyance device 20 receives the completion notification from servo amplifier 400, it transmits a completion notification indicating that the update of servo amplifier 400 has been completed to machine tool 1 via second communication path 300 (step S406).

The control device 10 of the machine tool 1, which has received the completion notification from the transport device 20, requests the transport device 20 to release the operating authority that it currently has via the second communication path 300 (step S315). In response to the request to release the operating authority from the machine tool 1, the transport device 20 performs a process to release the operating authority that was granted to the machine tool 1 (step S407). As the above process completes the update of the servo amplifier 400, the display unit 12 displays the completion of the servo amplifier update (step S316).

Next, a case where the user selects to output the survey data from the maintenance menu screen in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. Note that the process in S102 is the same as the previous process, so the description will be omitted.

For example, when the user touches the soft key for outputting survey data on the maintenance menu screen, the control device 10 of the machine tool 1 accepts the selection of outputting survey data (step S501).

When the control device 10 determines that the communication status of both the first communication path 200 and the second communication path 300 is normal (step S102: YES), the display unit 12 displays a soft key that accepts the selection of outputting the survey data (step S503).

Figure 12 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a display by the display unit 12. As shown in Figure 12, a "Loader output (not output)" key is displayed at the bottom of the display screen of the display unit 12, which accepts the selection of whether to output (or not output) the survey data. The control device 10 accepts an instruction to "output survey data" with one operation of the key, and an instruction to "not output survey data" with another operation.

The control device 10 monitors the keys on the display screen of the display unit 12 and determines whether or not the selection of "output the survey data of the conveying device 20" has been accepted (step S504). When the control device 10 determines that the selection of "output the survey data of the conveying device 20" has not been accepted (step S504: NO), the process ends. When it determines that the selection of "output the survey data of the conveying device 20" has been accepted (step S504: YES), the control device 10 monitors the "output" key (see FIG. 12) provided on the display screen of the display unit 12 and determines whether or not an instruction to output the survey data of the conveying device 20 has been accepted (step S505). When it determines that the instruction to output the survey data of the conveying device 20 has not been accepted (step S505: NO), the control device 10 repeats the determination. When it is determined that an instruction to output the inspection data of the transport device 20 has been received (step S505: YES), the control device 10 requests execution condition information from the transport device 20 that represents the conditions (execution conditions) for executing the output of the inspection data of the transport device 20.

The execution conditions here are that the operation mode of the transport device 20 is manual mode, that none of the devices (teaching pendant 500, PC 600) has acquired the authority to operate the transport device 20, and that the USB memory 15 is connected to the input/output terminal 14 of the machine tool 1. The transport device 20 transmits execution condition information indicating the operation mode and operation authority of its own device to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S601). The control device 10 checks the connection of the USB memory 15 and determines whether the execution conditions are met based on the received execution condition information (step S506).

When the control device 10 determines that the execution conditions are not met (step S506: NO), the display unit 12 notifies the user of this fact (step S513) and ends the process. When the control device 10 determines that the execution conditions are met (step S506: YES), it requests operation authority from the conveying device 20 via the second communication path 300 (step S507). Having received a request for operation authority from the machine tool 1, the conveying device 20 grants operation authority to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S602). As a result, the control device 10 acquires operation authority for the conveying device 20 (step S508).

The transport device 20 transmits the target file that is the subject of the investigation data to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S603). The target file includes programs, various parameters, notifications, history, logs, etc. (see Table 1). The control device 10 transfers the target file received from the transport device 20 to the USB memory 15 via the input/output terminal 14 (step S509). The display unit 12 displays the transfer status.

The control device 10 judges whether the transfer of the target file to the USB memory 15 is complete (step S510). When the control device 10 judges that the transfer of the target file to the USB memory 15 is not complete (step S510: NO), the control device 10 periodically repeats the judgment until the transfer of the target file is complete. When the control device 10 judges that the transfer of the target file to the USB memory 15 is complete (step S510: YES), the control device 10 requests the conveying device 20 to release the operation authority currently held by the control device 10 via the second communication path 300 (step S511). In response to the request for release of the operation authority from the machine tool 1, the conveying device 20 performs a process to release the operation authority granted to the machine tool 1 (step S604). Since the output of the survey data of the conveying device 20 is completed by the above process, the display unit 12 displays the completion of the output of the survey data of the conveying device 20 (step S512).

The above describes the case where the user selects to output the survey data from the maintenance menu screen in Figure 3, but if the user selects to output all data, the machine tool system 100 performs the same processing, so the explanation will be omitted.

Next, a case where the user selects to input all data from the maintenance menu screen in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. Note that the process in S102 is the same as the previous one, so the description will be omitted.

For example, when the user touches the soft key for inputting all data on the maintenance menu screen, the control device 10 of the machine tool 1 accepts the selection for inputting all data (step S701).

If the control device 10 determines that the communication status of both the first communication path 200 and the second communication path 300 is normal (step S102: YES), the display unit 12 displays a soft key that accepts the selection of inputting all data (step S703).

Figure 15 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a display by the display unit 12. As shown in Figure 15, a "Loader input (no input)" key is displayed at the bottom of the display screen of the display unit 12, which accepts the selection of inputting all data (or not inputting). The control device 10 accepts the instruction to "input all data" with one operation of the key, and the instruction to "not input any data" with another operation.

The control device 10 monitors the keys on the display screen of the display unit 12 and determines whether or not the selection of "input all data to the conveying device 20" has been accepted (step S704). When the control device 10 determines that the selection of "input all data to the conveying device 20" has not been accepted (step S704: NO), the process ends. When it is determined that the selection of "input all data to the conveying device 20" has been accepted (step S704: YES), the control device 10 monitors the "input" key (see FIG. 15) provided on the display screen of the display unit 12 and determines whether or not an instruction to input all data to the conveying device 20 has been accepted (step S705). When it is determined that the instruction to input all data to the conveying device 20 has not been accepted (step S705: NO), the control device 10 repeats the determination. When it is determined that the instruction to input all data to the conveying device 20 has been accepted (step S705: YES), the control device 10 requests the conveying device 20 for the conditions (execution conditions) for executing the input of all data to the conveying device 20.

The execution conditions here are that the operation mode of the transport device 20 is manual mode, that none of the devices (teaching pendant 500, PC 600) has acquired the authority to operate the transport device 20, and that a file to be the subject of all data input processing (hereinafter referred to as the input target file) is stored in the USB memory 15 connected to the input/output terminal 14 of the machine tool 1. The transport device 20 transmits execution condition information indicating the operation mode and operation authority of its own device to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S801). The control device 10 checks the contents of the USB memory 15 and determines whether the execution conditions are met based on the received execution condition information (step S706).

When the control device 10 determines that the execution conditions are not met (step S706: NO), the display unit 12 notifies the user of this fact (step S713) and ends the process. When the control device 10 determines that the execution conditions are met (step S706: YES), it requests operation authority from the conveying device 20 via the second communication path 300 (step S707). Having received the request for operation authority from the machine tool 1, the conveying device 20 grants operation authority to the machine tool 1 via the second communication path 300 (step S802). As a result, the control device 10 acquires operation authority for the conveying device 20 (step S708).

The control device 10 reads the input target file from the USB memory 15 (step S709). The control device 10 transfers the read input target file to the transport device 20 via the second communication path 300 (step S710), and the transport device 20 receives the input target file from the control device 10 (step S803) and stores it, for example, in the RAM 203. The display unit 12 displays the transfer status. The input target file includes programs, various parameters, notifications, history, logs, etc. (see Table 1).

The transport device 20, which has received the input file from the control device 10, uses the input file to update the corresponding file that the transport device 20 owns (step S804). When the update is complete, the transport device 20 transmits an update completion notification indicating that the update has been completed to the control device 10 via the second communication path 300 (step S805).

When the control device 10 receives an update completion notification from the transport device 20, it requests the transport device 20 to release the operating authority that it currently has via the second communication path 300 (step S711). In response to the request to release the operating authority from the machine tool 1, the transport device 20 performs a process to release the operating authority that was granted to the machine tool 1 (step S806). As a result of the above process, input of all data into the transport device 20 is completed, so the display unit 12 displays that input of all data into the transport device 20 is completed (step S712).

The above describes a case where the USB memory 15 is connected to the input/output terminal 14 of the machine tool 1 to upgrade firmware, variables, etc., in the conveying device 20, upgrade the servo amplifier, output survey data (all data), and input all data, but this is not limited to the above. It is also possible to connect the USB memory 15 to the input/output terminal 14 of the machine tool 1 to upgrade firmware, variables, etc., of the machine tool 1.

Although the above describes a case where the machine tool 1 has an input/output terminal 14, this is not limiting. The machine tool 1 and the transport device 20 may have input/output terminals 14. Also, only the transport device 20 may have an input/output terminal 14. In this case, a USB memory 15 is connected to the input/output terminal 14 of the transport device 20, and the firmware, variables, etc. of at least one of the machine tool 1 and the transport device 20 can be updated by operating the display unit 12 of the machine tool 1.

The above describes the case where the USB memory 15 stores the execution program used to update firmware, variables, etc., but the memory unit 102 of the machine tool 1 may also store the program.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Machine tool 14 Input/output terminal 15 USB memory 20 Conveying device 100 Machine tool system 200 First communication path 300 Second communication path

Claims (5)

A machine tool system including a machine tool and a transport device connected by a first communication path,
an input/output terminal provided on either the machine tool or the transport device;
the machine tool and the transport device are connected by a second communication path having a communication capacity larger than that of the first communication path,
A machine tool system which acquires data from outside via the input/output terminal, and updates first data of the machine tool or the conveying device which is not provided with the input/output terminal via the second communication path . The machine tool system according to claim 1 , wherein the first data includes a program or a variable related to control of the machine tool or the transport device. The machine tool system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the input/output terminal outputs to an outside second data from the machine tool or the transport device, whichever is not provided with the input/output terminal. A servo amplifier for driving a feed axis of the machine tool is provided,
The machine tool system according to claim 1 , further comprising: updating a program or a variable related to control of the servo amplifier via the second communication path. a computer of a machine tool system including a machine tool and a transport device connected by a first communication path and a second communication path having a communication capacity larger than that of the first communication path ;
acquiring data from an external source via an input/output terminal provided on either the machine tool or the transport device;
A computer program for executing a process of updating data held by one of the machine tool and the transport device that is not provided with the input/output terminal , via the second communication path .

Images