An information processing device is connected to a measurement device provided in the vicinity of a machine tool for machining a workpiece using a tool and a numerical control device configured to control the machine tool. The information processing device includes: a display unit configured to display information; a first acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the measurement device, measurement information measured by the measurement device; a second acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the numerical control device, state information indicating a state of the machine tool; and a display control unit configured to cause the display unit to display the measurement information and the state information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-035585 filed on Feb. 28, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing device connected to a measurement device provided in the vicinity of a machine tool for machining a workpiece with a tool and a numerical control device for controlling the machine tool, and also relates to an information processing method.

Description of the Related Art

A numerical control device has a display unit for displaying state information indicating the state of a machine tool. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 08-106317 discloses a numerical control device that displays on a display screen the present position of a tool in a machine coordinate system, on the basis of rotational positions of servomotors etc.

On the other hand, commercially available measurement devices include cameras with display units, field balancers used for balance control of a rotary body like a spindle, probes used to measure inclination etc. of the workpiece, and so on. Such commercially available measurement devices are generally provided with a display unit for displaying the measured results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, when using commercially available measurement equipment, the operator checks the measurement information on the display unit of the measurement device and also checks the state information on the display unit of the numerical control device. That is, the operator has to check the measurement information and the state information on separate display screens. As such, in order to check the measurement information and state information more conveniently, the operator may be forced to, for example, change the position of installation of at least one of the measurement device and numerical control device. This will reduce work efficiency.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and information processing method that improves work efficiency.

A first aspect of the present invention is characterized by an information processing device that is connected to a measurement device and a numerical control device, the measurement device being provided in a vicinity of a machine tool configured to machine a workpiece using a tool, the numerical control device being configured to control the machine tool. The information processing device includes: a display unit configured to display information; a first acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the measurement device, measurement information measured by the measurement device; a second acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the numerical control device, state information indicating a state of the machine tool; and a display control unit configured to cause the display unit to display the measurement information and the state information.

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized by an information processing method for an information processing device that is connected to a measurement device and a numerical control device, the measurement device being provided in a vicinity of a machine tool configured to machine a workpiece using a tool, the numerical control device being configured to control the machine tool. The information processing method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring, from the measurement device, measurement information measured by the measurement device, and acquiring, from the numerical control device, state information indicating a state of the machine tool; and a display step of causing a display unit to display the measurement information and the state information.

According to the present invention, the operator can check both the measurement information and state information on a single display screen. Accordingly, the operator is not forced to change the position of installation of at least one of the measurement device and numerical control device for ease of checking both the measurement information and state information. This improves work efficiency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail while referring to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with preferred embodiments.

Embodiment

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a machining system10according to an embodiment. The machining system10of this embodiment includes a machine tool12, a numerical control device14, a measurement device16, and an information processing device18.

The machine tool12is configured to machine a workpiece W using a tool20. The machine tool12includes the tool20, a table22, a tool holder24, a spindle26, and a fluid supply unit28.

The tool20is a device for machining or cutting the workpiece W, such as a milling tool, for example. The table22supports the workpiece W in an exchangeable manner, and the tool holder24supports the tool20in an exchangeable manner. The spindle26is a shaft that is rotated by fluid like compressed air. The tool holder24is fixed at one end of the spindle26. Hence, the tool20supported by the tool holder24rotates as the spindle26rotates. The fluid supply unit28supplies the spindle26with a fluid for rotating the spindle.

The numerical control device14is configured to control the machine tool12. The numerical control device14includes an adjustment unit30. The adjustment unit30applies a feedback control to the fluid supply unit28on the basis of the rotational speed of the spindle26, in a manner so that the supply rate at which the fluid is supplied from the fluid supply unit28to the spindle26approaches a target value, to thereby adjust the supply rate at which the fluid supply unit28supplies the fluid to the spindle26.

When the spindle26is configured to be rotated by rotation of a spindle motor, the spindle motor is generally provided with a rotation sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the spindle26. In this embodiment, the spindle26is rotated by fluid, so that such a rotation sensor is not provided to detect the rotational speed of the spindle26. Accordingly, the adjustment unit30obtains the rotational speed of the spindle26from the measurement device16and applies the feedback control to the fluid supply unit28on the basis of the obtained rotational speed.

The measurement device16is configured to measure an unbalance of the spindle26and installed in the vicinity of the machine tool12. The measurement device16includes a rotation sensor32, a vibration sensor34, and a measurement main body36.

The rotation sensor32is a sensor that measures the rotational speed of the spindle26, and the vibration sensor34is a sensor that measures a vibration value of the spindle26. The measurement main body36measures the unbalance of the spindle26on the basis of the rotational speed of the spindle26measured by the rotation sensor32and the vibration value of the spindle26measured by the vibration sensor34. The unbalance is information that indicates at which rotation angle and to what extent balance abnormality is present.

The information processing device18is configured to process various information. The information processing device18is connected to the numerical control device14and the measurement device16so as to send and receive various information to and from the numerical control device14and the measurement device16.FIG. 2is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing device18. The information processing device18includes an input unit40, a display unit42, a storage medium44, and a signal processing unit46.

The input unit40is an operation unit that allows the operator to enter commands etc. The input unit40includes a numeric keypad used for entering numerical data, a keyboard, a touch panel, a volume knob, and the like. The touch panel may be provided on a display screen of the display unit42.

The display unit42is configured to display information, and the storage medium44is a medium that stores information. Specifically, the display unit42can be a liquid crystal display, and the storage medium44can be a hard disk, for example.

The signal processing unit46is connected to the input unit40, the display unit42, and the storage medium44, and includes a processor such as CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor executes a basic program stored in the storage medium44so that the signal processing unit46functions as a first acquisition unit50, a second acquisition unit52, a control unit54, a determination unit56, and a display control unit58.

The first acquisition unit50is configured to acquire, from the measurement device16, measurement information measured by the measurement device16. In this embodiment, the first acquisition unit50acquires the vibration value of the spindle26and the unbalance of the spindle26as the measurement information from the measurement device16.

The second acquisition unit52is configured to acquire, from the numerical control device14, state information indicating a state of the machine tool12. In this embodiment, the second acquisition unit52acquires the rotational speed of the spindle26and the amount of deviation (positional deviation) of a control axis in an axial direction thereof, as the state information from the numerical control device14, wherein the control axis is controlled by the numerical control device14. The rotational speed of the spindle26that the second acquisition unit52acquires is the rotational speed that the numerical control device14has obtained from the measurement device16.

The control unit54is configured to control the numerical control device14and the measurement device16. The control unit54generates a spindle rotation command for rotating the spindle26at a rotational speed that is specified in accordance with an operation of the input unit40made by an operator, and outputs the generated spindle rotation command to the numerical control device14, to thereby control the numerical control device14so that the spindle26rotates at the specified rotational speed.

On outputting the spindle rotation command to the numerical control device14, the control unit54compares the rotational speed of the spindle26that the second acquisition unit52acquires from the numerical control device14, with a given rotation threshold. If the rotational speed of the spindle26exceeds the rotation threshold, the control unit54outputs a measurement start command to the measurement device16so as to control the measurement device16to start measurement of the unbalance of the spindle26.

The determination unit56is configured to determine whether the unbalance of the spindle26is abnormal or not. The determination unit56compares the vibration value that the first acquisition unit50acquires from the vibration sensor34of the measurement device16, with a given vibration threshold, and compares the amount of axial deviation of the control axis that the second acquisition unit52acquires from the numerical control device14, with a given axial deviation threshold.

Now, if the vibration value of the spindle26is equal to or greater than the vibration threshold, or if the amount of axial deviation of the control axis is equal to or greater than the given axial deviation threshold, then the determination unit56determines that the unbalance of the spindle26is abnormal. The determination unit56determines that the unbalance of the spindle26is abnormal also when the vibration value of the spindle26is equal to or greater than the vibration threshold and the amount of axial deviation of the control axis is equal to or greater than the given axial deviation threshold.

On the other hand, if the vibration value of the spindle26is less than the vibration threshold and the amount of axial deviation of the control axis is less than the given axial deviation threshold, then the determination unit56determines that the unbalance of the spindle26is not abnormal.

The display control unit58controls the display unit42. When the determination unit56determines that the unbalance of the spindle26is not abnormal, then the display control unit58causes a message indicating that the unbalance of the spindle26is normal, to be displayed, for example.

On the other hand, when the determination unit56determines that the unbalance of the spindle26is abnormal, then the display control unit58causes the display unit42to display the measurement information acquired from the measurement device16by the first acquisition unit50and the state information acquired from the numerical control device14by the second acquisition unit52.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, for example, the display control unit58causes the display unit42to display the rotational speed of the spindle26and the unbalance indicating at which rotation angle and to what extent the balance abnormal occurs. This allows the operator to correct the unbalance of the spindle26while checking the unbalance corresponding to the rotational speed of the spindle26. As to the unbalance, though the example ofFIG. 3shows a screen displaying at which rotation angle and to what extent the balance abnormality is present, it may display a component force screen in the case where component forces of the rotating body (spindle26) are not at equal intervals.

Next, an information processing method of the information processing device18will be described.FIG. 4is a flowchart showing the flow of an unbalance measurement mode.

In the information processing method of the information processing device18, the process moves to step S1when an unbalance mode for measuring the unbalance of the spindle26is set. At step S1, the control unit54outputs the spindle rotation command to the numerical control device14so as to control the numerical control device14to rotate the spindle26at the specified rotational speed, and then the process moves to step S2.

At step S2, the second acquisition unit52acquires the rotational speed of the spindle26from the numerical control device14, and the process moves to step S3.

At step S3, the control unit54determines whether the rotational speed of the spindle26acquired at step S2has exceeded the given rotation threshold. If the rotational speed of the spindle26has not exceeded the rotation threshold, the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, the process moves to step S4if the rotational speed of the spindle26has exceeded the rotation threshold.

At step S4, the control unit54outputs the measurement start command to the measurement device16so as to cause the measurement device16to start the measurement of the unbalance of the spindle26, and then the process moves to step S5.

At step S5, the first acquisition unit50acquires from the measurement device16the vibration value measured by the vibration sensor34. Further, the second acquisition unit52acquires from the numerical control device14the amount of deviation of the control axis in the axial direction. When the vibration value of the spindle26and the amount of axial deviation of the control axis have both been acquired, the process moves to step S6.

At step S6, the control unit54outputs a rotation stop command for the spindle26to the numerical control device14, so as to cause the numerical control device14to stop the rotation of the spindle26, and then the process moves to step S7.

At step S7, the determination unit56determines whether the unbalance of the spindle26is abnormal or not on the basis of the vibration value of the spindle26and the amount of axial deviation of the control axis acquired at step S5. The determination unit56determines that the unbalance of the spindle26is normal if the vibration value of the spindle26is less than the vibration threshold and the amount of axial deviation of the control axis is less than the given axial deviation threshold. In this case, the display control unit58causes the display unit42to display a message indicating that the unbalance is normal, and then the unbalance measurement mode is put to an end.

On the other hand, if the vibration value of the spindle26is equal to or greater than the vibration threshold, or if the amount of axial deviation of the control axis is equal to or greater than the given axial deviation threshold, then the determination unit56determines that the unbalance of the spindle26is abnormal. The process then moves to step S8in this case.

At step S8, the first acquisition unit50acquires the unbalance from the measurement device16. Further, the second acquisition unit52acquires the rotational speed of the spindle26and the amount of axial deviation of the control axis from the numerical control device14. When the unbalance and the rotational speed of the spindle26have both been acquired, the process moves to step S9.

At step S9, the display control unit58causes the unbalance and the rotational speed of the spindle26acquired at step S8to be displayed on the same screen of the display unit42, and then the unbalance measurement mode terminates.

MODIFICATIONS

The embodiment has been described above as an example of the present invention and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiment above. The above-described embodiment can of course be modified or improved in various manners. It is clear from recitation of claims that such modified or improved embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

First Modification

In the embodiment above, the spindle26is a shaft that is rotated by fluid. However, it may be a shaft that is rotated by a spindle motor. When the spindle26is a shaft rotated by a spindle motor, the fluid supply unit28is omitted. Further, the numerical control device14obtains the rotational speed of the spindle26from a rotation sensor provided to the spindle motor and applies a feedback control to the spindle motor based on the obtained rotational speed, to thereby adjust the rotational speed of the spindle26such that it approaches a target value.

Second Modification

In the embodiment above, the display control unit58causes the display unit42to display a massage indicating that the unbalance of the spindle26is normal when the unbalance is determined to be normal. In place of such a message, or in addition to such a message, the display control unit58may cause the display unit42to display the rotational speed of the spindle26and the unbalance. When the unbalance of the spindle26is determined to be normal, the display control unit58need not necessarily cause the display unit42to display a message indicating that the unbalance is normal.

Third Modification

The above-described embodiment and modifications may be arbitrarily combined in a range in which no inconsistencies occur therein.

Invention Obtained from Embodiments and Modifications

The invention graspable from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be recited below.

A first invention provides the information processing device (18) connected to a measurement device (16) and a numerical control device (14), the measurement device being provided in the vicinity of a machine tool (12) configured to machine a workpiece (W) using a tool (20), the numerical control device (14) being configured to control the machine tool (12). The information processing device (18) includes: a display unit (42) configured to display information; a first acquisition unit (50) configured to acquire, from the measurement device (16), measurement information measured by the measurement device (16); a second acquisition unit (52) configured to acquire, from the numerical control device (14), state information indicating a state of the machine tool (12); and a display control unit (58) configured to cause the display unit (42) to display the measurement information and the state information.

The above configuration makes it possible for an operator to check both the measurement information and state information on a single display screen. Thus, the operator is not forced to change the position of installation of at least one of the measurement device (16) and the numerical control device (14) for ease of checking both the measurement information and state information. This improves work efficiency.

The measurement device (16) may be configured to measure an unbalance of a spindle (26) of the machine tool (12), and the display control unit (58) may be configured to provide control to display the measurement information indicating the unbalance of the spindle (26) and the state information indicating a rotational speed of the spindle (26) and the amount of deviation of a control axis in an axial direction thereof, the control axis being controlled by the numerical control device (14). This allows the operator to correct the unbalance of the spindle (26) while checking the unbalance corresponding to the rotational speed of the spindle (26) and the amount of axial deviation of the control axis.

The information processing device (18) may further include a determination unit (56) configured to determine whether the unbalance of the spindle (26) is abnormal or not, and the display control unit (58) may cause the measurement information and the state information to be displayed when the unbalance of the spindle (26) is determined to be abnormal. This prevents the operator from erroneously adjusting the unbalance of the spindle (26) when the unbalance of the spindle (26) is normal.

The determination unit (56) may be configured to determine that the unbalance of the spindle (26) is abnormal if a vibration value of the spindle (26) is equal to or greater than a given vibration threshold or if the amount of deviation of the control axis in the axial direction is equal to or greater than a given axial deviation threshold. This improves accuracy of the determination as compared to cases where the unbalance of the spindle (26) is determined to be abnormal only on the basis of the vibration value.

The information processing device (18) may further include a control unit (54) configured to control the numerical control device (14) to rotate the spindle (26), and also configured to control the measurement device (16) to start the measurement of the unbalance of the spindle (26) when the rotational speed of the spindle (26) has exceeded a given rotation threshold. This prevents the determination unit (56) from making an incorrect determination on the basis of the unbalance that is measured when the rotational speed of the spindle (26) is unstable.

The spindle (26) may be configured to be rotated by a fluid supplied from a fluid supply unit (28), the numerical control device (14) may include an adjustment unit (30) configured to adjust a supply rate at which the fluid supply unit (28) supplies the fluid to the spindle (26), based on the rotational speed of the spindle (26) obtained from the measurement device (16), and the second acquisition unit (52) may acquire from the numerical control device (14) the rotational speed of the spindle (26) obtained from the measurement device (16) by the numerical control device (14). Thus, it is possible to display the rotational speed of the spindle (26) even when the machine tool (12) is not provided with a rotation sensor.

A second invention provides an information processing method for an information processing device (18) that is connected to a measurement device (16) and a numerical control device (14), the measurement device being provided in the vicinity of a machine tool (12) configured to machine a workpiece (W) using a tool (20), the numerical control device (14) being configured to control the machine tool (12). The information processing method includes: an acquisition step (S5) of acquiring, from the measurement device (16), measurement information measured by the measurement device (16), and acquiring, from the numerical control device (14), state information indicating a state of the machine tool (12); and a display step (S9) of causing a display unit (42) to display the measurement information and the state information.

Owing thereto, an operator can check both the measurement information and state information on a single display screen. Thus, the operator is not forced to change the position of installation of at least one of the measurement device (16) and the numerical control device (14) for ease of checking both the measurement information and state information. This improves work efficiency.

The measurement device (16) may be configured to measure an unbalance of a spindle (26) of the machine tool (12), and the display step (S9) may display the measurement information indicating the unbalance of the spindle (26) and the state information indicating a rotational speed of the spindle (26) and the amount of deviation of a control axis in an axial direction thereof, the control axis being controlled by the numerical control device (14). This allows the operator to correct the unbalance of the spindle (26) while checking the unbalance corresponding to the rotational speed of the spindle (26) and the amount of axial deviation of the control axis.

The information processing method may further include a determination step (S7) of determining whether the unbalance of the spindle (26) is abnormal or not, and the display step (S9) may display the measurement information and the state information when the unbalance of the spindle (26) is determined to be abnormal. This prevents the operator from erroneously adjusting the unbalance of the spindle (26) when the unbalance of the spindle (26) is normal.

The determination step (S7) may determine that the unbalance of the spindle (26) is abnormal if a vibration value of the spindle (26) is equal to or greater than a given vibration threshold or if the amount of deviation of the control axis in the axial direction is equal to or greater than a given axial deviation threshold. This improves accuracy of the determination as compared to cases where the unbalance of the spindle (26) is determined to be abnormal only on the basis of the vibration value.

The information processing method may further include a rotation control step (S1) of controlling the numerical control device (14) to rotate the spindle (26); and a measurement control step (S4) of controlling the measurement device (16) to start the measurement of the unbalance of the spindle (26) when the rotational speed of the spindle (26) has exceeded a given rotation threshold. This prevents the determination unit (56) from making an incorrect determination on the basis of the unbalance that is measured when the rotational speed of the spindle (26) is unstable.

The present invention is not particularly limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the essence and gist of the present invention.