NC DATA PREPARATION METHOD FOR BORING

Abstract: An arbitrary hole shape pattern (HPT) and its machining procedures are specified interactively to register the result as hole kind data in a hole kind file (FLD). When the registered hole kind is designated from a keyboard (14) at the time of preparation of NC data for boring, an automatic programming portion (11) displays an interactive picture in accordance with the hole kind on CRT (13) so as to specify the hole shape dimension and tools used for each machining step and the NC data for machining the kind of the hole is prepared on the basis of these data.

Description: This invention relates to a method of creating NC data for hole machining and, more particularly, to a method of specifying the type of hole to be machined and creating hole machining NC data in dialog fashion. A dialog-type numerical control apparatus is available in which a dialog screen and a function key screen are displayed on a display unit in accordance with each step of a plurality of data input steps, a predetermined function key (soft key) on the function key screen is pressed to thereby execute processing corresponding to the function key, and an NC program for hole machining is created using data inputted while referring to the dialog screen. A dialog-type numerical control apparatus of this kind, which will be described with reference to Fig. 9, successively displays predetermined dialog screens on a display screen in accordance with the following steps: (1) a first step of selecting execution of "AUTOMATIC PROGRAMMING"; (2) a second step of performing such initial settings as setting of workpiece material and coordinate system; (3) a third step of selecting the next step to be executed (e.g., "MACHINING DEFINITION", "NC DATA CREATION", "END", etc.); (4) a fourth step of selecting type of machining (surface machining, drilling, etc.); (5) a fifth step of entering hole type and hole dimensions in case of drilling; (6) a sixth step of editing an automatically decided drilling process with regard to a defined hole shape; (7) a seventh step of defining hole position; and (8) an eighth step of creating NC data. An operator responds to the dialog screens by entering the necessary data from a keyboard. Finally, an NC program (NC data) for hole machining is created using the entered data. By way of example, in a case where a drilled hole (displayed in the form of a solid line) shown in Fig. 10 is machined, the drilled hole is selected from preregistered hole types and hole dimensions (hole diameter D and depth L) are decided at the fifth step, whereupon the machining processes [e.g., "PROCESS 01: CENTER DRILLING" (displayed in the form a broken line), "PROCESS 02: DRILLING"] are automatically decided by the system. Thereafter, if hole position is defined at the seventh step and NC data creation is designated, NC data for drilled hole machining will be created automatically. However, in the conventional dialog-type input automatic programming apparatus, hole machining NC data can be created in accordance with the foregoing steps using only the predetermined hole types and machining procedures. Consequently, if it is desired to create NC data for machining a hole having an arbitrary hole shape not registered in advance, the operation for creating the NC data is a troublesome one. For example, a hole shape HOL shown in Fig. 11 has an arbitrary shape which is a combination of a spot facing hole SPF and a drilled hole DRL. In order to create NC data for machining this hole shape HOL, it is necessary with the conventional practice to repeat the processing of the fourth to seventh steps with regard to the spot facing hole SPF and again with regard to the drill hole DRL. As a result, a great amount of time is required for the data creating operation. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hole machining NC data creation method whereby any hole shape or machining procedure can be added or modified as a hole type, and NC data for machining a hole having any hole shape can be created with ease by specifying the hole type. Of interest in the prior art is EP-A-0 213 531, which discloses a hole machining NC data creation method in which a dialog screen for creating NC data for hole machining is prepared, and NC data for hole machining is created in dependence upon hole shape dimensions and a tool used in a machining process in accordance with the dialog screen. For example when drilling information is to be defined, the operator selects the image of a drill from an image of a plurality of different tools on a CRT screen. Then an image of the selected drill alone is shown, and the operator inputs machining data in response to queries regarding the displayed drill, such as the diameter of the drill and the depth to which drilling is to take place. According to the present invention on the other hand, there is provided a hole machining NC data creation method in which a dialog screen for creating NC data for hole machining is prepared, and NC data for hole machining is created in dependence upon hole shape dimensions and a tool used in a machining process in accordance with said dialog screen, characterised in that initially any hole shape pattern and a machining procedure thereof are entered in dialog fashion and are registered as one item of hole-type data in a hole-type registration mode and, when said registered type of hole is designated as a hole type for which NC data for hole machining is to be created, a dialog screen is displayed conforming to said hole type using said hole-type data, hole shape dimensions are entered in accordance with said dialog screen, and NC data for machining the hole is created, including data identifying tools required for machining the hole. The NC data for machining the hole may be created using hole shape dimensions, tools used, etc, entered in accordance with the dialog screen. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be put into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a dialog-type numerical control apparatus having an automatic programming function for practicing the present invention; Fig. 2 is a flowchart of hole-type registration processing according to a preferred example of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a flowchart of hole machining definition processing according to a preferred example of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a diagram of a hole shape showing a two-step drilled hole; Fig. 5 is a dialog screen for setting the number of hole steps in hole-type registration processing; Fig. 6 is a dialog screen for deciding machining processes in hole-type registration processing; Fig. 7 is a dialog screen for selecting hole type in NC data creation processing for hole machining; Fig. 8 is a dialog screen showing correspondence between hole machining processes and tools used; Fig. 9 is a flowchart of NC data creation processing for hole machining; Fig. 10 is a diagram of drilled hole shape; and Fig. 11 is a diagram of an arbitrary hole shape. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a dialog-type numerical control apparatus having an automatic programming function for practicing the present invention. Numeral 11 denotes an automatic programming unit, 12 an NC control unit, 13 a graphic display unit (CRT), 14 a keyboard, and 15, 16 changeover units. The changeover units 15, 16 are illustrated in the form of switches for the sake of description. In actuality, however, changeover is effected by software processing. The automatic programming unit 11 and NC control unit 12 are of microcomputer construction and incorporate a processor (CPU), a control program memory (ROM) and a RAM. A hole-type file FLD and a tool file FLT are stored in the RAM of the automatic programming unit 11. The graphic display unit 13 and keyboard 14 are integrated into a single unit usually referred to as a CRT/MDI unit. Fig. 2 is a flowchart of hole-type registration processing according to a preferred example of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart of hole machining definition processing according to a preferred example of the present invention. Hole-type registration processing for a case where a hole shape HOL shown in Fig. 4 is registered will be described in line with the flowchart of Fig. 2, and then machining definition processing for a case where the hole shape HOL is machined will be described in line with the flowchart of Fig. 3. It is assumed that the changeover units 15, 16 have already been changed over to dedicate the graphic display unit 13 and keyboard 14 to the automatic programming unit 11. A. HOLE-TYPE REGISTRATION PROCESSING The operator calls the dialog screen of the hole-type registration processing mode by a predetermined key operation and first enters the name of the hole type (e.g., "TWO-STEP DRILLED HOLE") using the keyboard 14 (step 101). When this is done, the processor displays the dialog screen shown in Fig. 5 and displays a message inquiring about the number of steps possessed by the type of hole to be registered. Accordingly, the operator responds to the message by setting two steps as the number of hole steps (step 102). When this has been accomplished, the dialog screen changes over to one (Fig. 6) for entering the machining procedure for the hole type, and a message M1 is displayed inquiring whether center drilling is to be performed in the initial machining process. If center drilling is to be performed, then "YES" is entered; if not, "NO" is entered. The processor stores "PROCESS 01: CENTER DRILLING" if "YES" is entered. If "NO" is entered, however, the next entered machining process becomes "PROCESS 01" without center drilling being set (step 103). Next, the processor performs the operation 1 → i (step 104) and messages M2 - M4 relating to machining of an i-th step are successively displayed. For example, if the type of machining of an i-th step is spot facing, then "4. SPOT FACING" is entered by referring to the machining-type data in the dialog screen. Next, "NO" is entered in response to message M3 regarding whether there is a finishing allowance, then "YES" is entered in response to message M4 regarding whether countersinking is required. When this has been accomplished, the processor stores "PROCESS 02: SPOT FACING", and "PROCESS 03: COUNTERSINKING" (step 105). Next, it is determined (step 106) whether setting has been completed for all of the number of steps set at step 102. If setting has not been completed, then the operation i + 1 → i is performed and processing from step 105 onward is repeated. In the illustrated example, the machining procedure for drilling is entered. When setting has been completed with regard to all of the number of steps, the hole shape pattern and machining procedure defined in accordance with steps 102 through 107 are registered in the hole-type file FLD as hole-type data having the hole-type name "TWO-STEP DRILL HOLE", and hole-type registration processing is terminated. B. HOLE MACHINING DEFINITION PROCESSING In creating NC data for hole machining, data entry in each step is performed by the automatic programming function in dialog fashion just as in the flow of the conventional method shown in Fig. 9. "MACHINING DEFINITION" is selected in the step selection (Fig. 9, third step), and then "DRILLING" is selected in the selection of machining type (fourth step). Owing to selection of "DRILLING", a menu of hole types (Fig. 7) is displayed. Accordingly, a prescribed hole type (e.g., "5. TWO-STEP DRILLED HOLE") is selected from this menu (step 201). When this has been done, the processor calls the file of the two-step drilled hole registered in the hole-type file FLD, and the hole shape pattern HPT as well as various messages is displayed on the dialog screen (the CRT screen of Fig. 1, step 202). Accordingly, the dimensions of spot facing and of countersinking of the first step and the dimensions of the drilled hole and of countersinking of the second step are entered in conformity with the hole shape pattern HPT on the abovementioned dialog screen (step 203). When this has been accomplished, the processor automatically decides, and displays on the CRT screen, the machining processes of the two-step drilled hole registered in the hole-type file FLD as well as the tools used in the machining processes in accordance with the machining process sequence, with the tools being decided from the tool file FLT (Fig. 8, step 204). Thereafter, machining process editing (Fig. 9, sixth step) and hole position definition (seventh step) are performed just as in the prior art, and hole machining definition processing is terminated. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, any hole shape pattern and a machining procedure thereof are entered in dialog fashion and these are registered as a single item of hole-type data. In a case where the registered hole type is designated in the creation of NC data for hole machining, a dialog screen conforming to the hole type is displayed, and hole machining NC data is created upon specifying hole shape dimensions, tools used, etc. Accordingly, any hole shape and machining procedure can be registered as a hole type, and NC data for machining a hole having any hole shape can be created quickly and easily by designating the hole type.

Claims: A hole machining NC data creation method in which a dialog screen for creating NC data for hole machining is prepared, and NC data for hole machining is created in dependence upon hole shape dimensions and a tool used in a machining process in accordance with said dialog screen characterised in that initially any hole shape pattern (HOL) and a machining procedure thereof are entered in dialog fashion (Figs. 5 and 6) and are registered as one item of hole-type data in a hole-type registration mode (Fig. 2) and, when said registered type of hole is designated as a hole type for which NC data for hole machining is to be created, a dialog screen is displayed conforming to said hole type using said hole-type data (step 202), hole shape dimensions are entered (step 203) in accordance with said dialog screen, and NC data for machining the hole is created (step 204), including data identifying tools required for machining the hole. A hole machining NC data creation method according to claim 1, characterized in that said hole-type data registration (Fig. 2) has a step (101) of inputting hole-type name, a step (102) of inquiring with regard to a number of steps in the hole shape and inputting the number of steps, a step (103) of inquiring as to whether center drilling is to be carried out initially and inputting a response to the inquiry, and a step (105) of inquiring with regard to a machining procedure of each step of the hole shape and inputting a response to the inquiry. A hole machining NC data creation method according to claim 2, characterized by the following in creating NC data for hole machining: displaying, on a display screen, hole shape patterns of various hole types which include said registered hole type (Fig. 7); designating a hole type by selecting a desired pattern; and entering hole shape dimensions upon displaying a dialog screen for shape entry of said designated hole type (step 203).

Inventors: NAKAJIMA MASATOSHI FANUC DAI-, SEKI MASAKI, TAKEGAHARA TAKASHI, NAKAJIMA, MASATOSHI,FANUC DAI-3 VIRAKARAMATSU, SEKI, MASAKI, TAKEGAHARA, TAKASHI
Applicants: FANUC LTD, FANUC LTD.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G05B19
IPC codes: G05B19