Numerically controlled machine tool management system

Abstract: A numerical control system is provided for controlling a machine tool (14), the system comprising control means (12, 13) and external portable storage means (1) for storing operation data. Read/write means (20) can be manually coupled to the control means for reading data from the external storage means (1) and for writing data into the external storage means (1). The control system includes a font RAM (73) representing characters of a preset language to be used for display on a display unit (17). A message RAM (74) is also provided for storing message data in the preset language. In addition, the external portable storage means (1) comprise a font data section (78) and a message data section (78) for storing language data. The read/write means (20) are adapted to transfer the language data from the external storage means to the controller depending on language identification codes.

Description: The present invention relates generally to a numerically controlled machine tool and to an operator work management system. A numerical control unit is designed to perform numerical control processing in accordance with a cutting program provided by a paper tape, etc. Specifically, a machine tool is driven according to the results of the control processing in order to cut a workpiece. Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a prior art numerical control unit. A cutting program read from a tape reader 11 is stored into a memory 18. When this cutting program is to be executed, it is first read from the memory 18 block by block and then processed in a controller 12 containing a processor, a control program memory, etc. The controller 12 then performs numerical control processing in accordance with the cutting program, thereby driving a servo motor of a machine tool 14 so as to move a table or a tool rest in accordance with a move command, or for controlling the machine tool 14, via an electrical control box 13, to perform, for example, coolant on/off and spindle run/reverse/stop commands. The numeral 15 indicates an operation board including zeroing, jogging and other command switches, buttons and indicators. The numeral 16 is a manual data input device (hereinafter referred to as the "MDI") for manually entering various types of data into the controller 12, and numeral 17 is a display unit ("DSP") for displaying the current position and other data of the machine. The components 11 to 17 (with the exception of the machine tool 14) constitute a computerized numerical control unit (hereinafter referred to as a "CNC"). The controller 12 in the CNC is a computer which performs predetermined numerical control processing on the basis of a control program and the cutting program to control the machine tool 14. The machine tool 14 controlled by the CNC is referred to as a numerically controlled machine tool (NC machine tool), and most of the present machine tools are NC machine tools. The operator controlling this NC machine tool is usually provided with work directives through cutting programs for cutting workpieces to be finished on that day, and work setup instructions as a preliminary to cutting. The operator carries out the setup work in accordance with the work instruction and causes the CNC to run the predetermined cutting programs to cut workpieces. The operator then writes the work done on that day in a work report or the like. The NC machine tool may generally be operated by any person including unauthorized personnel by simply powering up. To prevent this, some CNCs have a function of disabling NC data from being rewritten unless a key provided therefor is switched on. Further, recent CNCs holding a larger internal memory capacity have a function of allowing the keying history of the operator to be stored in an internal memory for a later check of the operation performed. Further, some CNCs allow CNC-generated error, alarm and other histories to be stored in an internal memory, so that errors and alarms occurring at various times can be checked later. Furthermore, there is a growing tendency for recent CNCs to display messages, etc. for the operator on a display device to allow the operator to "converse" with the CNC and be guided during operation, thereby improving the operability of the CNC. To allow kanji (Chinese characters), kana (Japanese phonetic characters) and other characters to be displayed for this purpose, in addition to the roman alphabet and numerals, the NC contains character fonts which are employed to display kanji, kana and other characters. Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the major parts of a prior art CNC display control section, wherein the numeral 60 indicates a microcomputer; 61 a ROM for storing programs and other data required for the microcomputer 60 to perform predetermined operations, 59 a RAM used for pointers, operation, etc., 62 an address decoder for accessing memories, etc., and 63 a first-in first-out register (FIFO register) to which display data is written from a host microcomputer for NC control (not illustrated) and which is designed to issue an interrupt signal INT to the microcomputer 60 when, for example, data- of 16 characters is entered. The numeral 64 indicates a CRT controller for generating horizontal and vertical synchronization signals and scanning addresses, 65 a pulse generator circuit, 66 an address switching circuit for switching between a CPU address and a scanning address, 67 an address decoder, 68 a character RAM (video RAM) for storing characters coded into addresses corresponding to the positions on a display screen, 69 a color RAM (video RAM) for storing colors for painting characters on the display screen, 70 a character ROM for converting character codes output by the character RAM 68 into corresponding display data (alphabetic characters, kanji, kana and symbols), 71 a display control circuit for outputting red, green and blue video signals in accordance with the output of the color RAM 69, 17 a display unit, and 72 a screen thereof. A character string to be displayed on the screen 72 of the display unit 71 is entered sequentially from the NC controlling microcomputer (not illustrated) to the FIFO register 63. A character in this character string is coded, for example, in sixteen bits. When a character code of sixteen characters is entered into the FIFO register 63, the microcomputer 60 is interrupted to perform interrupt processing. In other words, the character code is read from the FIFO register 63 and written to the separately specified address of the character RAM 68. When color designating information is then entered into the FIFO register 63, that information is read and color information is written to the corresponding area of the color RAM 69. When the information is written to the RAMs 68 and 69, the address switching circuit 66 is switched to the scanning address position of the CRT controller 64 whereby the contents of the character RAM 68 and the color RAM 69 at the scanning addresses are read in synchronization with each other. The output of the character RAM 68 is provided in character code and converted into display character data in the character RAM 70. Namely, if that character code is a kanji code, multiple pieces of dot data matching the shape of that kanji character are outputted. According to that dot data and the color information of the color RAM 69, the display control circuit 71 creates red, green and blue video signals, which are then input to the display unit 17 and displayed as a character on the screen 72. Accordingly, the use of the kanji and kana characters to form a character string sent from the NC controlling host microcomputer allows comments and other guides to be displayed in kanji and other characters which can be most easily understood by the Japanese. Since not many terms are employed in the NC field, the number of kanji characters used is limited. Hence, the character ROM can be composed of a single LSI for characters including kana. Since the known display control device shown in Fig. 8 is configured as described above, the character ROM 70 must be replaced to display characters corresponding to the user's native language and the display language cannot be changed easily. To improve this disadvantage, a display control section wherein the character ROM 70 is replaced by a character RAM and the data of the character RAM is changed through the key switches of the operation panel for use with a numerical control unit is disclosed in Japanese Patent Disclosure Publication No. 189785 (1985). The European patent application EP-A 0 236 506 discloses a numerical control method by which a ROM cassette storing one or more macros can be loaded or unloaded into an NC apparatus. An instruction for discriminating whether the ROM cassette has been loaded is provided in the system control program. Further command instructions are contained in the system program for causing execution of a predetermined macro stored on the ROM cassette when desired. The language used in the control system of this reference is not further specified. The Patent Abstracts of Japan volume 13, number 217 (M-828) of May 22, 1989 relating to JP-A-01 034 7776 discloses a printer device. Data concerning the setting of the language to be displayed is contained on a memory card. Display means are provided for displaying the setting in the language corresponding to the card data, where the setting data can be translated into a language easy for the operator to understand. An object of the present invention is to provide a display control section which allows data shown on a display device to be easily changed, including the language used in the display. The display control section of the CNC comprises a font RAM for storing font data used for converting a predetermined character code into display data matching a display section and rewriting means for rewriting the font data placed in the font RAM. The rewriting means comprises an external storage medium for storing the font data and identification codes, and font data storing means for referencing the identification codes stored in the external storage medium for placing into the font RAM the font data stored in the external storage medium only when the external storage medium loaded stores the desired font data. The display control section also comprises a message RAM for storing message data employed for displaying a predetermined message on a display section and rewriting means for rewriting the message data placed in said message RAM. The rewriting means comprises an external storage medium storing the message data and identification codes employed for identifying the types of message data, and message data storing means for referencing the identification codes stored in the external storage medium for placing into the message RAM the message data stored in the external storage medium only when the loaded external storage medium stores the desired message data. The CNC in a preferred embodiment allows a dedicated language for batch processing in a cutting program to be separated from the cutting program and processed in individual processing systems, and allows work records to be stored into the work record data area of the portable storage medium. The CNC also allows the record of operation performed to be stored in an operation recording memory provided in the CNC. When attempting to operate the NC machine tool, the operator first loads the portable storage medium into the R/W device of the CNC and switches on the CNC power supply. The CNC then directs the operator to enter the PIN code. In response to this directive, the operator enters the PIN code. The NC machine tool is enabled for operation only if the PIN code matches a code in the storage medium and other availability conditions are satisfied (whether or not the NC machine tool is available and is in an available period for this operator, for example. The rewriting means preferably rewrites the font data of the font RAM or the message data of the message RAM in blocks. The rewriting means references the identification codes stored in the external storage medium and rewrites the font data of the font RAM or the message data of the message RAM in blocks only when the external storage medium contains the desired character data or message data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating major parts of an NC unit. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing primary parts of a portable storage medium processing system. Fig. 3 illustrates the locations of data stored in a memory. Fig. 4 shows check data locations. Fig. 5 provides an example of an NC machine tool management form. Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating main parts of an NC unit known in the art. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing main parts of a display control section concerned with the present invention. Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating main parts of a display control section known in the art. Fig. 9 shows the contents of a font RAM. Fig. 10 illustrates a data map in a font data section. Fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart for language input processing. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the CNC according to an embodiment of the present invention. As compared to the block diagram of the known CNC shown in Fig. 6, the major characteristics of this embodiment are the additions of a R/W section 20 for transferring data to and from the portable storage medium, an external storage medium processor 21 for controlling the data transfer to and from the storage medium and a select switch 22 for switching the operation of the operation board 15 and the MDI 16 to be valid or invalid, and an operation recording memory 23. Further, as compared to the block diagram the display control section in the prior art CNC in Fig. 8, the CNC according to the embodiment features the use of RAMs in the font and message sections allowing data to be changed as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the portable storage medium processing system. This embodiment will be described employing an IC card as a portable storage medium. Referring now to Fig. 2, the numeral 1 indicates an IC card, and 40 a processor for performing processing such as data transfer to and from the IC card 1. The IC card 1 includes a storage 3 for storing various types of data (described later), an input/output section 4 forming a signal path to and from the processing system 40 or the CNC 10, and a control section 2 comprising, for example, a CPU for controlling the storage section 3 and I/O section 4. Particularly, as shown in Fig. 3, the storage section 3 includes a check data area 31 employed to determine whether the NC machine tool loaded with the IC card 1 is enabled for operation or not, a work directive data area 37 used to give a work directive to the operator, a cutting data area 38 for storing various types of data required for cutting, a work record data area 39 for recording the details of machining faults or errors as well as the details of the work done by the operator, a message data area 77 and a font data area 78 respectively storing messages and fonts in a language used by the operator. Further, as shown in Fig. 4, the check data area 31 includes an identification code area 32 for storing identification code(s) used to identify whether the IC card 1 is the appropriate one for the present system, an operator name area 33, a PIN code area 34, a machine identification code area 35 for storing the identification codes of machines to be authorized, and a time period and time block area 36 for storing the period and time block in which the operator is permitted to use the CNC. In Fig. 2, the processor 40 is employed by a system manager to set various types of data to the IC card 1 and fetch data from the IC card 1 for the management of the operator's work. The processor 40 may comprise dedicated hardware, a general-purpose computer, or a personal computer, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the main hardware block configuration of the processor 40 is provided with a processor section 41 consisting of, for example, a CPU for controlling the whole operation, a storage 43 for storing various types of information, a display 45 for displaying various types of data for the system manager according to the results of the processing in the processor section 41, a printer 46 for printing various types of information, a reader/writer section (hereinafter referred to as the "R/W section") for forming a signal path to and from the loaded IC card 1 for transferring data, and a keyboard 44 employed by the manager to enter various types of data. The storage 43 contains data required for the IC card 1, e.g. various types of data needed for cutting. Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a management form of an NC machine tool, wherein a manager 51 instructs an operator 52 and an operator 53 to perform work by operating an NC machine tool 54 and an NC machine tool 55, respectively. Various types of data required (such as cutting programs for machining and parameters and tool information set in the CNC) are assumed to have been created beforehand using a CAM system 50, and stored in the processor 40. It will be recognized that the CAM system 50 and the processor 40 may operate on the same hardware. The manager 51 devises a work schedule to determine the details of the work to be done by the operators 52, 53. The IC cards 1, 1 corresponding to the operators 52, 53 are created employing the processor 40 in accordance with the work details. The manager 51 gives the IC cards 1 to the operators 52, 53 and instructs them which NC machine tools to use. This instruction is extremely simple because detailed subsequent work directives are stored in the work directive data area 36 (Fig. 4) of the IC cards 1. The operators 52, 53 load the IC cards 1 into the corresponding NC machine tools 54, 55 and carry out the day's work in accordance with the work directives stored in the IC cards 1. When the day's work is finished, the operators 52, 53 remove the respective IC cards 1, from the NC machine tools 54, 55 and deliver them to the manager 51. The operators 52, 53 need not make a detailed report to the manager 51 since the records of their work are kept in the work record data area 34 of the IC cards 1. By loading the IC cards 1 presented by the operators 52, 53 into the processor 40 and reading the work record data 38, the manager 51 will be able to obtain detailed work records and devise the next work schedule according to the contents of the work records. The procedure for starting machine operation will now be described. Each operator loads the IC card 1 into the R/W section 20 of the corresponding NC machine tool 14 and initiates work. An NC unit processing flowchart beginning with the start of the work by the operator. The CNC unit 10 and the machine tool 14 are powered up. The select switch 22 is set to OFF to disable the operation board 15 and the MDI 16 for operation. This completely disables the NC machine tool 14 for operation until the select switch 22 is set to ON. A check is made to see if the IC card 1 is coupled to or loaded in the R/W section 20 of the CNC 10. Processing on the language data is then performed. This process replaces the language data in the NC unit 10 with the language data stored in the IC card 1, thereby changing the language displayed by the NC unit 10 if appropriate. The display control section concerned with the present invention will now be described. Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the display control section of the NC unit 10 concerned with the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the numeral 1 indicates an IC card which, as shown in Fig. 3, includes a storage section 3 for storing various types of data including message data corresponding to the specified language in the area 77 and font data corresponding to the same language in the area 78. The message and font data are language data, e.g. data for English, French, Korean and German. As shown in Fig. 7, a font RAM 73 is used as a memory for storing the font data to allow the font data in the NC 10 to be changed. As shown in Fig. 9, the font RAM 73 is divided into a common font section 75 (a font section used commonly for each language, and containing such common elements as numerals, symbols, etc.) and a language-basis font section 76. Since the common font section 75 need not be changed according to the language used, only the language-basis font section 76 is changed. This language-basis font section is also stored in the font data section 78 of the IC card 1. If desired, the IC card may be made to store the common section data as well, as a guard against memory loss due to battery failure or the like in the NC itself. Further, a RAM area 74 for storing message data on a language basis is provided as shown in Fig. 7 to display messages corresponding to the language used. Messages to be shown on the NC display are not described directly in the control program in the NC 10 but message numbers are described in the control program so that the required message is displayed by extracting the message data corresponding to the specified number from the message RAM 74. In language processing, a check is first made to see if the language data in the IC card 1, i.e. the message data 77 and the font data 78, exist as shown in the processing flowchart of Fig. 11 (step 141). If that data does not exist, language data processing is not performed. If the data exists, a check is made to see if the font data 78 in the IC card 1 differs from the font data 74 stored in the NC (step 142). If they are identical, font data processing is not performed. If they are different, font data 78 is entered from the IC card 1 to the font RAM 73 in the NC unit 10 (step 143). A check is made to see if the message data 77 in the IC card 1 differs from the message data 74 stored in the NC 10 (step 144). If they are identical, message data processing is not performed. If they are different, the message data 77 is entered from the IC card 1 to the message RAM 74 in the NC unit 10 (step 145). To identify whether the font data 73 is different or not, a language identification code 84 in the font data section 78 as shown in Fig. 10 is compared with the language identification codes in the font data section of the CNC. The message data is also identified in an identical manner. As described above, the contents of the font RAM 73 can be changed as appropriate by storing the font data placed in the font data area 78 of the IC card 1 into the font RAM 73 of the NC unit 10. The contents of the message RAM 74 can be changed as appropriate by storing the message data placed in the message data area 77 of the IC card 1 into the message RAM 74 of the NC unit 10. The present invention allows the language shown on the display of the NC to be changed as desired according to the operator, whereby the NC can be operated by any operator independently of the language he or she speaks and utilized in any country, contributing to the achievement of effective utilization of the NC on an international basis. In addition, the present invention ensures ease of changing the language, producing an advantageous effect on the utilization environment of the NC wherein different languages are employed alternately. Further, data necessary for the change in language is placed in a single IC card which is freely portable and the operator can carry his or her own IC card and easily switch to a language he or she prefers at the start of work, leading to an improvement in working environment of the operator. Moreover, since the font in the NC can be changed, symbols and the like can be used as required to give a message to the operator. Further, the present invention prevents the contents of the font RAM or the message RAM from being rewritten accidentally; the external storage medium contains the desired font data or message data.

Claims: A numerical control system for controlling a machine tool comprising: control means (12, 13) for controlling the machine tool (14); external portable storage means (1) for storing operation data; reading means (20), operable when said external portable storage means (1) is manually coupled thereto, for reading data from said external portable storage means (1); characterized in that said reading means (20) are also adapted to write data into said external portable storage means (1); a font RAM (73) is provided for storing font data (75, 76) representing preset language characters to be used for display on a display unit (17); a message RAM (74) is provided for storing message data in a preset language to be displayed on said display unit (17); said external portable storage means (1) have a font data section (78) including font data (85) and a message data section (77) including message data; each section storing a language identification code (84); said reading means (20) are adapted to transfer the font data and message data from the external portable storage means (1) to the font RAM (73) and message RAM (74), respectively, depending on said language identification code (84). The numerical control system defined in Claim 1, wherein the control means (12, 13) is adapted to compare the language identification code of the data stored in the font RAM (73) and the message RAM (74) with the language identification code (84) of the font data section (78) and the message data section (77). The numerical control system defined in Claim 2, wherein the reading means (20) are adapted to transfer the font data (85) and message data of the external portable storage means (1) to the font RAM (73) and the message RAM (74) when the language identification codes are different. The numerical control system defined in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the external portable storage means (1) further comprise a work directive data section (37), wherein said reading means (20) are adapted to read said work directive data in the language corresponding to said language identification code (84).

Inventors: NIWA TOMOMITSU, NIWA, TOMOMITSU, MITSUBISHI DENKI K.K.
Applicants: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP, MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G05B19
IPC codes: G05B19