Patent Description:
In machine tool systems which comprise a tool magazine which holds a plurality of tools and a tool exchange device which exchanges tools between the tool magazine and the spindle, the operator visually confirms the tools used for machining one by one and mounts them in the specified pots of the tool magazine, at that time, if the correct tool is not mounted in the tool magazine with the correct tool number or pot number assigned, machining of the workpiece according to the NC machining program cannot be performed, and the tool and the workpiece or machine tool may collide or interfere with each other, damaging the tool, the workpiece, and the machine tool.

Patent Literature <NUM> describes an automatic collation and recognition device for a tool which, in order to solve such a problem, image-processes an image of a tool captured by an image-capture device, extracts and calculates feature amounts of the tool from the image data, and collates the extracted and calculated feature amount data of the tool with master data of the tool, whereby it can be recognized whether or not the captured tool matches the tool specified by an NC device. Patent Literature <NUM> describes a machine tool system comprising: an imaging device which images the tool mounted on a tool holder along with the tool holder, an interference checking device which simulates machining, prior to machining, using the machining program and shape data of the workpiece, the tool, and a machine tool to confirm the presence or absence of interference between at least the tool and the workpiece, and a controller which acquires the shape data of the tool mounted on the tool holder from the interference checking device.

In the automatic collation and recognition device for a tool of Patent Literature <NUM>, the master data is the dimensional data of the tool itself, and the feature amount of the tool extracted from the image data is also the dimensions of characteristic shape of the tool itself. Thus, if the tool is not mounted on the correct tool holder described in the machining program, proper machining cannot be performed according to the machining program, and collision or interference between the tool and the workpiece or machine tool cannot be prevented.

The present invention aims to solve such problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool system and a tool determining method with which it can be assuredly determined whether or not the tool mounted on the tool magazine is wrong or whether or not the tool is damaged.

In order to achieve the object described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a machine tool system as defined in claim <NUM>.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a tool determining method for determining whether or not a valid tool is mounted on a tool magazine of a machine tool system as defined in claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, since the tool is imaged in a state mounted on the tool holder, and the obtained image data and a two-dimensional tool model generated from shape data of the tool in a state in which the tool is mounted on the tool holder from the interference checking unit are compared, it can be assuredly determined whether or not the tool mounted on the tool magazine is the correct tool described in the interference-checked machining program or whether or not the tool is damaged.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

First, in <FIG>, the machine tool system to which the present invention is applied has a numerical control-type machine tool <NUM> which performs machining by automatically moving a tool and a workpiece W relative to each other based on a machining program. The machine tool <NUM> is a horizontal machining center. The machine tool <NUM> comprises feed devices for relatively moving the tool and the workpiece W along three orthogonal axes including the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The feed devices move driven objects in the directions of the plurality of axes.

The machine tool <NUM> comprises a bed <NUM> serving as a base. An X-axis guide rail <NUM> extending in the X-axis directions, which are the horizontal left and right directions, is affixed to the upper surface of the bed <NUM>. A column <NUM> is arranged on the upper surface of the X-axis guide rail <NUM>. The column <NUM> is formed so as to be movable along the A-axis guide rail <NUM> as indicated by arrow <NUM>. A Y-axis guide rail <NUM> extending in the Y-axis directions, which are the upward and downward directions, is affixed to the front surface of the column <NUM>. A spindle head <NUM> is supported by the Y-axis guide rail <NUM>. The spindle head <NUM> is formed so as to be movable along the Y-axis guide rail <NUM>, as indicated by arrow <NUM>.

Furthermore, a Z-axis guide rail <NUM> which extends in the Z-axis directions, which are the horizontal frontward and rearward directions, is affixed to the upper surface of the bed <NUM>. A table <NUM> is arranged on the upper surface of the Z-axis guide rail <NUM>. The workpiece W is affixed to the table <NUM> via a pallet <NUM>. The table <NUM> is formed so as to be movable in the Z-axis directions along the Z-axis guide rail <NUM>.

Each of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis feed devices can have a ball screw (not illustrated) extending in the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis direction, and an X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis servo motor (not illustrated) connected to one end of the ball screw, and a nut (not illustrated) attached to the column <NUM>, spindle head <NUM>, or table <NUM> for engaging with the ball screw. Furthermore, a measurement device such as a digital scale (not illustrated) is provided on each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis to measure the coordinate positions in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions.

The spindle head <NUM> supports a spindle <NUM> so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation extending in the horizontal frontward and backward directions. A tool <NUM> for machining the workpiece W is attached to the distal end of the spindle <NUM>. A servo motor (not illustrated) which rotationally drives the spindle <NUM> is housed in the spindle head <NUM>. The tool <NUM> has a shape which is rotationally symmetric about its axis or is a solid of revolution, such as a ball end mill, square end mill, face milling cutter, tapping tool, or drill.

The machine tool <NUM> moves the tool <NUM> in the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction and moves the workpiece W in the Z-axis direction. Note that the forms of the feed devices are not particularly limited, and the tool can be moved relative to the workpiece by any device. Furthermore, in addition to linear feed axes, the machine tool may have rotary feed axes which rotate about predetermined axes.

The machine tool <NUM> comprises a tool exchange device <NUM> which automatically exchanges tools. The machine tool <NUM> comprises a machining chamber <NUM> in which the workpiece W is machined and a tool storage chamber <NUM> for storing the tools <NUM>. The machining chamber <NUM> and the tool storage chamber <NUM> are surrounded by a splashguard <NUM>. Furthermore, the machining chamber <NUM> and the tool storage chamber <NUM> are separated by a partition wall <NUM>. The bed <NUM>, column <NUM>, spindle head <NUM>, etc., are arranged in the interior of the machining chamber <NUM>. The tool exchange device <NUM> is arranged in the interior of the tool storage chamber <NUM>. An aperture 51a through which a tool <NUM> is moved between the machining chamber <NUM> and the tool storage chamber <NUM> is formed in the partition wall <NUM>. Furthermore, a shutter <NUM> for opening and closing the aperture 51a is arranged on the partition wall <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> is supported by the partition wall <NUM>.

The machine tool <NUM> has a motor for driving the shutter <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> is formed so as to be movable relative to the partition wall <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> of the present embodiment is formed so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction. By moving the shutter <NUM> to form an opening, movement of the tool <NUM> through the aperture 51a can be performed.

The tool exchange device <NUM> has a tool magazine <NUM> in which a plurality of tools <NUM> are stored, and a transfer device for transferring a tool <NUM> between the tool magazine <NUM> and the spindle <NUM>. The tool magazine <NUM> of the present embodiment is formed so as to hold tools <NUM> around a base material formed in a disk shape via a tool holder <NUM>. The tool exchange device <NUM> includes a motor which rotates the tool magazine <NUM>. The tool magazine <NUM> rotates as indicated by arrow <NUM>.

The transfer device has a tool shifter <NUM> and a tool exchange arm <NUM>. The tool shifter <NUM> moves the tool <NUM> mounted on the tool holder <NUM> along with the tool holder <NUM> between the tool magazine <NUM> and a tool standby position. By moving the tool shifter <NUM> in the direction indicated by arrow <NUM>, tools <NUM> can be removed from the tool magazine <NUM> and tools <NUM> can be attached to the tool magazine <NUM>. The tool exchange arm <NUM> is formed in a stick-like form. The tool exchange arm <NUM> is provided, on opposing ends thereof, with holding parts 43a for holding the tools <NUM>. The tool exchange device <NUM> has a motor for rotating the tool exchange arm <NUM>. The tool exchange arm <NUM> is formed so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation extending in the Z-axis direction, as indicated by arrow <NUM>.

The standby position is a position in which the tool can be exchanged between the tool exchange arm <NUM> and the tool shifter <NUM>. Specifically, the tool exchange arm <NUM> receives the tool from the tool shifter <NUM> holding the tool in the standby position on one end, which is not holding a tool <NUM>, and transfers a tool <NUM>, on the other end holding the tool <NUM>, to the empty tool shifter <NUM> standing-by at the standby position.

When the tool <NUM> is exchange, in the machining chamber <NUM>, the spindle head <NUM> moves to a predetermined position for exchanging the tool <NUM>. The spindle head <NUM> is moved to a position in which the tool <NUM> attached to the spindle <NUM> can be held by a holding part 43a when the tool exchange arm <NUM> rotates. The tool <NUM> which has completed machining is attached to the spindle <NUM>. In the tool storage chamber <NUM>, the tool magazine <NUM> rotates to a position where the tool <NUM> to be used next is held by the tool shifter <NUM>. The tool shifter <NUM> moves the tool <NUM> to be used next from the tool magazine <NUM> to the standby position.

Next, the shutter <NUM> opens and the tool exchange arm <NUM> rotates. The tool exchange arm <NUM> holds the tool which has been held by the tool shifter <NUM> and the tool which has been attached to the spindle <NUM>. Further, by rotating the tool exchange arm <NUM>, the tool <NUM> to be used next is attached to the spindle <NUM> and the tool <NUM> which has completed machining is attached to the tool shifter <NUM>. The tool shifter <NUM> returns the tool <NUM> which has been completed machining to the tool magazine <NUM>.

Thus, the tool exchange device <NUM> can move the tool <NUM> attached to the spindle <NUM> to the tool magazine <NUM>. Furthermore, the tool exchange device <NUM> can move the tool <NUM> housed in the tool magazine <NUM> to the spindle <NUM>. After exchange of tools <NUM> is complete, the tool exchange arm <NUM> rotates to the original state. After the shutter <NUM> closes, the subsequent machining begins in the machining chamber <NUM>.

Note that the tool exchange device is not limited to the form described above, and it is sufficient that it be formed so as to be capable of exchanging the tool attached to the spindle and the tool housed in the tool magazine.

The machine tool <NUM> comprises an imaging device <NUM> for imaging the tool <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> is a backlight system in which the background of the tool <NUM> becomes brighter while the tool <NUM> becomes darker in the image of the tool <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> images the tool <NUM> arranged at a predetermined imaging position in the interior of the tool storage chamber <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> includes a camera <NUM>. As the camera <NUM>, any camera capable of image processing of the captured image such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera can be used. The camera <NUM> of the present embodiment is arranged so as to image the tool <NUM> when the tool <NUM> is arranged in the standby position. Note that the imaging position is not limited to the standby position and can be set to any position. In the present embodiment, the tool <NUM> is mounted on the tool holder <NUM> when the tool <NUM> is imaged by the imaging device.

The shutter <NUM> of the present embodiment functions as a reflective surface arranged on the side opposite the camera <NUM> with respect to the tool <NUM> in the direction facing the tool <NUM> arranged in the standby position from the camera <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> is arranged behind the tool <NUM> when viewed from the camera <NUM>. The camera <NUM> is arranged at a position where substantially the entire background of the tool in the image corresponds to the shutter <NUM> when the tool <NUM> is imaged in the standby position. The shutter <NUM> is arranged at a position where it intersects a straight line connecting the camera <NUM> and the tool <NUM> arranged at the standby position. The tool <NUM> is arranged between the shutter <NUM> and the camera <NUM>.

The shutter <NUM> has a reflective surface which reflects light. The reflective surface is formed so as to scatter light. In the present embodiment, the surface of the shutter <NUM> facing the interior of the tool storage chamber <NUM> corresponds to the reflective surface. In the shutter <NUM> of the present embodiment, the reflective surface is painted. The reflective surface is not limited to this form, and it is sufficient that it be formed so as to scatter at least a part of the light incident thereon. In other words, as long as the reflective surface does not have the mirror surface property of reflecting substantially all of the incident light in one direction, the reflecting surface may be any material. For example, rather than the surface being painted, the reflective surface may be exposed metal.

The imaging device <NUM> comprises an illumination device <NUM> as a light source for emitting light toward the shutter <NUM>. The illumination device <NUM> of the present embodiment is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) illuminator. Since the shutter <NUM> scatters light on the reflective surface, a part of the light emitted from the illumination device <NUM> is oriented toward the camera <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> of the present embodiment employs an indirect illumination method in which the tool <NUM> is illuminated with the reflected diffusely reflected light, instead of the direct illumination method in which the tool <NUM> is directly illuminated, as described above. The illumination device <NUM> is arranged so that an image in which the tool <NUM> is darker than the background of the tool <NUM> is captured by the diffusely reflected light reflected by the reflecting surface of the shutter <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the tool <NUM> is imaged, the portion corresponding to the tool <NUM> is entirely black. In contrast thereto, the background is brightened by the diffusely reflected light on the reflecting surface. In this manner, the imaging device <NUM> captures an image in which the portion of the tool <NUM> is darker than the background. For example, when the color of the light emitted by the illumination device is white, the background becomes white and the portion of the tool <NUM> becomes black. A controller <NUM>, which will be described later, can calculate the shape of the tool <NUM> using such an image.

The illumination device <NUM> preferably has a brightness which makes the entirety of the portion of tool <NUM> captured by the camera <NUM> black. In other words, the illumination device <NUM> is preferably a bright light source which generates a brightness that makes the entirety of the portion of the tool <NUM> black. Due to this configuration, the shape of the tool <NUM> in the image is clarified, whereby the shape of the tool <NUM> can be more accurately measured.

The illumination device <NUM> can use any illumination other than the LED illumination. By adopting LED illumination as the illumination device <NUM>, the brightness can be increased in a short time. Thus, the time necessary for imaging can be shortened. Further, the use of LED illumination can make the illumination device smaller than other illumination devices.

A plurality of illumination devices may be provided as the light source. For example, the light source may have first and second illumination devices arranged in different positions. By arranging a plurality of illumination devices, the reflective surface can be illuminated from a plurality of directions. As a result, the occurrence of shadows of large foreign objects can be suppressed. In the image, the appearance of black objects in the background of the tool can be suppressed. Alternatively, by arranging a plurality of illumination devices, the background of the tool of the image can be brightened, whereby color unevenness or the like occurring in the background of the tool in the image can be suppressed. As a result, the shape of the tool can be accurately measured.

The machine tool system further comprises a controller <NUM> for controlling the machine tool <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can be constituted by providing a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), an electronic data storage device such as a hard disk or a solid state drive (SSD), which are connected to each other via busses, and associated software.

The controller <NUM> comprises, as primary constituent elements, a determination unit <NUM>, a machine control unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, and an input unit <NUM>. The determination unit <NUM> has a comparison unit <NUM> and a storage unit <NUM>. The machine control unit <NUM> has an interference checking unit <NUM> and a storage unit <NUM>. The machine control unit <NUM> can be formed from an NC device, which controls the feed devices of the machine tool <NUM> and a machine controller for controlling the tool magazine <NUM>, the tool shifter <NUM>, the tool exchange device <NUM>, and the imaging device <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the interference checking unit <NUM> of the machine control unit <NUM> can be constituted by simulation software which is executed by the NC device or machine controller for the machine tool <NUM>. The machining program for machining the workpiece W, shape data of the tool <NUM> used for machining and the tool holder <NUM> on which the tool <NUM> is mounted, shape data of the workpiece W to be machined, and shape data of the machine tool <NUM> are input into and stored in the storage unit <NUM> of the machine control unit <NUM>.

The interference checking unit <NUM> reads the machining program, the shape data of the tool, the shape data of the workpiece, and the shape data of the machine tool <NUM> from the storage unit <NUM> prior to actual machining, simulates the machining of the workpiece in accordance with the machining program, and determines, in the simulation, whether or not the tool <NUM> interferes with the workpiece W or machine tool <NUM>.

The determination unit <NUM> can comprise a CPU and a storage device independent of the NC device and the machine controller constituting the machine control unit <NUM>, but may be configured as a part of the NC device and/or the machine controller as software.

The comparison unit <NUM> of the determination unit <NUM> receives image data of the tool <NUM> captured by the camera <NUM> of the imaging device <NUM> from the imaging device <NUM>. The image data of the tool <NUM> from the imaging device <NUM> is associated with a tool number assigned to the imaged tool <NUM> or a pot number of a tool pot (not illustrated) of the tool magazine <NUM> on which the tool <NUM> is mounted.

The comparison unit <NUM> receives shape data of the tool from the interference checking unit <NUM>. The shape data of the tool from the interference checking unit <NUM> is associated with the tool number assigned to the associated tool <NUM> or the pot number of the tool pot (not illustrated) of the tool magazine on which the tool is mounted. The tool number or pot number associated with the shape data of the tool <NUM> from the interference checking unit <NUM> is described in the machining program when simulation of machining is performed by the interference checking unit <NUM>.

A threshold value which is described later is stored in the storage unit <NUM>. The threshold value can be, for example, input from an input unit <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> displays determination results of the determination unit <NUM> and simulation results of the interference checking unit <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> can be a liquid crystal display or a touch panel. The input unit <NUM> can be formed from, for example, various buttons, input keys (not illustrated), etc., provided on the operation panel of the machine tool <NUM>. When the display unit <NUM> is formed by a touch panel, the display unit <NUM> constitutes a part of the input unit <NUM>. The input unit <NUM> may be a personal computer (not illustrated) or a server (not illustrated) connected by a communication network (not illustrated) such as a LAN.

The mode of operation of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in <FIG>.

After the operator of the machine tool <NUM> has mounted the tool <NUM> on the tool magazine <NUM>, the tool <NUM> is transferred to an imaging position in accordance with a tool imaging command from the machine control unit <NUM> of the controller <NUM> (step S10). Next, the tool <NUM> is imaged as described above (step S12).

The obtained image data of the tool <NUM> is output to the comparison unit <NUM> of the determination unit <NUM> along with the tool number of the tool <NUM> or the pot number of the tool pot of the tool magazine <NUM> in which the tool <NUM> is mounted. The comparison unit <NUM> receives shape data of the tool <NUM> corresponding to the tool number or pot number from the interference checking unit <NUM>. The comparison unit <NUM> compares the received image data with the tool shape data, in the manner described later (step S14).

Referring to <FIG> shows a binary image <NUM> of the tool captured by the imaging device <NUM> (camera <NUM>), and <FIG> is an enlarged view of the tool part of the binary image <NUM>. <FIG> shows a two-dimensional tool model <NUM> generated by the comparison unit <NUM> based on the tool shape data from the interference checking unit <NUM>, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of the tool part of the two-dimensional tool model <NUM>.

The binary image <NUM> of the tool has a portion (tool part) <NUM> of the tool protruding from the tool holder, and a portion (holder part) <NUM> of the tool holder which holds the tool. The tool part <NUM> has a portion <NUM> of the shank of the tool and a portion <NUM> of a blade with a cutting edge formed thereon.

The comparison unit <NUM> can measure the tool length L<NUM>', which is the axial length from the gauge line of the tool holder to the distal end of the tool, the axial length LT' and diameter DT' of the tool part <NUM>, and the axial length LH' and diameter DH' of the holder part <NUM> from the image data. Regarding the measurement method, the distance from the camera <NUM> to the shutter <NUM> is known, and thus, since the length per pixel of image data can be determined by calculation, each length can be determined by counting the number of pixels corresponding to the axial length LT' and diameter DT' of the tool part <NUM>, and the axial length LH' of the holder part <NUM>.

The two-dimensional tool model <NUM> has a tool part <NUM> and a holder part <NUM>, and the tool part <NUM> has a portion <NUM> of the shank of the tool and a portion <NUM> of the blade having the cutting edge formed thereon. The tool shape data can include the tool length L<NUM>, which is the axial length from the gauge line of the tool holder to the distal end of the tool, the axial length LT and diameter DT of tool part <NUM>, which is the portion of the tool protruding from the tool holder, and the axial length LH and diameter DH of the holder part <NUM>.

The comparison unit <NUM> compares the dimensions of the tool obtained form the image data with the dimensions of the tool data. More specifically, the comparison unit <NUM> calculates at least (<NUM>) the difference Δ<NUM> = L<NUM>' - L<NUM> between the tool length L<NUM>' obtained from image data and the tool length L<NUM> of tool shape data (step S16), (<NUM>) the difference Δ<NUM> = DT' - DT between the diameter DT' of the tool part <NUM> obtained from the image data and the diameter DT of the tool shape data (step S18), and (<NUM>) the difference Δ<NUM> = diameter DH' - DH between the diameter DH' of the holder part <NUM> obtained from image data and the diameter DH of the tool shape data (step S20).

The comparison unit <NUM> further compares the differences Δ<NUM>, Δ<NUM>, and Δ<NUM> with the threshold values related to the tool length, the threshold values related to the diameter of the tool part, and the threshold values related to the diameter of the holder part (step S22), respectively and when all of the differences Δ<NUM>, Δ<NUM>, and Δ<NUM> are less than the respective threshold values (YES in step S22), it is determined that the shape of the tool <NUM> obtained from the image data matches the shape of the two-dimensional tool model obtained based on the tool shape data obtained from the interference checking unit <NUM> (step S24). When even one of the differences Δ<NUM>, Δ<NUM>, and Δ<NUM> is equal to the threshold value or greater than the threshold value (NO in step S22), it is determined that the shape of the tool <NUM> obtained from the image data does not match the shape of the two-dimensional tool model, and the tool is an invalid tool (step S26). Invalid tools include the case in which the tool, tool holder, tool number or pot number is incorrect, or when a damaged tool is mounted on the tool holder. The controller <NUM> issues an audio warning such as a warning sound or a visual warning such as displaying a warning on the display unit <NUM> (step S28), and prevents the tool exchange of the tool, or prevents machining with the tool.

It is possible to inspect whether the correct tool has been assigned the correct tool number or pot number and is held in the tool magazine <NUM>. The tool inspection process described above can be performed when the operator mounts or inserts a tool <NUM> into the tool magazine <NUM>, or can be performed collectively for all of the tools <NUM> held by the tool magazine <NUM> before the start of machining.

The threshold values stored in the storage unit <NUM> can be one value for all the of the differences Δ<NUM>, Δ<NUM> and Δ<NUM>, or can be different values for each of the differences Δ<NUM>, Δ<NUM> and Δ<NUM>. Furthermore, the threshold values in the storage unit <NUM> may be fixed values, or the operator may be able to edit the values from the input unit <NUM>. <FIG> shows an editing screen or dialog box <NUM> of the threshold values displayed on the display unit <NUM>. The editing screen <NUM> includes input boxes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for inputting threshold values for each of the differences Δ<NUM>, Δ<NUM>, and Δ<NUM>. For each of the input boxes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a positive value and a negative value of the threshold value can be input separately.

In the example described above, though the image data and the two-dimensional tool model are compared regarding the tool length, the diameter of the tool part and the diameter of the holder part, in addition thereto, the axial length of the tool part and/or the axial length of the holder part may also be compared between the image data and the two-dimensional tool model.

<FIG> shows another example of a two-dimensional tool model generated by the comparison unit <NUM> based on the shape data of the tool received from the interference checking unit <NUM>. In <FIG>, a two-dimensional tool model <NUM> is shown in a state in which the tool is mounted on the distal end part of the tool holder. The two-dimensional tool model <NUM> includes a tool part <NUM>, which is a portion of the tool protruding from the tool holder, and a holder part <NUM>, which is a portion of the tool holder. If the tool holder has a more complex shape than the example shown in <FIG> and contains areas with different diameters, the tool shape data includes the axial length and diameter for each area. <FIG> shows an example in which the holder part <NUM> includes first to third areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The tool shape data includes a tool length L<NUM>, which is the axial length from the gauge line of the tool holder to the distal end of the tool along the central axis O, and in relation to the tool part, the axial length LT and diameter DT of the tool part <NUM> protruding from the tool holder, and the axial length LH of the holder part <NUM>. The tool shape data can include the diameter of the holder part <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the tool shape data can include the axial length LH1 and diameter DH1 of the first area <NUM>, which is the distal end portion of the tool holder, the axial length LH2 and diameter DH2 of the second area <NUM>, which is an intermediate portion adjacent to the first area <NUM>, and the axial length LH3 and diameter DH3 of the third area <NUM>, which is the proximal portion adjacent to the second area <NUM>. If the tool holder has a V-groove that engages the tool exchange arm <NUM>, the tool shape data may include a diameter DHV of the portion <NUM> of the V-groove.

In this example as well, in addition to the tool length, the tool part diameter, and the holder part diameter, the axial length of the tool part and/or the axial length and diameter of each area <NUM> to <NUM> of the holder part may be compared between the image data and the two-dimensional tool model.

Claim 1:
A machine tool system (<NUM>), comprising a spindle (<NUM>) configured such that a tool (<NUM>) is mounted on a distal end part thereof, a tool magazine (<NUM>) which holds a plurality of tools (<NUM>), a tool exchange arm (<NUM>) which exchanges tools (<NUM>) between the tool magazine (<NUM>) and the rotating spindle (<NUM>), and a table (<NUM>) to which a workpiece (W) is attached, wherein the workpiece (W) is machined by moving the spindle (<NUM>) and the table (<NUM>) relative to each other in accordance with a machining program, the machine tool system (<NUM>) comprising:
an imaging device (<NUM>) which generates an image of the tool (<NUM>) mounted on a tool holder (<NUM>) along with the tool holder (<NUM>), wherein the tool holder (<NUM>) has a gauge line, and wherein the image of the tool (<NUM>) generated by the imaging device (<NUM>) includes a holder part (<NUM>), which is a portion which holds the tool (<NUM>), and a tool part (<NUM>), which is a portion of the tool (<NUM>) protruding from the tool holder (<NUM>);
a storage unit (<NUM>) configured to store threshold values related to a tool length (L'T), a diameter of the tool part (D'T) and a diameter of the holder part (D'H);
an interference checking device (<NUM>) which simulates machining, prior to machining, using the machining program and shape data of the workpiece (W), the tool (<NUM>), and a machine tool (<NUM>) to confirm the presence or absence of interference between at least the tool (<NUM>) and the workpiece (W), and
a controller (<NUM>) which acquires the shape data of the tool (<NUM>) mounted on the tool holder (<NUM>) from the interference checking device (<NUM>), generates a two-dimensional tool model from the acquired shape data of the tool (<NUM>) in which the tool (<NUM>) mounted on the tool holder (<NUM>) and the tool holder (<NUM>) are projected onto a plane, compares a tool length (L'T), which is an axial direction length from the gauge line to the distal end of the tool (<NUM>), a diameter of the tool part (D'T) and a diameter of the holder part (D'H) of the two-dimensional tool model and the image of the tool (<NUM>) imaged by the imaging device (<NUM>), and determines that the tool (<NUM>) is invalid when a deviation between the tool length (L'T), the diameter of the tool part (D'T) or the diameter of the holder part(D'H) of the two-dimensional tool model and the image data is equal to or greater than the corresponding threshold value stored in the storage unit (<NUM>).