Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a machining system including a workstation, a central storage device, and a machining device. Workpieces (blanks) are provided with identification codes and machining data for the workpieces are stored on the central storage device or the workstation. When the machining device reads an identification code of a workpiece, it retrieves machining data corresponding to that identification code from the central storage device or the workstation, and uses the retrieved machining data to machine the workpiece. <CIT>, however, does not disclose how to determine and designate machining data from the identification code read by the machining device, and it is unclear in what way the machining data are stored on the central storage device or the workstation.

<CIT> discloses a machining device. In this machining device, a plurality of workpieces are aligned and mounted on a wheel at its periphery. A designated one workpiece is loaded into a machining device unit (main unit) by a slide and that workpiece is machined in the machining device unit. <CIT>, however, does not disclose how to determine and designate one workpiece among the workpieces mounted on the wheel. Accordingly, if a user misidentifies a mounting position of a workpiece on the wheel, a wrong workpiece can be loaded and machined in the machining device unit.

<CIT>, on which the preamble of appended claim <NUM> is based, discloses a machining control device.

The present invention was made with respect to the above, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a wrong workpiece from being loaded and machined in a machining device unit.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, a main invention is a machining device including: a machining device unit; a loading mechanism for storing a plurality of workpiece-attachable and -detachable holders provided with a unique identifier for each and loading and unloading one of the holders into and from the machining device unit; reading means for reading the unique identifiers of the holders, the reading means being disposed in the loading mechanism; and a control unit for causing, in response to a reception of a designated identifier, the loading mechanism to perform a loading operation to load, into the machining device unit, a holder having a unique identifier that is identical to the designated identifier among the unique identifiers read by the reading means. The material data includes segment data in which an area within a contour of the workpiece on a plane view of the workpiece is divided into a machined area and an un-machined area, and the machined area and the un-machined area are distinguishable. The material data further includes an identifier, material type data, thickness data, and color data.

Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description of the specification and the drawings described later.

According to the present invention, it is possible to load a correct holder having a unique identifier identical to a designated identifier and a workpiece held in that holder into a machining device unit.

At least the following embodiments will be shown according to the description and drawings described below.

A machining device including: a machining device unit; a loading mechanism for storing a plurality of workpiece-attachable and -detachable holders provided with a unique identifier for each and loading and unloading one of the holders into and from the machining device unit; reading means for reading the unique identifiers of the holders, the reading means being disposed in the loading mechanism; and a control unit for causing, in response to a reception of a designated identifier, the loading mechanism to perform a loading operation to load, into the machining device unit, a holder having a unique identifier that is identical to the designated identifier among the unique identifiers read by the reading means will be shown.

A machining system including: a machining control device; and a machining device, wherein the machining control device includes: acquisition means for acquiring a designated identifier; and transfer means for transferring the designated identifier acquired by the acquisition means to the machining device, and wherein the machining device includes: a machining device unit; a loading mechanism for storing a plurality of workpiece-attachable and -detachable holders provided with a unique identifier for each and loading and unloading one of the holders into and from the machining device unit; reading means for reading the unique identifiers of the holders, the reading means being disposed in the loading mechanism; and a control unit for causing, in response to a reception of the designated identifier transferred by the transfer means, the loading mechanism to perform a loading operation to load, into the machining device unit, a holder having a unique identifier that is identical to the designated identifier among the unique identifiers read by the reading means will be shown.

According to the above, the unique identifiers of the holders are read by the reading means, so that a correct holder having a unique identifier that is identical to the designated identifier and a correct workpiece attached to that holder can be loaded into the machining device unit.

Preferably, in the machining device, the control unit causes, after the loading operation, the machining device unit to perform a machining operation to machine a workpiece attached to the holder loaded in the machining device unit.

More preferably, the control unit causes, after the machining operation, the loading mechanism to perform an unloading operation to unload the holder loaded in the machining device unit.

Preferably, in the machining system, the machining control device further includes: second acquisition means for acquiring the unique identifiers of the holders; generating means for generating material data for the workpieces; and recording means for recording, on a storage medium, the unique identifiers acquired by the second acquisition means and the material data generated by the generating means with the unique identifiers and the material data being correlated to each other.

More preferably, the machining control device further includes: retrieving means for retrieving, from the storage medium, a material data correlated to a unique identifier that is identical to the designated identifier acquired by the acquisition means; and tool path data generating means for generating tool path data based on the material data retrieved by the retrieving means and data indicative of a shape of the workpiece, and wherein: the transfer means transfers, to the machining device, the tool path data generated by the tool path data generating means along with the designated identifier acquired by the acquisition means, and the control unit causes, after the loading operation, the machining device unit to perform a machining operation to machine the workpiece attached to the holder loaded into the machining device unit, according to the tool path data transferred by the transfer means.

According to the above, the holders and the workpieces are correlated to the material data using the unique identifiers, so that each workpiece is machined according to the tool path data based on the correct material data.

Furthermore, a machining control device including: acquisition means for acquiring a unique identifier of a workpiece-attachable and -detachable holder; generating means for generating material data for the workpiece; and recording means for recording, on a storage medium, the unique identifier acquired by the acquisition means and the material data generated by the generating means with the unique identifiers and the material data being correlated to each other.

According to the above, the holders and the workpieces are correlated to the material data using the unique identifiers.

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention is described. The embodiment described below is, however, provided with technically preferable various limitations in order to implement the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment and illustrative examples, but to the appended claims.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a machining system, and <FIG> is a block diagram of the machining system.

The machining system includes a machining device <NUM>, a computer (machining control device) <NUM>, and a plurality of holders <NUM>. The machining device <NUM> includes a machining device unit <NUM> for machining each workpiece <NUM> attached to a holder <NUM>, a loading mechanism <NUM> for loading and unloading the workpieces <NUM> and the holders <NUM> into and from the machining device unit, and a control unit <NUM> for controlling the machining device unit <NUM> and the loading mechanism.

The holder <NUM> is for holding a workpiece <NUM>. Each workpiece <NUM> has a disk-like shape. Each holder <NUM> has a ring-like shape. The workpiece <NUM> is held in the holder <NUM> with the periphery of the workpiece <NUM> attached to the holder <NUM>. The top and bottom surfaces of the workpiece <NUM> are exposed without being covered with the holder <NUM>.

Various materials can be used to produce workpieces <NUM>. For example, the workpiece <NUM> is made of a ceramic material (such as zirconia ceramic material), resin material, glass material, metal material, or wax material.

Each holder <NUM> is provided with an identifier (hereinafter, referred to as a holder ID) 9a unique to the holder <NUM>. The type of the holder ID 9a is not specifically limited. For example, a two-dimensional code, a one-dimensional code, a mark, a numerical value, a pattern or an image that represents the holder ID 9a may be given on the holder <NUM>. Alternatively, an RF tag or a magnetic medium on which information representing the holder ID 9a is recorded may be adhered to the holder <NUM>. When the holder ID 9a is represented as a two-dimensional code, a one-dimensional code, a mark, a numerical value, a pattern or an image, they may be printed on a sheet and the sheet may be adhered to the holder <NUM>. They may also be directly printed or engraved on the holder <NUM>.

The workpiece <NUM> can be attached to and detached from the holder <NUM>. Once an un-machined workpiece <NUM> is attached to the holder <NUM>, that workpiece <NUM> will not be transferred to another holder <NUM> before it is consumed. After the workpiece <NUM> is consumed, it is detached from the holder <NUM> and a new workpiece <NUM> is attached to the holder <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> is an NC servo controller having various driving circuits (such as a motor driver), a microcomputer, and the like.

<FIG> and <FIG> are front and top views, respectively, of the machining device <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, X-, Y-, and Z-axes are shown as support lines representing the directions. The X-, Y- and Z-axes are perpendicular to each other. The directions aligned with the X- and Y-axes are parallel to the horizontal and the direction aligned with the Z-axis is parallel to the vertical. The X-axis may be inclined at an angle from the horizontal and the Z-axis may be inclined at an angle from the vertical.

The machining device unit <NUM> has a housing <NUM>, a spindle motor <NUM>, a tool holding member <NUM>, a cutting tool <NUM>, a tilt mechanism <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a three-dimensional displacement mechanism. The three-dimensional displacement mechanism is for driving the tool holding member <NUM> so as to move, relative to the holding member <NUM>, the tool holding member <NUM> in X-, Y- and Z-directions. Specifically, the three-dimensional displacement mechanism is provided with a Z-directional linear driving mechanism <NUM> that drives the tool holding member <NUM> so as to move the tool holding member <NUM> in the Z-direction parallel to the rotation shaft of the spindle motor <NUM>, a Y-directional linear driving mechanism <NUM> that drives the tool holding member <NUM> so as to move the tool holding member <NUM> in the Y-direction, and an X-directional linear driving mechanism <NUM> that moves the holding member <NUM> so as to move the holding member <NUM> in the X-direction.

The housing <NUM> has a box-like shape and an internal space 10a is formed in the housing <NUM>. An access hole for transfer 12a is formed in a side section <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The Y-directional linear driving mechanism <NUM> has a linear guide member <NUM>, a carriage <NUM>, a Y-directional linear transmission mechanism <NUM>, and a motor <NUM>. The both ends of the linear guide member <NUM> are supported by side sections <NUM> and <NUM> of the housing <NUM> so that the linear guide member <NUM> is held and extends between the side sections <NUM> and <NUM>. The direction in which the linear guide member <NUM> extends is aligned with the Y-direction. The carriage <NUM> is slidably attached to the linear guide member <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> is provided so that it can be moved in the Y-direction along the linear guide member <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> is connected to the Y-directional linear transmission mechanism <NUM>. The Y-directional linear transmission mechanism <NUM> is connected to the motor <NUM>. The Y-directional linear transmission mechanism <NUM> is disposed between the side sections <NUM> and <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> is disposed on the side section <NUM>. The Y-directional linear transmission mechanism <NUM> is, for example, a belt transmission mechanism, a chain transmission mechanism, a ball screw transmission mechanism or a rack-and-pinion mechanism. The power of the motor <NUM> is transmitted to the carriage <NUM> via the Y-directional linear transmission mechanism <NUM> and therefore, the carriage <NUM> is moved in the Y-direction by the motor <NUM>.

The carriage <NUM> is provided with the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, the spindle motor <NUM>, and the tool holding member <NUM>. Specifically, the linear driving mechanism <NUM> and the spindle motor <NUM> are attached to the carriage <NUM> and the tool holding member <NUM> is connected to the spindle motor <NUM> and the linear driving mechanism <NUM> via a transmission mechanism. The linear driving mechanism <NUM> drives the tool holding member <NUM> so as to move the tool holding member <NUM> in the Z-direction and the spindle motor <NUM> drives the tool holding member <NUM> on the rotation shaft parallel to the Z-axis. To the tool holding member <NUM>, the cutting tool <NUM> such as an endmill, a drill, a reamer or a tap is attached. The cutting tool <NUM> can be attached to and removed from the tool holding member <NUM>. In the housing <NUM> (such as on a moving unit <NUM> described below), a magazine is provided in which spare cutting tools are contained.

The X-directional linear driving mechanism <NUM> is attached to the side section <NUM> of the housing <NUM> so that the X-directional linear driving mechanism <NUM> is aligned parallel to the X-axis. The linear driving mechanism <NUM> is connected to the moving unit <NUM>. The linear driving mechanism <NUM> drives the moving unit <NUM> so as to move the moving unit <NUM> in the X-direction.

To the moving unit <NUM>, the tilt mechanism <NUM> and the holding member <NUM> are attached. The holding member <NUM> is for holding a workpiece <NUM>. The tilt mechanism <NUM> is for turning the holding member <NUM> and the workpiece <NUM> on a first rotation shaft parallel to the Y-axis and turning the holding member <NUM> and the workpiece <NUM> on a second rotation shaft that is perpendicular to the first rotation shaft.

The tilt mechanism <NUM> has a first motor for turn movement <NUM>, a turn stick <NUM>, and a second motor for turn movement <NUM>. The first motor for turn movement <NUM> is disposed in the moving unit <NUM> so that its output rotation shaft (first rotation shaft) 43a is aligned parallel to the Y-axis. The output rotation shaft 43a of the motor <NUM> extends from the inside to the outside of the moving unit <NUM> in the Y-direction. The output rotation shaft 43a of the first motor for turn movement <NUM> is connected to the center of the arch-like turn stick <NUM>. The second motor for turn movement <NUM> is attached to a periphery of one end of the turn stick <NUM>. An output rotation shaft (second rotation shaft) 45a of the second motor for turn movement <NUM> passes inward through the one end of the turn stick <NUM>. The output rotation shaft 45a of the second motor for turn movement <NUM> is perpendicular to the output rotation shaft 43a of the first motor for turn movement <NUM>. The output rotation shaft 45a of the second motor for turn movement <NUM> is connected to one end of an arch-like holding member <NUM>. The other end of the holding member <NUM> is connected to the other end of the turn stick <NUM> through a rotation shaft <NUM> coaxial with the output rotation shaft 45a of the second motor for turn movement <NUM>.

The workpiece <NUM> is held by the holding member <NUM> while supported by the holder <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> holds the perimeter of the holder <NUM> by, for example, magnetic attraction, suction, clamping, locking or engagement.

When the first motor for turn movement <NUM> is operated, the turn stick <NUM>, the holding member <NUM>, and the workpiece <NUM> are turned about the output rotation shaft 43a. When the second motor for turn movement <NUM> is operated, the holding member <NUM>, the holder <NUM>, and the workpiece <NUM> are turned about the output rotation shaft 45a.

By controlling the spindle motor <NUM>, linear driving mechanism <NUM> (especially the motor <NUM>), the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, and the tilt mechanism <NUM> (especially the motors <NUM> and <NUM>) by the control unit <NUM>, the machining device unit <NUM> is operated as follows.

The tool holding member <NUM> and the cutting tool <NUM> being driven by the spindle motor <NUM> are moved in the Y-direction by the linear driving mechanism <NUM> and moved up by the linear driving mechanism <NUM>. The workpiece <NUM> and the holding member <NUM> are moved in the X-direction by the linear driving mechanism <NUM>. Accordingly, a relative 3D position of the tip of the cutting tool <NUM> to the center of the workpiece <NUM> (the intersection between the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft of the tilt mechanism <NUM>) is changed. When the cutting tool <NUM> contacts the workpiece <NUM> during the displacement, the workpiece <NUM> is cut by the cutting tool <NUM>. Furthermore, while the workpiece <NUM> is being cut, the holding member <NUM> and the workpiece <NUM> are turned by the tilt mechanism <NUM> about the output rotation shafts 43a and 45a of the motors <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. This changes a contact angle between the cutting tool <NUM> and the workpiece <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> controls, according to tool path data, the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, and the tilt mechanism <NUM> using the numerical control (NC) to displace the tip of the cutting tool <NUM> relative to the center of the workpiece <NUM>. The tool path data is composed of data in which relative 3D positions and inclined angles of the tip of the cutting tool <NUM> relative to the center of the workpiece <NUM> are sorted in the order of time and data in which velocities at these positions (i.e., velocities of the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, and the tilt mechanism <NUM>) are sorted in the order of time. The tool path data is generated by the computer <NUM> and transferred from the computer <NUM> to the control unit <NUM>. In addition, the tool path data is transferred from the computer <NUM> to the control unit <NUM> along with a designated identifier (hereinafter, referred to as a designated ID). The designated ID is for designating one of the holders <NUM>. A holder <NUM> having a holder ID 9a that is identical to the designated ID is designated. The computer <NUM> and the designated ID are described more in detail below.

The loading mechanism <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a storage stand <NUM> disposed in the housing <NUM>, a transfer device <NUM> for transferring the workpiece <NUM> and the holder <NUM> so as to deliver the workpiece <NUM> and the holder <NUM> in the Y-direction, an elevator <NUM> for carrying the transfer device <NUM> up and down in the housing <NUM>, and a reader <NUM> for reading the holder IDs 9a of the holders <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a box-like shape and an internal space 50a is formed in the housing <NUM>. A side section <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is fixed to the side section <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the machining device unit <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are juxtaposed with each other. An access hole for transfer 53a is formed in the side section <NUM> of housing <NUM>. The access hole for transfer 53a is overlapped with the access hole for transfer 12a in the housing <NUM>, and the internal space 50a of the housing <NUM> and the internal space 10a of the housing <NUM> are communicated with each other through the access holes for transfer 12a and 53a.

To the side section <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, a door <NUM> for opening and closing the access hole for transfer 53a is provided. The door <NUM> opens outward from the housing <NUM> and inward into the housing <NUM>. The door <NUM> is of the normally closed type which is closed at normal times with biasing means such as a spring.

The storage stand <NUM> is arranged at a side of the side section <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The storage stand <NUM> can holds a plurality of workpieces <NUM> arranged vertically, with the longest side of each workpiece aligned horizontally. Specifically, hold shelves <NUM> are disposed vertically in the storage stand <NUM>. These hold shelves <NUM> are divided into two groups: upper and lower ones. The distance between the lowermost hold shelf <NUM> in the upper group and the uppermost hold shelf <NUM> in the lower group is larger than the distances between other adjacent hold shelves <NUM>. The position (height) of the access hole for transfer 53a in the housing <NUM> is determined between the lowermost hold shelf <NUM> in the upper group and the uppermost hold shelf <NUM> in the lower group. In this embodiment, the number (i.e., three) of the hold shelves <NUM> in the upper group is equal to the number (i.e., three) of the hold shelves <NUM> in the lower group, but the number of the hold shelves in each group is not limited to three.

The holder <NUM> can be inserted into and removed from the hold shelf <NUM> in the Y-direction. The holder <NUM> together with the workpiece <NUM> held by the holder <NUM> can be inserted into and removed from the hold shelf <NUM>. The direction in which the holder <NUM> is inserted into the hold shelf <NUM> is aligned with the direction in which it is delivered from the housing <NUM> to the housing <NUM> through the access holes for transfer 12a and 53a. The direction in which the holder <NUM> is removed from the hold shelf <NUM> is aligned with the direction in which it is delivered from the housing <NUM> to the housing <NUM> through the access holes for transfer 12a and 53a. The hold shelf <NUM> has a locking mechanism that uses, for example, magnetic attraction, suction, clamping, locking or engagement. The holder <NUM> held in the hold shelf <NUM> is fixed to the hold shelf <NUM> by the locking mechanism, and this lock can be released.

Each hold shelf <NUM> has an identifier (shelf ID) that is unique to that hold shelf <NUM>. The shelf IDs are stored in the control unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> can distinguish the hold shelves <NUM> based on their shelf IDs.

A door 54c is provided on a front section 54a of the housing <NUM> to allow insertion and removal of the holders <NUM> and the workpieces <NUM> into and from the storage stand <NUM>. The door 54c may be provided on a side section <NUM> or a rear section 54b rather than on the front section 54a.

The elevator <NUM> is disposed near the side section <NUM> opposite to the side section <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. The elevator <NUM> has linear guide members <NUM>, an elevating unit <NUM>, a linear transmission mechanism <NUM>, and a motor <NUM>. Each linear guide member <NUM> is attached to the housing <NUM> so that it extends vertically (in the Z-direction). The elevating unit <NUM> is slidably attached to the linear guide members <NUM>. The elevating unit <NUM> is provided so that it can move in the Z-direction along the linear guide members <NUM> at a location (location for elevation) opposite to the access holes for transfer 12a and 53a relative to the storage stand <NUM>. Furthermore, the elevating unit <NUM> is connected to the linear transmission mechanism <NUM>, and the linear transmission mechanism <NUM> is connected to the motor <NUM>. The linear transmission mechanism <NUM> is disposed between a top 51b and a bottom 51a of the housing <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is provided on the top 51b of the housing <NUM>. The linear transmission mechanism <NUM> is, for example, a ball screw transmission mechanism, a rack-and-pinion mechanism, a belt transmission mechanism or a chain transmission mechanism. The power of the motor <NUM> is transmitted to the elevating unit <NUM> via the linear transmission mechanism <NUM> and the elevating unit <NUM> thus moves in the Z-direction by the motor <NUM>.

As described above, since the Z-axis is perpendicular to or inclined at an angle from the horizontal surface, the elevating unit <NUM> moves up and down vertically or obliquely relative to the horizontal surface.

The elevating unit <NUM> is provided with the transfer device <NUM>. The transfer device <NUM> has a picker (such as a clamping device) <NUM>, a movement mechanism <NUM> and a motor <NUM>. The movement mechanism <NUM> is comprised of, for example, an arm mechanism that can be unfolded and folded in the Y-direction. The base of the movement mechanism <NUM> is attached to the elevating unit <NUM>. The picker <NUM> is provided at the distal end of the movement mechanism <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is connected to the movement mechanism <NUM> and the power of the motor <NUM> is transmitted to the movement mechanism <NUM>. The movement mechanism <NUM> is driven by the motor <NUM>. The movement mechanism <NUM> is unfolded and extended in the Y-direction away from the elevating unit <NUM> toward the side section <NUM> and folded and retracted in the Y-direction using the power of the motor <NUM>. The path which the picker <NUM> follows when it moves in response to the extension and retraction of the movement mechanism <NUM> is on a straight line that is substantially parallel to the Y-axis. A range over which the picker <NUM> travels by the movement mechanism <NUM> falls in an area ranging from the elevating unit <NUM> to the holding member <NUM> along the Y-axis.

The picker <NUM> holds the holder <NUM> by, for example, magnetic attraction, suction, clamping, locking or engagement. For example, the picker <NUM> is a clamping device that clamps the holder <NUM>, an electromagnet that can retain the holder <NUM> by the magnetic force or a nozzle that sucks the holder <NUM> using a negative pressure.

The elevating unit <NUM> is equipped with the reader <NUM>. The reader <NUM> faces the storage stand <NUM>. With the elevating unit <NUM> positioned at a level of one of the hold shelves <NUM>, the holder ID9a of the holder <NUM> held by the hold shelf <NUM> in question is read by the reader <NUM>.

The reader <NUM> may be an optical reader (such as a one-dimensional code reader and a two-dimensional code reader), a magnetic reader, or a wireless reader (such as an RFID reader).

By controlling the elevator <NUM> (especially the motor <NUM>) and the transfer device <NUM> (especially the motor <NUM>) by the control unit <NUM>, the loading mechanism <NUM> is operated. Operations of the loading mechanism <NUM> are a scanning operation, a loading operation, and an unloading operation. These operations are described below.

The scanning operation is performed, for example, after the machining device <NUM> is turned on, before the loading operation described below, after a holder <NUM> is inserted into a hold shelf <NUM>, or after the door 54c is closed. The insertion of the holder <NUM> into the hold shelf <NUM> or the closing of the door 54c are detected via a sensor such as a limit switch.

The scanning operation is for reading the holder IDs 9a of the holders <NUM> held in the hold shelves <NUM>. Specific details are as follows.

After the elevating unit <NUM> is moved to a level of one hold shelf <NUM> (hereinafter, referred to as a certain hold shelf <NUM>) by the motor <NUM>, the holder ID 9a of the holder <NUM> held in the certain hold shelf <NUM> (hereinafter, referred to as a certain holder <NUM>) is read by the reader <NUM>. Then, the control unit <NUM> obtains the holder ID read by the reader <NUM> and stores it with the shelf ID of the certain hold shelf <NUM> and the holder ID of the certain holder <NUM> correlated with each other. As a result, the control unit <NUM> can recognize the holder ID of the holder <NUM> held in the certain hold shelf <NUM>.

After that, the holder IDs 9a of the holders <NUM> held in the hold shelves <NUM> are read by the reader <NUM> in a similar manner. The control unit <NUM> thus stores the shelf IDs of the hold shelves <NUM> and the holder IDs of the holders <NUM> held in the hold shelves <NUM> in correlation with each other. The order of reading the holder IDs 9a is not specifically limited. For example, the holder IDs 9a of the holders <NUM> may be read downward from the top by the reader <NUM>. Alternatively, the holder IDs 9a of the holders <NUM> may be read upward from the bottom by the reader <NUM>.

The loading operation is performed when the tool path data and the designated ID are transferred from the computer <NUM> to the control unit <NUM>. If the control unit <NUM> has no holder ID stored therein at the time of the transfer of the designated ID to the control unit <NUM>, the loading operation is performed after the aforementioned scanning operation.

The loading operation is for transferring a designated one holder <NUM> among the holders <NUM> held in the storage stand <NUM> to the machining device unit <NUM>. Specific details are as follows.

When the designated ID is transferred to the control unit <NUM>, the holder ID that is identical to the designated ID and the shelf ID correlated with it are searched for by the control unit <NUM>. If no holder ID identical to the designated ID is found, the control unit <NUM> performs an error handling process without the loading operation. The control unit <NUM> then proceeds to an idle state. The error handling process is a process such as transmission of an error signal to the computer <NUM> and activation of an alarm (e.g., an LED, a speaker, a light bulb) connected to the control unit <NUM>.

After finding the holder ID and the shelf ID, the control unit <NUM> controls the motor <NUM> of the elevator <NUM>. Then, the elevating unit <NUM> is moved, by the motor <NUM>, to a level of a hold shelf <NUM> associated with the shelf ID that has been found (hereinafter, referred to as a designated hold shelf <NUM>).

Next, when the control unit <NUM> controls the transfer device <NUM>, the movement mechanism <NUM> of the transfer device <NUM> is once unfolded and extended by the motor <NUM> and then folded and retracted. As a result, the holder <NUM> held in the designated hold shelf <NUM> (hereinafter, referred to as a designated holder <NUM>) is held by the picker <NUM> and removed from the designated hold shelf <NUM>.

Subsequently, when the control unit <NUM> controls the elevator <NUM>, the elevating unit <NUM> moves to the level of the access holes for transfer 12a and 53a by the motor <NUM>.

Next, when the control unit <NUM> controls the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, the holding member <NUM> is moved in the X-direction, by the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, to a position where the holding member <NUM> is aligned along the X-axis with the access holes for transfer 12a and 53a. When the control unit <NUM> controls the transfer device <NUM>, the movement mechanism <NUM> of the transfer device <NUM> is unfolded and extended by the motor <NUM>. As a result, the designated holder <NUM> is loaded into the holding member <NUM> and leaves the picker <NUM>. Thereafter, the movement mechanism <NUM> of the transfer device <NUM> is folded and retracted by the motor <NUM>. As a result, the picker <NUM> moves away from the holding member <NUM> in the Y-direction and enters the housing <NUM>.

After the loading operation as described above, the machining device unit <NUM> performs the aforementioned machining operation.

The unloading operation is performed after the machining operation performed by the machining device unit <NUM>.

The unloading operation is for transferring the designated holder <NUM> from the machining device unit <NUM> to the storage stand <NUM>. Specific details are as follows.

When the control unit <NUM> controls the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, the holding member <NUM> is moved in the X-direction, by the linear driving mechanism <NUM>, to a position where the holder <NUM> is aligned along the X-axis with the access holes for transfer 12a and 53a.

Next, when the control unit <NUM> controls the elevator <NUM>, the elevating unit <NUM> moves to the level of the access holes for transfer 12a and 53a by the motor <NUM>.

Subsequently, when the control unit <NUM> controls the transfer device <NUM>, the movement mechanism <NUM> of the transfer device <NUM> is unfolded and extended by the motor <NUM>. As a result, the designated holder <NUM> is held by the picker <NUM> and leaves the holding member <NUM>. Then, the movement mechanism <NUM> of the transfer device <NUM> is folded and retracted by the motor <NUM>. As a result, the picker <NUM> and the holder <NUM> move away from the holding member <NUM> in the Y-direction and enter the housing <NUM>.

Next, when the control unit <NUM> controls the elevator <NUM>, the elevating unit <NUM> moves to the level of the designated hold shelf <NUM> by the motor <NUM>.

Thereafter, when the control unit <NUM> controls the transfer device <NUM>, the movement mechanism <NUM> of the transfer device <NUM> is once unfolded and extended by the motor and then folded and retracted. As a result, the designated holder <NUM> held by the picker <NUM> is loaded into the designated hold shelf <NUM> and leaves the picker <NUM>.

After the completion of the unloading operation, the control unit <NUM> supplies a signal indicating the end of operation to the computer <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the computer <NUM> has, for example, a CPU, a GPU, a ROM, a RAM, a bus, and a hardware interface. The computer <NUM> also has an onboard storage device <NUM> such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive on which the computer <NUM> can read and write data. A CAM application program <NUM> is installed on the computer <NUM> and stored on the storage device <NUM>. The CAM application program <NUM> is for causing the computer <NUM> to perform an operation to generate tool path data based on data (design data and CAD data) indicative of a shape of a machined product (such as a dental prosthesis) or a material information file and an operation to manage the material information file.

The data indicative of the shape of the machined product is generated in advance by a CAD application program and stored on the storage device <NUM>. It should be noted that the CAD application program may be installed on the computer <NUM> and the data indicative of the shape of the machined product may be generated by the computer <NUM>.

The material information file (material data) includes an identifier, material type data, thickness data, color data, and segment data, and these data are correlated with each other. The material type data is data representing the type of a material used for the workpiece <NUM>. The type of the material of the workpiece <NUM> is identified based on the material type data. The thickness data represents the thickness of the workpiece <NUM>. The thickness of the workpiece <NUM> is identified by the thickness data. The color data is data representing the color of the workpiece <NUM>. The color of the workpiece <NUM> is identified by the color data. The segment data is data in which an area within a contour (a closed curved line such as a circle) of the workpiece <NUM> on a plane view of the workpiece <NUM> is divided into a machined area and an un-machined area, and the machined area and the un-machined area are distinguishable. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the segment data is comprised of closed curved line data (such as an equation of a circle) representing coordinates of each point on a contour 8a of a workpiece model in a two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system and closed curve data (such as an equation of a closed curved line) representing coordinates of each point on contours 8b of machined areas within the contour 8a. The area inside the contour 8a of the workpiece model and outside the contours 8b of the machined areas is an un-machined area.

The material information file is generated by the operation of the computer <NUM> achieved by the CAM application program <NUM> and stored on the storage device <NUM>. The material information file has an identifier (written therein) in order to distinguish two or more material information files, if stored on the storage device <NUM>, from each other. The identifier included in the material information file is a holder ID. This means that each material information file is correlated with a workpiece <NUM> held in a holder <NUM> having a holder ID 9a that is identical to the identifier of the material information file.

The computer <NUM> is connected to a display device <NUM> and an input device <NUM>. The display device <NUM> is a display for displaying screens. The input device <NUM> may be a touch panel, a switch, a keyboard, a pointing device, an optical reader (such as a one-dimensional code reader and a two-dimensional code reader), a magnetic reader, or a wireless reader (such as an RFID reader).

Use of the machining system is described. The operations of the computer <NUM> during the use of the machining system are performed according to the program <NUM>.

First, the computer <NUM> causes the display device <NUM> to display a list. A user selects a material type, a thickness, and a color for an un-machined workpiece <NUM> from the list and enters them into the computer <NUM> via the input device <NUM>. The computer <NUM> then receives the material type data, the thickness data and the color data from the input device <NUM> and generates new segment data. The new segment data does not contain any machined area and the entire area within the contour 8a of the workpiece model is thus an un-machined area.

The user attaches the workpiece <NUM> to a holder <NUM> and enters an identifier (hereinafter, referred to as an input holder ID) that is identical to the holder ID 9a of the holder <NUM> in question into the computer <NUM> via the input device <NUM>. The computer <NUM> then acquires the input holder ID from the input device <NUM>.

Next, the computer <NUM> correlates the input holder ID, the segment data, the material type data, the thickness data, and the color data with each other and record a new material information file including the input holder ID, the segment data, the material type data, the thickness data, and the color data on the storage device <NUM>.

In this way, the material information file for each holder <NUM> is stored on the storage device <NUM> every time when the user attaches an un-machined workpiece <NUM> to a holder <NUM> and enters data.

First, the user designates one of the material information files using the input device <NUM>. The designated material information file has the input holder ID (written therein) identical to the holder ID 9a of the holder <NUM> (carrying the un-machined workpiece <NUM> attached thereto).

The computer <NUM> retrieves the material information file from the storage device <NUM> and that material information file is opened in the program <NUM>. It should be noted that, at the time when the aforementioned new material information file is created, the segment data, the material type data, the thickness data, the color data, and the input holder ID which are correlated with each other during the creation of the new material information file may be used by the program <NUM> without storing the material information file on the storage device <NUM>.

Next, the computer <NUM> causes the display device <NUM> to display the input holder ID, the type of the material, the thickness, and the color according to the material information file. Furthermore, the computer <NUM> causes the display device <NUM> to display a workpiece model diagrammatically representing the un-machined area based on the segment data in the material information file. At this point in time, no machined area is included in the segment data, so that the entire area of the workpiece model displayed on the display device <NUM> is the un-machined area.

Next, by using the program <NUM>, tool path data is generated. Specifically, when the user designates data (design data and CAD data) indicative of a shape of a machined product stored on the storage device <NUM> via the input device <NUM>, the computer <NUM> retrieves the data indicative of the shape from the storage device <NUM> and the data indicative of the shape is opened in the program <NUM>. The data indicative of the shape of the machined product may be generated by a CAD application program and imported into the program <NUM>. Alternatively, the data indicative of the shape of the machined product stored on a portable storage medium (such as a semiconductor memory) may be retrieved by the computer <NUM> and opened in the program <NUM>.

Then, the computer <NUM> places, automatically or according to an instruction from the user, a machined product model based on the data indicative of the shape of the machined product in the un-machined area of the segment data. The computer <NUM> then generates tool path data according to the data indicative of the shape and the material information file. To do this, the computer <NUM> looks up the segment data of the material information file and generates the tool path data so that the machined product model based on the data indicative of the shape is located outside the machined area of the segment data. As described above, since no machined area is included in the segment data at this point in time, the tool path data is generated so that the machined product model based on the data indicative of the shape is located inside the contour of the workpiece model.

Next, the computer <NUM> updates the segment data of the material information file so that the machined product model based on the data indicative of the shape is regarded as the machined area.

Next, the computer <NUM> causes the display device <NUM> to display a workpiece model on which the machined area based on the updated segment data is diagrammatically represented.

Next, the user loads the holder <NUM> holding the workpiece <NUM> into a hold shelf <NUM>. All holder shelves <NUM> may be loaded with the holders <NUM> or one or more holder shelves <NUM> may be left empty. The un-matched workpiece <NUM> is attached to one of the holders <NUM> held in the storage stand <NUM> and the holder ID 9a of that holder <NUM> is identical to the input holder ID displayed on the display device <NUM> (the input holder ID included in the material information file).

Thereafter, when the user enters a command to begin machining via the input device <NUM>, the computer <NUM> transfers the input holder ID as the designated ID to the control unit <NUM> and also transfers the tool path data to the control unit <NUM>. For example, a file including the tool path data and the input holder ID is transferred from the computer <NUM> to the control unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, the computer <NUM> stores a material information file including the material type data, the thickness data, the color data and the updated segment data on the storage device <NUM>. If a new material information file has not yet been stored on the storage device <NUM> during its generation as described above, the material information file is stored on the storage device <NUM> at this point in time, and if the material information file has been stored on the storage device <NUM> during its generation, the material information file on the storage device <NUM> is now updated.

By having the designated ID transferred to the control unit <NUM>, the aforementioned loading operation, machining operation, and unloading operation are performed successively. The holder <NUM> having the holder ID 9a identical to the designated ID is thus loaded into the machining device unit <NUM> by the loading mechanism <NUM>, and the workpiece <NUM> attached to that holder <NUM> is machined by the machining device unit <NUM>. If a part of the workpiece <NUM> is left without being machined after the machining operation and the unloading operation, the workpiece <NUM> can be reused as a half-used workpiece <NUM>. The half-used workpiece <NUM> is stored while leaving it in the holders <NUM>. It may be either removed from the storage stand <NUM> or left in the storage stand <NUM> for storage. The material information file (which is stored on the storage device <NUM>) correlated to the input holder ID identical to the holder ID 9a of the holder <NUM> to which the half-used workpiece <NUM> is attached includes the updated segment data as described above.

The computer <NUM> may correlate the generated tool path data with the input holder ID and store it on the storage device <NUM>.

First, the user designates one of the material information files using the input device <NUM>. The designated material information file has the input holder ID (written therein) identical to the holder ID 9a of the holder <NUM> (carrying the half-used workpiece <NUM> attached thereto).

The computer <NUM> retrieves the material information file from the storage device <NUM> and that material information file is opened in the program <NUM>. The computer <NUM> causes the display device <NUM> to display the input holder ID, the type of the material, the thickness, and the color according to the material information file. Furthermore, the computer <NUM> causes the display device <NUM> to display a workpiece model diagrammatically representing the machined area and the un-machined area based on the segment data in the material information file.

Next, by using the program <NUM>, tool path data is generated. Specifically, when the user designates data (design data and CAD data) indicative of a shape of a machined product stored on the storage device <NUM> via the input device <NUM>, the computer <NUM> retrieves the data indicative of the shape from the storage device <NUM> and the data indicative of the shape is opened in the program <NUM>. Then, the computer <NUM> places, automatically or according to an instruction from the user, a machined product model based on the data indicative of the shape of the machined product in the un-machined area of the segment data. The computer <NUM> then generates tool path data according to the data indicative of the shape and the material information file. To do this, the computer <NUM> looks up the segment data of the material information file and generates the tool path data so that the machined product model based on the data indicative of the shape is located outside the machined area (i.e., inside the un-machined area) of the segment data.

Next, the user loads the holder <NUM> holding the workpiece <NUM> into a hold shelf <NUM>. The half-used workpiece <NUM> is attached to one of the holders <NUM> held in the storage stand <NUM> and the holder ID 9a of that holder <NUM> is identical to the input holder ID displayed on the display device <NUM> (the input holder ID included in the material information file).

Thereafter, when the user enters a command to begin machining via the input device <NUM>, the computer <NUM> transfers the input holder ID as the designated ID to the control unit <NUM> and also transfers the additional tool path data to the control unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, the computer <NUM> updates a material information file including the material type data, the thickness data, the color data and the updated segment data on the storage device <NUM>.

By having the designated ID transferred to the control unit <NUM>, the aforementioned loading operation, machining operation, and unloading operation are performed successively. The holder <NUM> having the holder ID 9a identical to the designated ID is thus loaded into the machining device unit <NUM> by the loading mechanism <NUM>, and the half-used workpiece <NUM> attached to that holder <NUM> is machined by the machining device unit <NUM>.

According to the aforementioned embodiment, following effects can be obtained.

Claim 1:
A machining control device comprising:
acquisition means for acquiring a unique identifier of a workpiece-attachable and - detachable holder (<NUM>);
generating means for generating material data for a workpiece (<NUM>) attached to the holder (<NUM>); and
recording means for recording, on a storage medium, the unique identifier acquired by the acquisition means and the material data generated by the generating means with the unique identifiers and the material data being correlated to each other,
characterized in that
the material data includes segment data in which an area within a contour (8a) of the workpiece (<NUM>) on a plane view of the workpiece (<NUM>) is divided into a machined area and an un-machined area, and
the machined area and the un-machined area are distinguishable, and
the material data further includes an identifier, material type data, thickness data, and color data.