Patent Description:
In relation to a conventional workpiece information recognition system, for example, <CIT> discloses a board management device used to manage data on various boards such as a printed wiring board (PTL <NUM>).

The board management device disclosed in PTL <NUM> includes a tray that accommodates the board and is individualized with an identification mark, recognition means for determining the tray from the identification mark, and data processing means for storing the data on the board accommodated in the tray together with the tray recognition data obtained by the recognition display and for enabling any data on the accommodated substrate to be extracted from the stored identification data on the tray. As an identification mark attached to the tray, an identification hole is provided in the tray, or a barcode is printed. <CIT> discloses that during the work on a machine tool equipped with ATC, each dimension of blocks is different for each kind of workpieces corresponding to each work No. of the workpieces in at least one kind, which are installed at plural installation positions on a table or pallet. Thereby, all the data of the working original point positions related to each installation position of each workpiece, and a working program are memorized in an NC device or an upper rank computer. Each dimension of the blocks installed onto a main spindle is successively measured by a touch probe, and the working original point position and the working program are selected from the work No. of the workpiece corresponding to the installation position, which is recognized from the result of measurement. In other words, the discrimination of the works and the setting of the working original point position can be carried out by the block measurement in one time.

As disclosed in PTL <NUM>, a technique of providing the identification mark such as the identification hole or the barcode on the tray that accommodate the board is known in order to recognize the information about the board. It is conceivable to apply the technique to an information recognition system for the workpiece placed on a workpiece placing tool. However, in this case, every time a type of the workpiece is changed, it is necessary to prepare the workpiece placing tool including the identification mark corresponding to the workpiece. As a result, the number of workpiece placing tools increases, or preparation work in advance becomes complicated, and it is not possible to easily cope with a change in the type of the workpiece.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide a workpiece information recognition system capable of easily coping with the change in the type of the workpiece.

According to the present invention, a workpiece information recognition system includes a workpiece placing tool capable of placing a workpiece, a reference object detachably provided on the workpiece placing tool, an information detector configured to detect information about the reference object, and a control device configured to receive the information about the reference object from the information detector. The control device includes a storage configured to store data on a relationship between the information about the reference object and information about the workpiece and a controller configured to recognize the information about the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool by checking the information about the reference object detected by the information detector with the data stored in the storage. The reference object is a solid and the workpiece placing tool includes a base plate having a planar shape, the reference object has a convex shape protruding from the base plate, wherein the information about the reference object includes information about a shape of the solid when seen in planar view of the base plate, and the solid has a different shape depending on the information about the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool.

According to the present invention, the workpiece information recognition system capable of easily coping with the change in the type of the workpiece can be provided.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding member is denoted by the same reference numeral.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a machine tool to which a workpiece information recognition system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to <FIG>, the workpiece information recognition system of the embodiment is a system that recognizes workpiece information. In the embodiment, as an example, the workpiece information recognition system is applied to a machine tool <NUM> that processes a workpiece. Machine tool <NUM> is a combined processing machine having a turning function using a stationary tool and a milling function using a rotating tool.

A basic configuration of machine tool <NUM> will first be described. Machine tool <NUM> (workpiece information recognition system) includes a first spindle <NUM>, a second spindle <NUM>, a tool spindle <NUM>, and a splash guard <NUM>. First spindle <NUM>, second spindle <NUM>, and tool spindle <NUM> are provided in a processing area <NUM>.

First spindle <NUM> and second spindle <NUM> are opposite each other in a Z-axis direction extending in a horizontal direction. First spindle <NUM> is provided so as to be rotatable about a center axis <NUM> parallel to a Z-axis, and second spindle <NUM> is provided so as to be rotatable about a center axis <NUM> parallel to the Z-axis. A chuck mechanism that detachably holds the workpiece is provided in first spindle <NUM> and second spindle <NUM>. Second spindle <NUM> is provided so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction.

Tool spindle <NUM> holds the stationary tool during turning of a workpiece, or holds the rotating tool during milling of the workpiece, and rotates around a center axis <NUM>. A clamp mechanism that detachably holds the tool is provided in tool spindle <NUM>. Tool spindle <NUM> is provided so as to be movable in an X-axis direction extending in a vertical direction, a Y-axis direction extending in the horizontal direction and being orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. Tool spindle <NUM> is further provided so as to be turnable about a center axis <NUM> parallel to a Y-axis.

Splash guard <NUM> has an appearance of machine tool <NUM> together with a cover body <NUM> (to be described later). Splash guard <NUM> defines processing area <NUM>.

Machine tool <NUM> (workpiece information recognition system) further includes a workpiece conveyance unit <NUM>, cover body <NUM>, and a workpiece placing tool <NUM>. Workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the workpiece between processing area <NUM> and a workpiece storage area <NUM>.

Cover body <NUM> defines workpiece storage area <NUM>. Workpiece storage area <NUM> is provided adjacent to processing area <NUM>. Workpiece storage area <NUM> is provided adjacent to processing area <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. Processing area <NUM> and workpiece storage area <NUM> are separated from each other by a shutter (not illustrated) that can be opened and closed.

Workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> includes a moving mechanism unit <NUM> and a robot arm <NUM>. Robot arm <NUM> extends in an arm shape from moving mechanism unit <NUM>. Robot arm <NUM> is configured to be capable of holding the workpiece. Robot arm <NUM> is configured such that the held workpiece can freely be moved in a space while an orientation of the held workpiece can freely be changed. Robot arm <NUM> is a robot arm capable of controlling six axes independently of each other.

Moving mechanism unit <NUM> moves robot arm <NUM> between processing area <NUM> and workpiece storage area <NUM>. Moving mechanism unit <NUM> linearly reciprocates robot arm <NUM> along the Z-axis direction. Moving mechanism unit <NUM> includes a linear guide that guides robot arm <NUM> in a direction parallel to the Z-axis, a servomotor that outputs rotational motion, and a rack and pinion that converts the rotational motion output from the servomotor into a linear motion to move robot arm <NUM> in the Z-axis direction.

The workpiece conveyance unit in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the workpiece can be conveyed, and may be, for example, a three-axis loader movable in three axes of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the workpiece placing tool disposed in the workpiece storage area in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a tray is removed from the workpiece placing tool in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, machine tool <NUM> (workpiece information recognition system) includes workpiece placing tool <NUM> and a drawer <NUM>.

Drawer <NUM> is provided in a machine front surface of cover body <NUM>. As indicated by an arrow <NUM> in <FIG>, drawer <NUM> is provided so as to be slidable along the Y-axis direction. Drawer <NUM> is provided so as to be slidable between a closed state in which drawer <NUM> is pushed toward workpiece storage area <NUM> and an open state in which drawer <NUM> is pulled out from workpiece storage area <NUM> to the front of the machine.

Workpiece placing tool <NUM> is configured such that a workpiece W can be placed thereon. Workpiece placing tool <NUM> is configured such that a plurality of workpieces W can be placed thereon. Workpiece placing tool <NUM> is disposed in workpiece storage area <NUM>. Workpiece placing tool <NUM> is placed on drawer <NUM>. Workpiece placing tool <NUM> placed on drawer <NUM> is disposed in workpiece storage area <NUM> when drawer <NUM> becomes in the closed state. Workpiece placing tool <NUM> placed on drawer <NUM> is disposed outside workpiece storage area <NUM> when drawer <NUM> becomes in the open state.

In the embodiment, two sets of workpiece placing tool <NUM> and drawer <NUM> are provided side by side in the Z-axis direction. As a typical example, pre-processing workpiece W is placed on one of workpiece placing tools <NUM>, and post-processing workpiece W is placed on the other workpiece placing tool <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate pre-processing workpiece W having a columnar shape.

Workpiece placing tool <NUM> has a tray <NUM> and a plate member (intermediate layer) <NUM>. Tray <NUM> has a shallow box shape. Plate member <NUM> is stored in tray <NUM>. Plate member <NUM> has a planar shape spreading in a flat plate shape as a whole. Plate member <NUM> is provided parallel to a Y-axis-Z-axis plane while workpiece placing tool <NUM> is disposed in workpiece storage area <NUM>. Plate member <NUM> has a rectangular shape in planar view when viewed from the X-axis direction.

Plate member <NUM> has a base plate <NUM>, a spacer <NUM>, and a top plate <NUM>. Base plate <NUM> has a planar shape larger than top plate <NUM>. Base plate <NUM> and top plate <NUM> overlap each other in a thickness direction of plate member <NUM>. A plurality of openings <NUM> are provided in top plate <NUM>. Opening <NUM> penetrates top plate <NUM> in the thickness direction of plate member <NUM>. Opening <NUM> includes an opening surface (in the embodiment, a circular opening surface) corresponding to the shape of workpiece W. The plurality of openings <NUM> are provided in a lattice shape along the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction while workpiece placing tool <NUM> is disposed in workpiece storage area <NUM>.

Spacer <NUM> has a frame shape extending in a band shape along a periphery of top plate <NUM>. Spacer <NUM> is interposed between base plate <NUM> and top plate <NUM> in the thickness direction of plate member <NUM>. Consequently, a gap is provided between base plate <NUM> and top plate <NUM> immediately below opening <NUM>. Workpiece W is inserted into opening <NUM> and placed on base plate <NUM>, whereby workpiece W is held by plate member <NUM>.

A configuration for recognizing various information about workpiece W placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM> in workpiece storage area <NUM> will be described below.

Machine tool <NUM> (workpiece information recognition system) further includes a reference block <NUM> as a reference object.

Reference block <NUM> is provided so as to be detachable on workpiece placing tool <NUM>. A plurality of reference blocks <NUM> are provided in workpiece placing tool <NUM>. At least three reference blocks <NUM> are provided in workpiece placing tool <NUM>. A reference block 31A, a reference block 31B, and a reference block 31C are provided in workpiece placing tool <NUM>.

Reference block <NUM> is provided on plate member <NUM> of workpiece placing tool <NUM>. Reference block <NUM> is provided on base plate <NUM> of plate member <NUM>. Reference block <NUM> is fastened to workpiece placing tool <NUM> by bolts. Reference block <NUM> can be removed from workpiece placing tool <NUM> by removing the bolts.

The plurality of reference blocks <NUM> (31A, 31B, 31C) are disposed apart from one another. The plurality of reference blocks <NUM> are disposed apart from one another in a plane where plate member <NUM> spreads. The plurality of reference blocks <NUM> are provided on the periphery of base plate <NUM> exposed from top plate <NUM>. The plurality of reference blocks <NUM> are provided in a region outside a region where the plurality of openings <NUM> are provided (that is, a region where the plurality of workpieces W are held).

Reference block 31A, reference block 31B, and reference block 31C are provided apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of a rectangular shape of plate member <NUM> in planar view. Reference block 31B and reference block 31C are provided apart from each other in a short direction of the rectangular shape of plate member <NUM> in planar view. Reference block 31A is provided at a center position between reference block 31B and reference block 31C in the short direction of the rectangular shape of plate member <NUM> in planar view. Reference block 31A, reference block 31B, and reference block 31C are located at three corners of an isosceles triangle.

A method for detachably providing reference block <NUM> in workpiece placing tool <NUM> is not limited to a method in which the bolts are used, and may be, for example, a method in which a clip or fitting is used. The positions where reference block 31A, reference block 31B, and reference block 31C are provided are not particularly limited. However, according to the configuration described above, reference block 31A, reference block 31B, and reference block 31C can be disposed far apart from one another in the plane where plate member <NUM> spreads.

Reference block <NUM> is a solid. Reference block <NUM> has a convex shape protruding from base plate <NUM>. In the embodiment, reference block <NUM> is formed by a square pole block. In a state in which workpiece placing tool <NUM> is disposed in workpiece storage area <NUM>, reference block <NUM> has a square pole shape in which a verticality extending in the Y-axis direction and a width extending in the Z-axis direction are equal to each other and a height extending in the X-axis direction is greater than each of the verticality and the width.

Reference block <NUM> is not limited to the above-described square pole, and may have, for example, a square pole shape having the verticality and the width different from each other. Reference block <NUM> has the square pole shape in which the height extending in the X-axis direction is equal to each of the verticality and the width, or a square pole shape in which the height extending in the X-axis direction is smaller than each of the verticality and the width. Reference block <NUM> may have a columnar shape or a triangular shape.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a leading end of the robot arm in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, robot arm <NUM> includes a movable unit <NUM> and a workpiece holder <NUM> (172P, 172Q).

Movable unit <NUM> is provided at a leading end of robot arm <NUM> extending in an arm shape from moving mechanism unit <NUM>. Movable unit <NUM> is provided so as to be swingable about a turning axis <NUM> in <FIG>, and provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis <NUM> in <FIG>.

Workpiece holder <NUM> is provided in movable unit <NUM>. Workpiece holder <NUM> is configured to detachably hold the workpiece. Workpiece holder 172P and workpiece holder 172Q are provided as workpiece holder <NUM> in order to simultaneously hold two workpieces.

Machine tool <NUM> (workpiece information recognition system) further includes an information detector <NUM>. Information detector <NUM> is configured to detect information about reference block <NUM>. The information about reference block <NUM> includes information about a shape of reference block <NUM>.

The information about reference block <NUM> may further include information about a size or a position of reference block <NUM>.

Information detector <NUM> is formed by a laser sensor. Information detector <NUM> includes an emission unit (not illustrated) that emits laser light and a light receiving unit (not illustrated) that receives the laser light emitted from the emission unit and reflected by the object. Information detector <NUM> can detect positional information about the object based on a light receiving position of the laser light in the light receiving unit and time until the laser light returns from the emission unit to the light receiving unit.

Information detector <NUM> is fixed to workpiece conveyance unit <NUM>. Information detector <NUM> is fixed to robot arm <NUM>. Information detector <NUM> is fixed to movable unit <NUM> of robot arm <NUM>. Information detector <NUM> is provided adjacent to workpiece holder <NUM>. With this configuration, information detector <NUM> can freely be moved in the space while the orientation of information detector <NUM> can freely be changed with the operation of workpiece conveyance unit <NUM>.

Information detector in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as information detector can detect various types of information about the reference object, and may be, for example, a contact type stylus. In the embodiment, information detector <NUM> is fixed to workpiece conveyance unit <NUM>. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated actuator that moves information detector <NUM> may be provided.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration for recognizing the information about the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, machine tool <NUM> (workpiece information recognition system) further includes a control device <NUM>. Control device <NUM> includes a control panel provided on machine tool <NUM>. Control device <NUM> receives the information about reference block <NUM> from information detector <NUM>. Control device <NUM> includes a storage <NUM> and a controller <NUM>.

Storage <NUM> stores data on a relationship between the information about reference block <NUM> and the information about the workpiece. The information about the workpiece may include information about the size, the processing state, the processing method, or the disposition of the workpiece.

Controller <NUM> recognizes the information about the workpiece placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM> by checking the information about reference block <NUM> detected by information detector <NUM> with the data stored in storage <NUM>.

<FIG> is a table illustrating an example of the data stored in the storage in <FIG>. <FIG> is a plan view illustrating an example of the workpiece placing tool on which different types of workpieces are placed. <FIG> is a plan view illustrating another example of the workpiece placing tool on which different types of workpieces are placed.

Referring to <FIG>, storage <NUM> may store correspondence between the size of reference block <NUM> (the vertical and width lengths of the square-pole shaped reference block <NUM> in planar view) and the size of workpiece W (a diameter and the height of columnar-shaped workpiece W). More specifically, storage <NUM> may store vertical and width lengths L1 of reference block <NUM> and a diameter D1 and a height H1 of workpiece W while associating vertical and width lengths L1 of reference block <NUM> with diameter D1 and height H1 of workpiece W, store vertical and width lengths L2 of reference block <NUM> and a diameter D2 and a height H2 of workpiece W while associating vertical and width lengths L2 of reference block <NUM> with diameter D2 and height H2 of workpiece W, and store vertical and width lengths L3 of reference block <NUM> and a diameter D3 and a height H3 of workpiece W while associating vertical and width lengths L3 of reference block <NUM> with diameter D3 and height H3 of workpiece W.

At this point, as illustrated in <FIG>, all of reference block 31A, reference block 31B, and reference block 31C may have the size indicating the information about workpiece W. As illustrated in <FIG>, reference block 31A may have the size indicating the information about workpiece W, and reference block 31B and reference block 31C may be used only to detect an inclination of plate member <NUM> (to be described later).

<FIG> is a table illustrating another example of the data stored in the storage in <FIG>. <FIG> is a table illustrating still another example of the data stored in the storage in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, storage <NUM> may store the correspondence between the shape of reference block <NUM> (the shape of reference block <NUM> in planar view), the processing state of workpiece W, and the processing method of workpiece W. More specifically, storage <NUM> may store the square shape of reference block <NUM> and the fact that the processing state of workpiece W is unprocessed and the method for processing workpiece W is the processing using a processing program H while associating the square shape of reference block <NUM> with the fact that the processing state of workpiece W is unprocessed and the method for processing workpiece W is the processing using processing program H, store the shape of the rectangle (verticality > width) of reference block <NUM> and the fact that the processing state of workpiece W is a first intermediate workpiece and the method for processing workpiece W is the processing using a processing program I while associating the shape of the rectangle (verticality > width) of reference block <NUM> and the fact that the processing state of workpiece W is the first intermediate workpiece and the method for processing workpiece W is the processing using processing program I, and store the shape of the rectangle (verticality < width) of reference block <NUM> and the fact that the processing state of workpiece W is a second intermediate workpiece and the method for processing workpiece W is the processing using a processing program J while associating the shape of the rectangle (verticality < width) of reference block <NUM> with the fact that the processing state of workpiece W is the second intermediate workpiece and the method for processing workpiece W is the processing using processing program J.

Referring to <FIG>, storage <NUM> may store the correspondence between the position of reference block <NUM> (a coordinate of the center of reference block <NUM> in planar view) and the disposition of workpiece W (a mode in which a plurality of workpieces W are placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM> and a center coordinate of each workpiece W in planar view). More specifically, storage <NUM> may store the center coordinate (X1, Y1, Z1) of reference block <NUM> and the mode in which the plurality of workpieces W are arranged in four columns in the Z-axis direction and in five rows in the Y-axis direction and the center coordinate of each workpiece W while associating the center coordinate (X1, Y1, Z1) of reference block <NUM> with the mode in which the plurality of workpieces W are arranged in four columns in the Z-axis direction and in five rows in the Y-axis direction and the center coordinate of each workpiece W, store the center coordinate (X2, Y2, Z2) of reference block <NUM> and the mode in which the plurality of workpieces W are arranged in six columns in the Z-axis direction and in six rows in the Y-axis direction and the center coordinate of each workpiece W while associating the center coordinate (X2, Y2, Z2) of reference block <NUM> with the mode in which the plurality of workpieces W are arranged in six columns in the Z-axis direction and in six rows in the Y-axis direction and the center coordinate of each workpiece W, and store the center coordinate (X3, Y3, Z3) of reference block <NUM> and the mode in which the plurality of workpieces W are arranged in seven columns in the Z-axis direction and in eight rows in the Y-axis direction and the center coordinate of each workpiece W while associating the center coordinate (X3, Y3, Z3) of reference block <NUM> with the mode in which the plurality of workpieces W are arranged in seven columns in the Z-axis direction and in eight rows in the Y-axis direction and the center coordinate of each workpiece W.

The data stored in storage <NUM> described above is an example, and a combination of a content of the information about reference block <NUM>, a content of the information about the workpiece, and the information about reference block <NUM> and the information about the workpiece associated with each other is not particularly limited.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating steps of recognizing the information about the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool. <FIG> are plan views each illustrating a method for scanning the reference block with the laser light in steps of recognizing the information about the workpiece in <FIG>.

The step of recognizing the information on workpiece W placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM> based on the information about reference block <NUM> (31A, 31B, 31C) provided on workpiece placing tool <NUM> will be described below.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of workpieces W are placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM> (S101). In this step, the plurality of workpieces W are inserted into the plurality of openings <NUM>, respectively.

Subsequently, workpiece placing tool <NUM> is set in workpiece storage area <NUM> (S102). In this step, workpiece placing tool <NUM> is placed on drawer <NUM> in the open state. By putting drawer <NUM> in the closed state, workpiece placing tool <NUM> is disposed in workpiece storage area <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, information detector <NUM> detects the information about reference block <NUM> (31A, 31B, 31C) (S103).

In this step, information detector <NUM> is positioned above reference block <NUM> by operating workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> (moving mechanism unit <NUM>, robot arm <NUM>). Workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> is operated while the laser light is emitted downward from information detector <NUM>, thereby performing scanning with the laser light in each of the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Along with the scanning of the laser light, information detector <NUM> receives the reflected light of the laser light. At this point, a difference in the time the laser light returns to information detector <NUM> is generated between the position where reference block <NUM> exists and the position where reference block <NUM> does not exist. The size of reference block <NUM> (the vertical and width lengths of reference block <NUM> in planar view) and the shape of reference block <NUM> (the shape of reference block <NUM> in planar view) are detected based on the operation position of workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> at timing of generating the difference in the return time of the laser light. The position of reference block <NUM> (the center coordinate of reference block <NUM> in planar view) is detected by considering both the return time of the laser light and the operation position of workpiece conveyance unit <NUM>.

The scanning of the laser light is performed on each of reference block 31A, reference block 31B, and reference block 31C. Consequently, the center coordinate (Xa, Ya, Za) of reference block 31A in planar view, the center coordinate (Xb, Yb, Zb) of reference block 31B in planar view, and the center coordinate (Xc, Yc, Zc) of reference block 31C in planar view are detected.

In the embodiment, information detector <NUM> is provided in workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> that conveys the workpiece, so that information detector <NUM> can be moved toward reference block <NUM> without adding a new actuator. Furthermore, accessibility of information detector <NUM> to reference block <NUM> can be improved.

Subsequently, controller <NUM> recognizes the information about workpiece W by checking the information about reference block <NUM> with the data stored in storage <NUM> (S104).

In this step, controller <NUM> recognizes the information about the size of workpiece W (<FIG>), the processing state and processing method of workpiece W (<FIG>), and the disposition of workpiece W (<FIG>) by checking the information about reference block <NUM> detected in step S103 with the data stored in storage <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> further detects the inclination of plate member <NUM> in workpiece placing tool <NUM> from the center coordinates of reference block 31A, reference block 31B, and reference block 31C. Controller <NUM> corrects the position of each workpiece W placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM> based on the detected inclination of plate member <NUM>.

Subsequently, controller <NUM> performs the conveyance and processing of the workpiece based on the obtained information about workpiece (S105).

Controller <NUM> grasps how the plurality of workpiece W exist in a spatial positions of workpiece storage area <NUM> using the information about the size of workpiece W and the disposition of workpiece W recognized in the previous step. For this reason, controller <NUM> can operate workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> such that workpiece W is accurately positioned at the position and orientation in which workpiece holder <NUM> of robot arm <NUM> can hold workpiece W. At this point, a positional deviation of workpiece W due to the inclination of plate member <NUM> is corrected in the previous step, so that workpiece holder <NUM> can more accurately positioned with respect to each workpiece W placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM>.

When robot arm <NUM> holds workpiece W, information detector <NUM> may perform a step of emitting the laser light toward workpiece W to receive the reflected light. Holding failure of workpiece W by workpiece holder <NUM> can be prevented by determining that workpiece W does not exist during the abnormal light receiving state of the reflected light.

After workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> moves workpiece W from workpiece storage area <NUM> to processing area <NUM>, controller <NUM> processes workpiece W based on the information about the processing state and the processing method of workpiece W recognized in the previous step.

The above configuration of the workpiece information recognition system according to the embodiment of the present invention will collectively be described. The workpiece information recognition system of the embodiment includes workpiece placing tool <NUM> capable of placing the workpiece, reference block <NUM> as a reference object detachably provided on workpiece placing tool <NUM>, information detector <NUM> that detects the information about reference block <NUM>, and control device <NUM> that receives the information about reference block <NUM> from information detector <NUM>. Control device <NUM> includes storage <NUM> that stores the data on the relationship between the information about reference block <NUM> and the information about the workpiece and controller <NUM> that recognizes the information about the workpiece placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM> by checking the information about reference block <NUM> detected by information detector <NUM> with the data stored in storage <NUM>.

In the workpiece information recognition system according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration, since reference block <NUM> is detachably provided on workpiece placing tool <NUM>, when the type of the workpiece placed on workpiece placing tool <NUM> is changed, reference block <NUM> provided on reference block <NUM> may be replaced with reference block <NUM> corresponding to the workpiece. For this reason, it is possible to easily cope with the change in the type of the workpiece.

<FIG> are plan views illustrating various modifications of the reference block in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, in the modification, a reference block <NUM> and a reference block <NUM> are provided on workpiece placing tool <NUM> instead of reference block <NUM> in <FIG>.

Reference block <NUM> has an elongated shape extending along the Z-axis direction. Reference block <NUM> is provided along an end side of workpiece placing tool <NUM> (plate member <NUM>) extending in the Z-axis direction. Reference block <NUM> has an elongated shape extending along the Y-axis direction. Reference block <NUM> is provided along an end side of workpiece placing tool <NUM> (plate member <NUM>) extending along the Z-axis direction.

With this configuration, in step S103 in <FIG>, workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> is operated while information detector <NUM> emits the laser light toward reference block <NUM>, thereby performing the scanning with the laser light along each of the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) and the short direction (Y-axis direction) of reference block <NUM>. Consequently, the coordinates of one end 36p and the other end 36q in the longitudinal direction of reference block <NUM> are detected. Workpiece conveyance unit <NUM> is operated while information detector <NUM> emits the laser light toward reference block <NUM>, thereby performing the scanning with the laser light along each of the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) and the short direction (Z-axis direction) of reference block <NUM>. Consequently, the coordinates of one end 37p and the other end 37q in the longitudinal direction of reference block <NUM> are detected.

In step S104 in <FIG>, controller <NUM> detects the inclination of plate member <NUM> in workpiece placing tool <NUM> from the coordinates of one end 36p and the other end 36q of reference block <NUM> and the coordinates of one end 37p and the other end 37q of reference block <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in the modification, a reference block <NUM> is provided on workpiece placing tool <NUM> instead of reference block <NUM> in <FIG>. Reference block <NUM> has a shape in which reference block <NUM> and reference block <NUM> in <FIG> are connected to each other at a corner of workpiece placing tool <NUM> (plate member <NUM>).

Even in this modification, the inclination of plate member <NUM> in workpiece placing tool <NUM> is detected by scanning reference block <NUM> and reference block <NUM> with the laser light along the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

As described above, in detecting the inclination of plate member <NUM>, three reference blocks are not necessarily required, but two reference blocks <NUM>, <NUM> or one reference block <NUM> may be used. The inclination of plate member <NUM> may be detected using at least four reference blocks.

In the embodiment, the reference block is provided on plate member <NUM> of workpiece placing tool <NUM>. Alternatively, the reference block may be provided on tray <NUM> of workpiece placing tool <NUM>.

The workpiece information recognition system of the present invention is not limited to the machine tool, but may be applied to various workpiece processing devices such as a workpiece measuring device and a workpiece cleaning device.

In the workpiece information recognition system having the above configuration, when the type of the workpiece is changed, the reference object provided on the workpiece placing tool may be replaced with the reference object corresponding to the workpiece. For this reason, it is possible to easily cope with the change in the type of the workpiece.

The information about the reference object includes the information about the shape of the reference object. Preferably the information about the reference object further includes the information about the size or the position of the reference object.

In the workpiece information recognition system having the above configuration, the information about the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool can be recognized through various pieces of information about the reference object.

Preferably the information about the workpiece includes the information about the size, the processing state, the processing method, or the disposition of the workpiece.

In the workpiece information recognition system having the above configuration, various pieces of information about the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool can be recognized through the information about the reference object.

Preferably the workpiece placing tool includes the plate member in which the plurality of openings into which the workpieces are inserted are provided. At least three reference objects disposed apart from one another are provided in the plate member.

In the workpiece information recognition system having the above configuration, the inclination of the plate member can be recognized through the positions of the three reference objects.

In the workpiece information recognition system having the above configuration, the durability of the reference object can be improved.

Preferably the workpiece information recognition system further includes the workpiece conveyance unit that conveys the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool. The information detector is fixed to the workpiece conveyance unit.

In the workpiece information recognition system having the above configuration, the information detector can be moved toward the reference object using the workpiece conveyance unit that conveys the workpiece.

It should be considered that the disclosed embodiment is an example in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by not the description above, but the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are included in the present invention.

For example, the present invention is applied to the machine tool.

Claim 1:
A workpiece information recognition system comprising:
a workpiece placing tool (<NUM>) capable of placing a workpiece;
a reference object (<NUM>) detachably provided on the workpiece placing tool (<NUM>);
an information detector (<NUM>) configured to detect information about the reference object (<NUM>); and
a control device (<NUM>) configured to receive the information about the reference object (<NUM>) from the information detector (<NUM>),
wherein the control device (<NUM>) includes:
a storage (<NUM>) configured to store data on a relationship between the information about the reference object (<NUM>) and information about the workpiece; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to recognize the information about the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool (<NUM>) by checking the information about the reference object (<NUM>) detected by the information detector (<NUM>) with the data stored in the storage (<NUM>),
the reference object (<NUM>) is a solid,
the workpiece placing tool (<NUM>) includes a base plate (<NUM>) having a planar shape, the reference object (<NUM>) has a convex shape protruding from the base plate (<NUM>),
the information about the reference object (<NUM>) includes information about a shape of the solid when seen in planar view of the base plate (<NUM>), and
the solid has a different shape depending on the information about the workpiece placed on the workpiece placing tool (<NUM>).