WO2008113305A1

WO2008113305A1 - Device for generating machining programs for a machine tool

Info

Publication number: WO2008113305A1
Application number: PCT/DE2007/000507
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Holz; David Koch
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2007-03-20
Filing date: 2007-03-20
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Also published as: DE112007003507A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for generating machining programs for a machine tool. Said device comprises a first processing unit (1), a first keyboard (Ia), a first processor (1b) connected to the first keyboard, a first display (1c) connected to the first processor, and a first storage unit (1d) for storing data corresponding to a first machining program. The first processor (1b) comprises an online interface (1f), allowing for data associated with simulation orders to be output and data associated with simulation results to be received. By means of such a device, a CAM programmer is already able to receive feedback from a simulation server (5) during the generation of a machining program, said feedback providing information to the programmer regarding changes to the programming that may be necessary.

Description

Device for creating machining programs for a processing machine

The invention relates to a device for creating machining programs for a processing machine, for example a machine tool or a production machine.

It is already known to process workpieces by means of a numerically controlled processing machine. To control and regulate this processing machine, a machining program is needed, which is, for example, a part program.

The preparation of such a complete part program, which consists of a plurality of each part of a processing step associated subprograms, using a CAD system and / or a CAM system. In these systems, a modeling of the workpieces to be manufactured takes place. In each case manufacturing characteristics and matching tools are defined with respect to the individual processing steps. If necessary, the clamping of the workpieces on the respective processing machine is modeled. From the named production definitions, a production program is generated in a machine-independent data format, for example CLDATA. In order to generate the production and production programs for a specific processing machine, a post-processor run is then carried out. This supplies an NC part program tailored to a specific processing machine. This program is executed on the processing machine by means of numerical control. The numerical control converts the program commands into axis / tool movements so that a desired workpiece is produced from a blank by means of a tool intervention. Said CAM programming is usually carried out by manufacturing specialists in work preparation. These manufacturing specialists often have only a few up-to-date information about special characteristics of the production machines available at the production site. This is due to the fact that often the work preparation and the production are spatially separated, for example on different continents. One consequence is that despite the correct programming and verification with today's usual simulation methods for material removal, kinematics and machine dynamics simulation, production problems often arise. For example, the resulting geometry of the finished workpiece has undesirable deviations. Furthermore, the actual production time can be longer than expected. Furthermore, unexpected collisions can occur during production.

In order to avoid the problems described above, it is already known to retract the generated NC part programs before the actual production at the intended processing machine. Sample parts are manufactured and it is checked whether the manufactured workpiece was manufactured correctly according to the specifications. If the workpiece has not been machined correctly, for example, the clamping position, cutting values or starting points of the tool engagement are corrected. These corrections are finally fed back into the CAM system and taken into account during NC programming. In practice, however, it has been shown that this feedback of the corrections to the CAM system is often omitted for reasons of expense or time.

From DE 10 2005 025 338 Al it is already known, by means of a CAD / CAM system, to model workpieces which require processing in several steps and, in conjunction with a post processor, to prepare the parts programs or machining necessary for the machining of the workpiece To generate NC programs. These NC programs are tested using a verification system. In particular, collaborative Inspected with a clamping of the workpiece, for example, in a machine tool and the workpiece. At the same time, an ablation simulation is used to check whether the NC programs lead to the desired workpiece geometry. This corresponds to a comparison of the result of the ablation simulation with the original CAD model. If the match is within predefined fault tolerances, the programs are released for manufacturing and transmitted to the machine control of the processing machine. According to another embodiment described in DE 10 2005 025 338 A1, instead of the above-mentioned verification system, a verification system expanded by a virtual NC kernel VNCK is used, wherein the emulation software for a CNC system has been replaced by the VNCK. Since the VNCK exactly reproduces the control behavior, smaller geometric deviations generated by control functions such as compressor, corner rounding or tool offsets can already be detected in the simulation. Furthermore, the extended verification system has a material removal simulation, which is used to generate a measurement program for each processing step. As a result, the geometry of the respective workpiece can be checked after each processing step. This allows an immediate interruption of the process in case of error. Furthermore, in the event of an error, the NC programs created can be changed.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for creating machining programs for a processing machine, in which the creation of the machining programs is improved.

This object is achieved by a device having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. The advantages of the invention are, in particular, that the programmer of a machining program for a machining machine already receives a feedback from a commissioned simulation process during the programming process, which assists him in the programming. This support is preferably automatic. For example, graphical and / or textual representations with machine information such as axis designations, kinematics and alarms, which in the prior art are generally only available in a complex manner by direct access to a real processing machine, are displayed online on the programmer's available display. Thus, it receives feedback at an early stage with information that is not available in conventional CAM programming. Thus, shortly after the completion of the programming of a tool path, ie shortly after the completion of a subprogram of a complete machining program, the programmer receives a feedback from the simulation system, which informs him about the geometry of the machined workpiece. This feedback data can - if necessary - be used quickly and easily to modify the already completed subprogram.

The computer unit on which the programmer works is preferably connected to a simulation server via an intranet or via the Internet. In this case, organizational problems that are often present in known CAM systems due to a spatial separation of the location of the CAM system and the location of the real processing machine for which the part program is created are eliminated. The said feedback during the progiranization process gives the programmer the impression that the real machine is in its immediate vicinity.

A device according to the invention allows a consideration of technically correct static and dynamic data from real existing numerical controls in the creation of part programs. This avoids inconsistencies and programming errors already during the modeling of a production task. During later production, only correct parameters are used.

If a simulation broker, as specified in claim 7, is used, then advantageously several CAM systems and also several simulation servers can be integrated into the overall system.

A simulation server, as used in the subject matter of the invention, preferably has a plurality of simulation nodes, each of which carries out a simulation process with respect to a predetermined processing machine type. In this case, use is made of data which is archived in a database belonging to the respective specific processing machine type. The simulation process thus provides simulation results which are assigned to a respective desired processing machine type. These are fed back to the respective CAM system and serve there to support the CAM programmer.

A further advantage of the invention is that it is possible for the programmer to check already during the preparation of a machining program different types of machine tools as to which of them is best suited for a given machining task.

Further advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplification thereof with reference to the figures. It shows

1 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for preparing machining programs for a processing machine according to a first embodiment of the invention, 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for preparing machining programs for a processing machine according to a second embodiment of the invention and

3 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for producing machining programs for a processing machine according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The apparatus shown in FIG 1 has a computer unit 1. This contains a keyboard Ia, a computer Ib, a display Ic, a first storage unit Id, a second storage unit Ie and an online interface If. This computer unit 1 is used by the programmer of a CAM system as a tool for creating a processing program for a processing machine. Such a machining program has a plurality of individual part programs, which are created in sequence by the programmer. Each of these partial programs corresponds to a processing step and determines, for example, which tool is provided for carrying out this processing step, at which point of the workpiece to be processed this tool is to be applied, at which point of the workpiece to be machined the tool are lifted from the workpiece should and with what speed or force the tool should act on the workpiece to be machined. The program instructions associated with a program unit are entered by the programmer by means of the keyboard Ia in the computer Ib, displayed on the display Ic and stored in the first memory unit Id.

If such a subprogram is completed, the computer Ib automatically or after input of an operating command using a stored in a second memory unit Ie work program via the on-line interface If a simulation task associated data. These data are sent via the online connection 8, which is itself is an intranet or the Internet, transmitted directly to a simulation server 5.

There, after receiving the data associated with the simulation job, a simulation process controlled by the controller 5a of the simulation server is performed automatically using the program program created by the programmer and using data stored in a database 7 containing information about the desired real processing machine. If the simulation process is finished, then the simulation server 5 automatically sends simulation results associated data back to the computer unit 1 via the online connection 8. These data arrive at the computer 1b via the online interface If and are displayed on the display Ic, for example in the form, using the work program stored in the second storage unit Ie for alphanumeric and / or graphic representation of the simulation results and possibly associated comments an inserted small picture. On the basis of this data, the programmer recognizes whether the part program created by him or her causes the desired machining of the workpiece.

If this is not the case, then the programmer has the opportunity to modify the subprogram that he has created. If this modification has taken place, then the computer Ib automatically or after input of an operating command using the working program stored in the second memory unit Ie via the online interface If again a simulation task associated data from. This data is in turn fed directly to the simulation server 5 via the online connection 8. There, after the reception of the data associated with the simulation job, the execution of a simulation process is carried out automatically using the modified subprogram. If the simulation process is completed, then the simulation server 5 automatically sends simulation results to the computer unit 1 via the online connection 8. These data arrive in turn via the online interface If to the computer 1 and are shown using the stored in the second memory unit Ie work program for alphanumeric and / or graphical representation of the simulation results and possibly associated comments on the display Ic. If the programmer recognizes on the basis of this representation that the partial program leads to the desired simulation results, then the program instructions associated with the partial program are saved in the first memory Id.

Subsequently, the other subprograms of the machining program are completed in a corresponding manner. The complete machining program, which includes all subprograms that have been created, is finally transferred to the real processing machine not shown in FIG. 1 and executed with the aid of the numerical control provided there.

An advantage of the device described above is that a simulation can be commissioned by the computer 1b of the computer unit 1 immediately after the completion of the programming of a processing step, and that the programmer already has simulation results associated with this processing step shortly after the output of this order by which he can recognize whether the programming of a production step made by him leads to the desired simulation results or whether the programming he has made must be revised. This way of assisting the programmer makes it possible to create a machining program for a real processing machine set up at any location in a fast, error-free manner and adapted to the existing real processing machine. Any programming errors or the machining target endangering peculiarities of the real processing machine can be detected and corrected or compensated for at a very early point in time. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for producing machining programs for a processing machine according to a second embodiment of the invention.

This second embodiment is largely consistent with the embodiment shown in FIG 1, differs from this but by the following features:

The second memory unit Ie of the computer unit 1 has a plurality of memory areas IeI, Ie2 and Ie3. The storage capacity of the second storage unit Ie allows storage of data corresponding to several work programs associated with different types of processing machines. Of these, the work program belonging to a first type of processing machine in the memory area IeI, the work program belonging to the second type of machine tool in the memory area Ie2 and the work program belonging to the third machine type are stored in the memory area Ie3. Furthermore, in this second embodiment, a plurality of simulation nodes 5 are provided in the simulation server 5, each of which is also associated with a specific processing machine type. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the simulation server 5 has three simulation nodes 5b, 5c and 5d, wherein the simulation node 5b is assigned to the first processing machine type, the simulation node 5c to the second processing machine type and the simulation node 5d to the third processing machine type.

The advantage of this embodiment is that the programmer has the opportunity to check in the context of creating a machining program, which real machining machine type is best suited for a given machining task. With the aid of the work program stored in the respectively associated memory area IeI, Ie2 or Ie3, he can transmit the machining programs he has created to the respectively associated simulation node 5b, 5c or 5d and then gets back the respectively associated simulation results. The assignment of in The storage areas IeI, Ie2 and Ie3 stored Arbeitsprograirane to the respectively associated simulation nodes 5b, 5c or 5d is unique in terms of data and program technology. Parameters such as keys or other unique identifiers ensure that only the simulation nodes belonging to this specific work program can be accessed by means of a specific work program.

3 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for the creation of processing programs for a processing machine according to a third embodiment of the invention.

This third embodiment differs from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that a simulation broker 3 is provided between the first computer unit 1 and the first simulation server 5, and furthermore in that, apart from the first computer unit 1, also a second computer unit 2 and the first simulation server 5, a second simulation server 6 is connected to the simulation broker. Of course, further computer units and further simulation servers can be connected to the simulation broker 3.

The structure of the first computer unit 1 is identical to the structure of the computer unit 1 shown in FIG. The second computer unit 2 shown in FIG. 3 is also constructed. It has a second keyboard 2a, a second computer 2b, a second display 2c, a third memory unit 2d, a fourth memory unit 2e and an online interface 2f. This second computer unit 2 also serves a programmer of a CAM system for creating a machining program for a processing machine.

The structure of the first simulation server 5 shown in FIG. 3 is identical to the structure of the simulation server 5 shown in FIG. The second simulation server 6 shown in FIG. 3 is likewise structured. He has a con- troller 6a and simulation nodes 6b, 6c and 6d. Both simulation servers 5 and 6 are connected to the database 7, in which data are stored, which contain information about the different types of processing machine and can be retrieved to perform a simulation process. The database 7 can be arranged both in spatial proximity to the simulation server (s) and also at the manufacturer of a respective real processing machine as well as at the operator of a respective real processing machine. In the latter two cases, it is preferably connected via the Internet with the respective simulation server.

The simulation broker 3 is connected to the two computer units 1 and 2 and to the two simulation servers 5 and 6 via an on-line connection 4, respectively. These are when the computer units and the simulation servers belong to the same company, for example an intranet, and then, when the computer units and the simulation servers are operated by different companies, to the Internet.

The tasks of the simulation broker 3 consist primarily of forwarding simulation jobs issued by the computer units to a respectively responsible simulation server and of returning simulation results transmitted by the simulation servers to the respectively responsible computer unit.

In order to be able to carry out these tasks, the simulation broker 3 has a memory 3a in which data are stored which correspond to a list of all available simulation nodes. In this list, among other things, the following information is stored for the simulation nodes: the address of an associated computer unit,

the address of an associated memory area of the memory unit Ie or 2e,

- information about a machine type, a node computer address,

- information about the location, vendor or owner and the associated simulation server,

- Information about existing simulation options, - Information about VNCK versions and

- Information about current simulation jobs.

In particular, the simulation broker 3 can use the data stored in the memory 3a for the computer units to request the simulation server with respect to the

Direct execution of a simulation in a simulation node, determine the current simulation status of a simulation server, convey current simulation results to the associated computer unit and provide information about available machine simulations or simulation nodes as well as the current assignment of the simulation nodes. The mentioned simulation results include intermediate results such as speed and acceleration profiles related to a defined time interval as well as final results such as the machining time of a toolpath. Furthermore, the simulation broker 3 can forward new simulation jobs using the data stored in the memory 3a for the simulation servers, update management lists with allocation information on the utilization of the simulation nodes and forward simulation results to the respectively associated computer unit, possibly after previous buffering in a buffer of the simulation broker ,

After all, the invention enables early automated support of a CAM programmer by a CAM-parallel simulation of machine tools, for example with the Sinumerik VNCK. The CAM programmer gets fast feedback about his CAM programming. This allows optimization of toolpaths and error avoidance when creating toolpaths. The support of the CAM programmer is preferably provided by a graphical and / or textual representation of simulation gebnissen. The said support of the CAM programmer is preferably provided by the provision of a distributed simulation platform for machine tools. Simulation nodes are provided on this simulation platform, each of which has a virtual environment through a simulation environment

Represent machine tool. The simulation nodes carry out the necessary simulation processes automatically, for example VNCK boats, load program and start program. A control simulation of a particular machine tool type is performed on the simulation node using a database. For example, when booting the VNCK, an archive is loaded on a node so that the control simulation can be performed by the simulation node. The simulation nodes can be realized by real computers, virtual computers or logical computer partitions.

Claims

claims

1. A device for the creation of processing program margins for a processing machine, comprising a first computer unit (1), a first keyboard (Ia), a first computer connected to the first keyboard (Ib), a computer connected to the first display (Ic) and a first memory unit (Id) which is provided for storing data corresponding to a first processing program, characterized in that the first computer (Ib) has an online interface (If), via which simulation tasks associated data can be output and via which simulation results associated data can be received.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first computer unit (1) has a second memory unit (Ie) in which data are stored which correspond to a work program associated with a first type of processing machine.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said second memory unit has a memory capacity that allows storage of data corresponding to a plurality of work programs associated with different types of machine tools.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first computer (Ib) controls an insertion of the data associated with the simulation results on the first display (Ic).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that data associated with a simulation job can be output by means of the first computer (Ib), which relate to a single subprogram of the machining program, and a modification of an already created subprogram can be carried out by means of the first computer (Ib) using the data corresponding to the associated simulation results.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first computer (Ib) via the online interface (If) with a simulation server (5) is connected.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first computer (Ib) is connected via the online interface

(If) and a simulation broker (3) with a first simulation server (5) is connected.

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the first computer (Ib) is connected to the simulation server (5) or the simulation broker (3) via an intranet (4).

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the first computer (Ib) via the Internet (4) with the simulation server (5) or the simulation broker (3) is connected.

10. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, d a d e r c h e c e n e c e in that it comprises a second computer unit (2) which is connected to the simulation broker (3).

11. Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized that it has a second simulation server (6) connected to the simulation broker (3).

12. The device according to claim 7, wherein the simulation broker is provided for assigning and distributing simulation jobs to the simulation server or the simulation servers (5, 6).

13. The device according to claim 6, wherein the simulation server has a simulation node that is provided for performing a simulation process associated with the first processing machine type.

14. The device according to claim 6, wherein the simulation server has a plurality of simulation nodes, each of which is provided for carrying out a simulation process associated with a processing machine type.

15. Device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the simulation server (5) is connected to a database (7) in which data associated with the processing machine types are archived.

16. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the simulation server (5) has a controller (5a) which is provided for coordinating the simulation processes of the simulation server (5).