Abstract: A method and device to automatically determine the operation balance of processing/assembly machines such as NC machine tools. The device detects the machine operations related to income and expenditure as income/expenditure data and stores the income and expenditure amounts in a memory based on the detected income/expenditure data and calculates the income/expenditure balance of the individual machines for an arbitrary period based on the stored income and expenditure amounts. In the NC machine tool, the operations related to the income and expenditure can be detected while monitoring the execution statuses of the NC program. By calculating the income/expenditure amounts with multiplication of such operations by the predetermined unit prices of income or expenditure and subtracting the expenditure amount from the income amount, the operation balance of the machine for each cycle or every week or month can be determined.

Abstract: An operation management system 1 according to the present invention is configured so as to connect an operation data accumulation and transmission device 10 connected to an NC unit 16 to an operation management device via telecommunication circuits 20. The operation data collection and transmission device 10 collects data on an operating condition of a machine tool 15 to store the same in an operation data storage section 12, and based on the accumulated operating condition data, generates transmit data with a configuration for associating a data-element identifier which defines an item concerning operating condition with operating condition data corresponding to this item to transmit the same to the operation management device. The operation management device analyzes the data-element identifier of the received data, recognizes the operating condition item and updates the operating condition data in databases corresponding to the recognized item by the received operating condition data.

Abstract: A machining simulation is performed on a graphic data basis prior to machining. Machining simulation means (17) simulates a forced-vibration frequency and/or a load variation frequency occurring due to interrupted cutting on the basis of machining information, and numerical control command generating means (18) generates a numerical control command on the basis of the frequencies obtained from the machining simulation means (17). A spindle rotation speed can be reflected on the actual machining and the generation of a machining program under conditions optimum for the actual machining. Therefore, the interrupted-cutting forced-vibration frequency and/or load variation frequency, or harmonic frequencies thereof which are integral multiples thereof are prevented from being close to the natural frequency of a machine, a tool, a jig or a workpiece. Thus, chattering due to resonance can be prevented, thereby improving a surface accuracy.

Abstract: A machining control system maintaining optimum machining states and enhancing efficiency and reliability even when an actual machining environment fluctuates. The machining control system includes a machining information determination portion for determining initial machining conditions on the basis of information stored in a machining data base and in accordance with adaptive control characteristics defined by adaptive control modes and adaptive control parameters, and an adaptive control portion for controlling machining by changing the machining conditions in accordance with the machining states observed during machining with the initial machining conditions as an initial value of the machining conditions.

Abstract: An accuracy analyzing apparatus 1 comprises: a light projector 2 attached to a main spindle 26 for emitting a light beam having a light axis coaxial with the axis of the main spindle 26; a semitransparent mirror 3 which transmits part of the emitted light beam and reflects other part; a first imaging device 4a for receiving the transmitted light beam; a second imaging device 4b for receiving the reflected light beam; and an analyzer 10 which calculates light receiving positions in the first and second imaging devices 4a and 4b, which estimates the light receiving position where the reflected light beam is to be received by the second imaging device 4b in the case where it is assumed that the axis of the main spindle 26 coincides with the first axis, and which compares the estimated light receiving position with the calculated light receiving position to analyze the perpendicularity of the axis of the main spindle 26.

Abstract: The present invention provides a maintenance system, which centrally performs a management operation on the life expectancies of expendable components of machine tools (21) provided in a plant for systematic maintenance of the machine tools (21). The maintenance system comprises a plurality of machine tools (21) and a management unit (20) connected to the machine tools (21). The management unit (20) comprises: a life expectancy determining section (92) for determining the degrees of wear of driver mechanisms on the basis of data indicative of the operating conditions of the driver mechanisms received from a controller (80) provided in each of the machine tools (21); a data storage section (91) for storing data indicative of the wear degrees determined by the life expectancy determining section (92), and an output section (93, 95) for outputting information on the wear degrees stored in the data storage section (91).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accuracy analyzing apparatus which is capable of efficiently analyzing accuracies of a machine tool including the perpendicularity of a spindle axis and the thermal displacement of a spindle with a higher level of accuracy at lower costs. The accuracy analyzing apparatus (1) comprises a laser oscillator (2) attached to the spindle (26) for emitting a laser beam having a light axis perpendicular to the spindle axis, an imaging device (5, 8) having a light receiving section (5) disposed in the vicinity of the laser oscillator (2) for receiving the laser beam from the laser oscillator (2) by the light receiving section (5) and generating two-dimensional image data, and an analyzer (15) for analyzing the accuracies of the machine tool (20) on the basis of the generated image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accuracy measuring apparatus which is capable of efficiently measuring the accuracies of a machine tool at low costs. The accuracy measuring apparatus (1) comprises a laser oscillator (2) attached to a spindle (15) of the machine tool (10) for projecting a light beam having an axis aligning with the axis of the spindle, a CCD camera (3) disposed in opposed relation to the laser oscillator (2) for receiving the light beam projected from the laser oscillator (2) and generating two-dimensional image data, and an analyzer (4) for analyzing the image data to determine the accuracies of the machine tool (10).

Abstract: A CNC tapping machine includes a spindle to which a tap is attached and a spindle motor for rotating the spindle. The load torque acting on the spindle motor that is detected when performing a tapping procedure without a workpiece is stored in a memory as referential, torque data. During a tapping procedure, a detection device detects the load torque acting on the spindle motor. A computer computes the difference between the load torque defected by the detection device and the referential load torque and uses the difference as the cutting load acting on the tap. As a result, the cutting load torque acting on the tap is accurately detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an offset apparatus for an NC machine tool, that can achieve high accuracy machining by offsetting the amount of operation of a motion mechanism in accordance with the analysis result of the behavior of the NC machine tool. The offset apparatus 1 comprises: a model analyzing data base 12 in which three dimensional model data of the motion mechanism 2 and condition data for performance analysis are stored; a model analyzing section 13 which analyzes the performance of the motion mechanism 2; a data accumulating section 14 which stores analyzed performance analysis data; an offset amount computing section 15 which computes an offset amount to be applied to a commanded operation amount on the basis of the performance analysis data; and an offset executing section 17 which offsets the amount of operation of the motion mechanism 2 on the basis of the offset amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a performance evaluation system constructed to efficiently collect and accumulate analysis conditions for use in three dimensional model analysis. The performance evaluation system 50 is constructed by connecting a plurality of performance evaluation apparatuses 1 provided in each machine tool to a management apparatus 52 via a network 51. Each performance evaluation apparatus 1 comprises an analysis data storing section 12 in which model data and condition data are stored, a detecting device 4 which detects actual performance, an analyzing section 13 which analyzes the performance, an evaluation determining section 15 which evaluates the correctness of the analyzed performance data, and a data updating section 16 which changes and updates the model data and the condition data. The management apparatus 52 comprises an analysis data accumulating section 61 which accumulates the model data and condition data received from the performance evaluation apparatus 1.

Abstract: The invention concerns a feed system control method and apparatus that can calculate an accurate backlash amount and can accomplish highly precise position control. Position errors are calculated before and after a reversal in direction of movement of a slide 30, each from the difference between the position data of the slide 30 detected by a linear scale 25 and the position data of the slide 30 calculated from the rotational position data of the servo motor 23 detected by a rotary encoder 24. The backlash amount of the slide 30 is calculated from the difference between the position error before the reversal and the position error after the reversal thus calculated. Thereafter, when reversing the direction of movement of the slide 30, the feed speed during direction reversal is increased in accordance with the backlash amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic tool changer which is adapted to detect the end of the service life of a bearing of a cam follower for systematic replacement of the bearing. The automatic tool changer comprises: a tool changer mechanism (26) including a rotation shaft, a changer arm fixed to the rotation shaft, a cam follower attached to the rotation shaft and having an engagement roller rotatably supported by a bearing, a cam engaged with the engagement roller of the cam follower, and drive for driving the cam; and a controlling section (57) for controlling an operation of the tool changer mechanism (26). The tool changer further comprises a service life end detecting section (9) for counting the number of times of the operation performed by the tool changer mechanism (26) and judging whether or not the count of the number reaches a reference operation number serving as a basis for the detection of the end of the service life of the bearing.

Abstract: A control method for an NC machine tool is provided which ensures a high precision of the contouring control, and allows for extension of the drill life, and reduction in machining time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine tool which is adapted to detect the end of the service life of a spring of a clamp unit for fixing a tool to a spindle for systematic replacement of the spring. The machine tool comprises a clamp unit (47) for fixing a tool in a taper hole provided in a spindle, and a controlling section (63) for controlling the operation of the clamp unit. The clamp unit (47) includes a holder for holding a holder portion of the tool, a driving rod coupled to the holder, a driver for moving the driving rod along an axis thereof, and a spring for biasing the driving rod in one direction along the axis thereof. The machine tool further comprises a service life end detecting section (11) for counting the number of times of actuation of the clamp unit (47) and, when the count of the number reaches a predetermined reference actuation number, judging that the service life of the spring ends.

Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus for a tool (11) is described for judging abnormalities of a tool by a uniformly set threshold value in relation to a cutting load even in a machining process wherein a feed rate changes every moment. The abnormalities of the tool can be judged by the uniformly set threshold value on the basis of the tool load wherefrom the feed load that fluctuates upon the feed rate has been removed.

Abstract: A floppy disk rotating drive mechanism having a metal drive pin configured to withstand high speeds and to prevent damage to a disk by the pin when the disk is chucked. The drive mechanism has a rotation center shaft to engage the center hole in the floppy disk, a rotating unit that rotates with the rotation center shaft, a chucking lever pivotally supported on one end by the rotating unit and provided with the drive pin on the other end. The disk is rotated when the drive pin engages the drive pin engaging hole in the disk positioned eccentrically from the center hole. The drive pin is made of stainless steel and has an inclined upper surface that is higher on an outside portion farther away from the rotating shaft than on an inside portion nearer the rotating shaft. The outer portion of upper surface of the drive pin is also provided with a chamfered section. A front portion of the drive pin in the leading direction of the rotation has curved surface and a back portion of the drive pin has a flat surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machining order mediation system which allows for prompt preparation of a reasonable estimation for a machining work and ensures a high level of quality of ordered products. The machining order mediation system comprises terminals provided on a customer side, terminals provided on a machining company side, and a machining order mediation unit (10) connected to the customer side terminals and the machining company side terminals via a network. The machining order mediation unit (10) comprises an estimation request receiving section (14), a process information preparing section (15), a machining company information storage section (27), a machining company selecting section (16), a basic information preparing section (18), a basic information delivering section (19), and an estimation returning section (21) for receiving the estimations from the terminals of the selected machining companies and transmitting the estimations to a customer side terminal.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus (1 or 20) comprising pecking operation controlling means (12) which make a feed drive system (14) retracted when a cutting load detected by cutting load detecting means (7) exceeds a reference value during a drilling process, the cutting load detecting means (7) comprise a bite load detecting section (8) to detect the cutting load at a biting stage wherein a tool bites a work piece, and a stationary load detecting section (10) to detect the cutting load after the biting stage. The numerical control apparatus (1 or 20) comprises pecking judgement means (11) to judge that the feed drive system (14) should be retracted when a fluctuation load exceeds a specified reference value wherein the fluctuation load is obtained by reducing the bite load from the detected stationary load. When it is judged that the feed drive system (14) should be retracted, the pecking operation controlling means (12) make the feed drive system (14) retracted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a maintenance system, which centrally performs a management operation on the life expectancies of expendable components of machine tools (21) provided in a plant for systematic maintenance of the machine tools (21). The maintenance system comprises a plurality of machine tools (21) and a management unit (20) connected to the machine tools (21). The management unit (20) comprises: a life expectancy determining section (92) for determining the degrees of wear of driver mechanisms on the basis of data indicative of the operating conditions of the driver mechanisms received from a controller (80) provided in each of the machine tools (21); a data storage section (91) for storing data indicative of the wear degrees determined by the life expectancy determining section (92), and an output section (93,95) for outputting information on the wear degrees stored in the data storage section (91).