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 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 provides an NC machine tool which permits a check for the run-out of a spindle thereof at any time. The NC machine tool includes deflection detecting means (22) provided on a base within a machining area, and run-out diagnosing means (8) for conducting a diagnosis on the run-out of the spindle by calculating the amount of the run-out of the spindle on the basis of a deflection detected by the deflection detecting means (22) and comparing the calculated run-out amount with a predetermined tolerance. A test tool is attached to the spindle and rotated about an axis thereof, and the deflection of an outer circumferential surface of the test tool is detected by the deflection detecting means (22). On the basis of the deflection thus detected, the run-out diagnosing means (8) conducts a diagnosis on the run-out of the spindle.

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 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 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: 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: 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 provides an NC machine tool which permits a check for the run-out of a spindle thereof at any time. The NC machine tool includes deflection detecting means (22) provided on a base within a machining area, and run-out diagnosing means (8) for conducting a diagnosis on the run-out of the spindle by calculating the amount of the run-out of the spindle on the basis of a deflection detected by the deflection detecting means (22) and comparing the calculated run-out amount with a predetermined tolerance. A test tool is attached to the spindle and rotated about an axis thereof, and the deflection of an outer circumferential surface of the test tool is detected by the deflection detecting means (22). On the basis of the deflection thus detected, the run-out diagnosing means (8) conducts a diagnosis on the run-out of the spindle.

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: 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 driving means 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.