Machining system

• US 7,035,711 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2003
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fanuc Ltd (Fanuc Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fanuc Ltd (Fanuc Corporation)
• Inventors: Watanabe, Atsushi, Oda, Masaru, Otsuka, Kazuhisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Von Buhr, Maria N.
• Application Number:
  US10/627,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20040039484A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/19, 700/20, 700/86, 700/87, 700/169, 700/179, 700/180
• US Class Current: 700/180
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41825 machine tools and manipulators only, machining centre
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41835 characterised by programme execution
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31069 Cell controller, setup machine of cell during operation of other machines
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31078 Several machines and several buffers, storages, conveyors, robots
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A machining system displaying operation programs and associated information for a plurality of components of the system on the same display screen for confirming, creating and editing of the operation programs and associated information. A machine tool, a jig device for fixing/unfixing a workpiece on the machine tool, a handling robot and a visual sensor are connected with an information processing device by a communication path. A list of items specifying operation programs and associated information for the respective components is displayed with respect to different kinds of workpieces on a display screen of the information processing device. When one or more of the items are selected by an operator, the operation program or programs and the associated information specified by the selected item or items are displayed in the form of a window on the display screen.

Claims

1. A machining system for machining workpieces of different kinds, comprising:

a machine tool for performing machining on a workpiece;

a handling robot for handing the workpiece;

a visual sensor for detecting the workpiece;

an information processing device connected with said machine tool, said handling robot and said visual sensor through a communication path,

said information processing device including display means for displaying a list of items specifying operation programs for said machine tool, said handling robot or said visual sensor to be used for different kinds of workpieces on a display screen; and

communicating means for uploading/downloading an operation program specified by one of the items displayed on the display screen selected by an operator and/or information associated with the operation program between the information processing device and said machine tool, said handling robot or said visual sensor,

wherein the operation program and/or the associated information specified by the item selected by the operator are displayed on the display screen, the operator confirming and editing the displayed operation program and/or associated information according to the displayed information.

2. A machining system according to claim 1, wherein said information processing device further includes editing means for editing the operation program and/or the associated information displayed on the display screen.

3. A machining system according to claim 1, wherein said associated information includes parameters for executing the operation program.

4. A machining system according to claim 1, wherein said display means simultaneously displays information on a plurality of operation programs specified by items selected by the operator on the display screen.

5. A machining system according to claim 1, wherein said display means simultaneously displays the operation programs and/or the associated information for at least two of said machine tool, said handling robot and said visual sensor on the display screen.

6. A machining system according to claim 1, wherein one of said machine tool, said handling robot and said visual sensor functions as said information processing device.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a sensor to detect an orientation of a workpiece;

a machine tool to machine the workpiece;

a handling robot to hold the workpiece;

an information processing device in communication with said machine tool, said handling robot and said sensor,

said information processing device including a display screen to display a list of items specifying operation programs for said machine tool, said handling robot or said sensor to be used for different kinds of the workpieces; and

a communicating unit to upload/download the operation program specified by one of the items displayed on the display screen selected by an operator and/or information associated with the operation program,

wherein the operation program and/or the associated information specified by the item selected by the operator are displayed on the display screen, the operator confirming and editing the displayed operation program and/or associated information according to the displayed information.