Four-axis lathe NC program creation method

Details Four-axis lathe NC program creation method Four-axis lathe NC program creation method

1987-11-25

1989-10-31

MacDonald, Allen

Boots, shoes, and leggings

36447411, 36447423, 36447427, B23Q 1500

Patent

active

048781720

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a four-axis lathe NC program creation method and, more particularly, to a method of creating NC programs for a four-axis lathe which includes a balance cutting process.
2. Description Art
In controlling the machining of a simultaneous four-axis lathe having first and second tool rests, there are provided first and second NC programs corresponding to respective ones of the tool rests and having queuing commands. While synchronization is achieved by the queuing commands, movement of the corresponding tool rests is controlled independently by the first and second NC programs to subject a workpiece to machining. With a simultaneous four-axis lathe, therefore, machining time can be shortened by e.g. machining the external form of a workpiece by the tool mounted on one tool rest and, at the same time, machining the inner diameter of the workpiece by the tool mounted on the other tool rest.
A four-axis lathe makes cutting referred to as "balance cutting" possible so that elongated, slender workpieces can be subjected to highly precise turning. When an elongated, slender workpiece WK is machined in accordance with this cutting method, as illustrated in FIG. 9, first and second tools TL1, TL2 are brought into contact with the workpiece from both sides thereof and the tools are moved synchronously in symmetric fashion to machine the workpiece simultaneously. Flexing of the workpiece can be prevented to enable highly precise machining, and it is possible to subject the workpiece to a heavy machining operation. In FIG. 9, CHK represents a chuck.
The NC programs for such a four-axis lathe are created automatically in conversational fashion by the automatic programming function of an NC unit or by a separately provided automatic programming unit.
The conventional automatic programming unit, however, does not possess a function for automatically creating an NC program for balance cutting. For this reason, a programming operation for a case where a balance cutting process is included is troublesome.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a four-axis lathe NC program creation method through which it is possible to automatically create an NC program which includes NC data for balance cutting.


DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an NC program creation method which includes displaying conversational frames conforming to respective ones of a plurality of input steps on a display unit, inputting data for specifying finished profile, machining processes and tools used by referring to each conversational frame, and creating first and second NC programs for controlling the first and second tool rests of a four-axis lathe, using the inputted data.
In this NC program creation method, the names of machining processes to be balance cut are registered in advance. If a balance cutting process has been inputted in the machining process input step, a conversational frame calling for the tools of the first and second tool rests used in the balance cutting is displayed, and the tool data are inputted, in the next tool use data input step. When the first and second NC programs are created using all of the conversationally inputted data, an instruction for moving its own tool rest symmetrically in synchronism with the other tool rest is inserted ahead of the NC data which execute the balance cutting process.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic programming apparatus for practicing the invention;
FIG. 2 is a general flowchart of automatic programming processing;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing for NC program creation in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 shows an example of a conversational frame for tool data input;
FIG. 5 shows an example of a conversational frame for tool shape data input;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are views for describing process editing frames;
FIG. 8 is a view for describing first and second NC programs of a four-axis simultaneous lathe which includes a balance cu

REFERENCES:
patent: 4424569 (1984-01-01), Imazeki et al.
patent: 4558419 (1985-12-01), Kanematsu et al.
patent: 4571670 (1986-02-01), Kishi et al.
patent: 4587607 (1986-05-01), Kurakake
patent: 4590572 (1986-05-01), Imanishi
patent: 4700313 (1987-10-01), Takagawa

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Four-axis lathe NC program creation method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Four-axis lathe NC program creation method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Four-axis lathe NC program creation method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-629967