Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-31
2004-06-15
Picard, Leo (Department: 2125)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Product assembly or manufacturing
C700S180000, C318S567000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06751523
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an NC machining simulation apparatus for simulating a machining operation according to an NC program including consecutive machining processes each constituted by one or more execution blocks by displaying the configuration of a tool and the configuration of a workpiece on a display device and successively changing the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device in accordance with the NC program so as to check the movement and machining state of the tool on the display device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The operation of an NC machine tool is generally controlled in accordance with an NC program. Conventionally, the NC program is created manually by a programmer or by means of an automatic programming apparatus. In either case, it is necessary to check if tool paths and machining conditions are properly defined by the NC program thus created before a machining operation is performed with the use of the NC program.
Conventionally known as an apparatus for performing the aforesaid checking operation is an NC machining simulation apparatus for simulating a machining operation according to an NC program including consecutive machining processes each constituted by one or more execution blocks by displaying the configuration of a tool and the configuration of a workpiece on a display device and successively changing the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device in accordance with the NC program to check the movement and machining state of the tool on the display device.
The NC machining simulation apparatus analyzes each of the execution blocks of the NC program. Then, the apparatus successively generates pixel data indicative of the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration for the respective blocks on the basis of preliminarily inputted tool configuration data and workpiece configuration data, and displays the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device on the basis of the pixel data thus generated.
However, the conventional NC machining simulation apparatus simulates the machining operation by analyzing the NC program from the first execution block thereof. Therefore, it is impossible to start the machining simulation from an intermediate execution block of the NC program.
Where the simulation indicates a need for modification of an execution block of the NC program and the block is modified, for example, the machining simulation should be performed again for the modified block and blocks subsequent thereto to check if the NC program properly works. However, the conventional NC machining simulation apparatus cannot start the simulation from the modified block but from the first block of the NC program, requiring much time for checking the NC program after the modification.
Where a machining state simulated according to an intended execution block of the NC program cannot satisfactorily be checked during the machining simulation, it is convenient to retrospectively check the machining state. Since the conventional NC machining simulation apparatus always starts the simulation from the first block of the NC program as described above, it is inconvenient to re-check the machining state simulated according to the intended execution block by performing the simulation again from the start.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a more convenient machining simulation apparatus which can start the machining simulation from an intermediate execution block of an NC program or retrospectively check a machining state simulated according to a precedent execution block of the NC program.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention to achieve the aforesaid object, there is provided an NC machining simulation apparatus for simulating a machining operation in accordance with an NC program including consecutive machining processes each constituted by one or more execution blocks by displaying the configuration of a tool and the configuration of a workpiece on a display device and successively changing the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device in accordance with the NC program so as to check the movement and machining state of the tool on the display device, the apparatus comprising: a tool data storage section storing therein tool configuration data; a workpiece configuration data storage section storing therein workpiece configuration data; an NC program storage section storing therein the NC program; an image data generating section which successively analyzes the respective execution blocks of the NC program and successively generates pixel data indicative of the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration for the respective execution blocks on the basis of the tool configuration data stored in the tool data storage section and the workpiece configuration data stored in the workpiece configuration data storage section; a graphic section which displays the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device on the basis of the pixel data generated by the image data generating section; and a process image data storage section for storing therein pixel data generated at the end of each of the machining processes by the image data generating section; wherein the image data generating section, in response to designation of a machining process externally inputted thereto, reads pixel data generated at the end of a machining process precedent to the designated machining process from the process image data storage section to cause the graphic section to display the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device on the basis of the read pixel data, and successively regenerates pixel data for the designated machining process and machining processes subsequent thereto to cause the graphic section to display the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device on the basis of the re-generated pixel data.
In the present invention, the image data generating section successively analyzes the respective execution blocks of the NC program stored in the NC program storage section, and successively generates pixel data indicative of the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration for the respective execution blocks on the basis of the tool configuration data stored in the tool data storage section and the workpiece configuration data stored in the workpiece configuration data storage section. Then, the graphic section displays the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device on the basis of the pixel data generated by the image data generating section. Further, pixel data generated at the end of each of the machining processes by the image data generating section is stored in the process image data storage section.
When a signal for designation of a specific machining process is externally inputted to the image data generating section, the image data generating section reads pixel data generated at the end of a machining process precedent to the designated machining process from the process image data storage section to cause the graphic section to display the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device on the basis of the read pixel data. Further, the image data generating section successively analyzes the designated machining process and machining processes subsequent thereto, and successively regenerates pixel data for these machining processes to cause the graphic section to display the tool configuration and the workpiece configuration on the display device on the basis of the re-generated pixel data.
With this arrangement, the machining simulation can be restarted from an intermediate machining process (execution block) of the NC program. Where the simulation indicates a need for modification of an execution block of the NC program and the block is modified, for example, the simulation
Cabrera Zoila
Mori Seiki Co. Ltd.
Picard Leo
Westerman Hattori Daniels & Adrian LLP
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