Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-23
2001-10-23
Grant, William (Department: 2121)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Product assembly or manufacturing
C702S176000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308108
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for calculating an operating time of a measuring machine, and more particularly to a system which calculates an expected operating time that is to be consumed in a movement operation and a measurement operation of a measurement probe in a CNC three-dimensional measuring machine or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
A CNC (Computer Numerical Control) three-dimensional measuring machine uses a part program as a program for controlling measurement. Such a part program is produced by a CAD system or an editor program, and described by, for example, DMIS (Dimensional Measuring Interface Standard) language specification. In the planning of a production process, it is important to know a measurement operating time based on the program.
In order to obtain the time required for a measurement operation which is controlled by a part program, conventionally, it is required to perform a process in which, after the part program is produced, a three-dimensional measuring machine is actually operated by using the part program, and the total operating time required for measurement is then measured. This produces a problem in that, in the design stage of a part program, the part program cannot be corrected so as to match an appropriate operating time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has been conducted in view of the problem. It is an object of the invention to provide a system for calculating an operating time of a measuring machine which, even in the design stage of a part program, can predict the time required for a measurement operation and which is very useful in evaluation of the part program, preparation of production process, and the like.
The apparatus for calculating an operating time of a measuring machine according to the invention, includes: a part program storing unit storing a part program; a command analyzing unit extracting commands relating to movement of a measurement probe from the part program stored in the part program storing unit, calculating operating times required for the measuring machine to implement the respective extracted commands, on the basis of movement parameters for the movement of said measurement probe, and summing up the calculated operating times to calculate a total operating time from a start of measurement to an end of measurement; and a displaying unit displaying the total operating time thus calculated by the command analyzing unit.
The program recorded on a medium according to the invention and for calculating an operating time of a measuring machine includes the steps that; a part program stored in a storing unit is read out, commands relating to movement of a measurement probe are extracted from the part program, operating times required for the measuring machine to implement the respective extracted commands are calculated on the basis of movement parameters which are previously set or described in the part program, the calculated operating times are summed up to calculate a total operating time from a start of measurement to an end of measurement, and the calculated total operating time is displayed on a displaying unit.
According to the invention, only commands required for estimation of an operating time and relating to movement of a measurement probe are extracted from the part program stored in the storing unit, and the extracted commands are analyzed, thereby calculating operating times due to the respective commands. The calculated operating times are summed up so as to calculate a total operating time of the measuring machine from a start of measurement to an end of measurement. Therefore, it is not required to actually operate the measuring machine in order to check the measurement time. Consequently, the time required for checking can be shortened. In the design stage of the part program, moreover, movement velocity information, movement path information, and the like can be suitably changed, so that the part program matches an adequate total operating time. According to this configuration, reduction of the manhours for measurement, setting of the production cost, and the like can be easily performed.
The commands relating to movement of the measurement probe include a movement command having movement target position information, and a measurement command having measurement position information and measurement direction information. With respect to these commands relating to movement, the movement time can be obtained by designating the velocity and the acceleration time. As movement parameters for calculating an operating time, the movement velocity, the movement acceleration time, the measurement velocity, and the measurement acceleration time are previously given from the external by a movement parameter setting unit, or described in the part program.
In the case of a movement command, for example, a velocity curve can be obtained from the movement acceleration time and the movement velocity. Therefore, the time when movement is performed along a measurement curve by a movement distance which is specified by the target position information can be calculated as the movement time.
In the case of a measurement command, for example, operations are performed in the following manner. Measurement position information and measurement direction information are given. The measurement probe is temporarily stopped or decelerated at a position before the measurement position, and then moved from the position in the measurement direction. After the measurement probe makes contact with a workpiece, the probe is moved back. Therefore, the movement time in each of the steps can be calculated on the basis of movement parameters such as the movement velocity, the movement acceleration time, the measurement velocity, and the measurement acceleration time.
When the calculated operating time is different from the operating time in the case where the measuring machine is actually operated, a correction process may be performed in the command analyzation, by using a correction coefficient based on the movement velocity.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4819195 (1989-04-01), Bell et al.
patent: 5198990 (1993-03-01), Farzan et al.
patent: 5257204 (1993-10-01), Sawada et al.
patent: 5862604 (1999-01-01), Fuchs et al.
patent: 5895444 (1999-04-01), Ruck et al.
patent: 5966681 (1999-10-01), Bernhardt et al.
Michiwaki Hirokazu
Sato Katsumi
Cabrera Zoila
Grant William
Mitutoyo Corporation
Morgan & Lewis & Bockius, LLP
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