Machine tool and control method of machine tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11327463-B2
Application number	US-202016893007-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 4, 2020
Priority date	Jun 12, 2019
Publication date	May 10, 2022
Grant date	May 10, 2022

Abstract

A machine tool for performing a cutting process on a workpiece with a cutting tool, includes: a pre-machining shape acquisition unit configured to acquire the shape of the workpiece before cutting, as a pre-machining shape; a target shape acquisition unit configured to acquire a target shape of the workpiece after cutting; a differential shape acquisition unit configured to acquire a differential shape between the pre-machining shape and the target shape; and a machining path setting unit configured to set machining paths so as to perform the cutting process on the differential shape only.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A machine tool for performing a cutting process on a workpiece with a cutting tool, the machine tool comprising:
a measurement unit configured to scan an upper surface of a pre-machining workpiece to measure a height of the upper surface of the pre-machining workpiece at measurement points with respect to a reference plane located below an upper surface of a post-machining workpiece;
a pre-machining shape acquisition unit configured to acquire, as a pre-machining shape, a shape of the upper surface of the pre-machining workpiece, based on information on the height of the upper surface of the pre-machining workpiece, with respect to the reference plane, at each of the measurement points measured by the measurement unit;
a target shape acquisition unit configured to acquire, as a reference surface, a target shape of the upper surface of the post-machining workpiece;
a differential shape acquisition unit configured to acquire a differential shape between the pre-machining shape and the target shape by comparing, with respect to the reference plane, the reference surface of the post-machining workpiece and the shape of the upper surface of the pre-machining workpiece; and
a machining path setting unit configured to set machining paths so as to perform the cutting process on only the differential shape.

2. The machine tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a machining plane setting unit configured to set one or more machining planes parallel to the target shape; and
a machining area setting unit configured to define a portion where each machining plane intersects the differential shape, as a machining area,
wherein the machining path setting unit is further configured to set the machining paths in only the machining area on each of the machining planes.

3. The machine tool according to claim 2 , wherein the machining path setting unit is further configured to, when there are first and second machining areas on one machining plane of the machining planes, set the machining paths so as to complete the cutting process on the first machining area first and thereafter start the cutting process on the second machining area.

4. The machine tool according to claim 2 , wherein the machining path setting unit is further configured to, when there are first and second machining areas residing side by side along a feed direction of the cutting tool on one machining plane of the machining planes, set the machining paths so as to perform the cutting process on the first machining area and the second machining area by a single feed stroke of the cutting tool.

5. The machine tool according to claim 4 , further comprising a feed rate setting unit configured to, when the cutting process is performed on the first machining area and the second machining area by a single stroke of the cutting tool, set a feed rate of the cutting tool to be moved between the machining path of the first machining area and the machining path of the second machining area, to a rapid traverse rate.

6. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein the differential shape acquisition unit is further configured to shift the target shape relative to the pre-machining shape with respect to the reference plane so as to minimize a volume of the differential shape.

7. The machine tool according to claim 1 , further comprising a processing machine configured to perform the cutting process on the workpiece based on instructions for performing the cutting process with a machining accuracy of 100 nm or less.

8. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein, after the differential shape acquisition unit shifts the target shape, the target shape is completely devoid of intersecting with the pre-machining shape.

9. The machine tool according to claim 1 , wherein the differential shape acquisition unit is configured to shift the target shape to an area outside of an intersection of the target shape with the pre-machining shape, the differential shape acquisition unit further being configured to acquire a differential shape between the pre-machining shape and the target shape after the target shape is shifted.

10. A control method of a machine tool for performing a cutting process on a workpiece with a cutting tool, the control method comprising:
scanning an upper surface of a pre-machining workpiece to measure a height of the upper surface of the pre-machining workpiece at measurement points with respect to a reference plane located below an upper surface of a post-machining workpiece;
acquiring, as a pre-machining shape, a shape of the upper surface of the pre-machining workpiece, based on information on the height of the upper surface of the pre-machining workpiece, with respect to the reference plane, at each of the measurement points;
acquiring, as a reference surface, a target shape of the upper surface of the post-machining workpiece;
acquiring a differential shape between the pre-machining shape and the target shape by comparing, with respect to the reference plane, the reference surface of the post-machining workpiece and the shape of the upper surface of the pre-machining workpiece; and
setting machining paths so as to perform the cutting process on only the differential shape.

11. The control method of the machine tool according to claim 10 , further comprising:
setting one or more machining planes parallel to the target shape; and
defining a portion where each machining plane intersects the differential shape, as a machining area,
wherein the setting one or more machining planes sets the machining paths in only the machining area on each of the machining planes.

12. The control method of the machine tool according to claim 11 , wherein the setting one or more machining planes, when there are first and second machining areas on one machining plane of the machining planes, sets the machining paths so as to complete the cutting process on the first machining area first and thereafter start the cutting process on the second machining area.

13. The control method of the machine tool according to claim 11 , wherein the setting one or more machining planes, when there are first and second machining areas residing side by side along a feed direction of the cutting tool on one machining plane of the machining planes, sets the machining paths so as to perform the cutting process on the first machining area and the second machining area by a single feed stroke of the cutting tool.

14. The control method of the machine tool according to claim 13 , further comprising, when the cutting process is performed on the first machining area and the second machining area by a single stroke of the cutting tool, setting a feed rate of the cutting tool to be moved between the machining path of the first machining area and the machining path of the second machining area, to a rapid traverse rate.

15. The control method of the machine tool according to claim 10 , wherein the acquiring the differential shape shifts the target shape relative to the pre-machining shape with respect to the reference plane so as to minimize a volume of the differential shape.

16. The control method of the machine tool according to claim 10 , wherein shifting of the target shape is in a direction of the height of the workpiece that the upper surface of the workpiece is scanned.

17. The control method of the machine tool according to claim 10 , wherein, after shifting of the target shape, the target shape is completely devoid of intersecting with the pre-machining shape.

18. The control method of the machine tool accord

Assignees

• Fanuc Corp

Inventors

• Shimizu Tomoki
• Hon Yonpyo

Classifications

• G05B2219/35349

  Display part, programmed locus and tool path, traject, dynamic locus · CPC title

• G05B19/404

  characterised by control arrangements for compensation, e.g. for backlash, overshoot, tool offset, tool wear, temperature, machine construction errors, load, inertia (G05B19/19, G05B19/41 take precedence) · CPC title

• G05B2219/50074

  Purpose, workpiece measurement to control, adapt feed of tool · CPC title

• G05B2219/50063

  Probe, measure, verify workpiece, feedback measured values · CPC title

• G05B19/401 Primary

  characterised by control arrangements for measuring, e.g. calibration and initialisation, measuring workpiece for machining purposes (G05B19/19 takes precedence) · CPC title