Machine tool management system

Abstract

A machine tool management system connects an external server and a large number of NC devices controlling the external server and respective machine tools through a network. The system collects several kinds of signal data from the NC device of each machine tool to the external server. In the system, the external server collects an estimated thermal distortion from the NC device and compares the estimated thermal distortion with pre-stored data to determine whether the tool is machining favorably.

1 . A machine tool management system that connects an external server to a large number of NC devices through a network, the NC devices controlling respective machine tools, and collects an estimated thermal distortion obtained from the NC device of each machine tool to the external server,
 wherein the external server collects the estimated thermal distortion from the NC device, obtains an absolute value of a difference between the estimated thermal distortion and pre-stored data, and determines whether the machine tool is machining a workpiece favorably based on a comparison between the obtained absolute value of the difference and a pre-specified permissible range.   
     
     
         2 . A machine tool management system that connects an external server to a large number of NC devices through a network, the NC devices controlling respective machine tools, and collects an operating information obtained from the NC device of each machine tool to the external server,
 wherein the external server comprises:   storing unit storing a maintenance period model and a refinement algorithm in advance;   changing unit changing a computational expression of the maintenance period model by the refinement algorithm; and   computing unit obtaining a next maintenance period from the maintenance period model.   
     
     
         3 . The machine tool management system according to  claim 2 , wherein the changing unit changing the computational expression of the maintenance period model is carried out manually or automatically. 
     
     
         4 . The machine tool management system according to  claim 2 , wherein the maintenance period model is at least one of an inspection and maintenance period about a lubricant of the machine tool, an inspection and maintenance period about wear of a mechanism in the machine tool, an inspection and maintenance period about a machining tool of the machine tool, an inspection and maintenance period about an electrical component of the machine tool, and an inspection and maintenance period about a user-defined item of the machine tool. 
     
     
         5 . A machine tool management system that connects an external server, a large number of NC devices, and a robot to each other through a network, the NC devices controlling respective machine tools, the robot having one or more kinds of detecting sensors attached thereto, collects several kinds of signal data from the NC device of each machine tool to the external server, and determines whether a certain part of the machine tool is malfunctioning or needs inspection,
 wherein when the system determines that the certain part is malfunctioning or needs inspection, the external server drives the robot connected to the network and moves the robot close to the part of the machine tool, the one or more kinds of detecting sensors attached to the robot examine the part, a detection signal from the sensors is transferred to the external server, and the system determines an actual service condition of the part of the machine tool.   
     
     
         6 . The machine tool management system according to  claim 5 , wherein the detecting sensors attached to the robot are at least one of a visual sensor, a force sensor, and a temperature sensor.