# US 2014/0156057 A1 · Machine tool including numerical controller with function to determine replacement time for maintenance component

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- Number: US 2014/0156057 A1
- Document ID: US20140156057A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/094,650
- Filed: 2013-12-02
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04
- Assignees: Fanuc Corporation
- Applicants: FANUC Corporation
- Inventors: Zheng TONG
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140156057A1

## CPC

- G05B 19/4065: Monitoring tool breakage, life or condition
- G05B 2219/37214: Detect failed machine component, machine performance degradation
- G05B 2219/40009: Remove and replace machine part, module
- G05B 2219/50185: Monitoring, detect failures, control of efficiency of machine, tool life
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)

## Abstract

A controller for a machine tool outputs an operation instruction signal to the machine tool. The machine tool transmits a signal indicating that the instructed operation is compete. The controller determines a response time of operation to be a difference in time between a point in time when the numerical controller outputs an operation instruction signal and a point in time when the numerical controller receives a signal from the machine tool. When the response time of operation exceeds a preset value, the numerical controller determines that a corresponding maintenance component needs to be replaced and informs a user of the need for replacement by means of a display unit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A machine tool controlled by a numerical controller, wherein
the numerical controller has a function to determine a replacement time for a maintenance component used in a movable portion of the machine tool and outputting to the machine tool an operation instruction related to the movable portion, and
the machine tool has an operation completion signal output unit that outputs, to the numerical controller, an operation completion signal indicating that the operation of the movable portion based on the operation instruction is complete, and wherein
the numerical controller includes:
a response time calculation unit that calculates, as a response time of operation, a time from a point in time when the numerical controller outputs the operation instruction until a point in time when the numerical control device receives the operation completion signal from the operation completion signal output unit;
a maintenance component replacement time determination unit that determines that a time has come to replace the maintenance component used in the movable portion when the calculated response time of operation is longer than a preset set time; and
a display unit that displays a result of determination by the maintenance component replacement time determination unit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the operation completion signal output unit is provided outside the machine tool instead of being provided on the machine tool.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein
the numerical controller further has a counter that counts a number of operations of the maintenance component used in the movable portion of the machine tool or an operation duration clocking unit that clocks a duration of operation of the maintenance component or a duration of operation of the machine tool, and
when displaying a result of determination by the maintenance component replacement time determination unit, the display unit further displays the number or duration of operations of the maintenance component.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The machine tool comprising the maintenance component replacement time determination function according to claim 3, wherein, in addition to the number or duration of operations of the component used in the movable portion of the machine tool or the duration of operations of the machine tool, the display unit displays an expected number of operations or expected duration of operations viable before a predetermined expected end of a life of the maintenance component arrives.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein, when the result of the determination by the maintenance component replacement time determination unit is displayed on the display unit, the display unit displays improvement information related to a usage method and a usage environment for the machine tool in order to allow an actual life of an component to be extended on the basis of the response time of operation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein a set time for determination of a replacement time for the maintenance component is divided into a plurality of levels so that, during each of the time levels, a corresponding message is displayed on the display unit.