Machine tool, control method, and control program

A method for controlling a machine tool,

• the machine tool including:
• a cover body for defining a processing area;
• an ejection part for ejecting a coolant into the processing area;
• a first tank for receiving the coolant ejected into the processing area;
• a first detector for detecting a first coolant amount that is an amount of coolant in the first tank;
• a second tank for storing the coolant to be supplied to the ejection part;
• a second detector for detecting a second coolant amount that is an amount of coolant in the second tank;
• and
• a pump for feeding the coolant from the first tank to the second tank, control modes of the pump including:
• a first control mode in which the pump is driven when the first coolant amount is more than a first predetermined amount and the pump is stopped when the first coolant amount is less than a second predetermined amount that is smaller than the first predetermined amount;
• and
• a second control mode in which the pump is driven in such a manner that the first coolant amount is a constant amount, and
• the method comprising:
• a step of controlling the pump in the first control mode when the second coolant amount is more than or equal to a third predetermined amount;
• and
• a step of switching the control mode of the pump from the first control mode to the second control mode in response to the second coolant amount falling below the third predetermined amount.

A non-transitory recording medium storing a program for controlling a machine tool,

• the machine tool including:
• a cover body for defining a processing area;
• an ejection part for ejecting a coolant into the processing area;
• a first tank for receiving the coolant ejected into the processing area;
• a first detector for detecting a first coolant amount that is an amount of coolant in the first tank;
• a second tank for storing the coolant to be supplied to the ejection part;
• a second detector for detecting a second coolant amount that is an amount of coolant in the second tank;
• and
• a pump for feeding the coolant from the first tank to the second tank, control modes of the pump including:
• a first control mode in which the pump is driven when the first coolant amount is more than a first predetermined amount and the pump is stopped when the first coolant amount is less than a second predetermined amount that is smaller than the first predetermined amount;
• and
• a second control mode in which the pump is driven in such a manner that the first coolant amount is a constant amount, and
• the program causes the machine tool to execute:
• a step of controlling the pump in the first control mode when the second coolant amount is more than or equal to a third predetermined amount;
• and
• a step of switching the control mode of the pump from the first control mode to the second control mode in response to the second coolant amount falling below the third predetermined amount.