Method and apparatus for managing a machining system

An apparatus for managing a machining system which is provided with plural machine tools, a workpiece storage for storing plural workpieces, a transfer apparatus for selectively transferring said workpieces between said workpiece storage and said machine tools and a computer for controlling the transfer operation of said transfer apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

• memory means for memorizing first information indicating membership of said machine tools in plural machine groups corresponding to plural kinds of machinings, and second information indicating the kinds of workpieces to be machined and machine groups which can carry out said plural kinds of machinings, respectively, for machining said workpieces, respectively;
• means for checking the conditions of said machine tools to find an empty machine tool which requires a new workpiece;
• means for finding out one of workpieces stored in said workpiece storage which can be machined by a machine group to which said empty machine belongs;
• and
• means for transferring a workpiece found by said finding means to said empty machine tool.

A computer implemented method of managing a machining system which is provided with plural machine tools, a workpiece storage for storing plural workpieces, a transfer apparatus for selectively transferring said workpieces between said workpiece storage and said machine tools and a computer for controlling the transfer operation of said transfer apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• memorizing in a memory of the computer first information indicating membership of said machine tools in plural machine groups corresponding to plural kinds of machinings, said plural machine groups being composed of a first machine group which includes plural machine tools available for various ordinary machinings and at least one other machine group which includes plural machine tools available for a special machining, at least one of said plural machine tools of said at least one other machine group also belonging to said first machine group;
• memorizing in said memory second information indicating the kinds of workpieces to be machined, said second information also indicating, for each workpiece to be machined, machining stages through which each workpiece is to be moved sequentially for completion of each workpiece, and machine groups which are designated in correspondence respectively to said machining stages;
• checking the conditions of said machine tools to find an empty machine tool which requires a new workpiece;
• finding out one of workpieces stored in said workpiece storage which can be machined by a machine group to which said empty machine tool belongs;
• and
• using the computer for controlling the transfer of a workpiece found in said finding step to said empty machine tool.

An apparatus for managing a machining system which is provided with plural machine tools, a workpiece storage for storing plural workpieces, a transfer apparatus for selectively transferring said workpiece between said workpiece storage and said machine tools and a controller for controlling the transfer operation of said transfer apparatus, wherein said controller comprises;

• first memory means for memorizing first information indicating membership of said machine tools in plural machine groups corresponding to plural kinds of machinings, said plural machine groups being composed of a first machine group which includes plural machine tools available for various ordinary machining and at least one other machine group which includes plural machine tools available for a special machining, at least one of said plural machine tools of said at least one other machine group also belonging to said first machine group;
• second memory means for storing second information indicating the kinds of workpieces to be machined, said second information also indicating, for each workpiece to be machined, machining stages through which each workpiece is to be moved sequentially for completion of each workpiece, and machine groups which are designated in correspondence respectively to said machining stages;
• means for checking the conditions of said machine tools to find an empty machine tool which requires a new workpiece;
• means for finding out a workpiece stored in said workpiece storage which can be machined by a machine group to which said empty machine tool belongs;
• and
• means for controlling said transfer apparatus so as to transfer a workpiece found in said finding step to said empty machine tool.