Automatic allocation of machining operations to a plurality of machining stations
AssigneeWitzig & Frank GmbH
InventorsFrank Baumbusch, Walter Bauer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique for controlling a machining system having a plurality of machining stations for machining workpieces with a plurality of machining operations. Each of the plurality of machining operations is allocated automatically to a specific one of the machining stations to attain uniform utilization of the individual machining stations, to the extent possible. This facilitates the initial setup of the machining system as well as correcting the setup if machining errors or deviations occur.
Claims47
A machining system for machining a workpiece, comprising:
- a plurality of machining stations with each one having at least one work spindle;
- means for providing machining information related to a plurality of machining operations specific to a particular workpiece;
- distribution means for automatically allocating the plurality of machining operations to the plurality of machining stations;
- and
- processing means for controlling said machining stations in accordance with the machining information related to the allocated machining operations.
A method for machining a workpiece with a plurality of machining stations, with each one having at least one work spindle, comprising:
- providing machining information related to a plurality of machining operations specific to a particular workpiece;
- automatically allocating the plurality of machining operations to the plurality of machining stations;
- and
- controlling the machining stations in accordance with the machining information related to the allocated machining operations.
An article of manufacture for use in a computerized machining system, for machining a workpiece with a plurality of machining stations each one having at least one work spindle, and having a computer-readable code means for:
- providing machining information related to a plurality of machining operations specific to a particular workpiece;
- automatically allocating the plurality of machining operations to the plurality of machining stations;
- and
- controlling the machining stations in accordance with the machining information related to the allocated machining operations.
A machining system (1),
- having a plurality of machining stations (S1, S2, S3), which each have at least one work spindle (A1) and serve to perform specified machining operations (B1, . . . , BN) on workpieces,
- having a control device, which has an allocation module (27) for automatically allocating the specified machining operations (B1, . . . , BN) to the machining stations (S1, S2, S3) and to the work spindle (A1).
A machining system,
- having a plurality of machining stations (S1, S2, S3), which each have at least one work spindle (A1) and serve to perform specified machining operations (B1, . . . , BN) from different machining directions, on multi-sided workpieces,
- having a control device, which has a memory device for storing an allocation of the specified machining operations (B1, . . . , BN) to the machining stations (S1, S2, S3) and to the work spindle (A1),
- having a coordinate transformation device for converting workpiece-referred desired dimensions into positioning commands for the machining stations (S1, S2, S3) in their own coordinate systems,
- wherein the coordinate transformation device is connected to the memory device in order to perform the coordinate transformation on the basis of the allocation, stored in the memory device, of the specified machining operations (B1, . . . , BN) to the machining stations (S1, S2, S3) and to the work spindle (A1).
An article of manufacture for use in a computerized machining system, and having a computer-readable code means, wherein the machining system includes a plurality of machining stations (S1, S2, S3), in which workpieces can be put in different machining positions by means of positioning devices and machined in these positions, and each of the machining stations having machining units (R1, R2), which have work spindles (A1, A2, . . . ), which can be positioned with respect to the workpieces by means of adjusting devices,
- wherein the computer-readable code means receives workpiece dimensions of the workpiece to be produced and the machining operations (Bi) required to produce it and automatically distributes the machining operations (Bi), in accordance with their order to the machining stations (S1, S2, S3) and machining units (R1, R2) in such a way that the utilization of the individual machining stations (S1, S2, S3) and machining units (R1, R2) is essentially equal.
An article of manufacture for use in a computerized machining system, and having a computer-readable code means, wherein the machining system includes a plurality of machining stations (S1, S2, S3), in which workpieces can be put in different machining positions by means of positioning devices and machined in these positions, and each of the machining stations having machining units (R1, R2), which have work spindles (A1, A2, . . . ), which can be positioned with respect to the workpieces by means of adjusting devices,
- wherein the computer-readable code means has an allocation module, which automatically allocates the required machining operations to certain machining stations, workpiece positions and machining units (R1, R2) and work spindles (A1, A2, . . . ) and generates corresponding control instructions in machining station-specific coordinate systems.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.