Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02847923 2014-09-17
PROCESS FOR MONITORING AT LEAST ONE MACHINE TOOL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a device, system,
method,
business method, and process for monitoring at least one machine tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Machine tools, storage units as well as processes for monitoring at
least one machine
tool are known. In this context, the work step of a component of a machine
tool, for instance, of
a tool, is monitored. For this purpose, a target signal is allocated to the
component of the
machine tool when performing a work step which is based on at least one stored
reference
number. If a detected current signal of the machine tool component deviates
from the target
signal when performing the work step, the operator of the machine tool
receives a respective
indication directly displayed on the machine tool as to which component is
working in deviation
and of which type the deviation is.
[0003] Moreover, it is known to remotely maintain machine tools by means of
a remote
access, in which context the remote maintenance is carried out by a concrete
inquiry and
clearance of the access to the machine tool.
[0004] In this context, it has turned out to be disadvantageous that a
deviation of the current
signal of the machine tool component from the target signal of the machine
tool component is
detectable only directly on the machine tool. Thus, it may never be completely
excluded that a
warning message of the machine tool is misinterpreted or ignored by the
operating personnel
which can increase the risk of damage to the machine tool or which may lead to
a quality
reduction of the work pieces.
[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides a process described
above so that the
operation of a machine tool, in particular production of work pieces, is
optimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The embodiments of the present invention include a process for
monitoring at least
one machine tool, including the steps of:
a) determination of at least one target signal of at least one component of
the
machine tool when performing a work step on the basis of at least one pre-
definable or
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predefined reference number;
b) detection of a current signal of the at least one component of the machine
tool
when performing the work step;
c) detection of a deviation of the target signal from the current signal
and generation
of a deviation signal, including at least one piece of information about the
component, the
machine tool and/or the deviation.
[0007] Moreover, the embodiments of the present invention include a machine
tool operable
with the above procedure as well as a storage unit for storing and retrieving
data sets interacting
with the machine tool and/or operable with the process.
[0008] The embodiments of the present invention include a method of
monitoring at least
one machine tool including: determining a target signal of a component of the
machine tool
when performing a work step on the basis of at least one pre-definable or
predefined reference
number; detecting a current signal of the component of the machine tool when
performing the
work step; detecting a deviation of the target signal from the current signal;
and generating a
deviation signal. The deviation signal includes a piece of information about
the component, the
machine tool, and/or the deviation. The device, system, method, business
method, and process of
monitoring at least one machine tool further includes transferring the
deviation signal as a new
data set to an externally accessible storage unit that is separate or
separable from the machine
tool.
[0009] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
device for
monitoring at least one machine tool including: an externally accessible
storage unit that is
separate or separable from the machine tool, where the externally accessible
storage unit stores
and retrieves data sets. The device further includes a pre-definable or
predefined reference
number, a target signal, and a current signal, where the reference number,
target signal, and
current signal include conditions relevant to an operation or process of the
machine tool.
Additionally, the device includes a sensor on the machine tool, a deviation of
the target signal
from the current signal, and a deviation signal, where the deviation signal
includes at least one
piece of information about the machine tool or the deviation. Further, the
device includes a new
data set including the deviation signal, and a data processing unit.
[0010] The embodiments of the present invention further include a system
for monitoring at
least one machine tool including at least one machine tool and a device for
monitoring the at
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least one machine tool. The device includes a pre-definable or predefined
reference number, a
target signal, and a current signal, where the reference number, target
signal, and current signal
include conditions relevant to an operation or process of the machine tool.
The device further
includes a sensor on the machine tool, a deviation of the target signal from
the current signal, and
a deviation signal, where the deviation signal includes at least one piece of
information about the
machine tool or the deviation. Additionally, the device includes a new data
set including the
deviation signal, and a data processing unit. The system further includes an
externally accessible
storage unit that is separate or separable from the machine tool, where the
externally accessible
storage unit stores and retrieves data sets.
[0011] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
method of
monitoring at least one machine tool including: determining at least one
target signal of at least
one component of the machine tool when performing a work step on the basis of
at least one pre-
definable or predefined reference number; detecting a current signal of the at
least one
component of the machine tool when performing the work step; detecting a
deviation of the
target signal from the current signal; and generating a deviation signal,
where the deviation
signal includes at least one piece of information about the component, the
machine tool, and/or
the deviation. The method further includes monitoring the machine tool
deviation signal beyond
operating personnel of the machine tool in order to correct or repair the
machine tool prior to a
failure of the machine tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Preferred features of the embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed in the
accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar
elements
throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0013] Figure 1 shows a schematic process chart of the process according to
an embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0014] Figure 2 shows a schematic figure of the components illustrating the
process
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described more
fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred
embodiments of the
invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these
illustrated embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete and
will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0016] In the following description, like reference characters designate
like or corresponding
parts throughout the figures.
[0017] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the task of
the process
specified in the beginning is solved by transferring and/or storing the
deviation signal as a new
data set to/on an externally accessible storage unit which is separate or
separable from the
machine tool.
[0018] The pre-definable or predefined reference number, the target signal
and/or the current
signal may principally include all conditions relevant to an operation or
process of the machine
tool component. It may, for example, include a travel path, speed and/or
acceleration along at
least one dimension. Moreover, it is imaginable that the pre-definable or
predefined reference
number includes at least one performance parameter such as the amperage,
hydraulic and/or
pneumatic pressure, speed, time, duration, voltage, and/or power or torque of
the machine tool
component.
[0019] The machine tool component may, for instance, be a tool, such as a
turning tool,
milling tool, drilling tool, honing or grinding tool, eroder or the like. In
addition, the component
may also comprise a pump, a generator and/or an electric, mechanical,
pneumatic and/or
hydraulic engine.
[0020] The current signal can principally be detected arbitrarily. It has
turned out to be
simple and practical if the current signal is detected by at least one sensor
of the machine tool.
The sensor can comprise a tactile sensor, a motion sensor, an acceleration
sensor, a distance
sensor, a pressure sensor, a fluid sensor, and/or a temperature sensor or the
like.
[0021] Moreover, it is imaginable that the current signal is composed of
information from
different sensors.
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=
[0022] The fact that the deviation signal is transferred as a new
data set by and storable in an
externally accessible storage unit which is separate and separable from the
machine tool, allows
external access to the storage unit and to detect and display the deviation
signal. Thus, it is
possible that the machine tool may be monitored beyond the operating personnel
which allows
detection of a deviation of the current signal from the target signal in due
time. In such case, a
correction and/or repair can be carried out at an early stage, in particular,
prior to a failure of the
component and/or the machine tool.
[0023] Furthermore, several machine tools can be monitored more
easily together which
makes the deployment of personnel more efficient.
[0024] In addition, standstills of the machine tool may be reduced
and thus the efficiency of
the machine tool operation is increased.
[0025] In principal, it is imaginable that only the new data set is
stored in the storage unit in
order to be visible from a distance from the machine tool.
[0026] However, it has turned out to be practical if the process
also includes a verification of
whether an old data set corresponding to the new data set is stored in the
storage unit and/or if it
includes a retrieval of an old data set stored in the storage unit and
corresponding to the new data
set and/or an allocation or storage of the new data set in the old data set.
[0027] Thus, it is retraceable whether the detected deviation has
occurred for the first time
and/or once and/or whether there is a systematic deviation of the current
signal from the target
signal. This facilitates an interpretation of the deviation signal.
[0028] In principle, it is imaginable that the verification of
whether there is an old data set
and/or that the retrieval of the old data set is affected via the storage unit
by the machine tool.
However, when further developing this embodiment of the present invention, it
has turned out to
be advantageous if the verification of whether there is an old data set and/or
if the retrieval of the
old data set via the storage unit are carried out by a further storage unit
independent from the
storage unit and/or by a data processing unit.
[0029] If the retrieval of the old data set by the storage unit is
carried out by a data
processing unit, the new data set and the old data set may be analyzed without
problems. In
addition this allows the system to analyze old data sets and new data sets of
different storage
units by one and the same processing unit. This allows detection of a system-
related deviation of
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the machine tool in different locations. In addition, the detection of the
current signal may be
carried out continuously or in periodic intervals.
[0030] If the current signal is detected continuously, the sensitivity of
the process is
increased. If the current signal is detected in periodic intervals, the
calculation times and the
energy demand may be reduced.
[0031] It is principally imaginable that the deviation via a manual
retrieval is, for instance,
caused by the data processing unit. In order to facilitate the monitoring of
the at least one
machine tool, it has turned out to be advantageous if at least the deviation
of the target signal and
current signal is displayed if:
a) the deviation signal and/or the new data set satisfies a defined or
definable display
requirement, in particular, storable or stored in the machine tool and/or the
storage unit; and/or
b) a predefined or pre-definable number of old data sets, in particular stored
in the
storage unit, is reached or exceeded.
[0032] The display requirement may, for example, be of such nature that it
includes a
damage to the component or a defective operation of the at least one machine
tool component.
[0033] It is further imaginable that the display requirement is defined in
such manner that the
deviation of the current signal from the target signal is so small that the
quality of the processing
of a work piece is not or only slightly impaired. In such case, a replacement
or repair of the
machine tool component can be planned if the machine tool stands still anyway.
[0034] If the predefined or pre-definable number of old data sets has been
reached or
exceeded, there is a decision aid as to whether the deviation is a phenomenon
that has occurred
for the first time or only once or whether it is a systemic defect of the
machine tool.
[0035] It has turned out to be advantageous if the pre-definable or
predefined number of old
data sets includes at least ten, or at least five, or at least one. Thus, it
can be distinguished
whether the deviation is a one-time phenomenon or whether it is a systemic
deviation.
[0036] Moreover, it is advantageous if the new data set includes at least
one piece of
information about the deviation of the current signal from the target signal,
the component and/or
the machine tool and/or that the old data set includes at least one piece of
information about the
deviation, the component, and/or the machine tool.
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==
[0037] In order to facilitate an analysis of the deviation signal, it has
turned out to be
advantageous if an automatic and/or manual diagnosing and/or calibrating at
least of the
component is carried out on the basis of the deviation signal.
[0038] In principle, it is imaginable that the deviation and/or the
deviation signal of only one
single machine tool is displayed. In addition, it is imaginable that at least
one of the at least one
old data sets comprises a further machine tool deviating from the machine tool
of the new data
set.
[0039] It has turned out to be practical if a remote maintenance is
demandable or clearable
by the operating personnel. Furthermore, a remote maintenance can be carried
out without being
demanded by the operating personnel.
[0040] Finally, it has turned out to be advantageous if at least one of
the at least one old data
sets includes a further machine tool deviating from the machine tool of the
new data set.
[0041] This allows an embodiment of the present to draw on different
machine tools, which
allows for the detection of systemic defects of the machine tool components.
Thus, a
deterioration of the quality of the work result is detectable in due course.
[0042] In addition, the task is solved by a machine tool that is operable
according to a
process, in particular including one of the process steps previously
mentioned.
[0043] Finally, the task is solved by a storage unit for storing and
retrieving data sets that is
operable according to a process, in particular including one of the process
steps previously
mentioned.
[0044] The process according to the embodiments of the present invention,
the machine tool
according to the embodiments of the present invention, and the storage unit
according to the
embodiments of the present invention are advantageous in several aspects.
[0045] Deviations may be detected externally because the deviation signal
is transferable as a
new data set to and storable in an externally accessible storage unit separate
and separable from
the machine tool.
[0046] A deviation of the current signal from the target signal may be
detected in due time
because the deviation is displayed by means of predefined display requirements
or if a certain
number of stored old data sets is exceeded or reached.
[0047] Further features, details, as well as advantages of the
embodiments of the present
invention may be inferred from the attached patent claims, from the drawings,
and the
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subsequent description of a preferred embodiment of the process according to
the embodiments
of the present invention.
[0048] Figure 1 shows a schematic process chart of the process according to
an embodiment
of the present invention. In a first process step 2, a target signal 4 of a
component 6 of a machine
tool 8 is detected. In this context, at least one stored predefined reference
number 5 is taken as a
basis.
[0049] In a further step 10, a current signal 12 of the at least one
component 6 of the machine
tool 8 is detected. In this context, a deviation of the target signal 4 from
the current signal 12 is
detected and a deviation signal 14 is generated. This is transferred to a
storage unit 16 and stored
as a new data set 18, in which connection the storage unit 16 is externally
accessible. The
external access can, for instance, be made by a further storage unit 20 or a
data processing unit.
Moreover, a further machine tool 8 may also access the storage unit 16.
[0050] In addition, old data sets 24 are also storable and/or stored in the
storage unit 16
which correspond with the new data set 18 with regard to the machine tool 8
and/or component
6.
[0051] In the further storage unit 20, in the processing unit 22, and/or in
one of the machine
tool 8 or a further machine tool 8, the deviation signal 14 or the new data
set 18 are displayed if a
display requirement 26 stored in the storage unit 16 has been satisfied. This
can, for example,
include a deviation of the current signal 12 from the target signal 4 of at
least 10%.
[0052] Figure 2 shows a schematic figure of different constellations with
regard to which the
process according to the invention may be applied.
[0053] The at least one machine tool 8 can include only one single machine
tool 8 or several
machine tools 8. In the latter case, it is imaginable that these are operated
in different locations.
The process according to the embodiments of the present invention allows the
machine tools 8 to
determine at least the current signals 12 of the components 6 when performing
a work step and
process them with the corresponding target signals 4 in order to determine a
deviation and to
generate a deviation signal 14 on this basis.
[0054] This is transferred to the storage unit 16 where it is stored and/or
it is stored in the
new data set 18. By means of further storage units 20, the data processing
unit 22 or a further
machine tool 8 the new data set 18 or to old data sets 24 already stored in
the storage unit 16 can
be accessed.
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[0055] In the following, the process according to the embodiments of the
present invention
as well as the interaction of the individual elements and components is
briefly described.
[0056] When starting up the machine tool and performing a work step by the
at least one
component 6 of the machine tool 8, a predefined reference number 5 is taken as
a basis that
shows the work step. A target signal 4 is determined on this basis.
[0057] During the operation of the component 6 of the machine tool 8, a
current signal 12 is
detected. From the target signal 4 and the current signal 12, a deviation is
determined on the
basis of which a deviation signal 14 is generated. This is transferred to an
externally accessible
storage unit 16 and stored there as a new data set 18. In addition, old data
sets 24 are also stored
in the storage unit 16, which allows the system to determine whether the
deviation had occurred
before or whether it is a singular event.
[0058] Thus, the deviation is externally detectable. An automatic and/or
manual diagnosing
of the deviation may take place and an automatic or manual calibrating at
least of the component
6 of the machine tool 8 may be triggered.
[0059] The features of the invention shown in the above description, in the
claims, and in the
drawing, may be individual, as well as in any arbitrary combination, in the
realization of the
invention and its different embodiments.
[0060] An embodiment of the present invention further includes retrieving
an old data set
stored in the storage unit corresponding to the new data set.
[0061] An embodiment of the present invention further includes a defined or
definable
display requirement that includes a deviation of the current signal from the
target signal of at
least 10% of the target signal. Additionally, an embodiment of the present
invention further
includes a defined or definable display requirement that includes a deviation
of the current signal
from the target signal of at least 5% of the target signal. Further, an
embodiment of the present
invention further includes a defined or definable display requirement that
includes a deviation of
the current signal from the target signal of at least 1% of the target signal
[0062] An embodiment of the present invention further includes at least ten
pre-defined or
pre-definable number of old data sets. Additionally, an embodiment of the
present invention
further includes at least five pre-defined or pre-definable number of old data
sets. Further, an
embodiment of the present invention further includes at least one pre-defined
or pre-definable
number of old data sets.
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