- Email: [email protected]
Computer Aids for the Classification of Pre-Set Tooling for Numerical-Controlled Machine Tools
Computer Aids for the Classification of Pre-Set Tooling for Numerical-Controlled Machine Tools Professor T. R. Crossley BSc (Eng), PhD, CEng CMfg Eng, FRAeS, and P. M. Costello, BSc MSc. Department of Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT/England SUMMARY One o f t h e p r o b l e m s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e l a r g e - s c a l e u s e o f n u m e r i c a l l y - c o n t r o l l e d machine t o o l s i n t h e h i g h - v a r i e t y b a t c h e n v i r o n m e n t t y o i f i e d by t h e a e r o s p a c e i n d u s t r y i s t h e p r o v i s i o n i n q and c o n t r o l o f p r e - a s s e m b l e d c u t t i n a t o o l s . The e f f i c i e n t u t i l i s a t i o n of t h e s e e x p e n s i v e i t e m s demands e f f e c t i v e c a t a l o g u i n q and r e c o r d i n g o f t h e i r u s a q e . Conventional paper-based s y s t e m f o r t h e s e purposes a r e o f t e n i n e f f i c i e n t and e x p e n s i v e t o o p e r a t e . A computer-based s y s t e m i s p r e s e n t e d which makes u s e b o t h o f c l a s s i f i c a t i o n codes and o f i n t e r a c t i v e d a t a m a n i p u l a t i o n .
INTRODUCTION When l a r g e numbers o f d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of n u m e r i c a l l y c o n t r o l l e d ( N C ) machine t o o l s a r e o p e r a t e d i n a h i g h v a r i e t y batch environment, t h e investment i n s p e c i a l i s e d t o o l h o l d e r s and c u t t i n g tools f o r t h e s e machines becomes h i g h l y s i g n i f i c a n t and may r e p r e s e n t upwards o f t e n per cent of t h e t o t a l c a p i t a l outlay. In order to maximise t h e u t i l i s a t i o n o f t h i s i n v e s t m e n t , t o a v o i d u n n e c e s s a r y d u p l i c a t i o n and t o m i n i m i s e s e t up and breakdown t i m e s , i t i s e s s e n t i a l t h a t a n e f f e c t i v e s y s t e m e x i s t s f o r c a t a l o g u i n g and r e c o r d i n p a l l u s a g e . The c o n v e n t i o n a l method f o r a c h i e v i n q t h i s i n v o l v e s t h e u s e o f l e d g e r s , d r a w i n g s and o t h e r w r i t t e n documents a n d c a n b e t e d i o u s , t i m e c o r n m i n o a n d open t o e r r o r . T h i s p a p e r d e s c r i b e s a n a l t e r n a t i v e s y s t e m which h a s b e e n d e v e l o p e d i n t h e NC S e c t i o n o f a l e a d i n g B r i t i s h Company. T h i s s y s t e m , which i s known a s t h e T o o l i n g I n f o r m a t i o n D i r e c t o r y ( T I D Y ) , c o m u r i s e s a number o f computer a i d s making u s e o f i n t e r a c t i v e t e c h n i q u e s and I t i s a p a r t o f t h e l a r g e r I n t e g r a t e d NC graphics. A p p l i c a t i o n s System which h a s been c o n c e i v e d t o i n c r e a s e t h e p r o d u c t i v i t y of NC-oriented p r o d u c t i o n e n g i n e e r i n g a c t i v i t i e s by making u s e of modern d a t a p r o c e s s i n g and s t o r a g e t e c h n o l o g i e s . T I D Y i s b a s e d on a series o f n u m e r i c a l c o d e s by which e a c h i n d i v i d u a l i t e m o f t o o l i n n and c u t t i n g tool i s i d e n t i f i e d and r e f e r e n c e d ; e a c h a s s e m b l y o f t o o l i n g r e q u i r e d t o perform a s p e c i f i c j o b is f u r t h e r i d e n t i The whole o f f i e d by a b u i l d u p o r p r e - s e t number. t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n a d a t a b a s e which may b e e a s i l y u p d a t e d or i n t e r r o g a t e d by a s i n g l e s o f t ware module p r o v j . d i n q a r a n g e o f f u n c t i o n s i n c l u d i n g : ( i ) I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f e x i s t i n g t o o l a s s e m b l i e s by
specification of c u t t i n g tool. (ii) I d e n t i f i c a t i o n of a l t e r n a t i v e s . ) Automatic g e n e r a tio n of drawings of e x i s t i n g t o o l assemblies. ( i v ) M f i n i t i o n o f new t o o l a s s e m b l i e s . (v) I n t e r r o g a t i o n o f t h e d a t a base t o determine t h e u s a g e of t h e v a r i o u s component p a r t s , such a s c h u c k s , c o l l e t s , and a d a p t o r s . Currently, TIDY i s f u l l y operational f o r d r i l l s only, b u t h a s b e e n d e s i g n e d t o accommodate t h e wide r a n g e Further o f c u t t i n g tools e n c o u n t e r e d i n i n d u s t r y . i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l b e i n c l u d e d i n t o t h e d a t a b a s e as t i m e p e r m i t s . A s t a n d - a l o n e module f o r t h e a u t o m a t i c g e n e r a t i o n o f drawing of in d e x a b le i n s e r t t y p e t u r n i n g t o o l s b a s e d on t h e IS0 c o d i n ? s y s t e m h a s a l s o b e e n d e v e l o p e d . The e v e n t u a l aim i s t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h i s and o t h e r modules i n t o T I D Y so t h a t a s i n g l e s y s t e m may b e u s e d t o c o v e r t h e whole s p e c t r u m o f machining I t is recognised t h a t t h e p r e s e n t hardactivities. ware s y s t e m may u l t i m a t e l y p r o v e i n a d e q u a t e f o r t h i s t a s k and so t h e s o f t w a r e h a s been d e v e l o p e d i n a manner which s h o u l d f a c i l i t a t e i t s p o r t a b i l i t y t o l a r g e r computers. 1.
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The T I D Y s y s t e m i s b a s e d on t h e u s e of a c l a s s i f i c a t i o n code f o r t h e u n i q u e and unambiguous d e f i n i t i o n o f c u t Many s u c h c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g t i n g tools. s y s t e m s have been d e v e l o p e d t o c o v e r a p p l i c a t i o n s s u c h a s l i b r a r i e s , s u p e r m a r k e t s and d e s i g n o f f i c e s . Unf o r t u n a t e l y , t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g o f t o o l i n g a p p e a r s t o have been l a r g e l y n e g l e c t e d . C l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g s y s t e m s c a n b e c a t e g o r i s e d i n t o f i v e main t y p e s , a s f o l l o w s : 1.
S t r a i g h t numeric
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numbers a r e s e l e c t e d s e q u e n t i a l l y
Annals of the ClRP Vol. 33/1/1984
from a l e d g e r , o r o t h e r p a p e r - r e c o r d i n g method and a s s i g n e d t o t h e a r t i c l e t o b e c o d e d / c l a s s i f i e d .
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C l a s s i f i e d numeric c e r t a i n d i g i t s o f t h e coding number r e p r e s e n t t h e c l a s s o f t h e t o o l , s u b s e q u e n t d i g i t s i n d i c a t i n g t h e s u b - c l a s s o f t o o l . The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s y s t e m used i n B r i t i s h l i b r a r i e s i s an example o f t h e c l a s s i f i e d n u m e r i c s y s t e m .
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S t r a i g h t letters not r e a d i l y adapted to o r d e r l y and l o g i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n s , i t s main a d v a n t a g e i s t h a t any o f t h e 26 letters can b e p l a c e d i n e a c h position.
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Mnemonic s y s t e m s uses a simple system of repres e n t i n g a r t i c l e s t o b e c l a s s i f i e d , f o r example, d r i l l s would b e ' D ' numbers and m i l l s would b e 'M' numbers.
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Alpha n u m e r i c c o m b i n a t i o n of t h e b e s t f e a t u r e s o f a l p h a b e t i c a l and n u m e r i c a l c o d e s . The I S 0 s t a n d a r d c o d i n g f o r t u r n i n g tools i s an example o f an a l p h a n u m e r i c c o d i n g s y s t e m . P e r h a p s t h e m o s t w e l l known t o o l i n g c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g s y s t e m i s t h e I S 0 s t a n d a r d /l/, u s e d t o d e s c r i b e i n d e x a b l e i n s e r t s and t o o l h o l d e r s f o r t u r n i n g applications. T h i s a l p h a n u m e r i c code h a s b e e n a d o p t e d by t h e m a j o r s u p p l i e r s , and h a s been found t o b e o f y r e a t use i n t h e p r o d u c t i o n e n g i n e e r i n g environment, s i n c e o n l y one s e t o f r e f e r e n c e documents i s n e e d e d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e I S 0 code i s l i m i t e d t o a v e r y s m a l l r a n g e of t o o l i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s . O t h e r s y s t e m s have been d e v e l o p e d which a t t e m p t t o p r o v i d e more g e n e r a l s o l u t i o n s i n c l u d i n g t h o s e by PERA / 2 / , B r i s c h / 3 / , On e x a m i n a t i o n , m s t o f EXAPT / 4 / and Ranky / 5 / . these e s t a b l i s h e d systems appear t o be poorly s u i t e d f o r a p p l i c a t i o n s i n i n d u s t r i e s where l a r g e v a r i e t i e s o f tools a r e e n c o u n t e r e d , b o t h o f s t a n d a r d and s p e c i a l types. T I D Y i s b a s e d on a n u m e r i c a l s y s t e m , b u t a t t e m p t s t o
overcome t h e o p e r a t i o n a l p r o b l e m s by u s e o f modern An 1 1 - d i g i t numerii n t e r a c t i v e computer t e c h n o l o a y . c a l code i s used which, a l t h o u g h a p p e a r i n g t o b e r a t h e r c o m p l i c a t e d , i s " t r a n s p a r e n t " t o t h e u s e r and i s u s e d f o r d a t a p r o c e s s i n g o n l y ; a l l u s e r communication b e i n g i n e n g i n e e r s ' languaqe. The f i r s t t h r e e d i g i t s r e p r e s e n t s t h e main tool g r o u p ; f o r example, 001 002
003
- Drills - Reamers
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Milling Cutters
The n e x t t h r e e d i g i t s r e p r e s e n t t h e sub-group. For e x a m p l e , u n d e r t h e main t o o l g r o u p 001 - D r i l l s , t h e f o l l o w i n g sub-groups a r e l i s t e d : 001
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002
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003 004
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J o b b e r series d r i l l s [standard) J o b b e r series d r i l l s (long reach) Stub d r i l l s Worm d r i l l s
The r e m a i n i n g f i v e d i g i t s i n d i c a t e t h e s i z e o f t h e c u t t i n g t o o l , which i s t h e d i a m e t e r i n t h e case o f m i l l s , d r i l l s , reamers and t a p s . The f i r s t d i g i t o f t h e s e r e m a i n i n g f i v e d i g i t s i n d i c a t e s an i n c h , metric o r 6 4 t h ~ . dimension a n d t h e n e x t f o u r i t s s i z e i n t h e specified units.
313
The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g o f c u t t i n g tools forms a l a r g e s e c t i o n of T I D Y , b u t i s n o t t h e c o m p l e t e solution.
Module 3 :
C u t t i n g t o o l i n f o r m a t i o n can be e n t e r e d , m o d i f i e d , i n t e r r o g a t e d or t a b u l a t e d from w i t h i n t h i s module. The s o f t w a r e module prohibits the entry of duplicate tooling, and i n c l u d e s a n o p t i o n t o s e a r c h f o r e q u i v a l e n t , or n e a r - s i z e d e q u i v a l e n t , c u t t i n g tools b e f o r e a new c u t t i n g t o o l r e c o r d c a n b e g e n e r a t e d . S p e c i a l c u t t i n g tools used i n t h e Company a r e a s s i g n e d s p e c i a l numbers, t h e s e a r e c r o s s r e f e r e n c e d t o t h e t o o l d a t a base i n o r d e r t o allow t h i s module t o have s t a n d - a l o n e mode t h u s g i v i n o more f l e x i b i l i t y i n t h e s u b s e q u e n t management o f t h e c u t t i n g t o o l d a t a b a s e . C u t t i n g t o o l i n f o r m a t i o n can b e e n t e r e d t o t h e d a t a b a s e o f t h e module, o p e r a t i n g i n a s t a n d - a l o n e mode t h u s g i v i n g more f l e x i b i l i t y i n t h e s u b s e q u e n t management o f t h e c u t t i n g tool d a t a b a s e . The i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n t h e d a t a f i l e f o r t h i s module can be a c c e s s e d e a s i l y , and l i n k e d v i a T I D Y t o t h e main tool-assembly d a t a b a s e .
Module 4 :
T o o l h o l d e r i n f o r m a t i o n can b e e n t e r e d , m o d i f i e d , i n t e r r o g a t e d or t a b u l a t e d by a c c e s s i n g t h i s module. A s i s t h e c a s e w i t h o t h e r modules, t h i s module h a s a stand-alone c a p a b i l i t y and, a s b e fore, prohibits duplicate entries.
Module 5 :
T h i s module i s o f a s i m i l a r s t r u c t u r e t o module 4 , b u t h a s been d e v e l o p e d t o h a n d l e information relevant to c o l l e t s .
Module 6 :
T h i s module i s s i m i l a r t o modules 4 and 5 , but applies t o extension information.
The v a r i o u s t y p e s o f t o o l - h o l d i n g chucks used on NC machine t o o l s a r e e a c h g i v e n a s i m p l e n u m e r i c c l a s s i f i c a t i o n number, a s a r e t h e v a r i o u s a d a p t o r s , c o l l e t s , and e x t e n s i o n s . Each t o o l a s s e m b l y , t h a t i s e a c h working c o m b i n a t i o n o f t h e s e s e p a r a t e i t e m s , i s i d e n t i f i e d by a f u r t h e r n u m e r i c c o d e , t h e tool assembly number. An i n d e x l i n k s t h i s number i n t o t h e d a t a b a s e where a s s o c i a t e d i n f o r m a t i o n i s s t o r e d i n a 1 2 8 - c h a r a c t e r r e c o r d . The r e c o r d c o m p l e t e l y d e f i n e s t h e t o o l assembly e n a b l i n g information t o be generated f o r t o o l s e t t i n g . The t o o l - a s s e m b l y n u m e r i c a l code c o m p r i s e s 10 d i g i t s , t h e f i r s t s i x o f which a r e common w i t h t h e c u t t i n g t o o l number, t h u s a l l o w i n g t o o l a s s e m b l i e s t o b e grouped by c u t t i n g - t o o l t y p e . A l l tool a s s e m b l i e s u s i n g , f o r example, s t a n d a r d j o b b e r s e r i e s d r i l l s a r e grouped t o g e t h e r i n a s e p a r a t e t o o l d a t a f i l e which h a s an a s s o c i a t e d i n d e x . F o r e a c h new t o o l a s s e m b l y , t h e a s s o c i a t e d n u m e r i c a l Inforcode i s s e l e c t e d s e q u e n t i a l l y from t h e i n d e x . m a t i o n s u b s e q u e n t l y s t o r e d i n t h e tool d a t a f i l e is t h e n e a s i l y a c c esse d v i a t h e index. The r e c o r d cont a i n e d w i t h i n t h e d a t a base u s e s a f i e l d format s t r u c t u r e and c o n t a i n s n o t o n l y p h y s i c a l t o o l - a s s e m b l y information, b u t a l s o o t h e r d a t a such a s s e t t i n g l e n g t h , o l d t o o l a s s e m b l y numbers ( f r o m p r e v i o u s p a p e r s y s t e m s ) and machine c l a s s . A l s o f u r t h e r i n d i c e s a r e linked with t h e tool d a t a base, allowing i n t e r r o g a t i o n v i a machine c l a s s , o l d t o o l assembly numbers, and c u t t i n g tool s p e c i f i c a t i o n . 2.
HARDWARE SYSTEM
TIDY h a s been implemented on a D i g i t a l Equipment C o r p o r a t i o n LSI11/23 microcomputer o p e r a t i n g u n d e r t h e RSX-11M o p e r a t i n g s y s t e m . T h i s i n c l u d e s 20 mbytes of d i s c s t o r a g e and a m a g n e t i c t a p e d r i v e i s a v a i l a b l e f o r d a t a backup and f u r t h e r d e v e l o p m e n t s . A T e k t r o n i x g r a p h i c d i s p l a y u n i t w i t h hard-copy f a c i l i t i e s i s a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e r a p i d production of tool-assembly d r a w i n g s and s e t t i n g s h e e t s . P r e c i s i o n tool-assembly d r a w i n g s can b e p r o d u c e d on a Benson drum p l o t t e r . G r a p h i c i n f o r m a t i o n can a l s o be e n t e r e d t o T I D Y v i a a d i g i t i s e r , t h u s e n a b l i n g drawing d a t a f o r s t a n d a r d t o o l i n g e l e m e n t s t o b e s t o r e d on d i s c and r e p r o d u c e d on e i t h e r g r a p h i c s d e v i c e a s r e q u i r e d . 3.
The d a t a b a s e c o m p r i s e s s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n t i n f o r m a t i o n f i l e s , e a c h o f which c a n b e l i n k e d and crossr e f e r e n c e d by s e p a r a t e i n d e x f i l e s : e a c h i n d e x p r o v i d i n g f a s t access t o t h e main d a t a b a s e by u s e o f e f f i c i e n t b i n a r y s e a r c h and i n s e r t i o n s o r t /6/ techniques. SYSTEM STRUCTURE
As n o t e d e a r l i e r , t h e s y s t e m c o m p r i s e s s e v e r a l func-
t i o n a l modules and employs s e v e r a l s e p a r a t e d a t a f i l e s . The f u n c t i o n o f e a c h o f t h e s e modules i s a s f o l l o w s : TIDY - t h i s i s t h e main c o n t r o l module which e n a b l e s t h e u s e r t o a c c e s s v a r i o u s modules i n o r d e r t o combine h o l d e r , c o l l e t s , e x t e n s i o n and c u t t i n g t o o l s i n t o t o o l assemblies and a s s i g n a n u m e r i c c o d e t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r A l l o t h e r modules a r e a c c e s s e d from w i t h i n assembly. t h e main module T I D Y . Module 1 :
Module 2 :
By i n t e r a c t i v e t e c h n i q u e s t h e main c u t t i n g tool g r o u p and s u b - c u t t i n g - t o o l g r o u p a r e s e l e c t e d and r e t u r n e d t o TIDY a f t e r which t h e appropriate tool d a t a base is accessed. I n d i c a t e s t h e v a r i o u s main program o p t i o n s t h a t a r e a v a i l a b l e , these being:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
314
Module 8 :
T h i s i s a m o d i f i c a t i o n module which i s a c c e s s e d s e v e r a l t i m e s from TIDY. The module d i s p l a y s t h e r e c o r d i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t h a s been c r e a t e d , or is t o be modified: t h u s e n a b l i n g t h e u s e r t o be f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e whole c o n t e n t s o f t h e record before indicating a correct record o r a r e c o r d i n n e e d o f m o d i f i c a t i o n or updating. A l l s u b s e q u e n t m o d i f i c a t i o n or u p d a t i n g i s a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h t h e module and t h e r e c o r d r e p l a c e d i n t o t h e main tool-assembly d a t a f i l e .
Module 9 :
T h i s module k e e p s a r e c o r d o f which toolh o l d e r , a d a p t o r , c o l l e t s , e x t e n s i o n s and c u t t i n g tools a r e used i n a p a r t i c u l a r t o o l assembly. In the case of cutting t o o l s , i t i s e a s y and u s e f u l t o s e a r c h t h e main t o o l assembly d a t a b a s e v i a a n i n d e x t o d e t e r m i n e , f o r example, which tool a s s e m b l i e s u s e a 5mm s t a n d a r d j o b b e r series d r i l l : t h u s p r e v e n t i n g d u p l i c a t i o n o f tool a s s e m b l i e s by showing p o s s i b l e a l t e r n a t i v e s .
SOFTNARE SYSTEM
The s o f t w a r e was i n i t i a l l y d e v e l o p e d i n BASIC, f o r e a s e and s p e e d o f c o m p i l a t i o n and d e b u g g i n g , a s a series o f 10 i n d i v i d u a l s t a n d - a l o n e f u n c t i o n a l modules. However, t o i n c r e a s e c o m p u t a t i o n a l s p e e d , m a t h e m a t i c a l a c c u r a c y and p o r t a b i l i t y between computer s y s t e m s , t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l l y - p r o v e n modules have now been t r a n s l a t e d i n t o FORTRAN I V and l i n k e d t o g e t h e r t o o p e r a t e a s a s i n g l e t a s k u n d e r t h e RSX-11M computer o p e r a t i n g system.
4.
Module 7 : O t h e r t o o l i l s s e m b l y i n f o r m a t i o n i s e n t e r e d t o t h e tool assembly d a t a b a s e by i n t e r a c t i v e questioning, t h e information being s t o r e d i n p a r t i c u l a r f i e l d s within the 128-character record length.
C r e a t i o n o f a t o o l assembly r e c o r d . M o d i f i c a t i o n o f a t o o l assembly r e c o r d . L i s t o f tool assembly r e c o r d . I n t e r r o g a t i o n of t o o l assembly r e c o r d s .
Module 10 : By s p e c i f y i n g a t o o l - a s s e m b l y number, t h i s module a u t o m a t i c a l l y draws t h e t o o l assembly onto t h e Tektronix graphics display. The module i s a c c e s s e d from T I D Y and d i s p l a y s tool assemblies during c r e a t i o n and/or m o d i f i c a t i o n o p e r a t i o n s t o i n d i c a t e w h e t h e r t h e t o o l - a s s e m b l y h a s been d e f i n e d c o r r e c t l y o r t o show errors n e e d i n g correction by t h e m o d i f i c a t i o n t e c h n i q u e s . The main p u r p o s e of t h e module, however i s t o provide v i a t h e Tektronix graphics and h a r d copy u n i t s , a t o o l - a s s e m b l y d r a w i n g f o r u s e by machine t o o l o p e r a t o r s when b u i l d i n a t h e r e q u i r e d t o o l assembly.
5.
FUTURE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
The s y s t e m h a s b e e n d e s i g n e d on a modular b a s i s i n o r d e r t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e incorporation o f o t h e r software modules. One s u c h p r o p o s e d module accesses t h e t o o l h o l d e r s , c o l l e t s and c u t t i n g t o o l "where used" d a t a f i l e s and converts t h e information i n t o a graphical representat i o n i n d i c a t i n g commonly-used i t e m s , r e d u n d a n t items, f u t u r e b u y i n g n e e d s and so on. T r a n s f e r of t h e T I D Y s y s t e m t o a main-frame computer c o u l d b e a c h i e v e d r e l a t i v e l y e a s i l y due t o t h e s t a n d The mass s t o r a g e f a c i l i t i e s a r d i s a t i o n on FORTRAN I V .
a v a i l a b l e t o a mainframe c o u l d g i v e t h e T I D Y s y s t e m t h e c a p a b i l i t y t o b e e x t e n d e d , by t h e a d d i t i o n o f modules, t o i n c l u d e and c l a s s i f y a l l t o o l i n g used i n a m a j o r company. F u r t h e r development t o i n c l u d e g e n e r a l l a t h e and I S 0 s t a n d a r d l a t h e tools w i l l b e c o m p l e t e d i n t h e n e a r future
.
CONCLUSIONS The s y s t e m d e s c r i b e d i n t h i s p a p e r p r o v i d e s a s o l u t i o n t o some o f t h e p r o b l e m s i n v o l v e d i n t h e p r o v i s i o n i n g of t o o l i n g f o r l a r g e numbers o f v a r i o u s t y p e s o f NC machine t o o l s i n t h e m u l t i - p r o d u c t b a t c h e n v i r o n m e n t t y p i c a l o f much o f t h e i n d u s t r y . A s a company's i n v o l v e m e n t i n NC machine t o o l s i n c r e a s e s , t h e n i n e v i t a b l y t h e investment i n c u t t i n g tools, toolholders, e t c . must a l s o i n c r e a s e . B e f o r e any a t t e m p t can b e made t o r a t i o n a l i s e t h i s i n v e s t m e n t , so p e r m i t t i n g t h e a d o p t i o n o f company s t a n d a r d s , which may be f e d back t h r o u g h t h e d e s i g n loop s o a s t o u l t i m a t e l y minimise t h e s t o c k s o f t h e s e i t e m s , it is n e c essary t o develop s o m e system f o r c a t a l o g u i n g and r e cordi ng. I n i n d u s t r y where t i m e i s a t a premium, p a p e r - b a s e d s y s t e m s for t h i s p u r p o s e c a n no l o n g e r b e t o l e r a t e d , b u t o f t e n t h e investment necessary t o provide a computer-based f a c i l i t y i s p r o h i b i t i v e . The T I D Y s y s t e m p r o v i d e s t h e n e c e s s a r y d a t a c a p t u r e and management c a p a b i l i t i e s a t a minimum c o s t by u t i l i s i n g g e n e r a l p u r p o s e computer f a c i l i t i e s o r i g i n a l l y p u r c h a s e d f o r o t h e r NC o r i e n t a t e d a p p l i c a t i o n s . Although o t h e r c l a s s i f i c a t i o n codes a r e a v a i l a b l e , t h e y a r e n o t r e a d i l y used because of t h e complexity of t h e i r u s e and i m p l e m e n t a t i o n . T I D Y h a v i n g b e e n developed i n a p r o d u c t i o n e n g i n e e r i n g environment overcomes t h e s e p r o b l e m s by u s i n g e v e r d a y e n g i n e e r s ' l a n g u a g e f o r a l l user communication. REFERENCES 1.
IS0 c o d i n g f o r t u r n i n g t o o l h o l d e r s and i n s e r t s . Proposed IS0 sta n d a r d .
2.
PERA T o o l i n g Code. PER?+ r e p o r t N o . 2 2 0 September 1970.
3.
E.
4.
G. BRISH (June 1 9 5 4 ) Maximum Ex Minimo. I n s t i t u t i o n of Production Engineers Journal.
EXAPT, Tool f i l e s f o r c u t t i n g t o o l s .
EXAPT
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V e r e i n , Aachen.
5.
PAL RANKY (November/December 1978), Technology O r i e n t e d Minicomputer Based Databank development f o r I n t e g r a t e d M a n u f a c t u r i n g Systems. P r e s e n t e d a t t h e H o m e S e m i n a r o n "Problems o f I n t e g r a t e d M a n u f a c t u r i n g S y s t e m s D a t a b a s e Design and Management". P o l i t e c h n i c o d i T o r i n o , I t a l y .
6.
I . FLORES ( 1 9 6 9 ) Computer s o r t i n g , P r e n t i c e H a l l .
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INTRODUCTION When l a r g e numbers o f d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of n u m e r i c a l l y c o n t r o l l e d ( N C ) machine t o o l s a r e o p e r a t e d i n a h i g h v a r i e t y batch environment, t h e investment i n s p e c i a l i s e d t o o l h o l d e r s and c u t t i n g tools f o r t h e s e machines becomes h i g h l y s i g n i f i c a n t and may r e p r e s e n t upwards o f t e n per cent of t h e t o t a l c a p i t a l outlay. In order to maximise t h e u t i l i s a t i o n o f t h i s i n v e s t m e n t , t o a v o i d u n n e c e s s a r y d u p l i c a t i o n and t o m i n i m i s e s e t up and breakdown t i m e s , i t i s e s s e n t i a l t h a t a n e f f e c t i v e s y s t e m e x i s t s f o r c a t a l o g u i n g and r e c o r d i n p a l l u s a g e . The c o n v e n t i o n a l method f o r a c h i e v i n q t h i s i n v o l v e s t h e u s e o f l e d g e r s , d r a w i n g s and o t h e r w r i t t e n documents a n d c a n b e t e d i o u s , t i m e c o r n m i n o a n d open t o e r r o r . T h i s p a p e r d e s c r i b e s a n a l t e r n a t i v e s y s t e m which h a s b e e n d e v e l o p e d i n t h e NC S e c t i o n o f a l e a d i n g B r i t i s h Company. T h i s s y s t e m , which i s known a s t h e T o o l i n g I n f o r m a t i o n D i r e c t o r y ( T I D Y ) , c o m u r i s e s a number o f computer a i d s making u s e o f i n t e r a c t i v e t e c h n i q u e s and I t i s a p a r t o f t h e l a r g e r I n t e g r a t e d NC graphics. A p p l i c a t i o n s System which h a s been c o n c e i v e d t o i n c r e a s e t h e p r o d u c t i v i t y of NC-oriented p r o d u c t i o n e n g i n e e r i n g a c t i v i t i e s by making u s e of modern d a t a p r o c e s s i n g and s t o r a g e t e c h n o l o g i e s . T I D Y i s b a s e d on a series o f n u m e r i c a l c o d e s by which e a c h i n d i v i d u a l i t e m o f t o o l i n n and c u t t i n g tool i s i d e n t i f i e d and r e f e r e n c e d ; e a c h a s s e m b l y o f t o o l i n g r e q u i r e d t o perform a s p e c i f i c j o b is f u r t h e r i d e n t i The whole o f f i e d by a b u i l d u p o r p r e - s e t number. t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n a d a t a b a s e which may b e e a s i l y u p d a t e d or i n t e r r o g a t e d by a s i n g l e s o f t ware module p r o v j . d i n q a r a n g e o f f u n c t i o n s i n c l u d i n g : ( i ) I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f e x i s t i n g t o o l a s s e m b l i e s by
specification of c u t t i n g tool. (ii) I d e n t i f i c a t i o n of a l t e r n a t i v e s . ) Automatic g e n e r a tio n of drawings of e x i s t i n g t o o l assemblies. ( i v ) M f i n i t i o n o f new t o o l a s s e m b l i e s . (v) I n t e r r o g a t i o n o f t h e d a t a base t o determine t h e u s a g e of t h e v a r i o u s component p a r t s , such a s c h u c k s , c o l l e t s , and a d a p t o r s . Currently, TIDY i s f u l l y operational f o r d r i l l s only, b u t h a s b e e n d e s i g n e d t o accommodate t h e wide r a n g e Further o f c u t t i n g tools e n c o u n t e r e d i n i n d u s t r y . i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l b e i n c l u d e d i n t o t h e d a t a b a s e as t i m e p e r m i t s . A s t a n d - a l o n e module f o r t h e a u t o m a t i c g e n e r a t i o n o f drawing of in d e x a b le i n s e r t t y p e t u r n i n g t o o l s b a s e d on t h e IS0 c o d i n ? s y s t e m h a s a l s o b e e n d e v e l o p e d . The e v e n t u a l aim i s t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h i s and o t h e r modules i n t o T I D Y so t h a t a s i n g l e s y s t e m may b e u s e d t o c o v e r t h e whole s p e c t r u m o f machining I t is recognised t h a t t h e p r e s e n t hardactivities. ware s y s t e m may u l t i m a t e l y p r o v e i n a d e q u a t e f o r t h i s t a s k and so t h e s o f t w a r e h a s been d e v e l o p e d i n a manner which s h o u l d f a c i l i t a t e i t s p o r t a b i l i t y t o l a r g e r computers. 1.
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The T I D Y s y s t e m i s b a s e d on t h e u s e of a c l a s s i f i c a t i o n code f o r t h e u n i q u e and unambiguous d e f i n i t i o n o f c u t Many s u c h c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g t i n g tools. s y s t e m s have been d e v e l o p e d t o c o v e r a p p l i c a t i o n s s u c h a s l i b r a r i e s , s u p e r m a r k e t s and d e s i g n o f f i c e s . Unf o r t u n a t e l y , t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g o f t o o l i n g a p p e a r s t o have been l a r g e l y n e g l e c t e d . C l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g s y s t e m s c a n b e c a t e g o r i s e d i n t o f i v e main t y p e s , a s f o l l o w s : 1.
S t r a i g h t numeric
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numbers a r e s e l e c t e d s e q u e n t i a l l y
Annals of the ClRP Vol. 33/1/1984
from a l e d g e r , o r o t h e r p a p e r - r e c o r d i n g method and a s s i g n e d t o t h e a r t i c l e t o b e c o d e d / c l a s s i f i e d .
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C l a s s i f i e d numeric c e r t a i n d i g i t s o f t h e coding number r e p r e s e n t t h e c l a s s o f t h e t o o l , s u b s e q u e n t d i g i t s i n d i c a t i n g t h e s u b - c l a s s o f t o o l . The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s y s t e m used i n B r i t i s h l i b r a r i e s i s an example o f t h e c l a s s i f i e d n u m e r i c s y s t e m .
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S t r a i g h t letters not r e a d i l y adapted to o r d e r l y and l o g i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n s , i t s main a d v a n t a g e i s t h a t any o f t h e 26 letters can b e p l a c e d i n e a c h position.
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Mnemonic s y s t e m s uses a simple system of repres e n t i n g a r t i c l e s t o b e c l a s s i f i e d , f o r example, d r i l l s would b e ' D ' numbers and m i l l s would b e 'M' numbers.
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Alpha n u m e r i c c o m b i n a t i o n of t h e b e s t f e a t u r e s o f a l p h a b e t i c a l and n u m e r i c a l c o d e s . The I S 0 s t a n d a r d c o d i n g f o r t u r n i n g tools i s an example o f an a l p h a n u m e r i c c o d i n g s y s t e m . P e r h a p s t h e m o s t w e l l known t o o l i n g c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g s y s t e m i s t h e I S 0 s t a n d a r d /l/, u s e d t o d e s c r i b e i n d e x a b l e i n s e r t s and t o o l h o l d e r s f o r t u r n i n g applications. T h i s a l p h a n u m e r i c code h a s b e e n a d o p t e d by t h e m a j o r s u p p l i e r s , and h a s been found t o b e o f y r e a t use i n t h e p r o d u c t i o n e n g i n e e r i n g environment, s i n c e o n l y one s e t o f r e f e r e n c e documents i s n e e d e d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e I S 0 code i s l i m i t e d t o a v e r y s m a l l r a n g e of t o o l i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s . O t h e r s y s t e m s have been d e v e l o p e d which a t t e m p t t o p r o v i d e more g e n e r a l s o l u t i o n s i n c l u d i n g t h o s e by PERA / 2 / , B r i s c h / 3 / , On e x a m i n a t i o n , m s t o f EXAPT / 4 / and Ranky / 5 / . these e s t a b l i s h e d systems appear t o be poorly s u i t e d f o r a p p l i c a t i o n s i n i n d u s t r i e s where l a r g e v a r i e t i e s o f tools a r e e n c o u n t e r e d , b o t h o f s t a n d a r d and s p e c i a l types. T I D Y i s b a s e d on a n u m e r i c a l s y s t e m , b u t a t t e m p t s t o
overcome t h e o p e r a t i o n a l p r o b l e m s by u s e o f modern An 1 1 - d i g i t numerii n t e r a c t i v e computer t e c h n o l o a y . c a l code i s used which, a l t h o u g h a p p e a r i n g t o b e r a t h e r c o m p l i c a t e d , i s " t r a n s p a r e n t " t o t h e u s e r and i s u s e d f o r d a t a p r o c e s s i n g o n l y ; a l l u s e r communication b e i n g i n e n g i n e e r s ' languaqe. The f i r s t t h r e e d i g i t s r e p r e s e n t s t h e main tool g r o u p ; f o r example, 001 002
003
- Drills - Reamers
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Milling Cutters
The n e x t t h r e e d i g i t s r e p r e s e n t t h e sub-group. For e x a m p l e , u n d e r t h e main t o o l g r o u p 001 - D r i l l s , t h e f o l l o w i n g sub-groups a r e l i s t e d : 001
-
002
-
003 004
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J o b b e r series d r i l l s [standard) J o b b e r series d r i l l s (long reach) Stub d r i l l s Worm d r i l l s
The r e m a i n i n g f i v e d i g i t s i n d i c a t e t h e s i z e o f t h e c u t t i n g t o o l , which i s t h e d i a m e t e r i n t h e case o f m i l l s , d r i l l s , reamers and t a p s . The f i r s t d i g i t o f t h e s e r e m a i n i n g f i v e d i g i t s i n d i c a t e s an i n c h , metric o r 6 4 t h ~ . dimension a n d t h e n e x t f o u r i t s s i z e i n t h e specified units.
313
The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and c o d i n g o f c u t t i n g tools forms a l a r g e s e c t i o n of T I D Y , b u t i s n o t t h e c o m p l e t e solution.
Module 3 :
C u t t i n g t o o l i n f o r m a t i o n can be e n t e r e d , m o d i f i e d , i n t e r r o g a t e d or t a b u l a t e d from w i t h i n t h i s module. The s o f t w a r e module prohibits the entry of duplicate tooling, and i n c l u d e s a n o p t i o n t o s e a r c h f o r e q u i v a l e n t , or n e a r - s i z e d e q u i v a l e n t , c u t t i n g tools b e f o r e a new c u t t i n g t o o l r e c o r d c a n b e g e n e r a t e d . S p e c i a l c u t t i n g tools used i n t h e Company a r e a s s i g n e d s p e c i a l numbers, t h e s e a r e c r o s s r e f e r e n c e d t o t h e t o o l d a t a base i n o r d e r t o allow t h i s module t o have s t a n d - a l o n e mode t h u s g i v i n o more f l e x i b i l i t y i n t h e s u b s e q u e n t management o f t h e c u t t i n g t o o l d a t a b a s e . C u t t i n g t o o l i n f o r m a t i o n can b e e n t e r e d t o t h e d a t a b a s e o f t h e module, o p e r a t i n g i n a s t a n d - a l o n e mode t h u s g i v i n g more f l e x i b i l i t y i n t h e s u b s e q u e n t management o f t h e c u t t i n g tool d a t a b a s e . The i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n t h e d a t a f i l e f o r t h i s module can be a c c e s s e d e a s i l y , and l i n k e d v i a T I D Y t o t h e main tool-assembly d a t a b a s e .
Module 4 :
T o o l h o l d e r i n f o r m a t i o n can b e e n t e r e d , m o d i f i e d , i n t e r r o g a t e d or t a b u l a t e d by a c c e s s i n g t h i s module. A s i s t h e c a s e w i t h o t h e r modules, t h i s module h a s a stand-alone c a p a b i l i t y and, a s b e fore, prohibits duplicate entries.
Module 5 :
T h i s module i s o f a s i m i l a r s t r u c t u r e t o module 4 , b u t h a s been d e v e l o p e d t o h a n d l e information relevant to c o l l e t s .
Module 6 :
T h i s module i s s i m i l a r t o modules 4 and 5 , but applies t o extension information.
The v a r i o u s t y p e s o f t o o l - h o l d i n g chucks used on NC machine t o o l s a r e e a c h g i v e n a s i m p l e n u m e r i c c l a s s i f i c a t i o n number, a s a r e t h e v a r i o u s a d a p t o r s , c o l l e t s , and e x t e n s i o n s . Each t o o l a s s e m b l y , t h a t i s e a c h working c o m b i n a t i o n o f t h e s e s e p a r a t e i t e m s , i s i d e n t i f i e d by a f u r t h e r n u m e r i c c o d e , t h e tool assembly number. An i n d e x l i n k s t h i s number i n t o t h e d a t a b a s e where a s s o c i a t e d i n f o r m a t i o n i s s t o r e d i n a 1 2 8 - c h a r a c t e r r e c o r d . The r e c o r d c o m p l e t e l y d e f i n e s t h e t o o l assembly e n a b l i n g information t o be generated f o r t o o l s e t t i n g . The t o o l - a s s e m b l y n u m e r i c a l code c o m p r i s e s 10 d i g i t s , t h e f i r s t s i x o f which a r e common w i t h t h e c u t t i n g t o o l number, t h u s a l l o w i n g t o o l a s s e m b l i e s t o b e grouped by c u t t i n g - t o o l t y p e . A l l tool a s s e m b l i e s u s i n g , f o r example, s t a n d a r d j o b b e r s e r i e s d r i l l s a r e grouped t o g e t h e r i n a s e p a r a t e t o o l d a t a f i l e which h a s an a s s o c i a t e d i n d e x . F o r e a c h new t o o l a s s e m b l y , t h e a s s o c i a t e d n u m e r i c a l Inforcode i s s e l e c t e d s e q u e n t i a l l y from t h e i n d e x . m a t i o n s u b s e q u e n t l y s t o r e d i n t h e tool d a t a f i l e is t h e n e a s i l y a c c esse d v i a t h e index. The r e c o r d cont a i n e d w i t h i n t h e d a t a base u s e s a f i e l d format s t r u c t u r e and c o n t a i n s n o t o n l y p h y s i c a l t o o l - a s s e m b l y information, b u t a l s o o t h e r d a t a such a s s e t t i n g l e n g t h , o l d t o o l a s s e m b l y numbers ( f r o m p r e v i o u s p a p e r s y s t e m s ) and machine c l a s s . A l s o f u r t h e r i n d i c e s a r e linked with t h e tool d a t a base, allowing i n t e r r o g a t i o n v i a machine c l a s s , o l d t o o l assembly numbers, and c u t t i n g tool s p e c i f i c a t i o n . 2.
HARDWARE SYSTEM
TIDY h a s been implemented on a D i g i t a l Equipment C o r p o r a t i o n LSI11/23 microcomputer o p e r a t i n g u n d e r t h e RSX-11M o p e r a t i n g s y s t e m . T h i s i n c l u d e s 20 mbytes of d i s c s t o r a g e and a m a g n e t i c t a p e d r i v e i s a v a i l a b l e f o r d a t a backup and f u r t h e r d e v e l o p m e n t s . A T e k t r o n i x g r a p h i c d i s p l a y u n i t w i t h hard-copy f a c i l i t i e s i s a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e r a p i d production of tool-assembly d r a w i n g s and s e t t i n g s h e e t s . P r e c i s i o n tool-assembly d r a w i n g s can b e p r o d u c e d on a Benson drum p l o t t e r . G r a p h i c i n f o r m a t i o n can a l s o be e n t e r e d t o T I D Y v i a a d i g i t i s e r , t h u s e n a b l i n g drawing d a t a f o r s t a n d a r d t o o l i n g e l e m e n t s t o b e s t o r e d on d i s c and r e p r o d u c e d on e i t h e r g r a p h i c s d e v i c e a s r e q u i r e d . 3.
The d a t a b a s e c o m p r i s e s s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n t i n f o r m a t i o n f i l e s , e a c h o f which c a n b e l i n k e d and crossr e f e r e n c e d by s e p a r a t e i n d e x f i l e s : e a c h i n d e x p r o v i d i n g f a s t access t o t h e main d a t a b a s e by u s e o f e f f i c i e n t b i n a r y s e a r c h and i n s e r t i o n s o r t /6/ techniques. SYSTEM STRUCTURE
As n o t e d e a r l i e r , t h e s y s t e m c o m p r i s e s s e v e r a l func-
t i o n a l modules and employs s e v e r a l s e p a r a t e d a t a f i l e s . The f u n c t i o n o f e a c h o f t h e s e modules i s a s f o l l o w s : TIDY - t h i s i s t h e main c o n t r o l module which e n a b l e s t h e u s e r t o a c c e s s v a r i o u s modules i n o r d e r t o combine h o l d e r , c o l l e t s , e x t e n s i o n and c u t t i n g t o o l s i n t o t o o l assemblies and a s s i g n a n u m e r i c c o d e t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r A l l o t h e r modules a r e a c c e s s e d from w i t h i n assembly. t h e main module T I D Y . Module 1 :
Module 2 :
By i n t e r a c t i v e t e c h n i q u e s t h e main c u t t i n g tool g r o u p and s u b - c u t t i n g - t o o l g r o u p a r e s e l e c t e d and r e t u r n e d t o TIDY a f t e r which t h e appropriate tool d a t a base is accessed. I n d i c a t e s t h e v a r i o u s main program o p t i o n s t h a t a r e a v a i l a b l e , these being:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
314
Module 8 :
T h i s i s a m o d i f i c a t i o n module which i s a c c e s s e d s e v e r a l t i m e s from TIDY. The module d i s p l a y s t h e r e c o r d i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t h a s been c r e a t e d , or is t o be modified: t h u s e n a b l i n g t h e u s e r t o be f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e whole c o n t e n t s o f t h e record before indicating a correct record o r a r e c o r d i n n e e d o f m o d i f i c a t i o n or updating. A l l s u b s e q u e n t m o d i f i c a t i o n or u p d a t i n g i s a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h t h e module and t h e r e c o r d r e p l a c e d i n t o t h e main tool-assembly d a t a f i l e .
Module 9 :
T h i s module k e e p s a r e c o r d o f which toolh o l d e r , a d a p t o r , c o l l e t s , e x t e n s i o n s and c u t t i n g tools a r e used i n a p a r t i c u l a r t o o l assembly. In the case of cutting t o o l s , i t i s e a s y and u s e f u l t o s e a r c h t h e main t o o l assembly d a t a b a s e v i a a n i n d e x t o d e t e r m i n e , f o r example, which tool a s s e m b l i e s u s e a 5mm s t a n d a r d j o b b e r series d r i l l : t h u s p r e v e n t i n g d u p l i c a t i o n o f tool a s s e m b l i e s by showing p o s s i b l e a l t e r n a t i v e s .
SOFTNARE SYSTEM
The s o f t w a r e was i n i t i a l l y d e v e l o p e d i n BASIC, f o r e a s e and s p e e d o f c o m p i l a t i o n and d e b u g g i n g , a s a series o f 10 i n d i v i d u a l s t a n d - a l o n e f u n c t i o n a l modules. However, t o i n c r e a s e c o m p u t a t i o n a l s p e e d , m a t h e m a t i c a l a c c u r a c y and p o r t a b i l i t y between computer s y s t e m s , t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l l y - p r o v e n modules have now been t r a n s l a t e d i n t o FORTRAN I V and l i n k e d t o g e t h e r t o o p e r a t e a s a s i n g l e t a s k u n d e r t h e RSX-11M computer o p e r a t i n g system.
4.
Module 7 : O t h e r t o o l i l s s e m b l y i n f o r m a t i o n i s e n t e r e d t o t h e tool assembly d a t a b a s e by i n t e r a c t i v e questioning, t h e information being s t o r e d i n p a r t i c u l a r f i e l d s within the 128-character record length.
C r e a t i o n o f a t o o l assembly r e c o r d . M o d i f i c a t i o n o f a t o o l assembly r e c o r d . L i s t o f tool assembly r e c o r d . I n t e r r o g a t i o n of t o o l assembly r e c o r d s .
Module 10 : By s p e c i f y i n g a t o o l - a s s e m b l y number, t h i s module a u t o m a t i c a l l y draws t h e t o o l assembly onto t h e Tektronix graphics display. The module i s a c c e s s e d from T I D Y and d i s p l a y s tool assemblies during c r e a t i o n and/or m o d i f i c a t i o n o p e r a t i o n s t o i n d i c a t e w h e t h e r t h e t o o l - a s s e m b l y h a s been d e f i n e d c o r r e c t l y o r t o show errors n e e d i n g correction by t h e m o d i f i c a t i o n t e c h n i q u e s . The main p u r p o s e of t h e module, however i s t o provide v i a t h e Tektronix graphics and h a r d copy u n i t s , a t o o l - a s s e m b l y d r a w i n g f o r u s e by machine t o o l o p e r a t o r s when b u i l d i n a t h e r e q u i r e d t o o l assembly.
5.
FUTURE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
The s y s t e m h a s b e e n d e s i g n e d on a modular b a s i s i n o r d e r t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e incorporation o f o t h e r software modules. One s u c h p r o p o s e d module accesses t h e t o o l h o l d e r s , c o l l e t s and c u t t i n g t o o l "where used" d a t a f i l e s and converts t h e information i n t o a graphical representat i o n i n d i c a t i n g commonly-used i t e m s , r e d u n d a n t items, f u t u r e b u y i n g n e e d s and so on. T r a n s f e r of t h e T I D Y s y s t e m t o a main-frame computer c o u l d b e a c h i e v e d r e l a t i v e l y e a s i l y due t o t h e s t a n d The mass s t o r a g e f a c i l i t i e s a r d i s a t i o n on FORTRAN I V .
a v a i l a b l e t o a mainframe c o u l d g i v e t h e T I D Y s y s t e m t h e c a p a b i l i t y t o b e e x t e n d e d , by t h e a d d i t i o n o f modules, t o i n c l u d e and c l a s s i f y a l l t o o l i n g used i n a m a j o r company. F u r t h e r development t o i n c l u d e g e n e r a l l a t h e and I S 0 s t a n d a r d l a t h e tools w i l l b e c o m p l e t e d i n t h e n e a r future
.
CONCLUSIONS The s y s t e m d e s c r i b e d i n t h i s p a p e r p r o v i d e s a s o l u t i o n t o some o f t h e p r o b l e m s i n v o l v e d i n t h e p r o v i s i o n i n g of t o o l i n g f o r l a r g e numbers o f v a r i o u s t y p e s o f NC machine t o o l s i n t h e m u l t i - p r o d u c t b a t c h e n v i r o n m e n t t y p i c a l o f much o f t h e i n d u s t r y . A s a company's i n v o l v e m e n t i n NC machine t o o l s i n c r e a s e s , t h e n i n e v i t a b l y t h e investment i n c u t t i n g tools, toolholders, e t c . must a l s o i n c r e a s e . B e f o r e any a t t e m p t can b e made t o r a t i o n a l i s e t h i s i n v e s t m e n t , so p e r m i t t i n g t h e a d o p t i o n o f company s t a n d a r d s , which may be f e d back t h r o u g h t h e d e s i g n loop s o a s t o u l t i m a t e l y minimise t h e s t o c k s o f t h e s e i t e m s , it is n e c essary t o develop s o m e system f o r c a t a l o g u i n g and r e cordi ng. I n i n d u s t r y where t i m e i s a t a premium, p a p e r - b a s e d s y s t e m s for t h i s p u r p o s e c a n no l o n g e r b e t o l e r a t e d , b u t o f t e n t h e investment necessary t o provide a computer-based f a c i l i t y i s p r o h i b i t i v e . The T I D Y s y s t e m p r o v i d e s t h e n e c e s s a r y d a t a c a p t u r e and management c a p a b i l i t i e s a t a minimum c o s t by u t i l i s i n g g e n e r a l p u r p o s e computer f a c i l i t i e s o r i g i n a l l y p u r c h a s e d f o r o t h e r NC o r i e n t a t e d a p p l i c a t i o n s . Although o t h e r c l a s s i f i c a t i o n codes a r e a v a i l a b l e , t h e y a r e n o t r e a d i l y used because of t h e complexity of t h e i r u s e and i m p l e m e n t a t i o n . T I D Y h a v i n g b e e n developed i n a p r o d u c t i o n e n g i n e e r i n g environment overcomes t h e s e p r o b l e m s by u s i n g e v e r d a y e n g i n e e r s ' l a n g u a g e f o r a l l user communication. REFERENCES 1.
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PERA T o o l i n g Code. PER?+ r e p o r t N o . 2 2 0 September 1970.
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PAL RANKY (November/December 1978), Technology O r i e n t e d Minicomputer Based Databank development f o r I n t e g r a t e d M a n u f a c t u r i n g Systems. P r e s e n t e d a t t h e H o m e S e m i n a r o n "Problems o f I n t e g r a t e d M a n u f a c t u r i n g S y s t e m s D a t a b a s e Design and Management". P o l i t e c h n i c o d i T o r i n o , I t a l y .
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