JPH06110536A - Factory automation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the factory automation(FA) system which can grasp the detailed conditions of a. numerically controlled machine tool with a little information, can confirm reloaded data on the side of a central processing unit(CPU) and is not limited by a distance between a computer and the numerically controlled machine tool. CONSTITUTION:Image data displayed on a CRT 12 of a numerical controller 2 are sent from a data transmitter 15 to a data transfer line 9 and corresponding to those image data, the working condition of the numerically control machine tool is monitored by a CPU 1. On the other hand, character data displayed on the CRT 12 of the numerical controller 2 are edited by an operation from the CPU 1, and the working result or alarm history data displayed on the CRT 12 of the numerical controller 2 are registered on an external storage device 6 of the CPU 1. The work program data of a file name displayed at the numerical controller 2 are selected from the list of work program file names registered on the external storage device 6 of the CPU 1, and transferred by a data transfer means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a factory automation system comprising a plurality of numerical control devices for numerically controlling each of a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools and a central processing unit for centrally managing these numerical control devices. Below, "F
Abbreviated as "A") system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of numerical control devices for numerically controlling each of a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools and a central processing unit for centrally managing these numerical control devices have been used.
Although the A system is known, in this FA system, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "personal computer") or FA computer is used as a central processing unit and serial communication or I / O line is used with each numerical control device. Then, the data communication is performed to receive the operating status of the numerical control device in operation and alarms in real time, monitor each numerically controlled machine tool, and receive the actual data of the workpiece machined by the numerically controlled machine tool. An FA system has been put into practical use, which manages results and transmits / receives a machining program between a central processing unit and a numerical control device in response to a request from the numerical control device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a conventional FA system. This FA system includes a central processing unit 1 and
It is composed of a numerical control device 2 for controlling a numerically controlled machine tool and a data transfer line 9 for connecting the central processing unit 1 and the numerical control device 2. Then, the central processing unit 1
It has a CPU 3 for data transfer and various controls, and C
The PU 3 is connected to a memory 7 for storing control programs and data, a CRT 4 for displaying images and characters, a keyboard 5 for inputting, an external storage device 6 for storing and registering programs and data, and a data transfer line 9. The numerical control device 2 is connected to the communication control device 8 for data transfer. Further, the numerical control device 2 has a CPU 14 for controlling a machine tool and editing data.
Is a memory 11 for storing control programs and data.
A CRT 12 that performs machine operations and data display, an external storage device 13 that stores and stores machining programs and control programs, and a communication control device 10 that is connected to the data transfer line 9 and that communicates with the central processing unit 1. It is connected.

On the other hand, the CPU 3 of the central processing unit 1 is shown in FIG.
As will be described in detail, it has a data receiving section 50 connected to the communication control device 8 and a data transmitting section 57, and the data receiving section 50 shows what kind of data the received data is. Is connected to the data identification unit 51. In the data identifying unit 51, when the identified data is data indicating the operating status, a monitoring data registration unit 52 that registers the data, and when the identified data is actual data such as operating time In addition, a record data registration unit 54 for registering the data and a file name recognition unit 56 for determining the file name when the identified data is a file name request for a machining program are connected in parallel. Further, a monitoring data display unit 53 is connected to the monitoring data registration unit 52, and a performance data registration unit 54
A performance data display unit 55 is connected to the, and a data transfer unit 44 is connected to the file name recognition unit 56.
Further, a memory rewriting instruction section 58 is connected to the data transmitting section 57, and a memory rewriting completion section 59 is connected to the memory rewriting instruction section 58. Next, the operation will be described. The numerical control device 2 transfers the data to the central processing unit 1 via the data transfer circuit 9 when the machine operating state such as during operation or alarm changes, and the numerical machine tool machined a predetermined work. At some time, the time during cutting, the time during spindle rotation, etc. are calculated, and the result data is transferred to the central processing unit 1 via the data transfer circuit 9. That is, when the data receiving unit 50 receives data from the numerical control device 2 while the central processing unit 1 is waiting for reception, the data identifying unit 51 identifies the content of the received data, and the data of the numerically controlled machine tool It is determined whether the operating status has changed, actual data such as operating time, or whether it is a machining program transfer request. If the data indicates the operating status, the monitoring data registration unit 52 receives the communication control device 8. The received data is received by the memory 7, and the data is stored in the external storage device 6. Further, the monitoring data display unit 53 displays the data on the CRT 4 in real time so that the operator can monitor the operation status of the numerically controlled machine tool by the central processing unit 1 installed at a remote place.

If the data identified by the data identifying unit 51 is actual data such as operating time, the actual data registration unit 54 registers the data in the external storage device 6, and the actual data display unit 55 displays each numerical value. The result-controlled data such as the operating rate and progress of the controlled machine tool is displayed on the CRT 4. Furthermore, if the data identified by the data identification unit 51 is a file name request for a machining program, the file name recognition unit 56 determines the file name, and if it is a transmission request to the numerical controller 2, the central processing unit 1 It is determined whether or not the requested file name exists in the external storage device 6. If the file name exists, the data transfer unit 44
Transfers the machining program data from the communication control unit 8 of the central processing unit 1 to the numerical control unit 2 via the data transfer line 9. Then, the communication control device 10 of the numerical control device 2 that has received the machining program data registers it in the external storage device 13 via the memory 11, and if it is a reception request from the numerical control device 2, transmits it from the numerical control device 2. The processed machining program data is sent to the communication control device 8 of the central processing unit 1 via the data transfer line 9, temporarily stored in the memory 7, and then registered in the external storage device 6. Further, in the data transmission unit 57, the central processing unit 1 is different from the numerical control unit 2 in the memory 11 of the numerical control unit 2 and the external storage unit 13.
In order to rewrite the data stored in the memory rewriting command section 58, the memory rewriting command section 58 rewrites the data to be rewritten.
From the numerical control device 2 to the numerical control device 2, and the numerical control device 2 passes the data received by the communication control device 10 to the memory 11.
The contents of the memory 11 or the contents of the external storage device 13 are rewritten, and the memory rewriting completion unit 59 notifies the central processing unit 1 that the rewriting has been completed.

[0006]

In a conventional FA system, a central processing unit and a numerical control unit are connected using a data transfer line such as a serial line, and character data and binary data are connected to a communication control unit and a memory. The central processing unit is installed separately because it transfers the machining program, monitors the operating status of the machine, manages actual data, etc. In order to grasp the detailed situation of the numerical control machine tool with, it is necessary to transfer a huge amount of information, and when rewriting the data of the numerical control device by a command from the central processing unit, that information is once transferred to the numerical control device. After transfer
There is a problem that the rewritten data cannot be confirmed on the side of the central processing unit, such as when the numerical control device rewrites the memory contents and displays it on the CRT. Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to monitor the numerically controlled machine tool and judge the status of the numerically controlled machine tool from a central processing unit (computer) installed in a remote place.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to grasp the detailed situation of a numerically controlled machine tool with a small amount of information and to rewrite the data in the center. An object of the present invention is to provide an FA system that can be confirmed on the processing device side and is not limited by the distance between the central processing device and the numerically controlled machine tool.

[0008]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an FA system according to the present invention sends out image data displayed on a CRT provided in a numerical controller. The data transmission device, the data transfer line connected to the data transmission device, the data reception device provided in the central processing unit and connected to the data transfer line, and the numerical control device in operation according to a command from the central processing unit. A monitoring means for transferring the image information displayed on the CRT via the data transmission device and the data transfer line to monitor the operating condition of the numerically controlled machine tool, and the data transmission device and the data transfer line by the operation from the central processing unit. Data editing operation means for editing and operating character data displayed on the CRT of the numerical control device via the CRT of the numerical control device
Displayed on the numerical controller and data registration means for registering the operation results and alarm history data displayed on the external storage device of the central processing unit via the data transmission device and the data transfer line according to a command from the central processing unit. And a data transfer means for transferring the processing program data of the file name selected from the list of the processing program file names registered in the external storage device of the central processing unit. The FA system according to the present invention includes a first modulation / demodulation device provided in the central processing unit and connected to the public telephone line, and a second modulation / demodulation device connected to the first modulation / demodulation device via the public telephone line. A computer having a device, line connection means for connecting to the central processing unit by a command from the computer, connection detection means for detecting that the line connection means has made a line connection to the central processing unit, and the connected central processing unit Image information transfer means for transferring the image information displayed on the CRT of the numerical control device to the central processing unit via the data transfer line and the data transmission device by a command, and the image information to a remote place via the public telephone line. The image information remote transfer means for transferring to the installed computer, and the data transfer line and data via the central processing unit according to the instruction of the computer. It is characterized in further comprising a remote editing operation means for performing editing operations such as switching and display character data on the display screen of the numerical control device via the transmission device.

Further, in the FA system according to the present invention, when a plurality of factory automation systems are connected by a public telephone line, one of the plurality of computers is used as a host computer and a plurality of central processing units and a host computer are used. And an electronic mail transfer means for transmitting and receiving electronic mail between each other, a data display means for reading out the data stored in the host computer from the central processing unit via the public telephone line and displaying it on the CRT of the central processing unit, And a data storage unit that stores the data in an external storage device of the central processing unit.

[0010]

Based on the above-mentioned structure, the FA system of the present invention sends the image data displayed on the CRT of the numerical controller from the data transmitter to the data transfer line and the central processing unit connected to the data transfer line. The image data is received by the data receiving device, the operating condition of the numerically controlled machine tool is monitored by the image data by the monitoring means, and the CR of the numerical control device is operated by the operation from the central processing unit.
The character data displayed on T is edited and operated by the data editing operation means, and the operation results and alarm history data displayed on the CRT of the numerical control device are registered in the external storage device of the central processing unit by the data registration means. , A central processing unit or a remote unit by transferring the processing program data of the file name selected from the list of the processing program file names registered in the external storage device of the central processing unit displayed on the numerical controller by the data transfer means. Easily perform detailed status monitoring of numerically controlled machine tools from the computer installed on the ground, edit operations of the contents displayed on the CRT of the numerical controller, manage the actual data displayed on the CRT of the numerical controller, and transfer machining programs. You can do it.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Embodiment of Invention of Claim 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an FA system according to the invention of claim 1. The FA system includes a central processing unit 1, a numerical control unit 2 for controlling a numerically controlled machine tool installed at a location distant from the central processing unit 1, and data for connecting the central processing unit 1 and the numerical control unit 2. And a transfer line 9. And the central processing unit 1
Has a CPU 3 for performing data transfer and various controls. The CPU 3 has a memory 7 for storing control programs and data, a CRT 4 for displaying images and characters, a keyboard 5 for inputting, and a program and data. An external storage device 6 for storing and registering, a numerical control device 2 connected to a data transfer line 9 and a communication control device 8 as a data receiving device for data transfer are connected.

Further, the numerical control device 2 has a CPU 14 for controlling a machine tool and editing data.
14 is a memory 1 for storing control programs and data
1, a CRT 12 for machine operation and data display, a keyboard 17 for data input and screen switching,
Tape reader / puncher (hereinafter abbreviated as "PTP / PTR") that reads and outputs processing programs
18, an external storage device 13 for storing and registering a machining program and a control program, a CRT 12, a keyboard 17 and a PTP / PTR 18 are operated by the numerical control device 2 or data is transmitted from a central processing unit 1 installed in a remote place. A distributor 16 which switches between operating via the device 15 is connected. This data transmission device 15
The data transmission device is the same as the data transmission device which can operate the CRT 12 and the keyboard 17 from a remote place as disclosed in JP-A-1-134510.

On the other hand, the CPU 3 of the central processing unit 1 is shown in FIG.
As will be described in detail in FIG. 2, the mode selection unit 30 has a mode selection unit 30 as a unit for performing a mode switching operation such as monitoring the operating status of the numerically controlled machine tool via the CRT 4 and the keyboard 5. Reference numeral 30 is a line connection means for analyzing the data received by the data transmission device 15 of the numerical control device 2 via the data transfer line 9 and connecting to the CRT 12 via the distributor 16 when the command is an image information calling command. In order to avoid the runaway of the numerically controlled machine tool and the operator of the numerically controlled device 2 from interfering with the image information command unit 31 as described above, the input of the keyboard 17 of the numerically controlled device 2 or N
An interlock command unit 35 that issues an interlock command that prohibits an operation such as C startup, and a DNC menu transmission unit 40 that transmits a menu screen indicating whether transmission or reception from the numerical controller 2 or the end of DNC are in parallel. It is connected. The image information command unit 31 is connected to the image information receiving unit 32 as a connection detecting unit that receives character data and binary data from the numerical control device 2.
The image information receiving unit 32 includes an image information display unit 33 that expands the received character data or binary data in a memory, reconverts the converted data to image information, and a data registration unit that registers the received data in the external storage device 6. And an image information registration section 34 as a data storage means are connected in parallel.

Further, the interlock command section 35 is connected to a key operation section 36 which is connected to the CRT 12 and the keyboard 17 via the distributor 16 in response to a key operation command, and the key operation section 36 is provided with an image information command. Data for changing the data after moving the cursor to the position of the data to be changed by the keyboard 5 based on the image information displayed on the CRT 4 of the central processing unit 1 by the unit 31, the image information receiving unit 32 and the image information display unit 33. A data editing unit 37 as an editing operation means is connected. Further, in the data editing unit 37, the position and contents of the changed data in the image information displayed on the CRT 12 of the numerical control device 2 are sent to the data transmitting device 15 via the data transfer line 9 to the data transmitting device 15. 38 is connected, and the edited data transmission unit 38 receives the rewritten image information (character data or binary data) of the CRT 17 of the numerical control device 2 received via the data transmission device 15 and the data transfer line 9. A redisplay unit 39 is connected as a data display unit that reconverts the image information into image information and redisplays it on the CRT 4.

On the other hand, when the operator operates the keyboard 17 to select a menu, the DNC menu transmission unit 40 displays the menu in the external storage device 6 of the central processing unit 1.
The menu screen selecting unit 41 for selecting from the menu screens stored in is connected to the menu screen selecting unit 4
For 1, if the operator selects the file name, the CRT
A file name transmission unit 42 for transmitting the number of the file name selected from the file names displayed in 12 to the central processing unit 1.
Are connected. Then, the file name transmission unit 42 is connected to a file name selection unit 43 that recognizes the file name number and reads out the corresponding file name, and the file name selection unit 43 corresponds to the read file name. A data transfer unit 44 is connected as a data transfer means for transferring the processed program data to the numerical control device 2 via the communication control device 8 and the data transfer circuit.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The mode selection unit 30 monitors the operating status of the numerically controlled machine tool via the CRT 4 and the keyboard 5 of the central processing unit 1 or reads the image information of the numerical control unit 2 to read the external storage device 6 of the central processing unit 1. The mode switching operation is performed such as registering the data to the computer, editing the data displayed on the CRT 12 of the numerical control device 2, transferring the machining program, or the like. When the image information displayed on the CRT 12 of the numerical control device 2 is called to the central processing unit 1,
The image information command unit 31 analyzes the data received by the data transmission device 15 of the numerical control device 2 via the data transfer line 9 to determine whether or not the command is an image information call command,
If it is a call command, the CRT 1 is sent via the distributor 16.
Connect with 2. Then, the image information receiving unit 32 converts the signal of the CRT 12 into character data or binary data by the data transmission device 15 and transmits the character data or binary data to the central processing unit 1 via the data transfer line 9. Furthermore, the image information display unit 33
After receiving the data by the communication control device 8 of the central processing unit 1, the received data is expanded in the memory, the received character data and binary data are reconverted to be converted into image information, and displayed on the CRT 4.

Further, the image information registration section 34 registers the received data in the external storage device 6. As a result, every time the central processing unit 1 makes a request, the same information as the screen of the CRT 12 of the numerical control unit 2 is displayed on the CRT 4 of the central processing unit 1 so that the operating status of the numerically controlled machine tool can be grasped in detail and the numerically controlled machine The monitoring of the machine can be performed by the central processing unit 1 installed remotely. Further, by registering the image information in the external storage device 6 of the central processing unit 1, the C of the numerical control device 2 can be registered.
The alarm history and operation record displayed on the RT 12 are collected to manage the record. Also, the CR of the numerical controller 2
When editing the data displayed at T12, the interlock command unit 35 edits the data held by the numerical control unit 2 from the central processing unit 1 installed separately, so that the numerical control machine tool runs away or the numerical control is performed. In order to avoid interference with the operator of the device 2, the keyboard 17 of the numerical control device 2
The key operation unit 36 receives an instruction for key operation from the central processing unit 1 by the data transmission device 15 via the data transfer line 9, If the key operation command is obtained by analyzing the data, the CRT 12 is sent via the distributor 16.
And keyboard 17. The data editing unit 37 then uses the keyboard 5 to change the position of the data based on the image information displayed on the CRT 4 of the central processing unit 1 by the image information command unit 31, the image information receiving unit 32, and the image information display unit 33. Change the data after moving the cursor to
The edit data transmission unit 38 uses the CRT 12 of the numerical controller 2.
The position and contents of the changed data in the image information displayed on the screen are sent to the data transmission device 15 via the data transfer line 9, and the data transmission device 15 is connected to the keyboard 17
A process of rewriting the image information displayed on the CRT 12 of the numerical control device 2 is performed via. Then, the redisplay section 3
Reference numeral 9 sends the rewritten image information of the CRT 12 of the numerical control unit 2 to the communication control unit 8 of the central processing unit 1 via the data transmitting unit 15 and the data transfer line 9, and the central processing unit 1
Reconverts the received character data and binary data into image information and redisplays it on the CRT 4. As a result, since the contents edited by the central processing unit 1 are rewritten by the numerical control unit 2 and the result is sent to the central processing unit 1, new image information is constantly refreshed by the CRT 4 of the central processing unit 1 and the changed data is changed. You can check.

On the other hand, when the DNC mode is selected by the mode selection unit 30, the DNC menu transmission unit 40
The central processing unit 1 transmits to the numerical control unit 2 a menu screen for transmission or reception from the numerical control unit 2 or termination of DNC, and the data transmission unit 15 transmits the image information to the numerical control unit via the distributor 16. Displayed on CRT12 of 2 、
In the menu screen selection unit 41, the operator uses the keyboard 1
When a menu is selected by operating 7, the information indicating which menu is selected is sent to the central processing unit 1 via the data transmission device 15 and the data transfer line 9. For example, when the numerical controller 2 requests a machining program, the file name of the machining program registered in the external storage device 6 of the central processing unit 1 is transferred from the central processing unit 1 to the data transfer line 9
And CR of the numerical controller 2 via the data transmitter 15.
Displayed at T12, when the operator selects a file name, the file name transmission unit 42 sends the number of the file name selected from the file names displayed on the CRT 17 to the central processing unit 1. Then, the file name selection unit 43 recognizes the file name number and reads the file name corresponding thereto, and the data transfer unit 44 transfers the processing program data corresponding to the read file name to the communication control device 8 and the data transfer circuit. 9 to the numerical control device 2.
Then, the data transmission device 15 of the numerical control device 2 which has received the file name transmits the PTP / P via the distributor 16.
It is read by TR18 and registered in the external storage device 13 via the memory 11.

(2) Embodiment of the invention described in claims 2 and 3 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the FA system according to the invention described in claims 2 and 3, and the same components as those in FIG. The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. The plurality of central processing units 1 are connected to a public telephone line 77 by a communication control device 76 as an image information remote transfer means and an electronic mail transfer means and a modem 75 as a first modulation / demodulation device.
A computer 6 installed on the public telephone line 77 for remotely performing image information and editing operations of the numerical control device 2
0 is connected to the communication control device 66 via a modem 67 as a second modulation / demodulation device, and a host computer 61 installed as a host station is connected to the communication control device 73 via a modem 74. The computer 60 has a CPU 62 and a CR as remote editing operation means.
The host computer 6 includes a T63, a keyboard 64, an external storage device 65, and a communication control device 66.
The external storage device 1 includes a CPU 68, a memory 69, an external storage device 71, and a communication control device 73.
1 has a mail box 72 for storing electronic mail and a database 70.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the computer 60 requests the image information of the CRT 12 of the numerical controller 2, the computer 60 issues a command to the central processing unit 1 to connect the line, and when the line is connected, the central processing unit 1 sends the data transfer circuit 9 The image information displayed on the CRT 12 of the numerical control device 2 is transferred to the central processing unit 1 via the data transmitting device 15, and the image information is transferred to the public telephone line 77 via the communication control device 76 and the modem 75. Send to. And the computer 60
Displays the image information sent to the public telephone line 77 in the modem 6
7 and the communication control device 66, and the data is displayed after being converted into a data format that can be displayed on the CRT 63. If necessary, the image information is stored and registered in the external storage device 65.

Also, when operating the screen displayed on the CRT 12 of the numerical control device 2, the computer 60 installed at a remote place issues a command to the numerical control device 2 via the central processing unit 1 as in the above-described operation. Then, the image information changed after being edited is sent to the computer 6 via the central processing unit 1.
It is sent to 0 and redisplayed on the CRT 63 based on the data. On the other hand, the host computer 61 stores the e-mail transferred from the central processing unit 1 in the mailbox 72 and can read the data from another central processing unit 1.
Further, the data registered in the database 70 of the host computer 61 can be received by the central processing unit 1 via the public telephone line 77 and displayed on the CRT 4 or registered in the external storage device 6.

[0023]

As described above, according to the FA system of the present invention, since the image information of the numerical control device is transferred to the central processing unit or the computer, the details of the numerical control machine tool can be achieved with a small amount of information. It is possible to grasp various situations and to confirm the rewritten data on the side of the central processing unit. Furthermore, there is an effect that the distance between the central processing unit and the numerically controlled machine tool is not limited. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an FA system according to a first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a CP of the central processing unit according to the invention of claim 1;
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of U.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an FA system according to the invention described in claims 2 and 3.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional FA system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a CPU of a conventional central processing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Central Processing Unit 2 Numerical Control Unit 8 Communication Control Unit 9 Data Transfer Line 4, 12, 62, 68 CRT 15 Data Transmitter 31 Image Information Command Unit 32 Image Information Receiving Unit 34 Image Information Registering Unit 37 Data Editing Unit 39 Redisplay Part 44 data transfer part 60 computer 61 host computer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A factory automation system comprising a plurality of numerical control devices for numerically controlling each of a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools, and a central processing unit for centrally managing those numerical control devices, wherein the numerical control device is provided. A data transmission device for transmitting image data displayed on a CRT, a data transfer line connected to the data transmission device, and a data reception device provided in the central processing unit and connected to the data transfer line And monitoring means for monitoring the operating condition of the numerically controlled machine tool by transferring the image information displayed on the CRT of the numerically controlled device which is in operation through a data transmission device and a data transfer line in response to a command from the central processing unit. And a CR of the numerical control device through the data transmission device and the data transfer line by an operation from the central processing unit. Data editing operation means for editing and operating the character data displayed on the screen, and a data transmission device and a data transfer line based on a command from the central processing unit, such as operation records and alarm history data displayed on the CRT of the numerical control device. Data registration means for registering in the external storage device of the central processing unit via the, and a file name selected from a list of machining program file names registered in the external storage device of the central processing device displayed on the numerical control device. A factory automation system, comprising: a data transfer means for transferring the machining program data of. 2. A computer having a first modulation / demodulation device provided in the central processing unit and connected to a public telephone line, and a second modulation / demodulation device connected to the first modulation / demodulation device via a public telephone line. And a line connecting means for connecting to the central processing unit by a command from a computer, a connection detecting means for detecting that the line connecting means has connected a line to the central processing unit, and a data transfer by a command from the connected central processing unit. CRT of the numerical controller via a line and a data transmitter
Image information transfer means for transferring the image information displayed on the central processing unit, image information remote transfer means for transferring the image information to a computer installed at a remote location through a public telephone line, Remote editing operation means for switching the display screen of the numerical control device and editing the display character data via the data transfer line and the data transmission device via the central processing unit. The factory automation system according to claim 1. 3. When a plurality of factory automation systems are connected by a public telephone line, one of the plurality of computers is used as a host computer, and a plurality of central processing units and the host computer mutually transmit and receive electronic mail. E-mail transfer means for performing the above, data display means for reading the data stored in the host computer from the central processing unit via the public telephone line and displaying it on the CRT of the central processing unit, and the read data outside the central processing unit. The factory automation system according to claim 2, further comprising: a data storage unit that stores the data in a storage device.