JP4427927B2 - Automatic plate cutting apparatus and automatic plate cutting method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic plate cutting apparatus and an automatic plate cutting method applied to an automatic programming device for a processing program in a plate material processing machine such as a laser beam machine, a water jet, and a plasma cutting machine, and in particular, a commercially available personal computer. CAD / CAM device, automatic programming device, and software that can be operated on a dedicated machine and a commercially available personal computer with regard to automatic plate cutting processing realized on CAD that can be operated above, or processing data on a plate processing machine, that is, NC data generation It is realized.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When cutting out parts from a plate material, there has been disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-297503, etc., for the plate cutting process for cutting out parts from the plate material with a high yield, as shown in FIG. General graphic layout is performed.
Moreover, in the process of shredding the frame-like scrap called a remaining frame after cutting the parts into a size that can be easily discarded, it has been disclosed in JP-A-5-127721, JP-A-6-31286, and the like. There is something.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the process of shredding the remaining frame after cutting the part into a size that can be easily discarded, the cutting process is temporarily stopped after the part is cut first, the part is taken out, and then the remaining frame-shaped scrap is shredded again. And a method of chopping the remaining frame portion after cutting the part without stopping the cutting process as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-31286. In either case, the processing head is removed from the product. It is necessary to create a shredding program carefully so as not to interfere with the scrap part.
This is shown as a problem in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2650166, but the part that has been cut is tilted and stopped without being completely dropped from the table of the processing machine. This is because the machining head may collide with a portion protruding further upward.
Further, even when a cutting operation for avoiding interference is performed by a process such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-31286, the scrap shredding cutting process is performed at a position where no part is cut on the plate material. Compared with the method, the rate of occurrence of head interference or cutting failure with respect to parts is also high.
[0004]
In particular, in the case of a laser processing system with a stocker as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-040066, etc., there are many cases where a large number of cutting operations are automatically performed efficiently using midnight time, etc. If only those product cutting operations are performed without the scrap shredding program as described above, the next morning, when the operator goes to work, a large number of cut plates loaded in the multi-stage stocker are manually or automatically removed one by one. In this case, care must be taken not to interfere with the machining head, and instead of using an NC program, the scrap must be shredded while emitting laser light, cutting gas, etc. manually. Depending on the number of stocks stored in the stocker, it could take as long as half a day for the work alone.
Of course, this operation is merely an operation for throwing away the scrap, and it is an operation that does not produce any profit. Therefore, it is desirable that this operation is unnecessary as much as possible.
[0005]
In addition, in the system with stocker, even if the NC program with scrap shredding operation command is used, the cutting process is not stopped for continuous cutting operation without stopping the processing machine at midnight. In this case, it is necessary to use a method such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-31286, which cuts the remaining frame portion continuously after cutting the parts. However, since the cutting operation is performed while passing through the already cut position, there is a possibility that the cutting head may interfere with the machining head due to the inclination or rising of the cut shape.
If there is interference, processing stops at that position in order to prevent failure of the processing machine head, and in some cases, it remains suspended almost overnight, so time is wasted.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and enables a scrap cutting line cutting process to be efficiently performed with a stable operation.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The automatic plate cutting apparatus according to the present invention is an automatic plate cutting apparatus for arranging parts to be cut into a plate material, and classifying means for dividing a region where the parts are arranged on the plate material into almost equal portions with a predetermined gap. The component having a size that falls within each of the areas divided by the dividing means is provided with a part arranging means for determining the arrangement of each part in each divided area.
[0008]
The component placement means places the components in consideration of the yield of the placement of the components.
[0009]
Further, the component placement means places the component by setting a virtual dividing line at a position shifted by a predetermined range from the equally divided position with reference to the equally divided position based on the length of the plate material and the number of divisions registered in advance. The yield is calculated.
[0010]
Moreover, a scrap cutting means for cutting a predetermined gap is provided.
[0011]
Further, the cutting order in which the parts in the divided area are cut first and the gap between the divided areas is cut last is set.
[0012]
Further, the automatic plate cutting method according to the present invention includes a step of registering component data to be cut from a plate material, and a step of dividing a region where the component is arranged on the plate material into approximately equal portions with a predetermined gap. For parts of a size that fall within each segmented area, a process for determining the arrangement of each part within each segmented area, a process for cutting the part from the plate material according to the determined layout, and after the cutting process And a step of scrap-treating the plate material after the parts are cut in a predetermined gap.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is an operation flow showing a schematic operation of the present embodiment.
In the process of picking and placing components on a plate material, first, the operator will preliminarily give instructions and numerical values, such as which components to be placed on the plate material of which size and material, to the computer on which this function is installed in advance. The information is input and stored, or the information is processed as processing instruction information from a host computer or the like via a network or via an auxiliary storage medium such as a flexible disk to a computer equipped with this function.
Then, the plate material information setting unit 1 sets necessary information in the information of the plate material to be used.
The information input here includes the size of the plate material, the material, the plate thickness, and the work holder position information disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-65630.
[0014]
Further, the division parameter setting unit 2 and the arrangement calculation unit 3 in FIG. 1 will be described using the graphic arrangement result shown in FIG.
A and A in FIG. ₁ Or A ₂ The gap arrangement interval is shown, and as will be described later, the graphic arrangement process is performed on the entire plate material in such a manner that parts are not arranged as much as possible within the gap interval.
The reason for this is that if the machining head passes over or in the vicinity of a part that has already been cut, there is a risk of interference, so A and A in FIGS. ₁ , A ₂ As shown in Fig. 5, the parts are arranged with a margin enough to avoid interference with the parts at the end where the machining head passes and cuts in order to stably perform the scrap cutting operation.
The width required for the gap A is different depending on the size and shape of the machining head, the performance and characteristics of machining, etc. For example, a head for a laser beam machine having a relatively complicated head tip shape and a particularly large one is used. If it is used, it should be about 50 mm or 60 mm, or if the lens for condensing the laser is a long focal length lens and the head tip is relatively slim, it should be about 30 mm to 40 mm. The operator sets as appropriate.
[0015]
In this process, in the division parameter setting unit 2, the parameters of the vertical and horizontal directions for dividing the plate material, the number of divisions into equal parts, the gap interval A between the divided areas, and the equal division range B showing details later. Is set by the operator, and an appropriate figure is arranged in the arrangement calculation unit 3 based on the above information and settings.
Note that the processing for arranging the figures will be described later.
FIG. 2A shows an example in which the fraction is divided in the horizontal direction by 2, and FIG. 2B shows an example in which the fraction is divided in the vertical direction by 3.
Here, as can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 2 and FIG. 9, FIG. 9 of the conventional method in which the components are arranged without setting the gap interval A is more preferable than the arrangement when the gap interval is specified according to the present invention. Since there is no restriction that it is not placed at the gap interval, the total area of all the parts placed on the entire plate is slightly larger, that is, the placement yield rate is higher, but it is still a laser processing system with a stocker, etc. In consideration of the improvement in work efficiency, the embodiment of the present invention capable of stable scrap cutting is more effective even if the figure placement efficiency is slightly lowered.
Actually, the plate material to be cut with a laser processing machine, etc., has a size of 1.5 meters in length × 3 meters in width, 2 meters x 4 meters, etc. Since only two 50 mm pieces are put in the vertical direction, the graphic layout efficiency is only slightly reduced.
[0016]
Next, the equally divided range B will be described.
In FIG. 2B, the exact equal position when the width X of the plate material is divided into three equal parts is D _n Despite being, clearance A _n When the position where is set is confirmed in detail, the clearance A between the set areas is set. _n Intermediate position C _n Is the original exact three-fold position D _n An example that is slightly offset is shown.
In the scrap cutting process, it is not always necessary to equally divide the plate material. For example, in order to load and transport scrap generated from a plate material having a total width of 3 meters onto a truck having a load width of 1.2 meters, it is exactly 1 This is because even if the meter is not divided into three equal parts, it may be divided into 1.1 + 0.8 + 1.1 meters.
In other words, if it is within the range determined by the operator that it is almost equal and there is no hindrance to disposal work, it is better to select a placement result that results in a higher component placement yield rate. Clearance interval A _n Intermediate position C _n Is set to an equal division range B in advance from the exact equal division position. _n This is because the position where the component placement yield rate is the best is automatically selected by appropriately moving within the range.
An example of processing for automatically selecting a position where the yield rate is the best will be described later.
[0017]
A process for appropriately arranging figures within a limited area with a good yield has been conventionally performed by various methods such as the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 63-102823. The calculation of the yield rate is also automatically performed by computer processing.
The conventional graphic arrangement example shown in FIG. 9 is also arranged in a rectangular plate by the conventional graphic arrangement method. Even in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. In the rectangular area shown in FIG. 2B, in the three rectangular areas shown in FIG. 2B, the above-described graphic arrangement means is used to calculate the yield rate.
[0018]
As a feature of the present invention, the area where the figure is arranged is enlarged / reduced within the range of the equally divided range B, and the arrangement yield rate of the figure arranged in all the divided areas, that is, the whole plate material The feature is that the best position is automatically selected as the placement yield rate of the figures placed on the screen.
An example of this processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and FIG.
For example, in the figure of FIG. ₁ Intermediate coordinates C ₁ X coordinate is, for example, an accurate equal division position D ₁ The determination process is started when the X coordinate is the same as that in step S1, the X coordinate values of both are made to coincide in step S1 in FIG. 3, and the graphic layout processing at that position is performed in step S2. Do calculations.
Here, n is the gap interval A ₁ Intermediate coordinates C ₁ Equally divided position D ₁ Indicates the amount of shift.
Next, in order to enter the process of sequentially obtaining the placement yield rate while gradually shifting the intermediate coordinates C (partition line) of the gap interval A by 1 mm, first, in step S3, the equal division in which the shift amount at that time is the limit value After checking whether it exceeds the half of the range B, if not, proceed to step S4 to increase the shift amount n by 1 mm, and the clearance A in step S5 ₁ Intermediate coordinates C ₁ X coordinate X _C1 Is equally divided position D ₁ X coordinate value X _D1 Is set to 1 mm minus side.
In step S6, the graphic layout calculation processing at that position is performed, and the layout yield rate as a result is calculated.
Further, clearance A at step S7 ₁ Intermediate coordinates C ₁ X coordinate X _C1 Is equally divided position D ₁ X coordinate value X _D1 The figure layout calculation processing at that position is performed at step S8, the layout yield rate is calculated as a result, and the process returns to step S3.
For example, the yield rate at each position is obtained while shifting the gap interval to the limit position of the plus / minus value of the shift amount in this way, and the position with the best yield rate is obtained and set at that position.
Clearance interval A ₁ When the position of is set in this way, the next gap interval A ₂ The position of is determined by the same process.
[0019]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the result of obtaining the position with the best yield rate in the leftmost segmented area in this processing when the horizontal division is specified in three divisions. (A) (b) (c (D) As shown in (e).
4 (a) and the intermediate coordinate C in FIG. ₁ X coordinate X _C1 Is equally divided position D ₁ X coordinate value X _D1 4B, the 1 mm plus side is FIG. 4C, the 2 mm minus side is FIG. 4D, and the 2 mm plus side is FIG. 4E.
When the result is confirmed in detail, in FIG. 4B, in which the arrangement range is 1 mm narrower than that in FIG. 4A, the same number of components are arranged as in FIG. 4A. Therefore, the yield rate in FIG. 4 (b) is higher than that in FIG. 4 (a). Next, in FIG. 4D in which the width of 1 mm is further narrower than that in FIG. 4B, the number of parts that can be arranged is reduced, and the yield rate in this area is calculated as shown in FIG. 4B. Is higher than FIG.
In FIG. 4C, which is 1 mm wider than that in FIG. 4A, only one component is arranged. However, since the arrangement area is large, the yield rate is compared with that in FIG. 4C. 4A is higher than FIG.
In FIG. 4 (e), which is 1 mm wider than FIG. 4 (c), only the same number of the same objects as in FIG. 4 (c) are arranged, so that FIG. 4 (c) is more than FIG. 4 (e). However, the yield rate is high.
As a result, FIG. 4B having the best yield is selected and set as the arrangement of the leftmost segmented area.
[0020]
Note that the present invention is not limited to this example, and the computer is not required to specify the pitch amount, such as obtaining sequentially from the gap position on the right side, or the shift amount to be 5 mm or 0.2 mm instead of 1 mm. The processing method may be appropriately changed according to the processing capability of the computer and the capability of the graphic layout calculation processing, such as obtaining the optimum position while changing the shift amount with a fineness within the possible range by this processing.
In addition, the method of finding the gap interval position that gives the highest yield rate from the left segmented area sequentially to the right side is shown, but in the rightmost segmented area where the width is automatically determined last. After obtaining the yield rate, reset the rightmost gap position at that time, and then re-determine the gap position where the yield rate of the rightmost division area is the highest. Recalculate the yield rate of the second area from the right, and maximize the yield rate of the second area from the right and the yield ratio of the right area Either way, such as selecting the one with a better overall yield rate, such as feeding back the gap interval position from the right side to the left side and re-determining sequentially, may be added. Manner, the area to place the figures, in which process to automatically select the best position equally dividing the range and position yield rate in the range of B is performed.
[0021]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, when there is a component 61 having a size that does not fit in the set divided area, the part 61 protrudes from the gap interval area. Items that fall within are placed in the divided area so that parts are not arranged in the gap interval range as much as possible.
For example, in the case where a part that is drawn and registered in the orientation as shown in 62 of FIG. 5B is arranged, if it is arranged in the same orientation, it is divided into, for example, three divisions as shown in 62 of FIG. 5B. Although it does not fit in one of the divided areas, if the processing is performed to properly place the figure in the limited area as described above with a good yield, the figure is automatically rotated to obtain a placement position with a good yield by appropriately rotating the figure. As shown by 63 in FIG. 5B, those that can be arranged in the segmented area are arranged.
At this time, if there is a figure that does not fall within the segmented area as shown in the part 61 of FIG. 5A, the process is not finished without placing the figure, and the figure is given priority first. As a conventional graphic layout process as shown in FIG. 9, the process of providing a partition area on the plate material is performed for the remaining parts by removing the restriction that the layout is arranged only within the partition area and placing the entire area of the plate material. And placement processing is performed in the segmented area.
In this way, even if there is a part of a size that does not fit within the segmented area, the placement process is performed for all parts of a size that can fit into the plate material without leaving them unplaced.
[0022]
A flowchart in this process is shown in FIG.
In step S61, the calculation of the graphic layout is executed for all the specified parts within the area of the maximum size that can be set as one segmented area within the equally divided range B, and in that area in step S62. Check if there is a part that does not fit in the size.
If there is no large part that does not fit into one segmented area, the placement processing in the segmented area as shown in FIG. 3 is performed in step S63, but there is a large part that does not fit into one segmented area. In step S64, only the number of parts that do not fit is designated as the number of parts specified to be placed first. A process of placing a figure on a region by a conventional method is executed.
Next, in step S65, in each segmented area in which a part of a part that does not fit in one segmented area has already been arranged, a figure is not arranged in each area yet, A process of additionally placing the remaining parts that have not yet been placed is performed.
After that, in all the remaining parts, in the process shown in FIG. 3 in step S66, an arrangement process is performed on a segmented area where no graphic is arranged at all.
In addition, in such an arrangement where there is a large part that does not fit within one sectioning area, the large part has already been cut and cut in the middle in the operation of moving the gap part while scrap cutting. Since the portion passes through the portion, there is a possibility that the laser processing head collides if the portion is subjected to a normal cutting operation as it is.
Therefore, in such a case, processing for retracting the machining head is performed only in a range where the parts are arranged so that the cutting operation is not performed.
As a specific method in this processing, in the case of a general CAD, a function for obtaining an intersection point of a scrap cutting line and an outline of an arranged part is standardly mounted. Only the range where the part and scrap cutting line overlap is performed by processing such as not setting the cutting line.
[0023]
Next, a process for cutting a part in the divided area first and setting a cutting order for finally cutting a gap between the divided areas will be described with reference to FIG.
In the process of cutting each part and the scrap cutting line after placing the figure for cutting as described above, for example, starting from the cutting start position 71, the part 72 is first cut as shown in FIG. Next, the part 73 is cut, and then only the parts are continuously cut in order, and after the cutting to the parts 74 and 75 is completed, the scrap cutting line 76 and the scrap cutting line 77 that finally cut the gap interval are cut off. To finish the process.
[0024]
As an example of this processing, a flowchart is shown in FIG.
In step S81, the cutting start position on the board on which the figure is arranged is set automatically or by an operator's mouse operation, etc., and in step S82, the cutting order is not yet set, and a plurality of divided areas are set. Check if there is a figure placed across the.
If there is such a figure, in step S83, the cutting order is set so as to continue to the figure that is closest to the cutting start position 71 in the figure, that is, the line on which the laser processing head moves is set. Drawn.
If the cutting order has not yet been set and there are still figures arranged across a plurality of divided areas, step S82 and step S83 are repeated, and cutting is performed in order from the closest one. The order is set.
If it is determined in step S82 that there is no corresponding figure, it is checked in step S84 if there is another figure for which the cutting order has not been set yet. Since it is set, the setting processing of the cutting order for the graphic is completed.
If it is determined in step S84, in step S85, cutting is performed in the figure in the divided area closer to the cutting start position among the divided areas at both ends among the divided areas. The cutting order is set so as to continue to the graphic closest to the start position.
Next, in step S86, it is checked whether there is a figure for which the cutting order is not yet set in the same segmented area. If there is, the distance from the figure for which the last cutting order is set in step S87. The cutting order is set so as to continue to the closest one.
By repeating this step S86 and step S87, the cutting order for all the figures in the same segmented area is set.
If it is determined in step S86 that there is no figure for which the cutting order is not set in the segmented area, the setting status of the cutting order of the adjacent segmented area is checked in step S88, and the cutting order is determined. If there is a segmented area that has not been set, in step S89, an operation for setting the order of cutting is performed on the graphics in the adjacent segmented area.
By repeating the processing of step S86 and step S87, and step S88 and step S89, the setting operation of the cutting order for the figure is sequentially performed for each divided area.
In this case, if such a process is not performed, the figure in the adjacent division area is closer by chance even though there are figures that have not yet been set in the same division area. Because it is arranged, the order of cutting first is set toward the figure in the adjacent sectioning area, and as a result, the order of cutting that goes back and forth across multiple sectioning areas is set This is because there is a possibility of being done.
[0025]
In addition, in the state divided into three as shown in FIG. 7, it is unnecessary when the part 72 and the part 73 are cut in this order starting from the cutting start position 71 and the part in the divided area is cut. In order to cut off the divided area, the scrap cutting line 77 may be cut, and then the parts in the adjacent divided area may be cut.
As a result, even if the cutting is performed in one sectioning area and the strain due to heat is accumulated, the sectioning is sequentially separated and the strain is eliminated.
[0026]
In addition, by providing a function to check whether the position where the gap interval is set interferes with the work holder, in the case of interference, a warning is displayed so that the position of the work holder is changed, or the numerical value of the equal division range B It is also possible to perform processing such as automatically taking measures such as enlarging or prompting the operator.
[0027]
According to this embodiment, there is a low risk that the machine will stop even in continuous operation by a laser processing system with a stocker, etc., and there is an effect that the scrap processing work of the operator is greatly improved. .
Further, the reduction of the figure placement yield rate caused by placing the figures in the pre-divided area can be substantially avoided by appropriately moving and setting the position of the gap interval.
In addition, it is possible to arrange a figure having a size that does not fit in the segmented area without leaving it.
In addition, it is possible to generate a machining program that stably cuts the scrap cutting line, so all the figures are cut first for each divided area in the setting of the cutting path order, and still cut. Even if the clearance gap position at the boundary with the adjacent segmentation area where the figure for which the route is not set remains is cut off, the plate material on which the figure has not yet been cut is not cut off.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
The automatic planing apparatus according to the present invention can perform component placement with a gap space for setting a scrap cutting line in advance so that a stable operation can be performed in the cutting process of the scrap cutting line. The possibility of this is avoided more and scrap can be processed efficiently.
[0029]
In addition, the reduction of the figure placement yield rate caused by placing the figures in the pre-divided area can be considerably avoided by appropriately moving and setting the positions of the gap intervals.
[0030]
In addition, it is possible to generate a machining program that stably cuts the scrap cutting line, and because all the figures are cut first for each divided area in the setting of the order of the cutting paths, cutting is still performed. Even if the clearance gap position at the boundary with the adjacent segmentation area where the figure for which the route is not set remains is cut off, the plate material on which the figure has not yet been cut is not cut off.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement result of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an exemplary arrangement result of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement result of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement result of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement result of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional general graphic arrangement.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 plate material information setting part, 2 division parameter setting part, 3 arrangement calculation part.

Claims (6)

In automatic plate cutting equipment that arranges parts to be cut into plate material,
A sectioning means for partitioning the area where the parts are arranged on the plate material into almost equal parts with a predetermined gap;
For parts having a size that falls within each of the areas divided by the dividing means, the parts arranging means for determining the arrangement of each part within each divided area;
A setting means for cutting a part in the divided area first, and setting a cutting order for finally cutting a gap between the divided areas;
An automatic planing device characterized by comprising: 2. The automatic picking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component placement means places the components in consideration of a yield of the placement of the components. The component placement means sets a virtual parting line at a position shifted by a predetermined range from the equally divided position with reference to an equally divided position based on the length of the plate material and the number of divisions registered in advance. The automatic planing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The automatic cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising scrap cutting means for cutting a predetermined gap. A process of registering part data to be cut from a plate material;
A step of dividing a region where the parts are arranged on the plate material into almost equal parts with a predetermined gap;
For parts of a size that fall within each segmented area, the step of determining the placement of each part within each segmented area;
Cutting a part in the segmented region first, and setting a cutting order to finally cut a gap between the segmented regions; and
Automatic planing method with A process of registering part data to be cut from a sheet material;
A step of dividing a region where the parts are arranged on the plate material into approximately equal parts with a predetermined gap;
For parts of a size that fall within each segmented area, the step of determining the placement of each part within each segmented area;
Cutting the component from the plate according to the determined arrangement;
After the cutting step, the step of scrap cutting the plate material after the parts have been cut on the predetermined gap;
Automatic planing method with

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