JP4642930B2 - Simulation apparatus and simulation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a simulation apparatus and a simulation method for simulating behavior of a flexible medium conveyed in a conveyance path.

  When designing transport paths in image forming devices such as copiers and laser beam printers, examining the function of the design under various conditions before actually making the product can reduce the man-hours required for manufacturing and testing the prototype. This can reduce the development period and cost. For this purpose, it is considered to analyze the behavior of the sheet conveyed in the conveyance path in the image forming apparatus by computer simulation and to optimize the conveyance path.

  Conventionally, as a technology for simulating paper behavior, a flexible medium is expressed by a finite element by a finite element method, a contact with a guide or a roller in a conveyance path is judged, and a motion equation is numerically solved to numerically solve the flexible medium. Design support systems have been proposed for evaluating the conveyance resistance and contact angle with the guide (Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, a technique for improving the calculation speed by expressing the flexible medium more simply by a mass and a spring is disclosed (Non-Patent Document 1).

  As described above, in solving the motion of the flexible medium, the motion equation of the flexible medium expressed discretely by a finite element or mass-spring system is established, and the analysis target time is set in time increments (steps) having a finite width. The behavior of the flexible medium can be expressed by dividing and sequentially obtaining unknown acceleration, velocity, and displacement for each ticking time from time 0 and integrating these numerical values over time. As such an analysis method, Newmark's β method, Wilson's θ method, Euler method, Kutta-merson method and the like are widely known.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-195052 JP-A-11-116133 Kazuyoshi Yoshida, “Mechanism” 96-1530, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1997, p230-236

  However, the conventional simulation apparatus has the following problems. That is, when accurately evaluating the behavior of the paper in the transport path, the guide resistance, and the like, it is necessary to accurately handle the friction between the flexible medium and the transport guide. In particular, when accurately expressing behavior such as jamming, the friction between the tip of the flexible medium and the conveyance guide depends on the sliding speed of the flexible medium and the contact angle between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide. There was a need to apply coefficients. However, at present, when a flexible medium is expressed as an aggregate of the mass and the spring, the friction coefficient is constant or the sliding speed of the flexible medium without being distinguished between the tip of the flexible medium and the other region. Therefore, it was impossible to accurately evaluate the behavior of a flexible medium such as a jam (in particular, jam), particularly the behavior of the tip of the flexible medium.

  Also, when accurately evaluating the behavior of the paper in the transport path, guide resistance, etc., even if the flexible medium is greatly bent, that is, when a large deformation effect occurs, the bending rigidity of the flexible medium should be set appropriately. It was necessary to calculate the behavior of the flexible medium in the transport path. In particular, it is indispensable to properly handle the bending rigidity of a flexible medium that easily undergoes a large bending deformation such as paper, in order to evaluate an accurate behavior. However, when calculating the motion of a flexible medium expressed as an aggregate of the mass and spring described above, at present, if the calculation time is set to an inaccurate time step, the flexible medium is brought into contact with the guide with a tight curvature. If a large bend occurs within a predetermined time step, it will deviate from the micro deformation theory. As a result, an error has occurred in the calculation result, such as calculating a larger guide resistance than originally intended. Moreover, when evaluating the results, it was impossible to evaluate when a large bend occurred in which region of the flexible medium, and it was difficult to evaluate the results.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a simulation apparatus and a simulation method that can appropriately handle the friction between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide and can accurately evaluate the behavior of the tip of the flexible medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, a simulation apparatus of the present invention is a simulation apparatus for simulating the behavior of a flexible medium conveyed in a conveyance path, and in accordance with a user instruction, component parts constituting the conveyance path are simulated. A conveying path defining means for defining, a flexible medium model creating means for creating a model of the flexible medium indicated by a plurality of mass points and a spring connecting each mass point in accordance with a user instruction, and a conveying in accordance with a user instruction Transport condition setting means for setting conditions, motion calculation means for calculating motion of the model of the flexible medium in the defined transport path in time series based on the set transport conditions, and time series calculation And a result display means for displaying the behavior of the flexible medium based on the result of the exercise, wherein the transport path defining means A conveyance guide selection unit that selects a conveyance guide that guides the soft medium, and the conveyance condition setting unit is a friction that sets a friction coefficient between the conveyance guide selected by the conveyance guide selection unit and each mass point of the flexible medium. Coefficient setting means is provided, wherein the friction coefficient setting means distinguishes and sets the friction coefficient for the mass point at the tip of the flexible medium and the friction coefficient for the mass point other than the tip of the flexible medium.

  According to the present invention, the friction between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide can be properly handled, and the behavior of the tip of the flexible medium can be accurately evaluated. Further, the behavior of the tip of the flexible medium and the other area can be visually distinguished.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the design support system in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the hardware for implement | achieving a design support system. It is a figure which shows one screen of the design support system 1 displayed on the display. It is a flowchart which shows the whole process sequence in the design support system which simulates the behavior of a flexible medium. It is a figure which shows the screen in which the subfunction in the flexible media model creation part 3 was reflected. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of discretizing a flexible medium into a some spring-mass system. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of performing the setting of the curl in a flexible medium by equal division. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of discretizing between the selected two mass points to a some spring-mass system. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of setting curl amount. It is a figure which shows the derivation method of the coordinate value of the mass point arrange | positioned in the area | region which set the curl. It is a figure which shows the screen which sets change rate (beta) of bending rigidity. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of setting the curl in a flexible medium at equal ratio intervals. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of discretizing between the selected two mass points to a some spring-mass system. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of setting curl amount. It is a figure which shows the derivation method of the coordinate value of the mass point arrange | positioned in the area | region which set the curl. It is a figure which shows the screen which sets change rate (beta) of bending rigidity. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of setting conveyance conditions by the conveyance condition setting part. It is a graph which shows the time change of the rotation speed of a roller. It is a figure which shows the frictional force which acts with respect to the conveyance direction of paper. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the exercise | movement calculation part 5 in step S4. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the element subdivision part 6 in step S6. It is a figure which shows the difference of the rotational displacement of a mass point. It is a figure which shows the intermediate mass point newly formed. It is a figure which shows a moving image menu screen. It is a figure which shows a plot screen. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of discretizing the flexible medium in 2nd Embodiment into a some spring-mass system. It is a figure which shows the screen which sets the friction coefficient at the time of contact of a flexible medium and a conveyance roller. It is a figure which shows a mode that frictional force (micro | micron | mu) N works. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of automatically setting the friction coefficient between a flexible medium and a conveyance guide. It is a figure which shows the definition of the friction coefficient between a flexible medium and a conveyance guide. 6 is a graph showing a coefficient of friction μ1 between a mass point 133 at the tip of a flexible medium and a conveyance guide 137. 6 is a graph showing a coefficient of friction μ2 between a mass point 134 and a conveyance guide 137 in a region other than the tip of a flexible medium. It is a figure which shows the screen which inputs rotation angle (phi) c used as the threshold value in 3rd Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the motion calculation unit 5. It is a figure which shows the angle which the mass point and the mass point of the both sides make at a certain time t. It is a figure which shows the screen which visualizes the behavior and area | region of a flexible medium when it becomes more than the rotation angle (phi) c which is a threshold value. It is a figure which shows the screen which displays the time area | region of a flexible medium when it becomes more than rotation angle (phi) c.

  Embodiments of a simulation apparatus and a simulation method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The simulation apparatus of this embodiment is applied to a design support system.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the design support system according to the first embodiment. The design support system 1 includes a transport path definition unit 2, a flexible medium model creation unit 3, a transport condition setting unit 4, a motion calculation unit 5, an element subdivision unit 6, and a result display unit 7. Details of these parts will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration for realizing the design support system. In this hardware, a well-known CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, communication interface 54, hard disk 55, display 56, keyboard 57, and pointing device 59 are connected via a bus 58. Each unit in the design support system 1 is realized by the CPU 51 executing a design support program stored in the hard disk 55. A mouse or a touch panel is used as the pointing device 59.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one screen of the design support system 1 displayed on the display 56. This screen includes a menu bar 10 on which various buttons for executing the main function are displayed, a sub-configuration menu 20 on which various buttons for executing the sub-functions corresponding to the main functions are displayed, and a defined transport. A graphic screen 30 on which a route, a calculation result, and the like are displayed, and a command column 40 for outputting a message and inputting a numerical value are displayed. In the present embodiment, the menu bar 10 includes a file button 11, a transport path button 12 for executing processing by the transport path definition unit 2, a medium definition button 13 for executing processing by the flexible medium model creation unit 3, A transport condition button 14 for executing processing by the transport condition setting unit 4 and a result display button 15 for executing processing by the result display unit 7 are provided.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overall processing procedure in the design support system for simulating the behavior of the flexible medium. This processing program is stored in the storage device (hard disk 55) as a design support program, and is executed by the CPU 51. Each of the above-described units constituting the design support system 1 is realized by the CPU 51 executing a design support program stored in the hard disk 55.

  First, a transport route is defined by the transport route definition unit 2 (step S1). Subsequently, the flexible medium model creation unit 3 divides the flexible medium into a plurality of mass points and connects each mass point with a spring to express it as an elastic body (step S2). Furthermore, a conveyance condition is set by the conveyance condition setting unit 4 (step S3). The motion calculator 5 calculates the motion of the flexible medium in time series based on the set transport conditions (step S4). As a result of this calculation, the bending moment of the flexible medium is evaluated, and it is determined whether or not the flexible medium is subdivided based on the evaluation result (step S5). When the flexible medium is subdivided, the element subdivision unit 6 subdivides it to increase the number of mass point divisions (step S6). Thereafter, the process returns to step S5. On the other hand, if the flexible medium is not subdivided in step S5, the result display unit 7 displays the behavior of the flexible medium on the screen of the display 56 from the result of the motion calculated in time series (step S7). Then, this process is complete | finished. The processing of each part is shown in detail below.

(Transport route definition part)
When the user presses the transport route button 12 in the menu bar 10 to define the transport route, a sub-configuration menu 20 including various sub functions in the transport route definition unit 2 is displayed on the screen (see FIG. 3). ). The sub-configuration menu 20 includes a roller pair definition button 21 for defining a pair of transport rollers with two rollers, a roller definition button 22 for defining one roller independently, and a straight guide definition button 23 for defining a straight transport guide. An arc guide definition button 24 for defining an arc conveyance guide, a spline guide definition button 25 for defining a conveyance guide with a spline curve, and a flapper definition button 26 for defining a flapper (point) for branching a path along which the flexible medium is conveyed And a sensor definition button 27 for defining a sensor for detecting whether or not the flexible medium is at a predetermined position in the transport path. These component parts are arranged as equivalent to parts constituting the conveyance path of an actual copying machine or printer. First, when the definition of each component is executed using the sub-configuration menu 20, the shape of the corresponding component is reflected in the designated position on the graphic screen 30. Then, when the definition of the conveyance path in the conveyance path definition unit 2 is completed, the process proceeds to the process in the flexible medium model creation unit 3.

(Flexible media model creation department)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen in which the sub functions in the flexible medium model creation unit 3 are reflected. When the medium definition button 13 is pressed from the menu bar 10, a sub-configuration menu 60 including various sub-functions by the flexible medium model creation unit 3 is displayed on the screen. In the sub-configuration menu 60, a medium type selection screen 61, a division method selection screen 62, and a curl setting selection screen 63 are displayed. In the medium type selection screen 61, typical paper type names are registered in advance, and the type of flexible medium can be selected. On the division method selection screen 62, a division method for dividing the flexible medium can be selected. On the curl setting selection screen 63, it is possible to select a division method in an area where curl is set.

  First, in order to determine the position of the flexible medium in the transport path, a message prompting input of coordinate values of both ends of the flexible medium is displayed in the command column 40. This coordinate value may be input as a numerical value from the command field 40 or may be directly designated on the graphic screen 30 by the pointing device 59.

  When the coordinates of the both ends of the flexible medium are defined, a straight line (broken line in the figure) 32 connecting the both ends 31 is drawn on the graphic screen 30, and how the flexible medium is installed in the conveyance path. Can be confirmed. Thereafter, a message for prompting the input of the division number n when the flexible medium represented by the straight line 32 is discretized into a plurality of spring-mass systems is displayed in the command column 40. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen when discretizing the flexible medium into a plurality of spring-mass systems. In the present embodiment, the value 10 is input as the division number n input to the command field 40. By inputting the number of divisions, the graphic screen 30 displays a model in which the mass points 33 are arranged at positions that divide the straight line 32 into 10 divisions at equal intervals, and at the same time, the mass points are connected by the rotation spring 34 and the translation spring 35. Is done. The rotation spring 34 connecting the mass points expresses the bending rigidity when the flexible medium is regarded as an elastic body. Moreover, the translation spring 35 which connects between mass points expresses tensile rigidity.

After completing these operations, the flexible medium is defined as a model of an elastic body that responds to bending and pulling forces in the design support system. At the same time, the type of flexible medium to be calculated is selected from the medium type selection screen 61 by clicking with the mouse or the like. Parameters necessary for calculating the motion of the flexible medium in the conveyance path are information on the Young's modulus, density, and thickness of the flexible medium, and these parameters are included in the paper type displayed on the medium type selection screen 61. Is assigned as a database. In FIG. 5, “EN100DK”, which is a typical recycled paper, is selected as the medium type. By this selection operation, the Young's modulus of “EN100DK” is 5409 Mpa and the density is 6.8 × 10 ⁻⁷ kg / inside the system. The values of mm ³ and paper thickness 0.0951 mm are selected from the database.

(Equal division)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen when setting the curl in the flexible medium by equal division. When “Equal division” in the curl setting selection screen 63 is selected, a message prompting input of an area for setting curl is displayed in the command column 40. When inputting the area for setting the curl, the mass point 33 displayed on the graphic screen 30 by the pointing device 59 is directly instructed for two mass points in the area where the curl is to be set, or the coordinate value is entered from the command column 40. Enter numerical values. When two mass points (mass points with black circles in the figure) are designated, the mass points created between the two selected mass points, the rotation spring and the translation spring are once erased.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen when discretizing between two selected mass points into a plurality of spring-mass systems. In this screen, a message for prompting the input of the division number n when discretizing between the selected two mass points 36a, 36b into a plurality of spring-mass systems is displayed in the command column 40. In the present embodiment, the value 4 is input as the division number n input to the command field 40. By this input, the graphic screen 30 displays a model in which the mass points 37 are arranged at positions where the two mass points 36a and 36b are divided into four parts, and at the same time, the mass points are connected by the rotation spring 38 and the translation spring 39. Is done.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen when setting the curl amount. In the command column 40, a message prompting input of the curl amount (level difference) is displayed. In the present embodiment, the value 1.0 is input as the curl amount h input to the command column 40. By this input, on the graphic screen 30, the mass points 36a, 37, 36b are automatically rearranged in the area where the curl displayed is set, and the rotation spring 38 and the translation spring 39 between the mass points are automatically set. Connected to

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a method for deriving the coordinate values of the mass points arranged in the area where the curl is set. The mass point 33 and the mass point 36b are set to the mass point 33 at the end of the area where the curl is not set, the mass point 36a between the area where the curl is not set and the area where the curl is set, and the mass point 36b at the end of the area where the curl is set. A mass point 36c moved by a curl amount h from the mass point 36b is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the connecting straight line 313. Further, a perpendicular line 314 is drawn in a direction perpendicular to the straight line 313 through the mass point 36a. Then, a straight bisector 315 of a straight line connecting the mass point 36a and the mass point 36c is drawn, and divided on the circumference passing through the mass point 36a and the mass point 36c with the intersection 316 between the perpendicular line 314 and the vertical bisector 315 as the center. The mass points 37 divided by the number n are arranged at equal intervals. Further, a rotary spring 38 and a translation spring 39 that connect the arranged mass points are automatically arranged.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen for setting the bending stiffness change rate β. In the command column 40, a message prompting the user to input a bending stiffness change rate β of the flexible medium due to curling is displayed. The bending stiffness change rate β is expressed as a ratio of the rotation spring constant in the curl setting region to the rotation spring constant in a region other than the curl setting region. In the present embodiment, the rate of change β is set to a value of 1.2. The rotation spring constant kr in the region where the curl is not set in the flexible medium is given by Equation (1) in the division method-equal division using the Young's modulus E, the width w, the paper thickness t, and the distance ΔL between the mass points. .

  Further, in the division method-unequal division (equal ratio division), it is given by Expression (2).

  Here, each mass point interval ΔLi is calculated by Expression (3) when the division number n is an even number, where L is the total length of the region in the flexible medium where no curl is set, and in the case of an odd number, Expression (4). Calculated.

  Therefore, the rotation spring constant krc in the region where the curl in the flexible medium is set is given by Expression (5). Here, this distance ΔL represents the distance between the mass points before the coordinate value of the mass point changes due to curling.

  By performing such setting, the modeling definition of the region for setting the curl in the flexible medium can be divided into equally-spaced rigid elements. A rigid element and a spring connecting the rigid element are automatically arranged and connected along the curl. Further, in the region where curling is set, the bending rigidity of the flexible medium can be set separately.

(Unequal division)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen when setting curls in the flexible medium at equal intervals. In the curl setting in the flexible medium by the equal ratio division, the mass point interval at the end of the area where the curl is set is defined to be a predetermined ratio with respect to the other end mass point interval, and the mass point interval between them is defined. A method of changing at an equal ratio is adopted.

  When “unequal division” is selected on the curl setting selection screen 63, a message prompting input of an area for setting curl is displayed in the command column 40. When inputting the area for setting the curl, the pointing device 59 directly designates two mass points of the area where the curl is to be set among the mass points 33 displayed on the graphic screen 30, or the coordinate value is input from the command column 40. Enter numerical values. At this time, the mass point created between the two selected mass points, the rotary spring, and the translation spring are temporarily deleted.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen when discretizing between two selected mass points into a plurality of spring-mass systems. In the command column 40, a message prompting the input of the division number n and the end interval ratio α when discretizing between the two selected mass points 36a, 36b into a plurality of spring-mass systems is displayed. In the command column 40, the division number n and the end portion spacing ratio α are input. In the present embodiment, the division number n is set to a value 4, and the mass point interval L4 on the end A side is defined to be twice the mass point interval L1 on the end B side. That is, if the number of divisions n = 4 and the end interval ratio α = 2.0 are input from the command field 40 and the end A is specified on the graphic screen 30, the curl is set so that the mass point intervals are equal. A mass point 37 in the area to be arranged is arranged. At the same time, a model in which the mass points are connected by the rotary spring 38 and the translation spring 39 is displayed on the screen.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen when setting the curl amount. In the command column 40, a message prompting input of the curl amount (level difference) is displayed. In the present embodiment, a value 1.0 is input to the command column 40 as the curl amount h. By this input, the mass points 36a, 36b, and 37 of the curled region are automatically arranged on the graphic screen 30, and the rotation spring 38 and the translation spring 39 between the mass points are automatically connected.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a method for deriving the coordinate values of the mass points arranged in the area where the curl is set. The mass point 33 and the mass point 36a are set to the mass point 33 at the end of the area where the curl is not set, the mass point 36a between the area where the curl is not set and the area where the curl is set, and the mass point 36b at the end of the area where the curl is set. A mass point 36c moved by a curl amount h from the mass point 36b is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the connecting straight line 313. Further, a perpendicular line 314 is drawn in a direction perpendicular to the straight line 313 through the mass point 36a. A straight bisector 315 of a straight line connecting the mass point 36a and the mass point 36c is drawn, and the number n of divisions is formed on the circumference passing through the mass point 36a and the mass point 36c with the intersection 316 between the perpendicular line 314 and the vertical bisector 315 as the center. Further, the mass points 37 divided by the end portion interval ratio α are arranged at equal ratio intervals. At this time, by dividing the angle θ1 so as to be the end portion spacing ratio α with respect to the angle θ1 between the straight line 314 and the straight line connecting the mass point 36c and the intersection point 316, the respective mass points arranged at equal intervals. The coordinates of are derived. Further, a rotary spring 38 and a translation spring 39 that connect the arranged mass points are automatically arranged.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen for setting the bending stiffness change rate β. In the command column 40, a message prompting the user to input a bending stiffness change rate β of the flexible medium due to curling is displayed. This bending rigidity change rate β represents the ratio of the rotational spring constant in the curl setting region to the rotational spring constant in the region other than the curl setting region. In this embodiment, the bending rigidity change rate β is set to a value of 1.2. Further, the rotation spring constant krci in the region where the curl is set is calculated by Expression (6).

  Here, the mass point interval ΔLi is expressed by the above-described equation (3) when the total length of the curl setting area in the flexible medium before the coordinate value of the mass point is changed by the curl is L. In the case of an odd number, it is calculated by the above-described equation (4).

  By performing such setting, it is possible to divide the modeling definition of the region in which the curl in the flexible medium is set into rigid elements with equal spacing. A rigid element and a spring connecting the rigid element are automatically arranged and connected along the curl. Further, in the region where curling is set, the bending rigidity of the flexible medium can be set separately. And after performing the discretization process to the spring-mass element by the flexible medium model creation part 3, it transfers to the process in the conveyance condition setting part 4. FIG.

(Conveying condition setting section)
The conveyance condition setting unit 4 defines the driving conditions of the conveyance roller, the control of the flapper that branches the conveyance path, and the friction coefficient when the conveyance guide or roller contacts the flexible medium. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen when the conveyance condition is set by the conveyance condition setting unit 4. The setting of the conveyance condition by the conveyance condition setting unit 4 is executed by pressing the conveyance condition button 14 in the menu bar 10. At this time, the sub-configuration menu 20 displays a drive control selection screen 64 for defining drive conditions and a friction coefficient selection screen 65 for defining friction coefficients. FIG. 17 shows an input of the roller drive control. When the drive condition “roller” in the sub-configuration menu 20 is selected, the drive condition is selected from the transport rollers displayed on the graphic screen 30. Select the roller to be defined. When the selection of the roller is completed, the graphic screen 30 displays a graph showing the change over time in the rotation speed of the roller.

  FIG. 18 is a graph showing the change over time in the rotation speed of the roller. When a feature point consisting of a set of (time, number of revolutions) is input from the command column 40 as needed, a graph corresponding to the input feature point is created on the graphic screen 30. In the present embodiment, the rotational speed is linearly increased from 0 rpm to 120 rpm from “0” to “1” seconds, and the rotational speed is maintained at 120 rpm from “1” to “3” seconds. An example is shown in which the speed is reduced from 120 rpm to 0 rpm from “3” to “4” seconds. In addition, the definition of the control of the flapper used in the branch path is also defined in the same manner as the roller only by changing the vertical axis of the graph of FIG. 18 from “rotation speed” to “angle”.

  The friction coefficient is also defined by selecting the roller or guide displayed on the graphic screen 30 individually when the “friction coefficient” is selected as the driving condition of the sub-configuration menu 20, and the friction coefficient μ with the paper. Is entered from the command field 40. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the frictional force acting in the paper transport direction. The friction coefficient μN is set to work in the direction opposite to the paper conveyance direction, where N is the normal drag obtained by calculating the contact between the mass point of the flexible medium and the roller or guide using the input friction coefficient μ. .

(Motion calculation unit and element subdivision unit)
The transport path definition unit 2, the flexible medium model creation unit 3, and the transport condition setting unit 4 described above execute processing independently of each other, but the motion calculation unit 5 and the element subdivision unit 6 execute processing alternately. . FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the motion calculation unit 5 in step S4. First, the real time T for calculating the motion of the flexible medium and the time step Δt for the numerical time integration used for numerically finding the solution of the motion equation are set (step S11). Thereafter, the calculation of the motion of the flexible medium is started every Δt from the initial time (step S12). Each calculation result is stored in the hard disk 55 (storage device). Specifically, an initial acceleration, an initial speed, and an initial displacement necessary for calculation after Δt seconds are set, and a force acting on each mass point forming the flexible medium is defined (step S13). Here, the defined force includes rotational moment, tensile force, contact force, friction force, gravity, air resistance force and Coulomb force. After calculating the force acting on each mass point, the resultant force is finally defined as the force applied to the flexible medium.

  By dividing the force acting on the mass obtained in step S13 by the mass of the mass and adding the initial acceleration, the acceleration after Δt seconds is calculated (step S14). The speed is calculated by multiplying the calculated acceleration by Δt seconds and further adding the initial speed (step S15). The displacement of the flexible medium is calculated by multiplying the calculated speed by Δt seconds and further adding the initial displacement (step S16). As described above, these calculated values are stored in the hard disk 55 (storage device) in each calculation step.

  And it is discriminate | determined whether these processes were performed with respect to all the mass points (step S17). If not performed for all mass points, the process returns to step S13 and the same processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is performed for all mass points, it is determined whether or not the actual time (calculation end time) T set in step S11 has been reached (step S18). If the calculation end time T has not been reached, the process returns to step S12 and the same processing is performed. On the other hand, when the calculation end time T is reached, this process ends. In this embodiment, Euler's time integration method is used in the physical quantity calculation after a series of Δt seconds in steps S13 to S16. However, the Kutta-merson, Newmark-β method, Willson-θ method, etc. The time integration method may be used.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the element re-dividing unit 6 in step S6. First, the rotational moment of each mass point calculated by the motion calculator 5 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not a large rotational moment is locally generated in a part of the flexible medium (step S21). Specifically, whether or not the condition of Expression (7) is satisfied, where L is the total length of the flexible medium, M is the total rotational moment applied to the flexible medium, ΔLi is the mass point interval of a certain mass point i, and Mi is the rotational moment. Determine. If the condition of Expression (7) is satisfied, it is determined that a large moment is locally generated, and the process proceeds to the next step S22. On the other hand, when the condition of Expression (7) is not satisfied, this process is terminated.

  Here, the left side of Expression (7) is a term obtained by dividing the distance of n consecutive mass points by the total length L of the flexible medium, and the sum of the rotational moments of the consecutive n mass points divided by the total rotational moment M. It is a product of terms. If this value exceeds 0.5, it is determined that a large moment is locally generated. The value of n is normally a value from “5” to “10”, but in this embodiment, n = 5.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the difference in rotational displacement of the mass points. The rotation angles at both ends of the material point i and the material point i + 5 are calculated and stored (step S22). The acceleration, speed, and displacement, which are information on the mass point, are once returned to the state before Δt seconds (step S23). The range extracted in step S21 is subdivided, and a new mass point is formed in the middle of mass point i to mass point i + 5 (step S24). FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a newly formed intermediate mass point. In the figure, the white mass points are intermediate mass points that are newly formed. At the same time, since the interval between the mass points changes, the mass of mass points, the rotational spring constant and the translational spring constant are set to 1/2. Further, the average value of the mass points at both ends is adopted as the physical quantity j related to the new mass point necessary for calculating the equation of motion. Then, motion calculation after Δt seconds is performed on the subdivided flexible medium model by time integration (step S25).

  Similar to the processing in step S22, the rotation angles at both ends of the mass point i and the mass point i + 5 are calculated and stored (step S26). The rotation angle difference θ2 calculated in step S22 and step S26 is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the difference θ2 is within an allowable value (here, 10 degrees) (step S27). If the rotation angle difference θ2 is within 10 degrees, this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the difference θ2 is not within 10 degrees, the process returns to the process of step S24 and the subdivision process is repeated.

(Result display section)
The result display unit 7 executes processing by pressing the result display button 15 in the menu bar 10, and simultaneously displays the moving image menu and the plot menu on the sub-configuration menu 20. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a moving picture menu screen. The moving picture menu screen 71 is provided with a play button 72, a stop button 73, a pause 74, a fast forward button 75, and a rewind button 76. By operating these buttons, the behavior of the flexible medium can be visualized on the graphic screen 30. FIG. 25 shows a plot screen. In the plot screen 81, in order to perform the behavior of the flexible medium more quantitatively, the conveyance load of the guide and the roller, the acceleration, the speed, the displacement, and the like of the flexible medium are displayed in a graph with respect to time. As described above, various processing paths can be evaluated by the processing of the result display unit 7.

  As described above, according to the design support system of the first embodiment, when evaluating the function of the conveyance path, the curl shape of the sheet, which is a flexible medium, can be expressed relatively easily. In addition, it is possible to evaluate the function of the transport path under various conditions before actually making an object, and even a designer who does not have detailed simulation knowledge, especially with respect to the flexible medium modeling policy, has relatively high accuracy. Can lead to good calculation results. In addition, the curl shape of the paper, which is a flexible medium expressed as an aggregate of mass and spring, can be expressed, and the behavior and guide resistance of the paper in the transport path can be evaluated. Furthermore, by dividing into rigid elements with equal ratio intervals, one end of the curled region can be finely discretized even if there are the same number of mass-spring elements as compared with equal intervals. Therefore, it is possible to save the labor of the re-division process in the element re-division part, and the calculation results such as contact resistance and conveyance speed when the end part comes into contact with the guide or the roller can be obtained accurately and without applying a load. It is done. In addition, curling can be easily set, and the man-hours required for model creation can be greatly reduced. Further, the change in the bending stiffness of the paper due to curling can be reflected in the model, and the calculation accuracy of paper behavior, guide resistance, etc. can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
In the design support system according to the second embodiment, the friction coefficient at the time of contact between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide, which is defined by the conveyance condition setting unit 4, is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the friction coefficient between the rigid element at the tip of the flexible medium and the conveyance guide is set separately from the friction coefficient between the rigid element at the region other than the flexible medium tip and the conveyance guide.

  The design support system according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted here. Mainly different components will be described. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a screen when the flexible medium according to the second embodiment is discretized into a plurality of spring-mass systems. When displaying the mass point at the tip of the flexible medium and the mass points in other areas, the graphic screen 30 is displayed with 10 straight lines (broken lines) at equal intervals, as in the first embodiment, by input to the command field 40. A model in which mass points are arranged at positions to be divided and at the same time the mass points are connected by the rotation spring 135 and the translation spring 134 is displayed. At this time, in the second embodiment, the mass point 133 at the tip of the flexible medium and the mass point 134 in the other region are displayed in different colors. Note that instead of changing the color of the mass point, the shape of the mass point may be changed.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a screen for setting a friction coefficient when the flexible medium and the conveying roller are in contact with each other. In the sub-configuration menu 20, a drive control selection screen 64 and a friction coefficient selection screen 65 are displayed. When “Roller” is selected as the friction coefficient from the friction coefficient selection screen 65, the rollers displayed on the graphic screen 30 can be individually selected, and the friction coefficient μ with the flexible medium can be input from the command column 40. The frictional force μN is set so that the frictional force μN works in the direction opposite to the paper transport direction, where N is the normal force obtained by the contact calculation between the mass point of the flexible medium and the roller using the friction coefficient μ input here. The FIG. 28 is a diagram showing how the frictional force μN works.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a screen when the friction coefficient between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide is automatically set. When “Guide” is selected as the friction coefficient, individual guides displayed on the graphic screen 30 can be selected. At this time, a guide type selection screen 66 for selecting a guide type is displayed on the sub-configuration menu 20, and each guide type can be selected. In FIG. 29, “PC-PET” is selected as the guide type. With this setting, the friction coefficient between the flexible medium and the selected conveyance guide is automatically set.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating the definition of the coefficient of friction between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide. The method for deriving the frictional force between the mass point 133 at the tip of the flexible medium and the conveyance guide 137 and the method for deriving the frictional force between the mass point 134 and the conveyance guide 137 in the region other than the leading end of the flexible medium are the same as follows. When the normal force obtained by the contact calculation between the mass point of the flexible medium and the conveyance guide is N, the frictional force μN is set to work in the direction opposite to the paper conveyance direction. When the frictional force is derived, the given friction coefficient μ is determined by the friction coefficient between the mass point 133 and the conveyance guide 137 at the tip of the flexible medium, and the friction coefficient between the mass point 134 and the conveyance guide 137 in the region other than the flexible medium tip. Are set separately.

  FIG. 31 is a graph showing the coefficient of friction μ1 between the mass point 133 at the tip of the flexible medium and the conveyance guide 137. When deriving the friction coefficient μ1, the sliding speed of the flexible medium and the contact angle ω (see FIG. 30) between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide, which are dependent parameters, are automatically calculated inside the design support system. The On the basis of these two parameters, the friction coefficient μ1 is calculated and applied to the calculation. The graph of FIG. 31 is created by experiment and stored as data in a storage device (hard disk 55) in the design support system.

  FIG. 32 is a graph showing the coefficient of friction μ2 between the mass point 134 and the conveyance guide 137 in a region other than the flexible medium front end. When deriving the friction coefficient μ2, the only dependent parameter is the sliding speed of the flexible medium, so it is automatically calculated inside the design support system. Based on this parameter, the friction coefficient μ2 is calculated and applied to the calculation. Note that the friction coefficient μ2 between the mass point 134 and the conveyance guide 137 in the region other than the tip of the flexible medium is equivalent to the value of the friction coefficient μ1 when the contact angle ω is 0 degree. Calculation of the friction coefficient μ2 is easy.

  By performing such setting, the design support system of the second embodiment can select individual conveyance guides and automatically set the coefficient of friction. Further, the friction coefficient between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide is distinguished by the friction coefficient between the rigid element and the conveyance guide at the tip of the flexible medium and the friction coefficient between the rigid element and the conveyance guide in a region other than the flexible medium front end. Further, as the friction coefficient between the rigid element at the tip of the flexible medium and the conveyance guide, a friction coefficient depending on the sliding speed of the flexible medium and the contact angle between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide is used. Further, as the friction coefficient between the rigid element in the region other than the tip of the flexible medium and the conveyance guide, a friction coefficient depending only on the sliding speed of the flexible medium is used.

  Therefore, according to the design support system of the second embodiment, the behavior of the flexible medium can be visually separated between the tip of the flexible medium and the other area, and the friction between the tip of the flexible medium and the other area. The difference in coefficient handling can be clearly indicated to the user. In addition, since the friction coefficient is automatically set, man-hours required for the friction coefficient can be reduced without imposing a burden on the user. In addition, the calculation accuracy can be improved by more accurately handling the friction between the flexible medium and the conveyance guide. In addition, it is possible to accurately evaluate the behavior of the flexible medium in the transport path, the guide resistance, and the like. In particular, calculation results such as contact resistance and conveyance speed when the leading edge of the flexible medium comes into contact with the conveyance guide can be obtained accurately, and the behavior of the flexible medium such as jam can be expressed more accurately.

[Third Embodiment]
In the design support system according to the third embodiment, the bending rigidity of the flexible medium is appropriately handled even when the flexible medium is largely bent, that is, when a large deformation effect is generated. Since the design support system of the third embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Different components will be described. In the third embodiment, the menu bar 10 is provided with a calculation button 16 in addition to a file button 11, a transport path button 12, a medium definition button 13, a transport condition button 14, and a result display button 15 (see FIG. 33).

  Further, in the third embodiment, the rotation spring constant kr of the rotation spring and the translation spring constant ks of the translation spring are obtained by using the division method when the Young's modulus E, the width w, the paper thickness t, and the distance ΔL between the mass points are used. In equal division, it is given by equation (8).

  The mass m of the mass point is calculated by Expression (9) where the length L, the width w, the paper thickness t, the density ρ, and the division number n of the flexible medium.

m = Lwtρ / (n−1) (9)
Further, in the division method-unequal division (equal ratio division), the rotation spring constant and the translation spring constant are given by Expression (10).

  Here, each mass point interval ΔLi is calculated by the above-described equation (4) when the total number n of the flexible medium is L, and is calculated by the above-described equation (5) when the division number n is an odd number. Is done.

  By this operation, the flexible medium is model-defined as an elastic body that reacts to bending and pulling forces. When setting the curl of the flexible medium, the curl setting screen 63 is selected as in the first embodiment, and the curl area, the division method, the number of divisions, and the curl amount in the flexible medium are set and input. Thus, the curl in the flexible medium can be set.

  Next, a case will be described in which the amount of change within one hour step of the angle formed by the mass point and the mass points at both ends thereof is equal to or greater than the rotation angle φc, which is a threshold value, at which a large deformation effect of the flexible medium begins to occur. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a screen for inputting the rotation angle φc as a threshold value in the third embodiment. When the calculation condition button 16 in the menu bar 10 is pressed, a threshold setting screen 68 is displayed in the sub-configuration menu 20. When the rotation angle in the threshold setting screen 68 is selected, a message prompting the input of the rotation angle φc serving as a threshold is displayed in the command column 40. Then, the rotation angle φc is entered in the command field 40. In the present embodiment, the rotation angle is set to “10”. This completes the setting of the rotation angle φc serving as a threshold, that is, the rotation angle input at which a large deformation effect starts to occur.

  In addition, a calculation method is shown in the case where the amount of change within one hour step of the angle formed by the mass point and the mass points at both ends of the mass point is equal to or larger than the rotation angle φc that is a threshold value. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the motion calculation unit 5. Since the processing of steps S41 to S47 is the same as the processing of steps S11 to S17 in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  When it is determined in step S47 that the processing for all the mass points has been completed, based on the displacement and position information calculated in step S46 for each time step Δt, for all the mass points excluding the mass points at both ends of the flexible medium, An angle φi formed by each mass point and the mass points on both sides thereof is calculated (step S48).

  FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an angle formed by a mass point and mass points on both sides thereof at a certain time t. The angle formed by the mass point i at a certain time t and the mass points i-1 on both sides thereof is calculated as φi (t). Further, it is assumed that the flexible medium does not have a large deformation effect at this time. Thereafter, calculation after a time interval Δt seconds is started, and displacement and position information at time t + Δt are calculated via steps S43 to S46. Similarly, in step S48, for all the mass points excluding the mass points at both ends of the flexible medium, the angle formed by each mass point and the mass points on both sides thereof is calculated. At this time, the angle formed by the mass point and the mass points on both sides thereof is defined as φi (t + Δt). Here, the amount of change Δφi of the angle formed by the mass point is derived from Equation (11) from φi (t) derived from the previous time step and φi (t + Δt) derived from the current time step. .

Δφi = | φi (t + Δt) −φi (t) | (11)
It is determined whether or not the rotation angle is equal to or greater than the threshold rotation angle φc as a result of the calculation according to the equation (11) for all the mass points except for the mass points at both ends of the flexible medium (step S49). ). That is, it is determined whether or not a large deformation effect of the flexible medium has occurred. Here, when the change amount Δφi is larger than the rotation angle φc input in the command column 40, a large deformation effect of the flexible medium has occurred. In the present embodiment, if the change amount Δφi of the mass point i is “15”, it becomes a value larger than “10” of the threshold rotation angle φc, and it is assumed that a large deformation effect has occurred.

  A calculation process when the rotation angle becomes equal to or larger than the rotation angle φc which is the threshold value in step S49, that is, when a large deformation effect of the flexible medium occurs will be described. In this case, the time t + Δt is returned to the time t, and the calculated force, acceleration, speed, and displacement are returned to the state one time step Δt seconds ago (step S51). Based on the rotation angle φc, the change amount Δφi of the angle formed by the mass points, and the time step Δt, a new time step Δti is derived according to the equation (12) (step S52).

Δti = (φc / Δφi) Δt (12)
In the figure, at the mass point i, Δti = 0.6667 × Δt. Then, calculation after Δti seconds is started (step S53). Similarly, the processing of steps S43 to S48 is performed, and the angle formed by each mass point and the mass points on both sides thereof is calculated for all the mass points excluding the acting force, acceleration, speed, displacement, and mass points at both ends of the flexible medium.

  When a plurality of mass points are equal to or larger than the threshold rotation angle φc, the smallest time step Δti is applied. Similarly, in the newly calculated change amount φi (t + Δti), the change amount Δφi of the angle formed from the equation (12) is calculated, and when it becomes equal to or larger than the rotation angle φc which is a threshold value, The same processing as described above is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the rotation angle φc is less than the threshold value in step S49, it is determined whether or not the calculation end time has been reached (step S50). If not, the process returns to step S42 and the same processing is performed. repeat. On the other hand, if it has reached, this processing is terminated.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a screen for visualizing the behavior and area of the flexible medium when the rotation angle φc, which is a threshold value, is exceeded. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a screen that displays the time domain of the flexible medium when the rotation angle is greater than or equal to φc. By operating the moving picture menu 71, the behavior of the flexible medium can be visualized on the graphic screen 30. When the rotation angle becomes greater than φc during an operation such as moving image reproduction, that is, when a large deformation effect of the flexible medium occurs, the area is displayed on the graphic screen 30. Further, in the present embodiment, the color of the region 61 that is equal to or larger than the rotation angle φc is made different from the other regions. In addition, when the rotation angle is greater than or equal to φc, a display of “large deformation” may be performed. Further, when the behavior of the flexible medium is quantitatively evaluated, a time region in which the large deformation effect of the flexible medium is generated is displayed on a graph. In the present embodiment, the color of the time region 62 that is equal to or greater than the rotation angle φc is different from the other regions.

  As described above, according to the design support system of the third embodiment, the user can visually confirm the large deformation behavior of the flexible medium and its region and time region. Therefore, it is possible to easily check the validity of the calculation result and evaluate the result. In addition, when a large amount of bending occurs within a time step of Δt seconds due to contact with a guide with a tight curvature, the flexible medium can be handled as a behavior of the flexible medium within the range of micro deformation theory. Stiffness can be handled properly. Therefore, since accurate calculations can be achieved, it becomes possible to accurately evaluate the behavior of the flexible medium in the conveyance path, guide resistance, etc., especially for the flexible medium that is susceptible to large bending deformation such as paper. It can be carried out.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and any configuration can be used as long as the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the present embodiment can be achieved. Is also applicable. Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. It is also achieved by reading out and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Examples of storage media for supplying the program code include ROM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, memory card such as PCMCIA card and compact flash (registered trademark), hard disk, micro DAT, magneto-optical disk, CD-R, and the like. You may comprise with optical disks, such as CD-RW, phase change type optical disks, such as DVD. The program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing a part or all of the process and the process is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Design support system 2 Conveyance path definition part 3 Flexible media model preparation part 4 Conveyance condition setting part 5 Motion calculation part 6 Element subdivision part 7 Result display part 10 Menu bar 20 Sub structure menu 30 Graphic screen 33, 36a, 36b, 37 133, 134 Mass point 34, 38 Rotating spring 35, 39 Translation spring 40 Command field 137 Conveyance guide

Claims (4)

A simulation device for simulating the behavior of a flexible medium transported in a transport path,
In response to a user instruction, a transport path defining means for defining components constituting the transport path;
In response to a user instruction, a flexible medium model creating means for creating a model of the flexible medium indicated by a plurality of mass points and springs connecting the mass points;
A conveyance condition setting means for setting a conveyance condition in response to a user instruction;
A motion calculation means for calculating the motion of the model of the flexible medium in the defined transport path in time series based on the set transport conditions;
A result display means for displaying the behavior of the flexible medium based on the result of the motion calculated in time series,
The transport path defining unit includes a transport guide selecting unit that selects a transport guide for guiding the flexible medium according to a user instruction.
The conveyance condition setting unit includes a friction coefficient setting unit that sets a friction coefficient between the conveyance guide selected by the conveyance guide selection unit and each mass point of the flexible medium, and the friction coefficient setting unit includes a leading end of the flexible medium. A simulation apparatus characterized by distinguishing and setting the friction coefficient with respect to a mass point and the friction coefficient with respect to a mass point other than the tip of the flexible medium.   The friction coefficient setting means sets the friction coefficient with respect to the tip of the flexible medium using a sliding speed of the flexible medium and a contact angle between the flexible medium and the transport guide. The simulation apparatus described. A simulation method of a simulation apparatus having a CPU, a memory, a display, and an input device, wherein the CPU executes a program stored in the memory to simulate the behavior of a flexible medium conveyed in a conveyance path. ,
A transport path defining step in which the simulation apparatus defines components constituting the transport path in response to a user instruction input via the input device;
A flexible medium model creating step in which the simulation apparatus creates a model of the flexible medium indicated by a plurality of mass points and springs connecting the mass points in response to a user instruction input via the input device;
A conveyance condition setting step in which the simulation apparatus sets a conveyance condition in response to a user instruction input via the input device;
A motion calculating step in which the simulation device calculates the motion of the model of the flexible medium in the defined transport path in time series based on the set transport conditions;
The simulation apparatus has a result display step of displaying the behavior of the flexible medium on the display based on the result of the motion calculated in the time series,
In the transport path defining step, the simulation apparatus includes a transport guide selection step of selecting a transport guide for guiding the flexible medium in response to a user instruction input via the input device.
In the conveyance condition setting step, the simulation apparatus includes a friction coefficient setting step for setting a friction coefficient between the conveyance guide selected in the conveyance guide selection step and each mass point of the flexible medium, and the friction coefficient setting step. Then, the simulation apparatus distinguishes and sets the friction coefficient for the mass point at the tip of the flexible medium and the friction coefficient for the mass point other than the tip of the flexible medium. A program stored in the memory, having a CPU, a memory, a display, and an input device, causing the CPU to execute a simulation method for controlling a simulation device that simulates the behavior of a flexible medium conveyed in a conveyance path. ,
The simulation method includes:
A transport path defining step in which the simulation apparatus defines components constituting the transport path in response to a user instruction input via the input device;
A flexible medium model creating step in which the simulation apparatus creates a model of the flexible medium indicated by a plurality of mass points and springs connecting the mass points in response to a user instruction input via the input device;
A conveyance condition setting step in which the simulation apparatus sets a conveyance condition in response to a user instruction input via the input device;
A motion calculating step in which the simulation device calculates the motion of the model of the flexible medium in the defined transport path in time series based on the set transport conditions;
The simulation apparatus has a result display step of displaying the behavior of the flexible medium on the display based on the result of the motion calculated in the time series,
In the transport path defining step, the simulation apparatus includes a transport guide selection step of selecting a transport guide for guiding the flexible medium in response to a user instruction input via the input device.
In the conveyance condition setting step, the simulation apparatus includes a friction coefficient setting step for setting a friction coefficient between the conveyance guide selected in the conveyance guide selection step and each mass point of the flexible medium, and the friction coefficient setting step. Then, the simulation apparatus distinguishes and sets the friction coefficient for the mass point at the tip of the flexible medium and the friction coefficient for the mass point other than the tip of the flexible medium.

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