JP5524004B2 - Cutting data generation program, cutting plotter, cutting system, and cutting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cutting data generation program, a cutting plotter, a cutting system, and a cutting method for obtaining a product having a desired shape while pressing a cutter against a workpiece medium and relatively moving the cutter.

  As conventional cutting plotters, techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known. In the cutting plotter described in Patent Literature 1, when generating the cutting command by the controller, the overrun direction of each corner of the cut figure is calculated, and the overrun cut to the inside of the part that is the processed result is not performed. Only overrun cuts to the outside of the part. In the cutting command generation method described in Patent Document 2, the computer side calculates the overrun direction of each corner of the cut figure, generates a cut command that prevents overrun cut to the inside of the part, and generates the cut command. Transfer to cutting plotter. Thereby, the damage by the overrun cut of parts can be prevented.

JP-A-7-136983 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-148694

  However, in the above conventional technology, if the overrun cut is not performed on the part in order to prevent scratches, the uncut part is generated and the product part cannot be completely separated. As a result, there was a problem that the quality of the parts deteriorated. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to cut the product so that it can be completely separated.

  The cutting data generation program of the present invention has a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium when cutting, and a back blade having a predetermined edge angle provided on the back side of the blade with respect to the blade. When cutting with the substantially vertical blades of both blades, the line segment constituting the cut figure that is the shape of the product is defined as a dividing line segment, and the dividing line from “medium” that is a desired position on the dividing line segment It is characterized by functioning as cutting data generating means for generating cutting data for cutting the middle edge toward the “edge” of the minute.

In this way, by cutting the dividing line segment from “medium” to “end” with the blades that are substantially perpendicular to the two blades, an overrun cut is not generated at the corner, and an uncut portion is generated. It can be cut reliably without causing the product parts to be separated completely and cleanly.

  The cutting data generation program according to the present invention has an internal / external specifying means for specifying which side of the cut figure, which is the shape of the product, is the product, and a line segment constituting the cut figure is adjacent to the computer. For each corner combined with a line segment, based on the product information specified by the inside / outside specifying means, a corner that should not be overcut is extracted from each corner, and a divided corner mark is added to the extracted corner. The substantially vertical of both blades having a mark applying means for applying a blade, a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium when cutting, and a back blade having a predetermined edge angle provided on the back side of the blade with respect to the blade When cutting with a cutting edge, the line segment with the split corner mark at the start is taken as the split line segment, and the desired position on the split line segment is “medium”. Characterized in that to the cutting data generating means for generating cutting data medium end split cut towards the "end" of the divided line segment functions as a.

  A line segment that has a corner that should not be cut too much at the beginning is defined as a dividing line segment, and this dividing line segment is cut from “medium” to “end” with a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the two blades. It is possible to cut reliably without causing an overrun cut at the corner and without leaving an uncut, and the product parts can be separated completely and cleanly.

  The cutting data generating program of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the cutting data generating means generates the divided line segments for all the line segments constituting the cut figure.

  In other words, if all the line segments constituting the cut figure are divided line segments and the middle edge is cut with the substantially vertical blades of the two blades, an overrun cut is not generated at all corners and an uncut portion is generated. Since it can cut reliably without making it, it can be set as the product inside and outside of a cut figure.

  Further, the cutting plotter of the present invention is characterized by having a control means for performing relative movement control of the two blades with respect to the workpiece medium in accordance with the cutting data generated by the cutting data generation program.

  Thereby, it is possible to provide a cutting plotter that can produce a high-quality product that does not cause overrun cut.

  Further, the cutting method of the present invention includes a blade that has a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium when cutting, and a blade that has a predetermined edge angle provided on the back side of the blade with respect to the blade. When cutting with a substantially vertical blade, the line segment that forms the cut figure that is the shape of the product is defined as a dividing line segment, and the division line segment “ It is characterized in that cutting data for cutting the middle edge toward the “edge” is generated, and the workpiece medium is cut by a cutting plotter based on the cutting data.

In this way, it is possible to surely cut without causing overrun cut at each corner of the cut figure, and the product parts can be separated completely and cleanly.

  Further, the cutting method of the present invention includes an inside / outside specifying step for specifying which side of the cut figure that is the shape of the product is the inside or outside of the product, and a line segment constituting the cut figure is combined with an adjacent line segment. For each corner, a mark that extracts a corner that should not be overcut from each corner based on the product information specified by the inside / outside specifying means, and adds a divided corner mark to the extracted corner The substantially vertical blades of the two blades having an application step, a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium when cutting, and a back blade that has a predetermined edge angle provided on the back side of the blade with respect to the blade When cutting with, the line segment that has the split corner mark at the start is taken as the split line segment, and the "end" of the split line segment from the "center" that is the desired position on the split line segment Characterized in that it comprises a, and the cutting data generation step of generating cutting data for medium-end split cut towards.

  In this way, it is possible to surely cut without causing overrun cut at each corner of the cut figure, and the product parts can be separated completely and cleanly.

It is a block diagram which shows the cutting system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of this cutting system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the shape of a cutter. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where a dividing line segment is cut from "end" to "medium" using a single blade. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where a dividing line segment is cut using a double-edged blade. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where a dividing line segment is cut using a double-edged blade. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of linear approximation. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of inside / outside specification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which provided the division | segmentation corner mark and the corner mark to the cut figure. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a generation example of a dividing line segment using the substantially cross-shaped figure illustrated in FIG. 9. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a production | generation of the division position in the case of producing | generating a dividing line segment automatically.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a block diagram showing a cutting system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The cutting system 100 includes a cutting plotter 101 and a computer 102 connected to the cutting plotter 101. The cutting plotter 101 performs an X-axis drive mechanism 103 that drives the cutting head in the X-axis direction, a Y-axis drive mechanism 104 that drives the cutting head in the Y-axis direction, a lifting operation of the cutting head, and a rotation operation around the Z-axis. It has a cutter drive mechanism 105 to perform, and a controller 106 for controlling them. The controller 106 includes a drive control unit 50 that controls the drive mechanism, a data reception unit 51 that receives data from a computer, and a data storage unit 52 that stores the received cutting data.

  In the cutting plotter 101 to which the present invention can be applied, in addition to the flat head type cutting plotter in which the cutting head is controlled to move in the XY direction, the cutting head is driven and controlled in one axial direction, and in the axial direction orthogonal thereto, A friction type cutting plotter in which a workpiece medium is driven and controlled by a roller is included, but the invention is not limited to this. That is, any structure may be used as long as the cutter and the medium to be processed can be controlled relative to each other. The computer 102 is connected to the cutting plotter 101 by a dedicated cable such as a USB cable or RS-232C, a network, or wireless short-range communication. Note that the computer 102 may take a resource form constructed in the Internet space.

  The computer 102 includes a cut figure reading unit 1 and a cutting data generation unit 2. The cut figure reading unit 1 reads a cut figure that is stored in the computer 102 and is in the form of a product. The cutting data generation unit 2 includes an inside / outside determination unit 3 that identifies a product side of a cut figure, a cut direction setting unit 4 that sets a cut direction, and a straight line approximation unit 5 that linearly approximates a curve included in the cut figure. A mark adding unit 6 for adding a divided corner mark and a corner mark to the cut figure, and a divided line segment generating unit 8 for generating a line segment having the divided corner mark as an end as a divided line segment. These are configured by a combination of hardware of the computer 102 and a program. Moreover, the cut figure reading part 1 and the cutting data generation part 2 include the case where it implement | achieves as an extended function of the program which draws a cut figure.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of this cutting system.

[Selection of Cutlery Type] First, the user selects a blade from the blade selection unit 7 of the cutting data generation unit 2 (step S1). The blades used for cutting thick workpiece media are classified as follows. FIG. 3 shows an example of the shape of the blade. The “single blade” 30 has a strip shape, and the blade 31 has a predetermined blade edge angle 32 with respect to the cutting direction. The blade edge angle 32 is generally 17 degrees, 35 degrees, or 45 degrees. The spine 33 of the blade 30 is linear, and is perpendicular to the workpiece medium during cutting. For example, a single blade 30 is used for rubber, cork, leather, vinyl chloride film, polyethylene film, felt, etc. having a thickness of 5 mm or less, or corrugated cardboard having a thickness of 20 mm or less.

The “both blades” 35 have a blade edge angle 36 of 2 degrees and a blade 37 formed in the longitudinal direction of the blade 38. If the blade 37 is in the range of vertical (0 degrees) to 7 degrees, it can be regarded as being substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium at the time of cutting in terms of cutting accuracy. A back blade 39 is also formed on the back side of the blade 37 at a constant angle (about 45 degrees). In other words, the both blades 35 are blades provided with a blade 37 that is substantially perpendicular to the medium to be cut at the time of cutting, and a back blade 39 having a predetermined edge angle 40 provided on the back side of the blade 38 with respect to the blade 37. is there. For example, when cutting thick cardboard or foam board of 60 mm or less, the double blade 35 is used.

[Determination of middle end / end] Depending on whether the selected blade 30 is “single-edged” or “double-edged”, the dividing line segment is divided from “end” to “middle”, or “middle” to “middle” It is determined whether the cut is divided into "ends" (step S2).

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a dividing line segment is cut from “end” to “medium” using a single blade. In the case of dividing and cutting with the single blade 30, even if the blade 31 is inserted in the “end” Le of the dividing line segment Ls so that the blade 31 faces the “middle” side, the spine 33 of the single blade 30 is vertical. No excessive cutting occurs beyond the “end” Le of the dividing line segment Ls. In the division cut, first, the blade 31 of the single blade 30 is pushed toward the “medium” Li side and pushed into one “end” Le, and moved to a predetermined division position Li to perform the first cut. Next, the single blade 30 is raised and inverted 180 degrees (adjusted as necessary), inserted into the other “end” Le, moved to the division position Li, and cut second. Thereby, the dividing line segment Ls can be divided and cut.

  5 and 6 are explanatory views showing a case in which a dividing line segment is cut using a double-edged blade. Since both the blades 35 are formed so that the blades 37 in the cutting direction are substantially perpendicular to the blade 38, as shown in FIG. 5, when the blade 35 is inserted into the “end” Le of the dividing line segment Ls, only the blade 38 is provided. Overcutting occurs behind the cutting direction. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, a cut is performed from “medium” Li, which is the dividing position of the dividing line segment Ls, to “end” Le. In the split cutting with the double-edged blade 35, first, the blade 37 of the double-edged blade 35 is directed to the “end” Le side and inserted into the “medium” Li which is the split position, and moved to one “end” Le to perform the first cut. Do. Next, the both blades 35 are moved up, returned to the position of “middle” Li where the cutting is started and reversed 180 degrees (adjusting eccentricity if necessary), inserted into the divided position Li, and the other “end” Le. To the second cut. Thereby, even when the double-edged blade 35 is used, the dividing line segment Ls can be divided and cut without causing excessive cutting. The “medium” Li is not limited to the center position of the dividing line segment. You may set to a desired position from conditions, such as parting line segment length.

[Reading Cut Graphic] Next, the cut graphic reading unit 1 reads the cut graphic created by the drawing program installed in the computer 102 (step S3).

[Linear Approximation] The linear approximation unit 5 decomposes the curved portion of the cut figure into small straight lines by linear approximation (step S4). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of linear approximation. In the decomposed line segment L, as shown in the figure, both ends Le are joined to the adjacent line segment L, and the both ends Le are positioned on the curve R. By this straight line approximation, even when the cut figure includes the curve R, all of the cut figure is composed of straight line segments. If the cut figure does not include a curve, step S4 can be omitted.

[Inside / Outside Identification: Determination of Which Inside or Outside of Cut Pattern is Product] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of inside / outside identification. The inside / outside determination unit 3 performs inside / outside determination for all of the read cut figures (step S5). First, as shown in FIG. 5A, cut figures are arranged in the order of size, and all of them are provisionally determined to be “out”. “Outside” means that the outside of the cut figure is a product, and “inside” means that the inside of the cut figure is a product.

Next, it is determined whether or not the other cut figures P2 and P3 are completely included in the maximum cut figure P1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the medium-sized cut graphic P2 and the minimum cut graphic P3 are completely included in the maximum cut graphic P1, and therefore both are “inside”. judge. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the smallest cut figure P3 is included in the medium-sized cut figure P2. In this case, since the smallest cut figure P3 is included inside, it is originally “inside”, but since it has the same determination result as the middle cut figure P2, it is determined to be “outside”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4D, it is determined that the outside of the largest cut figure P1, the inside of the middle cut figure P2, and the outside of the smallest cut figure P3 are products (in the figure, hatched lines). Part). In the case where a product other than the shaded portion in the figure is a product, “outside” and “inside” may be reversed. Thereby, the inside / outside determination part 3 specifies the part used as a product among cut figures.

[Setting of cutting direction] The cutting direction setting unit 4 sets the cutting direction of the cutting tool 30 in principle counterclockwise when the inside of the cut figure is a product, and when the outside of the cut figure is a product, the cutting direction is set clockwise. Around (step S6). Note that the cutting direction is temporarily set in order to determine the dividing line segment, and at the time of actual cutting, the cutting direction is not necessarily set.

[Granting Divided Corner Marks] A corner refers to a portion where a line segment constituting a cut figure is combined with an adjacent line segment. Based on the product information specified by the inside / outside determination unit 3, the mark imparting unit 6 extracts corners that should not be overcut (overrun cut) from each corner of the cut figure (step S7). A division corner mark is given to the corner (step S8). Whether or not overcutting should be caused is determined by whether or not the virtual extension line of the line enters the product side. In addition, all cut figures are captured as a set of straight lines by straight line approximation, but when the angle between the line segment and the line segment is large and may be regarded as a substantially straight line, the joined part of the line segment and the line segment is a corner. Do not judge. If it is not judged to be a corner, no split corner mark is given.

  Further, it is determined whether or not it is a corner (step S9), and if it is a corner, a corner mark is given to the corner (step S10). If it is not judged to be a corner, no corner mark is given. The divided corner mark and the corner mark can coexist. The division corner mark and the corner mark are given to all corners (step S11).

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a divided corner mark and a corner mark are added to a cut figure. In the figure, a black circle is a divided corner mark Ms, and a white circle is a corner mark M. The example of FIG. 5A is a case where the inside of the cut figure is the product. The figure is substantially cross-shaped, and since the virtual extension line Lx of the line segment L enters the product side at the valleys of the cut-out portions at the four corners, it is determined that the corner should not be overcut, and the divided corner mark Ms is set. Give. The example of FIG. 5B is a case where the outside of the cut figure is the product. In this case, since the virtual extension line Lx of the line segment L enters the product side at the crests of the cutout portions at the four corners, it is determined that the corner should not be overcut, and the divided corner mark Ms is given.

If the product side (which of the inner and outer sides is the product) and the cutting direction are specified, it can be determined which of the line segments provided with the divided corner mark at the start end or the end is the divided line segment. This dividing line segment is generated by the dividing line segment generation unit 8.

  The dividing line segment generation unit 8 generates a dividing line segment based on the product side, the cutting direction, the type of cutter, the length, and the angle (step S11). The dividing line segment generation unit 8 is configured to perform an end-to-end division cut from “end” Le to “medium” Li, and an intermediate from “medium” Li to “end” Le based on the types of the selected blades 30 and 35. The edge split cut is set automatically. Specifically, when the single-edged blade 30 is selected, the middle-end divided cut is automatically set by the dividing line generation unit 8, and when the double-edged blade 35 is selected, the middle-end divided cut is performed by the dividing line segment generating unit 8. Is automatically set.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of generation of a dividing line segment using the substantially cross-shaped figure shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10A shows a case where the inside of the cut figure becomes a product and is divided and cut with a single blade. The dividing line segment is shown. The dividing line segment generation unit 8 sets the dividing line segment Ls to a line segment having the dividing corner mark Ms at the end e of the line segment L in order to cause the single blade 30 to cut too much in the cutting direction of the end of the line segment. In the figure, the dividing line segment Ls is indicated by a bold line (the same applies hereinafter). FIG. 2B shows a dividing line segment in the case where the inside of the cut figure is a product and is divided and cut with both blades. The dividing line generation unit 8 causes the double-edged blade 35 to cut too much behind the cutting direction of the starting end s of the line segment L, so that the dividing line segment L having the dividing corner mark Ms at the starting end s of the line segment L is divided. Let Ls. Thus, even when the inside of the cut figure P is a product, the location of the dividing line segment Ls generated varies depending on the type of the blades 30, 35.

  FIG. 2C shows a dividing line segment when the outside of the cut figure is a product and the cut is divided with a single blade. In this case, the line segment L having the divided corner mark Ms at the end e of the line segment L is set as the divided line segment Ls as described above. FIG. 4D shows a dividing line segment in the case where the outside of the cut figure is a product and is divided and cut with both blades. In this case, the line segment L having the divided corner mark Ms at the start end s of the line segment L is set as the divided line segment Ls as described above. Thus, even when the outside of the cut figure P is a product, the location of the dividing line segment Ls generated differs depending on the type of the blades 30, 35. In this example, the cutting direction is unified counterclockwise for easy understanding.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of generation of a division position when a division line segment is automatically generated. In the case where the dividing line segment Ls is cut at the middle end by the double-edged blade 35, it is preferable to set the dividing position Li to be “middle” Li to a desired position on the side close to the end e of the dividing line segment Ls. This is because when the cutting is started away from the line segment that has already been cut, the medium to be processed is less likely to be bent or misaligned, and accurate cutting is possible. A specific dimension t can be set for the dividing position Li by the dividing line generation unit 8. As described above, the cutting data generation unit 2 generates final cutting data from the cut figure.

Further, when the line segment is divided, the minimum line segment length and the minimum line segment angle are also taken into consideration. The divided line segment generation unit 8 does not divide a line segment having a length equal to or smaller than the set minimum line segment length because it may not be cut cleanly. The minimum line segment length can be set in advance by the user based on the type, thickness, and the like of the workpiece medium by the dividing line segment generation unit 8. Further, the dividing line segment generation unit 8 does not perform division when the angle is equal to or smaller than the set minimum line segment angle. The line segment angle refers to the refraction angle of the next line segment with respect to the traveling direction of a certain line segment. The minimum line segment angle can be preset by the user based on the figure, type, thickness, and the like of the medium to be processed by the dividing line segment generation unit 8.

  The generated cutting data is transmitted to the cutting plotter 101 from the computer 102 shown in FIG. The data receiving unit 51 of the cutting plotter 101 receives the cutting data and stores it in the data storage unit 52. The drive control unit 50 of the cutting plotter 101 drives and controls the X-axis drive mechanism 103, the Y-axis drive mechanism 104, and the cutter drive mechanism 105 based on the received cutting data, and the printer 106 prints a desired drawing or the like. The processing medium 90 is cut.

  As described above, according to the cutting system 100 of the present invention, each corner can be surely and neatly cut by performing the middle end division cut using the double-edged blade 35. In addition, since cutting data including a middle edge cut is automatically generated, cutting data can be easily created in a short time. In particular, even when a thick workpiece medium is cut, the product can be cut cleanly without damaging the product. The cut figure reading unit 1 and the cutting data generation unit 2 may be installed on the cutting plotter 101 side as applications that operate on the firmware of the cutting plotter 101 (not shown).

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the case where either the inside or the outside of the cut figure is a product has been described. However, when both the inside and the outside of the cut figure are products, all the line segments constituting the cut figure are included. Alternatively, line segmentation may be performed. In this case, the mark assigning unit 6 assigns the divided corner mark Ms to all corners instead of the procedure from step S5 to step S8. Others are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent overcutting in all line segments of the cut figure, and thus a beautiful product can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Cutting system 101 Cutting plotter 102 Computer 106 Controller 1 Cut figure reading part 2 Cutting data generation part 50 Drive control part

Claims (6)

On the computer,
Cutting is performed by the substantially perpendicular blades of both blades having a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium at the time of cutting and a back blade that has a predetermined edge angle provided on the back side of the blade with respect to the blade. In this case, the line segment constituting the cut figure that forms the product is defined as a dividing line segment, and the middle edge division cut is performed from “middle”, which is a desired position on the dividing line segment, toward the “end” of the dividing line segment. Cutting data generating means for generating cutting data to be
A cutting data generation program characterized in that it functions as a cutting data. On the computer,
Inside / outside identification means for identifying which side of the cut figure that is the shape of the product is the inside or outside of the cut figure,
Based on the product information specified by the inside / outside specifying means, for each corner formed by combining a line segment constituting the cut figure with an adjacent line segment, a corner that should not be overcut from each corner. Mark adding means for extracting and adding a divided corner mark to the extracted corner;
Cutting is performed by the substantially perpendicular blades of both blades having a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium at the time of cutting and a back blade that has a predetermined edge angle provided on the back side of the blade with respect to the blade. In this case, a line segment having a division corner mark at the start end is defined as a division line segment, and cutting data for cutting the middle end division from “medium”, which is a desired position on the division line segment, toward the “end” of the division line segment. Cutting data generating means for generating
A cutting data generation program characterized in that it functions as a cutting data. The cutting data generating program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cutting data generating means generates the divided line segments for all the line segments constituting the cut figure. A cutting plotter comprising control means for performing relative movement control of the two blades with respect to the workpiece medium in accordance with the cutting data generated by the cutting data generation program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Cutting is performed by the substantially perpendicular blades of both blades having a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium at the time of cutting and a back blade that has a predetermined edge angle provided on the back side of the blade with respect to the blade. In this case, the line segment constituting the cut figure that forms the product is defined as a dividing line segment, and the middle edge division cut is performed from “middle”, which is a desired position on the dividing line segment, toward the “end” of the dividing line segment. A cutting method comprising: generating cutting data to be cut, and cutting a medium to be processed by a cutting plotter based on the cutting data. An inside / outside identification step for identifying which side of the cut figure that is the shape of the product is the inside or outside of the product,
Based on the product information specified by the inside / outside specifying means, for each corner formed by combining a line segment constituting the cut figure with an adjacent line segment, a corner that should not be overcut from each corner. A mark adding step of extracting and adding a divided corner mark to the extracted corner;
Cutting is performed by the substantially perpendicular blades of both blades having a blade that is substantially perpendicular to the workpiece medium at the time of cutting and a back blade that has a predetermined edge angle provided on the back side of the blade with respect to the blade. In this case, a line segment having a division corner mark at the start end is defined as a division line segment, and cutting data for cutting the middle end division from “medium”, which is a desired position on the division line segment, toward the “end” of the division line segment. Cutting data generation step for generating
A cutting method using a cutting plotter.