JPH0712071Y2 - Drawing tool number setting device in drawing machine - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention is a flatbed type, a paper moving type drawing machine (hereinafter referred to as a plotter), and a plurality of drawing tools are held in a stocking tool stocker for automatic operation. The present invention relates to a drawing tool number setting device that can be exchanged and can freely set a drawing tool stocker number.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, a plotter has a plurality of drawing tools (hereinafter referred to as pens).
There is a pen stocker for the number of pens or more in order to exchange images, and these pen stockers are provided with corresponding symbols in advance, and these symbols are often numbered. ing. That is, the pen stockers are numbered so as to be distinguished from each other, and the relationship between the stocker number and the pen stocker is fixed to maintain the correspondence. Therefore, in many plotters, each stocker number is printed, engraved, or molded and displayed at a position where the pen stocker can be visually recognized. this is,
This is because if the user cannot determine which pen stocker is which pen stocker, the pen cannot be designated when using a plurality of pens.

By the way, in recent years, with the spread of computers, drawing software and design drafting software that output a plotter, which is a terminal device, has come into general use, and in particular, a plotter that can use a plurality of pens is used. There are various types of pens, and felt pens (water-based, oil-based), ink (hollow) pens, ball-point pens, pencil lead pens, etc. can be used, and each line type (line thickness) and color can be distinguished. The user selects a desired pen from among them to draw an image. In this case, software (specify pen number corresponding to line type)
And the pen setting (the pen type corresponding to the pen number is set in the determined pen stocker).

Among these, since the pen stocker number is fixedly set in advance, when changing the correspondence between the line type and the pen type, firstly, the relationship between the line type and the pen number is changed by software, and secondly, the pen stocker number is changed. In the setting, the pens of the pen stocker are exchanged, or both the first and second means are used.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) However, in such a conventional example, in order to maintain the relationship between the line type and the pen type, firstly, adjustment is performed by software, or secondly, the pen is installed in the stocker. Adjusting the order,
Or, since both the first and second adjustments were performed, there were the following problems. That is, the adjustment by the first software is finely set for each line segment, and when the pen number designating program section is complicated, it takes time to debug the software and labor is required. Further, changing the pen installation order of the second pen stocker is a simple task, but if the settings of pen number-pen type in other software are different, it is inconvenient to change the pen installation order again. Further, it is more inconvenient to execute both the first and second means.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems because the pen stocker number is fixed. That is, when a certain pen stocker becomes defective due to some reason and the pen stocker becomes unusable, not only the pen order of the pen stocker must be changed, but also the pen number must be changed by software. Therefore, maintainability deteriorates.

Further, in a plotter capable of drawing with a pencil lead, the pencil lead is quickly consumed and it is necessary to replace the pen for drawing and supply the lead.
At this time, a function called an equal pen function is used in order not to interrupt the drawing. Here, the equal pen function is a function of returning the pen to the stocker and supplying the pen held in a predetermined pen stocker to continue drawing when the pencil lead of the pen is exhausted during drawing. When the core disappears while drawing with an equal pen, the worn core is removed, and the core is fed to a regular pen so that the regular pen can be used for printing.

However, even if the equal pen function is set, the designation of the equal pen has been fixed in the past, and even if there are multiple stockers, it cannot be set freely, so the user always monitors and cores during printing. It must be prepared, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.

Therefore, the present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional example, and the purpose is to allow the user to freely set the stocker number without setting the drawing tool stocker number fixedly. The purpose is to be able to set the speed and to improve usability.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a plurality of drawing tools are held in a plurality of stockers, and a desired drawing tool in the drawing tools is selected to perform drawing. In the drawing machine adapted to perform the above, an input circuit capable of setting and changing the tool number of a plurality of drawing tools arranged in the plurality of stockers for each stocker, and tool number information set and changed by the input circuit Is stored in the tool number table, and display means for displaying the tool number information set and changed by the input circuit, and these are controlled by the control means.

(Operation) In the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the user sets the drawing tool number from the input circuit, the control means obtains the tool number information, and the tool number is set in the plurality of stockers. Store in the tool number table in memory. Further, the tool number information set by the input circuit is displayed on the display means. Therefore, the drawing tool can be freely set by allowing the user to appropriately select the tool number.

(Example) Below, this invention is demonstrated based on the Example shown in figure. Third
The figure shows an XY plotter to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, 20 is a machine body of the XY plotter, and a Y rail 22 is arranged on a table 21 so as to be movable along the X coordinate axis direction. A drawing head 23 is movably attached to the Y rail 22. The drawing head 23 has a pen holder 24, and the drawing tool 25 is detachably held by the pen holder 24. Here, the drawing tool 25 includes not only writing pen tools such as ink pens, felt pens (water-based and oil-based), ballpoint pens, pencil lead pens, etc., but also work pen tools such as cutter blade pens and laser pens. Hereinafter, the drawing tool 25 will be referred to as a pen. Then, the Y rail 22 and the drawing head 23 are driven by a motor (not shown) to move via the driving force transmitting means, that is, the drawing head 23 is moved to a desired shape based on the drawing information and placed on the table 21. For example, a drawing is created on the placed paper (not shown). Further, A to D are pen stockers, and hold a plurality of pens 25.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system in this embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1 is a pen number (drawing tool number) setting circuit, which will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 2 is a CPU as a control means for controlling the entire XY plotter which is an image drawing machine, 3 is a memory for storing programs and data, and specifically, the pen number information set by the pen number setting circuit 1 Store in pen number table. An actuator drive circuit 4 is a circuit for driving the imaging head 23 with a step motor, a solenoid, and the like. An external communication circuit 6 communicates with an external host computer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a pen number setting circuit in the same embodiment. In this embodiment, four pen stockers A to D are provided, and correspondingly, an input circuit for operating the pen number setting is provided. Of the stocker circuits 7 to 10 as the above, and the output of the stocker circuits 7 to 10 sends the setting information to the CPU 2 via the input interface 11.

FIG. 4 shows the stocker circuit, and the stocker circuits 7 to 10 are shown.
Is composed of a pull-up resistor 12 and a DIP switch 13, and the pull-up resistor 12 fixes the signal output when the DIP switch 13 is open to the “High” side. The dip switch 13 is a pen number setting switch, which is set when turned on. Fig. 5 shows DIP switches corresponding to pen stockers A to D
13 shows an arrangement state of DIP switches 13. DIP switches 13 are provided in the vicinity of the pen stockers A to D, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the pen number setting sequence in this embodiment. The user operates the dip switch 13 in step to set the input by the stocker circuits 7 to 10, and then in step, the input interface 11 is entered.
The pen number information output from the stocker circuits 7 to 10 is sent to the CPU 2 via. In further steps, CPU2
When the pen number information is received from the input interface 11, the pen number table of the pen stockers A to D is prepared in the memory 3 and the pen number information is stored in the memory 3 regarding the pen numbers set in the pen stockers A to D. Then, in the subsequent steps, the correspondence between the pen stockers A to D and the pen number is performed by referring to the pen number table in the memory 3.

The correspondence relationship between the pen stocker and the pen number will be described. The pen number table is as shown in Table 1, and the correspondence relationship can be known from this table. For example, when the pen number 1 is designated, by referring to the address in the memory 3 and the data stored in the four addresses from pen address 1 to pen address 1 + 3, "Pen stocker A Or one of the D pens becomes effective. " By sequentially referring to the addresses from pen 2 to pen 2 + 3, it can be understood that "the pen stocker B is effective for the pen 2".
Similarly, it can be seen that it corresponds to "stocker A for the 3rd pen" and "stocker C for the 4th pen".

Next, a modification of the stocker circuit in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. This stocker circuit shows an analog input circuit, and 14 is a pen stocker A.
Volumes arranged corresponding to D to divide the output voltage value by changing the resistance value. Reference numeral 15 is an AD converter, which converts the output of the volume 14 into a digital signal and outputs it to the input interface 11. In the case of such analog input, firstly, depending on the voltage value output by the volume 14,
It is assumed that the output of the AD converter 15 outputs the value shown in Table 2 to the input interface 11. That is, Also, the volume 14 is such that it is lightly fixed (with a click feeling) by the output voltage as shown in Table 3,
Each user adjusts and fixes the volume 14 by the click.

Secondly, the data output from the input interface 11 to the CPU 2 are stored in the stocker circuits 7 to 7 as shown in Table 4.
Volume 14 up to 10 has been adjusted.

Thirdly, the pen number table arranged in the memory 3 is as shown in Table 5.

Fourthly, the correspondence between the pen stocker and the pen number can be obtained by referring to the pen addresses 1 to 4 + 3.
As shown in Table 6, it can be seen that the correspondence is obtained.

Here, in the above embodiment, the switch input (DIP switch 13) and the analog input (volume 14) are explained as an example in the stocker circuits 7 to 10 as the input means in the pen number setting circuit 1, but these are simultaneously set in the pen stocker number. It also has a function as a display unit for setting. And, the above-mentioned input means is an example newly provided, but as means for providing a dedicated input part, other than the other various setting input parts, keyboard input, sensor input, other optical encoder and It may be a contact type disc code.

Explaining the input means by the sensor, a mark sensor sticker is attached at a predetermined position of the pen, and each sticker has a function as pen stocker number information, and holds the sticker pen in the pen stocker. Then, the reading sensor arranged in the pen stocker or the reading sensor arranged in the imaging head reads pen number information from the sticker of the pen for each pen stocker, and determines the pen stocker number.

As the input means, there are means for setting via an external communication line, means for setting using a signal circuit, and means for setting on a plotter. As means for setting via the external communication line, the plotter program has a pen stocker number setting command similar to the drawing command, and the setting is performed via the communication line by an external host computer. The pen stocker number information once set must be stored in the plotter or an attached memory and held until new setting is made or cancellation setting (operation such as memory clear) is made.

The means for setting via the signal circuit is a plotter having a terminal connectable to the outside, and has means for determining the pen stocker number in the external circuit, or means for setting by having the pen stocker number information in the memory in the external circuit. Is. In addition, as a means for setting on the plotter, the input section must have or have a part for storing the input, for example, a dedicated input section is provided, or it is shared with or added to various setting input sections of the plotter. Become.

Next, as a means to display the setting of the pen stocker number,
In the above embodiment, the switch setting of the DIP switch 13 displays the number as it is, and the volume 14 can be displayed by providing an indicator plate so that the set value can be read directly. Not limited to these mechanical setting display means,
It may be an electric setting display means for displaying using a display device such as an LED or LCD. Therefore, any means of displaying the relationship between the pen stocker and the variable number can be used, whether it is mechanical or electric.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pen stocker number can be freely set, so that one pen number can be assigned to a plurality of stockers, so that the equal pen function can be expanded and the drawing time can be shortened. That is, the expansion of the equal pen function will be explained. For example, when the pen stocker numbers are set as shown in Table 7, the pen stockers A, B, and C are all the first pen, and the pen stockers D, E, and F are all the second pen. If the setting is made and the No. 1 pen of the A stocker is being used and the leadless pen is detected as a pencil lead pen and the ink pen is detected as no ink, immediately replace it with the B or C pen and continue printing. Yes, there is no interruption to refill the wick or ink.

Then, by setting the number and type of equal pen numbers in advance according to the amount of drawing, the lead of the pen, and the life of the ink, replenishment during plotting is unnecessary and the user does not have to stay on the plotter during drawing. Also gets better. For example, A ~
If all F pen stockers are set to the 1st pen, the life of the 1st pen will be 6 times longer.

Next, the shortening of the drawing time will be described. The number of the pen stocker is set as shown in FIG.
Place it in a pair of pen stockers. Then, for example, FIG.
As shown in, the pen replacement operation can shorten the drawing time by returning the pen to the nearest equal pen stocker and taking out the replacement pen from the nearest pen stocker. Also, since multiple numbers can be set for one pen stocker, even if the usable pen is different from the pen specified in the drawing software, or if there is a shortage, the pen can be re-set without changing the software. can do. Furthermore, by setting 0 in the pen stocker, even if a pen is set, the pen stocker is not selected. By not preparing a pen stocker number corresponding to the pen number set by software, the pen stocker number is specified by that number. It is possible not to draw the line segment. This is extremely effective in CAD software in which a pen can be specified for each layer, because only the necessary layers can be drawn without changing the software settings.

(Effect of the Invention) As described above, according to the drawing tool number setting device in the drawing machine according to the present invention, the user can freely set the stocker number, so the tool number can be changed without changing the drawing software. The selection can be changed, and it is possible to set the drawing tool regardless of the setting when setting it in the stocker. Even if there is a stocker that cannot be used, it is possible to print using another stocker by assigning the number to another stocker without setting the stocker number. Further, it is possible to expand the equal pen function and shorten the drawing time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a pen number setting circuit in the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an XY plotter to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the stocker circuit of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the DIP switches of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is an operation of the control system shown in FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a modified example of the stocker circuit, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the arrangement state of the volume shown in FIG. 7, and FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of. Explanation of symbols 1 ... Pen number setting circuit, 2 ... CPU (control means) 3 ... Memory 7-10 ... Stocker circuit (input means, display means) 13 ... DIP switch, 14 ... Volume

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A drawing machine in which a plurality of drawing tools are held in a plurality of stockers, and a desired drawing tool in the drawing tools is selected to perform drawing, and a plurality of drawing machines arranged in the plurality of stockers are provided. An input circuit in which the tool number of the tool can be set and changed for each stocker, a memory for storing the tool number information set and changed by the input circuit in the tool number table, and a tool set and changed by the input circuit A drawing tool number setting device in a drawing machine, comprising: display means for displaying number information, and controlling these by a control means.