JPS6327748B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional figure creation system, and more specifically to an interactive three-dimensional figure processing system for creating three-dimensional structures.

[Conventional technology and its problems]

Conventionally, when designing an object with a free-form surface or a mechanical structure with a complex shape, a primary evaluation of the shape and other aspects is added after the rough design, detailed design, and drawing creation.
In addition, a model was created using wooden molds or plaster, and a secondary evaluation was made, and adjustments were made as necessary to determine the final shape. When using such a method, there is a problem in that it takes a great deal of labor and time to create and modify drawings and models. On the other hand, drawings are created using an interactive graphics processing device, and the results are converted to NC (numerical control) data and output on paper tape.
Another method is to create a 3D model by inputting it into an NC device. (For example, see "Hitachi Hyoron," Vol. 26, No. 7, pp. 17-20, published in July 1980.) In this method, a three-dimensional shape is designed on a graphic display, so the created three-dimensional shape is It may not always be made according to the designer's intentions. In particular, it is difficult to accurately input the shape of a curved surface using a two-dimensional coordinate input device and a graphic display device that can only display two-dimensional figures. Therefore, without trial cutting, it is difficult to know whether the curved surface was input as intended by the designer. In this way, when a part of the created 3D model has been directly modified manually, there is no way to modify the design data that was initially created, and it is difficult to confirm the modification results. The problem has arisen in that it is necessary to recreate the three-dimensional model once again, which requires a great deal of effort.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide an interactive 3D model that can quickly and accurately create 3D models of various devices with free-form shapes and parts of mechanical structures with complex shapes. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a graphics processing system.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digital computer, a two-dimensional coordinate input device for inputting graphic information and graphic processing commands into the computer, a graphic display device for displaying the graphic information processing results of the computer, and a graphic display device for displaying the graphic information processing results of the computer. A three-dimensional model creation device that receives graphic processing information from a computer and outputs a drive signal based on a result of matching the graphic processing information with three-dimensional coordinate information of an actual three-dimensional model; and a drive signal from the three-dimensional model creation device. and a measuring element attached to a tool spindle of the processing means, and the measuring element is operated via the processing means in response to a command from the computer when measuring the three-dimensional model. coordinate measuring means for measuring the shape of the three-dimensional model and outputting it as three-dimensional coordinate information to the three-dimensional model creation device; Graphical processing information obtained in advance is modified, and a three-dimensional model can be modified based on the modified graphical processing information.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below based on the drawings.

Figure 1 shows the configuration of the interactive 3D graphics processing system according to the present invention, in particular, the interactive graphics processing device allows the design of designs with free-form surfaces and the design results of mechanical structures with complex mechanisms to be directly converted into 3D shapes. A schematic configuration of an interactive 3D graphic processing system that can be displayed is shown. Here, a two-dimensional coordinate input device 2 is connected to a digital computer 1 having a design and manufacturing information database.
By inputting graphic processing information and graphic processing commands from the digital computer, a three-dimensional numerical model is created by a graphic processing program stored in the storage device of the digital computer, which is then temporarily converted into two-dimensional graphic information. It is displayed on the graphic display device 3. This display figure is a bird's-eye view, a sectional view, a developed view, a three-view view, etc. from an arbitrary viewpoint. While observing the displayed diagram, the designer checks for defective parts and examines the shape, and if changes are necessary, he again sends correction information to the graphic processing program via the two-dimensional coordinate input device 2, and changes the shape created earlier. Modify the three-dimensional numerical model. This three-dimensional numerical model is converted into NC data by a conversion program stored in the storage device in the digital computer, and then sent to the three-dimensional model creation device 4, where the three-dimensional model creation device 5 uses resin, plaster, etc. Create a three-dimensional model by processing materials such as wax.

In addition, since the material of the three-dimensional model is a soft material, the three-dimensional modeling machine requires a structure with lower mechanical strength than a normal NC machine tool that processes hard materials such as iron, and also has a lower cutting speed. Since the material can be made larger, the machining time can be significantly shortened (1/30 to 1/50) compared to iron machining.

This three-dimensional model creation machine 5 has a three-dimensional shape measurement function in addition to the functions that a normal NC machine tool has, such as the functions of cutting, cutting, and drilling a material. The three-dimensional shape measurement function is for verifying whether the created three-dimensional model matches the three-dimensional numerical model in the digital computer within tolerance.
In other words, once the object has been machined, the coordinate values of the surface points are imported into the computer using the three-dimensional shape measurement function, and the coordinate values of the surface points of the shape to be machined in the computer are compared with the actual machined shape. Check the difference from the surface point coordinate values.

In addition, if the created 3D model does not match the shape or image intended by the designer, we can correct it using a separate device.
This is to correct the previously created three-dimensional numerical model by re-inputting the final shape data from the three-dimensional model creating device 5 to the digital computer 1 via the three-dimensional model creating device 4, as it may be reprocessed. be. Furthermore, it can also be used to input three-dimensional shapes created by means other than this apparatus into the digital computer as three-dimensional data.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of an embodiment of an interactive three-dimensional figure processing system according to the present invention. In the figure, three-dimensional numerical model data processed by the digital computer 1 is converted into NC data and sent to the online controller 41 of the three-dimensional model creation device 4. Online controller 41
converts the sent three-dimensional numerical model data into NC commands, generates pulses in the control unit 42, distributes them to the main axis travel distances ΔX, ΔY, ΔZ, travel acceleration ΔF, and rotational speed variation ΔN, and outputs them to the interface. The cutter section 51 of the three-dimensional model creation machine 5 is controlled via the ace 43.

Next, a three-dimensional shape measurement function for modifying a created three-dimensional model or for inputting the external shape of a three-dimensional object made externally into the digital computer 1 will be explained. In the case of shape measurement, first, the two-dimensional coordinate input device 2 and the graphic display device 3 are used to designate the measurement range in a two-dimensional manner, the digital computer 1 generates measurement points, and the data is sent online along with the measurement command data. It is sent to the controller 41. The online controller 41 is an NC that instructs only the movement of the main axis of the three-dimensional model creation machine based on the received data.
The command is sent to the control section 42, and a measurement command is given to the measuring instrument control section 44. The operations after the control unit 42 are as described above, but when the main axis movement operation is completed, a measurement start signal is output from the control unit 42 to the measuring instrument control unit 44, and the vertical distance measuring device 52 attached to the main axis make it work. The measured distance is sent to the online controller 41 via the pulse counter 45, correlated as a height (Zi) with respect to the measurement point (Xi, Yi), and returned to the digital computer 1. A digital computer performs processing (smoothing processing) for determining a curved surface passing through a given measurement point, or in other words, a plurality of discrete points floating in three-dimensional space. As a result, the coordinate values of any point (interpolation point) other than the above-mentioned discrete point (i.e., the point on the grid input from the shape measuring device) are determined, and the result is displayed on the drawing display device 3. .

In addition, if there are any unusual protrusions or holes in the shape of the 3D model, only those parts are further divided.
By remeasuring, it is also possible to create a highly accurate numerical model.

Next, the processing contents of the online controller 41 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

When measuring grid points on a mesh as shown in FIG. 4, the following measurement command data is input into the digital computer 1 from the two-dimensional coordinate input device 2.

(i) Measurement starting point (X ₀ , Y ₀ , Z ₀ ) (ii) Minimum allowable Z coordinate value of the tip of the measuring needle Z ₁ (iii) Mesh width ΔX, ΔY in the X and Y directions (iv) X direction and the number of measurement meshes M and N in the Y direction. From the above measurement command data, the calculator calculates the
NC data of (M×N) points for moving 0 is created and transferred to the online controller 41 every data block of several points. As shown in Figure 4, the measurement starts from the starting point (X ₀ , Y ₀ ), and as follows: (X ₀ +ΔX, Y ₀ )→(X ₀ +2ΔX, Y ₀ )...(X ₀
+MΔX, Y ₀ ) → (X ₀ , Y ₀ +ΔY)... The measuring stylus 90 measures coordinates in the Z-axis direction, and as shown in FIG.
Place the tip of A at the measurement starting point O (X ₀ , Y ₀ , Z ₀ ).
Next, lower the needle by the operating range l. The value of the measuring needle 90A at this time is read according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and the absolute value of the Z coordinate is calculated using the following formula.

Z=Z ₀ +ΔZ−l (1) Here, ΔZ is the immersion distance of the measuring needle tip when the measuring needle 90A collides with the object to be measured 94 and the tip of the measuring needle enters the measuring needle body.

Note that in FIG. 5, the coordinate Z _MAX indicates the uppermost position of the tip of the probe 90.

The procedure for measuring the Z coordinate will be explained below with reference to FIG.

When the measurement of the Z coordinate value is started in the online controller 41 (step 60), in step 62, the digital computer 1 calculates n sets of initial measurement start position coordinate values (X, Y,
Z) and store these data in buffer memory within the online controller. After initial setting (i=1) (step 63)
i-th coordinate value (X, Y,
Z) is taken out (step 66). Send this coordinate value (X, Y, Z) i to the three-dimensional model creation machine 5,
The spindle position is set (step 68). continue,
In step 70, it is determined whether the current mode is cutting or measuring. This mode is set by the digital computer 1. If it is in the measurement mode, proceed to the next step and measure the Z value. If it is in the cutting mode, a processing tool (cutter) is attached to the main axis, and cutting is completed when the position control command is sent to the main model creation machine 5 in step 68, so the process jumps to step 80. .

When in measurement mode, the pulse counter 4 of the measuring needle that measures the Z coordinate is mounted parallel to the main axis.
5 and substitute it into ΔZ (Step 7)
2).

In step 74, it is determined whether ΔZ=0. If ΔZ=0, the measuring needle has not yet contacted the object to be measured, so the process moves to step 78. If ΔZ≠0, it can be determined that the tip of the measuring needle has come into contact with the object to be measured and entered the measuring needle body, and in this case, it is determined that the measurement has been completed and step 76 is performed.
Move to.

That is, when it is determined in step 74 that the measuring needle is not in contact with the object to be measured (ΔZ=0),
By lowering the spindle by a distance l, the measuring needle approaches the object to be measured by l, and the current spindle position (X,
The process jumps to step 68 to set the Z position of (Y, Z)i to Z=Z-l and specify the new position (X, Y, Z)i to the three-dimensional model generator. At this time, the current Z value Z ₀ of the tip of the measuring needle is corrected to Z ₀ =Z ₀ -l (step 78).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 74 that the measuring needle is in contact with the object to be measured (ΔZ≠0),
The Z value at the tip of the measuring needle is corrected using equation (1) above from the distance ΔZ into which the measuring needle enters, which is obtained by converting from the pulse counter of the measuring needle (step 76). When the i-th Z coordinate is measured in step 76, it is checked in step 80 whether or not the last measured point coordinate value remains in the buffer memory. If coordinate values to be measured remain, the process jumps to step 66, and the next measurement point (i+1) is measured in the same manner as described above. When all coordinate values n have been measured (YES in step 80), the next measurement point coordinate group is requested from the digital computer (step 82).
and stores it in the memory buffer (step 62).

In this way, the shape of the three-dimensional model created by the three-dimensional model creating machine is measured. The measurement results of this three-dimensional model are taken into the three-dimensional model creation device as three-dimensional coordinate information, and compared with numerical model data as graphic processing information stored in the previous computer. In addition, when creating a three-dimensional model based on an existing three-dimensional model or a three-dimensional model processed with other equipment, the three-dimensional model is placed on the measuring table 92, the Z coordinate is measured, and the result is sent back to the digital computer 1. By doing this, you can create a numerical model that will serve as the standard for the three-dimensional model that you are going to process.
Stored as data.

According to the above Z coordinate measurement, digital calculator 1
The cutting or measurement data from the machine is sent as normal NC data, but by adding a classification code to the beginning of each data, it is possible to distinguish whether the cutting mode is the measurement mode. Further, the NC data is sent to the digital computer 1 in such a way that multiple coordinate points are sent together and stored in a buffer memory built into the online controller 41.
We are trying to shorten the time it takes to send and receive data.

Next, matching between the numerical model and the actual three-dimensional model will be explained.

The numerical model is a virtual three-dimensional space XYZ inside the computer.
exists within. The actual three-dimensional model is cut on a cutting table of a three-dimensional model creation machine. This 2
The correspondence between virtual space and real space is self-evident. In other words, if the NC data is created according to the above XYZ coordinate system, the X-axis direction in virtual space will be parallel to the cutting table in real space, and the Y-axis direction in virtual space will be parallel to the cutting table. and is equal to the Y' axis direction perpendicular to the X' axis, and the virtual space Z axis is equal to the Z' axis direction perpendicular to the cutting table. In other words, the relative position of a numerical model placed in the virtual space defined by the three orthogonal axes in the virtual space that was used as a reference when creating the NC data, with respect to the three axes of the virtual space is determined by the NC data. Therefore, if a three-dimensional model creation machine creates a material by cutting the material on a cutting table, as long as the installation position of the actual three-dimensional model on the cutting table after creation is not changed, the three-dimensional model creation machine will be 3 orthogonal axes in real space
The relative positions of X', Y', Z' and the actual three-dimensional model are the same.

Therefore, the 3D model creator can measure XY in the XYZ axis virtual space specified by the digital computer.
The coordinate positions have exactly the same one-to-one correspondence with the X' and Y' coordinate positions in real space. Suppose that the error when converting from numerical model to NC data is 0 and NC
If the machining error when the three-dimensional model creator cuts according to the data is also 0, then a straight line l (X = a, Y = b) parallel to the Z axis in virtual space intersects the numerical model in virtual space. The Z coordinate value of the point is Z' of the point where the straight line l'(X' = a, Y' = b) corresponding to the straight line l in real space defined by the three-dimensional model creator intersects the actual three-dimensional model. will be equal to the coordinate value.

By the above correspondence, conversely, the Z coordinate value of the surface point of the actual three-dimensional model measured by the three-dimensional model creation machine (the intersection point of the straight line l' and the actual three-dimensional model)
Z' coordinate value) The cutting error can be found by comparing the Z coordinate value of the intersection of the numerical model in virtual space and the straight line l.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

(1) Since the results of 3D graphic processing processed by a computer can be output as an actual 3D model, it is possible to carry out the entire process from design to manufacturing confirmation.
It becomes possible to create a three-dimensional model quickly and accurately.

(2) It is possible to measure not only directly processed 3D models but also the shape of general objects, and most of the 3D model creation functions can be used for shape measurement, making the device inexpensive.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an interactive three-dimensional figure processing system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an embodiment of an interactive three-dimensional figure processing system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the online controller in the embodiment of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the measurement processing of the online controller. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Digital computer, 2... Two-dimensional coordinate input device, 3... Graphic display device, 4... Three-dimensional model creation device, 5... Three-dimensional model creation machine, 41... Online controller, 42... Control unit .

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A digital computer, a two-dimensional coordinate input device for inputting graphic information and graphic processing commands to the computer,
a graphic display device that displays graphic information processing results of the computer; and a graphic display device that receives graphic processing information from the computer and outputs a drive signal based on a result of matching the graphic processing information with three-dimensional coordinate information of an actual three-dimensional model. a three-dimensional model creation device that receives a drive signal from the three-dimensional model creation device, a processing device that creates a three-dimensional model in response to a drive signal from the three-dimensional model creation device, and a measuring element that is attached to a tool spindle of the processing device, when measuring the three-dimensional model. a three-dimensional model creation machine, comprising: a coordinate measuring means for measuring the shape of the three-dimensional model by operating a probe via the processing means in response to a command from the computer; and outputting the shape of the three-dimensional model to the three-dimensional model creation apparatus as three-dimensional coordinate information; modifying the graphic processing information obtained in advance by the computer by inputting modification information into the two-dimensional coordinate input device from the measurement results, and modifying the three-dimensional model based on the modified graphic processing information. An interactive three-dimensional figure processing system characterized by making it possible to.