An apparatus, method, and system for automatically forming a pipe

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for automatically forming a pipe, which includes: inputting a design file into a program for automatically extracting information for forming the pipe; automatically extracting from the design file information on cutting locations for dividing the pipe included in the design file into a plurality of pipes and bending locations for each of the plurality of pipes; and sending pipe forming information including the information on the cutting locations and the bending locations to a forming device for forming the pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus, method, and system for automatically forming pipes. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus, method, and system capable of automatically extracting information on cutting locations for dividing a pipe included in a design document into a plurality of pipes and bending locations of each of the plurality of pipes from the design document including the pipe. Background Art

[0002] Recently, with the increase in design specifications of buildings including pipes, the demand for industrial pipes has been increasing, and the demand for pipe processing technology has also been increasing. In order to ensure supply according to the demand for pipes, it is necessary to shorten the time required in the manufacturing process and automate the process.

[0003] However, the problem with conventional pipe forming devices is that since the operator has to view the drawings and directly input the values required for processing by the forming device, a large amount of working time is required. For example, in the case of conventional pipe processing technology, the operator has to perform a division operation of manually extracting the cutting locations of hundreds or thousands of pipes included in the design drawings. In addition, since it is a method in which the operator directly inputs factors required for bending the pipe, such as bending coordinates, into the forming device, input errors may occur. When such input errors occur, unusable pipes are produced, and costs are incurred due to the disposal of the produced unusable pipes.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a pipe forming device, method, and system that can automate the extraction of factors for processing pipes, minimize human resources, and reduce errors. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical Problem

[0006] The present invention is designed to improve the problems described above and provides an apparatus, method, and system for automatically forming pipes. In particular, an object of the present invention is to automatically extract factors for processing a pipe included in a design document into a plurality of pipes from the design document including the pipe. However, these problems are exemplary, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0007] Technical Solution

[0008] A method for automatically forming a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: inputting a design file into a program for automatically extracting information for forming a pipe; automatically extracting from the design file information on cutting locations for dividing the pipe included in the design file into two or more plural pipes and each bending location of the plural pipes; and sending pipe forming information including information on the cutting locations and the bending locations to a forming device for forming the pipe.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the step of automatically extracting information on the cutting locations and the bending locations from the design file includes: generating a 3D model including the center line of the pipe included in the design file from the design file; determining a starting point of forming and an ending point of forming in the 3D model; and determining, along the center line within an interval between the starting point of forming and the ending point of forming, the cutting locations for cutting the pipe at each specified length.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the step of determining the cutting locations for cutting the pipe at each specified length includes: when a location moving the specified length from an arbitrary cutting location enters within a cutting exclusion distance from the bending location, determining a location deviating from the bending location by the cutting exclusion distance as the cutting location.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the step of automatically extracting information on the cutting locations and the bending locations from the design file includes: extracting relative coordinates of the bending location based on a starting cutting location and relative coordinates of an ending cutting location for each of the plural pipes divided by the cutting locations; and generating a list based on the relative coordinates of the bending location based on the starting cutting location and the relative coordinates of the ending cutting location, wherein sending the pipe forming information to the forming device includes: sending the generated list to the forming device.

[0012] A system for automatically forming a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an electronic device that receives a design file to automatically extract information for forming a pipe, and automatically extracts information on cutting locations for dividing the pipe included in the input design file into plural pipes and each bending location of the plural pipes; and a forming device that receives pipe forming information including information on the cutting locations and the bending locations from the electronic device, and forms a pipe according to the received pipe forming information.

[0013] Other aspects, features, and advantages beyond the foregoing will become more apparent from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.

[0014] Beneficial Effects

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention made as described above, since the pipe forming process can be automated, input errors can be significantly reduced, and productivity can be improved. In particular, since commands or instructions for processing the pipe can be automatically generated, the pipe processing time can be reduced, and costs can be minimized.

[0016] Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 Shows a system (10) for automatically forming a pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 Shows an example of the functional configuration of an electronic device (100) for extracting information for automatically forming a pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 Shows a part of a 3D model (30) made from the pipe center line according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figures 4 to 6 Is a flowchart of a method for automatically forming a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Since the present invention allows various modifications and many embodiments, specific embodiments will be shown in the drawings and described in detail. With reference to the following detailed embodiments and the drawings, the effects and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving the effects and features will become more clear. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals will be given to the same or corresponding components, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0023] In the following embodiments, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish one component from other components, rather than having a limiting meaning.

[0024] In the following embodiments, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0025] In the following embodiments, terms such as "comprising" or "having" etc. mean that there are features or components described in this specification, and do not pre-exclude the possibility of adding one or more other features or components.

[0026] In the following embodiments, when it is said that a part such as a region, a component, a section, a unit, a module, etc. is located on or above another part, it includes not only the case where it is directly above the other part, but also the case where it is interposed between other regions, components, sections, units, modules, etc.

[0027] In the drawings, for ease of explanation, the components may be enlarged or reduced in size. For example, for ease of explanation, the dimensions and thicknesses of each configuration shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown.

[0028] In the following embodiments, when regions, components, sections, units, modules, etc. are connected, it includes not only the case where the regions, components, sections, units, modules are directly connected, but also the case where other regions, components, sections, units, modules are interposed between the regions, components, sections, units, modules and are indirectly connected.

[0029] Figure 1 A system (10) for automatically forming a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 An example of a functional configuration of an electronic device (100) for extracting information for automatically forming a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] Refer to Figure 1 , the system (10) for automatically forming a pipe may include: a pipe (P); an electronic device (100) that automatically extracts information for forming the pipe (P) from a design file; a forming device (110) that applies a physical force to the pipe (P) to form the pipe; and a transfer device (140) that automatically transfers the pipe (P). However, it is not limited thereto. For example, at least a part of the components included in the system (10) may be omitted, and another component may be further included.

[0031] The electronic device (100) is a device for automatically extracting information for forming a pipe included in a design file from the design file. The electronic device (100) may include, for example, a computer device, a portable communication device, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0032] Refer to Figure 2 , the electronic device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a processor (210), a display device (220), an input device (230), and a memory (240). The memory (240) may store a program (250) for automatically extracting information for forming a pipe from a design file.

[0033] The electronic device (100) can be a separate device different from the forming device (110) (e.g., a computer device). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device (100) is not distinguishable from the forming device (110) and can be included or embedded in the forming device (110) in the form of a processor (e.g., the processor (210)) or a memory (e.g., the memory (240)). In this case, the display device (220) can be omitted.

[0034] The processor (210) can perform various data processing or operations by running, for example, software or a program (250). The data processing or calculation can include data processing or calculation for automatically extracting information for forming a pipe included in a design file from the design file. The processor (210) can load commands or data received based on user input, etc. into the memory (240) (e.g., a volatile memory), process the stored commands or data, and store the result data in the memory (240) (e.g., a non-volatile memory).

[0035] The memory (240) can store various data used by the electronic device (100) or the processor (210). The data can include, for example, input data or output data for software (e.g., the program (250)) and related commands. The memory (240) can include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory (240) can store a program (250) for automatically extracting information for forming a pipe included in a design file from the design file.

[0036] The program (250) can be, for example, a design program (e.g., a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program), but is not limited thereto, and can be another program different from the design program. The program (250) can store a plurality of commands for automatically extracting information for forming a pipe from a design file. The information for forming a pipe includes information about the cutting location and bending location of the pipe included in the design file.

[0037] The input device (230) can receive commands or data used by the electronic device (100) or the processor (210) from the outside of the electronic device (100) (e.g., a user). The input device (230) can include, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can input or load a design file into the program (250) by using the input device (230) to extract information for forming a pipe.

[0038] The display device (220) may visually provide information to the outside of the electronic device (100) (e.g., for). The display device (220) may include, for example, a display. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display device (220) may display a screen or a user interface (UI) of a program (250) (e.g., a CAD program) for automatically extracting information for forming pipes from a design file. According to an embodiment, the display device (220) may represent, through the program (250), a user interface that represents information obtained by extracting pipe formation information (e.g., the number of pipes, pipe specifications, the number of each pipe specification, the number of each pipe sector, etc.).

[0039] Hereinafter, the detailed operations of the electronic device (100) or the processor (210) for automatically extracting information for forming pipes from a design file will be described.

[0040] The processor (210) may receive a design file through the program (250). The design file may include, for example, a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file. The design file may include 2D or 3D or 5D modeling files. The design file may include, for example, DWG, DXF, STEP, and IGT files, but is not limited thereto.

[0041] The design file may include a pipe routing diagram. The pipe routing diagram included in the design file may include a plurality of pipes connected as one from the starting point to the ending point of the pipe, without information on the cutting locations in the middle of the pipe. The design file may be input or loaded into the program (250) based on a user input to extract information for forming pipes from the pipe routing diagram included in the design file.

[0042] According to an embodiment, when receiving a 5D modeling file through the program (250), the processor (210) may extract 3D information (e.g., 3D coordinates of the pipe) of the pipe included in the 5D modeling file.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the processor (210) may extract the center line of the pipe having 3D information from a design file (e.g., a 3D or 5D modeling file) input through the program (250). For example, the processor (210) identifies the pipe routing diagram included in the input design file (e.g., a 3D or 5D modeling file), and may generate a 3D model made of the center lines of the pipes included in the pipe routing diagram.

[0044] Figure 3 Shows a part of a 3D model (30) made of pipe center lines according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 3As shown, the 3D model (30) can be generated by a processor (210) from a design file input through a program (250), and can be a conceptual diagram for interpretation. Figure 3 The 3D model (30) shown includes three exemplary pipe centerlines (P1, P2, P3).

[0045] Hereinafter, for convenience, a detailed method for automatically extracting information for forming a pipe will be described with reference to the pipe centerline (P1).

[0046] The 3D model (30) generated from the input design file may include information on the 3D coordinates (e.g., coordinates for points and line segments) of the centerline (P1) of the pipe. For example, the 3D model (30) may also have information on the specifications of each pipe.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the processor (210) can automatically determine and extract information for forming a pipe (or pipe forming information) from the 3D model (30) made from the centerline of the pipe generated as described above. The information for forming a pipe includes information on the cutting location and the bending location. The cutting location refers to the location for dividing the pipe included in the design file into a plurality of pipes, and the bending location refers to the location where each of the plurality of pipes bends. The pipe forming information extracted by the processor (210) is not limited to this, and the processor (210) can also calculate the total number of pipes generated after cutting, the number of each pipe specification, the number of each pipe sector, etc.

[0048] The processor (210) can identify the bending locations (B1, B2, B3) from the 3D model (30) made from the centerline of the pipe, which are the locations where the centerline (P1) of the pipe bends. For example, the processor (210) can identify or extract the 3D coordinates of the bending locations (B1, B2, B3). The 3D coordinates of the bending locations (B1, B2, B3) can be shown in, for example, an (x, y, z)-orthogonal coordinate system. For example, if the coordinates of a specific bending location in the (x, y, z)-orthogonal coordinate system are (100, 0, 0) and the coordinates of the next bending location are (100, 50, 0), it means that at the specific bending location, the pipe bends in the y direction, moves 50 in the y direction, and then there is the next bending. The unit can be any arbitrary unit, such as mm or cm, etc.

[0049] The processor (210) can determine the cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4) of the pipes included in the design file (i.e., included in the 3D model 30) through a program (250). For example, the processor (210) can determine the cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4) for cutting the pipes included in the design file at each specified length (L). The specified length (L) can be pre-specified and stored in the program (250). The specified length (L) can be, for example, several meters (e.g., 6m), but is not limited thereto, and can be specified or changed based on user input.

[0050] For example, the processor (210) can calculate and store the 3D coordinates of the cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4) for cutting the centerline (P1) of the pipe at each specified length based on the 3D coordinates of the centerline of the pipe (e.g., the coordinates of points and line segments).

[0051] The program (250) can store information on the cutting exclusion intervals (35) to be excluded from the cutting locations. The cutting exclusion intervals (35) can be intervals within a specified distance (or cutting exclusion distance) from the bending locations (B1, B2, B3) and / or intervals within a specified distance from the connection locations. The description of the bending locations has been provided, and the description of the connection locations can be as follows.

[0052] For example, the 3D model (30) generated from the design file and / or made of the centerline of the pipes in the design file can include information on connection locations (not shown) for two or more pipe connections that are different from each other. The connection locations can refer to, for example, locations where pipes of different specifications are connected, locations where the path of the pipe is divided into two or more, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0053] The processor (210) can identify the above-mentioned connection locations from the 3D model (30) composed of the centerline of the pipes. For example, the processor (210) can identify or extract the 3D coordinates of the connection locations. The 3D coordinates of the connection locations can be shown, for example, in an (x, y, z)-orthogonal coordinate system.

[0054] According to an embodiment, when determining the cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4) for cutting the centerline (P1) of the pipe in the 3D model (30) at each specified length, the processor (210) can determine the cutting locations to deviate from the cutting exclusion intervals (35). That is, when determining the cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4), the processor (210) can determine the cutting locations not to enter within the cutting exclusion distance (D) from the bending locations (B1, B2, B3) and / or within the cutting exclusion distance from the connection locations. The cutting exclusion distance (D) can be, for example, several centimeters to several tens of centimeters (e.g., 10cm), but is not limited thereto.

[0055] Specifically, the processor (210) may calculate and store the 3D coordinates of the cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4) where the center line (P1) of the pipe is cut at each specified length (L) (e.g., several meters). At this time, the processor (210) may determine whether the location obtained by moving the specified length (L) along the pipe center line (P1) from an arbitrarily determined first cutting location (C1) enters the cutting exclusion range (35). The cutting exclusion range (35) may be a range within a cutting exclusion distance (D) (e.g., several centimeters to several tens of centimeters) from the bending locations (B1, B2, B3) and / or connection locations.

[0056] Specifically, referring to Figure 3 the description, when the location obtained by moving the specified length (L) from the first cutting location (C1) does not enter the cutting exclusion range, the processor (210) may determine the location obtained by moving the specified length (L) from the first cutting location (C1) as the second cutting location (C2). When the location obtained by moving the specified length (L) from the first cutting location (C1) enters the cutting exclusion range (35), the processor (210) may determine the boundary point of the cutting exclusion range (35) as the second cutting location. For example, when the location obtained by moving the specified length (L) from the first cutting location (C1) is within the cutting exclusion distance (D) from the bending location ( Figure 3 B2 in), the location before or after the cutting exclusion distance (D) from the bending location (B2) may be determined as the second cutting location. In this case, for example, among the locations before and after the cutting exclusion distance from the bending location (B2), the location closer to the location obtained by moving the specified length (L) from the first cutting location (C1) may be determined as the second cutting location.

[0057] In the 3D model (30) including the 3D coordinates of the pipe center line, the processor (210) may calculate and store the 3D coordinates of the second cutting location (C2) determined as described above.

[0058] Meanwhile, in the 3D model (30) including the pipe center line, the processor (210) may determine the starting point and the ending point of the molding. The purpose of determining the starting point and the ending point of the molding is to automatically extract a large amount of molding information of the pipe only for the intervals where no changes will occur on-site.

[0059] For example, the part of the pipeline starting from the nozzle or the part connected to the production equipment is a part that varies a lot on-site. The position of the steel bars or the position of the connection points may change, etc. There may be parts that change according to the on-site situation. Therefore, according to an embodiment, the processor (210) may determine the location where the part of the pipeline connected to the production equipment in the design document is moved along the pipeline by a specified length (e.g., the above-mentioned L) as the starting point of forming. In addition, the processor (210) may determine the previous location of a specified length (e.g., the above-mentioned L) along the pipeline from the part where the nozzle starts in the pipeline as the ending point of forming.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the processor (210) may determine the location where the starting part of the pipeline in the design document is moved by a specified length (e.g., the above-mentioned L) as the starting point of forming. In addition, the processor (210) may determine the previous location of a specified length (e.g., the above-mentioned L) from the ending part of the pipeline in the design document as the ending point of forming. However, it is not limited to this.

[0061] In a 3D model including the 3D coordinates of the pipeline centerline, the processor (210) may calculate and store the 3D coordinates of the starting point of forming and the 3D coordinates of the ending point of forming. For example, the processor (210) may determine the second cutting location (C2) in the same manner as above by taking the starting point of forming as the first cutting location (C1). The processor (210) may determine the next cutting locations (C2, C3, C4) in the same manner as above by taking the starting point of forming as the first cutting location (C1) until reaching the ending point of forming. That is, the processor (210) determines a plurality of cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4) for cutting the pipeline at each specified length from the starting point of forming to the ending point of forming, but may determine that the plurality of cutting locations are not included in the cutting exclusion interval. The processor (210) may extract the 3D coordinates of the determined plurality of cutting locations.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, the processor (210) may automatically extract a large number of plural cutting locations from the pipeline wiring diagram included in the design document in the interval excluding the starting part and the ending part.

[0063] Due to the plurality of cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4) determined as above, the pipeline centerline (P1) included in the 3D model (30) may be divided into a plurality of pipelines (P11, P12, P13).

[0064] The processor (210) may identify each of the plurality of pipelines (P11, P12, P13) generated by the plurality of cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4).

[0065] Meanwhile, each of the plurality of pipes (P11, P12, P13) divided by a plurality of cutting points (C1, C2, C3, C4) may or may not have a bending point.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor (210) may extract, through a program (250), relative coordinates of the bending points (B1, B2, B3) based on the cutting points (C1, C2, C3) for each of the plurality of pipes (P11, P12, P13).

[0067] Specifically described, as mentioned above, when the processor (210) generates a 3D model (30) from a design file, 3D coordinates of the bending points (B1, B2, B3) for the coordinate system of the 3D model (30) can be recognized. That is, in the 3D model (30), there may be an origin (0, 0, 0), and the processor (210) may know the 3D coordinates (x, y, z) of the bending points (B1, B2, B3) based on the origin.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor (210) may perform coordinate transformation on the 3D coordinates of the bending points (B1, B2, B3) so that the starting cutting points (e.g., C1, C2, C3) of the pipes (e.g., P11, P12, P13) including each bending point are used as the origin. In other words, the processor (210) may show the coordinates of the bending points relative to the starting cutting points of the pipes including the bending points. In other words, the processor (210) may transform the coordinates of the bending points so that, for each of the plurality of pipes, the starting cutting point is used as the origin (0, 0, 0).

[0069] Refer to Figure 3 , the processor (210) may transform the coordinates of the bending point (B1) and the coordinates of the ending cutting point (C2) included in the first pipe (P11) so that, for the first pipe (P11), the starting cutting point (C1) is used as the origin. In addition, the coordinates of the bending points (B2, B3) and the coordinates of the ending cutting point (C3) included in the second pipe (P12) may be transformed so that, for the second pipe (P12), the starting cutting point (C2) is used as the origin. In addition, the coordinates of the ending cutting point (C3) may be transformed so that, for the third pipe (P13), the starting cutting point (C3) is used as the origin.

[0070] For example, the coordinates of the starting point of the molding, the coordinates of the bending points, and the coordinates of the cutting points extracted from the design file through the program (250) may be as shown in Table 1. Table 1 is an example Figure 3 independent of

[0071] [Table 1]

[0072] Serial number Engineering type Coordinates 1 Starting point (0，0，0) 2 Bending (100，0，0) 3 Bending (100，50，0) 4 Cutting (100，50，30) 5 Bending (100，50，60) 6 Cutting (100，100，60)

[0073] Table 1 shows a part of the result that the processor (210) receives a design file through a program (250) and extracts information for forming a pipe from the pipeline routing diagram included in the design file.

[0074] Referring to Table 1, for convenience, the starting point of forming is set as the origin (0, 0, 0), and it is shown that after the starting point of forming, Process 4 and Process 6 are cutting processes. Therefore, from Process 1 to Process 4 is the information for forming the first pipe, and from Process 4 to Process 6 is the information for forming the second pipe. The processor (210) can generate data lists as shown in Table 2 and Table 3 below from Table 1 to generate information for forming each pipe (i.e., the first pipe and the second pipe).

[0075] [Table 2]

[0076] Serial number Coordinates 1 (0，0，0) 2 (100，0，0) 3 (100，50，0) 4 (100，50，30)

[0077] Table 2 is the result of extracting the information for forming the first pipe from Table 1. Table 2 shows the pipe forming information (i.e., the coordinates of the bending location and the cutting location) corresponding to Processes 1 to 4 of Table 1 based on the starting cutting location of the first pipe. That is, based on the starting cutting location of the first pipe, the coordinates of the bending location and the ending cutting location in the first pipe are shown.

[0078] [Table 3]

[0079] Serial number Coordinates 1 (0，0，0) 2 (0，0，30) 3 (0，50，30)

[0080] Table 3 is the result of extracting the information for forming the second pipe from Table 1. Table 3 shows the pipe forming information (i.e., the coordinates of the bending location and the cutting location) corresponding to Processes 4 to 6 of Table 1 based on the starting cutting location of the second pipe (i.e., the cutting location corresponding to Process 4 of Table 1). That is, based on the starting cutting location of the second pipe, the coordinates of the bending location and the ending cutting location in the second pipe are transformed.

[0081] In various embodiments of the present invention as described above, the processor (210) automatically determines a plurality of cutting locations in an input design file, and can automatically extract the coordinates of the plurality of cutting locations and a plurality of bending locations as pipe forming information. The processor (210) can automatically extract the relative coordinates of the bending locations and the end cutting locations with the start cutting location as the origin for each of the plurality of pipes generated by the plurality of cutting locations (e.g., Tables 2 and 3). The data list extracted in this way can be sent as pipe forming information to the forming device (110). The data list can be in a form similar to Table 1 or Tables 2 to 3.

[0082] Meanwhile, the pipes included in the design file can be grouped into a plurality of sectors (or regions). For example, as shown in the 3D model (30), the design file can include a plurality of pipe centerlines (P1, P2, P3) arranged side by side, and each of the plurality of pipe centerlines (P1, P2, P3) is divided into a plurality of pipes by a plurality of cutting locations (C1, C2, C3, C4), and the plurality of pipes divided in this way can be grouped by sector.

[0083] Specifically, for example, in a sector (e.g., the first sector) defined as the area between cutting location C1 and cutting location C2, it can include a part of pipe P11 - a part of the first pipe centerline (P1), a part of pipe P21 - a part of the second pipe centerline (P2), and a part of pipe P31 - a part of the third pipe centerline P3. In addition, in a sector (e.g., the second sector) defined as the area between cutting location C2 and cutting location C3, it can include a part of pipe P12 - a part of the first pipe centerline (P1), a part of pipe P22 - a part of the second pipe centerline (P2), and a part of pipe P32 - a part of the third pipe centerline (P3). In addition, in a sector (e.g., the third sector) defined as the area between cutting location C3 and cutting location C4, it can include a part of pipe P13 - a part of the first pipe centerline P1, a part of pipe P23 - a part of the second pipe centerline (P2), and a part of pipe P33 - a part of the third pipe centerline (P3).

[0084] The processor (210) can receive the design file through the program (250) to automatically determine a plurality of cutting locations, and identify or specify the sectors of each of the plurality of pipes generated by the plurality of cutting locations. For example, the processor (210) can identify that pipes P11, P21, P31 are included in the same sector (e.g., the first sector), and store the data capable of identifying this.

[0085] For example, the processor (210) may identify each of the plural pipes generated by a plurality of cutting locations. The processor (210) identifying each of the plural pipes may include identifying in which sector each of the plural pipes is included, and / or identifying the specification information of each of the plural pipes. In addition, the processor (210) identifying each of the plural pipes may include, for each of the plural pipes, storing and identifying the coordinates of the bending location and the cutting location as forming information.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the processor (210) may display, via a program (250), the information extracted from the design file on a display device (220) (e.g., a monitor). For example, the display device (220) may display, via the UI of the program (250), the total number of the plural pipes generated by the plurality of cutting locations, the number of each pipe specification, the number of each pipe sector, etc.

[0087] Referring to Figure 1 , the electronic device (100) (or the processor (210)) may send the pipe forming information (e.g., the coordinates of the bending location and the coordinates of the cutting location) extracted as described above to the forming device (110). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may send a data list including the coordinates of the bending location and the coordinates of the cutting location to the forming device (110) in the form of a work instruction sheet. The data list or the work instruction sheet may be in a form similar to Table 1 or Tables 2 to 3.

[0088] The forming device (110) may receive the pipe forming information from the electronic device (100). According to one embodiment, the forming device (110) may receive a data list (e.g., a work instruction sheet) including the 3D coordinates of the bending location and the 3D coordinates of the cutting location as the pipe forming information. The forming device (110) may form a pipe (P) based on the received pipe forming information. The forming of the pipe (P) includes bending and cutting.

[0089] The forming device (110) may include a bending device (120) for bending the pipe (P) and a cutting device (130) for cutting the pipe (P). According to one embodiment, the bending device (120) and the cutting device (130) may be separate devices distinguishable from each other. However, this is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, the forming device (110) may be one device including the bending device (120) and the cutting device (130).

[0090] The bending device (120) can bend the pipe (P) according to the 3D coordinates of the bending location included in the received pipe forming information (e.g., work instruction). For example, when the work instruction in the form of a data list is input, the bending device (120) can read the 3D coordinates of the bending location included in the work instruction and bend the pipe (P) accordingly.

[0091] The cutting device (130) can cut the pipe (P) according to the 3D coordinates of the cutting location included in the received pipe forming information (e.g., work instruction). For example, when the work instruction in the form of a data list is input, the cutting device (130) can read the 3D coordinates of the cutting location included in the work instruction and cut the pipe (P) accordingly.

[0092] The transfer device (140) is a device capable of automatically transferring the pipe before and after the forming of the pipe (P). The transfer device (140) can include, for example, a robot arm. The transfer device (140) can insert the pipe before forming into the forming device (110) by transferring it to the forming device (110). The transfer device (140) can take out the formed pipe from the forming device (110) and transfer the formed pipe to another device.

[0093] Figures 4 to 6 It is a flowchart of a method for automatically forming a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] S401 to S403 can be executed by the processor (210) of the electronic device (100) through a program (250) for extracting pipe forming information.

[0095] In S401, the design file can be input into the program (250). The design file can include, for example, a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file. The design file can include 2D or 3D or 5D modeling files. The design file can include, for example, DWG, DXF, STEP, and IGT files, but is not limited thereto. The design file can include a pipe routing diagram.

[0096] In S402, the processor (210) may extract, via the program (250), information on the cutting locations and bending locations of the pipes included in the design file. For example, the processor (210) may identify the pipe routing diagram included in the design file and determine or extract one or more cutting locations for dividing the pipes included in the pipe routing diagram into a plurality of pipes. Additionally, the processor (210) may extract the bending locations where the pipes are bent from the pipe routing diagram. For example, the processor (210) may extract the 3D coordinates of the cutting locations and the 3D coordinates of the bending locations as the information on the cutting locations and bending locations.

[0097] In S403, the processor (210) may send the extraction result to the forming device (110). For example, the processor (210) may automatically extract, from the design file, a data list or work instruction sheet including the coordinates of the bending locations and the coordinates of the cutting locations, and may send the extracted data list or work instruction sheet to the forming device (110).

[0098] Figure 5 Illustrates a method by which the processor (210) determines the cutting locations of the pipes included in the design file via the program (250) according to an embodiment of the present invention. S501 to S507 may be included in the method of extracting information on the cutting locations in S402. S501 to S507 may be executed by the processor (210) via the program (250) for extracting pipe forming information.

[0099] After the design file is input in S401, in S501, the processor (210) may extract the centerline of the pipe from the input design file.

[0100] For example, the processor (210) identifies the pipe routing diagram included in the input design file (e.g., 3D or 5D modeling file) and may generate a 3D model of the centerline of the pipe included in the pipe routing diagram. The generated 3D model may include information on the 3D coordinates (e.g., coordinates for points and line segments) of the centerline of the pipe.

[0101] In S502, in the 3D model including the centerline of the pipe, the processor (210) may determine the starting point of forming and the ending point of forming.

[0102] For example, in order to automatically extract a large amount of forming information of the pipe only for the intervals where no changes occur on site, the processor (210) may determine the starting point of forming and the ending point of forming from the pipe routing diagram included in the design file, and automatically extract the cutting locations and bending locations in the interval between the starting point of forming and the ending point of forming.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the processor (210) may determine the starting point of shaping as the location that moves a specified length along the center line of the pipe from the part where the pipe is connected to the production equipment. In addition, the processor (210) may determine the ending point of shaping as the previous location that moves a specified length along the center line of the pipe from the part where the nozzle starts in the pipe.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the processor (210) may determine the starting point of shaping as the location that moves a specified length from the part where the pipe starts in the pipe wiring diagram. In addition, the processor (210) may determine the ending point of shaping as the previous location that moves a specified length (e.g., the above L) from the part where the pipe ends in the pipe wiring diagram.

[0105] Next, in S503 to S505, the processor (210) may determine the next cutting location by using the starting point of shaping as the starting cutting location.

[0106] In S503, the processor (210) may determine whether the location that moves a specified length (L) from the cutting location enters the cutting exclusion range. The specified length may be several meters, but is not limited thereto.

[0107] For example, when using the starting point of shaping as the starting cutting location, it may be determined whether the location that moves the specified length from the starting point of shaping enters the cutting exclusion range. The cutting exclusion range may be the range within the cutting exclusion distance (D) from the bending location and the range within the cutting exclusion distance from the connection location. The size of the cutting exclusion distance (D) is smaller than the specified length (L), and may be several centimeters to dozens of centimeters. The specified length and the cutting exclusion distance may be specified in advance and stored in the program (250), and may be specified or changed based on user input.

[0108] If the location that moves the specified length (L) from the cutting location does not enter the cutting exclusion range, then in S504, the processor (210) may determine the location that moves the specified length (L) as the next cutting location.

[0109] If the location that moves the specified length (L) from the cutting location enters the cutting exclusion range, then in S505, the processor (210) may determine the location that deviates from the cutting exclusion range as the next cutting location. For example, the boundary point of the cutting exclusion range may be determined as the next cutting location. For example, when the location that moves the specified length (L) from the cutting location exists within the cutting exclusion distance (D) from the bending location, the location before or after the cutting exclusion distance (D) from the bending location may be determined as the next cutting location.

[0110] In S506, the processor (210) may determine whether the end of the shaping is reached before the next cutting location. When the end of the shaping is not reached, the processor (210) may repeat S503 to S506 and determine one or more subsequent cutting locations.

[0111] When the end of the shaping is reached before the subsequent cutting location in S506, the processor (210) may determine the end of the shaping as the subsequent cutting location in S507 and end the algorithm for determining the cutting location.

[0112] The processor (210) may automatically determine or extract one or more cutting locations through S502 to S507, which are used to divide the pipes included in the pipeline routing diagram into a plurality of pipes. The processor (210) may extract and store the 3D coordinates of the determined cutting locations.

[0113] Refer to Figure 6 , after S507, in S601, the processor (210) may identify each of the plurality of pipes generated by the cutting locations.

[0114] In S602, for each of the plurality of pipes, the processor (210) may extract the relative coordinates of the bending locations and the relative coordinates of the end cutting locations based on the start cutting location. For example, the processor (210) may extract a list of the relative coordinates of the bending locations included in the first pipe and the relative coordinates of the end cutting location of the first pipe based on the start cutting location of the first pipe among the plurality of pipes. In addition, the processor (210) may extract a list of the relative coordinates of the bending locations included in the second pipe and the relative coordinates of the end cutting location of the second pipe based on the start cutting location of the second pipe among the plurality of pipes.

[0115] For example, if, along the pipe centerline, the pipe following the first pipe is the second pipe, the end cutting location of the first pipe may be the start cutting location of the second pipe.

[0116] In S603, the processor (210) may send the extraction result to the shaping device (110) in the form of a work instruction sheet. For example, a list of the relative coordinates of the bending locations included in the first pipe and the relative coordinates of the end cutting location of the first pipe based on the starting point of the first pipe may be sent to the shaping device (110) as the work instruction sheet for the first pipe.

[0117] In S604, the shaping device (110) may shape the pipe based on the work instruction sheet received in S603. The shaping device (110) may shape the first pipe according to the work instruction sheet of the first pipe and shape the second pipe according to the work instruction sheet of the second pipe.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the forming device (110) may include a bending device (120) for bending a pipe and a cutting device (130) for cutting the pipe.

[0119] The bending device (120) may bend the pipe (P) according to the 3D coordinates of the bending location included in the received work instruction (or pipe forming information). The cutting device (130) may cut the pipe according to the 3D coordinates of the cutting location included in the received work instruction.

[0120] The device and method for automatically forming a pipe according to various embodiments of the present invention as described above can automate the production of work instructions and minimize the error rate by extracting a large amount of pipe forming information from a design document at one time and sending it to the forming device.

[0121] As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the description is merely exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that various modifications and variations of the embodiments can be implemented according to the present invention. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should depend on the technical idea of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for automatically forming a pipe, comprising: Inputting a design file into a program for automatically extracting information for forming a pipe; Automatically extracting from the design file information on a plurality of cutting locations for dividing the pipe included in the design file into a plurality of pipes equal to or greater than two and information on a plurality of bending locations of the plurality of pipes; And Sending pipe forming information including information on the plurality of cutting locations and the plurality of bending locations to a forming device for forming a pipe, Wherein automatically extracting the information on the plurality of cutting locations and the information on the plurality of bending locations from the design file includes: Generating a 3D model including the center line of the pipe included in the design file from the design file; Determining a forming start point and a forming end point in the 3D model; Automatically extracting the information on the plurality of bending locations from the 3D model; Determining a cutting exclusion interval within a specified distance from the plurality of bending locations; Determining a location that moves a specified length from a first cutting location among the plurality of cutting locations; and When the location that moves a specified length from the first cutting location does not enter the cutting exclusion interval, determining the location that moves a specified length from the first cutting location as a second cutting location; when the location that moves a specified length from the first cutting location enters the cutting exclusion interval, determining a boundary point of the cutting exclusion interval as the second cutting location.

2. The method for automatically forming a pipe according to claim 1, further comprising: Automatically extracting from the 3D model information on connection locations where two or more different pipes are connected.

3. The method for automatically forming a pipe according to claim 2, further comprising: Determining a cutting exclusion interval within a specified distance from the connection location.

4. The method for automatically forming a pipe according to claim 1, wherein Automatically extracting information on the cutting locations and the bending locations from the design file includes: For each of the plurality of pipes divided by the cutting locations, extracting relative coordinates of the bending locations based on a start cutting location and relative coordinates of an end cutting location; and Generating a list based on the relative coordinates of the bending locations based on the start cutting location and the relative coordinates of the end cutting location, and Sending the pipe forming information to the forming device includes: Sending the generated list to the forming device.

5. A system for automatically forming a pipe, comprising: An electronic device that receives a design file to automatically extract information for forming a pipe, and automatically extracts information on a plurality of cutting locations for dividing the pipe included in the design file into a plurality of pipes equal to or greater than two and information on a plurality of bending locations of the plurality of pipes from the input design file; And A forming device that receives pipe forming information including information about the plurality of cutting locations and information about the plurality of bending locations from the electronic device, and forms a pipe according to the received pipe forming information; wherein the electronic device is configured to generate a 3D model including the center line of the pipe included in the design document, determine a forming start point and a forming end point in the 3D model, automatically extract the information about the plurality of bending locations from the 3D model, determine a cutting exclusion interval within a specified distance from the plurality of bending locations, determine a location that is a specified length away from a first cutting location among the plurality of cutting locations, and when the location that is a specified length away from the first cutting location does not enter the cutting exclusion interval, determine the location that is a specified length away from the first cutting location as a second cutting location; when the location that is a specified length away from the first cutting location enters the cutting exclusion interval, determine the boundary point of the cutting exclusion interval as the second cutting location.

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