Intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of light-emitting letter board material

Abstract

This invention discloses an intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated letter panels, specifically relating to the field of laser cutting path planning technology. It addresses the problems of existing illuminated letter panel cutting paths failing to consider letter shape support, local heat accumulation, and assembly datum maintenance, leading to issues such as fine stroke warping, inner hole burning, dimensional offsets, and insufficient assembly fit consistency. By analyzing the vector contour of the illuminated letter to form a letter shape processing structure diagram, the method calculates the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value of each contour. It then generates datum maintenance constraints based on the positional relationship of the assembly datum edges. Furthermore, it establishes a support maintenance window that includes retained connection positions, continuous cutting lengths, cooling intervals, and release segment sequences, generating cutting paths with staggered cutting, delayed release, and release after the datum edge. This approach balances local letter shape support, heat impact dispersion, and assembly datum stability, reducing the probability of fine stroke instability, inner hole burning, island offsets, and poor assembly fit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser cutting path planning technology, specifically to an intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels. Background Technology

[0002] Illuminated signs are widely used in commercial signage, storefront signs, and indoor and outdoor wayfinding systems. Their lettering panels are typically made of stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, or acrylic. In current production, illuminated sign panels are mostly produced by exporting vector outline files from the design station. These files are then processed by typesetting software and imported into laser cutting equipment, which cuts the outer outline, inner holes, and corner areas according to a pre-defined path. Because laser cutting has advantages such as a small heat-affected zone, high processing speed, and strong outline adaptability, it can meet the forming and processing needs of most advertising lettering panels. Current path planning typically focuses on outline recognition, cutting sequence arrangement, shortening idle travel, improving material utilization, and matching conventional process parameters, which can improve processing efficiency and panel utilization to a certain extent.

[0003] However, illuminated letter panels differ from ordinary regular sheet metal parts. Their letter outlines typically include fine strokes, closed inner holes, sharp corners, island retention areas, and assembly reference edges used for subsequent edge bonding, panel alignment, or back panel positioning. In actual processing, different outlines within the same letter shape are not equally sensitive to cutting order, local heat input, and the support state of the sheet material. For example, areas with fine strokes are prone to premature loss of support after adjacent outlines are cut consecutively; areas with closed inner holes and densely packed sharp corners are prone to local heat accumulation; island retention areas are prone to displacement when surrounding outlines are released too early; and if the assembly reference edge deforms during cutting, it will affect subsequent edge bonding and light-transmitting surface assembly. Existing path planning often treats these outlines as ordinary cutting objects, rarely distinguishing the relationship between local support, heat accumulation, and assembly reference retention during the path generation stage.

[0004] Therefore, existing laser cutting path planning for illuminated lettering panels still suffers from the following key technical problems: When dealing with complex letter shapes containing fine strokes, internal holes, island structures, sharp corners, and assembly reference edges, current path planning methods struggle to create targeted path constraints based on the differences in support risks, heat accumulation risks, and assembly impacts of each contour during the cutting process. This results in some letter shapes achieving contour cutting but exhibiting issues such as warping of fine strokes, burning edges on internal holes, slag buildup at sharp corners, misalignment of island structures, dimensional deviations, and insufficient consistency in subsequent assembly, thereby increasing rework and manual adjustments. This problem cannot be stably solved simply by shortening the cutting path or uniformly adjusting the laser power; a path planning method more suited to the processing characteristics of illuminated lettering panels is still needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels, thereby solving the problems mentioned in the background section.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels, comprising:

[0007] S1. Obtain the vector outline of the illuminated character, the parameters of the board material, the parameters of the cutting equipment and the assembly method. Analyze the vector outline into the outer outline, the inner hole outline, the fine stroke outline, the sharp corner turn outline, the island retention outline and the assembly reference edge outline, and generate the character processing structure diagram.

[0008] S2. Calculate the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value of each contour based on the character processing structure diagram, and form a character risk record;

[0009] S3. Lock the assembly datum edge according to the assembly influence value, and generate datum retention constraints by combining the positional relationship between the assembly datum edge and the inner hole contour, fine stroke contour and island retained contour.

[0010] S4. Based on the character shape risk record and benchmark maintenance constraints, each contour is programmed into the inner hole path group, fine stroke path group, small island protection path group, sharp corner slow release path group, assembly benchmark edge path group, and outer contour release path group.

[0011] S5. Establish a support holding window for each path group, write the reserved connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, release segment order, and generate cutting paths with staggered cutting, delayed release, and release after the reference edge.

[0012] S6. Convert the cutting path into a device execution program. After the cutting is completed, write back the results of burning edges, slag, warping, dimensional offset, and assembly fit to the corresponding contour, and correct the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks.

[0013] Furthermore, S1 includes:

[0014] Organize the vector outline of the illuminated characters, material parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly methods according to the task batch number;

[0015] Perform closure checks, duplicate line segment removal, minor breakpoint correction, and proportional consistency verification on the vector outline of the illuminated characters;

[0016] The verified vector contour is analyzed into outer contour, inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, sharp corner turn contour, small island retained contour and assembly datum edge contour.

[0017] The character processing structure diagram is formed by numbering each contour and determining the coordinates of each contour.

[0018] Furthermore, S2 includes:

[0019] Read the outline number, outline coordinates, outline type, sheet metal parameters, cutting equipment parameters and assembly method from the character processing structure diagram according to the same task batch number;

[0020] The support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value are calculated based on the on-site processing factors of each contour.

[0021] Write the outline number into the character risk record.

[0022] Furthermore, S2 also includes:

[0023] The risk value is determined based on the contour closure relationship, contour enclosing level, fine stroke width, island retained contour area, distance from the outer contour to the adjacent inner hole contour, and plate thickness.

[0024] The heat accumulation risk value is determined based on the contour length, the number of sharp corner contours, the spacing between adjacent contours, the density of inner hole contours, the material of the sheet, the thickness of the sheet, and the parameters of the cutting equipment.

[0025] The assembly impact value is determined based on the assembly method, assembly reference edge contour number, visible edge markings, distance from the contour to the assembly reference edge contour, and contour positioning participation status.

[0026] Furthermore, S3 includes:

[0027] Read the contour number, contour type, assembly impact value and assembly reference edge contour number from the character risk record according to the same task batch number;

[0028] Lock the assembly reference edge based on the assembly impact value;

[0029] Organize the positional relationships between the assembly datum edge and the inner hole contour, the fine stroke contour, and the island retained contour respectively;

[0030] The datum retention constraint is formed by the assembly datum edge contour number, inner hole contour number, fine stroke contour number, and island retention contour number.

[0031] Furthermore, S4 includes:

[0032] Read character risk records and maintain baseline constraints according to the same task batch number;

[0033] Based on the contour type, support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, assembly influence value, and assembly reference edge contour number, determine the path group affiliation of each contour;

[0034] Each contour is assigned to an inner hole path group, a fine stroke path group, an island protection path group, a sharp corner slow-release path group, an assembly reference edge path group, and an outer contour release path group.

[0035] The associated assembly reference edge contour number is retained in the path group ownership record.

[0036] Furthermore, S5 includes:

[0037] A support retention window is established based on the contour number, support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, assembly impact value, and associated contour number in the datum retention constraint in the path group attribution record;

[0038] Write the reserved connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, and release segment sequence in the support and retention window.

[0039] Furthermore, S5 also includes:

[0040] The cutting path is generated based on the support holding window;

[0041] The contour segments whose heat accumulation risk values ​​meet the staggered conditions are distributed to different cutting segments to form staggered cutting.

[0042] For contours whose supporting risk values ​​meet the delayed release conditions, delayed release is formed according to the retained connection positions and the release segment order;

[0043] Arrange the contour segment corresponding to the assembly reference edge after the other contour segments in the outer contour release path group to form the reference edge before releasing.

[0044] Furthermore, S6 includes:

[0045] The cutting path is converted into a device execution program that retains the mapping relationship between the contour number and the cutting segment number; after the cutting is completed, the burnt edge, slag, warping, dimensional offset and assembly fit results are written into the contour quality write-back record of the corresponding contour.

[0046] Identify similar tasks based on the material of the board, the thickness of the board, the version of the cutting equipment parameters, the assembly method, the type of font outline, and the name of the path group.

[0047] Based on the contour quality write-back records, correct the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks.

[0048] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0049] 1. By acquiring the vector contour of the illuminated letter, the parameters of the sheet material, the parameters of the cutting equipment, and the assembly method, the vector contour is analyzed into the outer contour, the inner hole contour, the fine stroke contour, the sharp corner contour, the island retention contour, and the assembly reference edge contour. Then, based on the letter processing structure diagram, the support risk value, the heat accumulation risk value, and the assembly impact value are calculated. The reference retention constraint is generated by combining the positional relationship between the assembly reference edge and the inner hole contour, the fine stroke contour, and the island retention contour. Then, a support retention window is established for each path group, which includes the retention connection position, the continuous cutting length, the cooling interval, and the release segment sequence. Cutting paths with staggered cutting, delayed release, and release after the reference edge are generated. This achieves the effect of taking into account the local support of the letter shape, the dispersion of heat impact, and the stability of the assembly reference during the laser cutting of the illuminated letter sheet material. It reduces the impact of premature instability of the fine stroke, heat concentration in the vicinity of the inner hole, island structure offset, and deformation of the assembly reference edge on the subsequent edge bonding and light-transmitting surface assembly.

[0050] 2. By converting the cutting path into an equipment execution program that retains the correspondence between the contour number and the cutting segment number, and writing back the results of edge burning, slag adhesion, warping, dimensional deviation, and assembly fit after cutting, and then modifying the subsequent path planning rules according to the scope of similar tasks, the cutting quality results can be traced back to the specific contour, specific path group, and specific release segment. This allows subsequent similar illuminated sign board cutting tasks to adjust the path planning rules for contour types that are prone to edge burning, slag adhesion, warping, dimensional deviation, and poor assembly fit, thereby improving the consistency of batch processing and on-site reusability. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall process of an intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels;

[0052] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the generation of a window for path group affiliation and support maintenance;

[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rules for generating cutting paths and writing back quality corrections. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0055] Example: Combined with Appendix Figures 1-3 This embodiment provides an intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels, including:

[0056] S1. Obtain the vector outline of the illuminated character, material parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly method. Analyze the vector outline into outer outline, inner hole outline, fine stroke outline, sharp corner contour, island retention outline, and assembly reference edge outline to generate a character processing structure diagram. The specific implementation is as follows:

[0057] After receiving the laser cutting task for the illuminated letter material, the process programming station first obtains the vector outline of the illuminated letter according to the task batch, then obtains the material parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly method, and completes data merging under the same task batch number. The effective period is limited to the process preparation period after layout confirmation and before the cutting program is generated. The executing entity is the path planning control terminal of the laser cutting production line. On-site sources include vector files submitted by the design station, material storage records, cutting equipment process library, order process sheets, and assembly process sheets. The vector outline of the illuminated letter adopts the closed line confirmed by the design station. This is a collection of outlines including segments, arc segments, spline segments, and text converted to curves. The file source can be a vector graphic exported from advertising font design software. Recording details include the font name, font source, scaling ratio, outline layer name, outline closure identifier, and file version. Units are millimeters for planar dimensions and degrees for angles. In this step, the vector outlines only undergo geometric organization and structural classification; the cutting order is not pre-generated. Board parameters are obtained from the board receiving label, material requisition form, and process sheet, and must include at least the board material, thickness, specifications, surface coating condition, and batch number. Thickness is recorded in millimeters. The material is locked according to the actual type of stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, or acrylic sheet used. If the value recorded on the order process sheet is inconsistent with the material receiving label, the on-site material receiving and scanning record will be used as the current task locking value, and the inconsistency will be written into the pending verification record. Automatic modification of the material and thickness is not allowed. The cutting equipment parameters are obtained from the currently assigned laser cutting equipment process library and must include at least the equipment number, laser type, rated power, nozzle specification, effective worktable area, positioning reference, executable file format, and process parameter version. Rated power is recorded in watts, and the effective worktable area is recorded in millimeters. The process parameter version is locked by the equipment process library release number. If the equipment is under maintenance lock, the sheet size is insufficient to accommodate the current sheet specifications, or the executable file format does not match the path planning control terminal, the current task will stop entering contour parsing and will be transferred to waiting for supplementary entry or waiting for reassignment. The assembly method is obtained from the order process sheet and assembly process sheet, and is recorded as the selected process method in edge welding, panel bonding, back panel installation, and light-transmitting surface assembly. The assembly reference side, visible edge, and subsequent positioning requirements are also recorded. The assembly method is only used to identify the assembly reference edge contour in this step and is not used to determine the cutting order in this step.

[0058] After obtaining the above data, the path planning control terminal first aligns according to the task batch number, character name, file version, sheet batch, and equipment number, and then performs a closedness check, duplicate line segment removal, tiny breakpoint sorting, and ratio consistency verification on the vector outline of the light-emitting character; duplicate line segments with the same starting point, the same ending point, the same layer name, and a length difference within the design tolerance are the objects to be removed, and tiny breakpoints are only allowed to be filled when they are within the same outline, the same layer name, and the endpoint distance is within the design tolerance. It is not allowed to fill breakpoints across outlines, not allowed to fill the main outline missing after font conversion, not allowed to fill the inner hole boundary whose source cannot be confirmed, and not allowed to fill the assembly reference side mark. When there are contour self-intersection, missing ratio unit, missing sheet parameters, unlocked equipment parameters, or unconfirmed assembly method, the current task generates a record to be verified and pauses to form a glyph processing structure diagram; after the data collation is completed, the vector outline is parsed into an outer contour, an inner hole contour, a thin stroke contour, a sharp corner transition contour, a small island retention contour, and an assembly reference edge contour. The outer contour is determined by the outermost closed boundary surrounding the glyph entity and is merged through inclusion relationships and area order among all closed contours of the same character; the inner hole contour is determined by the closed boundary located inside the outer contour and forming a hollow area, and is jointly confirmed through closed relationships, layer names, and enclosure relationships, excluding decorative engraved lines and marked lines that do not penetrate the sheet; the thin stroke contour is formed by the actual stroke width between the relative two-sided boundaries of the local part of the glyph and is sorted according to the vertical intercept between the outer contour and the inner hole contour of the same character, excluding simple chamfer edges and non-bearing decorative lines; the sharp corner transition contour is determined by the acute turning area formed at the intersection of adjacent contour segments and is merged through the change in the direction of adjacent line segments and the corner position, and the rounded transition area is not included in the sharp corner transition contour; the small island retention contour is determined by the closed area surrounded by the inner hole contour but needs to be retained as a literal entity and is obtained by gradually judging through the inclusion relationship of contour levels. For example, the retention area surrounded by the middle horizontal and vertical strokes of the character "田" needs to be registered as a small island retention contour; the assembly reference edge contour is determined by the contour edge corresponding to the edge fitting reference, panel alignment reference, or backplane positioning reference specified in the assembly process sheet and is obtained through the spatial position association of the assembly reference side mark with the outer contour and the inner hole contour. If the assembly process sheet does not specify the assembly reference side, the assembly reference edge contour is not automatically inferred but transferred to the pending entry.

[0059] After parsing, the path planning control terminal generates a character processing structure diagram. This diagram is stored in the path planning record area, indexed by the task batch number. The record includes the character name, outer contour number, inner hole contour number, fine stroke contour number, sharp corner contour number, island retention contour number, assembly reference edge contour number, coordinates of each contour, source file version, sheet metal parameter version, cutting equipment parameter version, and assembly method version. The next step uses this record to call up each contour number and corresponding coordinates, without rereading the unlocked design file. When the same task batch is submitted repeatedly, the task batch number and file... Version and material batch are used as idempotent criteria. Only the most recently confirmed character processing structure diagram is retained. Older versions must not overwrite records of already generated cutting programs. If the entire batch task is not interrupted, individual characters with pending verification records can be removed from the current batch while the remaining characters in the same batch are retained for further processing. When writing records, they are submitted in the order of illuminated character vector outline, material parameters, cutting equipment parameters, assembly method, and analysis results. The path planning control end removes duplicate outline numbers. For repeated registration of the same closed outline, only the confirmation record with the newest source time is retained, and the summary and operator identification of the replaced record are also retained to form a traceable record.

[0060] The safety boundary of this step is limited to reading only authorized task files and equipment process libraries. Modification of original design files is not allowed, changes to the actual requisition information of the sheet metal are not allowed, and it is not allowed to bypass the assembly process sheet to set the visible edge of the appearance. On-site, the processing structure diagrams of no less than 3 characters in the same batch can be extracted and checked item by item against the design station confirmation diagram, material requisition record and equipment process library to confirm that the contour classification, sheet metal parameters, equipment parameters and assembly method are consistent.

[0061] Preferably, when processing illuminated letters with a height of 600 mm on a stainless steel plate with a width of 1200 mm, a length of 2400 mm, and a thickness of 1.2 mm, the distance for aligning the endpoints of the same contour can be set to 0.05 mm, the difference in length of repeated line segments can be set to 0.03 mm, the angle confirmation range for sharp corner contours can be set to no more than 45 degrees, the stroke width adjustment range for fine stroke contours can be set to 2 mm to 20 mm, and the time from obtaining the data to writing the character processing structure diagram for a single character can be controlled within 10 seconds. When randomly checking 5 characters, the contour classification is consistent with the manual process confirmation result. Alternatively, the vector contour of the illuminated letter can also be obtained by directly submitting the converted graphic file from the typesetting station, the plate parameters can be obtained by the material requisition and barcode scanning terminal, and the cutting equipment parameters can be obtained by the process parameter record opened by the equipment controller. As long as the illuminated letter vector contour, plate parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly method are still merged and a character processing structure diagram including the outer contour, inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, sharp corner contour, island retention contour, and assembly reference edge contour is formed, it belongs to the same implementation scope.

[0062] S2. Based on the character processing structure diagram, calculate the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value of each contour to form a character risk record. The specific implementation is as follows:

[0063] After the path planning control terminal writes the glyph processing structure diagram, it reads each contour number, contour coordinates, contour type, sheet material parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly method according to the same task batch number, and calculates the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value of each contour one by one during the risk sorting period before generating the cutting program. The execution entity is the path planning control terminal of the laser cutting production line, and the on-site sources are the glyph processing structure diagram, sheet material warehousing record, equipment process library, and assembly process sheet formed in the previous step. This step does not change the contour classification, does not generate cutting paths, and only forms a glyph risk record for the next link to call; each contour is read in the order of the outer contour, inner hole contour, thin stroke contour, sharp corner turning contour, small island retention contour, and assembly reference edge contour. When reading, first check that the task batch number, word name, source file version, sheet material parameter version, cutting equipment parameter version, and assembly method version are consistent, and then check whether the contour coordinates are complete, the contour number is unique, and the contour type is locked. If the contour coordinates are missing segments, the contour number is repeated and the unique source cannot be confirmed, the sheet material thickness is missing, the equipment process library version is not locked, or the assembly method is not confirmed, the risk calculation of the current word is stopped and a record to be verified is written, and the remaining words in the same batch can continue to be executed; the support risk value is obtained by sorting out the on-site processing factors that maintain the connection stability of the sheet material during the cutting process of each contour, and is recorded as a dimensionless grade value. Its sources include the contour closure relationship, contour enclosure level, thin stroke width, small island retention contour area, distance from the outer contour to the adjacent inner hole contour, and sheet material thickness. The thin stroke width is recorded in millimeters, the small island retention contour area is recorded in square millimeters, and the distance is recorded in millimeters. When sorting out, first extract the coordinate boundaries according to the contour number, and then merge the outer contour, inner hole contour, and small island retention contour according to the inclusion relationship within the same word. Then, screen the relative boundaries corresponding to the thin stroke contours and calculate the minimum effective width. Finally, determine the support risk value in combination with the sheet material thickness; for example, when multiple slender strokes in the same character "Xin" are close to each other, the path planning control terminal does not simply regard them as ordinary inner hole edges, but jointly registers the thin stroke contour width, the distance to the adjacent inner hole contour, and the corresponding plate thickness, so that the subsequent processing state in which the contour still needs to maintain the support of the sheet material before being completely cut off can be recognized; the heat accumulation risk value is obtained by sorting out the on-site processing factors that generate a tendency of local heat concentration under the continuous action of the laser for each contour, and is recorded as a dimensionless grade value. Its sources include the contour line length, the number of sharp corner turning contours, the spacing between adjacent contours, the density of inner hole contours, the sheet material material, the sheet material thickness, and the laser type, rated power, and nozzle specification in the cutting equipment parameters. The contour line length is recorded in millimeters, the spacing between adjacent contours is recorded in millimeters, and the rated power is recorded in watts;During the data processing, the cutting boundary length of a single contour is first calculated based on the contour coordinates. Then, within the same text area, the number of inner hole contours, sharp corner contours, and fine stroke contours adjacent to that contour is counted. Subsequently, the heat accumulation risk value is determined based on the material and thickness of the board. Decorative engravings, marking lines that do not penetrate the board, and non-cut contours that have been excluded in the previous step are not included in this value. The assembly influence value is obtained by processing the degree of influence of each contour on the edge fitting, light-transmitting surface assembly, back panel positioning, or welding positioning. It is recorded as a dimensionless level value, and its sources include the assembly method, the assembly reference edge contour number, the visible edge markings, the distance from the contour to the assembly reference edge contour, whether the contour participates in the positioning boundary, and whether the contour is located at the edge. For the edges of the translucent surface, during the finishing process, first confirm the assembly reference edge contour according to the assembly process sheet. Then, for the same character, the outer contour, inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, sharp corner turn contour, and small island retained contour are sequentially correlated with the assembly reference edge contour. Contours that are closer in distance and participate in edge bonding or panel alignment receive higher assembly influence values, while internal process edges that are not visible and do not participate in positioning receive lower assembly influence values. All three values ​​are generated under the same character processing structure drawing version. Old task results are not referenced across versions. Manual experience is not allowed to directly overwrite locked contour coordinates, sheet thickness, material, and assembly reference edge contours. Only supplementary entries are allowed for remarks fields that did not participate in the value formation.

[0064] When creating character risk records, the path planning control end writes the task batch number, character name, contour number, contour type, supporting risk value, thermal accumulation risk value, assembly impact value, source version of the value, formation time, and operator identifier one by one according to the contour number. The record is stored in the path planning record area, and the character processing structure diagram version is used as the call index. The next step only calls the contour number and the corresponding three values ​​in the character risk record, without recalculating the aforementioned values. When the same task batch is submitted repeatedly, the task batch number, character processing structure diagram version, and contour number are used as the idempotency basis. The old version of the character risk record that has generated subsequent path groups must not be overwritten. A new version record must be formed and the old version summary must be retained. When the contour number is repeated, the character processing structure diagram confirmed in the previous step is used to remove duplicates. The writing order of the risk record is consistent with the contour number order to avoid multiple valid risk results for the same contour. The safety boundary is limited to reading only the locked character processing structure diagram and process record. It is not allowed to modify the original vector file, sheet metal requisition record, equipment process library, and assembly process sheet through this step.

[0065] Preferably, when machining illuminated letters with a height of 600 mm on a stainless steel plate with a width of 1200 mm, a length of 2400 mm, and a thickness of 1.2 mm, the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value can be set to integer levels from 0 to 100. When the width of the fine stroke outline is less than 8 mm and the distance between adjacent inner hole outlines is less than 5 mm, the support risk value can be recorded as 80 or higher. When the number of sharp corner contours is not less than 3 and the distance between adjacent contours is less than 4 mm, the heat accumulation risk value can be recorded as 75 or higher. The assembly impact value of the outer contour segment that is less than 10 mm away from the assembly reference edge contour and participates in the edge fitting is... It can be recorded as 85 or above; in a task containing 12 characters, the path planning control end can generate all character risk records within 30 seconds. When 5 characters are extracted for review, the 3 values ​​of each contour correspond to the high-risk areas confirmed by the process personnel according to the drawings; alternatively, support risk values, heat accumulation risk values, and assembly impact values ​​can also be recorded at low, medium, and high levels, as long as they are still formed based on the coordinates, type, sheet metal parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly methods of each contour in the character processing structure drawing, and can correspond one-to-one with the contour number in the character risk record, they belong to the same implementation scope.

[0066] S3. Based on the assembly influence value, lock the assembly datum edge. Combine the positional relationship between the assembly datum edge and the inner hole contour, fine-stroke contour, and island retention contour to generate datum preservation constraints. The specific implementation is as follows:

[0067] After the character risk record is formed, the path planning control terminal reads the contour number, contour type, assembly impact value, assembly method, assembly reference edge contour number, and coordinates of each contour according to the same task batch number. During the constraint processing period before cutting path grouping, the assembly reference edge is locked. Then, the positional relationship between the assembly reference edge and the inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, and island-retained contour is processed into a reference retention constraint. The executing entity is the path planning control terminal of the laser cutting production line, the on-site location is the process programming station, and the data source is the character risk record, character processing structure diagram, and assembly process sheet formed in the previous step. This step does not generate cutting paths or determine the specific cutting sequence; it only forms constraint records for subsequent path grouping. The assembly impact value is obtained from the character risk record according to the contour number and recorded as a level value formed under the same character processing structure diagram version. Its on-site meaning is the degree of influence of the contour in subsequent edge bonding, light-transmitting surface assembly, backplate positioning, or welding positioning. The path planning control terminal first aligns according to the task batch number, character name, character processing structure diagram version, and contour number, and then filters the assembly impact value. The contour whose influence value meets the locking condition is determined by the assembly method, visible edge markings, and positioning reference requirements in the assembly process sheet. When multiple contours meet the locking condition, the contour that has been marked as the edge fitting reference, panel alignment reference, or back panel positioning reference in the assembly process sheet is locked first. If there are multiple parallel assembly reference edges in the same character, they are locked separately according to their respective contour numbers and are not merged into a single upper boundary. The assembly reference edge is the contour edge that enters the subsequent constraints after being locked in this step. Its source must be from the aforementioned assembly reference edge contour or the corresponding contour selected by the assembly influence value. It cannot be drawn temporarily by the operator in this step, cannot be selected from the design file that has not been locked, and cannot be automatically replaced by the assembly reference edge. For example, in the edge-welded stainless steel illuminated letter, the contour of one side of the outer edge of the letter face used for edge fitting has been marked as the edge fitting reference in the assembly process sheet, and its assembly influence value is higher than that of other internal contours. The path planning control end will lock the outer edge of this side as the assembly reference edge and record its contour number, coordinate range, source version, and locking time.

[0068] After locking the assembly reference edge, the path planning control end organizes the path based on the positional relationship between the assembly reference edge and the inner hole contour. The positional relationship of the inner hole contour is determined by the shortest distance from the inner hole contour to the assembly reference edge, the projection overlap range, the enclosing level, and the adjacent directions. The distance is recorded in millimeters, and the projection overlap range is recorded in the corresponding coordinate segment. When the inner hole contour is close to the assembly reference edge and its cutting through may change the support state of the plate near the assembly reference edge, the inner hole contour is associated with the assembly reference edge, and the constraint that the inner hole contour must not weaken the stability of the assembly reference edge is written in the reference retention constraint, excluding decorative scribing lines, non-penetrating marking lines, and non-cut contours that have been excluded from the character processing structure drawing.

[0069] Subsequently, the path planning control terminal sorts out the positional relationship between the assembly reference edge and the thin stroke contour. The positional relationship of the thin stroke contour is determined by the width of the thin stroke contour, the distance from the thin stroke contour to the assembly reference edge, the relative relationship between the extension direction of the thin stroke and the direction of the assembly reference edge, and the connection state at both ends. For example, when the narrow stroke at the top of the character "亮" is close to the outer edge serving as the panel alignment reference, the path planning control terminal records the distance between this thin stroke contour and the assembly reference edge and the position of the connection end, so that when subsequent paths are programmed, it can be recognized that this thin stroke contour should not damage the local support near the assembly reference edge.

[0070] Next, the path planning control terminal sorts out the positional relationship between the assembly reference edge and the small island retention contour. The positional relationship of the small island retention contour is determined by the area of the small island retention contour, the outer surrounding contour, the distance from it to the assembly reference edge, and whether it is within the projection range of the assembly reference edge. The area of the small island retention contour is recorded in square millimeters. When the small island retention contour is located in the area adjacent to the assembly reference edge, it is included in the same reference retention constraint to prevent the small island retention contour from being treated as an ordinary internal isolated structure when subsequent path groups are programmed.

[0071] The reference retention constraint is the constraint record formed in this step, and its content corresponds one-to-one with the reference retention constraint in the independent claim. It records at least the task batch number, the name of the character pattern, the reference edge contour number of the assembly, the associated inner hole contour number, the associated thin stroke contour number, the associated small island retention contour number, the distance from each associated contour to the assembly reference edge, the association type, the source version of the constraint, and the formation time. It is stored in the path planning record area and is called by the next link according to the reference edge contour number of the assembly and the associated contour number. When repeating the sorting for the same task batch, the task batch number, the character pattern risk record version, and the reference edge contour number of the assembly are used as the idempotency basis. The old version of the reference retention constraint that has been called by the subsequent path group cannot be directly overwritten. Only a new version can be generated and the old version summary is retained. When the reference edge contour numbers repeat, they are de-duplicated according to the unique numbers in the character pattern processing structure diagram. The associated records of the inner hole contour, the thin stroke contour, and the small island retention contour are written in order of the distance from near to far. When the distances are the same, they are written in the order of the contour numbers to ensure the stability of the subsequent call order. If the assembly influence value is missing, the assembly method is not confirmed in the assembly process sheet, the reference edge contour number of the assembly does not exist, the associated contour coordinates are missing segments, or the same assembly reference edge is locked by different version records at the same time, the current character pattern is transferred to the pending verification record, and other character patterns in the same batch are not affected and continue to form the reference retention constraint.

[0072] The safety boundary of this step is limited to reading only the locked character risk records, character processing structure diagrams, and assembly process sheets. Modification of the illuminated character vector outline, modification of assembly influence values, and changes to the assembly method in the assembly process sheet are not allowed. On-site, characters with locked assembly reference edges from the same batch can be randomly selected, and the reference retention constraints are checked item by item against the assembly process sheet, character processing structure diagram, and character risk records to confirm that the source of the assembly reference edge is clear and that the associated inner hole outline, fine stroke outline, and island retention outline all come from the same version of the record.

[0073] Preferably, when processing 600mm high welded illuminated letters on a 1.2mm thick stainless steel plate, the assembly influence value can be set to an integer level from 0 to 100. The condition for locking the assembly reference edge can be set to an assembly influence value of not less than 80 and the assembly process sheet marked as the edge fitting reference. The associated distance from the inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, and island retention contour to the assembly reference edge can be set to within 30mm. The width of the fine stroke contour can be set to 2mm to 20mm, and the area of ​​the island retention contour can be set to 20 square millimeters to 500 square millimeters. In tasks containing 8 characters... It can generate 8 sets of assembly reference edge records and 23 associated contour records. The reference retention constraint formation time for a single character can be controlled within 5 seconds. When 5 characters are randomly checked, the associated contours are consistent with the results of manual process confirmation. Alternatively, the assembly reference edge can also be determined by the back plate positioning reference or the light-transmitting surface assembly reference in the assembly process sheet. The assembly influence value can also be recorded at low, medium and high levels. As long as the assembly reference edge is still locked according to the assembly influence value, and the reference retention constraint is generated by combining the positional relationship between the assembly reference edge and the inner hole contour, fine stroke contour and small island retained contour, it belongs to the same implementation scope.

[0074] S4. Based on the character shape risk record and benchmark maintenance constraints, each contour is categorized into the inner hole path group, fine stroke path group, island protection path group, sharp corner mitigation path group, assembly benchmark edge path group, and outer contour release path group. The specific implementation is as follows:

[0075] After the baseline retention constraints are formed, the path planning control terminal reads the character risk record and baseline retention constraints according to the same task batch number. During the path grouping period before the support retention window is generated, each contour is respectively programmed into the inner hole path group, fine stroke path group, island protection path group, sharp corner relief path group, assembly baseline edge path group, and outer contour release path group. The execution entity is the path planning control terminal of the laser cutting production line process programming station. The source on site is the locked version of the character risk record, baseline retention constraints, and character processing structure diagram. This step only completes the contour grouping and grouping record. The record is not finalized, and the final cutting order within each path group is uncertain. It does not include information on retained connection positions, continuous cutting lengths, cooling intervals, or release segment sequences. The path planning control unit first aligns the characters based on the character risk record, verifying consistency in the task batch number, character name, character processing structure drawing version, character risk record version, contour number, contour type, support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value. Then, based on the datum retention constraints, it verifies whether the assembly datum edge contour number and its associated inner hole contour number, fine stroke contour number, and island retention contour number originate from the same character. If, in the processing structure diagram version, the contour number is missing, the contour type is not locked, there are mutually exclusive assignments for the same contour and the primary assignment cannot be determined according to the baseline constraint, or the character risk record version is inconsistent with the baseline constraint version, then the current character will stop grouping and form a pending verification record, while the remaining characters in the same batch will continue to be grouped. In this step, the character risk record provides the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value for each contour. The path planning control end does not recalculate the aforementioned values ​​but only uses them as the confirmation basis for contour grouping. For example, fine-stroke contours with high support risk will be prioritized for maintaining their fine-stroke characteristics. For contour identity, sharp-corner turning contours with high heat accumulation risk are given priority to retain their sharp-corner turning contour identity, and contours with high assembly impact value and that have been locked are given priority to retain their assembly datum edge contour identity. The datum retention constraint provides the association relationship between the assembly datum edge contour and the inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, and island retention contour in this step. Based on this, the path planning control end avoids grouping the inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, and island retention contour that are close to the assembly datum edge as ordinary independent contours, but retains their association identifier with the assembly datum edge contour for use when establishing the support retention window in the next step.

[0076] When each contour is assigned to an inner hole path group, the path planning control terminal reads the contour number and coordinate range of the contour type inner hole contour, confirms that the contour is located inside the outer contour and forms a through-cut area, and reads its support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, assembly influence value, and whether it appears in the datum retention constraint. If the inner hole contour is related to the assembly datum edge contour, the corresponding assembly datum edge contour number is retained in the inner hole path group, and its inner hole path group affiliation is not changed. When each contour is assigned to a fine stroke path group, the path planning control terminal reads the contour number, fine stroke contour coordinates, support risk value, and coordinate range of the contour type fine stroke contour. The associated records in the risk value and reference retention constraints confirm that the contour corresponds to the boundary of a narrow stroke in the local character shape. If the thin stroke contour is also close to the inner hole contour or the assembly reference edge contour, it is still included in the thin stroke path group, and the associated inner hole contour number and assembly reference edge contour number are specified in the grouping record. When each contour is included in the island protection path group, the path planning control terminal reads the contour number, island reserved contour area, outer surrounding contour, and associated records in the reference retention constraints of contour type island reserved contour, confirming that the contour is a closed area that needs to be retained as a literal entity. If it is located in the vicinity of the assembly reference edge contour, then... In the island protection path group, the assembly reference edge association identifier is retained; when each contour is included in the sharp corner mitigation path group, the path planning control terminal reads the contour number, turning position, adjacent contour segments, and heat accumulation risk value of the contour type sharp corner turning contour, confirming that the contour corresponds to the turning position that needs to be independently registered according to the sharp corner area in the actual cutting. Rounded transition edges and decorative marking lines are not included in the sharp corner mitigation path group; when each contour is included in the assembly reference edge path group, the path planning control terminal reads the assembly reference edge contour number, assembly influence value, and assembly method that have been locked by the reference holding constraint, confirming that they come from the assembly process sheet and font risk record. In the same version, even if the assembly impact value of an unlocked ordinary outer contour is high, it shall not be temporarily adapted into the assembly reference edge path group in this step. When each contour is included in the outer contour release path group, the path planning control terminal reads the contour number and coordinate range of the contour type being outer contour and not locked as an exclusive object of the assembly reference edge path group, confirms that it constitutes the closed boundary of the outer side of the character, and includes it in the outer contour release path group. If some edge segments in the outer contour have been locked as assembly reference edge contours, the edge segments shall also retain the assembly reference edge reference identifier in the outer contour release path group to avoid losing the outer contour closure relationship during subsequent calls.

[0077] After grouping is completed, the path planning control terminal generates a path group affiliation record. The record includes the task batch number, font name, font risk record version, baseline retention constraint version, path group name, contour number, contour type, support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, assembly impact value, associated assembly baseline contour number, formation time, and operator identifier. This record is stored in the path planning record area. The next stage calls the path group by its name and contour number, without rereading unlocked vector contour files. When the same task batch is repeatedly grouped, the task batch number, font risk record version, baseline retention constraint version, and contour number are used as idempotent criteria. Older versions of the path group that have already been called by the next stage are excluded. The path group assignment record must not be overwritten; only a new version is generated while retaining the summary of the old version. When the same contour meets multiple grouping conditions due to structural overlap, the primary assignment is determined according to the confirmation order of assembly reference edge path group, island protection path group, fine stroke path group, sharp corner slow-release path group, inner hole path group, and outer contour release path group. The name of the associated path group is retained in the grouping record to ensure that the same contour has only one primary assignment and that the association relationship is not lost. The safety boundary is limited to reading only the locked character risk record and the reference retention constraint. It is not allowed to modify the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, assembly influence value, rewrite the assembly reference edge contour number, or change the contour coordinate.

[0078] Preferably, when processing 600mm high welded illuminated letters on a 1.2mm thick stainless steel plate, the assembly reference edge contour with an assembly influence value of not less than 80 can be included in the assembly reference edge path group; the fine stroke contour with a support risk value of not less than 70 and a stroke width of 2mm to 20mm can be included in the fine stroke path group; the sharp corner contour with a heat accumulation risk value of not less than 75 and a turning angle of not more than 45 degrees can be included in the sharp corner mitigation path group; and the island preservation contour with an area of ​​20 square millimeters to 500 square millimeters can be included in the island protection path group. In a task containing 10 characters, the path planning control terminal can generate 10 path group affiliation records, among which the inner... There are 32 hole path groups, 18 fine stroke path groups, 6 island protection path groups, 41 sharp corner slow-release path groups, 10 assembly reference edge path groups, and 10 outer contour release path groups. The grouping time for a single character can be controlled within 4 seconds. Alternatively, each path group can also be saved in the form of an independent record table in the path planning control terminal, a grouping field of the same record table, or a layered file that can be recognized by the equipment process library. As long as the constraints are still maintained based on the character risk record and the reference, each contour is included in the inner hole path group, fine stroke path group, island protection path group, sharp corner slow-release path group, assembly reference edge path group, and outer contour release path group, which are all within the same implementation scope.

[0079] S5. Establish a support holding window for each path group, write the reserved connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, and release segment order, and generate cutting paths with staggered cutting, delayed release, and release after the reference edge. The specific implementation is as follows:

[0080] After the path group ownership record is formed, the path planning control terminal reads the inner hole path group, fine stroke path group, island protection path group, sharp corner slow release path group, assembly reference edge path group, and outer contour release path group according to the same task batch number. During the path formation period before the equipment executes the program conversion, a support and holding window is established for each path group, and the reserved connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, and release segment sequence are written. This generates cutting paths with staggered cutting, delayed release, and release after the reference edge. The execution entity is the path planning control terminal of the laser cutting production line process programming station. The field sources are the locked version of the path group ownership record, character risk record, reference holding constraint, character processing structure diagram, sheet metal parameters, and cutting equipment parameters. This step only forms the cutting path and does not convert it within this step. The device executes the program; the support holding window is a path constraint record that maintains the local support state of the character shape during the cutting process of the corresponding path group. Its physical meaning is that around a certain path group within the same character, before the first cut to the relevant contour of the path group is released, it is clear which positions will not be cut temporarily, where to stop in a single continuous cut, how long the interval is between adjacent high-heat areas, and how the relevant contour is released in segments. This window is obtained by combining the contour number, support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, assembly influence value and the associated contour number in the reference holding constraint in the path group ownership record. It is applicable to the cutting tasks of illuminated letter boards with internal holes, fine strokes, small island retention, sharp corner turns, assembly reference edges and outer contour release relationships, excluding non-penetrating marking lines, decorative engraving lines and contours that have not entered the path group ownership record.

[0081] The path planning control end first aligns the task batch number, font name, path group ownership record version, font risk record version, and benchmark retention constraint version to confirm that the contour numbers in each path group all come from the same font processing structure drawing. Then, it establishes corresponding support retention windows in the order of inner hole path group, fine stroke path group, island protection path group, sharp corner slow release path group, assembly benchmark edge path group, and outer contour release path group. If the path group lacks contour number, contour coordinates are missing segments, assembly benchmark edge reference is invalid, plate parameters are missing, or cutting equipment parameters are not locked, the current font is transferred to the pending verification record, and other fonts in the same batch continue to establish support retention windows.

[0082] The reserved connection position refers to the contour coordinate segment within the same path group that needs to be temporarily retained without being cut. It is obtained from the contour coordinates, support risk value, assembly influence value, and datum retention constraints, and is recorded in millimeters. When determining the position, first avoid visible edges and assembly datum edges, then prioritize the ends of fine-line contours, the outer support of island-retained contours, and short segments of inner hole contours on the non-assembly datum side. If the corresponding contour belongs to an assembly datum edge path group, the reserved connection position must not be written on the visible fitting segment of the assembly datum edge. The continuous cutting length is the length of the contour segment within the same path group that can be completed continuously without interrupting the cutting action, recorded in millimeters. It is calculated based on the heat accumulation risk value, contour line length, adjacent contour spacing, sheet material, sheet thickness, and cutting equipment parameters. When the heat accumulation risk value of the sharp-corner mitigation path group or the fine-line path group is high, the continuous cutting length is shortened, and the remaining contour segment is transferred to the same branch. The subsequent segments within the support window are maintained; the cooling interval is the time between adjacent high heat accumulation contour segments when cutting the local area is paused, recorded in seconds. It is calculated based on the heat accumulation risk value, the distance between adjacent contours, the material of the plate, the plate thickness, and the rated power. On-site execution means that the laser head does not continuously apply heat to the local area and can turn to the lower correlation contour segment that is farther away in the same character. If there is no contour segment that can be turned to in the same character, the corresponding waiting period is retained; the release segment order is the record of the order in which the contour segments with reserved connection positions written in each path group are finally cut off. It is determined according to the support risk value, the assembly influence value, and the reference retention constraint. The release segment order of the high support risk contour in the fine stroke path group is later. The island reserved contour in the island protection path group is released after the surrounding related contours are completed. The assembly reference edge in the assembly reference edge path group is arranged after other releasable outer contour segments of the same character according to the principle of releasing after the reference edge.

[0083] When generating the cutting path for peak-shifted cutting, the path planning control terminal disperses the contour segments of the inner hole path group, sharp corner relief path group, and thin stroke path group with relatively high heat accumulation risk values and relatively short spatial distances into different cutting segments, so that the laser head switches to contour segments with a relatively long distance or low heat accumulation contour segments between adjacent high-heat areas. For example, when multiple inner holes in the character "Jia" are close to the same thin stroke, the adjacent inner hole closed cutting is not continuously completed, but non-adjacent contour segments are interspersed under the constraint of the support retention window; when generating the cutting path for delayed release, the path planning control terminal retains the retention connection positions of the high-support-risk contours, first completes the non-release segments that are allowed to be cut in the same path group, and then cuts off the retention connection positions in the order of the release segments. The thin stroke path group and the small island protection path group both form paths in this way to avoid local strokes or small islands from detaching from the plate support in the early stage; when generating the cutting path for release after the reference edge, the path planning control terminal reads the association identifiers in the assembly reference edge path group and the outer contour release path group, arranges the contour segments corresponding to the assembly reference edge after the other outer contour release segments of the same typeface, and maintains the association records of the inner hole contour, thin stroke contour, and small island retention contour related to the assembly reference edge in the support retention window, and does not allow the assembly reference edge to be closed and released in advance as an ordinary outer contour segment.

[0084] The generated cutting path is written into the path planning record area with the task batch number, typeface name, path group name, contour number, cutting segment number, retention connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, release segment order, peak-shifted cutting identifier, delayed release identifier, release after reference edge identifier, formation time, and operator identifier. The next link calls according to the cutting segment number and contour number, and does not recalculate the support retention window; when repeatedly generating the cutting path for the same task batch, the task batch number, path group attribution record version, and support retention window version are used as the idempotency basis. The old version of the cutting path that has been converted into the device execution program cannot be overwritten, and only the new version can be generated and the old version summary can be retained. The repeated contour segments are de-duplicated according to the contour number, start and end coordinates, and path group name. The cutting segment number increases in the order of formation, ensuring that the same contour segment only appears once in the cutting path of the same version; the safety boundary is limited to only reading the locked path group attribution record, glyph risk record, and reference retention constraint, not allowing modification of the original luminous character vector contour, not allowing rewriting of the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly influence value, and not allowing cancellation of the locked assembly reference edge.

[0085] Preferably, when processing a 600mm high edge-welded illuminated letter on a 1.2mm thick stainless steel plate, the length of the retained connection position can be set to 0.4mm to 1.2mm, the continuous cutting length of the fine stroke path group can be set to 30mm to 80mm, the continuous cutting length of the sharp corner slow-release path group can be set to 20mm to 60mm, the cooling interval between high heat accumulation contour segments can be set to 2 seconds to 8 seconds, and the release segment sequence corresponding to the assembly reference edge can be set as the last segment of the outer contour release segment of the same character; in a task containing 10 characters, 10 cutting path records can be formed, with each character supporting... The window formation time can be controlled within 6 seconds. When checking 5 characters, the retained connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, and release segment order can be found to correspond one-to-one with the corresponding contour number. Alternatively, the support holding window can be saved as an independent record or as a field in the cutting path record. The cooling interval can be replaced by cross-regional path switching instead of fixed waiting. As long as the support holding window is still established for each path group, the retained connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, and release segment order are written, and the cutting path with staggered cutting, delayed release, and release after the reference edge is generated, it belongs to the same implementation scope.

[0086] S6. Convert the cutting path into a machine execution program. After cutting, write back the results of edge burning, slag adhesion, warping, dimensional offset, and assembly fit to the corresponding contour, and correct the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks. The specific implementation is as follows:

[0087] After the cutting path is formed and confirmed by the process programming station, the path planning control terminal converts the cutting path into an equipment execution program. After the laser cutting equipment completes the corresponding letter cutting, the results of edge burning, slag adhesion, warping, dimensional offset, and assembly fit are written back to the corresponding contour. This then corrects the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks. The execution entities include the path planning control terminal, the laser cutting equipment controller, the cutting quality inspection station, and the assembly station. The on-site operation period covers the program conversion period before the equipment execution program is generated, the quality registration period after the current task is completed, and the rule correction period before the same task generates a cutting path again. The data source is locked. The system includes a defined cutting path, contour numbers in the path planning record area, cutting equipment parameters, equipment execution records, post-cutting quality inspection records, and assembly station feedback records. When the cutting path is converted into an equipment execution program, the path planning control terminal aligns it according to the task batch number, text name, cutting path version, cutting equipment number, and equipment executable file format. It reads the cutting segment number, contour number, path group name, reserved connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, release segment sequence, off-peak cutting indicator, delayed release indicator, and release after reference edge indicator from the cutting path, and organizes them into a motion trajectory that the laser cutting equipment controller can recognize. The perforation location, start and stop positions of the cutting segments, pause duration, and execution sequence of segments are specified. The equipment execution program is a processing program file sent to the laser cutting equipment controller. Its physical meaning is to control the laser head to complete the cutting action according to the formed cutting path in the plate coordinate system. This program file must retain the correspondence between the contour number and the cutting segment number, and cannot only retain the continuous trajectory coordinates; otherwise, the quality result after the cutting is completed cannot be written back to the corresponding contour. Before conversion, check whether the effective area of ​​the equipment, coordinate origin, plate specifications, nozzle specifications, and process parameter version are consistent with those when the cutting path was formed. If the equipment number changes, the process parameter version is not locked, or the plate... If the specifications are inconsistent, the cutting segment number is missing, or the release mark after assembly reference edge is lost, the current wording will not generate an equipment execution program and will be transferred to the pending verification record. Other words in the same batch can continue to be converted. After the equipment execution program is generated, it is stored in the equipment program record area. At the same time, the program file number, cutting path version, equipment number, generation time and operator identification are written in the path planning record area. The laser cutting equipment controller reads and executes according to the program file number. During the execution, on-site operators are not allowed to delete the reserved connection position, shorten the cooling interval or release the cutting segment corresponding to the assembly reference edge in advance. If changes are necessary, the equipment execution program must be regenerated and a new version must be formed.

[0088] After cutting, the cutting quality inspection station reads the equipment execution record and contour number mapping relationship under the same task batch number, and records the results of edge burning, slag adhesion, warping, and dimensional deviation for each piece according to the letter markings. Edge burning refers to the quality result of overheating discoloration, erosion expansion, or blunt edge on the contour edge. It is formed by visual inspection, magnified inspection, or edge width measurement of the contour edge at the cutting quality inspection station, and is recorded as one of the following levels according to the corresponding contour number: none, slight, or obvious, excluding surface marks caused by original scratches on the board and residual coating. Slag adhesion refers to the quality result of molten adhering material on the lower edge of the contour or the bottom of the cut. It is formed by flipping inspection, stylus inspection, or taking photos before slag removal, and the adhesion location and level are recorded according to the corresponding contour number, excluding non-metallic particles adhering during handling. Warping refers to the quality result of local deviation of the cut letter board from the plane reference. It is formed by inspecting the flatness. The measurement of the fine strokes, island retention areas, and outer contour release areas of the letter plate is performed using a table, feeler gauge, or height measuring device. The measurement is recorded in millimeters and written back to the corresponding contour number according to the affected position. The dimensional offset is the deviation of the actual measured dimension of the contour after cutting relative to the design contour coordinates. It is obtained by calipers, image measuring devices, or inspection fixtures and is recorded in millimeters. When registering, the contour number, measurement point position, and design version must be associated. It cannot be registered as a whole character. The assembly and bonding result is formed by the assembly station during the edge bonding, light-transmitting surface assembly, back panel positioning, or welding positioning process. It is recorded by the bonding gap of the assembly reference edge, panel alignment deviation, back panel hole position correspondence, or welding positioning deviation. The measurement is recorded in millimeters or registered as qualified or rework and written back to the assembly reference edge contour and its associated inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, and island retention contour.

[0089] When writing back to the corresponding contour, the path planning control terminal uses the task batch number, text name, equipment execution program number, cutting path version, and contour number as the association basis to write the results of burning edges, slag, warping, dimensional offset, and assembly fit into the contour quality write-back record. The record must retain at least the source station of the quality result, the formation time, the inspector's identification, the corresponding path group name, and the corresponding release segment order. If the equipment execution record is missing, the contour number mapping relationship is missing, the source of the text cannot be confirmed in the quality inspection record, or the assembly fit result cannot be associated with the assembly reference edge contour, the corresponding quality result will not be automatically written back, but will be entered into the pending verification record. When there are multiple quality inspection records for the same contour, the most recent re-inspection confirmation record within the same inspection batch will be used as the valid write-back result, and the summary of the first record will be retained to avoid the same quality result being counted repeatedly.

[0090] When revising the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks, the path planning control terminal only reads the contour quality write-back record within the scope of similar tasks. Similar tasks are jointly confirmed according to the material of the board, the thickness of the board, the version of the cutting equipment parameters, the assembly method, the type of the character contour, and the name of the path group. At least the following conditions must be met: consistent material, board thickness in the same process file, consistent equipment process parameter version, consistent assembly method, and consistent contour type. The object of revision is limited to the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks, including the rules for selecting the retained connection position of similar contours, the rules for determining the continuous cutting length, the rules for determining the cooling interval, the rules for confirming the release segment sequence, and the rules for releasing after assembling the reference edge. The historical equipment execution program that has already been cut is not modified, the original luminous character vector contour is not modified, and the actual board requisition record is not modified.

[0091] If a certain type of fine stroke contour continuously warps or shifts in size, the rules for retaining connection positions and releasing segment order corresponding to that type of fine stroke contour in subsequent similar tasks will have their constraint level increased; if a certain type of sharp corner slow-release path group continuously burns or slags, the rules for continuous cutting length and cooling interval corresponding to that type of sharp corner turn contour in subsequent similar tasks will be corrected; if the assembly reference edge contour has unqualified assembly fit results, the priority of calling the release rules after assembling the reference edge and the reference retention constraints of its associated contours in subsequent similar tasks will be corrected.

[0092] Rule correction records are stored in the path planning rule record area according to the rule version. When the next batch of similar tasks forms a cutting path, the rule version is called. When the same equipment execution program number is submitted repeatedly for quality results, the equipment execution program number, contour number and inspection batch are used as the idempotent basis. If the old version rule has been called by the subsequent task, it shall not be overwritten. Only a new rule version can be generated and the old version summary is retained. The safety boundary is limited to correcting the path planning rules of the subsequent similar tasks only based on the authorized quality inspection record and the assembly station feedback record. It is not allowed to directly rewrite the rules based on unconfirmed on-site verbal feedback. It is not allowed to generalize the use of non-conforming results across materials, plate thicknesses and equipment process parameter versions.

[0093] Preferably, when processing edge-welded luminous characters with a height of 600 mm on a stainless steel plate with a thickness of 1.2 mm, the equipment execution program can complete the conversion from the cutting path within 8 seconds. The burn edge level can be recorded as none when the edge erosion width is within 0.1 mm, slightly when it is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, and significantly when it is greater than 0.3 mm. When the slag hanging height is greater than 0.2 mm, it is recorded as significant. When the warping amount is greater than 0.5 mm, it is recorded as needing correction. When the dimension deviation is greater than 0.3 mm, it is recorded as needing correction. When the assembly fitting gap is greater than 0.4 mm, it is recorded as unqualified; in 20 consecutive similar characters, if more than 3 characters in the same thin stroke path group have a warping amount greater than 0.5 mm, the release segment order of the thin stroke contour of this type in subsequent similar tasks will be shifted back by 1 segment and the number of reserved connection positions will be increased. If more than 3 characters in the same sharp corner relief path group have obvious burn edges, the continuous cutting length in subsequent similar tasks will be reduced by 10 mm and the cooling interval will be increased by 2 seconds; alternatively, the burn edge, slag hanging, warping, and dimension deviation can be obtained by manual quality inspection, an imaging measurement device, or a detection device attached to the equipment. The assembly fitting result can be measured by an assembly jig or confirmed manually at the assembly station. As long as the cutting path can be converted into an equipment execution program and the burn edge, slag hanging, warping, dimension deviation, and assembly fitting result can be written back to the corresponding contour after cutting, and the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks can be corrected accordingly, it belongs to the same implementation scope.

[0094] In the operation scenario shown in this embodiment: An advertising sign processing workshop received an order for a batch of edge-welded stainless steel luminous characters. The order content was to process characters such as "Xin", "Jia", "Liang", and "Tian" with a height of 600 mm. The sheet material was stainless steel with a width of 1200 mm, a length of 2400 mm, and a thickness of 1.2 mm. The cutting equipment was a fiber laser cutting equipment with locked process parameters in the workshop. The subsequent assembly method was edge welding and light-transmitting surface assembly; after the layout was confirmed at the process programming station, the luminous character vector contour submitted by the design station, the sheet material parameters in the sheet material storage record, the cutting equipment parameters in the cutting equipment process library, and the assembly method in the order process sheet were unified into the same task batch number. The path planning control terminal first performed a closure check, duplicate line segment elimination, minor breakpoint sorting, and proportional consistency check on the luminous character vector contour, and confirmed that multiple closed hollow areas inside the "Tian" character, multiple slender strokes of the "Xin" character, the narrow strokes at the top of the "Liang" character, and the dense inner holes of the "Jia" character all came from the same file version. Subsequently, each character was parsed into an outer contour, an inner hole contour, a thin stroke contour, a sharp corner transition contour, a small island retention contour, and an assembly reference edge contour, and a character processing structure diagram was formed; among them, the middle stroke area inside the "Tian" character that was surrounded by the inner hole contour but needed to be retained as a literal entity was registered as a small island retention contour, and the outer contour of the "Liang" character used for edge fitting was registered as an assembly reference edge contour.

[0095] After the glyph processing structure diagram is written, the path planning control terminal reads the contour type, contour coordinates, sheet parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly method one by one according to the contour number, forms a relatively high support risk value for the thin stroke contours with a narrow width and a small distance between adjacent inner holes in the character "Xin", forms a relatively high heat accumulation risk value for the multiple adjacent inner holes and sharp corner turning contours in the character "Jia", forms a relatively high assembly influence value for the outer contour segments near the edge fitting position in the character "Liang", and writes the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly influence value into the glyph risk record.

[0096] Subsequently, the path planning control terminal locks the assembly reference edges for edge fitting in the character "Liang" and other character patterns according to the assembly influence value, and generates a reference retention constraint in combination with the positional relationship between this assembly reference edge and the adjacent inner hole contours, thin stroke contours, and small island retention contours. For example, it establishes an association between the narrow stroke at the top of the character "Liang" and its adjacent assembly reference edge, and records the small island retention contour near the assembly reference edge in the character "Tian" in the same reference retention constraint to prevent it from being prematurely released as an ordinary internal structure in subsequent path arrangement.

[0097] After the reference retention constraint is formed, the path planning control terminal assigns each contour to the inner hole path group, thin stroke path group, small island protection path group, sharp corner mitigation path group, assembly reference edge path group, and outer contour release path group according to the glyph risk record and the reference retention constraint; for example, the multiple internal closed hollow boundaries of the character "Jia" enter the inner hole path group, the dense acute angle positions enter the sharp corner mitigation path group, the slender strokes of the character "Xin" enter the thin stroke path group, the entity to be retained in the middle of the character "Tian" enters the small island protection path group, the side for edge fitting enters the assembly reference edge path group, and the outer closed contours not locked as assembly reference edges enter the outer contour release path group.

[0098] After the path group attribution record is formed, the path planning control terminal establishes a support retention window for each path group. In the thin stroke path group of the character "Xin", the retention connection position is set at a non-appearance visible part of the thin stroke end, and the continuous cutting length is restricted; in the inner hole path group and the sharp corner mitigation path group of the character "Jia", the adjacent high heat accumulation contour segments are dispersed into different cutting segments, and a cooling interval is set between local areas; in the small island protection path group of the character "Tian", the release segment order of the small island retention contour is arranged after the completion of the surrounding relevant contours; in the assembly reference edge path group, the outer contour segment corresponding to the edge fitting reference is arranged after the other outer contour release segments of the same character pattern, thus generating a cutting path including staggered cutting, delayed release, and reference edge post-release marks.

[0099] After being confirmed by the process programming station, the cutting path is converted into a device execution program that can be recognized by the laser cutting equipment. The corresponding relationship between the cutting segment number and the contour number is retained in the program, and the laser cutting equipment controller completes the cutting of the sheet according to this device execution program. After cutting, the cutting quality inspection station registers the results of burning edges, slag hanging, warping, and dimensional deviation for each character one by one. The assembly station registers the assembly fitting results during the process of edge fitting and light-transmitting surface assembly, and writes back the above results to the corresponding contour according to the contour number. For example, if the warping amount of a certain type of thin stroke contour of the character "Xin" exceeds 0.5 mm in 3 consecutive characters, the path planning control terminal will increase the delayed release constraint of this type of thin stroke contour in subsequent similar tasks, move the release segment order backward, and increase the reserved connection position. If obvious burning edges continuously appear in the same sharp corner slow-release path group of the character "Jia", the continuous cutting length of this type of sharp corner turning contour will be reduced and the cooling interval will be increased in subsequent similar tasks. If the edge fitting gap of the assembly reference edge contour of the character "Liang" exceeds 0.4 mm, the subsequent similar tasks will maintain the rule of releasing the assembly reference edge later and increase the call priority of the reference holding constraint of its associated contour.

[0100] Through the above continuous operation process, the entire batch of luminous character sheets runs through from vector contour analysis, risk record formation, reference holding constraint generation, path group incorporation, support holding window establishment, cutting path generation, device execution program conversion to quality result write-back with the same task batch number and contour number. Field engineering personnel can reproduce the basis for path formation, cutting execution basis, and subsequent rule correction basis for each character according to the path planning record area, device program record area, and contour quality write-back record.

[0101] The calculations involved in the embodiments are all numerical calculations after removing the dimension. The preset parameters and threshold selections in the calculations are set by those skilled in the art according to the actual situation.

[0102] It should be noted that the present invention can be deployed on the device itself to achieve embedded applications, or can also run on a PC or other terminals with a user interface, so as to meet various hardware environments and usage requirements.

[0103] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wireless or wired transmission; wired transmission methods include optical fiber, twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.; wireless transmission includes infrared, microwave, etc. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center containing one or more sets of available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. A semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0104] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0105] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or modules may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0106] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0107] In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module.

[0108] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0109] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

[0110] In conclusion, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for intelligent path planning of laser cutting of light-emitting letter board material, characterized in that, include: S1. Obtain the vector outline of the illuminated character, the parameters of the board material, the parameters of the cutting equipment and the assembly method. Analyze the vector outline into the outer outline, the inner hole outline, the fine stroke outline, the sharp corner turn outline, the island retention outline and the assembly reference edge outline, and generate the character processing structure diagram. S2. Calculate the support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value of each contour based on the character processing structure diagram, and form a character risk record; S3. Lock the assembly datum edge according to the assembly influence value, and generate datum retention constraints by combining the positional relationship between the assembly datum edge and the inner hole contour, fine stroke contour and island retained contour. S4. Based on the character shape risk record and benchmark maintenance constraints, each contour is programmed into the inner hole path group, fine stroke path group, island protection path group, sharp corner slow release path group, assembly benchmark edge path group, and outer contour release path group. S5. Establish a support holding window for each path group, write the reserved connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, release segment order, and generate cutting paths with staggered cutting, delayed release, and release after the reference edge. S6. Convert the cutting path into a device execution program. After the cutting is completed, write back the results of edge burning, slag, warping, dimensional offset, and assembly fit to the corresponding contour, and correct the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks.

2. The intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of a light-emitting letter plate material according to claim 1, characterized in that, S1 includes: Organize the vector outline of the illuminated characters, material parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly methods according to the task batch number; Perform closure checks, duplicate line segment removal, minor breakpoint correction, and proportional consistency verification on the vector outline of the illuminated characters; The verified vector contour is analyzed into outer contour, inner hole contour, fine stroke contour, sharp corner turn contour, small island retained contour and assembly datum edge contour. The character processing structure diagram is formed by numbering each contour and determining the coordinates of each contour. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein S2 include: Read the outline number, outline coordinates, outline type, sheet metal parameters, cutting equipment parameters, and assembly method from the character processing structure diagram according to the same task batch number; The support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, and assembly impact value are calculated based on the on-site processing factors of each contour. Write the outline number into the character risk record.

4. The intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels according to claim 3, characterized in that, S2 also includes: The risk value is determined based on the contour closure relationship, contour enclosing level, fine stroke width, island retained contour area, distance from the outer contour to the adjacent inner hole contour, and plate thickness. The heat accumulation risk value is determined based on the contour length, the number of sharp corner contours, the spacing between adjacent contours, the density of inner hole contours, the material of the sheet, the thickness of the sheet, and the parameters of the cutting equipment. The assembly impact value is determined based on the assembly method, assembly reference edge contour number, visible edge markings, distance from the contour to the assembly reference edge contour, and contour positioning participation status.

5. The intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels according to claim 1, characterized in that, S3 include: Read the contour number, contour type, assembly impact value and assembly reference edge contour number from the character risk record according to the same task batch number; Lock the assembly reference edge based on the assembly impact value; Organize the positional relationships between the assembly datum edge and the inner hole contour, the fine stroke contour, and the island retained contour respectively; The datum retention constraint is formed by the assembly datum edge contour number, inner hole contour number, fine stroke contour number, and island retention contour number.

6. The intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels according to claim 1, characterized in that, S4 include: Read character risk records and maintain baseline constraints according to the same task batch number; Based on the contour type, support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, assembly influence value, and assembly reference edge contour number, determine the path group affiliation of each contour; Each contour is assigned to an inner hole path group, a fine stroke path group, an island protection path group, a sharp corner slow-release path group, an assembly reference edge path group, and an outer contour release path group. The associated assembly reference edge contour number is retained in the path group ownership record.

7. The intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels according to claim 1, characterized in that, S5 include: A support retention window is established based on the contour number, support risk value, heat accumulation risk value, assembly impact value, and associated contour number in the datum retention constraint in the path group attribution record; Write the reserved connection position, continuous cutting length, cooling interval, and release segment sequence in the support and retention window.

8. The intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels according to claim 7, characterized in that, S5 also includes: The cutting path is generated based on the support holding window; The contour segments whose heat accumulation risk values ​​meet the staggered conditions are distributed to different cutting segments to form staggered cutting. For contours whose supporting risk values ​​meet the delayed release conditions, delayed release is formed according to the retained connection positions and the release segment order; Arrange the contour segment corresponding to the assembly reference edge after the other contour segments in the outer contour release path group to form the reference edge before releasing.

9. The intelligent path planning method for laser cutting of illuminated lettering panels according to claim 1, characterized in that, S6 include: Convert the cutting path into a device execution program that retains the mapping relationship between the outline number and the cutting segment number; After cutting, the results of burning edges, slag, warping, dimensional deviation, and assembly fit are written into the contour quality write-back record of the corresponding contour. Identify similar tasks based on the material of the board, the thickness of the board, the version of the cutting equipment parameters, the assembly method, the type of font outline, and the name of the path group. Based on the contour quality write-back records, revise the path planning rules for subsequent similar tasks.

Images