Cutting machine, cutting method, and cutting program

Abstract

To provide a cutting machine capable of easily performing pattern matching of a sheet material.SOLUTION: A cutting machine 1 includes: a photographing unit 10 capable of photographing an image including one pattern matching reference 65 among a plurality of pattern matching references 65 set in a sheet material S for each cutting pattern P for each pattern matching reference 65; a storage unit 40 that stores the image of the photographing unit 10 as a stored image 40p for each pattern matching reference 65; a display unit 30; and a pattern matching reference designation unit 15 that designates at least one of the plurality of pattern matching references 65 for each cutting pattern P. The display unit 30 includes: a captured image display unit 31 that displays a captured image 31p; a thumbnail image display unit 33 that calls the stored image 40p including the pattern matching reference 65 designated by the pattern matching reference designation unit 15 and displays the stored image as a thumbnail; and a selected image display unit 35 that displays a selected image 35p corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 33p out of the thumbnail images 33p together with the captured image 31p.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting machine for a sheet material, a cutting method, and a cutting program used in a cutting machine and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cutting machine that holds a sheet material formed of various fiber materials and the like on a cutting table and cuts it is known. In the cutting machine, the cutting blade is controlled according to a preset cutting pattern, and the sheet material is cut into various shapes. The cutting pattern is designed in advance by CAD and automatically arranged efficiently on the sheet material held on the cutting table. Thereafter, the sheet material is cut by the cutting machine based on the cutting pattern.

[0003] In addition, in the cutting machine, a sheet material with a pattern is also cut. In cutting such a sheet material with a pattern, in order to avoid a poor visual impression due to the pattern being misaligned, pattern matching is performed to assign the pattern formed on the sheet material to the cutting pattern prior to cutting. The above-described pattern matching for assigning the pattern of the sheet material to the cutting pattern is performed by aligning a plurality of virtual pattern matching criteria (also referred to as virtual pattern matching points) set in a virtual cutting pattern in advance and pattern matching criteria (for example, characteristic parts or markings of the pattern, etc.) set on the sheet material. The alignment of the pattern matching criteria as described above is performed using a camera mounted on the cutting head of the cutting machine (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, the pattern matching criteria as described above are set at a plurality of locations for one cutting pattern, for example. In alignment, for example, the first virtual pattern matching criteria set at the center on the camera side and the first pattern matching criteria on the sheet material side are visually observed in the captured image, and the cutting head (camera) is moved to perform alignment. When the first virtual pattern matching criteria and the first pattern matching criteria are positioned, they are registered as cutting data based on the coordinates of the cutting head. Subsequently, alignment between the second virtual pattern matching criteria and the second pattern matching criteria is performed, and sequentially, alignment between the last nth virtual pattern matching criteria and the last nth pattern matching criteria is performed. When the alignment of the last nth pattern matching criteria is completed, cutting is executed.

[0006] Here, for example, when arranging a cutting pattern on a flexible sheet material (e.g., a fiber material for clothing), due to stretching or shrinking of the sheet material, the pattern matching criteria may shift during the progress of alignment. In such a case, it was necessary to go back to the previously aligned pattern matching criteria and re-align the previous pattern matching criteria or finely adjust the position of the previous pattern matching criteria. At this time, the operator needed to remember the alignment state of the previously aligned pattern matching criteria. Therefore, the operator took pictures of the alignment state for each pattern matching criteria or saved it as an image in image software or the like for reference during re-alignment. Furthermore, in the case of fiber materials for clothing as described above, since the state of the sheet material (e.g., stretching state) changes for each lot, the record of the alignment state of the sheet material of another lot is often not available for reference, and there is the complexity that the operator has to take pictures or the like each time of the operation. Thus, the conventional cutting machine has a problem that the labor of the operator during pattern matching increases.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting machine, a cutting method, and a cutting program that can easily perform pattern matching of a patterned sheet material.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The cutting machine of the present invention provided to solve the above problems is a cutting machine that cuts a sheet material along a preset cutting pattern, and includes a photographing unit capable of photographing an image including one of a plurality of alignment criteria set for the sheet material for each cutting pattern for each alignment criterion, a storage unit that stores the image photographed by the photographing unit as a stored image for each alignment criterion, a display unit capable of displaying the image, and an alignment criterion specifying unit that specifies at least one of the plurality of alignment criteria for each cutting pattern. The display unit includes a photographed image display unit that displays a photographed image being photographed by the photographing unit, a thumbnail image display unit that calls out at least one of the stored images including the alignment criterion specified by the alignment criterion specifying unit from the storage unit and displays it as a thumbnail image, and a selected image display unit that displays a selected image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image among the thumbnail images together with the photographed image.

[0009] The above-described cutting machine can store, as a stored image, an image including the alignment reference photographed for each alignment reference set on the sheet material in the storage unit. Here, as the alignment reference, for example, various features that can identify the position of the pattern on the sheet material, such as feature points of the pattern itself (intersection points of the pattern, etc.), markings, or punching, can be used. Among the stored images stored in the storage unit, at least one stored image including the alignment reference specified by the alignment reference specifying unit is called as a thumbnail image and displayed on the thumbnail image display unit. Further, the selected image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image among the displayed thumbnail images can be displayed on the selected image display unit together with the photographed image displayed on the photographed image display unit. That is, the above-described cutting machine can call the photographed image related to the previously aligned alignment reference from the storage unit and display it as a thumbnail image. Further, the above-described cutting machine can, by selecting the thumbnail image related to the necessary alignment reference, call the stored image related to the previously aligned alignment reference as a selected image and display it on the selected image display unit so as to be comparable. Thereby, the above-described cutting machine can significantly reduce the work load of the operator. Moreover, since the above-described cutting machine allows the operator to perform alignment related to pattern alignment while comparing the photographed image and the selected image, accurate alignment can be performed.

[0010] The cutting method of the present invention provided to solve the above problems is a cutting method in a cutting machine that cuts a sheet material along a preset cutting pattern. The cutting machine is provided with a photographing unit that photographs the sheet material, a cutting unit that cuts the sheet material along the cutting pattern, a storage unit that stores the image photographed by the photographing unit, and a display unit that displays the image. A virtual alignment reference setting step of presetting a virtual alignment reference on the cutting pattern, an alignment reference setting step of setting a plurality of alignment references on the sheet material for each cutting pattern, and a photographing image acquisition step of photographing, by the photographing unit, an image including one of the plurality of alignment references for each alignment reference, an image storage step of storing, in the storage unit as a stored image, the image acquired in the photographing image acquisition step for each alignment reference, a photographing image display step of displaying the photographed image photographed in the photographing image acquisition step on the display unit, a thumbnail image display step of calling out at least one image including the alignment reference specified from among the plurality of alignment references from the storage unit and displaying it as a thumbnail image, a selected image display step of displaying, as a selected image, the stored image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image among the thumbnail images in comparison with the photographed image displayed on the display unit, an alignment step of moving the photographing unit so as to align the alignment reference in the photographed image with the virtual alignment reference in the photographed image, and a cutting step of performing cutting of the cutting pattern on the condition that alignment of all the alignment references in the cutting pattern is completed in the alignment step.

[0011] The cutting program of the present invention provided to solve the above-described problems is a cutting program for controlling a cutting machine that cuts a sheet material along a preset cutting pattern, and in the cutting pattern, a virtual pattern matching reference setting step of presetting a virtual pattern matching reference virtually in advance, a pattern matching reference setting step of setting a plurality of pattern matching references for the sheet material for each cutting pattern, a photographed image acquisition step of photographing, for each pattern matching reference, an image including one pattern matching reference among the plurality of pattern matching references set for the sheet material by a photographing unit provided in the cutting machine, an image storage step of storing, as a stored image, the image acquired in the photographed image acquisition step in a storage unit for each pattern matching reference, a photographed image display step of displaying the photographed image photographed in the photographed image acquisition step on a display unit in the cutting machine, a thumbnail image display step of calling out at least one image including one pattern matching reference designated from among the plurality of pattern matching references from the storage unit and displaying it as a thumbnail image, a selected image display step of displaying, as a selected image, the stored image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image among the thumbnail images in comparison with the photographed image displayed on the display unit, an alignment step of controlling the movement of the photographing unit so as to align the pattern matching reference in the photographed image with the virtual pattern matching reference in the photographed image, and a cutting step of performing cutting control of the cutting pattern on the condition that the alignment of all the pattern matching references in the cutting pattern is completed in the alignment step.

[0012] By incorporating the above cutting program into a sheet material cutting machine, it is possible to achieve efficient and accurate cutting of the sheet material. The above cutting program can set a virtual pattern matching standard within the virtual cutting pattern in terms of design through the virtual pattern matching standard setting step. Here, the design of the cutting pattern and the virtual pattern matching standard setting step may be performed, for example, using CAD or the like. Also, the above cutting program can set a pattern matching standard corresponding to the cutting pattern for the sheet material to be cut through the pattern matching standard setting step. Here, as the pattern matching standard, various things that can identify the position of the pattern on the sheet material, such as characteristic points of the pattern itself (for example, intersections of the pattern), markings, or registration marks, can be used.

[0013] In addition, the above cutting program can store the image for each pattern matching standard obtained in the photographed image acquisition step as a stored image in the storage unit in the image storage step. Thereby, the image related to the previously matched pattern matching standard can be left as a stored image. Here, it is preferable to store the stored images for each cutting pattern and for each pattern matching standard. Thereby, the above cutting program can systematically manage the stored images related to the necessary pattern matching standards. Also, since the above cutting program can call the stored image and display it as a thumbnail image through the thumbnail image display step, an operator can easily find the stored image including the necessary pattern matching standard.

[0014] In addition, the above-described cutting program can display, as a selected image, a stored image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image among the thumbnail images by comparing it with the captured image in the selected image display step. As a result, in the alignment step, the operator can easily align the pattern alignment reference with the virtual pattern alignment reference in the captured image while referring to the selected image. Therefore, the above-described cutting program can reduce the work burden on the operator. When the above-described alignment step is completed, the cutting step is executed and the cut parts based on the cutting pattern are cut out. Thus, the above-described cutting program can appropriately cut the cut parts with the pattern arranged by being incorporated into the cutting machine.

Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cutting machine, a cutting method, and a cutting program that can easily perform pattern alignment of a patterned sheet material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the cutting machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each figure is schematically shown for easy understanding, and it should be noted that the actual shape, size, and arrangement of components may be different.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting machine 1 includes a rectangular main body frame 2, a cutting table 3 horizontally provided on the main body frame 2, a Y beam 4 spanned over the cutting table 3, a cutting head 5, and an information processing device 20. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in addition to the above, the cutting machine 1 includes a cutting blade 50 (also referred to as a cutting unit 50), a photographing unit 10, an alignment reference specifying unit 15, a display unit 30, a storage unit 40, a control unit 6, and the like. In this embodiment, the cutting blade 50 and the photographing unit 10 are provided on the cutting head 5, and the alignment reference specifying unit 15, the display unit 30, and the storage unit 40 are provided in the information processing device 20.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the main body frame 2 has a suction box (not shown), and a blower or the like is connected to the suction box. Thereby, the suction box is configured to generate a suction force on the cutting table 3. The cutting table 3 has bristles 3a laid thereon to form a table surface, and a sheet material S to be cut is laminated and placed on the table surface. Further, the cutting table 3 can adsorb and hold the sheet material S on the table surface by operating a blower. When the sheet material S is a breathable material, the suction force of the cutting table 3 can be maintained by covering the sheet material S with a nylon sheet NS. Note that, if necessary, an airtight cover may be covered on the cutting parts in synchronization with the movement of the cutting head 5. Further, at the end of the cutting table 3, pickup claws 7 are provided to prevent entrainment when discharging the cutting parts.

[0020] On both sides along the X direction of the cutting table 3, moving frames 8, 8 that are movable along the X direction are erected by appropriate drive sources (not shown). A Y beam 4 is suspended between the two moving frames 8, 8. The Y beam 4 is configured to move along the X direction by driving the two moving frames 8, 8 by an appropriate drive source (not shown).

[0021] A plurality of rails 9 are laid along the Y direction of the Y beam 4, and a cutting head 5 is movably provided on the rails 9. The cutting head 5 can move freely along the rails 9 by an appropriate drive source (not shown).

[0022] The cutting head 5 includes a cutting blade 50 (also referred to as a cutting portion 50) that is given vertical movement by an appropriate drive source (not shown), a sheet presser 51 (see FIG. 2) that presses the sheet material S around the cutting blade 50, a photographing unit 10 that photographs the pattern 60 of the sheet material S, and the like.

[0023] The cutting blade 50 penetrates the sheet material S extended on the cutting table 3 and cuts the sheet material S along a preset (designed) cutting pattern P as the cutting head 5 moves while moving up and down. In this embodiment, the cutting blade 50 is used as the cutting portion 50, but it is also possible to use, for example, a laser cutter or an ultrasonic cutter instead of the cutting blade 50.

[0024] Here, the sheet material S to be cut in this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, a pattern 60 is formed, and a virtual cutting pattern Pv (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a cutting pattern P) designed in advance by CAD or the like is arranged on the laminated sheet material S. In the drawing, for ease of understanding, a part of the sheet material S is cut out and drawn, and it should be noted that the cutting pattern P is also drawn with an interval from the actual one. A plurality of cutting patterns P are each set with, for example, a management number or the like and are managed for each cutting pattern P. Further, a plurality of virtual alignment references 61 (also referred to as virtual alignment points 61) corresponding to the alignment reference 65 are set for each cutting pattern P. A plurality of virtual alignment references 61 are each set with, for example, a management number or the like and are managed for each virtual alignment reference 61. Also, although details will be described later, by aligning (matching) the virtual alignment references 61 set for each cutting pattern P with the corresponding alignment references 65 of the sheet material S respectively, cutting data for cutting is determined.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing unit 10 is fixed to the support frame 52 of the cutting head 5 and can move integrally with the cutting head 5. The photographing unit 10 is composed of, for example, a camera and can photograph the sheet material S placed on the cutting table 3 from above. The photographing unit 10 can photograph at least a part of the sheet material S by moving the cutting head 5. Although details will be described later, the photographing unit 10 can photograph (acquire) an image including the alignment reference 65 set for the pattern 60 of the sheet material S as a photographed image 31p (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 20 is connected to the control unit 6 and transfers the cutting data related to the cutting pattern P (see FIG. 5) designed in advance to the control unit 6 when the cutting data is input. The cutting data includes virtual alignment references 61 corresponding to the alignment reference 65 to be described later and the like. The information processing device 20 is provided with an alignment reference designating unit 15, a display unit 30, a storage unit 40, and the like.

[0027] The storage unit 40 is composed of a storage memory (including an SSD), a hard disk, etc., and can store a predetermined captured image 31p. In the pattern matching described later, the storage unit 40 can store, as a stored image 40p, the captured image 31p including the pattern matching reference 65 for which the pattern matching has been completed. Further, the storage unit 40 can also store the stored image 40p after reducing it and making it into a thumbnail image 33p.

[0028] The pattern matching reference specifying unit 15 is for specifying at least one of a plurality of pattern matching references 65 set for each cutting pattern P. In other words, the pattern matching reference specifying unit 15 specifies (selects) one of the plurality of cutting patterns P, and thereby specifies (selects) at least one of the plurality of pattern matching references 65 included in the specified cutting pattern P. The image including the pattern matching reference 65 specified by the pattern matching reference specifying unit 15 can be called from the storage unit 40 and displayed as a thumbnail image 33p (stored image 40p, captured image 31p) on the thumbnail image display unit 33 described later.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 30 includes a captured image display unit 31, a thumbnail image display unit 33, a selected image display unit 35, etc.

[0030] The photographed image display unit 31 can display the sheet material S being photographed by the photographing unit 10 in real time as a photographed image 31p. That is, the image data related to the photographed image 31p photographed by the photographing unit 10 is transferred to the information processing device 20 and displayed on the photographed image display unit 31. Further, the photographed image display unit 31 can display a virtual alignment reference 61 (also referred to as a virtual alignment point 61) superimposed on the center of the photographed image 31p. Here, the virtual alignment reference 61 is set to coincide with the center of the photographing unit 10. Therefore, the coordinates of the virtual alignment reference 61 can be obtained from the coordinates of the cutting head 5. Further, since the virtual alignment reference 61 is set (arranged) in the virtual cutting pattern Pv (cutting pattern P), by aligning the virtual alignment reference 61 with the alignment reference 65 of the sheet material S, the cutting pattern P can be arranged on the sheet material S. Further, the photographed image display unit 31 can display the photographed image 31p enlarged or reduced as needed.

[0031] In addition, in the present embodiment, an operation sub-image display unit 37 is arranged to the right of the photographed image display unit 31. The sub-image display unit 37 can display, for example, the whole of the selected cutting pattern P reduced as a virtual cutting pattern Pv. Further, an appropriate operation unit 38 is provided below the sub-image display unit 37, and by the operator operating it, various operations such as selection of the cutting pattern P, designation of the alignment reference 65 in the alignment reference designation unit 15, movement (alignment) of the photographing unit 10, and selection of the selected image 35p can be performed.

[0032] In this embodiment, the thumbnail image display unit 33 is disposed below the selected image display unit 35 and is smaller in size than the selected image display unit 35. The thumbnail image display unit 33 can call at least one image including the alignment reference 65 specified by the pattern alignment reference specifying unit 15 from the storage unit 40 and display it as a thumbnail image 33p. Specifically, a stored image 40p or a captured image 31p called from the storage unit 40 is displayed as the thumbnail image 33p on the thumbnail image display unit 33. Management numbers and the like are assigned to each of the plurality of thumbnail images 33p for each corresponding alignment reference 65. Therefore, an operator can select one of the plurality of thumbnail images 33p based on the management number and the like. Specifically, a selection frame is displayed on the thumbnail image display unit 33, and when the operator positions the selection frame on the thumbnail image 33p, the thumbnail image 33p within the selection frame is selected.

[0033] The selected image display unit 35 is provided, for example, above the thumbnail image display unit 33 as shown in the figure. The selected image display unit 35 can display a selected image 35p (stored image 40p) corresponding to one thumbnail image 33p selected from among the plurality of thumbnail images 33p. Also, in this embodiment, the selected image display unit 35 is arranged side by side with the captured image display unit 31 as shown in FIG. 3, for example, and the selected image 35p can be displayed side by side with the captured image 31p. Thereby, an operator can perform the alignment work while comparing the selected image 35p and the captured image 31p. Further, the selected image display unit 35 can display the selected image 35p in an enlarged or reduced manner as needed.

[0034] After the alignment (positioning) of each alignment reference 65 and each virtual alignment reference 61 is completed, the control unit 6 (see FIG. 3) arranges a cutting pattern P on the sheet material S based on the cutting data transferred from the information processing apparatus 20. The control unit 6 is configured to control the cutting in the cutting machine 1 based on the cutting data related to the arranged cutting pattern P. Thereby, cut parts based on the cutting pattern P are formed by cutting.

[0035] The above is the configuration of the cutting machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Next, the cutting method using the cutting machine 1 will be described in detail below.

[0036] In the cutting method of the present invention, the cutting machine 1 having the above-described photographing unit 10, cutting blade 50 (cutting unit 50), storage unit 40, and display unit 30 is used.

[0037] In the cutting method of the present invention, a virtual pattern alignment reference setting step of setting a virtual pattern alignment reference 61 in advance on the cutting pattern P is executed. In the virtual pattern alignment reference setting step, a virtual pattern alignment reference 61 in the virtual (design) is set in order to assign the pattern 60 to the virtual cutting pattern P in the design. Further, a pattern alignment reference setting step of setting a plurality of pattern alignment references 65 on the sheet material S for each cutting pattern P is executed.

[0038] Subsequently, a photographed image acquisition step of photographing, by the photographing unit 10, an image including one of the plurality of pattern alignment references 65 for each pattern alignment reference 65, and an image storage step of storing, in the storage unit 40 as a stored image 40p, the image acquired in the photographed image acquisition step for each pattern alignment reference 65 are executed.

[0039] Subsequently, a photographed image display step of displaying the photographed image 31p photographed in the photographed image acquisition step on the display unit 30 is executed. When the photographed image acquisition step is completed, a thumbnail image display step of calling at least one stored image 40p including the pattern alignment reference 65 designated from among the plurality of pattern alignment references 65 from the storage unit 40 and displaying it as a thumbnail image 33p is executed. The management number (file name), etc. given for each pattern alignment reference 65 as described above is also displayed on the thumbnail image 33p.

[0040] Subsequently, a selection image display step is executed to display a stored image 40p corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 33p out of the 33 thumbnail images as a selection image 35p by comparing it with the captured image 31p displayed on the display unit 30. Also, in the captured image 31p displayed on the display unit 30, an alignment step is executed to move the imaging unit 10 so as to align the alignment reference 65 in the captured image 31p with the virtual alignment reference 61. In the alignment step, when the alignment of all the alignment references in the cutting pattern is completed, the cutting pattern P is arranged at the proper position, and a cutting step of cutting the cutting pattern P is executed.

[0041] The above is a cutting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, the cutting program of the present invention is a program configured to be executable by the cutting machine 1 for the above-described cutting method. That is, the cutting program constitutes a program for controlling the cutting machine 1 that cuts the sheet material S along a preset cutting pattern P.

[0042] The cutting program is configured to execute a virtual alignment reference setting step, an alignment reference setting step, a captured image acquisition step, an image storage step, a captured image display step, a thumbnail image display step, a selection image display step, an alignment step, and a cutting step, similar to the above-described cutting method. Since the processing executed in each step is the same as the processing described in the above cutting method, detailed description is omitted.

[0043] The above is an embodiment of the cutting machine 1, the cutting method, and the cutting program of the present invention. Next, the operational effects achieved by the cutting machine 1 of the present invention will be described below.

[0044] The above-described cutting machine 1 has the following characteristic configurations (A) to (E). Therefore, the cutting machine 1 can achieve unique effects that cannot be achieved by the following prior art.

[0045] (A) The cutting machine 1 of the above-described embodiment is a cutting machine 1 that cuts a sheet material S along a preset cutting pattern P. The cutting machine 1 includes a photographing unit 10 that can photograph an image including one of a plurality of alignment standards 65 set for the sheet material S for each cutting pattern P for each alignment standard 65, a storage unit 40 that stores the image photographed by the photographing unit 10 as a stored image 40p for each alignment standard 65, a display unit 30 that can display the image, and an alignment standard designating unit 15 that designates at least one of the plurality of alignment standards 65 for each cutting pattern P. The display unit 30 includes a photographed image display unit 31 that displays a photographed image 31p being photographed by the photographing unit 10, a thumbnail image display unit 33 that calls out at least one image including the alignment standard 65 designated by the alignment standard designating unit 15 from the storage unit 40 and displays it as a thumbnail image 33p, and a selected image display unit 35 that displays a selected image 35p corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 33p among the thumbnail images 33p together with the photographed image 31p.

[0046] The above-described cutting machine 1 can store, as a stored image 40p, an image including the alignment reference 65 photographed every alignment reference 65 set for the sheet material S in the storage unit 40. Here, as the alignment reference 65, various things that can specify the position of the pattern 60 on the sheet material S can be used, such as the feature points of the pattern 60 itself (such as the intersections of the pattern 60), markings, or eye marks. Among the stored images 40p stored in the storage unit 40, at least one stored image 40p including the alignment reference 65 specified by the alignment reference specifying unit 15 is called as a thumbnail image 33p and displayed on the thumbnail image display unit 33. Further, the selected image 35p corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 33p among the displayed thumbnail images 33p can be displayed on the selected image display unit 35 together with the photographed image 31p displayed on the photographed image display unit 31. That is, the above-described cutting machine 1 can display the photographed image 31p related to the previously aligned alignment reference 65 as a thumbnail image 33p. Further, the above-described cutting machine 1 can call the stored image 40p related to the previously aligned alignment reference 65 as the selected image 35p and display it on the selected image display unit 35 by selecting the thumbnail image 33p related to the necessary alignment reference 65. Thereby, the above-described cutting machine 1 can significantly reduce the work burden on the operator. Moreover, in the above-described cutting machine 1, the operator can perform alignment related to alignment while comparing the photographed image 31p and the selected image 35p, so that highly accurate alignment can be performed. That is, the alignment work related to alignment, which used to be a skilled work requiring experience, can be easily performed while checking the balance between parts, and the accuracy of cutting the parts can be ensured. As a result, during sewing, a beautiful finish without a sense of incongruity with the continuity of the pattern (for example, a linear pattern) between the parts can be realized.

[0047] (B) In the cutting machine 1 of the above-described embodiment, either one or both of the photographed image 31p and the selected image 35p can be enlarged or reduced within a predetermined range.

[0048] By adopting such a configuration, the above-described cutting machine 1 can freely change the layout of the photographed image 31p and the selected image 35p. Further, the above-described cutting machine 1 can, for example, carefully check the alignment reference 65 for alignment when enlarging either one or both of the photographed image 31p and the selected image 35p, so that highly accurate alignment can be performed. Further, the above-described cutting machine 1 can display, for example, including the periphery of the alignment reference 65 when reducing either one or both of the photographed image 31p and the selected image 35p, so that it becomes easy to find the position of the alignment reference 65.

[0049] (C) The cutting machine 1 of the above-described embodiment includes a cutting head 5 that is movable along the cutting pattern P, and the photographing unit 10 is mounted on the cutting head 5 and is movable together with the cutting head 5.

[0050] By adopting such a configuration, the above-described cutting machine 1 can move the photographing unit 10 together with the cutting head 5, so that the drive source for driving the photographing unit 10 can be shared with the drive source of the cutting head 5. Thereby, the above-described cutting machine 1 can reduce costs. Further, the above-described cutting machine 1 can acquire the position coordinates of the photographing unit 10 by using the position coordinates of the cutting head 5, so that the positional deviation of the cutting pattern P due to the conversion of the position coordinates can be reduced.

[0051] (D) The cutting machine 1 of the above-described embodiment is characterized in that the stored image 40p is erased after setting the cutting pattern P on the sheet material S or after completion of cutting the sheet material S.

[0052] By adopting such a configuration, the above-described cutting machine 1 can suppress the increase in unnecessary stored images 40p and the compression of the storage area of the storage unit 40. Further, the above-described cutting machine 1 does not increase the storage capacity of the storage unit 40 more than necessary, so cost reduction can be expected.

[0053] (E) In the cutting machine 1 of the above-described embodiment, a plurality of virtual pattern alignment references 61 are set in advance in the cutting pattern P, and the display unit 30 can display the virtual pattern alignment reference 61 superimposed on at least one of the selection image 35p and the captured image 31p.

[0054] With such a configuration, the above-described cutting machine 1 can display the virtual pattern alignment reference 61 superimposed on the captured image 31p during shooting on the display unit 30. Thereby, the operator can align the virtual pattern alignment reference 61 with the pattern alignment reference 65 in the captured image 31p while operating the imaging unit 10 in real time. Therefore, the above-described cutting machine 1 can further reduce the work load of the operator. Furthermore, since the above-described cutting machine 1 can display the virtual pattern alignment reference 61 superimposed on the selection image 35p when the pattern alignment was performed previously, the comparison between the selection image 35p and the captured image 31p can be easily performed.

[0055] The above are the features and effects of the cutting machine 1 of the present invention. Next, the features and effects of the cutting method and the cutting program of the present invention will be described. The cutting method of the present invention has the following characteristic configuration as in (F) below. Also, the cutting program of the present invention has the following characteristic configuration as in (G) below. Therefore, the cutting method and the cutting program of the present invention can achieve unique effects that cannot be achieved by the following prior art.

[0056] (F) The cutting method of the above-described embodiment is a cutting method in a cutting machine 1 that cuts a sheet material S along a preset cutting pattern P. The cutting machine 1 is provided with a photographing unit 10 that photographs the sheet material S, a cutting unit 50 that cuts the sheet material S along the cutting pattern P, a storage unit 40 that stores the image photographed by the photographing unit 10, and a display unit 30 that displays the image. The cutting pattern P is provided with a virtual alignment reference 61 setting step of presetting a virtual alignment reference 61 in advance, an alignment reference setting step of setting a plurality of alignment references 65 on the sheet material S for each cutting pattern P, a photographed image acquisition step of photographing, by the photographing unit 10, an image including one alignment reference 65 among the plurality of alignment references 65 for each alignment reference 65, an image storage step of storing, in the storage unit 40 as a stored image 40p, the image acquired in the photographed image acquisition step for each alignment reference 65, a photographed image display step of displaying the photographed image 31p photographed in the photographed image acquisition step on the display unit 30, a thumbnail image display step of calling out at least one image including the alignment reference 65 specified from among the plurality of alignment references 65 from the storage unit 40 and displaying it as a thumbnail image 33p, a selected image display step of displaying, as a selected image 35p, the stored image 40p corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 33p among the thumbnail images 33p in comparison with the photographed image 31p displayed on the display unit 30, an alignment step of moving the photographing unit 10 so as to align the alignment reference 65 in the photographed image 31p with the virtual alignment reference 61, and a cutting step of performing cutting of the cutting pattern P on the condition that alignment of all the alignment references 65 in the cutting pattern P is completed in the alignment step.

[0057] The above-described cutting method can set the virtual pattern matching standard 65 within the virtual cutting pattern Pv in the design by the virtual pattern matching standard setting step. Here, the design of the cutting pattern P and the virtual pattern matching standard setting step may be performed, for example, using CAD or the like. Also, the above-described cutting method can set the pattern matching standard 65 corresponding to the cutting pattern P on the sheet material S to be cut by the pattern matching standard setting step. Here, as the pattern matching standard 65, various means that can specify the position of the pattern 60 on the sheet material S, such as marking, spotting, or the characteristic points of the pattern 60 itself, can be used.

[0058] Also, the above-described cutting method can store, in the storage unit 40 as the stored image 40p, the images for each pattern matching standard 65 obtained in the photographed image acquisition step in the image storage step. Thereby, the image related to the previously matched pattern matching standard 65 can be left as the stored image 40p. Here, the stored image 40p is preferably stored for each cutting pattern P and for each pattern matching standard 65. Thereby, the above-described cutting method can systematically manage the stored images 40p related to the necessary pattern matching standards 65. Also, the above-described cutting method can call the stored image 40p by the thumbnail image display step and display it as the thumbnail image 33p, so that the operator can easily find the stored image 40p including the necessary pattern matching standard 65.

[0059] Also, the above-described cutting method can display, by the selected image display step, the stored image 40p corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 33p among the thumbnail images 33p as the selected image 35p in comparison with the photographed image 31p. Thereby, in the alignment step, the operator can easily align the pattern matching standard 65 with the virtual pattern matching standard 61 in the photographed image 31p while referring to the selected image 35p. Therefore, the above-described cutting method can reduce the work burden on the operator. When the above-described alignment step is completed, the cutting step is executed and the cut parts based on the cutting pattern P are cut out. Thereby, the cutting of the cut parts with the pattern 60 appropriately arranged can be performed.

[0060] (G) The cutting program of the above-described embodiment is a cutting program for controlling a cutting machine 1 that cuts a sheet material S along a preset cutting pattern P. In the cutting pattern P, a virtual pattern alignment reference setting step of presetting a virtual pattern alignment reference 61 virtually in advance, a pattern alignment reference 65 setting step of setting a plurality of pattern alignment references 65 on the sheet material S for each cutting pattern P, a photographing image acquisition step of photographing, for each pattern alignment reference 65, an image including one pattern alignment reference 65 among the plurality of pattern alignment references 65 set on the sheet material S by a photographing unit 10 provided in the cutting machine 1, an image storage step of storing, as a stored image 40p in a storage unit 40, the image acquired in the photographing image acquisition step for each pattern alignment reference 65, a photographing image display step of displaying the photographed image 31p photographed in the photographing image acquisition step on a display unit 30 in the cutting machine 1, a thumbnail image display step of calling out at least one image including one pattern alignment reference 65 designated from among the plurality of pattern alignment references 65 from the storage unit 40 and displaying it as a thumbnail image 33p, a selected image display step of displaying, as a selected image 35p, the stored image 40p corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 33p among the thumbnail images 33p in comparison with the photographed image 31p displayed on the display unit 30, an alignment step of controlling the movement of the photographing unit 10 so as to align the pattern alignment reference 65 in the photographed image 31p with the virtual pattern alignment reference 61 in the photographed image 31p displayed on the display unit 30, and a cutting step of performing cutting control of the cutting pattern P on the condition that the alignment of all the pattern alignment references 65 in the cutting pattern P is completed in the alignment step. It is characterized by performing the above steps.

[0061] By incorporating the above cutting program into the cutting machine 1 for the sheet material S, it is possible to achieve efficient and accurate cutting of the sheet material S. The above cutting program can set a virtual alignment reference within the virtual cutting pattern Pv in terms of design through the virtual alignment reference setting step. Here, the design of the cutting pattern P and the virtual alignment reference 61 setting step may be performed using, for example, CAD or the like. Also, the above cutting program can set an alignment reference 65 corresponding to the cutting pattern P for the sheet material S to be cut through the alignment reference 65 setting step. Here, as the alignment reference 65, various means that can identify the position of the pattern 60 on the sheet material S, such as characteristic points of the pattern 60 itself (for example, intersections of the pattern 60), markings, or punching, can be used.

[0062] Also, the above cutting program can store, in the storage unit 40 as a stored image 40p, the image for each alignment reference 65 obtained in the photographed image acquisition step in the image storage step. Thereby, the image related to the previously aligned alignment reference 65 can be left as the stored image 40p. Here, it is preferable to store the stored image 40p for each cutting pattern P and for each alignment reference 65. Thereby, the above cutting program can systematically manage the stored images 40p related to the necessary alignment references 65. Also, since the above cutting program can call the stored image 40p and display it as a thumbnail image 33p through the thumbnail image display step, the operator can easily find the stored image 40p including the necessary alignment reference 65.

[0063] In addition, the above-described cutting program can display, as a selected image 35p, a stored image 40p corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 33p among the thumbnail images 33p by comparing it with the photographed image 31p in the selected image display step. As a result, in the alignment step, the operator can easily align the pattern alignment reference 65 with the virtual pattern alignment reference 61 in the photographed image 31p with reference to the selected image 35p. Therefore, the above-described cutting program can reduce the work load on the operator. When the above-described alignment step is completed, the cutting step is executed and the cut parts based on the cutting pattern P are cut out. Thus, the above-described cutting program can appropriately cut the cut parts in which the pattern 60 is arranged by being incorporated into the cutting machine 1.

[0064] The above is the configuration, operation, and effects of the embodiment of the present invention. However, the cutting machine 1, cutting method, and cutting program of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] In this embodiment, the sheet material S having the lattice-shaped pattern 60 formed thereon is used as the object to be cut. However, the sheet material S can be not only one having the lattice-shaped pattern 60 but also one having various patterns 60. Further, the pattern 60 can be not only linear but also various types such as those in which the coloring is formed in a gradation shape and those having a plurality of colorings. In this embodiment, an example in which a plurality of sheet materials S are laminated is shown, but a single-layer one may also be used. Further, the sheet material S may be not only a flexible and stretchable material but also a material having a relatively stable shape such as a resin sheet.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, the cutting blade 50 is used as the cutting unit 50, but various means such as a laser cutter can be used for the cutting unit 50. Further, in this embodiment, as the alignment reference 65, an example is given of using the lattice points of the pattern 60, but the alignment reference 65 is not limited to using the pattern 60 itself, and may be formed by, for example, marking or spotting. In the case where damage to the sheet material S is a concern, various characteristic points of the pattern 60 (for example, lattice points or bends in the line) may be used, or erasable markings or those that emit light upon irradiation with ultraviolet rays or the like may be used.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, the imaging unit 10 is moved together with the cutting head 5, but the moving means of the imaging unit 10 is not limited to this, and various means can be used. For example, the imaging unit 10 may move independently of the cutting head 5, or a plurality of imaging units 10 may be provided so as to be fixed or movable. In such a case, it is preferable to synchronize the coordinates obtained by the imaging unit 10 with the coordinates on the cutting head 5 side. Further, various means such as a camera that can image the sheet material S and the portion related to the alignment reference 65 can be used for the imaging unit 10.

[0068] In addition, for the storage unit 40, various types of devices such as a storage memory (including SSD) and a hard disk can be used. In addition to those built into the information processing apparatus 20, those externally mounted can also be used. Further, the display unit 30 can use various display means such as a liquid crystal display, and the layouts, sizes, etc. of the photographed image display unit 31, the thumbnail image display unit 33, and the selected image display unit 35 in the display unit 30 can be changed to various modes. Further, the photographed image 31p, the thumbnail image 33p, and the selected image 35p may be configured to be appropriately enlarged or reduced as necessary. Further, as long as the pattern matching reference designating unit 15 can designate at least one of the pattern matching references 65 to be displayed, various designation methods can be used. In the present embodiment, although the thumbnail image 33p is displayed by reducing the photographed image 31p (selected image 35p), the thumbnail image 33p does not necessarily have to be a reduced version of the photographed image 31p as long as an image including the corresponding pattern matching reference 65 can be selected.

[0069] In the present embodiment, an example is given in which the stored image 40p is erased after setting the cutting pattern P on the sheet material S or after completion of cutting the sheet material S. However, the stored image 40p may be erased as necessary. For example, when cutting a sheet material S made of a material with a stable shape, the stored image 40p may not be erased.

[0070] In the present embodiment, a plurality of virtual pattern matching references 61 are set in advance in the cutting pattern P, and an example is given in which the display unit 30 can superimpose and display the virtual pattern matching reference 65 on at least one of the selected image 35p and the photographed image 31p. However, as long as the selected image 35p and the photographed image 31p can be compared and alignment can be performed, various means can be used. Further, various steps in the cutting method and the cutting program are not limited to being sequentially executed, and the order may be appropriately reversed as long as there is no contradiction in the operation.

[0071] The above are various embodiments and modifications of the cutting machine, cutting method, and cutting program according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to those exemplified in the above-described embodiments and modifications, and it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that there may be other embodiments within the scope of the teachings and spirit without departing from the scope of the claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0072] The present invention can be suitably used in general cutting machines for cutting various sheet materials. Further, the present invention can be suitably used in various cutting methods of sheet materials using a cutting machine and a cutting program used in a cutting machine.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 1: Cutting machine 10: Photographing unit 15: Alignment reference specifying unit 20: Information processing device 30: Display unit 31: Photographed image display unit 31p: Photographed image 33: Thumbnail image display unit 33p: Thumbnail image 35: Selected image display unit 35p: Selected image 40: Storage unit 40p: Stored image 50: Cutting blade (cutting unit) 60: Pattern 61: Virtual alignment reference (virtual alignment point) 65: Alignment reference (alignment point) P: Cutting pattern S: Sheet material

Claims

1. A cutting machine for cutting a sheet material along a preset cutting pattern, comprising: a photographing unit capable of photographing an image including one of a plurality of alignment criteria set for the sheet material for each cutting pattern, for each alignment criterion; a storage unit for storing, as a stored image, the image photographed by the photographing unit for each alignment criterion; a display unit capable of displaying the image; an alignment criterion specifying unit for specifying at least one of the plurality of alignment criteria for each cutting pattern; and comprising: the display unit: a photographed image display unit for displaying a photographed image being photographed by the photographing unit; a thumbnail image display unit for calling out at least one of the stored images including the alignment criterion specified by the alignment criterion specifying unit from the storage unit and displaying it as a thumbnail image; and a selected image display unit for displaying a selected image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image among the thumbnail images together with the photographed image. The cutting machine is characterized by this.

2. The cutting machine according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the photographed image and the selected image are capable of being enlarged or reduced within a predetermined range.

3. Comprising a cutting head movable along the cutting pattern, wherein the photographing unit is mounted on the cutting head and is movable together with the cutting head. The cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized by this.

4. The cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stored image is erased after the cutting pattern is set on the sheet material or after the cutting of the sheet material is completed.

5. A plurality of virtual alignment criteria are set in advance in the cutting pattern, wherein the display unit is capable of superimposing and displaying the virtual alignment criterion on at least one of the selected image and the photographed image. The cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized by this.

6. A cutting method in a cutting machine for cutting a sheet material along a preset cutting pattern, comprising: in the cutting machine: a photographing unit for photographing the sheet material; a cutting unit for cutting the sheet material along the cutting pattern; a storage unit for storing the image photographed by the photographing unit; a display unit for displaying the image; and provided with: a virtual alignment criterion setting step of setting a virtual alignment criterion in advance on the cutting pattern; an alignment criterion setting step of setting a plurality of alignment criteria for the sheet material for each cutting pattern; An imaging image acquisition step of imaging, by the imaging unit, an image including one of the plurality of alignment criteria for each alignment criterion; An image storage step of storing, for each alignment criterion, the image acquired in the imaging image acquisition step as a stored image in the storage unit; An imaging image display step of causing the display unit to display the imaging image captured in the imaging image acquisition step; A thumbnail image display step of calling at least one of the stored images including a specified alignment criterion from among the plurality of alignment criteria from the storage unit and displaying the same as a thumbnail image; A selected image display step of displaying, as a selected image, the stored image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image among the thumbnail images in comparison with the imaging image displayed on the display unit; An alignment step of moving the imaging unit so as to align the alignment criterion in the imaging image with the virtual alignment criterion in the imaging image displayed on the display unit; A cutting step of cutting the cutting pattern on the condition that alignment of all alignment criteria in the cutting pattern is completed in the alignment step; A cutting method characterized by executing the above steps.

7. A cutting program for controlling a cutting machine that cuts a sheet material along a preset cutting pattern, A virtual alignment criterion setting step of setting a virtual alignment criterion in the virtual space in advance for the cutting pattern; An alignment criterion setting step of setting a plurality of alignment criteria for the sheet material for each cutting pattern; An imaging image acquisition step of imaging, by an imaging unit provided in the cutting machine, an image including one of the plurality of alignment criteria set for the sheet material for each alignment criterion; An image storage step of storing, for each alignment criterion, the image acquired in the imaging image acquisition step as a stored image in a storage unit; An imaging image display step of causing a display unit in the cutting machine to display the imaging image captured in the imaging image acquisition step; A thumbnail image display step of calling at least one of the stored images including a specified alignment criterion from among the plurality of alignment criteria from the storage unit and displaying the same as a thumbnail image; A selection image display step of displaying, as a selection image, the stored image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image among the thumbnail images by comparing it with the photographed image displayed on the display unit; An alignment step of controlling the movement of the photographing unit so as to align the pattern matching reference and the virtual pattern matching reference in the photographed image in the photographed image displayed on the display unit; A cutting step of performing cutting control of the cutting pattern on the condition that the alignment of all the pattern matching references in the cutting pattern is completed in the alignment step; A cutting program characterized by executing the above.

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