Cutting device, cutting support method and program

Abstract

To perform cutting so that cutout can be easily made and also suppress the cutout from looking horrible, in performing cutting on the basis of a predetermined design of cutout.SOLUTION: When cut design CD in cut data whose input has been received is cutout design which has a corner part C in which an angle formed by two adjacent straight lines is a predetermined angle or more and in which at least either of the two straight lines forming the corner part C is set to have a predetermined length or more as a specific straight line SL, an MPU 11 sets a position on the specific straight line SL, which is away at least by a predetermined length from the corner part C along the specific straight line SL, to a pressure-welding start position P1 for a cutter blade 31, and also sets the corner part C at a pressure-welding ending position P2 for the cutter blade 31, so that at least the predetermined length is added to a length corresponding to the circumference of a cut line CL in order for the cutter blade 31 to perform cutting along the cut line CL.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting device, a cutting support method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a cutting device that performs a desired cutting process on a cutting object by moving a cutter blade and the cutting object relatively. For example, in the cutting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when cutting out a closed shape from the cutting object (cutting object) where the cutting start point and the cutting end point are coincident, if the positions of the cutting start point and the cutting end point are at a specific position on the cutting line (for example, an intersection of the sides of a polygon), the positions of the cutting start point and the cutting end point are changed to a position on the cutting line other than the specific position, so that the cutting object is not cut in excess and no remaining cut remains. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-206234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the cutting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cutting start point and cutting end point are set in the middle of a line segment, so as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the trajectory of the cutter blade is unstable when cutting the line segment, and if there is a misalignment in the cutting line between the first and second rotations, a step will be created at the cutting end point. As a result, the cutting device has problems in that it is difficult to cut out and the cutouts look bad.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to make cutting easier when cutting based on a predetermined cutout design while preventing the cutout from looking bad. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the cutting device of the present invention is a cutting device that is capable of cutting a cutting object with a predetermined cutting member by pressing the cutting member against the cutting object and changing the relative position between the cutting object and the cutting member, and is characterized by comprising: a receiving means for receiving input of data in which an extension shape of a cut line is set as a design; and when the design in the data received by the receiving means is a design expressed in a single stroke that becomes endless, has a corner where two adjacent straight lines form an angle of a predetermined angle or more, and at least one of the two straight lines forming the corner is set as a specific straight line of a predetermined length or more, a setting means for setting a position on the specific straight line that is at least the predetermined length away from the corner along the specific straight line as the pressure start position of the cutting member, and setting the corner as the pressure end position of the cutting member, so that at least the predetermined length is added to one circumference of the cut line when cutting with the cutting member along the cut line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when cutting based on a predetermined cutout design, an object is to cut in a manner that makes the cutout easier and to prevent the cutout from looking bad. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a cutting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the cutting device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the carriage holding the cutter unit provided in the cutting device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cutting device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an offset distance of a cutter blade. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control procedure for cutting support processing. [Figure 9] FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining the setting of the start and end positions of pressure application of the cutter blade, and FIGS. 10B and 10C are diagrams showing examples of cutting patterns when cutting based on a predetermined cutout design is performed using the cutting device of this embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing examples of cutting patterns when cutting based on a predetermined cutout design is performed using a conventional cutting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. As shown in FIG. 1, a cutting system 100 of this embodiment is configured to include a cutting device 10 and a terminal device 50. The cutting device 10 is a device that cuts a planar cutting target S, such as a rectangle, attached to a mount M (see FIG. 4) placed (set) on a mount 5 (described later), into any planar shape. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which paper is used as the cutting target S, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cutting target S may also be other media that can be cut with a cutter blade, such as a sheet of resin, a sticker, or leather.

[0010] The terminal device 50 is a smartphone that generates and edits cut data indicating the planar shape and position of the cutting device 10. The terminal device 50 also receives input of operation information related to the cutting device 10 and displays display information related to the cutting device 10. The terminal device 50 is used by being communicatively connected to the cutting device 10 via wireless communication. Note that the terminal device 50 communicatively connected to the cutting device 10 is not limited to a smartphone and may be other terminal devices such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet terminal. The communication method for wireless communication between the cutting device 10 and the terminal device 50 is assumed to be Bluetooth (registered trademark). However, the communication method for wireless communication is not limited to Bluetooth and may be other communication methods such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The communication connection between the cutting device 10 and the terminal device 50 is not limited to wireless communication and may be wired communication. The wired communication may be, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) wired communication via a communication cable.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting device 10 extends along the X-axis, with the direction along the X-axis being the left-right direction (width direction) of the device. The direction along the Y-axis is the front-rear direction (depth direction) of the device. Furthermore, the Z-axis is perpendicular to the XY plane and is the direction in which a cutter blade 31 (described later) moves up and down relative to the cutting target S, with the direction along the Z-axis being the height direction of the device. The cutting device 10 includes a housing 1 and a device main body 2 housed within the housing 1. On the bottom surface of the housing 1, a paper feed tray 4 for feeding a backing sheet M to which a cutting target S is attached is provided at the front side of the device, and a mounting tray 5 for placing the backing sheet M during cutting operation is provided at the rear side of the device (see FIG. 3). At the boundary between the paper feed tray 4 and the mounting tray 5, a pair of drive rollers 202a and a pair of driven rollers 203a corresponding to the pair of drive rollers 202a are provided so as to be aligned in the Z-axis direction (up-down direction) (see FIG. 3). The lower roller is a drive roller 202a and the upper roller is a driven roller 203a. The pair of drive rollers 202a are mounted on a rotation shaft 202b with a predetermined distance between them. This predetermined distance is such that each end of the backing sheet M in the width direction (X-axis direction) can be sandwiched between the drive roller 202a and the driven roller 203a. The pair of driven rollers 203a are mounted on the rotation shaft 203b with the above-mentioned predetermined distance between them. When the backing sheet M is fed onto the paper feed tray 4, both ends of the leading edge of the backing sheet M when fed are sandwiched between the drive roller 202a and the driven roller 203a.

[0012] The housing 1 is box-shaped and has an operation unit 12 (described later) and an indicator unit 14 (described later) mounted on the exterior upper surface, etc. The device main body 2 includes a carriage 2A that holds a cutter unit 3 equipped with a cutter blade (cutting member) 31, and a drive unit 17 that moves the cutter unit 3 along with the carriage 2A. As shown in FIG. 3 , the carriage 2A has a holder 2A1 that holds the cutter unit 3 therein and a connecting unit 2A2 that is continuous with the holder 2A1. The holding unit 2A1 detachably holds the cutter unit 3. For example, when the cutter blade 31 needs to be replaced, such as when it is worn, the cutter unit 3 is removed from the carriage 2A and replaced. The connecting unit 2A2 has a through-hole 2A3 that penetrates in the X-axis direction. A shaft 171 that constitutes the drive unit 17 is inserted through this through-hole 2A3. Furthermore, a timing belt 172 is wound around the connecting portion 2A2, and when the timing belt 172 is operated by the drive of an X-axis motor (X-axis direction drive motor) 173 constituting the drive unit 17, the carriage 2A can move in the X-axis direction along the shaft 171. In this embodiment, the shaft 171, timing belt 172, X-axis motor 173, etc. constitute an X-axis direction drive mechanism. The drive unit 17 also includes a Z-axis direction drive mechanism 174 that can adjust the position (height position) of the cutter blade 31 in the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction drive mechanism 174 includes a Z-axis motor (Z-axis direction drive motor) 175. In this embodiment, for example, when the Z-axis motor 175 is driven, the entire carriage 2A can rotate about the shaft 171 (see the arrow in FIG. 3).

[0013] In this way, carriage 2A can be moved along the X-axis direction (the device width direction, left-right direction) by driving X-axis motor 173, and can be moved along the Z-axis direction (the device height direction, up-down direction) by driving Z-axis motor 175. Furthermore, backing sheet M (backing sheet M with cutting target S attached) fed to paper feed tray 4 can be drawn toward placement table 5 by driving drive roller 202a by driving Y-axis motor (Y-axis direction drive motor) 201 constituting paper feed unit 20 (described later). Then, backing sheet M drawn toward placement table 5 can be moved along the Y-axis direction (the device depth direction, front-back direction) by continuing to drive drive roller 202a by driving Y-axis motor 201. As a result, during the cutting operation, the cutter blade 31 mounted on the cutter unit 3 held by the carriage 2A moves appropriately in the X-axis direction (left and right direction), and the cutting target S moves in the Y-axis direction (front and back direction), making it possible to cut the cutting target S into a specified shape by the cutter blade 31. In other words, by changing the relative position between the cutting target S and the cutter blade 31 while pressing the cutter blade 31 against the cutting target S, it is possible to cut the cutting target S into a specified shape by using the cutter blade 31.

[0014] Here, the backing sheet M will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The backing sheet (receiving material) M is used for purposes such as preventing the cutter blade 31 from damaging the mounting table 5 and placing the cutting target S in the correct position. As shown in FIG. 4, the backing sheet M has a flat rectangular shape. The backing sheet M is made of, for example, polycarbonate. The backing sheet M also has a grid area R on its upper surface with a grid printed thereon. This grid area R is coated with an adhesive for attaching the cutting target S. A barcode M5 is printed above the grid area R on the backing sheet M. The barcode M5 is a barcode for identifying that the backing sheet M dedicated to the cutting device 10 has been placed on the mounting table 5, and can be read by the paper feed detection unit 21 (described later). In other words, when the barcode M5 is read by the paper feed detection unit 21, it is confirmed that the backing sheet M dedicated to the cutting device 10 has been placed on the mounting table 5. Furthermore, a first position detection marker M1 is printed on the backing sheet M to the left of the barcode M5, and a second position detection marker M2 is printed on the right of the barcode M5. Furthermore, a third position detection marker M3 is printed on the backing sheet M at the lower left of the grid area R, and a fourth position detection marker M4 is printed on the lower right of the grid area R. In other words, each of the first to fourth position detection markers M1 to M4 is printed outside the grid area R and is exposed from the cutting target S attached to the grid area R. The first to fourth position detection markers M1 to M4 are markers for detecting deviations in the conveyance of the backing sheet M due to the cutting operation, and all have a cross shape. Like the barcode M5, the first to fourth position detection markers M1 to M4 can all be read by the paper feed detection unit 21.

[0015] Next, a functional configuration of the cutting device 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, the cutting device 10 includes an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) 11 as a control unit, an operation unit 12, a storage unit 13, an indicator unit 14, a wired communication unit 15, a wireless communication unit 16, a drive unit 17, an X-axis origin position detection unit 18, a Z-axis origin position detection unit 19, a paper feed unit 20, and a paper feed detection unit 21. The various units of the cutting device 10 are connected via a bus 22.

[0016] The MPU (reception means, setting means) 11 controls each part of the cutting device 10. The MPU 11 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU reads out a specified program from various programs stored in the storage unit 13, loads it into the RAM, and executes various processes in cooperation with the loaded program. The RAM is a volatile semiconductor memory, and forms a work area for temporarily storing various data and programs. The operation unit 12 has various buttons, receives input from the user by pressing each button, and outputs the operation information to the MPU 11. The various buttons on the operation unit 12 include, for example, a button for pausing cutting and a button for removing the base sheet M.

[0017] The memory unit 13 is a memory unit such as a flash memory that can read and write information. The memory unit 13 stores various data such as cutting data and various programs. In particular, the memory unit 13 stores a cutting program 131 for executing cutting processing. The indicator unit 14 has a light-emitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that indicates various states of the cutting device 10 by turning on or off. The indicator unit 14 has, for example, a power lamp that indicates whether the power is on or off. The indicator unit 14 turns the light-emitting unit's light on or off in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11.

[0018] The wired communication unit 15 is an interface for wired communication conforming to a communication standard such as USB. The MPU 11 transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as the terminal device 50 via the wired communication unit 15 and a communication cable. The wireless communication unit 16 has an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc., and is an interface for Bluetooth wireless communication with external devices such as the terminal device 50. The MPU 11 transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as the terminal device 50 via the wireless communication unit 16.

[0019] In accordance with instructions from the MPU 11, the drive unit 17 drives the X-axis motor 173 and the Z-axis motor 175 to move the cutter blade 31 mounted on the cutter unit 3 held by the carriage 2A in the X-axis and Z-axis directions. By moving the cutter blade 31, the drive unit 17 cuts the target S, which is attached to the backing sheet M placed on the mounting table 5, into any desired planar shape. The cutter blade 31 is mounted on the cutter unit 3 in such a manner that its axis (drive shaft) 31p (see FIG. 7) can rotate freely around its axis. In other words, the cutter blade 31 is designed so that the blade faces the cutting direction when cutting the target S. To orient the blade in the cutting direction, the carriage 2A is moved in the X-axis direction while the tip (cutting edge 31a; see FIG. 7) of the cutter blade 31 is pressed against the target S, or the backing sheet M on which the target S is attached is moved (transported) in the Y-axis direction, thereby orienting the blade in the desired direction.

[0020] The X-axis origin position detection unit 18 is a position detection unit such as an optical sensor that detects whether the carriage 2A is at the origin position in the X-axis direction in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The X-axis origin position detection unit 18 outputs the detection result of whether the carriage 2A is at the origin position in the X-axis direction to the MPU 11. The MPU 11 controls the position of the cutter blade 31 in the X-axis direction using the detection result of whether the carriage 2A is at the origin position in the X-axis direction. The Z-axis origin position detection unit 19 is a position detection unit such as an optical sensor that detects whether the carriage 2A is at the origin position in the Z-axis direction in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The Z-axis origin position detection unit 19 outputs the detection result of whether the carriage 2A is at the origin position in the Z-axis direction to the MPU 11. The MPU 11 controls the position of the cutter blade 31 in the Z-axis direction using the detection result of whether the carriage 2A is at the origin position in the Z-axis direction.

[0021] The paper feed unit 20 is a transport unit that transports the backing sheet M (backing sheet M with the cutting target S attached thereto) sandwiched between the drive roller 202a and the driven roller 203a in the Y-axis direction by rotating the drive roller 202a by the drive of the Y-axis motor 201 in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The paper feed detection unit 21 is a detection unit such as an optical sensor that can detect the leading edge of the backing sheet M placed on the placement table 5 in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The paper feed detection unit 21 is also capable of reading a barcode M5 (see FIG. 4) printed on the backing sheet M in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The paper feed detection unit 21 is also capable of detecting first to fourth position detection markers M1 to M4 (see FIG. 4) in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The paper feed detection unit 21 outputs the detection results of the leading edge of the backing sheet M, the reading results of the barcode M5, and the detection results of the first to fourth position detection markers M1 to M4 to the MPU 11. The paper feed detection unit 21 is disposed at the connecting portion 2A2 (see FIG. 3) of the carriage 2A. That is, the paper feed detection unit 21 is disposed so as to move relative to the backing sheet M (cutting target S) together with the cutter blade 31 (at least in the X-axis direction). Specifically, the paper feed detection unit 21 is disposed on the lower surface of the connecting portion 2A2, i.e., on the surface facing the upper surface of the backing sheet M.

[0022] Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 50 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the terminal device 50 includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a storage unit 53, a display unit 54, an operation unit 55, and a communication unit 56. The components of the terminal device 50 are connected via a bus 57. The CPU 51 is a processor that reads and executes a program 531 stored in the storage unit 53 and performs various arithmetic processing to control the operation of the components of the terminal device 50. The RAM 52 provides a working memory space for the CPU 51 and stores temporary data. The storage unit 53 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 51 as a computer, and stores the program 531 and various data (e.g., cutting data).

[0023] The display unit 54 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like, and performs various displays according to display information instructed by the CPU 51. The operation unit 55 is composed of a power button (not shown), a home button (not shown), a touch sensor (not shown) provided on the display unit 54, and the like, and accepts input operations from the user and outputs the operation information to the CPU 51. The CPU 51 accepts the input operations from the user based on the information transmitted from the operation unit 55. The communication unit 56 is, for example, a communication unit that employs a wireless standard such as Bluetooth, or a wired communication unit such as a USB terminal.

[0024] Next, referring to FIG. 8, the cutting support process executed by the cutting device 10 will be described. The cutting support process is roughly a process in which, when the cutout design satisfies a predetermined condition (when the determination results of the determination processes in steps S3 and S4 described below are "YES"), a position on a predetermined straight line (specific straight line) a predetermined distance away from a corner is set as the pressure start position of the cutter blade 31, and the corner reached after one revolution along the cut line is set as the pressure end position of the cutter blade 31, so that a cut line of a predetermined length is added to one revolution of the cut line. The cutting support process is started, for example, when cutting is performed and cut start request data is received from the terminal device 50 via the wireless communication unit 16. The cut start request data is assumed to include cut data (design data) indicating the planar shape (extended shape of the cut line) and position of the cut object S when it is cut.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 8, when the cutting support process starts, the MPU 11 of the cutting device 10 first acquires the cutting data attached to the cutting start request data (step S1). Here, the MPU 11 has accepted the input of cutting data in which the extension shape of the cut line is set as the design. Next, the MPU 11 determines whether or not the cutting data acquired in step S1 includes a cutout design (step S2). Here, the cutout design refers to a design in which the extension shape of the cut line is expressed in a single stroke, with no end, such as a square shape (rectangle) or a triangle shape (triangle).

[0026] If it is determined in step S2 that the cut data does not include a cutout design (step S2; NO), the MPU 11 terminates the cutting support process. That is, if the cut design is a design in which the extended shape of the cut line is terminated, such as a V-shape or a U-shape, the cut is performed using the original cut data, in which, for example, one end of a pair of ends is the cutter blade's start position and the other end is the cutter blade's end position. Also, if it is determined in step S2 that the cut data includes a cutout design (step S2; YES), the MPU 11 determines whether the cutout design has a corner where the angle between two adjacent lines is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (e.g., 45 degrees) (step S3). Here, if the cut data includes multiple cutout designs, the process from step S3 onward is performed for each of the multiple cutout designs. The predetermined angle can be changed as needed.

[0027] If it is determined in step S3 that the cutout design does not have a corner where two adjacent lines form an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (step S3; NO), the MPU 11 sets the pressure start position and pressure end position of the cutter blade 31 to any position on the cut line so that the pressure start position and pressure end position coincide with each other for the cutout design, and then ends the cutting support process. If it is determined in step S3 that the cutout design has a corner where two adjacent lines form an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (step S3; YES), the MPU 11 determines whether at least one of the two lines forming the corner is a specific line set to a predetermined length L or greater (step S4). Here, the predetermined length L is preferably set to a length longer than the offset distance D from the axis (predetermined axis) 31p of the cutter blade 31 to the cutting edge 31a shown in FIG. 7 . The cutter blade 31 is disposed in the cutter unit 3 so as to be rotatable about the axis 31p.

[0028] If it is determined in step S4 that at least one of the two straight lines forming the corner is not a specific straight line set to a predetermined length L or more (step S4; NO), the MPU 11 sets the pressure start position and the pressure end position of the cutter blade 31 to any position on the cut line so that the pressure start position and the pressure end position of the cutter blade 31 coincide with each other for the cutout design that is the subject of determination in step S4, and ends the cutting support process. Also, if it is determined in step S4 that at least one of the two straight lines forming the corner is a specific straight line set to a predetermined length L or more (step S4; YES), the MPU 11 sets the pressure start position of the cutter blade 31 to a position on the specific straight line that is the predetermined length L away from the corner (step S5). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9(a), if the cut design CD in the cut data input by the MPU 11 is a cutout design (step S2; YES), has a corner C where two adjacent lines form an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (step S3; YES), and at least one of the two lines forming the corner C is set as a specific line SL with a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length L, the MPU 11 sets the pressure contact start position P1 of the cutter blade 31 to a position on the specific line SL that is a predetermined length L away from the corner C along the specific line SL so that the predetermined length L is added to one circumference of the cut line CL when cutting with the cutter blade 31 along the cut line CL. Here, the predetermined length L is set in advance to a length equal to or greater than the offset distance D (see FIG. 7) of the cutter blade 31 described above. Note that the predetermined length L may be a length equal to or greater than the offset distance D of the cutter blade 31. Alternatively, the predetermined length L may be configured to be switched in accordance with the cut design CD so as to be the same as the length of the specific line SL, provided that the predetermined length L is equal to or greater than the offset distance D.

[0029] Next, the MPU 11 sets the corner as the pressure contact end position of the cutter blade 31 (step S6). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, the MPU 11 sets the corner C (the first corner C of the second turn) that the cutter blade 31 reaches after making one revolution along the cut line CL from the pressure contact start position P1 set in step S5 as the pressure contact end position P2 of the cutter blade 31. In other words, the cut line CL between the pressure contact start position P1 and the pressure contact end position P2 on the specific straight line SL is cut twice by the cutter blade 31. Then, the MPU 11 ends the cutting support process. Note that in the cutting device 10 of this embodiment, when a cutting process for a cutout design is performed, the cutting process is performed based on the pressure contact start position and the pressure contact end position of the cutter blade 31 set in the cutting support process. At the start and end positions of the cutter blade 31, the Z-axis motor 175 drives the cutter blade 31 mounted on the cutter unit 3 held on the carriage 2A to move in the Z-axis direction (up and down), thereby starting to press the cutter blade 31 against the cutting object S and ending (releasing) the pressure contact.

[0030] As described above, the MPU 11 of the cutting device 10 accepts input of cut data in which the extension shape of the cut line CL is set as a cut design CD, and if the cut design CD in the cut data is a cutout design having a corner C where the angle between two adjacent straight lines is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, and at least one of the two straight lines forming the corner C is set as a specific straight line SL of equal to or greater than a predetermined length, the MPU 11 sets a position on the specific straight line SL at least a predetermined length away from the corner C along the specific straight line SL as the pressure start position P1 of the cutter blade 31, and sets the corner C as the pressure end position P2 of the cutter blade 31, so that at least a predetermined length is added to one circumference of the cut line CL when cutting with the cutter blade 31 along the cut line CL (see Figure 9(a)). Therefore, according to the cutting device 10, the corner C reached after the cutter blade 31 has traveled one revolution from the pressure contact start position P1 along the cut line CL is set as the pressure contact end position P2 of the cutter blade 31. Therefore, as shown in Figures 9(b) and 9(c), even if the trajectory of the cutter blade 31 becomes unstable and shifts when cutting with the cutter blade 31 along the cut line CL, it is possible to prevent a step (see Figures 10(a) and 10(b)) from occurring midway along the specific straight line SL where the pressure contact start position P1 and the pressure contact end position P2 of the cutter blade 31 are set. As a result, according to the cutting device 10, when cutting based on a predetermined cutout design (cut design CD; see Figure 9(a)), cutting can be performed in a manner that makes the cutout easier and prevents the cutout from looking unattractive.

[0031] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the Z-axis motor 175 is driven to move the cutter blade 31 mounted on the cutter unit 3 held on the carriage 2A in the Z-axis direction (up and down), thereby starting to press the cutter blade 31 against the cutting object S or ending (releasing) the pressing. However, for example, the mounting table 5 may be configured to be movable in the Z-axis direction, and the mounting table 5 on which the backing sheet M (backing sheet M with the cutting object S attached) is placed may be moved in the Z-axis direction to start to press the cutter blade 31 against the cutting object S or end (releasing) the pressing.

[0032] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the area outside the area (cutout area) enclosed by the cut line CL (see Figure 9(a)) is an unnecessary area, any position on the line segment extending the specific straight line SL beyond the corner C may be set as the pressure contact end position P2 of the cutter blade 31.

[0033] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the determination result in the determination process of step S3 or step S4 of the cutting support process (see FIG. 8) is "NO," the MPU 11 sets the pressure start position and pressure end position of the cutter blade 31 to any position on the cut line so that the pressure start position and pressure end position of the cutter blade 31 coincide with each other for the cutout design being determined, but the pressure end position of the cutter blade 31 does not need to coincide with the pressure start position. In such a case, for example, the pressure end position of the cutter blade 31 may be set to any position on the cut line on the second round after making one round along the cut line from the pressure start position.

[0034] In the above embodiment, a flash memory or the like is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Portable recording media such as CD-ROMs can also be used as other computer-readable media. Furthermore, a carrier wave can also be used as a medium for providing data for the program according to the present invention via a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10 cutting device, 11 MPU, 31 cutter blade, C corner part, CD cut design, CL cut line, P1 pressure welding start position, P2 pressure welding end position, S cut target, SL specific straight line

Claims

1. A cutting device capable of cutting a target object with a predetermined cutting member by changing a relative position between the target object and the cutting member while pressing the cutting member against the target object, a receiving means for receiving input of data in which the extension shape of the cut line is set as a design; a setting means for setting a position on the specific straight line at least the predetermined length away from the corner along the specific straight line as a pressing start position for the cutting member and setting the corner as a pressing end position for the cutting member, when the design in the data input and accepted by the accepting means is a design expressed in a single stroke that has an endless corner portion where two adjacent straight lines form an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle and at least one of the two straight lines that form the corner portion is set as a specific straight line with a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length, so that in cutting with the cutting member along the cut line, at least the predetermined length is added to one circumference of the cut line; A cutting device comprising:

2. The cutting member is disposed so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis, The predetermined length corresponds to an offset distance from the predetermined axis to the cutting edge of the cutting member.

2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. A cutting assist method executed by a cutting device that can cut a cutting object with a predetermined cutting member by changing a relative position between the cutting object and the cutting member while pressing the cutting member against the cutting object, a receiving step of receiving input of data in which an extension shape of the cut line is set as a design; a setting step of setting a position on the specific straight line at least the predetermined length away from the corner along the specific straight line as a pressure start position for the cutting member and setting the corner as a pressure end position for the cutting member, when the design in the data received in the receiving step is a design expressed in a single stroke that has an endless corner portion where two adjacent straight lines form an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle and at least one of the two straight lines forming the corner portion is set as a specific straight line with a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length, so that in cutting by the cutting member along the cut line, at least the predetermined length is added to one circumference of the cut line; A cutting assistance method comprising:

4. A computer of a cutting device that can cut a cutting object with a predetermined cutting member by pressing the cutting member against the cutting object and changing the relative position between the cutting object and the cutting member, a receiving means for receiving input of data in which the extension shape of the cut line is set as a design; a setting means for setting a position on the specific straight line at least the predetermined length away from the corner as a pressing start position for the cutting member and setting the corner as a pressing end position for the cutting member, when the design in the data input and accepted by the accepting means is a design expressed in a single stroke that has no end, has a corner portion where two adjacent straight lines form an angle of at least a predetermined angle, and at least one of the two straight lines forming the corner portion is set as a specific straight line with a length of at least a predetermined length, so that in cutting with the cutting member along the cut line, at least the predetermined length is added to one circumference of the cut line; A program characterized by functioning as

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