Cutting apparatus, cutting control method, and program

Abstract

To suppress reduction in cutting efficiency even if a temperature environment changes.SOLUTION: A cutting apparatus 100 controls, as a cutting direction, a relative moving direction of a cutter blade 31 with respect to a cut object S when cutting the cut object S with the cutter blade 31 by a moving mechanism capable of moving the cut object S or the cutter blade 31 in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction while moving the cut object S or the cutter blade 31 which is a cutting member for cutting the cut object S in the first direction. The cutting device includes a MPU51 as a control means for controlling a relative moving speed of the cutter blade 31 to the cutting object S when cutting so as to change corresponding to a change in the cutting direction as a cutting speed, and the MPU51 controls the cutting speed based on an ambient temperature detected by a temperature detection part 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, cutting devices are known that cut a sheet-like object to be cut using a cutting member (cutter blade). The cutting device performs a cutting process while changing the relative position between the object to be cut and the cutting member, thereby cutting the object into a desired shape. In such cutting devices, a motor is used to move the object to be cut relative to the cutting member, but it is known that motor characteristics deteriorate in low-temperature environments. In this regard, Patent Document 1 describes controlling the cutting speed and other parameters to appropriate values ​​depending on the temperature and humidity environment, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-326184 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the cutting speed is uniformly reduced in a low temperature environment, the cutting efficiency decreases, and the total cutting time becomes longer.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a cutting device, a cutting control method, and a program that can suppress a decrease in cutting efficiency even when the temperature environment changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a cutting device of a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a control means that controls the relative movement direction of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when cutting the cutting object with the cutting member using a movement mechanism that is capable of moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and controls the relative movement speed of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when cutting so that it changes as a cutting speed in response to changes in the cutting direction, and the control means controls the cutting speed based on the ambient temperature detected by a predetermined temperature detection means. In addition, a second aspect of the cutting device according to the present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a control means for controlling the relative movement direction of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when cutting the cutting object using a movement mechanism capable of moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the control means determines whether to control the relative movement speed of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when cutting so that it changes as a cutting speed in response to changes in the cutting direction, or to control the cutting speed so that it remains constant regardless of differences in the cutting direction, based on the ambient temperature detected by a predetermined temperature detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in cutting efficiency even when the temperature environment changes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the overall external configuration of a cutting device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the cutting edge of a cutter blade of the cutting device. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a cutting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is an example of a temperature correspondence table shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph showing an example of a case where drive control is performed with emphasis on linear velocity in a room temperature environment. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing an example of a case where drive control is performed with emphasis on linear velocity in a low temperature environment. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing an example of a case where drive control is performed at a constant linear velocity in a room temperature environment. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing an example of a case where drive control is performed at a constant linear velocity in a low temperature environment. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the cutting device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a cutting device 100, a cutting control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Note that the embodiment described below is subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment and illustrated examples. Note that two patterns are assumed as control methods for the cutting device 100 according to the embodiment, but the device configuration is the same in both cases. For this reason, the device configuration of the cutting device 100 will first be described.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, a cutting device 100 according to an embodiment includes a housing 1 formed in a substantially box shape and a device main body 10 housed within the housing 1. An operation unit 12 and an indicator unit 13 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are provided on the exterior upper surface of the housing 1, etc. In the following embodiment, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions respectively refer to the directions shown in FIG. 1. The X-axis direction is the width direction of the housing 1 (left-right direction of the device), and the Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the housing 1 (front-rear direction of the device). In the following embodiment, the X-axis direction is referred to as the "first direction," and the Y-axis direction is referred to as the "second direction." The Z-axis is an axis perpendicular to the XY plane, and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction (device height direction).

[0011] The cutting device 100 cuts the target S with a cutting member by moving at least one of a cutting target S as a moving target and a cutting member for cutting the target S, changing the relative position between the target S and the cutting member. In the embodiment, the target S is a medium such as a sheet of paper, and is transported along the Y-axis direction, which is the "second direction." Note that the target S is not limited to paper, and may be any material that can be cut by the cutting member, such as various resin sheets, stickers, leather, etc. In the embodiment, the cutting member is a cutter blade 31 (see FIG. 1(B)), which moves along the X-axis direction, which is the "first direction," and moves up and down in the Z-axis direction as appropriate. The relative position between the target S and the cutting member (cutter blade 31) changes as the target S is transported along the Y-axis direction and the cutting member (cutter blade 31) moves along the X-axis direction. That is, as will be described in detail later, the cutting device 100 is equipped with a moving mechanism that can move the cutting object S or the cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting object S or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0012] The cutting device 100 includes a support table 21 on the near side in the Y-axis direction (-Y-axis direction), and a placement table 22 on the far side in the Y-axis direction (+Y-axis direction) of the support table 21. The support table 21 is a table for supporting the cut target S that is supplied, and the placement table 22 is a table on which the cut target S is placed during the cutting operation. In the embodiment, the cut target S is supplied to the cutting device 100 superimposed on a backing sheet M, as shown in FIG. 1. Even when the backing sheet M is not mentioned in the following description, the cut target S is transported and cut while superimposed on the backing sheet M. A pair of transport rollers 23 extending in the X-axis direction are arranged between the support table 21 and the placement table 22 so as to overlap in the Z-axis direction. In FIG. 1, the transport roller arranged on the upper side in the Z-axis direction (+Z-axis direction) is referred to as transport roller 23a, and the transport roller arranged on the lower side (-Z-axis direction) is referred to as transport roller 23b. One of the pair of conveying rollers 23a, 23b is a drive roller that is rotated by a Y-axis direction drive motor 25 (see FIG. 2), and the other is a driven roller that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the drive roller. The cutting target S is conveyed along the Y-axis direction by being sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers 23a, 23b.

[0013] In the embodiment, of the pair of conveying rollers 23, the conveying roller 23a located on the upper side in the Z axis direction is provided on the outer periphery of the roller shaft 24 at both ends in the X axis direction. As a result, when the cutting target S is supplied to the pair of conveying rollers 23a, 23b while overlapping with the backing sheet M, the backing sheet M with the cutting target S placed on the upper surface in the Z axis direction is clamped at the end sides in the X axis direction, and no load is applied to the center in the X axis direction by the conveying rollers 23a, 23b. The drive roller can be rotated in either forward or reverse direction by controlling the Y axis direction drive motor 25. By switching the rotation direction of the drive roller, the conveying direction of the cutting target S in the Y axis direction can be freely switched between forward and reverse (i.e., +Y axis direction and −Y axis direction). In the embodiment, a medium conveying mechanism 20 (see FIG. 2) that conveys the cutting target S along the Y axis direction is configured to include at least the pair of conveying rollers 23a, 23b and the Y axis direction drive motor 25. The medium transport mechanism 20 is a movement mechanism (a movement mechanism in the second direction) that moves the cutting target S relative to the cutter blade 31, which is a cutting member.

[0014] The device main body 10 also includes a carriage 3 and an X-axis direction movement mechanism 30. The carriage 3 detachably holds a cutter unit 32 equipped with a cutter blade 31, which is a cutting member (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). When the cutter blade 31 needs to be replaced, for example, if the cutter blade 31 becomes worn, the cutter unit 32 is removed from the carriage 3 and replaced. The X-axis direction movement mechanism 30 moves the cutter unit 32 together with the carriage 3, and includes a timing belt 33 for moving the carriage 3, an X-axis direction drive motor 35 for operating the timing belt 33, and a guide shaft 34 for guiding the movement of the carriage 3. The timing belt 33 is an endless belt stretched over pulleys 36, 36 provided at each end of the device main body 10 in the X-axis direction, forming a loop structure in which the timing belt 33 rotates between the pulleys 36, 36. Note that the pulley at the right end in the X-axis direction (+X-axis direction) is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] When the pulley 36 is rotated by driving the X-axis drive motor 35, the timing belt 33 moves along the X-axis direction. The carriage 3 is provided with a belt connection portion (not shown) to which the timing belt 33 is connected. When the timing belt 33 moves in the X-axis direction, the force is transmitted to the belt connection portion, and the carriage 3 moves along the X-axis direction. By controlling the X-axis drive motor 35 to switch the rotation direction of the pulleys 36, 36, the movement direction of the carriage 3 in the X-axis direction can be freely switched between forward and reverse (i.e., +X-axis direction and −X-axis direction). The guide shaft 34 is a shaft extending along the X-axis direction, and the carriage 3 is provided with a through-hole through which the guide shaft 34 is inserted in the X-axis direction. When the timing belt 33 operates, the carriage 3 moves in the X-axis direction while being guided by the guide shaft 34. In this way, the X-axis movement mechanism 30 is a movement mechanism (first-direction movement mechanism) that moves the cutter blade 31, which is a cutting member, relative to the cutting target S.

[0016] Furthermore, the device main body 10 includes a Z-axis direction movement mechanism 40 that moves the cutter unit 32, which is equipped with the cutter blade 31, together with the carriage 3 in the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction movement mechanism 40 includes a pressing mechanism 41 and a Z-axis direction drive motor 42 that operates the pressing mechanism 41. The pressing mechanism 41 contacts a part of the carriage 3 and presses it in a direction tilting it downward in the Z-axis direction (-Z-axis direction) or in a direction tilting it upward in the Z-axis direction (+Z-axis direction), thereby rotating (swinging) the carriage 3 up and down along the Z-axis direction around the guide shaft 34 or the like as the center of rotation. The Z-axis direction drive motor 42 operates the pressing mechanism 41 via springs, gears, and the like (not shown). By controlling the Z-axis direction drive motor 42 to switch the operating direction of the pressing mechanism 41, the rotation (swing) direction of the carriage 3 in the Z-axis direction can be freely switched between forward and reverse directions (i.e., +Z-axis direction and -Z-axis direction). This allows the cutter blade 31 mounted on the cutter unit 32 to be adjusted as needed from a state in which it is positioned in a retracted position away from the surface of the object S to be cut, to a state in which the cutter blade 31 abuts against the surface of the object S to be cut, and further to a state in which the cutter blade 31 cuts shallowly or deeply into the object S to be cut.

[0017] In this way, the carriage 3 can be moved along the X-axis direction (the device width direction, left-right direction) by driving the X-axis direction drive motor 35, and can be rotated (swinged) up and down along the Z-axis direction by driving the Z-axis direction drive motor 42, so that the cutter blade 31 can move appropriately along the Z-axis direction (the device height direction, up-down direction) from a position separated from the surface of the target S to a position where it abuts on and further penetrates the surface of the target S. Furthermore, the target S (backing sheet M to which the target S is attached) supplied and supported on the support base 21 can be drawn toward the mounting base 22 together with the backing sheet M by rotating the drive rollers of the conveyance rollers 23a, 23b by driving the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 that constitutes the medium conveyance mechanism 20. The backing sheet M drawn toward the mounting base 22 can be moved along the Y-axis direction (the device depth direction, front-to-rear direction) by continuing to rotate the drive rollers by driving the Y-axis direction drive motor 25.

[0018] As a result, during a cutting operation, the cutter blade 31 mounted on the cutter unit 32 held by the carriage 3 moves appropriately in the X-axis direction (left and right direction), and the target S to be cut moves in the Y-axis direction (front and back direction), causing the cutter blade 31 to cut the target S. In other words, by adjusting the height position of the cutter blade 31 by driving the Z-axis direction drive motor 42, the relative position between the target S and the cutter blade 31 is changed while the cutter blade 31 is pressed against the target S. This makes it possible for the cutter blade 31 to cut the target S based on the cut data (cut design), allowing it to cut into any shape. The cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 relative to the target S, which cuts the target S while moving the target S and the cutter blade 31 relative to each other, is referred to as "orientation (advance angle of the blade tip) θ" in FIG. 4 etc.

[0019] Next, the functional configuration of the cutting device 100 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the cutting device 100 includes the above-mentioned medium conveying mechanism 20, X-axis direction moving mechanism 30, Z-axis direction operating mechanism 40, etc., as well as an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) 51 as control means, a memory unit 52, an operation unit 12, an indicator unit 13, a wired communication unit 14, a wireless communication unit 15, a medium detection unit 16, an X-axis origin position detection unit 17, a Z-axis origin position detection unit 18, a temperature detection unit 19, etc. The various units of the cutting device 100 are connected via a bus 55.

[0020] The operation unit 12 has various buttons, accepts input from the user pressing each button, and outputs the operation information to the MPU 51. The various buttons of the operation unit 12 are, for example, a button to pause cutting and a button to remove the cutting target S (backing sheet M that holds the cutting target S). The indicator unit 13 has a light-emitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that indicates various states of the cutting device 100 by turning the light on or off. The indicator unit 13 has, for example, a power lamp that indicates the device state, such as power on or off. The indicator unit 13 turns the light-emitting unit's light on or off in accordance with instructions from the MPU 51.

[0021] The wired communication unit 14 is an interface for wired communication conforming to a communication standard such as USB. The MPU 51 transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as various terminal devices via the wired communication unit 14 and a communication cable. The wireless communication unit 15 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 various terminal devices. The MPU 51 transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as terminal devices via the wireless communication unit 15.

[0022] The medium detection unit 16 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 22 in accordance with instructions from the MPU 51. The medium detection unit 16 is disposed, for example, on the surface of the carriage 3 that faces the upper surface of the backing sheet M. The backing sheet M that supports the cutting target S may have a barcode or an index for position detection printed thereon, in which case the medium detection unit 16 is capable of detecting such a barcode or index. The detection result by the medium detection unit 16 is output to the MPU 51.

[0023] The X-axis origin position detection unit 17 is a position detection unit such as an optical sensor that detects whether the carriage 3 is at the origin position in the X-axis direction in accordance with instructions from the MPU 51. The X-axis origin position detection unit 17 outputs the detection result to the MPU 51. The MPU 51 controls the position of the cutter blade 31 in the X-axis direction using the detection result of whether the carriage 3 is at the origin position in the X-axis direction. The Z-axis origin position detection unit 18 is a position detection unit such as an optical sensor that detects whether the carriage 3 is at the origin position in the Z-axis direction in accordance with instructions from the MPU 51. The Z-axis origin position detection unit 18 outputs the detection result to the MPU 51. The MPU 51 controls the position of the cutter blade 31 in the Z-axis direction using the detection result of whether the carriage 3 is at the origin position in the Z-axis direction.

[0024] Temperature detection unit 19 is a predetermined temperature detection means that detects the temperature environment around cutting device 100, and is, for example, a temperature sensor formed by a thermistor or the like. Temperature detection unit 19 outputs the detection result to MPU 51. MPU 51 refers to a temperature correspondence table 522 (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later, in accordance with the detection result from temperature detection unit 19, sets the maximum drive speed in the X-axis direction by X-axis drive motor 35, and the maximum drive speed in the Y-axis direction by Y-axis drive motor 25, and controls their operation.

[0025] As described above, the cutting device 100 also includes a medium conveying mechanism 20 including a Y-axis drive motor 25, an X-axis movement mechanism 30 including an X-axis drive motor 35, and a Z-axis movement mechanism 40 including a Z-axis drive motor 42. The Y-axis drive motor 25, the X-axis drive motor 35, and the Z-axis drive motor 42 are, for example, stepping motors, and are capable of appropriately adjusting the drive speed and the amount and direction of movement of the moving object (the object to be cut S and the cutter blade 31) according to instructions from the MPU 51. According to instructions from the MPU 51, the Y-axis drive motor 25 of the medium conveying mechanism 20 conveys the object to be cut S along the Y-axis, and the X-axis drive motor 35 of the X-axis movement mechanism 30 moves the cutter blade 31, which is the cutting member, along the X-axis together with the carriage 3, thereby changing the relative positions of the object to be cut S and the cutter blade 31. The cutter blade 31 is mounted on the cutter unit 32 with its axis (drive shaft) rotatable about its axis, so that the blade faces the cutting direction when cutting the target object S. To orient the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 in the cutting direction before cutting, a blade trimming operation is performed. In the blade trimming operation, the Z-axis drive motor 42 of the Z-axis movement mechanism 40 is operated to bring the tip (cutting edge) of the cutter blade 31 into contact with the target object S or the like with a force that is not enough to cut the target object S, thereby changing the relative position of the target object S. Specifically, the carriage 3 is moved in the X-axis direction, or the backing sheet M on which the target object S is attached is moved (transported) in the Y-axis direction. This allows the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 to face the desired direction.

[0026] In the embodiment, the MPU (control means) 51 is a computer that controls each component of the cutting device 100. The MPU 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU reads out a designated program from among various programs stored in the storage unit 52, loads it into the RAM, and executes various processes in cooperation with the loaded program. The RAM is a volatile semiconductor memory that provides a work area for temporarily storing various data and programs. The storage unit 52 is a storage unit, such as a flash memory, that can read and write information. The storage unit 52 stores various data, such as cutting data, and various programs. In particular, in the embodiment, the storage unit 52 stores a cutting program 521 for executing the cutting process, a temperature correspondence table 522, X-direction drive speed control data 523, and Y-direction drive speed control data 524.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the temperature correspondence table 522 specifies the maximum drive speed in the X-axis direction and the maximum drive speed in the Y-axis direction for each of the following cases: when the ambient temperature (detected temperature) detected by the temperature detection unit 19 is 25°C or higher; when it is between 25°C and 15°C; and when it is between 15°C and 5°C. It is known that motor characteristics deteriorate in low-temperature environments, and when the motor characteristics deteriorate, the drive speeds in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction caused by driving the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 decrease. For this reason, in the example shown in FIG. 3 , when the maximum drive speed in the X-axis direction and the maximum drive speed in the Y-axis direction are each 100 mm / sec at 25°C or higher, the maximum drive speeds in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction decrease as the ambient temperature decreases. For example, when the maximum drive speed in the X-axis direction and the maximum drive speed in the Y-axis direction are each 100 mm / sec at 25°C or higher, the maximum drive speeds in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are 88.6 mm / sec at 25°C and 15°C, respectively, and when the maximum drive speed in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is 75 mm / sec at 15°C and 5°C, respectively. Note that the correspondence shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example and is not limited to the example shown here. The MPU 51 refers to the temperature correspondence table 522 and controls the maximum drive speed in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the maximum drive speed in the second direction (Y-axis direction) based on the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 19, which is a temperature detection means.

[0028] The X-direction drive speed control data 523 is data that defines the movement speed in the X-axis direction according to the relative cutting direction (advance angle of the cutting edge, "direction θ" in FIG. 4, etc.) of the cutter blade 31, which is the cutting member, with respect to the cutting object S, and is first movement speed control data of the cutter blade 31 (moving object) in a first direction. The Y-direction drive speed control data 524 is data that defines the movement speed in the Y-axis direction according to the relative cutting direction (advance angle of the cutting edge, "direction θ" in FIG. 4, etc.) of the cutter blade 31, which is the cutting member, with respect to the cutting object S, and is second movement speed control data of the cutting object S (moving object) in a second direction. In the embodiment, the X-direction drive speed control data 523 and the Y-direction drive speed control data 524 are set in advance and stored in the memory unit 52, and the MPU 51, which is a control means, controls the relative movement speed (linear speed) between the cutting object S and the cutter blade 31, which is the cutting member, i.e., the cutting speed, based on the X-direction drive speed control data 523 (first movement speed control data) and the Y-direction drive speed control data 524 (second movement speed control data).

[0029] A specific cutting control method in this embodiment will be described below. The MPU 51, which is a control unit, can control the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 so that the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S varies depending on the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S (the angle of advancement of the cutting edge, "direction θ"). First, as a first control pattern in this embodiment, regardless of whether the ambient temperature (detected temperature) detected by the temperature detection unit 19 is room temperature or low, the MPU 51 performs linear speed-oriented control, controlling the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 so that the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S is maximized depending on the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S (the angle of advancement of the cutting edge, "direction θ"). In this case, the relative movement speed (linear speed) varies depending on the relative cutting direction (the angle of advancement of the cutting edge, "direction θ"), but cutting efficiency is improved compared to when the linear speed is controlled to be constant. Specifically, this is as follows. In the following, we will explain the case where the movement speed along the X-axis direction and the movement speed along the Y-axis direction are both set in the range of 0 to 100 mm / sec. For ease of explanation, we may add a minus sign to the value of the movement speed to indicate that the movement direction is opposite.

[0030] For example, when drawing a line in the X-axis direction, if cutting a straight line in the X-axis direction with no tilt in the Y-axis direction, the X-direction drive speed control data 523 and the Y-direction drive speed control data 524 are specified so that only the movement speed in the X-axis direction is maximum (100 mm / sec as shown in FIG. 3 when the ambient temperature is 25°C or higher) and the movement speed in the Y-axis direction is 0 mm / sec. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the relative cutting direction (the angle of advance of the cutting edge, "direction θ" in FIG. 4) is 45 degrees oblique, the movement speed in both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are specified to be maximum (100 mm / sec). In this case, the relative movement speed of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 is 100√2 (141.4 mm / sec), which is the fastest, exceeding the 100 mm / sec movement speed in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. 4 and other figures, the area above "0" on the graph represents the movement speed in the +X-axis direction and the +Y-axis direction, and the area below "0" represents the movement speed in the -X-axis direction and the -Y-axis direction. The MPU 51 controls the operation of the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25, which are movement mechanisms, so that the relative movement speed of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting target S varies depending on the difference in the relative cutting direction ("direction θ") of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting target S. Specifically, the MPU 51 references X-direction drive speed control data 523 and Y-direction drive speed control data 524 to control the operation of the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25, respectively, so that the relative movement speed corresponds to the relative cutting direction ("direction θ") of the cutter blade 31.

[0031] In this embodiment, the MPU 51 sets the movement speed in either the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) to the fastest value depending on the difference in the relative cutting direction ("direction θ"), and changes the movement speed in the other of the first direction or the second direction. That is, the MPU 51 sets the movement speed in both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to the maximum (100 mm / sec) at a location where the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 ("direction θ" in FIG. 4 etc.) is at an angle of 45 degrees. There are four possible locations where the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 ("direction θ" in FIG. 4 and elsewhere) is at a 45-degree angle: when both the first direction (X-axis) and the second direction (Y-axis) are positive (case "a" in FIG. 4); when both the first direction (X-axis) and the second direction (Y-axis) are negative (case "c" in FIG. 4); when the first direction (X-axis) is positive and the second direction (Y-axis) is negative (case "d" in FIG. 4); and when the first direction (X-axis) is negative and the second direction (Y-axis) is positive (case "b" in FIG. 4). At these four locations, the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 relative to the cutting target is 100√2 (141.4 mm / sec), the fastest. In Figure 4, the points (a, b, c, d) where the cutting edge movement speed shown by the solid line exceeds 100 mm / sec and peaks at 141.4 mm / sec are points where the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 ("direction θ" in Figure 4, etc.) is at an angle of 45 degrees.

[0032] In this embodiment, for example, from point "a" to point "b" shown on the left side of FIG. 4, the MPU 51 maintains the movement speed in the Y-axis direction, indicated by the dashed line in the figure, at the maximum (100 mm / sec). On the other hand, the MPU 51 controls the movement speed in the X-axis direction, indicated by the dashed line in the figure, so that it gradually decreases until the direction in the X-axis direction becomes "0" (the movement speed in the X-axis direction is 0 mm / sec). Then, when the movement speed in the X-axis direction according to the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 ("direction θ" in FIG. 4, etc.) exceeds 0 mm / sec and becomes the maximum of -100 mm / sec in the -X-axis direction (point "b" in FIG. 4), the MPU 51 conversely maintains the movement speed in the X-axis direction at the maximum (-100 mm / sec). On the other hand, the movement speed in the Y-axis direction, indicated by the dashed line in the figure, is controlled so that it gradually decreases until the direction in the Y-axis direction becomes "0" (the movement speed in the Y-axis direction is 0 mm / sec). When the movement speed in the Y-axis direction exceeds 0 mm / sec and reaches the maximum of −100 mm / sec in the −Y-axis direction (point “c” in FIG. 4 ), the movement speed in the Y-axis direction is similarly maintained at the maximum (−100 mm / sec), and the movement speed in the X-axis direction, indicated by the dashed-dotted line in the figure, is controlled to gradually decrease until the X-axis direction becomes “0” (the movement speed in the X-axis direction is 0 mm / sec). Then, when the movement speed reaches point “d” in FIG. 4 , the same control is performed again until the movement speed returns to point “a”. In this way, the cutting speed (blade tip movement speed) as a relative movement speed is set so that either the movement speed in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the movement speed in the second direction (Y-axis direction) of the movement mechanism, which moves the cutting target S or the cutter blade 31 as the cutting member, becomes the fastest movement speed (e.g., 100 mm / sec) within a preset speed range, regardless of the cutting direction. As a result, even at points other than the points (a, b, c, d) where the peak of 141.4···mm / sec is shown, and other than points where the movement speed in the X-axis direction or the movement speed in the Y-axis direction is 0 mm / sec, the relative movement speed (linear speed) becomes faster compared to when the relative movement speed (linear speed) is controlled to a constant value (i.e., 100 mm / sec) in accordance with the maximum drive speed of each motor 25, 35 of 100 mm / sec, thereby improving the cutting efficiency overall.

[0033] On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is low (low temperature environment), the MPU 51 performs the following control in consideration of the degradation of motor characteristics at low temperatures. For example, when the ambient temperature is 20°C or so (below 25°C to above 15°C), the maximum drive speed in the X-axis direction and the maximum drive speed in the Y-axis direction are controlled to be reduced to 88.6 mm / sec, respectively, in accordance with the temperature correspondence table 522 shown in Fig. 3. Note that in this case as well, except for reducing the maximum drive speed to 88.6 mm / sec, the control of the movement speed in the X-axis direction and the movement speed in the Y-axis direction by the MPU 51 is the same as in the room temperature environment shown in Fig. 4.

[0034] In this embodiment, the relative movement speed (hereinafter referred to as the "first movement speed") in the first cutting direction (the direction in which the "direction θ" in FIG. 5 and other figures is at a 45-degree angle), in which the relative movement speed of the cutter blade 31 relative to the cutting object S is set to the fastest value among the relative cutting directions (the "direction θ" in FIG. 5 and other figures), is preferably set to a faster value than the relative movement speed (hereinafter referred to as the "second movement speed") in the cutting direction without the second cutting direction (the "direction θ" in FIG. 5 and other figures), in which the relative movement speed of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 relative to the cutting object S is set to the slowest value among the relative cutting directions, i.e., the direction in which the X-axis direction is not tilted (88.6 mm / sec in the X-axis direction, 0 mm / sec in the Y-axis direction) or the Y-axis direction is not tilted (0 mm / sec in the X-axis direction, 88.6 mm / sec in the Y-axis direction), in which the relative movement speed (hereinafter referred to as the "second movement speed") in which the second cutting direction (the direction in which the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 relative to the cutting object S is set to the slowest value among the relative cutting directions) is set to the fastest value based on the ambient temperature (i.e., in a room temperature environment). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the movement speed in the X-axis direction and the movement speed in the Y-axis direction are 0 mm / sec, the movement speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 is 88.6 mm / sec, which does not reach 100 mm / sec. However, at locations where the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 (the "direction θ" in FIG. 5 and other figures) is at a 45-degree angle (locations a, b, c, and d in FIG. 5), the movement speed is 88.6√2 (124.5 mm / sec). This value is faster than the relative movement speed (second movement speed) of 100 mm / sec in the second cutting direction (i.e., the non-inclined X-axis direction (Y-axis direction = 0) or the non-inclined Y-axis direction (X-axis direction = 0)), which is set to the slowest value for the relative movement speed under room temperature.

[0035] 6 and 7 show the change in the moving speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 in a conventional case where control such as that of this embodiment is not performed. In the conventional example, the maximum drive speeds in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are each 100 mm / sec under room temperature as shown in FIG. 6, and under low temperature conditions, the maximum drive speeds in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are each reduced from 100 mm / sec under room temperature to 88.6 mm / sec under low temperature conditions as shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the cutting edge moving speed (100 mm / sec) under room temperature is virtually indicated by a two-dot chain line. In the conventional case, the drive of the X-axis drive motor and the Y-axis drive motor is controlled so that the moving speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 is constant in both FIG. 6 (room temperature environment) and FIG. 7 (low temperature environment). That is, even though a maximum drive speed of 100 mm / sec in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions would allow the relative movement speed (linear velocity) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 to be 100√2 (141.4 mm / sec), conventionally, the drive of the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 is controlled so that the relative movement speed (linear velocity) of the cutting edge is maintained at 100 mm / sec, as shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, in a low-temperature environment, the drive of the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 is controlled so that the relative movement speed (linear velocity) of the cutting edge is maintained at 88.6 mm / sec, as shown in Figure 7. This results in a significant decrease in cutting efficiency, especially in low-temperature environments.

[0036] In this regard, when the control according to the embodiment is performed, the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting target S varies depending on the relative cutting direction ("direction θ" in FIG. 4 and other figures). For example, when the ambient temperature is above room temperature (25°C) and a maximum drive speed of 100 mm / sec can be achieved in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions, as shown in FIG. 4, the blade edge movement speed (linear speed) exceeds 100 mm / sec except for the portion where the relative cutting direction ("direction θ" in FIG. 4 and other figures) of the cutter blade 31 is at a 45-degree angle (the portions a, b, c, and d in FIG. 4 and other figures). Furthermore, the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 can be 100√2 (141.4 mm / sec). The cutting device 100 is designed to cut out a desired shape from the cutting target S. In this case, the cutting start position and goal position are connected in a single line, like a single stroke. Therefore, even if there is some variation depending on the shape being cut, the blade movement speed (linear speed) does not fall below 100 mm / sec and there are some locations that definitely exceed 100 mm / sec, thereby reducing the overall total cutting time. Furthermore, when the ambient temperature is low (below 25°C) and the maximum drive speed is set to 88.6 mm / sec in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions, there are some locations where the blade movement speed falls below 100 mm / sec. Even so, as shown in Figure 5, there are some locations where the movement speed in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions is 88.6 mm / sec, resulting in a relative movement speed of 88.6√2 (124.5 mm / sec), and there are also many locations where the movement speed of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 exceeds 100 mm / sec. As a result, the total cutting time can be reduced compared to when the cutting edge movement speed (linear speed) is maintained at 88.6 mm / sec, and overall, cutting efficiency can be achieved that is comparable to when the cutting edge movement speed (linear speed) is maintained at 100 mm / sec.

[0037] Next, the cutting process executed by the cutting device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, when the cutting process is started, the MPU 51 of the cutting device 100 first causes the temperature detection unit 19 to detect the ambient temperature and acquires temperature information indicating the temperature environment of the cutting device 100 (step S1). After acquiring the temperature information, the MPU 51 reads and references the temperature correspondence table 522 from the storage unit 52 to acquire the maximum drive speeds ("table values" in FIG. 8) of the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 corresponding to the detected ambient temperature (step S2). The MPU 51 then moves the carriage 3 to the home position (the origin position in the X-axis and Z-axis directions) (step S3). Specifically, the MPU 51 drives the Z-axis drive motor 42 to move the carriage 3 to the origin position in the Z-axis direction. Whether the carriage 3 is at the origin position in the Z-axis direction is detected by the Z-axis origin position detection unit 18 described above. Furthermore, the MPU 51 drives the X-axis direction drive motor 35 to move the carriage 3 to the origin position in the X-axis direction. Whether or not the carriage 3 is at the origin position in the X-axis direction is detected by the X-axis origin position detection unit 17 described above.

[0038] Thereafter, the MPU 51 executes an initialization process (step S4). Specifically, as the initialization process, the MPU 51 drives the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 to rotate the drive roller of the pair of conveyance rollers 23a, 23b, pulls the backing sheet M, which is placed on the support base 21 and supported by the pair of conveyance rollers 23a, 23b, into the device, and places the backing sheet M on the placement base 22. Then, the MPU 51 moves the backing sheet M to the origin position in the Y-axis direction. Whether or not the backing sheet M is at the origin position in the Y-axis direction is detected by the above-mentioned medium detection unit 16. Next, the MPU 51 drives the X-axis direction drive motor 35 to move the carriage 3 to the cutting start position (step S5). Then, the MPU 51 performs a "blade edge trimming operation" to trim the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 (step S6). Specifically, the Z-axis drive motor 42 is driven to rotate (swing) the carriage 3 in a direction in which the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 approaches the cutting object S (i.e., the -Z-axis direction in FIG. 1). When the carriage 3 is at its original position in the Z-axis direction, the cutter blade 31 is positioned so that its cutting edge is positioned above and spaced apart from the cutting object S, i.e., so that the cutting edge is not pressed against the cutting object S. In the "blade edge trimming operation," the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 is brought into contact with the cutting object S with a strength that is not strong enough to cut. Then, in this state, the carriage 3 or the cutting object S is moved, and the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 is trimmed so that the cutting edge faces the cutting direction. This completes the preparation work before the cutting operation.

[0039] Thereafter, the MPU 51 drives the Z-axis direction drive motor 42 to rotate (swing) the carriage 3 in a direction in which the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 approaches the cutting object S (i.e., the -Z-axis direction in FIG. 1), and applies pressure to the cutting object S so as to press the cutter blade 31 against the cutting object S (step S7). As a result, the cutter blade 31 cuts into the cutting object S to a depth corresponding to a full cut, which cuts the entire thickness of the cutting object S, or a half cut, which cuts only a portion of the thickness of the cutting object S. Then, the MPU 51 drives the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 based on cutting data as a cutting design input by, for example, a user, and cuts the cutting object S into a desired shape while moving the cutter blade 31 and the cutting object S, which are the moving objects, relatively (step S8).

[0040] At this time, the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 are each set to a maximum drive speed based on the temperature correspondence table 522 by the MPU 51, and operate accordingly. For example, in a normal temperature environment where the temperature is 25°C or higher, the maximum drive speeds of the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 are each set to 100 mm / sec. Furthermore, in a low temperature environment where the temperature is less than 25°C (e.g., 20°C), the maximum drive speeds of the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 are each set to 88.6 mm / sec based on the temperature correspondence table 522. The MPU 51 determines the cutting direction (direction "θ") of the cutter blade 31 based on the cutting data at any time, determines the movement speed of the X-axis direction drive motor 35 according to the direction by referring to the X-direction movement speed control data 523, determines the movement speed of the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 by referring to the Y-direction movement speed control data 524, and operates each motor (the Y-axis direction drive motor 25, the X-axis direction drive motor 35) at the movement speed set according to the cutting direction (direction "θ").

[0041] As a result, in a room-temperature environment, as shown in Fig. 4, at locations where the relative cutting direction ("direction θ") of cutter blade 31 is at a 45-degree angle (locations a, b, c, and d in Fig. 4, etc.), both X-axis drive motor 35 and Y-axis drive motor 25 are driven at a maximum speed of 100 mm / sec, and a relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of cutter blade 31 of 100√2 (141.4 mm / sec) can be realized. Even in a low-temperature environment, for example, when both X-axis drive motor 35 and Y-axis drive motor 25 are driven at a maximum drive speed of 88.6 mm / sec (when the temperature is 20°C, etc.), as shown in Fig. 5, at locations where the relative cutting direction ("direction θ") of cutter blade 31 is at a 45-degree angle (locations a, b, c, and d in Fig. 5, etc.), a relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of cutter blade 31 of 88√2 (124.5 mm / sec), which exceeds 100 mm / sec, can be realized. 5 illustrates an example of a low-temperature environment in which the temperature is between 25°C and 15°C or higher (where the maximum drive speed for both the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 is 88.6 mm / sec), but if the ambient temperature is even lower, for example, below 15°C, the maximum drive speed for both the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 is set to 75 mm / sec in the example shown in FIG. 3. Even in this case, in locations where the relative cutting direction ("direction θ") of the cutter blade 31 is at a 45-degree angle (locations a, b, c, and d in FIG. 5, etc.), a relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 of 75√2 ​​(106 mm / sec), which exceeds 100 mm / sec, can be achieved.

[0042] The MPU 51 continually determines whether cutting has reached the cutting end position (step S9). If the end position has not yet been reached (step S9; NO), the process returns to step S8 and continues. On the other hand, if cutting has reached the cutting end position (step S9; YES), the MPU 51 further determines whether there is a next cut shape to be cut (step S10). If there is a next cut shape (step S10; YES), the MPU 51 drives the Z-axis drive motor 42 to rotate (swing) the carriage 3 in a direction in which the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 moves away from the cutting object S (i.e., the +Z-axis direction in FIG. 1), and raises the cutter blade 31, which has been pressed against the cutting object S and has cut into it, to a blade edge trimming position where it is only abutting the cutting object S. The cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 is then rotated to perform the blade edge trimming operation (step S11). When the blade edge trimming operation is complete, the MPU 51 drives the Z-axis drive motor 42 to further rotate (swing) the carriage 3 in a direction in which the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 moves away from the cutting object S (i.e., the +Z-axis direction in FIG. 1), and raises the cutter blade 31 to a position where the cutting edge does not contact the cutting object S (release of the pressure contact state, cutter blade depressurization in FIG. 8, step S12). Thereafter, the MPU 51 controls the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 to move the cutter blade 31 and the cutting object relative to each other, and moves the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 to the next cutting start position (step S13). Then, the process returns to step S7 to repeat the cutting process.

[0043] On the other hand, if there is no next cutting shape (step S10; NO), the MPU 51 drives the Z-axis direction drive motor 42 to further rotate (swing) the carriage 3 in a direction in which the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 moves away from the cutting object S (i.e., the +Z-axis direction in FIG. 1), and raises the cutter blade 31 to a position where the cutting edge does not contact the cutting object S (release of the pressure contact state, cutter blade depressurization in FIG. 8, step S14).Then, the MPU 51 controls the X-axis direction drive motor 35 to move the carriage 3 to the home position (step S15), and also appropriately transports the cutting object S in the -Y-axis direction so that it can be removed from the cutting device 100, thereby completing the cutting process.

[0044] In contrast to the above, as a second control pattern, when the ambient temperature (detected temperature) detected by the temperature detection unit 19 is a normal temperature of 25°C or higher, the MPU 51 performs control that emphasizes a constant linear speed so that the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S is constant regardless of differences in the relative cutting direction (advance angle of the blade tip, "direction θ") of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S. In a normal temperature environment, the maximum drive speeds set for the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 based on the temperature correspondence table 522 shown in Fig. 3 are each 100 mm / sec. In this way, when the maximum drive speeds of the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 are set to 100 mm / sec, if each motor 25, 35 is driven at its maximum drive speed of 100 mm / sec, there are locations where the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 relative to the cutting object S exceeds 100 mm / sec, such as locations where the relative cutting direction ("direction θ") of the cutter blade 31 is oblique at 45 degrees (locations a, b, c, and d in FIG. 4, etc.). However, in the second control pattern of the embodiment, the MPU 51 controls the operation of the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 to adjust the relative movement speed (linear speed) to be maintained at 100 mm / sec regardless of the direction in which the cutter blade 31 cuts, as shown in FIG.

[0045] On the other hand, when the ambient temperature (detected temperature) detected by the temperature detection unit 19 is low, below 25°C, for example, 20°C, the maximum drive speeds set for the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 are each 88.6 mm / sec based on the temperature correspondence table 522 shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the MPU 51 performs control that emphasizes linear speed, as in the first control pattern described above. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 are controlled so that the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S is maximized depending on the difference in the cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 relative to the cutting object S (the angle of advance of the cutting edge, "direction θ"). In this case, the relative movement speed (linear speed) varies depending on the relative cutting direction (the angle of advance of the cutting edge, "direction θ"), and there are some locations where it is below 100 mm / sec, such as 88.6 mm / sec. However, for example, as shown in Figure 5, in locations where the relative cutting direction ("direction θ") of the cutter blade 31 is at a 45-degree angle (locations a, b, c, and d in Figure 5, etc.), a relative movement speed (linear speed) of 88√2 (124.5 mm / sec) can be achieved, and linear speeds exceeding 100 mm / sec can be achieved in many other locations as well. Therefore, overall cutting efficiency is improved and total cutting time can be shortened, at least compared to when the linear speed is maintained constant at 88.6 mm / sec, etc., in a low-temperature environment as in the conventional case (as shown in Figure 7).

[0046] In a low-temperature environment where the maximum drive speed of the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 is set to, for example, 88.6 mm / sec, maintaining a constant relative movement speed (linear speed) significantly reduces cutting efficiency. For this reason, as described above, control is performed with emphasis on linear speed using the maximum drive speeds that can be set for the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25. This allows cutting efficiency to be achieved in a low-temperature environment, with the relative movement speed (linear speed) being considered as a whole, similar to that achieved in a room-temperature environment. In contrast, in a room-temperature environment where the maximum drive speed of the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 is set to 100 mm / sec, maintaining a constant relative movement speed (linear speed) (100 mm / sec) does not improve cutting efficiency, but it does not reduce it. On the other hand, a change in linear speed during cutting may cause discomfort to the user. For this reason, as shown in the second control pattern, control with emphasis on a constant linear speed is advantageous within a range where cutting efficiency is not reduced (room-temperature environment).

[0047] As described above, the cutting device 100 in the embodiment is a device that cuts the cutting object S with the cutter blade 31, which is a cutting member for cutting the cutting object S, while changing the relative position between the cutting object S and the cutter blade 31. It is equipped with an X-axis drive motor 35 and a Y-axis drive motor 25 as a movement mechanism that moves at least one of the cutting object S or the cutter blade 31 as the movement object in either the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) to move the cutting object S and the cutter blade 31 relatively, and an MPU 51 as control means that can control the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 so that the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S varies depending on the difference in the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S (the angle of advancement of the cutting edge, "direction θ"), and the MPU 51 controls the relative movement speed based on the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 19. As a result, even when the maximum drive speed of the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 drops due to the ambient temperature environment, the motors can be driven at their maximum performance, allowing cutting operations to be performed without significantly reducing cutting efficiency. Furthermore, in a room-temperature environment where the maximum drive speed of the X-axis drive motor 35 and the Y-axis drive motor 25 is set to 100 mm / sec, a linear speed of up to 100√2 can be achieved, significantly improving cutting efficiency compared to when the relative movement speed (linear speed) is maintained constant (100 mm / sec). This reduces the total cutting time, allowing for cutting operations with minimal waiting time for the user.

[0048] Furthermore, the MPU 51 of the embodiment sets the movement speed in either the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) to the fastest value depending on the difference in the relative cutting direction (the angle of travel of the blade tip, "direction θ"), and changes the movement speed in the other of the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) depending on the relative cutting direction of the cutter blade 31 with respect to the cutting object S. As a result, even when cutting a straight line in the X-axis direction where the angle with respect to the Y-axis direction is 0 (Y=0) or a straight line in the Y-axis direction where the angle with respect to the X-axis direction is 0 (X=0), the maximum driving speed of the motor (for example, 100 mm / sec in a room temperature environment or 88.6 mm / sec in a low temperature environment) is not lowered, and conversely, the relative movement speed can be increased by the amount of the movement speed in the other direction (the side that is being changed). As a result, at locations where the relative cutting direction ("orientation θ") of the cutter blade 31, which is driven at its maximum in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions, is at a 45-degree angle (locations a, b, c, and d in Figure 5, etc.), a relative movement speed (linear speed) of 100√2 or 88√2 can be achieved.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the first relative movement speed (in the embodiment, the movement speed when cutting at a 45-degree angle) in the first cutting direction, in which the relative movement speed (linear speed) is set to the fastest value among the relative cutting directions ("direction θ"), is set to a value faster than the value set to the fastest value based on the ambient temperature (room temperature environment) in the second cutting direction, in which the relative movement speed (linear speed) is set to the slowest value among the relative cutting directions ("direction θ"), in which the second relative movement speed (in the embodiment, the movement speed when cutting a straight vertical or horizontal line without inclination, such as in the X-axis direction 100 and Y-axis direction 0, or the Y-axis direction 100 and X-axis direction 0). This prevents the relative movement speed (linear speed) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 from decreasing more than necessary, even in a low-temperature environment.

[0050] Furthermore, in the embodiment, X-direction movement speed control data 523, which is first movement speed control data for an object moving in a first direction (X-axis direction), and Y-direction movement speed control data 524, which is second movement speed control data for an object moving in a second direction (Y-axis direction), are set in advance, and the MPU 51 controls the relative movement speed (linear speed) based on the X-direction movement speed control data 523 and the Y-direction movement speed control data 524. As a result, the MPU 51 can easily and appropriately control the relative movement (linear speed) between the cutting object S and the cutter blade 31 simply by setting values ​​corresponding to the relative cutting direction ("direction θ") to the X-axis direction drive motor 35 and the Y-axis direction drive motor 25 with reference to the X-direction movement speed control data 523 and the Y-direction movement speed control data 524. Furthermore, rather than controlling based on the relative movement (linear velocity), by controlling using the X-direction movement velocity control data 523 and the Y-direction movement velocity control data 524 as in the embodiment, the relative movement velocity (linear velocity) of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 31 can be realized by the maximum drive speed of each motor, and as a result, the cutting process speed and cutting efficiency of the entire cutting process can be improved.

[0051] While the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, it is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the cutter blade 31 mounted on the cutter unit 32 held by the carriage 3 is moved along the X-axis by the X-axis drive motor 35, and the target S is moved along the Y-axis by the Y-axis drive motor 25, thereby moving the target S and the cutter blade 31 relative to each other. However, any other configuration may be used as long as the relative positions of the target S and the cutter blade 31 can be changed. For example, the target S may move along the X-axis and the cutter blade 31 may move along the Y-axis. Furthermore, the position of the target S may be fixed, and only the cutter blade 31 may move along the X-axis and the Y-axis as needed. Alternatively, the position of the cutter blade 31 may be fixed, and only the target S may move along the X-axis and the Y-axis as needed.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cutter blade 31 mounted on the cutter unit 32 held by the carriage 3 is moved in the Z-axis direction (up and down direction) by driving the Z-axis direction drive motor 42, and the cutter blade 31 is pressed against the cutting target S or released from the pressed contact, but the configuration for moving the cutter blade 31 toward and away from the cutting target S is not limited to this. For example, the mounting table 22 may be configured to be movable in the Z-axis direction, and the mounting table 22 on which the backing sheet M (backing sheet M to which the cutting target S is attached) is placed may be moved in the Z-axis direction to press the cutter blade 31 against the cutting target S or release the pressure.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the predetermined temperature detection means is the temperature detection unit 19 provided in the cutting device 100 is exemplified, but the predetermined temperature detection means is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined temperature detection means may be a temperature sensor or the like provided outside the cutting device 100, and the detection result may be sent to the MPU 51, which is the control means, so that the MPU 51 obtains temperature information around the device.

[0054] 3, the above embodiment has exemplified the temperature correspondence table 522 in which the ambient temperature (detected temperature) is classified into three levels, and the maximum drive speed in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is specified for each level, but the method of specifying the maximum drive speed in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is not limited to this. For example, they may be specified in two levels, "room temperature" and a lower "low temperature," or they may be specified in more detail by dividing them into multiple levels.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, two control patterns are shown, but the cutting device 100 may perform only one of these control patterns, or may be able to selectively switch between and implement one of the control patterns based on user settings, etc.

[0056] 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.

[0057] In addition, the specific contents of the configuration, processing arrangement, order, and numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 19...Temperature detection unit (temperature detection means), 25...Y-axis direction drive motor (movement mechanism), 35...X-axis direction drive motor (movement mechanism), 31...cutter blade (cutting member), 51...MPU (control means), 100...cutting device, S...cutting target

Claims

1. a control means for controlling a relative movement direction of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when cutting the cutting object with the cutting member by a movement mechanism capable of moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and for controlling a relative movement speed of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when cutting so that the speed changes in accordance with a change in the cutting direction as a cutting speed; The control means controls the cutting speed based on the ambient temperature detected by a predetermined temperature detection means. A cutting device characterized by:

2. The cutting speed is set so that, regardless of the difference in the cutting direction, either the moving speed in the first direction or the moving speed in the second direction by the moving mechanism with the cutting object or the cutting member as the moving object becomes the fastest moving speed within a preset speed range.

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

3. The value of the cutting speed in the cutting direction in which the cutting speed is set to the fastest value is set to a value faster than the value when the value of the cutting speed in the cutting direction in which the cutting speed is set to the slowest value is set to the fastest value based on the ambient temperature, even when the value of the cutting speed is set to the slowest value based on the ambient temperature.

3. The cutting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a control means for controlling a relative movement direction of the cutting member with respect to the cutting target when the cutting target is cut by the cutting member, using a movement mechanism capable of moving the cutting target or the cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting target or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; The control means determines whether to control the relative movement speed of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object during the cutting so that it changes as a cutting speed in response to a change in the cutting direction, or to control the cutting speed so that it is constant regardless of differences in the cutting direction, based on the ambient temperature detected by a predetermined temperature detection means. A cutting device characterized by:

5. A cutting control method executed by a cutting device, comprising: a control process for controlling, as a cutting direction, a relative movement direction of the cutting member with respect to the cutting target when the cutting target is cut by the cutting member using a movement mechanism capable of moving the cutting target or the cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting target or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and for controlling, as a cutting speed, a relative movement speed of the cutting member with respect to the cutting target when cutting, so as to change in response to a change in the cutting direction; The control process controls the cutting speed based on the ambient temperature detected by a predetermined temperature detection means. A cutting control method comprising:

6. A cutting control method executed by a cutting device, comprising: a control process for controlling, as a cutting direction, a relative movement direction of the cutting member with respect to the cutting target when the cutting target is cut by the cutting member, using a movement mechanism that is capable of moving the cutting target or the cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting target or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; The control process determines whether to control the relative movement speed of the cutting member with respect to the cutting target during the cutting so that it changes as a cutting speed in response to a change in the cutting direction, or to control the cutting speed so that it is constant regardless of differences in the cutting direction, based on the ambient temperature detected by a predetermined temperature detection means. A cutting control method comprising:

7. Computer, a movement mechanism that is capable of moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, controls the relative movement direction of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when cutting the cutting object with the cutting member as a cutting direction, and controls the relative movement speed of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when cutting so that it changes as a cutting speed in response to changes in the cutting direction; The control means controls the cutting speed based on the ambient temperature detected by a predetermined temperature detection means. A program characterized by:

8. Computer, a movement mechanism that is capable of moving a cutting object or a cutting member in a first direction while moving the cutting object or the cutting member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and that functions as a control means that controls the relative movement direction of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object when the cutting object is cut by the cutting member, as a cutting direction; The control means determines whether to control the relative movement speed of the cutting member with respect to the cutting object during the cutting so that it changes as a cutting speed in response to a change in the cutting direction, or to control the cutting speed so that it is constant regardless of differences in the cutting direction, based on the ambient temperature detected by a predetermined temperature detection means. A program characterized by:

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