Nesting method, unit processing program generation method, pipe processing machine, pipe processing system, and computer program

Abstract

By selecting the product to be machined, the nested machining program on the NC machine can be easily reconfigured. [Solution] Multiple unit machining programs are input to the numerical control computer of a pipe machining machine, each including a code that defines a toolpath for cutting out a target product from a plurality of products cut out from a pipe, and a machining profile defined separately from the toolpath, which shows the shape of each pipe cut surface and the placement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe for at least one pipe cut surface of the target product. When the first shape, which is the shape of a first cut surface that is one of the at least one pipe cut surfaces in the first unit machining program, matches the second shape, which is the shape of a second cut surface that is one of the at least one pipe cut surfaces in the second unit machining program, an integrated machining program is generated to machine the first and second cut surfaces in a common line, with the first and second cut surfaces facing each other based on their placement characteristics.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification relates to nesting methods, unit processing program generation methods, pipe processing machines, pipe processing systems, and computer programs. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for generating placement data used when cutting multiple shaped parts from pipe material in a CAM computer, and for generating a nested-based machining program based on that placement data. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for enabling nesting to integrate multiple unit machining programs for generating multiple products in an NC device. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for adding graphic data for multiple products to the header of each of the multiple unit machining programs, and for displaying images of the products on the NC device based on that graphic data. By shifting and rotating the images on the NC device, the operator determines the program origin of each unit machining program and the correspondence between the work coordinate system and the machine coordinate system, thereby enabling the NC device to generate a nested machining program. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-085743 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-163111 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] In the method described in Patent Document 1, if minor modifications are desired after executing this machining program on a pipe machining machine, the machining program must be regenerated in the CAM computer. To solve this problem, applying the method described in Patent Document 2 requires the user to determine the placement of each product on the NC device. In modifying nested machining programs, it is often only necessary to select a portion of the products to be manufactured by the machining program, and for this purpose alone, the method described in Patent Document 2 places too much burden on the operator.

[0005] The problem that the technology disclosed in this application will address is to provide a technology that enables easy reconfiguration of nested machining programs on an NC machine by selecting the product to be machined. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A nesting method according to a first aspect of this disclosure includes providing a plurality of unit processing programs on a computer that controls the operation of a pipe processing machine. Each of the plurality of unit processing programs includes in its program code code a toolpath that defines a target product for cutting out a target product from a plurality of products cut out from a pipe, and a processing profile defined separately from the toolpath, which shows the shape of each pipe cut surface and the positional characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe for at least one pipe cut surface of the target product. The nesting method includes the computer selecting a plurality of selected unit processing programs from the plurality of unit processing programs to be nested. The nesting method includes generating an integrated machining program in which multiple target products from multiple selected unit machining programs are nested, such that when a first shape, which is the shape of a first cross-section that is one of at least one pipe cross-sections of a first unit machining program among multiple selected unit machining programs, matches a second shape, which is the shape of a second cross-section that is one of at least one pipe cross-sections of a second unit machining program among multiple selected unit machining programs, the computer processes the first and second cross-sections facing each other based on their arrangement characteristics and processes them along a common line. Preferably, the nesting method includes the computer reading the machining profile of each of the multiple selected unit machining programs and determining whether there is at least one set of unit machining programs in which the first shape matches the second shape.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the nesting method according to the first aspect further includes the computer receiving input on whether or not to allow common line machining in an integrated machining program. The nesting method further includes generating an integrated machining program to perform common line machining on a first cut surface and a second cut surface when the input allows common line machining. The nesting method further includes generating an integrated machining program to machine the first cut surface and the second cut surface separately when the input does not allow common line machining.

[0008] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, in the nesting method according to the first or second aspect, the arrangement characteristics further include common line processing suitability information, which represents either common line processing suitability, indicating that each pipe cut surface is subject to common line processing, or common line processing unsuitability, indicating that each pipe cut surface is not subject to common line processing. Preferably, the arrangement characteristics of the first cut surface have common line processing suitability. The arrangement characteristics of the second cut surface have common line processing suitability.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of this disclosure, in the nesting method according to the third aspect, when each pipe cut surface is a planar cut surface, the arrangement characteristics of the planar cut surfaces are suitable for common line machining. The shape of the planar cut surface is defined by a first rotation angle formed by a reference plane, which is a plane perpendicular to a first rotation axis along the longitudinal direction, and the planar cut surface, and a second rotation angle formed by the intersection line of the reference plane and the planar cut surface and a reference axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. When the first rotation angle of the first cut surface and the first rotation angle of the second cut surface are equal, an integrated machining program is generated so that the first shape and the second shape are machined along a common line.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of this disclosure, in the nesting method according to the fourth aspect, the toolpath is defined by the work coordinate system defined in each of the multiple unit machining programs. The integrated machining program includes instructions to manufacture the target product of the first unit machining program before the target product of the second unit machining program. Generating the integrated machining program includes determining a plurality of transformation parameters that define rotational and translational transformations to transform from the work coordinate system of the first unit machining program to the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program so that the first toolpath for generating the first cross-section coincides with the second toolpath for generating the second cross-section. Generating the integrated machining program includes providing code before the code that defines the second toolpath for setting the position of the reference point of the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on the translational parameter that defines the translational transformation among the plurality of transformation parameters, and for setting the orientation of each coordinate axis of the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on the rotational parameter that defines the rotational transformation among the plurality of transformation parameters. Generating the integrated machining program includes invalidating either the code that defines the first toolpath or the code that defines the second toolpath.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of this disclosure, the nesting method according to the fifth aspect further comprises a placement characteristic having at least one allowable rotation angle that allows the product to be rotated around a first rotation axis in the nesting. The rotation parameter includes one rotation angle of at least one allowable rotation angle of the second cross-section.

[0012] According to the seventh aspect of this disclosure, in the nesting method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the translation parameter includes the value obtained by subtracting the longitudinal lengths of the first and second cut surfaces that are machined along a common line.

[0013] According to the eighth aspect of this disclosure, in the nesting method according to any of the first to seventh aspects, the pipe has a rear end face that is mounted on the chuck of the pipe processing machine and a front end face opposite to the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The arrangement characteristics have relative position information indicating whether the target product is located on the front side between each pipe cut surface and the rear end face when nested, or on the rear side between each pipe cut surface and the front end face in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] According to the ninth aspect of this disclosure, in a nesting method according to any of the first to eighth aspects, selecting a plurality of selected unit processing programs includes setting a priority order for the plurality of selected unit processing programs. Generating an integrated processing program includes generating code that calls the selected unit processing programs in the order of priority.

[0015] According to the tenth aspect of this disclosure, in a nesting method according to any of the first to ninth aspects, when a first unit machining program includes a first lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a first toolpath for generating a first cut surface, generating an integrated machining program includes deactivating the first lead-in code. When a second unit machining program includes a second lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a second toolpath for generating a second cut surface, generating an integrated machining program includes deactivating the second lead-in code.

[0016] A unit machining program generation method according to an eleventh aspect of this disclosure includes generating program code by a computer that includes code defining a toolpath for cutting out a target product, based on shape data of a target product, shape data of a pipe, and the placement of the target product within the pipe. The unit machining program generation method also includes generating a machining profile by a computer that shows the shape of each pipe cross-section and the placement characteristics of each pipe cross-section within the pipe for at least one pipe cross-section of the target product. The unit machining program generation method also includes generating a unit machining program by a computer in which the machining profile is inserted into the program code.

[0017] According to the twelfth aspect of this disclosure, the unit processing program generation method according to the eleventh aspect further includes common line processing suitability information that represents either common line processing suitability, indicating that each pipe cut surface is subject to common line processing, or common line processing unsuitability, indicating that each pipe cut surface is not subject to common line processing. Generating program code includes generating code that can skip, based on a first flag, pipe cutting code that defines a toolpath for generating a common line processing candidate cut surface having common line processing suitability among at least one pipe cut surface in the work coordinate system, and code that can select, based on the first flag, whether to perform the process of setting the reference position of the work coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the common line processing candidate cut surface, or based on the end face of the pipe or the margin length from the rear end of the target product to be processed immediately before execution of the unit processing program.

[0018] According to the 13th aspect of this disclosure, the unit processing program generation method according to the 12th aspect includes generating program code which performs a process of rotating the work coordinate system based on the parameters to be delivered passed from a program that calls the unit processing program.

[0019] According to a 14th aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit machining program generation method according to the 12th or 13th aspect, when generating program codes includes lead-in codes for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a tool path for generating a common line machining candidate cut surface, it further includes generating codes that can skip the lead-in codes based on a second flag.

[0020] According to a 15th aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit machining program generation method according to any one of the 10th to 14th aspects, when each pipe cut surface is a flat cut surface that is a plane, the arrangement characteristics of the flat cut surface have common line machining compatibility. The shape of the flat cut surface is defined by a first rotation angle formed by a reference surface, which is a plane perpendicular to a first rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and the flat cut surface, and a second rotation angle formed by an intersection line on the reference surface and the flat cut surface and a reference axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis.

[0021] According to a 16th aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit machining program generation method according to the 15th aspect, the arrangement characteristics further have at least one allowable rotation angle that enables the target product to be rotated around the first rotation axis in nesting.

[0022] According to a 17th aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit machining program generation method according to any one of the 10th to 14th aspects, the pipe has a rear end surface that is attached to a chuck of a pipe processing machine and a front end surface opposite to the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The arrangement characteristics have relative position information indicating whether the target product is on the front side located between each pipe cut surface and the rear end surface in the longitudinal direction or on the rear side located between each pipe cut surface and the front end surface in the longitudinal direction when nesting. The relative position information is determined based on the arrangement of the target product within the pipe.

[0023] The pipe processing machine according to an 18th aspect of the present disclosure includes a numerical control computer configured to execute any one of the nesting methods according to the 1st to 10th aspects.

[0024] A pipe processing system according to the 19th aspect of this disclosure comprises a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to perform any nesting method of the first to tenth aspects, an external computer configured to perform any unit processing program generation method of the 11th to seventeenth aspects, and a communication network connecting the numerical control computer and the external computer.

[0025] The computer program according to the 20th aspect of this disclosure includes an instruction to cause the computer to execute a nesting method according to any of the 1st to 10th aspects, or a unit processing program generation method according to any of the 11th to 17th aspects, when executed by the computer.

[0026] In the nesting method according to the first embodiment, the pipe processing machine according to the 18th embodiment which includes a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the first embodiment, the pipe processing system according to the 19th embodiment which includes a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the first embodiment, and the computer program according to the 20th embodiment which includes instructions for the computer to execute the nesting method according to the first embodiment, the processing profile further includes the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe. Therefore, by selecting the target product to be processed, the sorting and orientation changes of multiple target products can be performed automatically without further rearrangement by the user, making it possible to easily reconfigure the nested processing program.

[0027] In the nesting method according to the second embodiment, the pipe processing machine according to the 18th embodiment which includes a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the second embodiment, the pipe processing system according to the 19th embodiment which includes a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the second embodiment, and the computer program according to the 20th embodiment which includes instructions for the computer to execute the nesting method according to the second embodiment, the user can decide whether or not to perform common line processing, thereby improving user convenience.

[0028] In the nesting method according to the third embodiment, the pipe processing machine according to the 18th embodiment which includes a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the third embodiment, the pipe processing system according to the 19th embodiment which includes a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the third embodiment, and the computer program according to the 20th embodiment which includes instructions for the computer to execute the nesting method according to the third embodiment, it is possible to set whether or not common line processing is appropriate for each pipe cut surface.

[0029] In the following embodiments, a nesting method according to the fourth embodiment, a unit processing program generation method according to the fifteenth embodiment, a pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth embodiment equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the fourth embodiment, a pipe processing system according to the nineteenth embodiment equipped with a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the fourth embodiment, a pipe processing system according to the nineteenth embodiment equipped with an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the fifteenth embodiment, a computer program according to the twentyth embodiment that includes instructions for the computer to execute the nesting method according to the fourth embodiment, and a computer program according to the twentyth embodiment that includes instructions for the computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the fifteenth embodiment, common line processing is made possible only when each pipe cut surface is flat, making it easy to determine whether common line processing is possible. Furthermore, each pipe cut surface can be defined using only a first rotation angle and a second rotation angle.

[0030] In the nesting method according to the fifth embodiment, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth embodiment which includes a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the fifth embodiment, the pipe processing system according to the ninth embodiment which includes a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the fifth embodiment, and the computer program according to the twentieth embodiment which includes instructions for the computer to execute the nesting method according to the fifth embodiment, an integrated processing program can be generated by setting translational parameters and rotational parameters without changing the code that defines the first toolpath and the program code that defines the second toolpath.

[0031] In the following embodiments, a nesting method according to the sixth embodiment, a unit processing program generation method according to the sixteenth embodiment, a pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth embodiment equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the sixth embodiment, a pipe processing system according to the ninth embodiment equipped with a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the sixth embodiment, a pipe processing system according to the ninth embodiment equipped with an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the sixteenth embodiment, a computer program according to the twentieth embodiment that includes instructions for a computer to execute the nesting method according to the sixth embodiment, and a computer program according to the twentieth embodiment that includes instructions for a computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the sixteenth embodiment, it is possible to quickly determine whether the shape of the first cross-section and the shape of the second cross-section match for pipes other than round pipes.

[0032] In the nesting method according to the seventh embodiment, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth embodiment which includes a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the seventh embodiment, the pipe processing system according to the ninth embodiment which includes a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the seventh embodiment, and the computer program according to the twentieth embodiment which includes instructions for the computer to execute the nesting method according to the seventh embodiment, common line processing can be achieved without changing the code that defines the second toolpath by utilizing the longitudinal distance of the pipe which becomes shorter compared to the case where common line processing is not performed.

[0033] In the following, the arrangement characteristics can be specified as either the front or rear side. This eliminates the need to swap the front and rear orientations in the unit processing program, thus avoiding the need for complex coordinate calculations and recalculations of the longitudinal offset amount of the pipe, thus facilitating the creation of an integrated processing program.

[0034] In the nesting method according to the ninth aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth aspect which includes a computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the ninth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect which includes a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the ninth aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect which includes instructions for the computer to execute the nesting method according to the ninth aspect, nesting can be flexibly configured by processing target products that are in high demand by the user first, setting adjacent priority for sets of multiple target products that undergo common line processing, or setting non-adjacent priority for sets of multiple target products that do not undergo common line processing.

[0035] In the following, a nesting method according to the 10th embodiment, a unit processing program generation method according to the 14th embodiment, a pipe processing machine according to the 18th embodiment equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the 10th embodiment, a pipe processing system according to the 19th embodiment equipped with a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the 10th embodiment, a pipe processing system according to the 19th embodiment equipped with an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 14th embodiment, a computer program according to the 20th embodiment that includes instructions to cause the computer to execute the nesting method according to the 10th embodiment, and a computer program according to the 20th embodiment that includes instructions to cause the computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 14th embodiment, it is possible to set a toolpath that performs common line processing not to perform lead-in processing.

[0036] A unit processing program generation method according to the 11th embodiment, a pipe processing system according to the 19th embodiment comprising an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 11th embodiment, and a computer program according to the 20th embodiment comprising instructions to cause the computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 11th embodiment can generate a unit processing program including a processing program based on the shape data of the target product, the shape data of the pipe, and the arrangement of the target product within the pipe.

[0037] In the unit processing program generation method according to the 12th embodiment, the pipe processing system according to the 19th embodiment which includes an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 12th embodiment, and the computer program according to the 20th embodiment which includes instructions to cause the computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 12th embodiment, the presence or absence of common line processing can be set by setting only a first flag in the integrated processing program that calls the unit processing program, thus facilitating the generation of the integrated processing program.

[0038] In the unit processing program generation method according to the 13th embodiment, the pipe processing system according to the 19th embodiment which includes an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 13th embodiment, and the computer program according to the 20th embodiment which includes instructions to cause the computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 13th embodiment, the orientation of the coordinate axes of the work coordinate system can be set by setting the delivery parameters in the integrated processing program that calls the unit processing program, thus facilitating the generation of the integrated processing program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] The nesting method, unit machining program generation method, pipe machining machine, pipe machining system, and computer program disclosed herein enable easy reconfiguration of nested machining programs on an NC device by selecting the product to be machined. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the external configuration of the pipe processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of program code for a unit processing program. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows another example of program code for a unit processing program. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a user interface for a nesting program. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of an additional user interface for a nesting program. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the confirmation screen for the integrated machining program when input is received to allow common line machining. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an overview of the program code for the integrated machining program when common line machining is performed. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the program code for the unit processing program shown in Figure 2. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the program code for the unit processing program shown in Figure 3. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of a confirmation screen for the integrated machining program when input is received that does not permit common line machining. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an overview of the program code for the integrated machining program when common line machining is not performed. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of a confirmation screen for an integrated machining program when the input specifies nesting multiple target products that have common line machining suitability as a placement characteristic but have pipe cut surfaces that do not have a counterpart for common line machining. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of a confirmation screen for an integrated machining program when input is received to nest multiple target products having pipe cut surfaces that have common line machining incompatibility as a layout characteristic. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the unit processing program generation method according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the nesting method according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the nesting method according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of step S27 in Figure 16. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of step S28 in Figure 16. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings illustrating its embodiments. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate corresponding or substantially identical components. <Embodiment> <Configuration of pipe processing machine 1> Figure 1 shows an external configuration diagram of a pipe processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pipe processing system 100 includes a pipe processing machine 1, an external computer 2, and a communication network 3. The pipe processing machine 1 comprises a base 10, a chuck 12, a laser processing head 14, a first workpiece support member 16, a second workpiece support member 17, an additional workpiece support member 19, a headstock 20, a spindle 22, an additional chuck 24, a steady rest 26, and a numerical control computer 30. The chuck 12 is configured to grip the workpiece W so that the workpiece W can rotate around the rotation axis Ax.

[0042] The workpiece W is, for example, a round pipe or a square pipe. The cross-section of the square pipe is preferably square, but any polygonal shape is acceptable. The workpiece W is also held by an additional chuck 24 provided on the spindle 22. The spindle 22 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis Ax with the workpiece W attached to one end via the additional chuck 24. In other words, the additional chuck 24 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis Ax with the spindle 22. The pipe, which is the workpiece W, has a rear end face RS that is mounted on the chuck (additional chuck 24) of the pipe processing machine 1, and a longitudinal direction D of the pipe along the rotation axis Ax. L It has a front end face FS opposite to it.

[0043] The headstock 20 supports the spindle 22 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Ax. The headstock 20 is provided at one end of the base 10. The headstock 20 is guided by a rail (not shown) provided on the base 10 and is movable in the axial direction Dx along the rotation axis Ax. The spindle 22 and the additional chuck 24 are movable in the axial direction Dx together with the headstock 20. The stabilizer 26 is configured to support the workpiece W so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Ax between the chuck 12 and the additional chuck 24 in the axial direction Dx. The headstock 20, spindle 22, additional chuck 24, and stabilizer 26 are provided on the second side S2 opposite to the first side S1 shown in the figure with respect to the chuck 12. Note that the pipe processing machine 1 does not necessarily have to include the stabilizer 26.

[0044] The workpiece W is held by the chuck 12 so as to pass through it. The headstock 20 moves in the forward direction Df from the headstock 20 toward the chuck 12, which is part of the axial direction Dx, and the workpiece W is pushed out of the chuck 12 in the forward direction Df. As the workpiece W is rotated on the spindle 22, the machined surface of the workpiece W protruding from the chuck 12 is directed toward the laser processing head 14. The laser processing head 14 is located on the first side S1, opposite the additional chuck 24 to the chuck 12 in the axial direction Dx, and is configured to process the workpiece W with a laser beam to manufacture a product. The laser processing head 14 can be tilted in a direction inclined from the vertical direction Dv toward the axial direction Dx, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 1. The vertical direction Dv refers to the bilateral direction, which is either the direction of gravity or the opposite direction. The vertical direction Dv substantially coincides with the height direction Dh along the height of the pipe processing machine 1. Figure 1 illustrates an example where the laser processing head 14 is tilted in a direction inclined from the vertical direction Dv to the forward direction Df. However, the laser processing head 14 may also be tilted in a direction inclined from the vertical direction Dv to the backward direction Dr, which is opposite to the forward direction Df. Furthermore, the laser processing head 14 may be tilted in a direction inclined from the vertical direction Dv to the width direction Dw, which is perpendicular to both the axial direction Dx and the vertical direction Dv. The machine coordinate system of the pipe processing machine 1 is defined by the X-axis, where the backward direction Dr is the positive direction; the Z-axis, where the upward direction of the height direction Dh is the positive direction; the Y-axis, where the direction from the front to the back of the paper in Figure 1 is the positive direction among the width direction Dw; the B-axis, which is represented by the amount of rotation (°) around the Y-axis; and the C-axis, which is represented by the amount of rotation (°) around the X-axis.

[0045] The first workpiece support member 16 and the second workpiece support member 17 are provided on the first side S1. The first workpiece support member 16 and the second workpiece support member 17 are preferably rollers. The first workpiece support member 16 and the second workpiece support member 17 rotate counterclockwise in Figure 1, enabling the product processed by the laser processing head 14 to be discharged in the forward direction Df. The pipe processing machine 1 may further include an additional workpiece support member 19 for supporting long workpieces W. The additional workpiece support member 19 is also preferably a roller for the convenience of discharging the workpieces W. However, the first workpiece support member 16, the second workpiece support member 17, and the additional workpiece support member 19 may be plate-shaped members. <Configuration of the numerical control computer 30, and operation of the programs installed on the numerical control computer 30> The numerical control computer 30 is a computer that controls the operation of the pipe processing machine 1. The numerical control computer 30 includes a monitor 31, input devices 32, at least one hardware processor 33, memory 34, system bus 36, network adapter 37, and input / output interface 38. The at least one hardware processor 33, memory 34, system bus 36, network adapter 37, and input / output interface 38 are examples of electrical circuits. The system bus 36 electrically connects the at least one hardware processor 33, memory 34, system bus 36, network adapter 37, and input / output interface 38 in a manner that enables them to send and receive data and commands to and from each other. The network adapter 37 is a network adapter such as a wired / wireless LAN that connects to other computers via a communication network 3.

[0046] The input / output interface 38 is an interface for connecting the monitor 31, input device 32, actuators (not shown), laser oscillator (not shown), and hardware processor 33. For example, it refers to a video card, various serial / parallel communication interfaces, and an interface for sending signals to the drivers of the actuators and laser oscillator. The actuators refer to, for example, motors that move the chuck 12, laser processing head 14, first workpiece support member 16, second workpiece support member 17, additional workpiece support member 19, headstock 20, spindle 22, and additional chuck 24. The laser oscillator is configured to output a laser to the laser processing head 14.

[0047] The monitor 31 is typically located on the control panel of the numerical control computer 30. The input device 32 typically includes keys and buttons located on the control panel of the numerical control computer 30. Furthermore, if the monitor 31 has a touch panel, the input device 32 also includes the touch panel. However, the monitor 31 and input device 32 are not limited to the examples described above and may be any monitor and input device connected to the numerical control computer 30 via the hardware processor 33.

[0048] Memory 34 is configured to store the control program 5, the nesting program 6, the integrated machining program 7, multiple unit machining programs 8, and multiple original integrated machining programs 9. Therefore, the multiple unit machining programs 8 and the multiple original integrated machining programs 9 are provided in the numerical control computer 30. Each of the integrated machining program 7, the multiple unit machining programs 8, and the multiple original integrated machining programs 9 is written, for example, in EIA / ISO program code and includes code that defines a toolpath for cutting out the target product from among multiple products cut out from the pipe (workpiece W). Each of the multiple unit machining programs 8 includes in its program code a machining profile 80 (details described later) that shows the shape of each pipe cut surface and the positional characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe for at least one pipe cut surface of the target product. Here, the target product refers to the product manufactured by each of the multiple unit machining programs 8. Details of the machining programs will be described later. The integrated machining program 7 has code that calls the multiple unit machining programs 8. Multiple original integrated machining programs 9 are nested programs containing multiple products generated by CAD / CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software on an external computer 2. When an original integrated machining program 9 is generated, a unit machining program 8 corresponding to each product manufactured by the original integrated machining program 9 is also generated. Memory 34 stores the multiple unit machining programs 8 corresponding to all products manufactured by the original integrated machining program 9.

[0049] The control program 5 has a software library for generating various signals output via the input / output interface 38 in order to control the actuators and laser oscillators described above, based on the EIA / ISO program codes written in the integrated machining program 7 and the multiple unit machining programs 8. In other words, the memory 34 contains instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute the pipe machining process defined by the integrated machining program 7 and the multiple unit machining programs 8 when executed by at least one hardware processor 33.

[0050] Figures 2 and 3 show examples of the program code for the unit machining program 8. Figures 2 and 3 show an image representing the three-dimensional shape of the target product using computer graphics to the right of the program code for the unit machining program 8. Figures 2 and 3 are examples of screens displayed on the monitor 31. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the program code for the unit machining program 8 includes a machining profile 80 expressed as a comment. The machining profile 80 includes a workpiece profile 81, a product shape profile 82, and a placement characteristic profile 83. The nesting program 6 includes instructions to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a process that analyzes the comment lines of the program code for the unit machining program 8 and extracts information related to the workpiece profile 81, the product shape profile 82, and the placement characteristic profile 83 when executed by at least one hardware processor 33.

[0051] In the examples in Figures 2 and 3, the workpiece profile 81 shows in the "MATERIAL:" row that the pipe material is iron (STEEL) and the laser gas is oxygen (O2). The workpiece profile 81 shows in the "THICKNESS:" row that the pipe wall thickness is 1.6 mm. The workpiece profile 81 shows in the "SECTION:" row that the pipe shape is a round pipe and its diameter is 50.8 mm. The workpiece profile 81 shows in the "PARTS LENGTH:" row that the length of the pipe of the product in question is DL This indicates that the length is 390.8 mm. The workpiece profile 81, in the "PARTS CYCLE TIME:" row, indicates that the cycle time for manufacturing the product in Figure 2 is 1 minute and 10 seconds, and the cycle time for manufacturing the product in Figure 3 is 1 minute and 15 seconds.

[0052] The product shape profile 82 is a profile that shows the shape of each pipe cross-section of at least one pipe cross-section of the product in question. The arrangement characteristic profile 83 is a profile that shows the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cross-section within the pipe. The product shape profile 82 and the arrangement characteristic profile 83 are related to the fact that when the product in question is nested, the longitudinal direction D L In this configuration, the front side (FRONT) or the longitudinal direction D is located between each pipe cut surface and the rear end surface RS. L Each pipe cross-section has relative position information indicating whether it is located on the rear side (REAR) between the cross-section and the front end face FS. In other words, the arrangement characteristics have the relative position information described above. The shape of the front cross-section of each pipe remains on the front side even after nesting and is not swapped to the rear side. The shape of the rear cross-section of each pipe remains on the rear side even after nesting and is not swapped to the front side.

[0053] The arrangement characteristics represented by the arrangement characteristics profile 83 further include common line processing suitability information 83A in the "FRONT COMMON CUT:" and "REAR COMMON CUT:" rows, which indicates either common line processing suitability (VALID) indicating that each pipe cut surface is subject to common line processing, or common line processing insuitability (INVALID) indicating that each pipe cut surface is not subject to common line processing. When each pipe cut surface is a planar cut surface, the arrangement characteristics of the pipe cut surface have common line processing suitability (VALID). Common line processing, as used here, refers to processing so as to eliminate the margin length between products when the shapes of two opposing cut surfaces of the target products match. The processing profile 80 includes product shape profiles 82, "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "FRONT EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:", which define the shape of the front pipe cut surface. The processing profile 80 includes product shape profiles 82, "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:", which define the shape of the rear pipe cut surface. When "FRONT COMMON CUT:" is "INVALID", a dummy value is set for the product shape profile 82 that defines the shape of the front pipe cut surface. When "REAR COMMON CUT:" is "INVALID", a dummy value is set for the product shape profile 82 that defines the shape of the rear pipe cut surface. The dummy value is, for example, 0.

[0054] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the product shape profile 82 is in the "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" rows, with respect to the longitudinal direction D LThe first rotation angle is formed by the reference plane RP, which is a plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis (X-axis) along the curve, and the planar cross-section plane CP. The product shape profile 82 includes the second rotation angle in the lines "FRONT EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:", which is the angle formed by the intersection line of the reference plane RP and the planar cross-section plane CP and the reference axis (Y-axis) perpendicular to the first rotation axis (X-axis). In other words, the shape of the planar cross-section plane is defined by the first rotation angle and the second rotation angle described above.

[0055] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the placement characteristics represented by the placement characteristic profile 83 further have at least one allowable rotation angle 83B in the row labeled "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" that allows the target product to be rotated around the first rotation axis (X-axis) in the nesting. In Figure 2, "0" in "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" means no rotation. In Figure 3, "360" in "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" means rotatable to any rotation angle. When the workpiece W is a square pipe, it is rotatable to any of the rotation angles "0", "90", or "180", where "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:0" means no rotation, "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:90" means rotatable in 90° increments, and "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:180" means rotatable in 180° increments.

[0056] The nesting program 6 includes instructions to the numerical control computer 30 to generate a user interface 60 for selecting multiple unit machining programs 8a to be nested from multiple unit machining programs 8, and to display it on the monitor 31, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. The nesting program 6 also includes instructions to the numerical control computer 30 to analyze comment lines in the program code of the unit machining program 8 and extract information relating to the workpiece profile 81, the product shape profile 82, and the arrangement characteristic profile 83, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33.

[0057] Figure 4 shows an example of the user interface 60 of the nesting program 6. The user interface 60 includes, as elements, a table 61 that displays the attributes of the workpiece and a list 55 that displays multiple unit machining programs 8 stored in memory 34. In this user interface 60, the original integrated machining program 9, which is the basis of the integrated machining program 7, is pre-selected and displayed. The program code of the original integrated machining program 9 includes a workpiece profile 81 expressed as a comment. Table 61 shows the contents of the workpiece profile 81 of the pre-selected original integrated machining program 9. When the nesting program 6 is executed by at least one hardware processor 33, it includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to display as a list 55 multiple unit machining programs 8 that contain the same workpiece profile 81 as the pre-selected original integrated machining program 9 from among the multiple unit machining programs 8 stored in memory 34.

[0058] List 55 includes, as elements, checkboxes 56 for selecting multiple unit processing programs 8, text 57 representing the identification information (e.g., program name) of the multiple unit processing programs 8, and text 58 representing the creation date and time of the multiple unit processing programs 8. The checkboxes 56, text 57, and text 58 are displayed in multiple columns, one for each of the multiple unit processing programs 8. These columns can be selected by touch or other means.

[0059] The user interface 60 includes an order list 49 and a button 59 as elements. When several checkboxes 56 are selected and the button 59 is pressed, the unit processing programs 8 corresponding to the selected checkboxes 56 are added to the end of the order list 49. If multiple checkboxes 56 are selected and the button 59 is pressed, the unit processing programs 8 corresponding to the multiple selected checkboxes 56 are added to the end of the order list 49 in the order they are displayed in the list 55. These multiple unit processing programs 8 displayed in the order list 49 correspond to multiple selected unit processing programs 8a. Note that the checkboxes 56 may be other selection interfaces such as radio buttons or drop-down lists.

[0060] The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a nesting process in which the target products of multiple unit processing programs 8 displayed in the order list 49 are manufactured in order from top to bottom of the order list 49, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. This display order in the order list 49 is called the priority order. Therefore, selecting multiple unit processing programs 8a to be selected includes setting the priority order of the multiple unit processing programs 8a to be selected.

[0061] The order list 49 includes as elements: checkboxes 62 for selecting multiple unit processing programs 8a to be selected; text 63 representing identification information (e.g., program names) of the multiple unit processing programs 8; a numerical input form 64 for entering the number of products to be manufactured; icons 65 representing the approximate shapes of the front and rear ends; icons 66 representing information on whether common line processing is possible; computer graphics 67 representing the product shape; and a button 68 for transitioning to the additional user interface 70 described later.

[0062] The checkbox 62, text 63, numerical input form 64, icon 65, and icon 66 are displayed in multiple columns, one for each of the multiple unit processing programs 8. These columns can be selected by touch or other means. When one column is selected, the product shape of the unit processing program 8 corresponding to that column is displayed by computer graphics 67. Similarly, if one column in list 55 is selected, the product shape of the unit processing program 8 corresponding to that column is displayed by computer graphics 67.

[0063] The identification information represented in text 63 is, for example, information represented as a comment next to the program number. Icon 65A shown in Figure 4 indicates that the values ​​of "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" are not 0. When the values ​​of "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" are 0, icon B (see Figures 12 and 13), which indicates that the cutting plane is perpendicular to the axis of rotation Ax, is used as icon 65.

[0064] In the target products shown in Figures 2 and 3, all pipe cut surfaces are planar cut surfaces, so icon 66 shown in Figure 4 indicates that "FRONT COMMON CUT:" and "REAR COMMON CUT:" are "VALID". In other words, icon 66 indicates that the arrangement characteristics of all pipe cut surfaces are compatible with common line processing. When "FRONT COMMON CUT:" and "REAR COMMON CUT:" are "INVALID", icon 66C (see Figure 13), which does not have a checkmark, is used as icon 66.

[0065] The user interface 60 includes an Up Button 69A, a Down Button 69B, and a Trashbox Button 69C as elements. When the Up Button 69A is pressed, the priority of the selected unit processing program 8a corresponding to the checked checkbox 62 increases by 1. When the Down Button 69B is pressed, the priority of the selected unit processing program 8a corresponding to the checked checkbox 62 decreases by 1. When the Trashbox Button 69C is pressed, the selected unit processing program 8a corresponding to the checked checkbox 62 is removed from the order list 49. Note that the checkbox 62 may be other selection interfaces such as radio buttons or drop-down lists. Note that the method of selecting multiple selected unit processing programs 8a from multiple unit processing programs 8, and the method of setting the priority of multiple selected unit processing programs 8a, are not limited to the above case, and multiple selected unit processing programs 8a may be selected based on the production plan.

[0066] When button 68 is pressed, the additional user interface 70 shown in Figure 5 is displayed. Figure 5 is an example of the additional user interface 70 of the nesting program 6 when "1" is entered in all of the numerical input forms 64 in Figure 4. The nesting program 6 includes instructions to the numerical control computer 30 to generate the additional user interface 70 and display it on the monitor 31 when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. The additional user interface 70 includes a numerical input form 71 for inputting the margin length from the front end face FS to the front end of the product, and the margin length between target products when common line processing is not performed, and the longitudinal direction D between the front end face FS and the rear end face RS. L The elements include a numerical input form 72 for inputting the distance (length of workpiece W), a toggle button 73 for inputting whether or not to perform common line machining, and a button 76 for transitioning to the confirmation screen 50 described later. Note that the toggle button 73 may be a different selection form such as a radio button or a checkbox.

[0067] The margin length entered in the numerical input form 71 is set as the distance from the front end face FS to the front end product and as the minimum distance between target products when common line processing is not performed. The material length entered in the numerical input form 72 is used to adjust the number of target products of the selected unit processing program 8a to be placed within a single material. When the nesting program 6 is executed by at least one hardware processor 33, if the total length of a set of target products to be nested in order of priority exceeds the material length, the program 6 determines a set of target products of the selected unit processing program 8a that fits within the material length range, and after the call to the selected unit processing program 8a for that set is finished, and before calling the selected unit processing program 8a for the next set, it provides instructions to the numerical control computer 30 to generate material unloading and loading codes to generate the integrated processing program 7.

[0068] In the following explanation, among the set of target products of the selected unit processing program 8a that fall within the material length range, the selected unit processing program 8a that is called first in the integrated processing program 7 will be referred to as the first unit processing program, and the selected unit processing program 8a that is called immediately after it in the integrated processing program 7 will be referred to as the second unit processing program. In other words, the integrated processing program 7 includes instructions to manufacture the target products of the first unit processing program before the target products of the second unit processing program.

[0069] The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a process that accepts input via the toggle button 73 whether or not to allow common line machining in the integrated machining program 7 when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. Figure 6 is an example of the confirmation screen 50 of the integrated machining program 7 when input to allow common line machining is given via the toggle button 73 in Figure 5 and button 76 is pressed. The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a process that generates the confirmation screen 50 and displays it on the monitor 31 when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. The confirmation screen 50 includes the text 63 mentioned above, text 64A which displays the numerical value entered in the numerical input form 64, icons 65 and 66, and computer graphics 67, as well as computer graphics 51 which displays the three-dimensional shape of a nested product set of multiple target products corresponding to multiple selected unit processing programs 8a, text 52 which represents the number of processes in the nested product set, text 53 which represents the cycle time required to manufacture one product set, and a button 54. The functions of text 63, icons 65 and 66, and computer graphics 67 are the same as those in the user interface 60 mentioned above, so their explanation is omitted. The text 64A simply displays the numerical value entered in the numerical input form 64 in the user interface 60 mentioned above, so its explanation is omitted.

[0070] The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to determine whether the arrangement characteristics of the first cutting surface, which is one of the at least one pipe cutting surfaces of the first unit processing program, and the second cutting surface, which is one of the at least one pipe cutting surfaces of the second unit processing program, which are arranged facing each other, are suitable for common line processing when common line processing is permitted by input from the toggle button 73. In the case of Figure 4, as shown by icon 66, the arrangement characteristics of the first cutting surface are suitable for common line processing, and the arrangement characteristics of the second cutting surface are suitable for common line processing. Furthermore, the nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to determine whether the first shape, which is the shape of the first cutting surface, is suitable for the second shape, which is the shape of the second cutting surface, if the first rotation angle of the first cutting surface and the first rotation angle of the second cutting surface are equal. In other words, the nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a process in which, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, if the value of one of "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" corresponding to the first cross-section matches the value of the other of "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" corresponding to the second cross-section, the first shape is considered to fit the second shape.

[0071] When common line machining is permitted by input via the toggle button 73, and the respective arrangement characteristics of the first and second cutting surfaces are suitable for common line machining, and the conditions for the first shape to match the second shape are met, the nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to determine a number of transformation parameters that define a rotational-translational transformation to convert from the work coordinate system of the first unit machining program to the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program, so that the first toolpath for generating the first cutting surface matches the second toolpath for generating the second cutting surface, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. These transformation parameters include a translational parameter that defines a translational transformation and a rotational parameter that defines a rotational transformation. The translational parameter includes, for example, the longitudinal length of the pipe of the first and second cutting surface shapes to be machined using common line machining. The rotational parameter includes one rotation angle and rotation axis information of at least one allowable rotation angle 83B specified in the arrangement characteristic profile 83 of the second unit machining program.

[0072] In the example in Figure 6, the "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" of the target product in Figure 2 and the "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" of the target product in Figure 3 are both 45°. For the target product in Figure 2, the allowable rotation angle 83B is 0°, while for the target product in Figure 3, the allowable rotation angle 83B is arbitrary. Therefore, by rotating the target product in Figure 3 by 180° around the X-axis (180° along the C-axis), the first shape and the second shape can be matched. The translation parameter is determined by subtracting the value obtained by multiplying the diameter of the workpiece W (pipe) by the tangent of the rotation angle (45°) described above.

[0073] The computer graphics 51 is a graphic that arranges the target products of multiple selected unit processing programs 8a in order of priority. The three-dimensional shape of the product set is displayed in the computer graphics 51 so that the rear pipe cross-section of the target product in Figure 2 and the front pipe cross-section of the target product in Figure 3 are machined along a common line. The distance between the target product in Figure 2 and the target product in Figure 3 is adjusted based on the translation parameters described above.

[0074] Text 52 represents the number of products processed in the product set displayed in the computer graphics 51. In the numerical input form 64, one target product is entered for Figure 2 and one target product for Figure 3, so "1" is displayed as text 52. Text 53, which represents the cycle time, shows the sum of the cycle time (1 minute 10 seconds) written on the workpiece profile 81 of the target product in Figure 2 and the cycle time (1 minute 15 seconds) written on the workpiece profile 81 of the target product in Figure 3.

[0075] The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to generate an integrated machining program 7 so that the first and second cutting surfaces are machined along a common line when the button 54 is pressed during execution by at least one hardware processor 33. More specifically, the nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to generate an integrated machining program 7 so that the first and second shapes are machined along a common line when the first rotation angle of the first cutting surface and the first rotation angle of the second cutting surface are equal during execution by at least one hardware processor 33.

[0076] Figure 7 shows an overview of the source code of the integrated machining program 7, which is generated so that the first shape and the second shape are machined using common line machining. In Figure 7, descriptions of processes that are not specific to the present invention are omitted. The program code of the integrated machining program 7 includes multiple selected unit machining programs 8a as macro programs and G65 code that calls the multiple selected unit machining programs 8a. The first G65 code is set to call macro program O0002 by argument P, and the next G65 code is set to call macro program O0003 by argument P. The calling order of macro programs O0002 and O0003 is the same as the priority order described above. In other words, generating the integrated machining program 7 involves generating code that calls the selected unit machining programs 8a in the order of priority. The G65 code is configured to be executed by a WHILE statement when multiple quantities are specified by the numerical input form 64. The number following LE in the WHILE statement is the value from the numerical input form 64. Furthermore, when the same selected unit machining program 8a is executed consecutively, if the common line machining settings differ between the first or last executed selected unit machining program 8a and the remaining selected unit machining programs 8a, then different G65 codes should be set in the WHILE statement according to the value of macro variable #996.

[0077] Argument I is the first flag, which sets whether or not to perform common line machining. When the first flag is set to 0, the macro program performs special processing to perform common line machining. When the first flag is set to 1, the macro program performs normal processing without common line machining. Argument C sets the rotation angle for rotating the work coordinate system in the macro program. Argument J is the second flag, which sets whether or not to perform lead-in machining on the rear pipe cut surface of the product. When the second flag is set to 0, the macro program performs lead-in machining. When the second flag is set to 1, the macro program does not perform lead-in machining. Argument X is an argument for setting the distance from the front end face FS to the front end of the product and the minimum distance between target products when common line machining is not performed.

[0078] Argument I is set to 0 if the front pipe cross-section of the target product corresponds to the second cross-section, and to 1 otherwise. Argument J is set to 0 if the rear pipe cross-section of the target product corresponds to the first cross-section determined in the previous processing, and to 1 otherwise. Argument C is set to an angle among at least one allowable rotation angle 83B such that the first cross-section and the second cross-section are parallel. Argument X is entered with the value entered in the numerical input form 71.

[0079] Figure 8 shows the detailed program code for macro program O0002 in Figure 7, which is the program code for unit machining program 8 shown in Figure 2. Figure 9 shows the detailed program code for macro program O0003 in Figure 7, which is the program code for unit machining program 8 shown in Figure 3. In Figures 8 and 9, the machining profile 80 and processes that are not specific to the present invention, which have already been explained, are omitted.

[0080] First, in Figures 8 and 9, the multiple G01 codes from sequence number N1 to sequence number N2 define the toolpath for generating the front pipe cut surface. The multiple G01 codes from sequence number N2 to sequence number N3 define the toolpath for generating the rear pipe cut surface. The target product manufactured by macro program O0002 in Figure 8 and the target product manufactured by macro program O0003 in Figure 9 have common line machining compatibility for both the front and rear pipe cut surfaces. Therefore, the multiple G01 codes from sequence number N1 to sequence number N2 and the multiple G01 codes from sequence number N2 to sequence number N3 correspond to pipe cutting codes that define the toolpath for generating a common line machining candidate cut surface that has common line machining compatibility among at least one pipe cut surface in the work coordinate system. These toolpaths are defined by the work coordinate system defined in each of the multiple unit machining programs 8. The numerical control computer 30 automatically controls the movement of the laser processing head 14 and the spindle head 20 while referring to the coordinate values ​​of the toolpath in the work coordinate system. When the laser processing head 14 is moved, the correspondence between the work coordinate system and the machine coordinate system does not change, but when the spindle head 20 is moved, the correspondence between the work coordinate system and the machine coordinate system changes. When processing multiple corresponding products, the numerical control computer 30 controls the processing of each toolpath while setting the respective work coordinate system using G92 code.

[0081] In Figures 8 and 9, the G90G92 code describing processes A1, A2, B1, and B2, which are set before the pipe cutting code described above, is a code that transforms the X-axis coordinate system by using the argument X. In Figures 8 and 9, macro variable #4, i.e., the first flag, is input as argument I in the G65 code. When macro variable #4 is 1, the process of not performing common line machining is selected, and when macro variable #4 is 0, the process of performing common line machining is selected. Processes A1 and A2 in Figures 8 and 9 are executed when common line machining is not performed. Processes A1 and A2 are processes that set the work coordinate system by advancing by the margin length from the front end face FS to the front end product, or the margin length between target products when common line machining is not performed, as entered in the numerical input form 71. In other words, processes A1 and A2 are processes that set the reference position of the work coordinate system based on the margin length from the end face of the pipe or the rear end of the target product to be machined immediately before the execution of the unit machining program.

[0082] Processes B1 and B2 in Figures 8 and 9 are executed when common line machining is performed. Processes B1 and B2 set the reference position of the work coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the pipe in the common line machining candidate cutting surface. In other words, processes B1 and B2 set the work coordinate system by moving it back by the longitudinal length of the pipe in the first and second cutting surfaces to be machined for the common line. The longitudinal length of the pipe in the first and second cutting surfaces is a translation parameter. Therefore, when machining a common line, processes B1 and B2 correspond to the process of setting the position of the reference point of the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on the translation parameter that defines the translation transformation among several transformation parameters.

[0083] As is clear from the source code in Figure 8, the execution of either process A1 or process B1 is selected based on the first flag. As is clear from the source code in Figure 9, the execution of either process A1 or process B1 is selected based on the first flag. Therefore, generating the program code for the unit machining program 8 includes generating code that allows the system to select, based on the first flag, whether to perform the process of setting the reference position of the work coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the pipe at the common line machining candidate cutting surface, or based on the end face of the pipe or the margin length from the rear end of the target product to be machined immediately before the execution of the unit machining program.

[0084] In Figures 8 and 9, the G90G92 code describing processes C1 and C2, which are set before the pipe cutting code described above, is a code that sets the C-axis coordinate system by utilizing argument C of the G65 code. Macro variable #5045, which is part of argument C of the G90G92 code, is the value of the C-axis coordinate system in which the current position of the laser processing head 14 is set in the pipe processing machine 1. Macro variable #3, which is part of argument C of the G90G92 code, is input as argument C in G65, which will be described later. Therefore, processes C1 and C2 correspond to the process of setting the orientation of each coordinate axis of the work coordinate system of the second unit processing program based on the rotation parameter that defines rotational transformation among multiple transformation parameters. This rotation parameter includes the setting of C-axis.

[0085] The multiple selected unit machining programs 8a (multiple unit machining programs 8) include, following the G90G92 code describing processes C1 and C2, code for moving the laser machining head 14 to the end position of the front pipe cutting process, skipping the code for machining the target product with a toolpath to generate the front pipe cut surface, and instead executing a process to machine the target product with a toolpath to generate the rear pipe cut surface, when common line machining is performed, i.e., when the first flag is 0 (processes D1 and D2). In other words, the code for processes D1 and D2 corresponds to code that can skip the pipe cutting code described above based on the first flag. Generating the program code for the unit machining program 8 includes generating code that can skip the pipe cutting code that defines a toolpath for generating a common line machining candidate cut surface that has common line machining suitability among at least one pipe cut surface in the work coordinate system, based on the first flag.

[0086] In macro program O0002, since argument I is 1, when macro program O0002 is executed by at least one hardware processor 33, the process of machining the target product using the toolpath to generate the front pipe cut surface is executed, and the process of machining the target product using the toolpath to generate the rear pipe cut surface is executed. In macro program O0003, since argument I is 0, when macro program O0003 is executed by at least one hardware processor 33, the process of machining the target product using the toolpath to generate the front pipe cut surface is skipped, and the process of machining the target product using the toolpath to generate the rear pipe cut surface is executed.

[0087] The toolpath for generating the front pipe cut surface in macro program O0003 corresponds to the toolpath for generating the second cut surface. Therefore, generating the integrated machining program 7 includes preparing program code to set, before the code defining the toolpath for generating the second cut surface, the position of the reference point of the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on the translation parameter that defines the translational transformation among a plurality of transformation parameters, and the orientation of each coordinate axis of the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on the rotation parameter that defines the rotational transformation among a plurality of transformation parameters. In the above example, the process of machining the target product with the toolpath for generating the rear pipe cut surface may be skipped in macro program O0002, and the process of machining the target product with the toolpath for generating the front pipe cut surface may be executed in macro program O0003. Therefore, the nesting program 6 includes an instruction to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process to invalidate either the code that defines the first toolpath or the code that defines the second toolpath when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. Note that this method is not the only way to disable the toolpath; you can also disable it by deleting either the code that defines the first toolpath or the code that defines the second toolpath from the unit processing program 8, or by skipping it using other methods such as an IF statement.

[0088] Referring to Figure 9, between sequence number N1 and the program code corresponding to the second toolpath, there is code that selectively executes a piercing process (process X1) based on whether or not piercing is set in the processing conditions for laser processing set by the unit processing program 8, and code that outputs the laser output set in the processing conditions (process X2). The macro variable #154701 in the program is set to a non-zero value when piercing is set in the processing conditions, and to 0 when piercing is set in the processing conditions. In addition, after the code corresponding to the second toolpath, there is code to stop the laser output (process X3). Note that in the unit processing program 8 in Figure 8, the code corresponding to the above processes X1 to X3 is also included in the section corresponding to the toolpath of the front pipe cut surface.

[0089] Referring to Figure 8, between sequence number N2 and the program code corresponding to the first toolpath, code is inserted that allows for selective execution of whether or not to perform lead-in machining (rear-side lead-in machining) before machining the first toolpath, depending on whether macro variable #5 is 1 or not. Macro variable #5 is input as argument J, i.e., the second flag, in the G65 code. When macro variable #5 is 0, the process of not performing rear-side lead-in machining is selected, and when macro variable #5 is 1, the process of performing rear-side lead-in machining is selected. Generating the program code for the unit machining program 8 further includes generating code that can skip the lead-in code based on the second flag when it includes lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to the toolpath for generating the common line machining candidate cut surface. In the example in Figures 8 and 9, this lead-in code includes the G00 code that moves the laser machining head 14 to the lead-in machining start position and the initial movement code (G01 code) to the pipe cut surface. If rear lead-in machining is not performed, a process is executed to move the laser machining head 14 to the initial position for common line machining. Following the code that allows for the selective execution of whether or not to perform rear lead-in machining, there is a code that allows for the selective execution of piercing (process X4) and a code that outputs the laser output set by the machining conditions (process X5). After the program corresponding to the second toolpath, there is a code that stops the laser output (process X6). In addition, in the unit machining program 8 in Figure 9, the code corresponding to processes X4 to X6 above is also included in the section corresponding to the toolpath of the rear pipe cut surface.

[0090] The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to disable the first lead-in code when it is executed by at least one hardware processor 33, if the first unit machining program includes a first lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a first toolpath for generating a first cut surface. Specifically, the first lead-in code can be disabled by generating the integrated machining program 7 by setting the argument J of the G65 code that calls the macro program O0002 to the value 0. Note that the disabling is not limited to this method; the first lead-in code may also be deleted from the unit machining program 8 or skipped using other methods such as a GOTO statement for the purpose of disabling it.

[0091] The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to disable the second lead-in code when it is executed by at least one hardware processor 33 and the second unit machining program includes a second lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a second toolpath for generating a second cut surface. Specifically, the first lead-in code can be disabled by generating the integrated machining program 7 by setting the argument I of the G65 code that calls the macro program O0003 to the value 0. Note that the disabling is not limited to this method; the first lead-in code may also be deleted from the unit machining program 8 or skipped using other methods such as an IF statement for the purpose of disabling it.

[0092] The nesting program 6 includes the instructions described above. Therefore, it can be said that the nesting program 6 includes instructions to generate an integrated machining program 7 in which multiple target products of multiple selected unit machining programs 8a are nested, such that when the first shape, which is the shape of a first cross-section that is one of at least one pipe cross-sections of a first unit machining program among the multiple selected unit machining programs 8a received by the input device 32, matches the second shape, which is the shape of a second cross-section that is one of at least one pipe cross-sections of a second unit machining program among the multiple selected unit machining programs 8a, the first cross-section and the second cross-section are placed facing each other based on their arrangement characteristics and machined along a common line.

[0093] Next, the processing of the nesting program 6 when common line processing is not permitted by the input of the toggle button 73 will be described. When the nesting program 6 is executed by at least one hardware processor 33, if the input does not permit common line processing, it includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to generate an integrated processing program 7 that processes the first and second cutting surfaces separately. Figure 10 is an example of the confirmation screen 50A of the integrated processing program 7 when the toggle button 73 is input that does not permit common line processing. Figure 11 shows an overview of the program code of the integrated processing program 7 when common line processing is not performed. In Figure 10, elements having the same configuration or function as the elements shown in Figure 6 are given the same reference numerals and their explanation is omitted.

[0094] Referring to the computer graphics 51A in Figure 10, when the toggle button 73 is set to not allow common line machining, the rotational-translational conversion process that occurs when common line machining is performed is not executed, and the target product of the first unit machining program and the target product of the second unit machining program described above are in the longitudinal direction D of the workpiece W (pipe). LThey are arranged in a row. To achieve this, in the integrated machining program 7A of Figure 11, unlike the integrated machining program 7 of Figure 7, the G65 code that calls macro program O0002 is configured to perform lead-in machining on the rear pipe cut surface of the target product of macro program O0002 by setting argument J to 1. In the G65 code that calls macro program O0003, the argument I is set to 1, which means that a process that does not perform common line machining is executed, that is, a process that processes the target product with the toolpath for generating the front pipe cut surface of the target product of macro program O0003. Furthermore, in the G65 code that calls macro program O0003, the argument C is set to 0, which means that the rotational translational transformation process of the work coordinate system is not executed. Even in this case, there is no need to modify the program code of macro programs O0002 and O0003.

[0095] Next, we will explain the nesting method when the toggle button 73 is input to perform common line processing, even though the pipe cut surfaces of the target products of the multiple selected unit processing programs 8a selected by the user interface 60 have common line processing suitability as arrangement characteristics and there is no counterpart for common line processing. Figure 12 is an example of the confirmation screen 50B of the integrated processing program 7 when such input to nest multiple target products is received. Referring to the computer graphics 51B in Figure 12, the target products of the multiple selected unit processing programs 8a are located in the longitudinal direction D of the workpiece W (pipe). L They are arranged side by side. In this case, the integrated machining program 7 is generated with the same settings as the integrated machining program 7A in Figure 11.

[0096] Next, even if the shapes of the two pipe cut surfaces of the target products of the plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a selected by the user interface 60 match, when they have a common line machining incompatibility as the placement characteristics, the nesting method when an input to perform common line machining is made to the toggle button 73 will be described. FIG. 13 is an example of the confirmation screen 50C of the integrated machining program 7 when an input for nesting such a plurality of target products is made. Referring to the computer graphics 51C in FIG. 13, the target products of such a plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction D of the work W (pipe). L In this case, the integrated machining program 7 is generated with the same settings as the integrated machining program 7A in FIG. 11. <Configuration of the external computer 2 and operation of the program installed in the external computer 2> The external computer 2 includes a display 41, an input device 42, at least one hardware processor 43, a memory 44, a system bus 46, a network adapter 47, and an input / output interface 48. At least one hardware processor 43, the memory 44, the system bus 46, the network adapter 47, and the input / output interface 48 are an example of circuitry. The system bus 46 electrically connects at least one hardware processor 43, the memory 44, the system bus 46, the network adapter 47, and the input / output interface 48 to each other in a manner capable of transmitting and receiving data and commands. The network adapter 47 is a network adapter such as a wired / wireless LAN that connects to the numerical control computer 30 via the communication network 3.

[0097] The input / output interface 48 is an interface for connecting the display 41 and input device 42 to the hardware processor 43, and refers to, for example, a video card or various serial / parallel communication interfaces. The display 41 is typically connected to a video card and displays images. The input device 42 typically includes a keyboard and buttons. Furthermore, if the display 41 has a touch panel, the input device 42 also includes the touch panel. However, the display 41 and input device 42 are not limited to the examples described above and may be any display and input device connected to the hardware processor 43.

[0098] Memory 44 is configured to store the machining program generation program 4, the workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D, the original integrated machining program 9, and multiple unit machining programs 8. Each of the multiple unit machining programs 8 and the original integrated machining program 9 is written, for example, in EIA / ISO program code and includes code that defines the toolpath for cutting out the target product from among multiple products cut out from the pipe (workpiece W).

[0099] The workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D includes 3D shape data of multiple products and 3D shape data of the workpiece W (pipe). The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions to cause the external computer 2 to read the workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D and to accept user input regarding the placement (position and orientation) of the product within the workpiece W.

[0100] The machining program generation program 4 includes a so-called CAD / CAM software library. When executed by at least one hardware processor 43, the machining program generation program 4 includes instructions to an external computer 2 to generate an original integrated machining program 9, which includes multiple toolpaths for cutting out each of the multiple products from the workpiece W (pipe), based on the shape data of the multiple products, the shape data of the workpiece W (pipe), and the arrangement of the multiple products within the workpiece W (pipe). The original integrated machining program 9 is equivalent to a conventional nesting program, except that it includes a workpiece profile 81.

[0101] The machining program generation program 4 includes an instruction to an external computer 2 to generate program code that includes code defining a toolpath for cutting out a target product, based on the shape data of the target product, the shape data of the pipe, and the placement of the target product within the pipe, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43. The machining program generation program 4 includes an instruction to an external computer 2 to generate a machining profile 80 that shows the shape of each pipe cut surface and the placement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe for at least one pipe cut surface of the target product, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43. The machining program generation program 4 includes an instruction to an external computer 2 to generate a unit machining program 8 in which the machining profile 80 is inserted into the program code, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43.

[0102] As described above, the machining profile 80 includes a workpiece profile 81, a product shape profile 82, and a placement characteristics profile 83, but the contents of the workpiece profile 81 are included in the workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D. The machining program generation program 4 includes an instruction to an external computer 2 to perform the process of generating the workpiece profile 81 based on the workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D when executed by at least one hardware processor 43.

[0103] The product shape profile 82 includes the placement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe (relative information indicating whether it is on the front or rear side) and the orientation of the plane when the pipe cut surface is a plane, namely "FRONT(REAR) EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "FRONT(REAR) EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:". The relative position information is determined based on the placement of each target product within the workpiece W (pipe) of each of the multiple selected unit machining programs 8a. The shape and orientation of the pipe cut surface can be obtained from the boundary representation (Brep) of the 3D model included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D. The boundary representation (Brep) includes three elements: vertices, edges, and surfaces. A surface is a region enclosed by edges. The components of a surface include the normal vectors of its vertices and the equation of the surface. In the field of 3D graphics, the normal vector defined by the boundary representation is defined as a vector pointing outwards from the 3D object. The orientation of the plane of the pipe cross-section is determined based on the above-mentioned normal vector and the position (orientation) of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe). The machining program generation program 4 includes instructions to an external computer 2 to generate a product shape profile 82 based on the position of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe) and the boundary representation of the 3D model of the target product included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43.

[0104] The arrangement characteristic profile 83 includes common line processing suitability information 83A and at least one allowable rotation angle 83B, wherein the common line processing suitability information 83A can be determined based on the shape of each pipe cut surface as determined from the boundary representation (Brep). If the pipe cut surface is flat, the arrangement characteristics of the pipe cut surface are considered suitable for common line processing, and the common line processing suitability information 83A is determined accordingly. If the pipe cut surface is not flat, the arrangement characteristics of the pipe cut surface are considered unsuitable for common line processing, and the common line processing suitability information 83A is determined accordingly.

[0105] At least one allowable rotation angle 83B can be determined based on whether the shape of the workpiece W (pipe) is a square pipe, a round pipe, or a pipe with a shape other than those. The shape of the workpiece W (pipe) can be determined from the boundary representation (Brep) of the 3D model of the workpiece W (pipe) included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D. If the workpiece W (pipe) is a round pipe, "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" is set to 360. If the workpiece W (pipe) is a square pipe, "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" is set to 0, 90, or 180. If the shape of the workpiece W (pipe) is anything other than those, "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" is set to 0. The machining program generation program 4 includes an instruction to an external computer 2 to generate a placement characteristic profile 83 based on the boundary representation of the 3D model of the workpiece W (pipe) included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D and the boundary representation of the 3D model of the target product when executed by at least one hardware processor 43.

[0106] The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions to the external computer 2 to generate pipe cutting code (code corresponding to the first toolpath, code corresponding to the second toolpath) that defines toolpaths for generating common line machining candidate cutting surfaces in accordance with the EIA / ISO program format, based on the 3D models of the workpiece W (pipe) and product included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D, and the placement (position and orientation) of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe). These processes are implemented in general CAM software, so their explanation is omitted. However, the machining program generation program 4 differs from typical nesting program generating CAM software in that it generates code corresponding to toolpaths that would normally be omitted by performing common line machining, and allows unnecessary code to be skipped according to the first flag (macro variable #4). Furthermore, the machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions to the external computer 2 to generate program code in a manner that allows selective execution of lead-in machining based on the second flag (macro variable #5).

[0107] Furthermore, the examples in Figures 8 and 9 employ a configuration in which the code corresponding to the first toolpath can be skipped based on the first flag (macro variable #4). In addition, the program code is written in a manner that allows selective execution of rear lead-in machining using macro variable #5.

[0108] However, the code corresponding to the second toolpath can also be skipped based on the first flag (macro variable #4). In this case, it is preferable to include an IF..THEN..ENDIF statement containing processes D1 and D2 between the code corresponding to the first toolpath and the code corresponding to the second toolpath, and set the destination sequence number of the GOTO statement to N3. Furthermore, it is preferable that the program code be written in a manner that allows selective execution of rear-side lead-in machining using macro variable #5, and that the program code be written in a manner that allows selective execution of front-side lead-in machining using macro variable #5.

[0109] Furthermore, it is possible to make it possible to select and skip either the code corresponding to the first toolpath or the code corresponding to the second toolpath based on the first flag (macro variable #4). In this case, for example, macro variable #4 can be defined as 0 (do not skip), 1 (skip the first toolpath), and 2 (skip the second toolpath), and an IF statement can be set up so that when macro variable #4 is positive, processes B1 and B2 are executed, and when macro variable #4 is 0, processes A1 and A2 are executed. Additionally, an IF statement can be set up so that when macro variable #4 is 1, processes D1 and D2 are executed. Moreover, when macro variable #4 is 2, an IF..THEN..ENDIF construct can be added between the code corresponding to the first toolpath and the code corresponding to the second toolpath, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and a GOTO statement can be added within that construct to move to sequence number N3. Furthermore, the code in Figures 7 and 8 should be modified to allow switching between front-side and rear-side lead-in machining using macro variable #5, and macro variable #5 should be defined as 0 (no lead-in machining), 1 (rear-side lead-in machining), and 2 (front-side lead-in machining).

[0110] The external computer 2 has a function to transmit the generated unit machining programs 8 and the original integrated machining program 9 to the numerical control computer 30 using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or the like. This function may be implemented by the machining program generation program 4 or by other software. The numerical control computer 30 has a function to store the received unit machining programs 8 and the original integrated machining program 9 in memory 34. This function may be implemented by the nesting program 6 or by other software. <Method for generating unit processing programs, nesting method> Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of a unit machining program generation method according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 14, the unit machining program generation method includes, in step S1, preparing workpiece / product CAD data 4D on an external computer 2. The unit machining program generation method also includes, in step S2, preparing placement information of the target product within the workpiece W on the external computer 2. In step S2, the placement information of the target product within the workpiece W may be generated by user input, or the placement information may be automatically generated by the functions of the CAM software on the external computer 2.

[0111] In step S3, the unit machining program generation method includes generating a workpiece profile 81 by an external computer 2 based on the workpiece / product CAD data 4D. In step S4, the unit machining program generation method includes generating a product shape profile 82 by an external computer 2 based on the placement of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe) and the boundary representation of the 3D model of the target product included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D. In step S5, the unit machining program generation method includes generating a placement characteristic profile 83 by an external computer 2 based on the boundary representation of the 3D model of the workpiece W (pipe) included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D and the boundary representation of the 3D model of the target product. In steps S4 and S5, the relative position information determining the front and rear sides is determined based on the placement of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe).

[0112] The unit machining program generation method includes, in step S6, generating code by an external computer 2 that defines a toolpath for generating at least one pipe cut surface. The unit machining program generation method also includes, in step S7, generating code by an external computer 2 that allows a pipe cutting code, which defines a toolpath for generating a common line machining candidate cut surface that has common line machining suitability among at least one pipe cut surface, to be skipped based on a first flag.

[0113] The unit machining program generation method includes, in step S8, generating code to set the reference position of the work coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the pipe at the common line machining candidate cutting surface. The unit machining program generation method also includes, in step S9, generating code to set the reference position of the work coordinate system based on the margin length from the rear end of the target product or the end face of the pipe to be machined immediately before the execution of the unit machining program.

[0114] The unit processing program generation method includes, in step S10, generating a code by an external computer 2 so that the code generated in S8 and the code generated in S9 can be selected based on a first flag (macro variable #4).

[0115] The unit machining program generation method includes, in step S11, generating a code by an external computer 2 that allows skipping the lead-in code based on a second flag (macro variable #5) when the lead-in code is included for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a toolpath for generating a common line machining candidate cutting surface.

[0116] Figures 15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the processing flow of a nesting method according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 15, the nesting method includes preparing a plurality of unit processing programs 8 in the numerical control computer 30 in step S21. Preparing a plurality of unit processing programs 8 in the numerical control computer 30 includes storing the plurality of unit processing programs 8 in the memory of the numerical control computer 30.

[0117] The nesting method includes, in step S22, the numerical control computer 30 selecting a plurality of selected unit processing programs 8a from a plurality of unit processing programs 8. Selecting a plurality of selected unit processing programs 8a includes, in step S221, setting the priority order of the plurality of selected unit processing programs 8a. The nesting method includes, in step S23, the numerical control computer 30 determining a set of target products for the plurality of selected unit processing programs to be placed in each pipe based on the material length, and generating loading and unloading codes for each pipe.

[0118] The nesting method includes, in step S24, receiving input from the numerical control computer 30 whether or not to allow common line machining in the integrated machining program 7 via the additional user interface 70. If input is given to allow common line machining (YES in step S25), the process proceeds to step S26. If input is given to deny common line machining (NO in step S25), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0119] Referring to Figure 16, the nesting method includes, in step S26, a determination by the numerical control computer 30 as to whether the rear pipe cut surface (first cut surface) of the target product of the first unit processing program, which is determined to be manufactured first according to priority, and the front pipe cut surface (second cut surface) of the target product of the second unit processing program, which is determined to be manufactured after the target product of the first unit processing program, have common line processing compatibility and whether their first rotation angles are equal. In other words, the nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a process to determine whether the first cut surface of the target product of the first unit processing program and the second cut surface of the target product of the second unit processing program have common line processing compatibility and whether their first rotation angles are equal, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. If such a rear pipe cut surface and a front pipe cut surface do not exist (NO in step S26), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0120] The nesting method includes, in step S27, having the numerical control computer 30 determine whether the difference between the second rotation angle of the first cutting surface and the second rotation angle of the second cutting surface in a pair of first and second cutting surfaces that satisfy the conditions of step S26 is included in at least one allowable rotation angle of the second cutting surface. In other words, the nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a process when executed by at least one hardware processor 33 to determine whether the difference between the second rotation angle of the first cutting surface and the second rotation angle of the second cutting surface in a pair of first and second cutting surfaces that satisfy the conditions of step S26 is included in at least one allowable rotation angle of the second cutting surface. The difference between the second rotation angle of the first cutting surface and the second rotation angle of the second cutting surface is the rotation angle of the second cutting surface around the X axis (along the C axis) relative to the first cutting surface. If the difference is included in at least one allowable rotation angle of the second cross-section (YES in step S27), proceed to step S28; otherwise (NO in step S27), proceed to step S29.

[0121] The nesting method includes, in step S28, generating an integrated machining program 7 by a numerical control computer 30 to align a first cutting surface and a second cutting surface that satisfy the conditions of steps S26 and S27 with each other based on their arrangement characteristics, and to machine the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface along a common line. The process in step S28 must satisfy all the conditions of steps S25, S26 and S27.

[0122] The nesting method includes, in step S29, generating an integrated machining program 7 by the numerical control computer 30 to machine the rear pipe cut surface and the front pipe cut surface separately when the conditions of step S25 are not met. In other words, when common line machining is not permitted by the input of step S25, the nesting method includes generating an integrated machining program 7 to machine the first cut surface and the second cut surface separately.

[0123] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of step S28 in Figure 16. Referring to Figure 17, the nesting method includes, in step S281, setting the arguments (arguments I, J) of the code (G65 code) that calls each unit machining program based on whether the skippable code of the multiple unit machining programs 8 corresponds to the first toolpath or the second toolpath, using the numerical control computer 30. The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform the process of setting the arguments (arguments I, J) of the code (G65 code) that calls each unit machining program based on whether the skippable code of the multiple unit machining programs 8 corresponds to the first toolpath or the second toolpath, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33.

[0124] In step S282, specifically, when the skippable code of the multiple unit machining programs 8 corresponds to the code of the first toolpath, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating a first cross-section that satisfies all the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27 are set to 1 and 0, respectively, and the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating a second cross-section that satisfies all the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27 are set to 0 and 1, respectively. However, when the target product having a second cross-section that satisfies all the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27 has a first cross-section that satisfies all the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating this target product are set to 0 and 0, respectively. When a target product having a first cross-section that satisfies all the conditions of steps S254, S265, and S276 has a second cross-section that satisfies all the conditions of steps S254, S265, and S276, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program to generate this target product are set to 0 and 0, respectively.

[0125] Furthermore, when the skippable code of multiple unit machining programs 8 corresponds to the code of the second toolpath, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating a second cutting surface that satisfies all the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27 are set to 0 and 1, respectively, and the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating a first cutting surface that satisfies all the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27 are set to 1 and 0, respectively. However, when the target product having a second cutting surface that satisfies all the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27 has a first cutting surface that satisfies all the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating this target product are set to 0 and 0, respectively. When a target product having a first cross-section that satisfies all the conditions of steps S254, S265, and S276 has a second cross-section that satisfies all the conditions of steps S254, S265, and S276, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program to generate this target product are set to 0 and 0, respectively.

[0126] The nesting method includes, in step S282, setting the argument (argument C) of the code (G65 code) that calls the unit processing program 8 corresponding to the pipe cut surface, whose allowable rotation angle is an angle equal to the difference in the second rotation angles determined in step S27, to the said difference, via the numerical control computer 30. The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform the process of setting the argument (argument C) of the code (G65 code) that calls the unit processing program 8 corresponding to the pipe cut surface, whose allowable rotation angle is an angle equal to the difference in the second rotation angles determined in step S27, to the said difference, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33.

[0127] The nesting method includes, in step S283, having the numerical control computer 30 set the arguments (arguments I, J, C) of the code (G65 code) that calls the remaining unit processing program 8 to the set values ​​(1, 1, 0) for when common line processing is not performed. The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform the process of setting the arguments (arguments I, J, C) of the code (G65 code) that calls the remaining unit processing program 8 to the set values ​​(1, 1, 0) for when common line processing is not performed, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33.

[0128] The nesting method includes, in step S284, setting a margin value based on the value entered in the numerical input form 71 by the numerical control computer 30. The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform the process of setting a margin value based on the value entered in the numerical input form 71 when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. This margin value is the value of #24 in Figures 8 and 9. In this case, a numerical value may be directly substituted instead of #24.

[0129] The nesting method includes, in step S285, having the numerical control computer 30 generate a code for an integrated machining program 7, which includes multiple call codes (G65 codes), in order of priority based on the values ​​set in steps S281 to S284. The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a process that generates a code for an integrated machining program 7, which includes multiple call codes (G65 codes), in order of priority based on the values ​​set in steps S281 to S284, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33.

[0130] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of step S29 in Figure 16. Referring to Figure 18, the nesting method includes, in step S292, having the numerical control computer 30 set the arguments (I, J, C) of the code (G65 code) that calls all unit processing programs 8 to the set values ​​(1, 1, 0) for when common line processing is not performed. The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform the process of setting the arguments (I, J, C) of the code (G65 code) that calls all unit processing programs 8 to the set values ​​(1, 1, 0) for when common line processing is not performed, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. Thereafter, the processing of step S284 described above is executed.

[0131] Finally, the nesting method includes, in step S292, having the numerical control computer 30 generate a code for the integrated machining program 7, which includes multiple call codes (G65 codes), in order of priority based on the values ​​set in steps S292 and S284. The nesting program 6 includes an instruction to the numerical control computer 30 to perform a process that generates a code for the integrated machining program 7, which includes multiple call codes (G65 codes), in order of priority based on the values ​​set in steps S292 and S284, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33. <Effects of the Embodiment> In the nesting method, pipe processing machine 1, pipe processing system 100, and nesting program 6 disclosed in this embodiment, a processing profile 80 is included in multiple unit processing programs 8. The processing profile 80 is defined separately from the toolpath of the target product and indicates the shape of each pipe cutting surface and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cutting surface within the pipe for at least one pipe cutting surface of the target product. Therefore, the processing profile 80 contains most of the information necessary to reconstruct the nested processing program on the NC device. As a result, even if a product to be processed in the integrated processing program 7 is selected from among the products that were processed in the original integrated processing program 9 generated in the past, the user can generate the integrated processing program 7 with only minimal input via the user interface 60 and the additional user interface 70. Thus, the nesting method, pipe processing machine 1, pipe processing system 100, and nesting program 6 disclosed in this embodiment make it possible to easily reconstruct the nested integrated processing program on the NC device.

[0132] The unit processing program generation method, external computer 2, pipe processing system 100, and processing program generation program 4 disclosed in this embodiment enable the generation of a unit processing program including the processing profile 80 described above. <Variation> The call to the unit machining program 8 in the integrated machining program 7 described above uses G65 code, but other codes such as M98 code may be used as the call code described above. Since M98 code does not allow value passing via arguments, if M98 code is used, it is recommended to add code that directly sets values ​​to the first to third flags and macro variables related to other variables (#3, #4, #5, #6, etc.).

[0133] The input forms and icons shown in user interface 60 and additional user interface 70 may differ from those shown in Figures 4-6, 10, 12, and 13, provided that the functionality shown in the embodiment remains unchanged. The arrangement of the various graphics elements shown in user interface 60 and additional user interface 70 may differ from the arrangement of the various graphics elements shown in Figures 4-6, 10, 12, and 13. Furthermore, graphics elements shown in Figures 4-6, 10, 12, and 13 but not described in the embodiment may be omitted.

[0134] When the unit machining program 8 is configured such that the program code corresponding to the second toolpath can be skipped, the trailing margin length may be entered into the numerical input form 71.

[0135] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the processing order of the target products is determined in the same way as the priority order. However, based on the priority order, only which pipe is used for manufacturing may be determined, and the processing order of the target products may differ from the priority order as long as they are manufactured using the same pipe. For example, the processing order of the target products may be determined so that there are many common line processing operations. Alternatively, if products are manufactured using the same pipe and common line processing is possible but they are not processed consecutively, a warning display may be provided in the order list 49. Furthermore, the determination of whether the total length of a set of target products nested in order of priority of the target products of the selected unit processing program 8a exceeds the material length may be made by considering the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the target product pipes as the total length and determining whether it exceeds the material length, or by considering the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the target product pipes minus the sum of the lengths shortened by using common line processing as the total length and determining whether it exceeds the material length.

[0136] Some or all of the logic functions of the processing program generation program 4 and nesting program 6 described above may be implemented by a dedicated processor or integrated circuit. The processing program generation program 4 and nesting program 6 described above may not only be stored in memory 44 and 34, respectively, but may also be recorded on a storage medium that is removable from the computer and readable by the computer, such as a floppy disk, optical disk, CD-ROM and magnetic disk, SD card, USB memory, or external hard disk.

[0137] In this application, “equipped with” and its derivatives are non-restrictive terms that describe the existence of a component and do not exclude the existence of other components not described. This also applies to “having,” “including,” and their derivatives.

[0138] The terms "~member," "~part," "~element," "~body," and "~structure" can have multiple meanings, such as a single part or multiple parts.

[0139] Ordinal numbers such as "1st" and "2nd" are simply terms used to identify components and do not carry any other meaning (such as a specific order). For example, the existence of a "1st element" does not implicitly mean the existence of a "2nd element," nor does the existence of a "2nd element" implicitly mean the existence of a "1st element."

[0140] Unless otherwise specifically stated in the embodiments, terms such as "substantially," "about," and "approximately" can mean a reasonable deviation that does not significantly alter the final result. All numerical values ​​described in this application may be interpreted as including terms such as "substantially," "about," and "approximately."

[0141] In this application, the phrase "at least one of A and B" should be interpreted to include A only, B only, and both A and B.

[0142] Based on the above disclosure, it is clear that various changes and modifications to the present invention are possible. Therefore, the present invention may be implemented in a manner different from the specific disclosures of this application, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. Each of the following unit machining programs is prepared in the numerical control computer that controls the operation of the pipe machining machine: each program includes code that defines a toolpath for cutting out a target product from among multiple products cut out from a pipe, and a machining profile defined separately from the toolpath that shows the shape of each pipe cut surface and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe for at least one pipe cut surface of the target product. The numerical control computer selects from the plurality of unit processing programs to be nested, When the first shape, which is the shape of a first cross-section, which is one of the at least one pipe cross-sections of a first unit processing program among the plurality of selected unit processing programs, matches the second shape, which is the shape of a second cross-section, which is one of the at least one pipe cross-sections of a second unit processing program among the plurality of selected unit processing programs, the numerical control computer generates an integrated processing program in which the plurality of target products of the plurality of selected unit processing programs are nested, so that the first cross-section and the second cross-section face each other based on the arrangement characteristics and perform common line processing on the first cross-section and the second cross-section. Including, Nesting methods.

2. The numerical control computer receives input to indicate whether or not to allow common line machining in the integrated machining program. When the common line processing is permitted by the input, the integrated processing program is generated to process the first cut surface and the second cut surface using common line processing. If the common line processing is not permitted by the input, the integrated processing program is generated to process the first cut surface and the second cut surface separately. This further includes, The nesting method according to claim 1.

3. The arrangement characteristics further include common line processing suitability information that indicates either common line processing suitability, which indicates that each pipe cut surface is subject to common line processing, or common line processing insuitability, which indicates that each pipe cut surface is not subject to common line processing. The nesting method according to claim 1.

4. When each of the pipe cut surfaces is a planar cut surface, the arrangement characteristics of the planar cut surfaces have the common wire processing suitability. The shape of the planar cross-section is defined by a first rotation angle formed by a reference plane, which is a plane perpendicular to a first rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and the planar cross-section, and a second rotation angle formed by the intersection line of the reference plane and the planar cross-section and a reference axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. The integrated machining program is generated such that the first shape and the second shape are machined along a common line when the first rotation angle of the first cutting surface and the first rotation angle of the second cutting surface are equal. The nesting method according to claim 3.

5. The toolpath is defined by the work coordinate system specified in each of the multiple unit machining programs, The integrated processing program includes an instruction to manufacture the target product of the first unit processing program before the target product of the second unit processing program, Generating the aforementioned integrated processing program means Determine a plurality of transformation parameters that define a rotational-translational transformation for converting from the work coordinate system of the first unit machining program to the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program, such that the first toolpath for generating the first cutting surface coincides with the second toolpath for generating the second cutting surface. Prior to the code defining the second toolpath, code is provided to set up the process of setting the position of the reference point of the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on the translation parameter that defines the translation transformation among the multiple transformation parameters, and the process of setting the orientation of each coordinate axis of the work coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on the rotation parameter that defines the rotation transformation among the multiple transformation parameters. Disable either the code defining the first toolpath or the code defining the second toolpath. Including, The nesting method according to claim 4.

6. The arrangement characteristics further include at least one allowable rotation angle that allows the target product to be rotated around the first rotation axis in the nesting, The rotation parameter includes one rotation angle of the at least one allowable rotation angle of the second cross-section, The nesting method according to claim 5.

7. The translation parameter includes the longitudinal lengths of the first and second cut surfaces that are processed along a common line. The nesting method according to claim 5.

8. Selecting the aforementioned multiple unit processing programs includes setting the priority order of the aforementioned multiple unit processing programs. Generating the integrated machining program includes generating code that calls the selected unit machining programs in the order of priority, The nesting method according to claim 1.

9. When the first unit machining program includes a first lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a first toolpath for generating the first cut surface, generating the integrated machining program includes invalidating the first lead-in code. When the second unit machining program includes a second lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a second toolpath for generating the second cut surface, generating the integrated machining program includes disabling the second lead-in code. The nesting method according to claim 1.

10. Based on the shape data of the target product, the shape data of the pipe, and the placement of the target product within the pipe, a computer generates program code that includes code defining a toolpath for cutting out the target product. The computer generates a processing profile showing the shape of each pipe cross-section and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cross-section within the pipe of at least one pipe cross-section of the target product. The computer generates a unit machining program in which the machining profile is inserted into the program code. Including, A method for generating unit processing programs.

11. The arrangement characteristics further include common line processing suitability information that indicates either common line processing suitability, which indicates that each pipe cut surface is subject to common line processing, or common line processing insuitability, which indicates that each pipe cut surface is not subject to common line processing. Generating the aforementioned program code is A code that can skip, based on a first flag, the pipe cutting code that defines a toolpath for generating a common line machining candidate cutting surface among the at least one pipe cutting surface having the common line machining suitability in the work coordinate system, A code that allows selection, based on the first flag, whether to perform the process of setting the reference position of the work coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the pipe at the common line machining candidate cutting surface, or based on the end face of the pipe or the margin length from the rear end of the target product to be machined immediately before the execution of the unit machining program, Including generating, The method for generating a unit processing program according to claim 10.

12. Generating the aforementioned program code is When a lead-in code is included for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a toolpath for generating the candidate cross-section for common line machining, the code is generated that allows the lead-in code to be skipped based on a second flag. Further including, The method for generating a unit processing program according to claim 11.

13. A pipe processing machine comprising a numerically controlled computer configured to perform any nesting method of claims 1 to 9.

14. A pipe processing machine comprising a numerically controlled computer configured to perform any nesting method of claim 1 to 9, An external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, A communication network connecting the numerical control computer and the external computer, A pipe processing system equipped with the following features.

15. A computer program that, when executed by a computer, provides instructions to cause the computer to execute a nesting method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or a unit processing program generation method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

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