Process design support device, process design support method, and computer program

Abstract

This invention provides a technology to improve the design accuracy of machining processes in process design support devices. [Solution] The process design support device comprises: an input unit that receives processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product and processing method information including information about the processing method of the processed product; a storage unit that stores process characteristic information including information about the characteristics of a processing process in which the processing method can be executed; a process evaluation unit that uses the process characteristic information stored in the storage unit and the processed product information input to the input unit to predict the deformation process of the material to be processed product and calculates a process evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processing process of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material; a processed product evaluation unit that uses the process characteristic information and the processed product information to calculate a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material in the process evaluation unit; and an output unit that outputs the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a process design support device, a process design support method, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a process design support device that calculates an evaluation index for supporting the design of a processing process of a processed product has been known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, even with the prior art such as Patent Document 1, there is still room for improvement in the technology for improving the design accuracy of the processing process of a processed product in a process design support device.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technology for improving the design accuracy of a processing process of a processed product in a process design support device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above-described problems and can be realized in the following forms.

[0007] (1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, a process design support device is provided that assists in the design of a processing process for a processed product. This process design support device includes: an input unit that receives processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product and processing method information including information about a processing method for the processed product; a storage unit that stores process characteristic information including information about the characteristics of a processing process that can execute the processing method; a process evaluation unit that uses the process characteristic information stored in the storage unit and the processed product information input to the input unit to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product, and calculates a process evaluation index representing an evaluation of the processing process for the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material; a processed product evaluation unit that uses the process characteristic information and the processed product information to calculate a processed product evaluation index representing an evaluation of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material in the process evaluation unit; and an output unit that outputs the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit.

[0008] In this configuration, when the input unit receives product information including information about the shape of the product and processing method information including information about the processing method of the product, the process evaluation unit uses the process characteristic information stored in the memory unit to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the product. Once the deformation process of the material is predicted, the process evaluation unit calculates a process evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processing process for each deformation process of the material, and also calculates the amount of deformation of the material for each deformation process of the material. Therefore, the product evaluation unit can calculate a product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the product for each deformation process of the material. As a result, it is possible to output information about the product processed by the processing process corresponding to each of the multiple deformation processes predicted for the material, and by referring to this, the design accuracy of the processing process of the product can be improved.

[0009] (2) In the process design support device of the above form, the process evaluation index includes at least one of the amount of deformation of the material until it becomes the processed product, the energy required for the deformation of the material, and the processing time, and the process evaluation unit may include a deformation process prediction unit that predicts the deformation process of the material using the process characteristic information and the processed product information and calculates the size of the material for each predicted deformation process of the material, and a workability calculation unit that calculates the process evaluation index for each predicted deformation process of the material using the size of the material calculated by the deformation process prediction unit and the process characteristic information. With this configuration, in the process evaluation unit, the workability calculation unit calculates a process evaluation index that includes at least one of the amount of deformation of the material, the energy required for the deformation of the material, and the processing time in the processing process, using the size of the material calculated by the deformation process prediction unit. As a result, the process evaluation index can be calculated without inputting information about the material, and a quantitative comparison of multiple processing processes can be made.

[0010] (3) In the process design support device of the above form, the processed product evaluation index includes at least one of the rigidity and weight of the processed product, and the processed product evaluation unit may calculate the processed product evaluation index using the size of the material calculated by the deformation process prediction unit. With this configuration, the processed product evaluation unit uses the size of the material calculated by the deformation process prediction unit to calculate a processed product evaluation index that includes at least one of the rigidity and weight of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material. As a result, the processed product evaluation index can be calculated without inputting information about the material, and a quantitative comparison of multiple processing processes can be made.

[0011] (4) In the process design support device of the above form, the process characteristic information may include information regarding the change in size due to the expansion and contraction of the material during the processing of the processed product. With this configuration, the size of the material can be calculated with high accuracy from the shape of the processed product by using process characteristic information that includes information regarding the change in size due to the expansion and contraction of the material to calculate the processed product evaluation index. As a result, the processed product evaluation index can be calculated with high accuracy without inputting information about the material.

[0012] (5) The process design support device of the above form further includes a learning unit that learns the relationship between the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit, and the storage unit may store learning set information that combines the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index learned by the learning unit and the processed product information and processing method information corresponding to the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index used for learning in the learning unit. With this configuration, the learning unit learns the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation unit, respectively. The storage unit stores the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index in the learning unit as learning set information that combines the processing information and method information corresponding to the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index used for learning in the learning unit. This makes it possible to accumulate experience related to the processing process as learning set information in the storage unit.

[0013] (6) The process design support device of the above configuration further includes a determination unit that determines the similarity between each of the new processed product information and processing method information input by the input unit and each of the processed product information and processing method information included in the learning set information, and the output unit may output the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index included in the learning set information according to the magnitude of the similarity determined by the determination unit. With this configuration, the determination unit determines the similarity between each of the new processed product information and method information input by the input unit and the learning set information stored in the memory unit. For example, when each of the new processed product information and method information input by the input unit and each of the processed product information and method information included in the learning set information are relatively similar, the output unit outputs the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index included in the learning set information. As a result, the processing process can be designed based on past experience, and the accuracy of the processing process design can be further improved.

[0014] (7) In the process design support device of the above form, the input unit may be capable of receiving material information relating to the size of the material, the process evaluation unit may calculate the actual value of the process evaluation index when the material information is input to the input unit, and the processed product evaluation unit may calculate the actual value of the processed product evaluation index when the material information is input to the input unit. With this configuration, when material information relating to the material is input to the input unit, the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation unit each calculate the evaluation index using actual values. This makes it possible to design a processing process that matches the actual values, thereby further improving the design accuracy of the processing process.

[0015] (8) According to another embodiment of the present invention, a process design support method is provided that supports the design of a processing process for a processed product using a process design support device. This process design support method comprises: an input step of inputting processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product and processing method information including information about a processing method for the processed product; a storage step of storing process feature information including information about the characteristics of a processing process that can execute the processing method in a storage unit; a process evaluation step of predicting the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product using the process feature information stored in the storage step and the processed product information input in the input step, and calculating a process evaluation index representing an evaluation of the processing process for the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material; a processed product evaluation step of calculating a processed product evaluation index representing an evaluation of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material in the process evaluation step using the process feature information and the processed product information; and an output step of outputting the process evaluation index calculated in the process evaluation step and the processed product evaluation index calculated in the processed product evaluation step. In this configuration, when product information including information about the shape of the product and processing method information including information about the processing method of the product are input in the input process, the process evaluation process uses the process characteristic information stored in the memory unit to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the product. Once the deformation process of the material is predicted, the amount of deformation of the material can be calculated for each deformation process, and a product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the product can be calculated for each deformation process of the material. As a result, information about the product processed in the processing process corresponding to each deformation process of the material can be output, thereby improving the design accuracy of the processing process for the product.

[0016] (9) According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program is provided that causes a computer to perform support for designing a processing process for a processed product. The computer program causes the computer to perform the following functions: an input function that inputs processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product and processing method information including information about a processing method for the processed product; a storage function that stores process characteristic information including information about the characteristics of a processing process in which the processing method can be executed in a storage unit; a process evaluation function that uses the process characteristic information stored in the storage unit and the processed product information input by the input function to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product, and calculates a process evaluation index representing an evaluation of the processing process for the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material; a processed product evaluation function that uses the process characteristic information and the processed product information to calculate a processed product evaluation index representing an evaluation of the processed product for each deformation process of the material predicted by the process evaluation function; and an output function that outputs the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation function and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation function. In this configuration, when the computer's input function receives product information, including information about the shape of the product, and processing method information, including information about the processing method of the product, the process evaluation function uses the process characteristic information stored in the memory unit to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the product. Once the deformation process of the material is predicted, the amount of deformation of the material can be calculated for each deformation process, and a product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the product can be calculated for each deformation process. As a result, information about the product processed in the corresponding processing step can be output for each deformation process of the material, thereby improving the design accuracy of the processing process for the product.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, as a system including a process design support device, a control method for such device and system, a computer program for causing the device and system to perform processing of a workpiece, a server device for distributing the computer program, and a non-temporary storage medium storing the computer program.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of the process design support device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram explaining the shape of the processed product. [Figure 3] It is a diagram explaining the combination of predictable deformation processes. [Figure 4] It is a diagram explaining an example of the predicted deformation process. [Figure 5] It is a diagram explaining the method of calculating the size of the material. [Figure 6] It is a diagram explaining the method of calculating the deformation amount of the material. [Figure 7] It is a diagram comparing the patterns of a plurality of deformation processes. [Figure 8] It is the first diagram explaining the comparison of evaluation indices. [Figure 9] It is the second diagram explaining the comparison of evaluation indices. [Figure 10] It is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of the process design support device of the second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] <The First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the process design support device 1 of the first embodiment. The process design support device 1 of this embodiment is a device that outputs information useful for designing a processing process when designing a processing process for processing a workpiece having desired characteristics such as shape, weight, and rigidity. The "information useful for designing a processing process" provided by the process design support device 1 refers to information useful for designing the processing process of a workpiece, including at least one of the following: information related to the processing process, such as the time required for processing (processing time) and the ease of work in the processing process (workability), and information related to the workpiece, such as the rigidity and weight of the processed workpiece. By designing the processing process of a workpiece using the information of each of the multiple processing processes output by the process design support device 1, a person who designs the processing process can, for example, reduce the energy required to process the workpiece and improve the functionality of the workpiece. Therefore, the process design support device 1 can improve the design accuracy of the processing process of a workpiece. As shown in Figure 1, the process design support device 1 of this embodiment comprises an input unit 10, a storage unit 20, a CPU 30, and an output unit 40. In this embodiment, the process design support device 1 is a personal computer. In this embodiment, the process design support device 1 is assumed to be a single personal computer, but it may be composed of multiple arithmetic units. In this embodiment, the process design support device 1 is assumed to be applied to the design of a processing process for processing parts used in automobile bodies from metal sheet material, but the technical field to which the process design support device 1 of this embodiment is applied is not limited to this.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a processed product Pm manufactured by a machining process to which the process design support device 1 of this embodiment is applied. The processed product Pm is a member having a so-called hat shape in its xy cross-section, and when viewed from the z-axis direction, it has a wide arc shape. The processed product Pm has two flange portions Pm1 and Pm2, a top plate portion Pm3, two inclined portions Pm4 and Pm5, and four bent portions M1, M2, M3, and M4. In this embodiment, for example, the plate thickness of the processed product Pm is 1 mm, and the size of each part in the neutral plane is the value shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, in the processed product Pm, the direction along the length of "200 mm" indicated by the thin arc shape is defined as the "longitudinal direction of the processed product Pm". For convenience, in the processed product Pm, the side with flange portion Pm1 is defined as the "inside of the processed product Pm", and the side with flange portion Pm2 is defined as the "outside of the processed product Pm".

[0021] In this embodiment, the processed product Pm is processed using manual sheet metal fabrication with a hammer or hand former. The process design support device 1 outputs information related to the processing process and information related to the processed product for the design of the processing process when manual sheet metal fabrication is used as the processing method. A person who intends to design the processing process for the processed product Pm uses this information output by the process design support device 1 to design the processing process.

[0022] The input unit 10 is at least one of the following in a personal computer: a keyboard, a mouse, an interface to an external recording device such as a USB memory or flash memory, or a receiver capable of receiving signals from the outside. The input unit 10 receives input of workpiece information, which includes information about the shape of the workpiece Pm, and workpiece method information, which includes information about the method of working on the workpiece. In this embodiment, the workpiece information includes information about the shape of the workpiece Pm as shown in Figure 2, and the workpiece method information includes information that the workpiece Pm is made by the "hand sheet metal" method described above.

[0023] The memory unit 20 stores process characteristic information, which includes information about the characteristics of the machining process for machining the workpiece Pm according to the machining method input using the input unit 10. The memory unit 20 is a general term for memory devices, which are storage media in personal computers, and can use various types of storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), solid state drives (SSDs), hard disk drives (HDDs), and flash memory cards. The memory unit 20 outputs process characteristic information, which includes information about the characteristics of the machining process, to the CPU 30 according to the machining method information of the workpiece Pm input by the input unit 10. The memory unit 20 contains a computer program that causes the personal computer to perform design support for the machining process for machining the workpiece Pm in the process design support device 1, which will be described later. Details of the "process characteristic information" stored in the memory unit 20 will be described later.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 includes a process evaluation unit 31 and a processed product evaluation unit 32. The CPU 30 executes the functions of various programs by loading the computer programs stored in the ROM of the storage unit 20 into the RAM.

[0025] The process evaluation unit 31 uses the process characteristic information output by the storage unit 20 and the processed product information input by the input unit 10 to predict multiple deformation processes from the raw material of the processed product Pm to the processed product Pm. For each predicted deformation process, the process evaluation unit 31 calculates a process evaluation index that represents the evaluation of the processing process. The process evaluation unit 31 includes a deformation process prediction unit 311 and a workability calculation unit 312.

[0026] The deformation process prediction unit 311 calculates the size of the material using the deformation process of the material. The deformation process prediction unit 311 predicts multiple deformation processes of the material based on the processing method of the processed product Pm input by the input unit 10. The deformation process prediction unit 311 calculates the size of the material for each of the predicted deformation processes of the material. Details of the functions of the deformation process prediction unit 311 will be described later.

[0027] The workability calculation unit 312 calculates process evaluation indicators using the material size calculated by the deformation process prediction unit 311 and the process characteristic information output by the storage unit 20. In this embodiment, the workability calculation unit 312 calculates, for example, the amount of deformation of the material until it becomes the processed product Pm, the energy required for the deformation of the material, and the processing time as process evaluation indicators. The amount of deformation of the material until it becomes the processed product Pm corresponds to the workability of the processing process of the processed product Pm. The workability calculation unit 312 sends the process evaluation indicators of the processing process of the processed product Pm, calculated by the workability calculation unit 312, to the output unit 40. Details of the functions of the workability calculation unit 312 will be described later.

[0028] The processed product evaluation unit 32 uses the process characteristic information output by the storage unit 20 and the processed product information input in the input unit 10 to calculate a processed product evaluation index for each of the multiple deformation processes of the material predicted by the process evaluation unit 31. In this embodiment, the processed product evaluation unit 32 calculates, for example, the stiffness and weight of the processed product Pm. The processed product evaluation unit 32 sends the calculated processed product evaluation index to the output unit 40. Details of the functions of the processed product evaluation unit 32 will be described later.

[0029] The output unit 40 is at least one of the following in a personal computer: a display for displaying process evaluation indicators and processed product evaluation indicators, an interface for an external recording device, and a transmitter for outputting signals externally. The output unit 40 outputs the process evaluation indicators calculated by the process evaluation unit 31 and the processed product evaluation indicators calculated by the processed product evaluation unit 32. In this embodiment, the output unit 40 also outputs each of the multiple deformation processes predicted by the deformation process prediction unit 311, as well as the size of the material in each of the multiple deformation processes.

[0030] Next, a process design support method for supporting the design of the processing process for a processed product Pm using the process design support device 1 of this embodiment will be described. In the process design support method of this embodiment, when designing a processing process for processing the processed product Pm shown in Figure 2 from a raw material, process evaluation indicators and processed product evaluation indicators that serve as reference for the design are calculated.

[0031] In the process design support method of this embodiment, first, the input unit 10 is used to input workpiece information, which includes information about the shape of the workpiece Pm, and workpiece method information, which includes information about the workpiece Pm's processing method. Specifically, the "workpiece information" includes information about the shape of the workpiece Pm and information about the size of each part of the workpiece Pm, as shown in Figure 2, and the "workpiece method information" includes information that manual sheet metal processing is used as the method for processing the workpiece Pm.

[0032] Next, process characteristic information stored in the storage unit 20 is output according to the processing method information input by the input unit 10. Specifically, when a processing method for processing the workpiece Pm is input by the input unit 10, information regarding the characteristics of the processing steps for executing the input processing method, which is stored in the storage unit 20, is output to the CPU 30 as process characteristic information.

[0033] In the process design support method of this embodiment, manual sheet metal fabrication is input as the processing method for processing the workpiece Pm. Therefore, the storage unit 20 outputs the following three constraint conditions and two characteristics as process characteristic information for manual sheet metal fabrication to the CPU 30 as characteristics of the processing process for executing manual sheet metal fabrication. "Constraint α": The deformation pattern of the material is determined by the order in which the bending process is performed on the four bent sections M1, M2, M3, and M4 of the processed product Pm. "Constraint β": The already bent section is not allowed to stretch or shrink, nor is it deformed (i.e., the number of completed surfaces increases with each bending operation). "Constraint γ": The stretching, contracting, and deformation of the material are limited to the longitudinal direction of the material. "Feature δ": Shrinkage deformation requires 1.2 times longer processing time than stretching deformation. "Feature ε": Smaller deformation of the material results in better workability.

[0034] In the process design support method of this embodiment, the process characteristic information and processed product information output by the storage unit 20 are used to predict the deformation process from the material to the processed product Pm, and a process evaluation index for the processing process is calculated for each predicted deformation process. Specifically, the deformation process prediction unit 311 of the CPU 30 selects a deformation process that follows constraints α and β from among a plurality of assumed deformation processes, and calculates the size of the material to be processed product Pm for each of the selected deformation processes.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates the combinations of deformation processes expected in the processing of the processed product Pm. In the processing of the processed product Pm by hand sheet metal, the material P0 that will become the processed product Pm must be bent according to constraint α, at each of the four bent sections M1, M2, M3, and M4 that the processed product Pm will have. Therefore, in the "first intermediate process," which is the first processing performed on the "material," an intermediate material having the "first intermediate shape" is obtained by bending one of the four bent sections M1, M2, M3, and M4. Next, in the "second intermediate process," which is the next processing performed on the intermediate material having the "first intermediate shape," an intermediate material having the "second intermediate shape" is obtained by bending one of the three bent sections M1, M2, M3, and M4 that were not bent in the "first intermediate process." In this way, since a "processed product" is manufactured by performing four bending processes on the "material," there are 24 possible deformation process patterns for the material P0. In the process design support method of this embodiment, by following the constraint β, the 24 possible deformation process patterns are reduced to 8. That is, the predicted processing steps for processing the processed product Pm are narrowed down to 8 processing step patterns by using process characteristic information and processed product information.

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the deformation process predicted during the processing of the processed product Pm. Based on Figure 3, Figure 4 shows the flow in which the material P0 becomes the processed product Pm through one deformation process pattern. The deformation process pattern shown in Figure 4 is one of the eight deformation process patterns described above. Specifically, the material P0 is subjected to a "first intermediate process" by bending the bend portion M1 to become an intermediate material P1 having a first intermediate shape. Next, the intermediate material P1 is subjected to a "second intermediate process" by bending the bend portion M2 to become an intermediate material P2 having a second intermediate shape. Next, the intermediate material P2 is subjected to a "third intermediate process" by bending the bend portion M3 to become an intermediate material P3 having a third intermediate shape. Finally, the intermediate material P3 is subjected to a "third intermediate process" by bending the bend portion M4 to become the processed product Pm.

[0037] Figure 5 illustrates a method for calculating the size of material P0. Figure 5 shows the change in shape of the material when it goes from material P0 to processed product Pm via intermediate materials P1, P2, and P3 in the deformation process pattern described in Figure 4 (a pattern where the bending process is in the order M1→M2→M3→M4). In the process design support method of this embodiment, the size of material P0, including its thickness, is calculated by tracing the deformation process predicted from the processed product Pm having the shape shown in Figure 2 in reverse. Specifically, by limiting the stretching and contraction and deformation of material P0 to the longitudinal direction of material P0 (which is also the longitudinal direction of processed product Pm, see Figure 2) according to constraint γ, which is the process characteristic information of manual sheet metal, the size of material P0, including its thickness, can be calculated.

[0038] Figure 6 illustrates a method for calculating the deformation amount of material P0. Figure 6 shows the change in shape of the material when it goes from material P0 to intermediate materials P1, P2, P3 and then to processed product Pm, in the deformation process pattern (bending order M1→M2→M3→M4) described in Figure 4. For intermediate materials P1, P2, P3 and processed product Pm, information regarding the change in distortion due to the increase or decrease in thickness caused by the intermediate process (bending) is indicated by the shades of black. Specifically, in the intermediate materials P1, P2, P3 and processed product Pm shown in Figure 6, the darker black areas indicate increased thickness, and the lighter black areas indicate decreased thickness. In the process design support method of this embodiment, the deformation amount of material P0 is calculated according to the constraint γ included in the process characteristic information of the sheet metal work. In Figure 6, the thickness of part P11 of intermediate material P1 is reduced due to the deformation from material P0 to intermediate material P1. Furthermore, the deformation from intermediate material P1 to intermediate material P2 increases the thickness of portion P21 of intermediate material P2. Additionally, the deformation from intermediate material P2 to intermediate material P3 reduces the thickness of portion P31 of intermediate material P3. As described above, the amount of deformation of material P0 corresponds to the workability in the processing steps.

[0039] Figure 7 is a diagram comparing multiple deformation process patterns. Figure 7 shows the change in shape for each of the multiple deformation process patterns, from material P0 through intermediate materials P1, P2, and P3 to the finished product Pm. For convenience, the three deformation process patterns with different orders of bending are referred to as "Pattern A," "Pattern B," and "Pattern C." Pattern A is the deformation process pattern described in Figures 4 to 6, where bending is performed from the bend M1 of the finished product Pm toward the inside of the finished product Pm. Pattern B is a pattern where bending is performed at the bend M3 of the finished product Pm, then at the bend M4, and finally toward the outside of the finished product Pm. Pattern C is a pattern where bending is performed from the bend M4 of the finished product Pm toward the outside of the finished product Pm. The shades of black shown in Figure 7 indicate differences in thickness, similar to Figure 6.

[0040] In the process design support method of this embodiment, the deformation process prediction unit 311 calculates the size of the material P0 (Figure 5) and process characteristic information to calculate process evaluation indicators for each of the multiple processing process patterns. Specifically, the workability calculation unit 312 of the CPU 30 calculates the amount of deformation of the material P0 (Figures 6 and 7), the energy required for the deformation of the material P0, and the processing time as process evaluation indicators for each of the eight processing process patterns narrowed down according to constraints α and β.

[0041] In the process design support method of this embodiment, the process evaluation unit 31 then calculates a processed product evaluation index that represents the evaluation of the processed product Pm using the size of the material P0 calculated from the deformation process of the material P0 predicted by the process evaluation unit 311. Specifically, the processed product evaluation unit 32 uses the size of the material P0 calculated by the deformation process prediction unit 311 to calculate the rigidity of the processed product Pm and the weight of the processed product Pm as processed product evaluation indices.

[0042] In the process design support method of this embodiment, the output unit 40 is used to output the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit 31 and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit 32. The person designing the processing process for processed product Pm uses the process evaluation index, which represents processing time and workability, and the processed product evaluation index, which represents the rigidity and weight of the processed product Pm, output by the output unit 40, to design the optimal processing process for processing the processed product Pm.

[0043] Figure 8 is the first diagram illustrating a comparison of evaluation indicators calculated in the process design support method of this embodiment. Figure 9 is the second diagram illustrating a comparison of evaluation indicators calculated in the process design support method of this embodiment. Figures 8 and 9 each show radar charts indicating the evaluation indicators calculated in the process design support method of this embodiment. The radar charts shown in Figures 8 and 9 each represent the following items. • "Deformation Amount (Process Evaluation Index)": This indicates the total amount of deformation of the material throughout the entire processing process. The deformation amount of the processing process with the smallest material deformation among the predicted processing processes was set to 100 points for comparison. • "Processing time (process evaluation index)": According to characteristic δ, the processing time when the amount of material deformation due to elongation is 1 was set to 1, and the processing time when the amount of material deformation due to shrinkage is 1 was set to 1.2. The processing time of the shortest processing process among the predicted processing processes was set to 100 points for comparison. • "Workability (Process Evaluation Index)": It was defined that a smaller amount of material deformation indicates better workability. The amount of material deformation was calculated for each of the multiple intermediate processes included in the predicted processing steps, and the processing time of the process with the smallest total amount of material deformation among the predicted processing steps was set to 100 points for comparison. • "Stiffness (Evaluation Index for Processed Parts)": This was evaluated using the bending stiffness (second moment of area) of the processed part Pm around the X-axis, as shown in Figure 2. The processing step that yielded the highest stiffness among the predicted processing steps was set to 100 points for comparison. • "Weight (Processed Product Evaluation Index)": This was evaluated using the calculated size of the material. The processing process with the smallest material weight among the predicted processing processes was given a score of 100 for comparison.

[0044] The radar chart shown in Figure 8 shows the results focusing on "weight," one of the processed product evaluation indicators. Figure 8 shows the results for Pattern A, which had the best result among the eight processing patterns, and Pattern C, which had the worst result, in terms of "weight." From the results calculated using the process design support method of this embodiment, it was confirmed that Pattern A reduced the weight of the material by 14% compared to Pattern C.

[0045] The radar chart shown in Figure 9 shows the results focusing on "processing time," one of the process evaluation indicators. Figure 9 shows the results for Pattern B, which had the best result, and Pattern C, which had the worst result, for "processing time" among the eight deformation process patterns. From the results calculated by the process design support method of this embodiment, it was confirmed that Pattern B reduces the processing time by 86% compared to Pattern C.

[0046] As described above, according to the process design support device 1 of this embodiment, when the input unit 10 receives processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product Pm and processing method information including information about the processing method of the processed product Pm, the process evaluation unit 31 uses the process characteristic information stored in the storage unit 20 to predict the deformation process of the material P0 that will become the processed product Pm. Once the deformation process of the material P0 is predicted, a process evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processing process is calculated for each deformation process of the material P0, and the amount of deformation of the material P0 can also be calculated for each deformation process of the material P0. Therefore, the processed product evaluation unit 32 can calculate a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product Pm for each deformation process of the material P0. As a result, information about the processed product Pm processed by each of the multiple predicted deformation processes of the material P0 can be output. In other words, since each of the multiple predicted processing processes can be quantitatively compared, the optimal processing process for processing the desired processed product can be designed by referring to this, and therefore the design accuracy of the processing process for the processed product Pm can be improved.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the process design support device 1 of this embodiment, the process evaluation unit 31, specifically the workability calculation unit 312, uses the magnitude of material P0 calculated by the deformation process prediction unit 311 to calculate process evaluation indicators including the amount of deformation of the material, the energy required for material deformation, and the processing time during the processing process. As a result, process evaluation indicators can be calculated without inputting information about material P0, making it possible to quantitatively compare the characteristics of multiple processing processes.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the process design support device 1 of this embodiment, the processed product evaluation unit 32 calculates a processed product evaluation index, including the rigidity and weight of the processed product, using the size of the material P0 calculated by the deformation process prediction unit 311. As a result, the processed product evaluation index can be calculated without inputting information about the material P0, and a quantitative comparison of multiple processing steps can be made regarding the characteristics of the processed product.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the process design support device 1 of this embodiment, process characteristic information including information on the change in size due to the expansion and contraction of material P0 is used to calculate the processed product evaluation index, so the size of material P0 can be calculated with high accuracy from the shape of the processed product Pm. The processed product evaluation index can be calculated with high accuracy even without inputting information on material P0.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the process design support method of this embodiment, when processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product and processing method information including information about the processing method of the processed product are input, the storage unit 20 uses the stored process characteristic information to predict the deformation process of the material P0 that will become the processed product Pm. Once the deformation process of the material P0 is predicted, the amount of deformation of the material P0 can be calculated for each deformation process of the material P0, and a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product Pm can be calculated for each deformation process of the material P0. As a result, information about the processed product Pm processed in the processing process corresponding to each deformation process of the material P0 can be output, and therefore the process design support method of this embodiment can improve the design accuracy of the processing process for the processed product Pm.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the computer program that causes a computer to perform support for designing the processing steps of the processed product in this embodiment, when the computer receives processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product and processing method information including information about the processing method of the processed product, the storage unit 20 uses the stored process characteristic information to predict the deformation process of the material P0 that will become the processed product Pm. Once the deformation process of the material P0 is predicted, the amount of deformation of the material P0 can be calculated for each deformation process of the material P0, and a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product Pm can be calculated for each deformation process of the material P0. As a result, information about the processed product Pm processed in the corresponding processing step can be output for each deformation process of the material P0, and the computer can improve the design accuracy of the processing steps for the processed product Pm.

[0052] <Second Embodiment> Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the process design support device 2 of the second embodiment. The process design support device 2 of the second embodiment differs from the process design support device 1 of the first embodiment (Figure 1) in that it is provided with a learning unit that learns using the evaluation results of the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation unit, respectively, and a similarity determination unit that determines the degree of similarity between the input and past cases.

[0053] As shown in Figure 10, the process design support device 2 of this embodiment includes an input unit 10, a storage unit 20, a CPU 50, and an output unit 40. In this embodiment, the process design support device 2 is a personal computer. The CPU 50 includes a process evaluation unit 31, a processed product evaluation unit 32, a learning unit 53, and a similarity determination unit 54.

[0054] The learning unit 53 learns the relationship between the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit 31 and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit 32. When processed product information and processing method information are input to the learning unit 53, it uses machine learning to analyze the relationship between the content of the already calculated process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index, and links the analysis results to the process evaluation index and processed product evaluation index used for learning. In this embodiment, the learning unit 53 creates learning set information by combining the analysis results regarding the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index obtained by machine learning with the processed product information and processing method information used for learning. The learning unit 53 stores the created learning set information in the storage unit 20.

[0055] The similarity determination unit 54 determines the similarity between the new processed product information and processing method information input by the input unit 10 and the processing information and processing method information included in the learning set information stored in the storage unit 20. The similarity determination unit 54 determines the similarity using, for example, natural language processing methods such as determining whether the names of the processing methods are similar. In addition, in the similarity determination unit 54 of this embodiment, when comparing the processed product information included in the learning set information with the newly input processed product information, the similarity is determined by comparing not only the shape of the processed product Pm, but also the position of the bend and the degree of bending at the bend.

[0056] The output unit 40 outputs process evaluation indices and processed product evaluation indices included in the learning set information, according to the similarity determination result of the similarity determination unit 54 between the new processed product information and processing method information input by the input unit 10 and the processing information and processing method information included in the learning set information. Specifically, if the similarity between the new processed product information and processing method information input by the input unit 10 and the processing information and processing method information included in the learning set information is greater than a preset threshold, the output unit 40 outputs process evaluation indices and processed product evaluation indices included in the learning set information.

[0057] As described above, according to the process design support device 2 of this embodiment, when the deformation process of the material P0 is predicted in response to the input of processed product information and processing method information from the input unit 10, the process evaluation unit 31 calculates a process evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processing process for each deformation process of the material P0, and also calculates the amount of deformation of the material P0 for each deformation process of the material P0. As a result, a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product Pm can be calculated for each deformation process of the material P0, and information on the processed product Pm processed by the processing process corresponding to each of the multiple deformation processes can be output. Therefore, the design accuracy of the processing process for the processed product Pm can be improved.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the process design support device 2 of this embodiment, the learning unit 53 learns the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit 31 and the processed product evaluation unit 32, respectively. The storage unit 20 stores the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index in the learning unit 53 as learning set information, which combines the processing information and method information corresponding to the process evaluation index and processed product evaluation index used for learning in the learning unit 53. This allows experience related to the processing process to be accumulated in the storage unit as learning set information.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the process design support device 2 of this embodiment, the similarity determination unit 54 determines the similarity between the new processed product information and method information input by the input unit 10 and the learning set information stored in the storage unit 20. When the output unit 40 determines that the new processed product information and method information input by the input unit 10 are similar to the processed product information and method information included in the learning set information, it outputs the process evaluation index and processed product evaluation index included in the learning set information. As a result, the processing process can be designed based on past experience, thereby further improving the accuracy of the processing process design.

[0060] <Modified form of this embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit, for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0061] [Example 1] In the above-described embodiment, the process evaluation indicators were defined as the amount of deformation of the material until it becomes a processed product, the energy required for the deformation of the material, and the processing time. The processed product evaluation indicators were defined as the rigidity and weight of the processed product. The process evaluation indicators and the processed product evaluation indicators are not limited to these items. They may be any one of the items described above, or other items.

[0062] [Differentiation 2] In the above-described embodiment, the process feature information consisted of constraints α to γ ​​that restrict the processing method, and features δ and ε that indicate specific effects associated with the processing content in the processing method. The content of the process feature information is not limited to these. For example, it may also consist of various conditions for executing the processing method, such as the feasibility of the processing method.

[0063] [Difference 3] In the above-described embodiment, the input unit receives information about the shape of the processed product and information about the processing method of the processed product. The information that can be input to the input unit is not limited to these. Information about the material may also be input. For example, in the first embodiment, if the size of the material is input as an actual value as information about the material, the process evaluation unit can calculate the actual value of the process evaluation index, and the processed product evaluation unit can calculate the actual value of the processed product evaluation index. This makes it possible to design a processing process that matches the actual values, thereby further improving the accuracy of the processing process design and making it possible to design a processing process that matches the actual values.

[0064] The embodiments of this specification have been described above based on the embodiments and modifications described above. The embodiments described above are for the purpose of facilitating understanding of this specification and do not limit it. This specification may be modified and improved without departing from its spirit and the scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in this specification. Furthermore, any technical features that are not described as essential in this specification may be deleted as appropriate.

[0065] <Application Example 1> A process design support device that assists in the design of the processing steps for processed products, An input unit into which processed product information, including information regarding the shape of the processed product, and processed method information, including information regarding the processing method of the processed product, is input. A storage unit that stores process characteristic information including information about the characteristics of a processing step on which the processing method can be executed, A process evaluation unit predicts the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product using the process characteristic information stored in the memory unit and the processed product information input to the input unit, and calculates a process evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processing process of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material. A processed product evaluation unit calculates a processed product evaluation index representing an evaluation of the processed product for each deformation process of the material predicted by the process evaluation unit, using the process characteristic information and the processed product information. The system includes an output unit that outputs the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit. Process design support equipment. <Application Example 2> The process design support device described in Application Example 1, The process evaluation index includes at least one of the following: the amount of deformation of the material until it becomes the processed product, the energy required for the deformation of the material, and the processing time. The aforementioned process evaluation unit, A deformation process prediction unit predicts the deformation process of the material using the process characteristic information and the processed product information, and calculates the size of the material for each predicted deformation process of the material. The system includes a workability calculation unit that calculates the process evaluation index for each predicted deformation process of the material using the material size calculated by the deformation process prediction unit and the process characteristic information. Process design support equipment. <Application Example 3> A process design support device as described in Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, The aforementioned processed product evaluation index includes at least one of the rigidity and weight of the processed product. The processed product evaluation unit calculates the processed product evaluation index for each predicted deformation process of the material, using the size of the material calculated by the deformation process prediction unit. Process design support equipment. <Application Example 4> A process design support device described in any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, The aforementioned process characteristic information includes information regarding the change in size due to the expansion and contraction of the material during the processing of the processed product. Process design support equipment. <Application Example 5> The process design support device described in any one of Application Examples 1 to 4 is further, The system includes a learning unit that learns the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index using the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit. The memory unit stores learning set information which combines the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index learned by the learning unit, and the processed product information and processing method information corresponding to the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index used for learning in the learning unit. Process design support equipment. <Application Example 6> The process design support device described in any one of Application Examples 1 to 5 is further, The system includes a determination unit that determines the similarity between the new processed product information and processing method information input by the input unit and the processed product information and processing method information included in the learning set information, respectively. The output unit outputs the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index included in the learning set information according to the magnitude of the similarity determined by the determination unit. Process design support equipment. <Application Example 7> A process design support device described in any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, The input unit is capable of receiving material information relating to the size of the material, When the material information is input to the input unit, the process evaluation unit calculates the actual value of the process evaluation index. When the material information is input to the input unit, the processed product evaluation unit calculates the actual value of the processed product evaluation index. Process design support equipment. <Application Example 8> A process design support method that uses a process design support device to support the design of the processing process for a processed product, An input step includes inputting processed product information, which includes information about the shape of the processed product, and processing method information, which includes information about the processing method of the processed product. A storage step involves storing process characteristic information, which includes information about the characteristics of a processing step on which the processing method can be executed, in a storage unit. A process evaluation step that uses the process characteristic information stored in the storage step and the processed product information input in the input step to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product, and calculates a process evaluation index that represents an evaluation of the processing step of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material, A processed product evaluation step, which uses the process characteristic information and the processed product information to calculate a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product for each deformation process of the material predicted in the process evaluation step, The system includes an output step that outputs the process evaluation index calculated in the process evaluation step and the processed product evaluation index calculated in the processed product evaluation step. Process design support method. <Application Example 9> A computer program that uses a computer to assist in designing the processing steps for processed products, An input function for inputting processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product, and processing method information including information about the processing method of the processed product, A storage function that stores process characteristic information, including information about the characteristics of a processing step on which the aforementioned processing method can be executed, in a storage unit, A process evaluation function that uses the process characteristic information stored in the memory unit and the processed product information input by the input function to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product, and calculates a process evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processing process of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material, A processed product evaluation function that uses the process characteristic information and the processed product information to calculate a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product for each deformation process of the material predicted by the process evaluation function, An output function is provided to cause the computer to execute the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation function and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation function. Computer program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1,2…Process design support equipment 10...Input section 20…Storage medium 31…Process Evaluation Department 311...Deformation process prediction unit 312...Workability calculation section 32…Processed Product Evaluation Department 40…Output section 50…CPU 53…Learning Department 54…Similarity determination unit P0...Material Pm…Processed product Pm1...Flange section Pm3... Top panel Pm4…Slope part

Claims

1. A process design support device that assists in the design of the processing steps for processed products, An input unit into which processed product information, including information regarding the shape of the processed product, and processed method information, including information regarding the processing method of the processed product, is input. A storage unit that stores process characteristic information including information about the characteristics of a processing step on which the processing method can be executed, A process evaluation unit predicts the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product using the process characteristic information stored in the memory unit and the processed product information input to the input unit, and calculates a process evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processing process of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material. A processed product evaluation unit calculates a processed product evaluation index representing an evaluation of the processed product for each deformation process of the material predicted by the process evaluation unit, using the process characteristic information and the processed product information. The system includes an output unit that outputs the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit. Process design support equipment.

2. A process design support device according to claim 1, The process evaluation index includes at least one of the following: the amount of deformation of the material until it becomes the processed product, the energy required for the deformation of the material, and the processing time. The aforementioned process evaluation unit, A deformation process prediction unit predicts the deformation process of the material using the process characteristic information and the processed product information, and calculates the size of the material for each predicted deformation process of the material. The system includes a workability calculation unit that calculates the process evaluation index for each predicted deformation process of the material using the material size calculated by the deformation process prediction unit and the process characteristic information. Process design support equipment.

3. A process design support device according to claim 2, The aforementioned processed product evaluation index includes at least one of the rigidity and weight of the processed product. The processed product evaluation unit calculates the processed product evaluation index for each predicted deformation process of the material, using the size of the material calculated by the deformation process prediction unit. Process design support equipment.

4. A process design support device according to claim 2 or claim 3, The aforementioned process characteristic information includes information regarding the change in size due to the expansion and contraction of the material during the processing of the processed product. Process design support equipment.

5. The process design support apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 further, The system includes a learning unit that learns the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index using the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation unit and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation unit. The memory unit stores learning set information which combines the relationship between the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index learned by the learning unit, and the processed product information and processing method information corresponding to the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index used for learning in the learning unit. Process design support equipment.

6. The process design support device described in claim 5 further, The system includes a determination unit that determines the similarity between the new processed product information and processing method information input by the input unit and the processed product information and processing method information included in the learning set information, respectively. The output unit outputs the process evaluation index and the processed product evaluation index included in the learning set information according to the magnitude of the similarity determined by the determination unit. Process design support equipment.

7. A process design support device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The input unit is capable of receiving material information relating to the size of the material, When the material information is input to the input unit, the process evaluation unit calculates the actual value of the process evaluation index. When the material information is input to the input unit, the processed product evaluation unit calculates the actual value of the processed product evaluation index. Process design support equipment.

8. A process design support method that uses a process design support device to support the design of the processing process for a processed product, An input step includes inputting processed product information, which includes information about the shape of the processed product, and processing method information, which includes information about the processing method of the processed product. A storage step involves storing process characteristic information, which includes information about the characteristics of a processing step on which the processing method can be executed, in a storage unit. A process evaluation step that uses the process characteristic information stored in the storage step and the processed product information input in the input step to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product, and calculates a process evaluation index that represents an evaluation of the processing step of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material, A processed product evaluation step, which uses the process characteristic information and the processed product information to calculate a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product for each deformation process of the material predicted in the process evaluation step, The system includes an output step that outputs the process evaluation index calculated in the process evaluation step and the processed product evaluation index calculated in the processed product evaluation step. Process design support method.

9. A computer program that uses a computer to assist in designing the processing steps for processed products, An input function for inputting processed product information including information about the shape of the processed product, and processing method information including information about the processing method of the processed product, A storage function that stores process characteristic information, including information about the characteristics of a processing step on which the aforementioned processing method can be executed, in a storage unit, A process evaluation function that uses the process characteristic information stored in the memory unit and the processed product information input by the input function to predict the deformation process of the material that will become the processed product, and calculates a process evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processing process of the processed product for each predicted deformation process of the material, A processed product evaluation function that uses the process characteristic information and the processed product information to calculate a processed product evaluation index representing the evaluation of the processed product for each deformation process of the material predicted by the process evaluation function, An output function is provided to cause the computer to execute the process evaluation index calculated by the process evaluation function and the processed product evaluation index calculated by the processed product evaluation function. Computer program.

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