Machining path evaluation device, machining path generation device, and program

Abstract

To provide a device which can evaluate and generate a cutting path that suppresses a maximum value and fluctuation of a processing load. when cutting a work-piece, and suppresses deformation of the work-piece and tool life reduction.SOLUTION: A cutting path evaluation device for evaluating a cutting path by a cutting tool comprises a relative angle evaluation part 111. The relative angle evaluation part 111 acquires an inclination angle of a blade of the cutting tool used in the cutting path of an evaluation object (1), acquires an inclination angle of a processed surface of a work-piece which becomes a cutting object in the cutting path (2), calculates a relative angle between the blade of the cutting tool and the processed surface of the work-piece (3), and evaluates a magnitude of the relative angle, and determines whether the cutting path of the evaluation object can be adopted (4).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting path evaluation device and a cutting path generation device. [Background technology]

[0002] When performing cutting using an end mill, the machining load may differ depending on how the blade of the end mill contacts the workpiece. In many cases, the machining load is required to be reduced in one or more of the maximum value, average value, and magnitude of fluctuation, etc., according to the characteristics of the product to be machined and the equipment used. In order to suppress the maximum value and fluctuation of the machining load, it is necessary to carefully set the cutting path, taking into account how the blade of the end mill contacts the workpiece. Here, the cutting path is defined as information including the removal path of the workpiece by the cutting tool, the rotation speed of the cutting tool, the feed rate, etc.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a cutting method and NC data creation device that, "in cutting using an end mill with a twisted blade, prevents vibration, improves the quality of the machined surface, and extends the tool life by eliminating fluctuations in the number of blades that simultaneously perform the cutting action and keeps the cutting force constant" (see abstract).

[0004] It is believed that the method described in Patent Document 1 is effective in preventing vibration during cutting when the machining length is sufficiently long and the same machining phenomenon is repeated for each tool blade. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-45647 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventionally, the magnitude of the helix angle of an end mill is determined taking into consideration the fluctuation of the processing load, the inclination of the processed surface, the roughness of the finished surface, the force applied in the axial direction of the end mill, the dischargeability of cutting chips, and the like. Regarding the fluctuation of the processing load, when considering the case of machining the side surface of a cube using an end mill without a helix angle, there is a moment when the number of blades in contact with the workpiece changes stepwise, and the fluctuation of the processing load is large. When the blade of the tool is twisted, in the case of an end mill with multiple blades, the second blade starts machining before the first blade finishes machining, so that the step-like processing fluctuation can be suppressed. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 aims to further reduce the fluctuation of the processing load by always keeping the number of blades in contact with the workpiece constant.

[0007] However, while the method described in Patent Document 1 can keep the number of blades in contact with the workpiece constant, it is not possible to properly set or evaluate how the blades contact the workpiece other than during steady-state operation, i.e., immediately after the start of machining or just before the end of machining.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an apparatus that can evaluate and generate cutting paths that suppress the maximum value and fluctuations of the processing load when cutting a workpiece, and that suppress deformation of the workpiece and shortening of tool life. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present application includes a number of means for solving at least some of the above problems, examples of which are as follows.

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, a cutting path evaluation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a cutting path evaluation device that evaluates cutting paths using a cutting tool, and is equipped with a relative angle evaluation unit, which is characterized in that: (1) acquires the inclination angle of the blade of the cutting tool used in the cutting path to be evaluated, (2) acquires the inclination angle of the machining surface of the workpiece to be cut by the cutting path, (3) calculates the relative angle between the blade of the cutting tool and the machining surface of the workpiece, and (4) evaluates the magnitude of the relative angle and determines whether the cutting path to be evaluated is adoptable.

[0011] In addition, a cutting path generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a cutting path generation device that generates a cutting path using a cutting tool, and is equipped with a tentative machining path search unit that searches for tentative machining paths that are candidates for machining paths, and a relative angle evaluation unit that evaluates the tentative machining paths, wherein the relative angle evaluation unit (1) acquires the inclination angle of the blade of the cutting tool used in the tentative machining path to be evaluated, (2) acquires the inclination angle of the machining surface of the workpiece to be cut by the tentative machining path, (3) calculates the relative angle between the blade of the cutting tool and the machining surface of the workpiece, and (4) evaluates the magnitude of the relative angle and determines whether the tentative machining path to be evaluated is adoptable. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus capable of evaluating and generating cutting paths that suppress the maximum value and fluctuation of the processing load when cutting a workpiece and suppress deformation of the workpiece and shortening of tool life.

[0013] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cutting path evaluation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer that realizes a cutting path evaluation device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the inclination angle of the processing surface of the workpiece and the angle of the blade of the cutting tool. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the inclination angle of the machining surface of a pipe material having an angular cross section and the angle of the blade of a cutting tool. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the inclination angle of the machining surface of a tube material having a circular cross section and the angle of the blade of a cutting tool. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the inclination angle of the processed area of ​​the heat dissipation fin and the angle of the blade of the cutting tool. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the inclination angle of a three-dimensional object and the angle of the blade of a cutting tool. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of a cutting path evaluation process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cutting path generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of cutting path creation processing according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for describing each embodiment, the same members are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, it goes without saying that in the following embodiments, the components (including element steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless specifically stated or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Furthermore, when the phrase "consists of A," "is made of A," "has A," or "contains A," it goes without saying that it does not exclude other elements, unless it is specifically stated that only those elements are included. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc., it is intended to include things that are substantially similar or approximate to those shapes, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly different in principle. EXAMPLES

[0016] <Configuration of cutting path evaluation device> FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a cutting path evaluation device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The cutting path evaluation device 1 evaluates the angle formed when the blade of an end mill contacts the machining surface of a workpiece during cutting, and outputs the evaluation result. Here, the cutting path is information including the removal path of the workpiece by the cutting tool, the rotation speed of the cutting tool, the feed speed of the cutting tool, etc.

[0018] The cutting path evaluation device 1 includes the following functional blocks: a calculation unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 130, an output unit 140, and a communication unit 150.

[0019] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer that realizes the cutting path evaluation device 1. The cutting path evaluation device 1 is composed of a general computer 30 such as a personal computer that includes a processor 31 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory 32 such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), a storage 37 such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), an input device 35 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, an output device 36 such as a display, a communication module 34 such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), and an interface 33 that connects these. The computer may be configured on a cloud.

[0020] The calculation unit 110 is realized by a computer processor. The calculation unit 110 has a functional block of a relative angle evaluation unit 111. This functional block is realized by the computer processor executing a predetermined program loaded into memory. However, some or all of these functional blocks may be realized as hardware using an integrated circuit or the like.

[0021] The relative angle evaluation unit 111 acquires workpiece information 121 including the shape of the workpiece before machining, the shape of the cutting portion of the workpiece, the shape of the finished product (or intermediate product) after cutting, the material of the workpiece, the fixing method of the workpiece, the fixing portion of the workpiece, and the like from, for example, a CAD (Computer Aided Design) model, and stores it in the storage unit 120. In addition, the relative angle evaluation unit 111 acquires tool information 122 including the outer diameter, protrusion length, number of blades, twist angle, and the like of a cutting tool from CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software during machining path generation, or an NC program output after machining path generation, or similar, or a list for managing machining information, and stores it in the storage unit 120.

[0022] Furthermore, in a similar manner, the relative angle evaluation unit 111 acquires machining path information 123 including the tool travel direction, the moving speed, rotational speed, and rotational direction of the cutting tool, as well as the moving path (information representing the relative positional relationship between the cutting tool and the workpiece), and stores it in the memory unit 120.

[0023] The relative angle evaluation unit 111 calculates the angle (relative angle) between the blade of the cutting tool and the machining surface of the workpiece in the machining path to be evaluated based on the workpiece information 121 and the machining path information 123, and the smaller the relative angle, the lower the evaluation of the machining path.

[0024] If the relative angle is greater than a predetermined threshold, the maximum value or variation of the machining load during machining of the workpiece can be suppressed, and therefore the machining path is determined to be adoptable. Conversely, if the relative angle is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the maximum value or variation of the machining load during machining increases, and therefore the machining path is determined to be unadoptable (unadoptable). The predetermined threshold may be set based on experience, or may be set based on a database created from past machining results or learning results.

[0025] The storage unit 120 is realized by a computer memory and storage. The storage unit 120 stores workpiece information 121, tool information 122, and machining path information 123. The storage unit 120 may store information other than the above-mentioned information.

[0026] The input unit 130 is realized by an input device of a computer. The input unit 130 accepts various operations from a user. The output unit 140 is realized by an output device of a computer. The output unit 140 displays, for example, a screen (not shown) showing the evaluation results of the machining path. The communication unit 150 is realized by a communication module of a computer. The communication unit 150 connects to a computer that outputs a CAD model via a predetermined network such as the Internet or a mobile phone communication network, and communicates various data.

[0027] <How to calculate relative angles> Next, a description will be given of a method for calculating a relative angle by the relative angle evaluation unit 111. The relative angle evaluation unit 111 calculates a relative angle using information such as workpiece information 121, tool information 122, and machining path information 123.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of determining the relative angle between the machining surface and the blade from the inclination angle α18 of the machining surface of the workpiece 12 and the blade angle β19 of the end mill 15. The inclination angle 18 of the machining surface of the workpiece and the angle 19 of the blade of the tool are angles with the same reference plane 11 or reference line. The machining surface of the workpiece here may refer to a surface that is finally created by machining, a surface that appears during machining, or a surface that will be machined before machining, but in particular, it refers to a surface where the blade of the tool enters or exits the workpiece, taking into account the rotation direction 17 of the end mill. In the case of FIG. 3, the angle 19 of the blade of the tool is evaluated as the angle of the blade of the tool at the moment when it starts to come into contact with the machining surface of the workpiece or the moment when the contact length is the longest, in the range where it contacts the machining area of ​​the workpiece, among the twist 20 of the blade of the tool. In addition, the twist 20 of the tool blade in Figure 3 and the following figures is a dotted line tracing the acute angle of the tip of the blade when viewed through the tool, and also illustrates parts that are actually located at the back of the tool and cannot be seen with the naked eye.

[0029] In FIG. 3(a), the workpiece 12 has a thin plate shape, and the machining surface is inclined counterclockwise in the drawing. In this case, the inclination angle α18 of the machining surface and the inclination angle β19 of the tool blade when the tool contacts the machining surface are approximately equal, and the relative angle between the machining surface and the tool blade is close to 0°. In other words, since the relative angle is small, the machining path is given a low added score by the machining path evaluation device of the present invention. In this machining, the tool moves in the tool advancement direction 14 while machining.

[0030] On the other hand, Fig. 3(b) shows machining similar to Fig. 3(a), but the thin plate is inclined clockwise on the drawing. The inclination angle α18 of the machining surface and the inclination angle β19 of the tool blade when the tool contacts the machining surface are inclined in a direction away from each other, and the relative angle between the machining surface and the tool blade is larger than that of Fig. 3(a). In other words, since the relative angle is large, the machining path is given a high added point by the machining path evaluation device of the present invention. The rules for adding points may be set based on experience, a predetermined threshold value, or may be set based on a database created from past machining results or learning results.

[0031] In this way, the angle between the machining surface of the workpiece and the blade of the tool is evaluated, and the inclination angle of the machining surface of the workpiece can be obtained from the workpiece information 121, and the inclination angle of the blade of the tool can be obtained from the tool information 122. When the workpiece or the tool is held at an angle, such as when using a 5-axis machining device, the angle can be easily evaluated by adding the inclination of the holding to the angle information and calculating. In addition, in FIG. 3, the explanation was given using a diagram in which the tool is moved in a direction in which the cross-sectional shape of the thin plate does not change, but the moving direction may be a direction other than that of FIG. 3, and may involve movement in the height direction. In addition, in FIG. 3, the explanation was given using a thin plate for simplicity of explanation, but since the point of the present invention is to evaluate the contact between the machining surface and the blade of the tool, the present invention is applicable even in cases other than thin plates. In addition, for the same reason, even if the entrance surface and exit surface of the machining are not parallel as in FIG. 3, it is within the scope of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relative angle evaluation results when the first embodiment is applied to a pipe material having an angular cross section, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relative angle evaluation results when the first embodiment is applied to a pipe material having a circular cross section. In both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, (a) and (b) are diagrams for cutting a removal portion 21 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pipe material, and (a) is a diagram for cutting from the front to the back on the drawing, and the relative angle between the inclination of the tool blade and the inclination of the processing surface around the removal portion is small among the twists of the tool. On the other hand, (b) is a diagram for cutting from the back to the front on the drawing, and compared to (a), the relative angle between the inclination of the tool blade and the inclination of the processing surface around the removal portion is large. (c) is a diagram showing an example in which the processing direction is different from the longitudinal direction of the pipe material. In this case, the relative angle between the processing surface of the workpiece and the cutting tool blade changes as the processing progresses. In this case, it is desirable to evaluate the relative angle not only at the moment when the tool and the processing surface come into contact with each other or when the contact length is maximized as in the example of FIG. 3, but also at each appropriate interval of the processing time.

[0033] In this way, even when machining a part other than a simple shape such as a thin plate, the effects of the present invention can be obtained by evaluating the relative angle around the area removed by cutting.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a case where multiple plate-shaped parts, such as heat sink fins, are processed simultaneously in one process. (a) shows a case where the cutting tool blade is aligned with the angle of the thin plate and cuts parallel to the longitudinal direction of the thin plate, (b) shows a case where the cutting tool blade is inclined from the angle of the thin plate and cuts parallel to the longitudinal direction of the thin plate, (c) shows a case where the cutting tool blade is aligned with the angle of the thin plate and cuts perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the thin plate, and (d) shows a case where the cutting tool blade is inclined from the angle of the thin plate and cuts perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the thin plate. In such a case, the relative angle between the cutting surface and the cutting tool blade may differ for each thin plate depending on the shape of the workpiece and the shape of the tool. In this case, the maximum value of the evaluation results of the relative angles for each plate may be evaluated, or evaluation may be performed by focusing on the plate that is to be processed particularly carefully. The same applies to the examples explained using other figures, and also to the case where the workpiece and cutting tool are inclined.

[0035] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of machining a workpiece 12 having a three-dimensional curved surface shape. When performing finishing processing on a near-net shape manufactured by three-dimensional lamination by cutting, the workpiece often has a three-dimensional curved surface shape, and in this case, it is considered that the relative angle between the machining surface of the workpiece and the cutting edge of the tool changes from moment to moment as the machining proceeds. In this case, it is desirable to calculate and evaluate the relative angle for each machining time divided into appropriate intervals, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (c).

[0036] In addition, when the relative angle changes in the machining path, the following can be considered as the relative angle: a. adopt the worst value, b. add up (integrate) the individual values, c. use the average value, and so on.

[0037] <Cutting path evaluation process using cutting path evaluation device> Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of cutting path evaluation processing by the cutting path evaluation device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0038] The cutting path evaluation process of the first embodiment may be started in response to a predetermined operation by a user, or may be started automatically when a machining path or an NC program is generated, etc. First, the relative angle evaluation unit 111 acquires workpiece information 121 from, for example, a CAD model, and stores it in the storage unit 12. The relative angle evaluation unit 111 also acquires tool information 122 from an NC program, or something similar, or a list that manages machining information, or an NC machine tool, and stores it in the storage unit 12 (step S101).

[0039] Next, the relative angle evaluation unit 111 calculates the relative angle between the machining surface of the workpiece and the blade of the tool based on the workpiece information 121, the tool information 122, and the machining path information 123 in the storage unit 12 (step S102).

[0040] Next, the relative angle evaluation unit 111 evaluates the magnitude of the relative angle, and judges whether or not the machining path under consideration is adoptable (step S103).

[0041] Finally, the flow is completed by outputting whether the machining path under consideration can be adopted (step S104). This output may be an output to notify the user when it cannot be adopted, or a trigger signal to instruct a machining path generating device such as CAM software to reconsider the machining path.

[0042] According to the cutting path evaluation process of this embodiment, the quality of the machining path can be easily evaluated using the relative angle between the machining surface of the workpiece and the cutting edge of the tool as an evaluation index, so that the quality of the machining can be judged without performing a complex simulation before machining by the processing machine. This judgment of the quality of the machining may be used in combination with other judgment criteria. EXAMPLES

[0043] <Configuration of cutting path generation device> FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of a cutting path generating device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The cutting path generating device 2 includes the cutting path evaluating device 1 (FIG. 1), evaluates the tentative cutting paths generated by the tentative cutting path searching unit 112, and generates an excellent cutting path by adopting a cutting path having an excellent evaluation result of the relative angle between the cutting surface of the workpiece and the blade of the tool from among the tentative cutting paths. Note that, among the components of the cutting path generating device 2, those common to the components of the cutting path evaluating device 1 (FIG. 1) are given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0045] The tentative machining path searching unit 112 acquires workpiece information 121 including the shape of the workpiece before machining, the shape of the cutting portion of the workpiece, the shape of the finished product (or intermediate product) after cutting, the material of the workpiece, the fixing method of the workpiece, the fixing portion of the workpiece, etc., from, for example, a CAD model, and stores it in the storage unit 120. In addition, the tentative machining path searching unit 112 acquires tool information 122 including the outer diameter, protrusion length, material, number of blades, twist angle, etc. of the cutting tool from the NC machine tool, and stores it in the storage unit 120. Furthermore, the tentative machining path search unit 112 searches for a plurality of tentative machining paths that are candidates for machining paths based on the workpiece information 121 and the tool information 122, and stores them in the storage unit 12 as tentative machining path information 124. The tentative machining path information 124 includes at least the tool advance direction, the moving speed, the rotation speed, and the rotating direction of the cutting tool, as well as the moving path (information representing the relative positional relationship between the cutting tool and the workpiece) of each tentative machining path. In order to ensure that the number of provisional machining paths to be searched for is a realistic number, it is desirable to set the angle of the cutting tool's direction of travel and the type of contact between the tool and the workpiece to discrete and finite values. For example, if the workpiece is plate-shaped, the tool's direction of travel may be changed in increments of, for example, 45 degrees based on any surface of the plate-shaped workpiece.

[0046] The adoption cost evaluation unit 113 is a functional block that evaluates the cost incurred by adopting each provisional machining path. The adoption cost here may be the machining time, the cutting volume per hour, or other evaluation indexes depending on the purpose of the user of the cutting path generation device.

[0047] The relative angle evaluation unit 111 has the same contents as the relative angle evaluation unit 111 shown in the first embodiment, but the difference is that it is incorporated in the cutting machining path generation device 2 and is used to select a machining path with relatively good evaluation results from among multiple provisional machining paths.

[0048] The machining condition adjustment unit 114 is a functional block that adopts the provisional machining path with the largest relative angle when the relative angles of the provisional machining paths evaluated by the relative angle evaluation unit 111 are all less than a threshold value, and adjusts the machining speed of that machining path to reduce the machining load even when the relative angle is smaller than the threshold value.

[0049] The conversion unit 115 is a functional block that converts the adopted machining path into a format that can be processed by a machine tool, such as an NC program.

[0050] In addition, since a plurality of machining paths are usually combined to finish one machined part, the cutting path generating device 2 according to the present invention also performs provisional machining path generation, adoption cost evaluation, relative angle evaluation, machining condition adjustment, and conversion to NC programs, etc., for a plurality of machining paths. In addition, since the adopted machining paths affect each other, the total number of machining paths may change depending on the adopted provisional machining paths.

[0051] <Cutting path generation process by cutting path generation device> Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of cutting path generation processing by the cutting path generation device 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0052] The cutting path generation process of the second embodiment is started in response to a predetermined operation by a user. First, the tentative machining path search unit 112 acquires workpiece information 121 from, for example, a CAD model and stores it in the storage unit 120. The tentative machining path search unit 112 also acquires tool information 122 from an NC machine tool and stores it in the storage unit 120 (step S201).

[0053] Next, the tentative machining path searching unit 112 searches for a plurality of tentative machining paths that are candidates for machining paths based on the workpiece information 121 and the tool information 122, and stores them in the storage unit 120 as tentative machining path information 124 (step S202).

[0054] Next, the adoption cost evaluation unit 113 refers to the provisional machining path information 124 and selects the plurality of found paths. The provisional machining paths are sequentially focused on and rearranged according to the evaluation index designated by the user. If the user does not designate, the provisional machining paths may be left in the order in which they were generated (step S203). Next, the relative angle evaluation unit 111 calculates the angle between the cutting edge of the tool on the machining surface of the workpiece (S204). Then, it is evaluated whether the relative angle is larger than a determined threshold value, and it is determined whether the provisional machining path being focused on is adoptable or not (step S205).

[0055] Here, when it is determined that the tentative machining path under consideration is not adoptable (unadoptable) (NO in step S205), the relative angle evaluation unit 111 then determines whether or not a tentative machining path under consideration remains (step S206). Here, when it is determined that a tentative machining path under consideration remains, the process returns to step S203, and step S203 and subsequent steps are repeated.

[0056] Thereafter, when it is determined that there are no unfocused provisional machining paths remaining (NO in step S206), the machining condition adjustment unit 114 adjusts the machining conditions for the provisional machining path with the largest evaluation result of the relative angle among all the provisional machining paths determined to be unadoptable (step S207). Note that the machining conditions may be adjusted by the user.

[0057] On the other hand, if it is determined that the tentative machining path under consideration is adoptable (YES in step S205), the relative angle evaluation unit 111 selects the tentative machining path as the machining path, and the process skips steps S206 and S207 and proceeds to step S208.

[0058] Next, the conversion unit 115 converts the machining path that is determined to be adoptable in step S205, or the provisional machining path whose machining conditions have been adjusted in step S207, into an NC program (step S208). The converted NC program is sent to the NC machining machine by the communication unit 150. The provisional machining path may also be converted into a program other than the NC program that is suitable for the machine to which it is output. This completes the cutting machining path generation process.

[0059] According to the above-mentioned cutting path generation process of this embodiment, the angle between the cutting surface of the workpiece and the cutting tool blade can be evaluated from the searched provisional machining paths, and the maximum value and fluctuation of the machining load can be evaluated to generate a machining path, thereby suppressing the deformation of the workpiece and the progress of tool wear. Also, even if all the searched provisional machining paths are judged to be unusable, the machining conditions can be adjusted to generate an appropriate machining path.

[0060] According to the cutting machining path generation process described above, the process proceeds to S208 when it is determined that the provisional machining path under consideration is adoptable. However, it is also possible to select all adoptable provisional machining paths after extracting them, and then select the one with the highest evaluation as the machining path.

[0061] In addition, the cutting path generation process shown in FIG. 10 may be executed every time a machining path is generated, or may be executed only when generating a specific machining path that is expected to have large vibrations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...Cutting path evaluation device 2...Cutting path generator 110...Arithmetic section 111...Relative angle evaluation unit 112...Temporary machining path search unit 113…Recruitment Cost Evaluation Department 111...Relative angle evaluation unit 114...Machining condition adjustment section 115…Conversion unit 120...Storage section 121…Work material information 122…Tool information 123...Processing path information 124...Temporary machining path information 130...Input section 140...Output section 150…Communications Department 11...Reference plane 12…Work material 14...Tool advancing direction 15...Cutting tools 17…Tool rotation direction 18…Workpiece tilt angle 19…Tool blade angle 20...Twisting of tool blade 21…Removal area

Claims

1. A cutting path evaluation device for evaluating a cutting path by a cutting tool, comprising: A relative angle evaluation unit is provided, The relative angle evaluation unit (1) obtaining the inclination angle of the cutting tool blade used in the cutting path to be evaluated; (2) obtaining an inclination angle of the machining surface of the workpiece to be cut by the cutting path; (3) calculating a relative angle between the cutting tool edge and the machining surface of the workpiece; (4) Evaluating the magnitude of the relative angle and judging whether the cutting path to be evaluated is adoptable. A cutting path evaluation device comprising:

2. 2. The cutting path evaluation device according to claim 1, The cutting path evaluation device is characterized in that the relative angle evaluation unit determines that the cutting path is adoptable when the relative angle is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

3. 2. The cutting path evaluation device according to claim 1, The cutting path evaluation device is characterized in that the blade of the cutting tool has a twist.

4. 2. The cutting path evaluation device according to claim 1, A cutting path evaluation device comprising a memory unit for storing workpiece information, tool information, and cutting path information.

5. 2. The cutting path evaluation device according to claim 1, The cutting path evaluation device is characterized in that the machining surface of the workpiece to be cut is a machining surface belonging to a thin plate-shaped portion of the workpiece to be cut.

6. A cutting path generating device for generating a cutting path by a cutting tool, a tentative machining path search unit that searches for a tentative machining path that is a candidate for the machining path; A relative angle evaluation unit for evaluating the provisional machining path; Equipped with The relative angle evaluation unit (1) obtaining the inclination angle of the cutting tool blade used in the provisional machining path to be evaluated; (2) obtaining an inclination angle of the machining surface of the workpiece to be cut by the provisional machining path; (3) calculating a relative angle between the cutting tool edge and the machining surface of the workpiece; (4) Evaluating the magnitude of the relative angle and determining whether the provisional machining path to be evaluated is adoptable. A cutting path generating device characterized by:

7. 7. The cutting path generating device according to claim 6, The temporary machining path search unit searches for a plurality of temporary machining paths based on workpiece information including a shape of a workpiece and tool information, The relative angle evaluation unit adopts, as a machining path, one of the plurality of tentative machining paths found, in which a relative angle between a machining surface of a workpiece and a blade of a cutting tool is greater than a predetermined threshold value. A cutting path generating device characterized by:

8. The cutting path generating device according to claim 6, further comprising: a machining condition adjustment unit that adopts a temporary machining path having a largest relative angle when all of the relative angles of the temporary machining paths evaluated by the relative angle evaluation unit are less than a threshold value, and adjusts the machining conditions of the selected temporary machining path; A cutting path generating device comprising:

9. The cutting path generating device according to claim 6, further comprising: an adoption cost evaluation unit that evaluates a cost incurred by adopting each of the provisional machining paths and rearranges the provisional machining paths according to an evaluation index; The relative angle evaluation unit sequentially evaluates the rearranged provisional machining paths and adopts the provisional machining paths having a relative angle greater than a predetermined threshold as the machining path.

10. The cutting path generating device according to claim 6, further comprising: A conversion unit that converts the adopted provisional machining path into a program for controlling a machine tool; A cutting path generating device comprising:

11. 7. The cutting path generating device according to claim 6, The cutting path generating device is characterized in that the machining surface of the workpiece to be cut is a machining surface belonging to a thin plate-shaped portion of the workpiece to be cut.

12. A program for causing a computer to function as a cutting path generating device for generating a cutting path by a cutting tool, a tentative machining path search unit that searches for a tentative machining path; Obtain the inclination angle of the cutting tool blade used in the provisional machining path to be evaluated; The inclination angle of the machining surface of the workpiece to be cut by the provisional machining path is obtained. Calculating a relative angle between the cutting tool edge and the machining surface of the workpiece; The magnitude of the relative angle is evaluated, and it is determined whether the provisional machining path to be evaluated is adoptable. A program that functions as a relative angle evaluation unit.

13. The program according to claim 12, further comprising: a machining condition adjustment unit that adopts a temporary machining path having a largest relative angle when all of the relative angles of the temporary machining paths evaluated by the relative angle evaluation unit are less than a threshold value, and adjusts the machining conditions of the selected temporary machining path; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a

14. The program according to claim 12, further comprising: an adoption cost evaluation unit that evaluates a cost incurred by adopting each of the provisional machining paths and rearranges the provisional machining paths according to an evaluation index; the relative angle evaluation unit sequentially evaluates the rearranged provisional machining paths and adopts the one having a relative angle larger than a predetermined threshold as the machining path; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a

15. The program according to claim 12, further comprising: A program that functions as a conversion unit that converts the adopted provisional machining path into a program for controlling a machine tool.

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