Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To generate processing data appropriately removing a notch region from workpiece in a laser beam machine.SOLUTION: An information processor 20 includes: a calculation part 202 for calculating a smallest rectangular region R including a product P cut from plate-like workpiece W by laser processing; an extraction part 203 for extracting a difference between the rectangular region R and a product region PA expressed by outer periphery of the product P; a determination part 204 for determining a notch region N that is at least a part of the difference as an object of shredding; and a generation part 205 for generating processing data including information on cutting of the product P, and information on shredding of the notch region N.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] A laser processing machine for performing cutting processing on a plate-shaped workpiece is known. The laser processing machine performs cutting processing on the workpiece by irradiating the workpiece with laser light while relatively moving the laser head with respect to the workpiece based on processing data including the processing order and the like. The processing data is generated by an information processing apparatus such as a CAM based on design data generated by a design apparatus such as a CAD. After cutting out a product from the workpiece by the laser processing machine, a skeleton, which is a part other than the product, is separated from the product. Depending on the shape of the product cut out from the workpiece, a notch region corresponding to the cutout shape of the product may be formed in the skeleton. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of assigning a tool corresponding to the notch region and punching out this notch region with the tool.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] After processing with a laser processing machine, when separating the skeleton from the product, the notch area may sag, making it impossible to properly separate the skeleton from the product. In such cases, the position of the product may change after skeleton separation, causing problems in subsequent product pickup. Also, as in Patent Document 1, punching out the notch area with a tool after processing requires transporting the processed workpiece from the laser processing machine to a punching machine, which is a cumbersome task. Therefore, in a laser processing machine, in addition to cutting out the product from the workpiece, it is desired to remove the notch area.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of generating processing data for appropriately removing a notch area from a workpiece in a laser processing machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a calculation unit that calculates a minimum rectangular area including a product cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, an extraction unit that extracts a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, a determination unit that determines a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be shredded, and a generation unit that generates processing data including information regarding cutting out of the product and information regarding shredding of the notch area. An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a calculation unit that calculates a minimum rectangular area including products cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, an extraction unit that extracts a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, a determination unit that determines a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be slit, and a generation unit that generates processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on slitting the notch area. When a plurality of adjacent products are cut out from the workpiece, the calculation unit calculates a minimum rectangular area including the plurality of products, and the extraction unit extracts a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery when the plurality of products are grouped together as one. An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a calculation unit that calculates a minimum rectangular area including products cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, an extraction unit that extracts a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, a determination unit that determines a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be slit, and a generation unit that generates processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on slitting the notch area. The determination unit receives a designation of an exclusion portion that is not a notch area in the difference, and determines a portion of the difference excluding the exclusion portion as the notch area.

[0007] An information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes calculating a minimum rectangular area including a product cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, extracting a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, determining a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be shredded, and generating processing data including information regarding cutting out of the product and information regarding shredding of the notch area. An information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes calculating a minimum rectangular area including products cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, extracting a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, determining a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be slit, and generating processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on slitting the notch area. When a plurality of adjacent products are cut out from the workpiece, in calculating the rectangular area, a minimum rectangular area including the plurality of products is calculated, and in extracting the difference between the rectangular area and the product area, a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery when the plurality of products are grouped together as one is extracted. The information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes calculating a minimum rectangular area including a product cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, extracting a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, determining a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be slit, and generating processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on slitting the notch area. In determining the notch area to be slit, a designation of an exclusion portion that is not to be the notch area is received from among the differences, and a portion of the differences excluding the exclusion portion is determined as the notch area.

[0008] An information processing program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to calculate a minimum rectangular area including products cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, extract a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, determine a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be shredded, and generate processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on shredding the notch area. The information processing program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to calculate a minimum rectangular area including a product cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, extract a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, determine a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be slit, and generate processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on slitting the notch area. When a plurality of adjacent products are cut out from the workpiece, in calculating the rectangular area, a minimum rectangular area including the plurality of products is calculated, and in extracting the difference between the rectangular area and the product area, a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery when the plurality of products are grouped together as one is extracted. The information processing program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to calculate a minimum rectangular area including a product cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing, extract a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery of the product, determine a notch area, which is at least a part of the difference, as an object to be slit, and generate processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on slitting the notch area. In determining the notch area to be slit, a designation of an exclusion portion that is not to be the notch area is received from among the differences, and a portion of the differences excluding the exclusion portion is determined as the notch area.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program of the above aspect, since at least a part of the difference between the rectangular area and the product area is set as the notch area, the notch area can be easily determined, and processing data including information on shredding the notch area can be easily generated. Further, in a laser processing machine to which this processing data is supplied, since the notch area that may droop when separating the skeleton from the product after processing is removed, the skeleton can be appropriately separated from the product.

[0010] Further, in the information processing apparatus of the above aspect, when a plurality of adjacent products are cut out from the workpiece, the calculation unit may calculate a minimum rectangular area including the plurality of products, and the extraction unit may extract a difference between the rectangular area and a product area represented by the outer periphery when the plurality of products are grouped together as one. According to this aspect, the notch area can be determined even when a plurality of products are cut out from the workpiece. Further, in the information processing apparatus of the above aspect, the determination unit may determine all of the difference as the notch area. According to this aspect, since all of the difference between the rectangular area and the product area is determined as the notch area, the notch area can be easily determined.

[0011] Also, in the information processing apparatus according to the above aspect, the determination unit may receive a designation of an exclusion location that is not a notch region among the differences, and determine, as the notch region, a portion of the differences excluding the exclusion location. According to this aspect, the processing time by the laser processing machine can be shortened compared to fragmenting all of the differences between the rectangular region and the product region as the notch region. Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the above aspect, the generation unit may generate the processing data including information for fragmenting the notch region to a predetermined dimension or less that can fall from the workpiece. According to this aspect, the slag generated by fragmenting the notch region can be surely removed from the workpiece.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

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Figure 12

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Also, in the drawings, for the purpose of explaining the embodiments, part of the drawing is enlarged, reduced, or emphasized, etc., and the scale is appropriately changed for expression, and the dimensions and sizes may be different from those of actual members and products. In FIG. 3, the directions in the figure are described using the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. In the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, the vertical direction is the Z direction, one horizontal direction is the X direction, and the other horizontal direction is the Y direction. Also, in each direction, the direction pointed by the arrow is referred to as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction pointed by the arrow is referred to as the - direction.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a laser processing system including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the laser processing system 1 includes a design apparatus 10, an information processing apparatus 20, and a laser processing machine 30. The design apparatus 10 generates information (shape information) regarding the shape of a product P cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece W. The design apparatus 10 is, for example, a computer system equipped with a three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design). The design apparatus 10 includes a main body portion provided with a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a working memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0015] In the main body of the design device 10, a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard are connected. Design programs used in CAD etc. are stored, for example, in the large-capacity storage device, and the main body reads the design program from the large-capacity storage device and executes various processes. The design program may be a general-purpose product circulating in the market or a dedicated product for the laser processing system 1. The design device 10 can output to the outside design data represented in XML (Extensible Markup Language) corresponding to two-dimensional information obtained by developing a product manufactured by the laser processing system 1 from a three-dimensional shape into a planar shape.

[0016] The information processing device 20 includes a design data acquisition unit 201, a calculation unit 202, an extraction unit 203, a determination unit 204, a generation unit 205, an output unit 206, a storage unit 207, and an input unit 208. The information processing device 20 is, for example, CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), and generates processing data for supplying to the laser processing machine 30 based on the design data (shape data) generated by the design device 10. Note that the design device 10 and the information processing device 20 may be configured as an integrated CAD / CAM.

[0017] The design data acquisition unit 201 acquires the design data output by the design device 10 and inputs it to the information processing device 20. The calculation unit 202 calculates, based on the design data input to the information processing device 20, the smallest rectangular region R (see FIG. 6) that includes the product P from the position information of the product P (see FIG. 4) on the plate-shaped workpiece W. The extraction unit 203 extracts the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA represented by the outer periphery (outermost contour) of the product P. The determination unit 204 determines, as the object to be shredded, the notch region N (see FIG. 7) which is at least a part of the extracted difference. The generation unit 205 generates processing data including information regarding the cutting out of the product P and information regarding the shredding of the notch region N determined by the determination unit 204.

[0018] The output unit 206 outputs the processed data generated by the generation unit 205 to the outside (e.g., the laser processing machine 30). The storage unit 207 stores (temporarily stores) the design data acquired by the design data acquisition unit 201, the processed data generated by the generation unit 205, various data required for the processing of each unit, and the like. The input unit 208 receives various commands from an operator or the like. The details of the processing by these design data acquisition unit 201, calculation unit 202, extraction unit 203, determination unit 204, generation unit 205, output unit 206, storage unit 207, and input unit 208 will be described later.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 20. The information processing apparatus 20 is realized by a hardware configuration similar to that of a general-purpose computer, for example. The information processing apparatus 20 generates processed data including information related to the cutting out of the product P and information related to the fragmentation of the notch region N determined by the determination unit 204 based on the design data by executing a predetermined information processing program.

[0020] The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM 23, an input device 24, an output device 25, a communication device 26, and a storage device 27. The above-described units are connected by a data bus 28. The CPU 21 is a processor that executes various processes, expands an information processing program stored in the storage device 27 or the like into the RAM 23 and executes it, controls each unit, and performs data input / output and processing. The CPU 21 is composed of one or a plurality of processors. The ROM 22 stores a start program that reads a startup program from the storage device 27 into the RAM 23. The RAM 23 stores various data as a working area for the CPU 21.

[0021] The input device 24 is an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, for example, and receives the operation input information as a signal and outputs it to the CPU 21. The output device 25 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays and outputs various information based on the signal from the CPU 21. The communication device 26 transmits and receives information to and from an external device via a network. The storage device 27 is a hard disk drive or a flash memory, for example. The storage device 27 stores an information processing program executed by the information processing device 20 and an operating system.

[0022] The information processing program executed by the information processing device 20 is provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a USB memory in an installable or executable file format. Also, the information processing program executed by the information processing device 20 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the information processing program executed by the information processing device 20 may be provided or distributed via the network. Also, the information processing program executed by the information processing device 20 may be provided by being pre-embedded in the ROM 22 or the like.

[0023] The information processing program includes at least a calculation module that functions as a calculation unit 202, an extraction module that functions as an extraction unit 203, a determination module that functions as a determination unit 204, and a generation module that functions as a generation unit 205. The information processing device 20 causes the CPU 21 as a processor to read and execute the information processing program from the storage device 27 or the like, whereby each module is loaded onto the RAM 23, and the CPU 21 functions as the calculation unit 202, the extraction unit 203, the determination unit 204, and the generation unit 205. Note that each function may be realized by hardware other than the processor, partially or entirely.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a laser processing machine 30. The laser processing machine 30 can cut out a product P from a plate-shaped workpiece W to be processed by irradiating a laser beam L. As shown in FIG. 3, the laser processing machine 30 includes a laser head 40, a processing pallet 50, a head driving unit 60, and a control device 70. The laser head 40 has a head body 41 and a nozzle 42, and can be moved in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction by the head driving unit 60. The laser head 40 has a head body 41 and a nozzle 42, and while irradiating the workpiece W with the processing laser beam L from the nozzle 42 under the control of the control device 70, the laser beam L (head body 41) is moved along the cutting line of the product P to cut out the product P from the workpiece W. As the laser beam L, for example, an infrared laser beam or the like is used. Further, the nozzle 42 is connected to an assist gas supply unit (not shown), and supplies the assist gas from the assist gas supply unit to the workpiece W toward the region irradiated with the laser beam L.

[0025] The head body 41 is relatively moved with respect to the workpiece W in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction by the head driving unit 60. In the cutting process of the workpiece W, instead of moving the head body 41, the workpiece W may be moved. As the head driving unit 60, any configuration capable of moving the head body 41 in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction under the control of the control device 70 is applicable.

[0026] The processing pallet 50 places the workpiece W and arranges the workpiece W in the processing area within the laser processing machine 30. The processing pallet 50 may be movable in the X direction or the like with the workpiece W placed thereon, for example, by a driving device (not shown). The processing pallet 50 has a frame portion 51 and a support plate 52. The support plate 52 extends in the Y direction in the inner space of the frame portion 51 and is provided in a plurality arranged in the X direction to support the lower surface of the workpiece W. Each support plate 52 has a plurality of upper end portions 52a formed in a sawtooth shape, and the workpiece W is placed on the upper end portions 52a. Since the upper end portions 52a are formed in a sawtooth shape, the contact area between the upper end portions 52a and the workpiece W becomes small. Note that the support plate 52 is not limited to a sawtooth shape, and may be, for example, a pincushion shape, a corrugated shape, or a pin shape. Whether or not to use the processing pallet 50 is optional. For example, instead of the processing pallet 50, a workpiece placement portion such as a pincushion shape may be provided in the processing area of the laser processing machine 30.

[0027] The control device 70 performs overall control of the laser processing machine 30 and controls the operations of the laser head 40, the head driving unit 60, etc. The control device 70 acquires processing data from the information processing device 20, and controls the operations of the laser head 40 and the head driving unit 60 based on this processing data, thereby moving the laser head 40 while irradiating the laser beam L along a predetermined path on the workpiece W.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the products P with respect to the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. 4, in the plate-shaped workpiece W, one or more products P (six in the example shown in FIG. 4) are arranged. The design data acquisition unit 201 acquires design data including the shape information, position information, etc. of each product P in the plate-shaped workpiece W from the design device 10. The information processing device 20 generates processing data to be supplied to the laser processing machine 30 from the design data. Further, in the laser processing machine 30, cutting processing is performed along the outer periphery of each product P based on the processing data supplied from the information processing device 20. Note that the outer portion of the product P in the workpiece W is the skeleton Sk. For example, when transporting the product P (when sorting the product P) after laser processing, the skeleton Sk is separated from the product P.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an area to be shredded that exists inside the product P in the workpiece W. In FIG. 5, the area to be shredded is shown hatched. As shown in FIG. 5, in the workpiece W, there are areas that are separated by laser processing inside the product P or between the products P. This separated portion becomes slag and falls from the workpiece W, but depending on the size of the slag, it may not be able to fall between the support plates 52 of the processing pallet 50 (see FIG. 3) and may remain on the workpiece W as it is. In such a case, the area Ha that becomes large slag is the target of shredding (e.g., slag cutting). For example, based on the design data acquired from the design device 10, the information processing device 20 targets for shredding an area Ha that is larger than a predetermined dimension among the areas existing inside the product P in the plate-shaped workpiece W. The predetermined dimension is set to a dimension that can fall between the support plates 52 of the processing pallet 50.

[0030] Also, the information processing device 20 does not target for shredding an area Hb that is smaller than a predetermined dimension among the areas existing inside the product P in the workpiece W. In the laser processing machine 30, the workpiece W is cut while being placed on the support plate 52. At this time, the area Ha is removed from the workpiece W by being made into slag and falling through the gap between the support plates 52. Note that the information processing device 20 may generate processing data that targets for shredding including the area Hb.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of calculating the rectangular region R. As shown in FIG. 6, the calculation unit 202 of the information processing apparatus 20 obtains the product region PA from the outer peripheries (outermost contours) of a plurality of products P based on the design data including the shape information, position information, etc. of each product P in the work W acquired by the design data acquisition unit 201. Note that, among the work W, the outside of the product region PA becomes the skeleton Sk. Subsequently, the calculation unit 202 calculates a rectangular region R circumscribing the product region PA. That is, the calculation unit 202 calculates the rectangular region R that is the smallest and includes the product region PA. The rectangular region R is calculated, for example, as a rectangular shape parallel to the four sides of the work W. Information regarding the product region PA and the rectangular region R calculated by the calculation unit 202 may be stored in the storage unit 207.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA. The extraction unit 203 of the information processing apparatus 20 extracts the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA calculated by the calculation unit 202. In FIG. 7, the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA is shown hatched. Subsequently, the determination unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 20 determines that all or part of the difference extracted by the extraction unit 203 is to be the notch region N and is to be the target of slitting by the laser processing machine 30. Information regarding the difference extracted by the extraction unit 203 may be stored in the storage unit 207.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the determination unit 204 determines that all of the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA is the notch region N, but is not limited to this form. For example, the determination unit 204 may not determine as the notch region N the portions where there is little possibility of dripping when separating the skeleton Sk from the product P. The determination unit 204 may determine, for example, the portions not to be the notch region N from the length extending from the inside of the skeleton Sk and its width. Information regarding the notch region N determined by the determination unit 204 may be stored in the storage unit 207.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a portion to be shredded by the laser processing machine 30. In FIG. 8, the portion to be shredded is represented by hatching. As shown in FIG. 8, the generation unit 205 of the information processing apparatus 20 generates processing data including information regarding the shredding of the notch region N determined by the determination unit 204 and information regarding the shredding of the region Ha inside the plurality of products P. Note that the processing data generated by the generation unit 205 includes information regarding the cutting out of the plurality of products P. Further, the processing data includes, for example, coordinate information regarding the movement path of the laser head 40 (laser beam L), the output of the laser beam L, the relative speed between the work W and the laser head, and information regarding processing conditions such as the thickness and material of the work W. Furthermore, the processing data includes information regarding the order of shredding in the notch region N and the region Ha. The processing data generated by the generation unit 205 may be stored in the storage unit 207.

[0035] Subsequently, the output unit 206 of the information processing apparatus 20 outputs the processing data generated by the generation unit 205 to the laser processing machine 30. The laser processing machine 30 performs cutting processing on the work W according to the processing data output from the output unit 206. The laser processing machine 30 performs shredding of the notch region N and the region Ha by the laser beam L after cutting out the product P by the laser beam L, during the cutting out of the product P, or before cutting out the product P. Further, when shredding the notch region N and the region Ha, the laser processing machine 30 performs shredding so as to be equal to or less than a predetermined dimension. The predetermined dimension is set to a dimension such that each shredded piece can fall through the gap between the support plates 52.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the notch region N. In the above description, the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA is determined as the notch region N, but the present invention is not limited to this form. As shown in FIG. 9, the notch region N may be formed so as to extend beyond the rectangular region R, that is, in a form that protrudes into the region of the skeleton Sk. The determination unit 204 of the information processing apparatus 20 may enlarge the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA extracted by the extraction unit 203 by a predetermined value in the direction protruding from the rectangular region R to obtain the notch region N.

[0037] That is, the information processing apparatus 20 may use, as the notch region N, the region outside the outer periphery of the rectangular region R as the object to be divided. With this configuration, for example, when the distance between the product region PA and the rectangular region R is small, by slightly expanding the region to be divided, the division can be smoothly executed. Among the plurality of notch regions N, which notch region N is expanded to the outside of the rectangular region R may be selected, for example, by an operator designating the notch region N using the input unit 208 (input device 24 shown in FIG. 2), or may be automatically selected by the determination of the determination unit 204 when the distance between the product region PA and the rectangular region R is smaller than a predetermined value. Also, in the notch region N, a predetermined value that protrudes from the rectangular region R may be a predetermined value, or may be appropriately designated by an operator using the input unit 208.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an exclusion location Ex among the differences between the product region PA and the rectangular region R. In the above description, all of the differences between the rectangular region R and the product region PA are determined as the notch region N, but it is not limited to this form. As shown in FIG. 10, by designating an exclusion location Ex among the differences between the product region PA and the rectangular region R, this exclusion location Ex may be excluded from the notch region N. A portion where there is little possibility of dripping when separating the skeleton Sk from the product P, that is, a portion where there is little possibility of hooking the product P when lifting the skeleton Sk, like the exclusion location Ex shown in FIG. 10, may be left as it is without being used as the notch region N without causing any trouble in separating the skeleton Sk.

[0039] In this way, by excluding a part of the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA as the exclusion portion Ex from the notch region N, information regarding slitting in the machining data generated by the generation unit 205 is reduced, enabling acceleration of machining data generation or reduction of the processing load on the generation unit 205. Further, since the number of locations to be slit by the laser processing machine 30 is reduced, the machining efficiency of the workpiece W can be improved. The designation of the exclusion portion Ex may be, for example, that an operator designates the exclusion portion Ex using the input unit 208 (input device 24 shown in FIG. 2). In this case, the output device 25 (see FIG. 2, for example, a display device) may display an image regarding the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA as shown in, for example, FIG. 7, and the operator may designate the exclusion portion Ex by viewing the image and selecting the exclusion portion Ex.

[0040] The determination unit 204 accepts the designation of the exclusion portion Ex that is not the notch region N among the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA, and determines the notch region N excluding the exclusion portion Ex as the object of slitting. The generation unit 205 generates machining data including information regarding the slitting of the notch region N excluding the exclusion portion Ex. The laser processing machine 30 does not perform slitting for the exclusion portion Ex according to this machining data, and performs slitting on the notch region N determined by the determination unit 204. Note that the designation of the exclusion portion Ex is not limited to being performed by an operator. For example, the determination unit 204 may make a determination from information regarding the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA. In this case, the determination unit 204 may, for example, automatically select this portion as the exclusion portion Ex when the interval between the rectangular region R and the product region PA is smaller than a predetermined value.

[0041] Further, instead of accepting the designation of the exclusion portion Ex, the determination unit 204 may accept the selection of the portion that becomes the notch region N among the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA. In this case, for example, an operator may view an image regarding the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA by the output device 25 and select the portion that becomes the notch region N. The determination unit 204 may be configured to accept that the portion not selected as the notch region N has a designation of the exclusion portion Ex.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an information processing method according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, first, the calculation unit 202 calculates the smallest rectangular area R including the product P (step S101). Prior to this step S101, the design data acquisition unit 201 has acquired the design data regarding the product P to be cut out from the workpiece W, and the calculation unit 202 obtains the product area PA which is the outer periphery (outermost contour) of the plurality of products P based on the design data acquired by the design data acquisition unit 201, and calculates the rectangular area R circumscribing the product area PA.

[0043] Subsequently, the extraction unit 203 extracts the difference between the rectangular area R and the product area PA (step S102). In step S102, the extraction unit 203 extracts the difference between the two based on the rectangular area R calculated by the calculation unit 202 and the product area PA. The difference extracted by the extraction unit 203 may be displayed on the output device 25 (see FIG. 2, for example, a display device). Subsequently, the determination unit 204 determines the notch area N which is part or all of the difference as the object of slitting (step S103). In step S103, the determination unit 204 determines that part or all of the difference extracted by the extraction unit 203 is the notch area N and is the object of slitting by the laser processing machine 30.

[0044] Subsequently, the generation unit 205 generates processing data including information regarding the cutting out of the product P and information regarding the slitting of the notch area N (step S104). In step S104, the generation unit 205 generates processing data including information regarding the cutting out of the product P based on the design data regarding the product P acquired by the design data acquisition unit 201, and includes in this processing data the information regarding the slitting of the notch area N determined by the determination unit 204. Also, the generation unit 205 may include in the processing data the information regarding the slitting of the above-described area Ha (see FIG. 8). When this step S104 is completed, a series of processes is completed.

[0045] The processed data generated by the generation unit 205 is supplied to the laser processing machine 30, and the laser processing machine 30 executes cutting of the workpiece W according to this processed data. The workpiece W cut by the laser processing machine 30, according to the example of the workpiece W shown in FIG. 8, for example, a plurality of products P are cut out, and the shredded area Ha and the notch area N are removed, and further in a state where the area Hb is removed, it is placed on the processing pallet 50 (see FIG. 3) and carried out from the laser processing machine 30.

[0046] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the information processing method. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the details of the processing in step S103 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 and is executed after step S102 and before step S104. As shown in FIG. 12, the determination unit 204 determines whether there is a designation of an exclusion location Ex in the difference between the rectangular region R and the product region PA (step S201). In step S201, for example, when the operator designates the exclusion location Ex from the input device 24, the determination unit 204 accepts the designation of the exclusion location Ex and determines that there is a designation of the exclusion location Ex.

[0047] When the determination unit 204 determines that there is a designation of the exclusion location Ex (step S201: YES), among the extracted differences, it determines the notch region N excluding the exclusion location Ex as the object of shredding (step S202). In step S202, the determination unit 204 determines the part of the difference extracted by the extraction unit 203 excluding the exclusion location Ex as the notch region N and makes it the object of shredding by the laser processing machine 30. On the other hand, when the determination unit 204 determines that there is no designation of the exclusion location Ex (step S201: NO), it determines the notch region N, which is the extracted difference, as the object of shredding (step S203). In step S203, when the determination unit 204 has not received the designation of the exclusion location Ex, it makes the notch region N, which is part or all of the difference extracted by the extraction unit 203, the object of shredding. Note that step S203 is the same as step S103 described above.

[0048] After step S203, according to step S104 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the generation unit 205 generates processing data including information regarding the cutting out of the product P and information regarding the fragmentation of the notch area N. In this way, by designating the exclusion location Ex in the difference between the rectangular area R and the product area PA, the notch area N is reduced, and the information regarding fragmentation in the processing data generated by the generation unit 205 is decreased. Therefore, the generation of the processing data can be speeded up, or the processing load on the generation unit 205 can be reduced.

[0049] As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 20 and the information processing method according to the embodiment, since the notch area N, which is the difference between the smallest rectangular area R including the plurality of products P in the workpiece W and the product area PA represented by the outer perimeters (outermost contours) of the plurality of products P, is determined as the target for fragmentation, it is possible to easily generate processing data including information regarding the fragmentation of the notch area N. In the laser processing machine 30 to which this processing data is supplied, while cutting out the product P from the workpiece W, the notch area N is fragmented. Therefore, when separating the skeleton Sk from the product P after the workpiece W is carried out from the laser processing machine 30, it is possible to avoid catching the product P.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 20 includes, for example, a computer system. The information processing apparatus 20 reads out an information processing program stored in the storage unit 207 or the like and executes various processes according to this information processing program. This information processing program causes a computer to calculate the smallest rectangular area R including the product P cut out by laser processing from the plate-shaped workpiece W, extract the difference between the rectangular area R and the product area PA represented by the outer perimeter of the product P, determine the notch area N, which is at least a part of the difference, as the target for fragmentation, and generate processing data including information regarding the cutting out of the product P and information regarding the fragmentation of the notch area N. This information processing program may be recorded and provided on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0051] Further, the information processing apparatus 20 may be configured as a part of the laser processing machine 30. In this case, the functions of the respective parts in the information processing apparatus 20 may be provided as a part of the control apparatus 70 (see FIG. 3) of the laser processing machine 30.

[0052] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above-described embodiments. Further, forms to which such changes or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. One or more of the requirements described in the above-described embodiments may be omitted. Further, the requirements described in the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate. Further, the execution order of each process shown in the present embodiment can be realized in an arbitrary order as long as the output of the previous process is not used in the subsequent process. Further, regarding the operations in the above-described embodiments, even if they are described using "first", "next", "subsequently", etc. for convenience, it is not essential to carry out in this order.

Explanation of Signs

[0053] 1 ··· Laser processing system 10 ··· Design apparatus 20 ··· Information processing apparatus 30 ··· Laser processing machine 201 ··· Design data acquisition unit 202 ··· Calculation unit 203 ··· Extraction unit 204 ··· Determination unit 205 ··· Generation unit 206 ··· Output unit 207 ··· Storage unit 208 ··· Input unit Ha, Hb ··· Region N ··· Notch region P ··· Product PA ··· Product region R ··· Rectangular region Sk ··· Skeleton W ··· Workpiece

Claims

1. A calculation unit that calculates the smallest rectangular area including products cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing; An extraction unit that extracts the difference between the rectangular area and the product area represented by the outer periphery of the product; A determination unit that determines, as a target for fragmentation, a notch area that is at least a part of the difference; A generation unit that generates processing data including information regarding the cutting out of the product and information regarding the fragmentation of the notch area, and comprising: When a plurality of adjacent products are cut out from the workpiece, The calculation unit calculates the smallest rectangular area including the plurality of products; The extraction unit extracts the difference between the rectangular area and the product area represented by the outer periphery when the plurality of products are grouped together as one, an information processing apparatus.

2. The determination unit determines all of the difference as the notch area, the information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The determination unit receives a designation of an exclusion portion that is not the notch area among the difference, and determines, as the notch area, a portion of the difference excluding the exclusion portion, the information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. The generation unit generates the processing data including information for fragmenting the notch area to a predetermined dimension or less that can fall from the workpiece, the information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. A calculation unit that calculates the smallest rectangular area including products cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing; An extraction unit that extracts the difference between the rectangular area and the product area represented by the outer periphery of the product; A determination unit that determines, as a target for fragmentation, a notch area that is at least a part of the difference; A generation unit that generates processing data including information regarding the cutting out of the product and information regarding the fragmentation of the notch area, and comprising: The determination unit receives a designation of an exclusion portion that is not the notch area among the difference, and determines, as the notch area, a portion of the difference excluding the exclusion portion, an information processing apparatus.

6. The generation unit generates the processing data including information for fragmenting the notch area to a predetermined dimension or less that can fall from the workpiece, the information processing apparatus according to Claim 5.

7. Calculating the smallest rectangular area including products cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing; Extracting the difference between the rectangular area and the product area represented by the outer periphery of the product; Determining a notch region, which is at least part of the difference, as an object to be shredded; Generating processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on shredding the notch region; When a plurality of adjacent products are cut out from the workpiece; In calculating the rectangular region, calculating the smallest rectangular region that includes the plurality of products; In extracting the difference between the rectangular region and the product region, extracting the difference between the rectangular region and the product region represented by the outer periphery when the plurality of products are grouped into one, an information processing method.

8. Calculating the smallest rectangular region that includes a product cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing; Extracting the difference between the rectangular region and the product region represented by the outer periphery of the product; Determining a notch region, which is at least part of the difference, as an object to be shredded; Generating processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on shredding the notch region; In determining the notch region to be shredded, accepting the designation of an exclusion location that is not the notch region among the differences, and determining the portion of the differences excluding the exclusion location as the notch region, an information processing method.

9. Causing a computer to calculate the smallest rectangular region that includes a product cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing; extract the difference between the rectangular region and the product region represented by the outer periphery of the product; determine a notch region, which is at least part of the difference, as an object to be shredded; generate processing data including information on cutting out the product and information on shredding the notch region; When a plurality of adjacent products are cut out from the workpiece; In calculating the rectangular region, calculating the smallest rectangular region that includes the plurality of products; In extracting the difference between the rectangular region and the product region, extracting the difference between the rectangular region and the product region represented by the outer periphery when the plurality of products are grouped into one, an information processing program.

10. Causing a computer to calculate the smallest rectangular region that includes a product cut out from a plate-shaped workpiece by laser processing; extract the difference between the rectangular region and the product region represented by the outer periphery of the product; determine a notch region, which is at least part of the difference, as an object to be shredded; Causing to execute generating processing data including information regarding cutting out of the product and information regarding shredding of the notch region; An information processing program that, in determining the notch region to be shredded, accepts designation of an exclusion location that is not the notch region among the differences, and determines, as the notch region, a portion of the differences excluding the exclusion location.

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