Cut shape display device and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

This cut shape display device receives a designation of a specific location on a processing route for non-contact processing, acquires a processing parameter for the specific location, acquires the incident angle of energy of the non-contact processing at the specific location, acquires information about a workpiece, determines the kerf shape of a cut surface at the designated location on the basis of the processing parameter, the incident angle, and the information about the workpiece, and displays the kerf shape.

Description

Cutting shape display device and computer-readable storage medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cut shape display device and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002] Conventionally, non-contact cutting has been used as a machining method for machine tools, in which a workpiece is cut without contact using heat, pressure, etc., rather than by contact with the workpiece using a tool or the like. Non-contact cutting methods include laser cutting, plasma cutting, water jet cutting, and gas cutting.

[0003] For example, in laser cutting, the workpiece is cut using the heat of a laser. In laser processing, the surface of the workpiece is cut into a predetermined pattern, and the processing conditions are adjusted for each position on the processing path to obtain a good cut surface.

[0004] In order to adjust the machining conditions at a specific position on the machining path, it is necessary to know the laser output state at that position. For this reason, there is a technology that displays the machining path, accepts the selection of a specific machining position on the displayed machining path, and displays the laser power distribution based on the input machining position. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses

[0005] JP 2012-178455 A

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the laser power distribution at a specific processing position is displayed, but the shape of the cut surface cannot be predicted based on the laser power distribution alone.

[0007] In the field of non-contact cutting, it is desirable to assist in checking the shape of the cut surface.

[0008] A cut shape display device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a position identification unit that accepts specification of a specific position on a machining path for non-contact machining, a machining condition unit that acquires machining conditions at the specific position, an incident angle unit that acquires the incident angle of the energy of non-contact machining at the specific position, a work information unit that acquires information about the workpiece, a shape unit that determines the kerf shape of the cut surface at the specific position based on the machining conditions, the incident angle, and the information about the workpiece, and a shape display unit that displays the kerf shape.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cut shape display device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a cutting pattern. FIG. 3 is a table showing the relationship between conditions and kerf shapes. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a workpiece. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between a machining posture and a cutting surface. FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining a method for specifying a specific position. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a water jet cutting pattern. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between a machining speed and a shape of a cutting kerf. FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining taper correction using a machining posture. FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of a data storage device.

[0010] The following describes the cut shape display device 100. The cut shape display device 100 predicts the cut surface of cutting processing by a non-contact processing machine. The user can check an image of the shape of the predicted cut surface.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram of a cut shape display device 100. The cut shape display device 100 includes a point sequence data section 1, a workpiece information section 2, a position identification section 3, an incident angle section 4, a processing condition section 5, a shape section 6, and a shape display section 7.

[0012] The point sequence data unit 1 stores point sequence data created by a computer-aided machining (CAM) or point sequence data of a machining path obtained from a machining program. Each point in the point sequence data is associated with additional information such as machining conditions and an incident angle.

[0013] The processing conditions depend on the type of non-contact processing. For example, for a laser processing machine, these include cutting speed, laser power, focal position, and intensity distribution. For a water jet processing machine, these include cutting speed, cutting pressure, and abrasive. Processing conditions include conditions registered by the operator in a CAM system, etc., and conditions obtained by analyzing the processing program.

[0014] The processing conditions may depend on the position of the points in the point sequence data. For example, the cutting speed depends on the position of the points. The cutting speed slows down when turning corners. The laser power, focus position, intensity distribution, etc. may also change depending on the position of the point sequence data. Each point in the point sequence data is associated with a processing condition.

[0015] The angle of incidence is determined by the machining program. By analyzing the machining program, the angle of incidence of energy on the workpiece surface can be determined. The angle of incidence is also linked to each point in the point sequence data. The angle of incidence can also be adjusted as described below.

[0016] The work information unit 2 stores information about the work. The information about the work includes the material, shape, etc. of the work. The work information unit 2 may use the shape data to calculate the thickness of the work at each point in the point sequence data. The thickness of the work affects the shape of the cut surface. The information about the work may be set by the user, or may already be set by CAM or the like.

[0017] The position specifying unit 3 displays an image of the cutting pattern on the display device 30 based on the point sequence data, and accepts designation of a specific position (coordinates) on the cutting pattern. FIG. 2 is an example of a displayed cutting pattern. In the example of FIG. 2, the cutting pattern has the letters "F" and "A" in the upper right corner. The position specifying unit 3 accepts designation by the user. The position specifying unit 3 acquires data related to the specific position (point or line segment) designated by the user.

[0018] The incident angle unit 4 acquires the incident angle (or machining posture) associated with the point specified by the user from the point sequence data. The machining condition unit 5 acquires the machining conditions associated with the point specified by the user from the point sequence data.

[0019] The shaping unit 6 acquires workpiece information from the workpiece information unit 2. Workpiece information that affects machining includes the material and thickness of the workpiece. Based on the workpiece information, the shaping unit 6 acquires the thickness associated with the point specified by the user.

[0020] The shaping unit 6 predicts the kerf shape of the cut surface of the workpiece based on information about the processing conditions, the angle of incidence, and the workpiece. To predict the kerf shape of the cut surface of the workpiece, a database of the kerf shapes of the cut surface of the workpiece is created in advance. That is, a database linking conditions such as the processing conditions, the angle of incidence, the thickness of the workpiece, and the processing speed with the kerf shapes is prepared in advance. Then, the kerf shape corresponding to the conditions of the point specified by the user is searched for. There is also a method of simulating the processing. In this method, a simulation is performed based on conditions such as laser power, focal position, intensity distribution, energy density, angle of incidence, and cutting speed, and the kerf shape of the cut surface is predicted.

[0021] Figure 3 shows the relationship between conditions and kerf shape. Under the first condition, the autocollimation function was not enabled, the nozzle diameter was 4.0 mm, the laser output was 4500 W (pulse wave), the beam diameter was 382 μm, the beam spread angle (BPP) was 13 mm, and the cutting speed was 0.6 m / min. The cut surface under these conditions has a taper of -0.3 mm. Under the second condition, the autocollimation function was enabled, the nozzle diameter was 1.4 mm, the laser output was 9000 W (continuous wave), the beam diameter was 780 μm, and the beam spread angle (BPP) was 13 mm. The cut surface under these conditions has a taper of -0.07 mm.

[0022] The shape display unit 7 displays the kerf shape of the cut surface at a specific point selected by the user. Figure 4 shows an example of a kerf shape of a cut surface. A cut kerf occurs during non-contact cutting. The cut kerf is the groove width created by cutting. The cut kerf is not necessarily constant in the thickness direction of the workpiece, and the cut surface may be tapered. Line A in Figure 4 shows the shape of an ideal cut surface. In this case, the cut kerf is constant in the thickness direction of the workpiece. The ideal cut surface is a groove with a cut kerf of "X μm" centered on a programmed point (the point marked with a cross). In an ideal cut surface, the cut kerf "X μm" on the laser incident surface (the surface of the workpiece) and the exit surface (the back surface of the workpiece) is equal. In reality, the cut surface is tapered. Line B is an example of a cut surface predicted from the conditions. The prediction results in a taper at a bevel angle of "Y degrees," and the cut kerf on the exit surface is "Z μm."

[0023] In this way, the cut shape display device 100 of this embodiment presents a cutting pattern to the user and accepts the designation of any point. The cut shape display device 100 predicts the shape of the cut surface at the designated point and presents it to the user. The user can adjust the conditions.

[0024] Changing the conditions allows the taper to be corrected. For example, changing the processing posture changes the cut surface (see FIG. 5). The cut shape display device 100 accepts a change in the incident angle and predicts the kerf shape at the changed incident angle. The user can check the change in the kerf shape due to the change in the incident angle. This allows the incident angle to be adjusted. Similarly, the cut shape display device 100 accepts changes in other conditions such as the processing speed and laser output. The shape unit 6 predicts the kerf shape under the new conditions. The user can check the change in the predicted kerf shape due to the change in conditions.

[0025] In non-contact machining, tapering can be intentional. For example, in beveling, the workpiece is machined to the appropriate shape before welding. By displaying the predicted shape of the cut surface, it is possible to confirm that the tapering is as designed.

[0026] The display of the cutting surface may be specified by a point or a line segment. In the upper diagram of Fig. 6, point A is specified. When a point is specified, the shape displayed is a cross section perpendicular to the cutting direction. In the lower diagram of Fig. 6, line segment A-A' that sandwiches the cutting pattern is specified. When a line segment is specified, the kerf shape displayed is the cross section cut out by the line segment.

[0027] However, the displayed kerf shape is not limited to the above. The kerf shape is adapted to the type of workpiece, the shape of the workpiece, and the user's request. For example, as shown in Figure 6, a cross section in the thickness direction is displayed for a flat workpiece, and a cross section perpendicular to the center line of the pipe is displayed for a pipe-shaped workpiece. Also, since the body of an automobile is formed into a curved surface, a cross section of 3D data of the curved surface is displayed.

[0028] (Regarding Water Jet Cutting) The cut shape display device 100 can also be applied to water jet cutting. The water jet point sequence data is associated with additional information such as cutting conditions (cutting speed, cutting pressure) and incident angle (cutting posture).

[0029] 7 shows an example of a water jet cutting pattern. In the case of a water jet, as with a laser, the designation of a specific position (point or line segment) of the cutting pattern is accepted, the shape of the cut surface is predicted, and the predicted kerf shape is displayed.

[0030] 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the cutting speed and the shape of the cut kerf in water jet cutting. When the cutting speed is low, the cut kerf on the front surface (the surface facing the water jet) is narrower than the cut kerf on the back surface (the back surface of the front surface). As the cutting speed increases, the difference between the cut kerfs on the front surface and the back surface decreases, and at a certain cutting speed, the cut kerfs on the front surface and the back surface become equal. As the cutting speed increases further, the cut kerf on the front surface becomes wider than the cut kerf on the back surface. The taper shape of the cut surface can be adjusted by adjusting the cutting speed.

[0031] Figure 9 shows taper correction using the machining posture. In the upper diagram of Figure 9, the machining posture has not been corrected. In this case, a taper is created on both the left and right sides from the programmed point. In the lower diagram of Figure 9, the machining posture has been changed. In the example of Figure 9, the machining posture has been changed to adjust the cutting surface on the product side so that it is perpendicular to the machining surface of the workpiece.

[0032] The hardware configuration of the cut shape display device 100 to which the present disclosure is applied will be described below. Fig. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the cut shape display device 100. As shown in Fig. 10, the cut shape display device 100 includes a CPU 111 that controls the entire cut shape display device 100, a ROM 112 that records programs and data, and a RAM 113 for temporarily expanding data. The CPU 111 reads out a system program recorded in the ROM 112 via a bus and calculates a threshold value according to the system program.

[0033] The nonvolatile memory 114 is backed up by, for example, a battery (not shown), and the stored state is maintained even when the power supply of the cut shape display device 100 is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 114 stores various data such as programs read from the external device 120 via the interfaces 115, 118, and 119 and operation inputs input via the input device 20. The nonvolatile memory 114 may store programs and data for executing the cut shape display device 100 of this embodiment.

[0034] The interface 115 is an interface for connecting the cut shape display device 100 to an external device 120 such as an adapter. Programs, various parameters, etc. are loaded from the external device 120. The interface 118 is an interface for connecting the cut shape display device 100 to a display device 30 such as a liquid crystal display. The display device 30 displays various data loaded into the memory, data obtained as a result of executing programs, etc. The interface 119 is an interface for connecting the cut shape display device 100 to an input device 20 such as a keyboard or a pointing device. The input device 20 passes commands, data, etc. based on operations by an operator to the CPU 111 via the interface 119.

[0035] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the gist of the present disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, these embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these.

[0036] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment and modified examples. (Supplementary Note 1) A cut shape display device (100) includes a position specifying unit (3) that receives designation of a specific position on a machining path for non-contact machining, a machining condition unit (5) that acquires machining conditions at the specific position, an incident angle unit (4) that acquires the incident angle of energy for non-contact machining at the specific position, a workpiece information unit (2) that acquires information about a workpiece, a shape unit (6) that determines the kerf shape of a cut surface at the specific position based on the machining conditions, the incident angle, and the information about the workpiece, and a shape display unit (7) that displays the kerf shape. (Supplementary Note 2) The cut shape display device (100) includes a point sequence data unit (1) that stores point sequence data corresponding to a machining path for non-contact machining, and additional information is associated with each point of the point sequence data. The machining condition unit (5) acquires the machining conditions for the specific position from the additional information associated with the point sequence data, and the incident angle unit (4) acquires the machining conditions for the specific position from the additional information associated with the point sequence data. (Supplementary Note 3) The shape unit (6) includes a database that associates kerf shapes with conditions including machining conditions, incident angles, and workpiece information, and searches for kerf shapes corresponding to the conditions. (Supplementary Note 4) The shape unit (6) performs a simulation based on conditions including the machining conditions, incident angles, and workpiece information, and determines a kerf shape corresponding to the conditions. (Supplementary Note 5) The shape unit (6) determines cut kerfs on the front and back surfaces of the workpiece. (Supplementary Note 6) The shaping unit (6) accepts changes in conditions and determines a kerf shape corresponding to the new conditions. (Supplementary Note 7) The specific position is a point on the machining path, and the shaping unit (6) determines the kerf shape of the specified point. (Supplementary Note 8) The specific position is a line segment intersecting the machining path, and the shaping unit (6) determines the kerf shape of the point where the line segment intersects with the machining path.(Supplementary Note 9) The computer-readable storage medium (112, 113, 114) stores instructions to cause one or more processors (111) to execute processing to accept designation of a specific position on a machining path for non-contact machining, acquire machining conditions for the specific position, acquire an incident angle of energy for non-contact machining at the specific position, acquire information on a workpiece, determine a kerf shape of a cut surface at the specific position based on the machining conditions, incident angle, and information on the workpiece, and display the kerf shape.

[0037] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Cutting shape display device 1 Point sequence data section 2 Workpiece information section 3 Position identification section 4 Incident angle section 5 Machining condition section 6 Shape section 7 Shape display section 111 CPU 112 ROM 113 RAM 114 Non-volatile memory

Claims

1. A cutting shape display device comprising: a position specifying unit that receives specification of a specific position on a machining path of non-contact machining; a machining condition unit that acquires machining conditions at the specific position; an incident angle unit that acquires an incident angle of energy of non-contact machining at the specific position; a workpiece information unit that acquires information on a workpiece; a shape unit that obtains a kerf shape of a cut surface at the specific position based on the machining conditions, the incident angle, and the workpiece information; and a shape display unit that displays the kerf shape.

2. The cutting shape display device according to claim 1, further comprising a point sequence data unit that stores point sequence data corresponding to a machining path of non-contact machining, wherein additional information is associated with each point of the point sequence data, the machining condition unit acquires the machining conditions at the specific position from the additional information associated with the point sequence data, and the incident angle unit acquires the machining conditions at the specific position from the additional information associated with the point sequence data.

3. The cutting shape display device according to claim 1, wherein the shape unit includes a database that associates a kerf shape with conditions including the machining conditions, the incident angle, and the workpiece information, and searches for a kerf shape corresponding to the conditions.

4. The cutting shape display device according to claim 1, wherein the shape unit performs a simulation based on conditions including the machining conditions, the incident angle, and the workpiece information, and obtains a kerf shape corresponding to the conditions.

5. The cutting shape display device according to claim 1, wherein the shape unit obtains cutting kerfs on the front and back surfaces of the workpiece.

6. The cutting shape display device according to claim 1, wherein the shape unit receives a change in conditions and obtains a kerf shape corresponding to the new conditions.

7. The cutting shape display device according to claim 1, wherein the specific position is a point on the machining path, and the shape unit obtains the kerf shape of the specified point.

8. The cutting shape display device according to claim 1, wherein the specific position is a line segment intersecting the machining path, and the shape unit obtains the kerf shape of a point where the machining path and the line segment intersect.

9. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for causing one or more processors to execute a process of receiving a designation of a specific position on a machining path of non-contact machining, acquiring machining conditions for the specific position, acquiring an incident angle of energy for non-contact machining at the specific position, acquiring workpiece information, obtaining a kerf shape of a cut surface at the specific position based on the machining conditions, the incident angle, and the workpiece information, and displaying the kerf shape.

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