Product data generation device and product data generation method

Abstract

A product data generation device (1) comprises: an allocation unit (41) that, on a 3D model of a product which is produced by combining a first part and a second part, allocates a processing position at which positioning processing for positioning the second part on the first part is performed; and a product data generation unit (42) that generates, as product data, an unfolded view of the first and second parts in which a mark is added to the processing position allocated by the allocation unit, using the 3D model.

Description

Product data generation device and product data generation method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a product data generation device and a product data generation method.

[0002] As a technique for efficiently welding parts made of sheet metal, a technique has been developed in which a predetermined shape of protrusion or groove is formed on the part to be welded, and the protrusion or groove is used to position the two parts to be welded. By using this technique, it is possible to easily position a part to be welded relative to another part without using a jig.

[0003] JP 2017-76866 A JP 2001-142517 A

[0004] When welding parts using the above-mentioned technology, a worker uses CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) to specify the position where positioning processing will be performed on a development drawing of the product using coordinates, and generates product data. When generating product data in this way, the worker needs to specify the position where processing will be performed while three-dimensionally imagining the finished shape of the product and the positional relationship between the part to be processed and other parts. However, there is a problem in that specifying such positions on a two-dimensional development drawing is a heavy burden on the worker.

[0005] A product data generation device according to one aspect of one or more embodiments includes an allocation unit that allocates, on a 3D model of a product made by combining a first part and a second part, processing positions at which positioning processing is performed to position the second part on the first part, and a product data generation unit that uses the 3D model to generate, as product data, an unfolded view of the first and second parts with marks added to the processing positions allocated by the allocation unit.

[0006] According to one or more embodiments of the product data generation device and product data generation method, product data indicating the positions where processing is performed to position parts relative to each other can be generated with high accuracy through simple operations.

[0007] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a "lap joint", a sheet metal joint form used by the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a "lap joint", a sheet metal joint form used by the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a "double-pull corner joint", a sheet metal joint form used by the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a "single-pull corner joint", a sheet metal joint form used by the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a "half-pull corner joint", a sheet metal joint form used by the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for generating product data by the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for generating product data by the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a 3D model M of a product P displayed on the display unit of the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 10 is an example of a development view of sheet metals W1, W2, W3 displayed on the display unit of the product data generation device of one or more embodiments; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the product data generation device according to one or more embodiments sets temporary positions of a plurality of processing objects.

[0008]

[0014] Hereinafter, a product data generation device and a product data generation method according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the product data generation device and the product data generation method generate product data used to weld multiple parts together to create a product.

[0009] The product produced in this embodiment is produced by combining at least a first part and a second part. At least one of the first part and the second part has a three-dimensional shape formed by processing sheet metal, and the product produced from these parts also has a three-dimensional shape. Furthermore, the first part and the second part are positioned relative to each other and joined by welding to form the product.

[0010] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a product data generation device 1 according to one or more embodiments. The product data generation device 1 includes an input unit 10, a display unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a CPU 40, and is equipped with a CAD (Computer Aided Design).

[0011] The input unit 10 receives operation information from an operator, and the display unit 20 displays information output from the CPU 40, as will be described later.

[0012] The storage unit 30 is configured with, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or flash memory, or a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 30 has a product information storage unit 31, a sheet metal information storage unit 32, a mold information storage unit 33, and a product data storage unit 34.

[0013] The product information storage unit 31 stores information about the 3D model of the product to be created. The sheet metal information storage unit 32 stores attribute information about the shape of the sheet metal that forms the parts of the product. Details of this attribute information will be described later. The mold information storage unit 33 stores information about each mold used when performing processing for positioning other parts on a specified part (hereinafter referred to as "positioning processing"). The product data storage unit 34 stores product data generated by the CPU 40, as will be described later.

[0014] The CPU 40 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) provided in a general-purpose microcomputer, and by reading and executing a predetermined product data generation program, constitutes one or more information processing units described below. The CPU 40 has an allocation unit 41 and a product data generation unit 42.

[0015] The allocation unit 41 acquires a 3D model of the product specified by the worker from the product information storage unit 31, and displays information about this 3D model on the display unit 20. In response to the worker's instructions, the allocation unit 41 identifies a mold to be used for positioning processing that is performed when producing this product, and allocates, on the displayed 3D model, a position where positioning processing is performed using the identified mold (hereinafter referred to as a "processing target position").

[0016] The product data generation unit 42 uses the information of the displayed 3D model to generate an expanded view of each part with marks added to the processing positions allocated by the allocation unit 41 as product data for this product, and stores this in the product data storage unit 34.

[0017] <Operation of product data generation device according to one or more embodiments> As the operation of the product data generation device 1 according to this embodiment, the process of generating product data for performing first positioning processing or second positioning processing on parts to be welded when creating product P will be described.

[0018] The first positioning process involves forming a ring-shaped groove on the surface of the first part and forming a ring-shaped protrusion on the surface of the second part that fits into the groove. By performing this process and engaging the protrusion with the formed groove, the second part can be positioned on the first part.

[0019] The second positioning process is a process for forming a raised protrusion on the surface of the first part. By performing this process and bringing the edge of the second part into contact with the raised protrusion formed on the first part, the second part can be positioned on the first part.

[0020] In this embodiment, attribute information related to the form of the sheet metal forming each part is stored in the sheet metal information storage unit 32. Specifically, the sheet metal information storage unit 32 stores the following attribute information: that the sheet metal is configured to have at least one of a flat portion and a bent portion; that the sheet metal has a thickness and that the flat portions and bent portions within one sheet metal have the same thickness; that the flat portion has three surfaces, i.e., a front surface, a back surface, and a thickness surface; that the bent portion has three surfaces, i.e., a front surface, a back surface, and a thickness surface; that there are two types of bent portions, i.e., a peak bend and a valley bend; and that the bent portion has attribute information indicating the magnitude of the bend.

[0021] In addition, the mold information storage unit 33 stores mold identification information and restriction information for the sheet metal to be processed for each of the first mold, which is a mold for performing first positioning processing on a part, and the second mold, which is a mold for performing second positioning processing.

[0022] With regard to the first mold, the restriction information regarding the sheet metal that forms the ring-shaped groove includes information indicating that non-sheet metal is not included, that the front and back surfaces can be processed but the thickness surface of the plate cannot be processed, that instance parts described below are not included, and that there are no restrictions on the plate thickness.

[0023] Let us explain about instance parts. 3D CAD has an "instance parts model" that was devised to reduce the amount of work required by workers and the amount of data to be managed. In this model, multiple instances generated by copying information indicating components with the same configuration are defined as belonging to a single instance group. When the shape information of one instance in an instance group is changed, the shape information of other instances in the same instance group is also changed in the same way. Instances with different shape information are not included in the same instance group. By separating some instances in a given instance group from the instance group, it is possible to change the shape information of only those instances.

[0024] In this embodiment, an instance part is a metal sheet defined as one instance belonging to a predetermined instance group in 3D CAD.

[0025] Furthermore, with regard to the first mold, the restriction information regarding the sheet metal that forms the ring-shaped protrusion includes information indicating that non-sheet metal is not included, that the front and back surfaces can be processed but the plate thickness surface cannot be processed, that instance parts are not included, that there are no restrictions on plate thickness, and that the joint form with the sheet metal that forms the ring-shaped groove is a "lap joint."

[0026] The joint form "lap joint" is a form in which two metal plates Wa and Wb overlap on a wide area plane of the front or back surface, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0027] In addition, with regard to the second mold, the restriction information regarding the sheet metal for forming the cut-and-raised protrusion includes information indicating that non-sheet metal is not eligible, that the front and back surfaces can be processed but the thickness surface of the plate cannot be processed, that instance parts are not eligible, and that there are no restrictions on the plate thickness.

[0028] Furthermore, with regard to the second mold, information is included indicating that there is no limit to the thickness of the metal plate that comes into contact with the cut-and-raised protrusion, and that the joint form with the metal plate that forms the cut-and-raised protrusion is a "lap joint," "T joint," "double joint," "single joint," or "half-hanging joint."

[0029] The joint form "T joint" is a form in which the thickness surface of the metal sheet Wb contacts the flat surface of the metal sheet Wa perpendicularly, and the edges on both sides of the thickness surface of the metal sheet Wb do not overlap the edges of the metal sheet Wa, as shown in FIG. 2B. The joint form "double pull joint" is a form in which the metal sheets Wa and Wb overlap only at their edges, as shown in FIG. 2C. The joint form "single pull joint" is a form in which, when the thickness surface of the metal sheet Wb contacts the flat surface of the metal sheet Wa perpendicularly, one of the edges on both sides of the thickness surface of the metal sheet Wb overlaps the edge of the metal sheet Wa, as shown in FIG. 2D. The joint form "half overhang joint" is a form in which, when the thickness surface of the metal sheet Wb contacts the flat surface of the metal sheet Wa perpendicularly, a portion of the thickness surface of the metal sheet Wb overlaps the flat surface of the metal sheet Wa, as shown in FIG. 2E. In these joint configurations, a small gap may be formed between the metal sheets Wa and Wb, but if the distance is within a predetermined distance (e.g., 0.2 mm), the two metal sheets are determined to overlap.

[0030] 3A and 3B are flowcharts showing the process of generating product data by the product data generation device 1. The process of generating product data for performing the first positioning processing and the process of generating product data for performing the second positioning processing will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] [Process for generating product data for performing first positioning processing] When the worker performs an operation on the input unit 10 to specify product P as the product to be processed ('YES' in S1), the allocation unit 41 obtains information on the 3D model M of product P from the product information storage unit 31 and displays it on the display unit 20 (S2).

[0032] 4 is a diagram showing a 3D model M of product P displayed on display unit 20. Product P is created by welding part WP1 formed from sheet metal W1, part WP2 formed from sheet metal W2, and part WP3 formed from sheet metal W3. Part WP1 has four bent portions B1, B2, B3, and B4, and has five flat portions F11, F12, F13, F14, and F15 formed by bending bent portions B1 and B4 at right angles to form valleys and bending bent portions B2 and B3 at right angles to form peaks.

[0033] The part WP2 has one flat surface F21 and is superimposed on and joined to the flat surface F13 of the part WP1. The part WP3 has one flat surface F31 and is superimposed on and joined to the flat surfaces F11 and F15 of the part WP1.

[0034] The allocation unit 41 displays a list of molds whose information is stored in the mold information storage unit 33. This list includes identification information of the first mold and the second mold.

[0035] The worker performs an operation to designate the first mold as a mold for performing positioning processing of the flat surface portion F21 of the part WP2 relative to the flat surface portion F13 of the part WP1 ("YES" in S3). The worker also performs an operation to designate the flat surface portion F13 of the part WP1 and the flat surface portion F21 of the part WP2 as the workpieces to be processed on the information displayed on the display unit 20 ("YES" in S4).

[0036] The allocation unit 41 refers to the restriction information stored in the mold information memory unit 33 for the first mold specified by the worker, and obtains attribute information from the sheet metal information memory unit 32 for the sheet metal W1 that forms the flat surface F13 of the specified part WP1 and the sheet metal W2 that forms the flat surface F21 of the part WP2, and determines whether these flat surface F13 and flat surface F21 are suitable as parts to be processed by the first mold (S5).

[0037] If the allocation unit 41 determines that the specified member is not suitable for machining by the first die (NO in S5), it outputs error information to the display unit 20 (S6). When the error information is output, the process returns to step S3, and the die and the member to be machined are re-specified.

[0038] In step S5, when the allocation unit 41 determines that the specified part is suitable for processing by the first mold ("YES" in S5), the planar portion F13 and the planar portion F21 selected by the worker are highlighted in the display unit 20, for example.

[0039] The allocation unit 41 also determines a temporary position of the processing target within the processing target member based on preset information for determining initial positions. Here, the allocation unit 41 determines a predetermined position within the planar portion F13 of the part WP1 as a temporary position for machining a ring-shaped groove, and determines a position within the planar portion F21 of the part WP2 corresponding to this groove as a temporary position for machining a ring-shaped protrusion. The allocation unit 41 then previews ring-shaped marks D1 and D2 at the determined temporary positions within the 3D model M displayed on the display unit 20 (S7).

[0040] If the worker determines that the displayed temporary position needs to be changed before finalizing the temporary position as the position of the processing object ("NO" in S8), he or she clicks on the new position in the displayed information or specifies it with the cross cursor. When the worker specifies the new position of the temporary position of the processing object ("YES" in S9), the allocation unit 41 changes the temporary position of the processing object by shifting the display positions of the marks D1 and D2 to the specified positions (S10).

[0041] Here, when an operator performs an operation to instruct the reversal of the ring-shaped groove and the protrusion, the allocation unit 41 may switch the position where the ring-shaped groove is formed and the position where the ring-shaped protrusion is formed. Specifically, when this operation is performed, the allocation unit 41 changes the position so that it processes a ring-shaped groove at a predetermined position in the flat surface portion F21 of the metal sheet W2 and processes a ring-shaped protrusion at a position in the flat surface portion F13 of the metal sheet W1 that corresponds to this groove.

[0042] The processes of steps S8 to S10 are repeated until the operator performs an operation to fix the position of the processing object.

[0043] When the operator performs an operation to confirm the tentative position of the processing target ("YES" in S8), the allocation unit 41 confirms this tentative position as the processing target position for the first positioning processing (S11). The allocation unit 41 changes the display color or display state of the marks D1 and D2 from the preview display to clearly indicate that the positions of these marks D1 and D2 have been confirmed as the processing target positions.

[0044] Thereafter, when the worker performs an operation to instruct the generation of a development drawing ("YES" in S12), the product data generation unit 42 generates, as product data for the product P, development drawings of each of the parts WP1, WP2, and WP3, to which the information on the machining positions acquired by the allocation unit 41 has been added, based on the 3D model M of the product P. The product data generation unit 42 displays the generated product data on the display unit 20 and stores it in the product data storage unit 34 (S13).

[0045] 5 is an example of a development view of each of the parts WP1, WP2, and WP3 displayed on the display unit 20. The development view of the metal sheet W1 clearly shows flat portions F11 to F15, bent portions B1 to B4, a mark Ba1 indicating that bent portion B1 is a valley fold, a mark Ba2 indicating that bent portion B2 is a mountain fold, a mark Ba3 indicating that bent portion B3 is a valley-mountain fold, a mark Ba4 indicating that bent portion B2 is a valley fold, and marks D1a and D2a indicating the position to be machined for the ring-shaped groove.

[0046] The developed view of the metal sheet W2 clearly shows the flat surface F21 and marks D1b and D2b indicating the positions to be machined for the ring-shaped protrusion. This completes the process of generating product data for performing the first positioning process.

[0047] [Process for generating product data for performing second positioning processing] When the worker performs an operation on the input unit 10 to indicate product P as the product to be processed ("YES" in S1), the allocation unit 41 obtains information on the 3D model M of product P from the product information storage unit 31 and displays it on the display unit 20 (S2).

[0048] The worker performs an operation to designate the second mold as a mold for machining the flat surface F15 of the part WP1 to position it relative to the flat surface F31 of the part WP3 ("YES" in S3). The worker also performs an operation to designate the flat surface F31 of the part WP3 as the workpiece to be machined and the edge Fe1 in the flat surface F15 of the part WP1 as the positioning target on the information displayed on the display unit 20 ("YES" in S4).

[0049] The allocation unit 41 refers to the restriction information stored in the mold information memory unit 33 for the second mold specified by the worker, and obtains attribute information from the sheet metal information memory unit 32 for the sheet metal W3 that forms the flat surface F31 of the specified part WP3 and the sheet metal W1 that forms the flat surface F15 of the part WP1, and determines whether these flat surface F31 and flat surface F15 are suitable as parts to be processed by the second mold (S5).

[0050] If the allocation unit 41 determines that the specified member is not suitable for machining by the second die (NO in S5), it outputs error information to the display unit 20 (S6). When the error information is output, the process returns to step S3, and the die and the member to be machined are re-specified.

[0051] In step S5, when the allocation unit 41 determines that the specified part is suitable for processing by the second mold ("YES" in S5), the flat surface F31 and edge Fe1 selected by the worker are highlighted in the display unit 20 by highlighting or the like.

[0052] The allocation unit 41 also determines a temporary position of the processing target within the processing target member based on preset information for determining the initial position. Here, the allocation unit 41 determines a predetermined position within the flat surface F31 of the part WP3 as a temporary position for processing the cut-and-raised protrusion. The allocation unit 41 then previews a triangular mark E1 at the determined temporary position within the 3D model M displayed on the display unit 20 (S7).

[0053] If the worker determines that the displayed temporary position needs to be changed before finalizing the temporary position as the position of the processing object ("NO" in S8), he or she clicks on the new position in the displayed information or specifies it with the cross cursor. When the worker specifies the new position of the temporary position of the processing object ("YES" in S9), the allocation unit 41 changes the temporary position of the processing object by shifting the display position of the mark E1 to the specified position (S10). The processing of steps S8 to S10 is repeated until the worker performs the operation to finalize the position of the processing object.

[0054] When the operator performs an operation to confirm the tentative position of the processing target ("YES" in S8), the allocation unit 41 confirms this tentative position as the processing target position for the second positioning processing (S11). The allocation unit 41 changes the display color or display state of the mark E1 from the preview display to clearly indicate that the position of the mark E1 has been confirmed as the processing target position.

[0055] Thereafter, when the worker performs an operation to instruct the generation of a development drawing ("YES" in S12), the product data generation unit 42 generates, as product data for the product P, development drawings of each of the parts WP1, WP2, and WP3, to which the information on the machining positions acquired by the allocation unit 41 has been added, based on the 3D model M of the product P. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, a mark E1 indicating the machining position of the cut-and-raised protrusion is clearly displayed on the development drawing of the part WP3.

[0056] The product data generating unit 42 displays the generated product data on the display unit 20 and stores it in the product data storage unit 34 (S13). This completes the process of generating product data for performing the second positioning processing.

[0057] When creating the product P, the worker uses the product data of the product P stored in the product data storage unit 34 to bend the metal sheet W1 using a bending machine (not shown). The worker also uses the product data to perform a first positioning process on the metal sheets W1 and W2 using a laser processing machine (not shown). The worker then positions the metal sheet W2 relative to the metal sheet W1 by engaging a ring-shaped groove formed on the flat surface F13 of the metal sheet W1 with a ring-shaped protrusion formed on the flat surface F21 of the metal sheet W2 through the first positioning process, and issues an instruction to perform welding of the metal sheets W1 and W2.

[0058] The worker also performs second positioning processing on the metal sheet W3. The worker then positions the metal sheet W1 relative to the metal sheet W3 by abutting the edge Fe1 of the metal sheet W2 against the cut-and-raised protrusion formed on the flat surface F31 of the metal sheet W3 by the second positioning processing, and issues an instruction to perform welding processing on the metal sheets W3 and W1. This completes the production of the product P.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, when specifying the destination of the temporary position of the processing object in step S7, the worker can perform a single operation to instruct that multiple processing object positions be arranged at equal intervals, and marks indicating the temporary positions of multiple processing objects can be automatically arranged and displayed at equal intervals on the 3D model M on which the allocation section 41 is displayed.

[0060] For example, when an operator performs an operation to instruct that the temporary positions of multiple objects to be processed by the second mold be arranged at intervals d1 on the edge Fe1 of the flat portion F31, marks E1, E2, E3, etc. are displayed on the edge Fe1 at intervals d1, as shown in Figure 6.

[0061] At this time, if the allocation unit 41 acquires information on the attribute information of the sheet metal to be processed, such as information on a hole H in the flat portion F31, which is information on a location that will hinder positioning processing, it avoids this location and displays a mark indicating the provisional position of the object to be processed.

[0062] Furthermore, when the worker performs an operation to add or delete a temporary position of a processing object, the allocating unit 41 adds or deletes a mark indicating the processing object position on the display unit 20 .

[0063] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above-described embodiment, the product data generation device includes an allocation unit that allocates, on a 3D model of a product made by combining a first part and a second part, processing target positions where positioning processing is performed to position the second part on the first part, and a product data generation unit that uses the 3D model to generate, as product data, an unfolded view of the first and second parts with marks added to the processing target positions allocated by the allocation unit.

[0064] This allows the product data generation device to generate product data that indicates the positions where positioning processing is to be performed for positioning parts with high accuracy through simple operations. When generating this product data, the worker can easily specify the positions where positioning processing is to be performed while checking the finished shape of the product on the 3D data of the product and the positional relationship between the sheet metal to be processed and other parts.

[0065] Furthermore, the positioning processing performed by the product data generation device on the metal sheet to be processed may be a first positioning processing that forms a ring-shaped groove on the surface of a first part and a ring-shaped protrusion that engages with the groove on the surface of a second part, or a second positioning processing that forms a raised protrusion on the surface of the first part for abutting the second part. This allows the product data generation device to perform processing for easily and accurately positioning the metal sheets.

[0066] The product data generation device may further include a sheet metal information storage unit that stores attribute information related to the shape of the sheet metal forming the parts, and a mold information storage unit that stores restriction information related to the parts to be processed for positioning, including the joint shape between the first part and the second part, and the allocation unit may identify the processing target position based on the information stored in the sheet metal information storage unit and the information stored in the mold information storage unit. This allows the product data generation device to identify an appropriate processing target for each type of positioning processing and perform processing for positioning between the sheet metals.

[0067] The allocation unit may also identify multiple machining target positions at equal intervals on the 3D model while avoiding obstacles based on a single operation by the worker, thereby enabling multiple machining target positions to be identified efficiently with a simple operation.

[0068] Furthermore, when specifying the processing target position for the first positioning processing, the allocation unit may switch the position for forming the ring-shaped groove and the position for forming the ring-shaped protrusion based on an operation by the operator, thereby enabling the processing target position information to be adjusted efficiently with a simple operation.

[0069] The present disclosure is not limited to one or more of the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0070] The disclosure of this application is related to the subject matter described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-110845, filed on July 10, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A product data generation device comprising: an allocation unit that allocates, on a 3D model of a product made by combining a first part and a second part, processing positions where positioning processing is performed on the first part to position the second part; and a product data generation unit that uses the 3D model to generate, as product data, a development drawing of the first and second parts with marks added to the processing positions allocated by the allocation unit.

2. The product data generation device described in claim 1, wherein the positioning process is a first positioning process that forms a ring-shaped groove on the surface of the first part and a ring-shaped protrusion that engages with the groove on the surface of the second part, or a second positioning process that forms a cut-and-raised protrusion on the surface of the first part for abutting the second part.

3. The product data generation device of claim 1, further comprising: a sheet metal information storage unit that stores attribute information relating to the shape of the sheet metal that forms the part; and a mold information storage unit that stores restriction information including the joint shape between the first part and the second part for the part that undergoes the positioning processing, wherein the allocation unit identifies the position to be processed based on the information stored in the sheet metal information storage unit and the information stored in the mold information storage unit.

4. The product data generation device according to claim 1, wherein the allocation unit allocates a plurality of machining target positions at equal intervals on the 3D model while avoiding obstacles based on a single operation by the worker.

5. The product data generation device described in claim 2, wherein the allocation unit, when allocating the processing position for performing the first positioning processing, swaps the position for forming a ring-shaped groove and the position for forming a ring-shaped protrusion based on the operator's operation.

6. A product data generation method in which a product data generation device allocates processing positions on a 3D model of a product made by combining a first part and a second part, where positioning processing is performed to position the second part on the first part, and uses the 3D model to generate, as product data, a development drawing of the first and second parts with marks added to the allocated processing positions.

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