Abstract:
A cutting apparatus includes a cutter, a controller and a memory configured to store instructions. The instructions instruct the controller to execute steps including arranging patterns including peripheral lines including sequential line segments. The pattern arrangement includes arranging the patterns so that the line segments of adjacent patterns overlap each other. The instructions further include identifying the overlapping line segments, generating data representing a line including the identified overlapping line segments, designating the patterns including the overlapping line segments as a pattern group and extracting parallel line segments from the line segments forming the pattern group, grouping the extracted parallel line segments into line segments parallel to each other and denoting an identical cutting direction, determining a cutting order of the line segments composing the pattern group of the patterns including the overlapping line segments and generating a signal based on the generated data and the determined cutting order.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-149128 filed on Jul. 5, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This application relates to a cutting apparatus and a computer readable storage media medium storing computer readable instruction. 
     2. Related Art 
     Conventionally, a cutting plotter is known. The cutting plotter can cut a pattern from a sheet such as for a paper, automatically. The sheets are attached to a base material. The base material, for example, comprises an adhesion area on a surface of the base material. The cutting plotter can also comprise a carriage. The carriage comprises, for example, a mechanism for moving a cutter of the cutting plotter along a certain direction. By moving the cutter along the certain direction by the mechanism, the cutter can move from a first position where the cutter and the sheets is closed to and contact each other to a second position where the cutter is moved away from the sheets. A driving roller and a pinch roller as a drive mechanism are set at both edges of the base material of the cutting plotter, and the driving roller and the base material can be moved toward a first direction by the driving roller and the pinch roller. And the carriage is also moved by mechanism for moving the cutter toward a second direction. The second direction is defined as across the first direction, for example, the second direction is vertical direction from the first direction. As a result of the above-mentioned processes, the cutting plotter can cut the pattern from the sheet by the cutter. 
     SUMMARY 
     When the cutting plotter cuts a plurality of patterns from the sheet, whenever the cutting plotter finishes cutting a certain pattern, it is necessary for the cutting plotter to control the cutter to move away from the sheet, and move to a next start cutting position for cutting a next pattern. That is, adding to the process of cutting the pattern, the cutting plotter also has to control the cutter to move the next starting position for cutting the next pattern, in order to cut the plurality of patterns. Therefore, the cutting plotter has to execute a process of the carriage for just moving the cutter and moving the base material, and the executed process does not include cutting the pattern. It spends a lot of time to finish cutting all of the plurality of patterns from the sheet. 
     Various exemplary embodiments of the general principles herein provide a cutting apparatus which may comprise a cutter and a controller. The cutting apparatus may also comprise a memory configured to store computer readable instructions therein, wherein the instructions instruct the controller to execute steps comprising arranging a plurality of patterns, wherein the patterns include peripheral lines respectively, wherein the peripheral lines include a plurality of sequential line segments respectively and wherein arranging the plurality of patterns comprises arranging the patterns so that the line segments of adjacent patterns overlap each other, identifying the overlapping line segments of the peripheral lines of the patterns, generating data representing a line including the identified overlapping line segments, designating the plurality of patterns including the overlapping line segments as a pattern group and extracting parallel line segments from the line segments forming the pattern group, grouping the extracted parallel line segments into line segments which are parallel to each other and denote an identical cutting direction, determining a cutting order of the line segments composing the pattern group including the overlapping line segments, the cutting order being usable to sequentially cut the line segments for every pattern group, and generating a signal based on the generated data and the determined cutting order, wherein the cutter is configured to cut an object based on the signal. 
     Exemplary embodiments herein provide an apparatus which comprises a controller. The apparatus may also comprise a memory configured to store computer readable instructions therein, wherein the computer readable instructions instruct the controller to execute steps comprising arranging a plurality of patterns, wherein the patterns include peripheral lines respectively, wherein the peripheral lines include a plurality of sequential line segments respectively and wherein arranging the plurality of patterns comprises arranging the patterns so that the line segments of adjacent patterns overlap each other, identifying the overlapping line segments of the peripheral lines of the patterns, generating data representing a line including the identified overlapping line segments, designating the plurality of patterns including the overlapping line segments as a pattern group and extracting parallel line segments from the line segments forming the pattern group, grouping the extracted parallel line segments into line segments which are parallel to each other and denote an identical cutting direction, determining a cutting order of the line segments composing the pattern group including the overlapping line segments, the cutting order being usable to sequentially cut the line segments for every pattern group, and generating a signal based on the generated data and the determined cutting order, wherein a cutter is configured to cut an object based on the signal. 
     Exemplary embodiments also provide a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, instruct an apparatus to execute steps comprising arranging a plurality of patterns, wherein the patterns include peripheral lines respectively, wherein the peripheral lines include a plurality of sequential line segments respectively and wherein arranging the plurality of patterns comprises arranging the patterns so that the line segments of adjacent patterns overlap each other, identifying the overlapping line segments of the peripheral lines of the patterns, generating data representing a line including the identified overlapping line segments, designating the plurality of patterns including the overlapping line segments as a pattern group and extracting parallel line segments from the line segments forming the pattern group, grouping the extracted parallel line segments into line segments which are parallel to each other and denote an identical cutting direction, determining a cutting order of the line segments composing the pattern group including the overlapping line segments, the cutting order being usable to sequentially cut the line segments for every pattern group, and generating a signal based on the generated data and the determined cutting order, wherein the cutter is configured to cut an object based on the signal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cutting apparatus according to a first example, showing an inner structure thereof; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the cutting apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cutter holder; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the cutter holder, showing the state where a cutter has been ascended; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the cutter holder and the vicinity thereof, showing the case where the cutter has been descended; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged front view of a gear; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a distal end of the cutter during the cutting; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing an electrical arrangement of the cutting apparatus; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are a view explaining a plurality of patterns to be formed on the basis of an existing cutting data and an enlarged view showing one of the patterns respectively; 
         FIG. 10  shows the structure of existing full data including cutting data for a plurality of patterns; 
         FIG. 11A  is a view showing a plurality of patterns arranged so that parts of a cutting line neighbor with each other in contact with each other; 
         FIG. 11B  shows a cutting line obtained by joining the parts of the cutting line in  FIG. 11A  together or by connecting the parts of the cutting line in  FIG. 11A  so that the parts are commonalized; 
         FIG. 11C  shows parallel line segments with a uniformed cutting direction, out of the line segments of the cutting line as shown in  FIG. 11B ; 
         FIG. 11D  shows cutting data on which every group of parallel line segments out of the line segments of the cutting line of  FIG. 11C  is cut; 
         FIG. 11E  shows a single continuous line segment obtained by changing the line segments constituting the outline out of the line segments of the cutting line as shown in  FIG. 11D  in order that the line segments constituting the outline may be cut collectively as the single continuous line; 
         FIG. 12  shows new generated full data corresponding to the cutting line as shown in  FIG. 11E ; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing the processing in the case where the new cutting data is generated; 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  show a second example and a view of various patterns formed based on existing full data and a view of a plurality of patterns formed as the pattern group based on new full data respectively; 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  show a third example and explain new full data of a plurality of patterns generated using cutting data of a single existing pattern; and 
         FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , showing a fourth example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Example 
     A first example will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 13 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cutting apparatus  1  of the first example includes a body cover  2  as a housing, a platen  3  housed in the body cover  2  and a cutter holder  5  also housed in the body cover  2 . The cutting apparatus  1  also includes a first moving unit  7  and a second moving unit  8  both for moving a cutter  4  (see  FIG. 4 ) held by the cutter holder  5 . and an object  6  to be cut, relative to each other. The body cover  2  is formed into the shape of a horizontally long rectangular box. The body cover  2  has a front formed with a horizontally long opening  2   a  which is provided for setting a holding sheet  10  holding the object  6 . In the following description, a direction in which the object  6  is moved by the first moving unit  7  will be referred to as “front-rear direction.” More specifically, the opening  2   a  side of the cutting apparatus  1  will be referred to as “front” and the opposite side will be referred to as “rear.” The front-rear direction will be referred to as “Y direction” and the direction perpendicular to the Y direction will be referred to as “X direction.” 
     On a right part of the body cover  2  is mounted a liquid crystal display (LCD)  9  which serves as a display unit displaying messages and the like necessary for the user. A plurality of operation switches (see VARIOUS OPERATION SWITCHES  65  in  FIG. 8 ) is also provided on the right part of the body cover  2 . The platen  3  includes a pair of front and rear plate members  3   a  and  3   b  and has an upper surface which is configured into an X-Y plane serving as a horizontal plane. The platen  3  is set so that the holding sheet  10  holding the object  6  is placed thereon. The holding sheet  10  is received by the platen  3  when the object  6  is cut. The holding sheet  10  has an upper surface with an adhesive layer  10   a  (see  FIG. 7 ) formed by applying an adhesive agent to a part thereof except for right and left edges  10   b . The user affixes the object  6  to the adhesive layer  10   a , whereby the object is held by the holding sheet  10 . 
     The first moving unit  7  moves the holding sheet  10  on the upper surface side of the platen  3  in the Y direction (a first direction). More specifically, a driving roller  12  and a pinch roller  13  are mounted on right and left sidewalls  11   b  and  11   a  so as to be located between the plate members  3   a  and  3   b  of the platen  3 . The driving roller  12  and the pinch roller  13  extend in the right-left direction and are rotatably supported on sidewalls  11   b  and  11   a . The driving roller  12  and the pinch roller  13  are disposed so as to be parallel to the horizontal plane and so as to be vertically arranged. The driving roller  12  is located lower than the pinch roller  13 . A first crank-shaped mounting frame  14  is mounted on the right sidewall  11   b  so as to be located on the right of the driving roller  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . A Y-axis motor  15  is fixed to an outer surface of the mounting frame  14 . 
     The Y-axis motor  15  comprises a stepping motor, for example. The Y-axis motor  15  has a rotating shaft  15   a  extending through the first mounting frame  14  and also has a distal end provided with a gear  16   a . The driving roller  12  has a right end to which is secured another gear  16   b  brought into mesh engagement with the gear  16   a . These gears  16   a  and  16   b  constitute a first reduction gear mechanism  16 . The pinch roller  13  is guided by guide grooves  17   b  formed in the respective right and left sidewalls  11   b  and  11   a  so as to be movable upward and downward. Only the right guide groove  17   b  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Two spring accommodating members  18   a  and  18   b  are mounted on the right and left sidewalls  11   b  and  11   a  in order to cover the guide groove  17   b  from the outside, respectively. The pinch roller  13  is biased downward by compression coil springs (not shown) accommodated in the spring accommodating portions  18   a  and  18   b  respectively. The pinch roller  13  is provided with pressing portions  13   a  which are brought into contact with a left edge  10   b  and a right edge  10   c  of the holding sheet  10 , thereby pressing the edges  10   b  and  10   c , respectively. Each pressing portion  13   a  has a slightly larger outer diameter than the other portion of the pinch roller  13 . 
     The driving roller  12  and the pinch roller  13  press the holding sheet  10  from below and from above by the urging force of the compression coil springs thereby to hold the holding sheet  10  therebetween (see  FIG. 5 ). Upon drive of the Y-axis motor  15 , normal or reverse rotation of the Y-axis motor  15  is transmitted via the first reduction gear mechanism  16  to the driving roller  12 , whereby the holding sheet  10  is moved backward or forward together with the object  6 . The first moving unit  7  is thus constituted by the driving roller  12 , the pinch roller  13 , the Y-axis motor  15 , the first reduction gear mechanism  16 , the compression coil springs and the like. 
     The second moving unit  8  is configured to move a carriage  19  supporting the cutter holder  5  in the X direction (a second direction). In more detail, a guide shaft  20  and a guide frame  21  are provided between the right and left sidewalls  11   b  and  11   a  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The guide shaft  20  and the guide frame  21  are located at the rear end of the cutting apparatus  1 , extending in the right-left direction. The guide shaft  20  is disposed in parallel with the driving roller  12  and the pinch roller  13 . The guide shaft  20  located right above the platen  3  extends through a lower part of the carriage  19  (a through hole  22  as will be described later). The guide frame  21  has a front edge  21   a  and a rear edge  21   b  both folded downward such that the guide frame  21  has a generally C-shaped section. The front edge  21   a  is disposed in parallel with the guide shaft  20 . The guide frame  21  is configured to guide an upper part (guided members  23  as will be described later) of the carriage  19  by the front edge  21   a . The guide frame  21  is fixed to upper ends of the sidewalls  11   a  and  11   b  by screws  21   c  respectively. 
     A second mounting frame  24  is mounted on the right sidewall  11   b  in the rear of the cutting apparatus  1 , and an auxiliary frame  25  is mounted on the left sidewall  11   a  in the rear of the cutting apparatus  1 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . An X-axis motor  26  and a second reduction gear mechanism  27  are mounted on the second mounting frame  24 . The X-axis motor  26  comprises a stepping motor, for example and is fixed to a front of a front mounting piece  24   a . The X-axis motor  26  includes a rotating shaft  26   a  which extends through the mounting piece  24   a . The rotating shaft  26   a  has a distal end provided with a gear  26   b  which is brought into mesh engagement with the second reduction gear mechanism  27 . A pulley  28  is rotatably mounted on the second reduction gear mechanism  27 , and another pulley  29  is rotatably mounted on the left auxiliary frame  25  as viewed in  FIG. 2 . An endless timing belt  31  connected to a rear end (a mounting portion  30  as will be described later) of the carriage  19  extends between the pulleys  28  and  29 . 
     Upon drive of the X-axis motor  26 , normal or reverse rotation of the X-axis motor  26  is transmitted via the second reduction gear mechanism  27  and the pulley  28  to the timing belt  31 , whereby the carriage  19  is moved leftward or rightward together with the cutter holder  5 . Thus, the carriage  19  and the cutter holder  5  are moved in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction in which the object  6  is conveyed. The second moving unit  8  is constituted by the above-described guide shaft  20 , the guide frame  21 , the X-axis motor  26 , the second reduction gear mechanism  27 , the pulleys  28  and  29 , the timing belt  31 , the carriage  19  and the like. 
     The cutter holder  5  is disposed on the front of the carriage  19  and supported so as to be movable in a vertical direction (a third direction) serving as a Z direction. The carriage  19  and the cutter holder  5  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 7  as well as  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The carriage  19  is formed into the shape of a substantially rectangular box with an open rear as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The carriage  19  has an upper wall  19   a  with which a pair of upwardly protruding front and rear guided members  23  are integrally formed. The guided members  23  are arc-shaped ribs as viewed in a planar view. The guided members  23  are symmetrically disposed with a front edge  21   a  of the guide frame  21  being interposed therebetween. The carriage  19  has a bottom wall  19   b  further having a portion which expands downward from the underside of the bottom wall  19   b  and is formed with a pair of right and left through holes  22  through which the guide shaft  20  is inserted. An attaching portion  30  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) is mounted on the bottom wall  19   b  of the carriage  19  so as to protrude rearward. The attaching portion  30  is to be coupled with the timing belt  31 . The carriage  19  is thus supported by the guide shaft  20  inserted through the holes  22  so as to be slidable in the right-left direction and further supported by the guide frame  21  held between the guided members  23  so as to be prevented from being rotated about the guide shaft  20 . 
     The carriage  19  has a front wall  19   c  with which a pair of upper and lower support portions  32   a  and  32   b  are formed so as to extend forward as shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5  and so forth. A pair of right and left support shafts  33   b  and  33   a  extending through the respective support portions  32   a  and  32   b  are mounted on the carriage  19  so as to be vertically movable. A Z-axis motor  34  comprising, for example, a stepping motor is accommodated in the carriage  19  backward thereby to be housed therein. The Z-axis motor  34  has a rotating shaft  34   a  (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ) which extends through the front wall  19   c  of the carriage  19 . The rotating shaft  34   a  has a distal end provided with a gear  35 . Furthermore, the carriage  19  is provided with a gear shaft  37  which extends through a slightly lower part of the gear  35  relative to the central part of the front wall  19   c , as shown in  FIG. 4 . A gear  38  is rotatably mounted on the gear shaft  37  and adapted to be brought into mesh engagement with the gear  35  in front of the front wall  19   c . The gear  38  is retained by a retaining ring (not shown) mounted on a front end of the gear shaft  37 . The gears  35  and  38  constitute a third reduction mechanism  41  (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). 
     The gear  38  is formed with a spiral groove  42  serving as a cam groove as shown in  FIG. 6 . The spiral groove  42  is formed into a spiral shape such that the spiral groove  42  comes closer to the center of the gear  38  as it is turned rightward from a first end  42   a  toward a second end  42   b . An engagement pin  43  is configured to engage the spiral groove  42  (see  FIG. 4 ) as will be described in detail later. The engagement pin  43  is vertically moved together with the cutter holder  5 . Upon normal or reverse rotation of the Z-axis motor  34 , the gear  38  is rotated via the gear  35 . Rotation of the gear  38  vertically slides the engagement pin  43  in engagement with the spiral groove  42 . With the vertical slide of the gear  38 , the cutter holder  5  is moved upward or downward together with the support shafts  33   a  and  33   b . More specifically, the cutter holder  5  assumes a raised position when the engagement pin  43  is located at the first end  42   a  of the spiral groove  42 . Or the cutter holder  5  assumes a lowered position when the engagement pin  43  is located at the second end  42   b  of the spiral groove  42 . The cutter holder  5  is thus moved between the raised position (see  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) and the lowered position (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). A third moving unit  44  which moves the cutter holder  5  upward and downward is constituted by the above-described third reduction mechanism  41  having the spiral groove  42 , the Z-axis motor  34 , the engagement pin  43 , the support portions  32   a  and  32   b , the support shafts  33   a  and  33   b , etc. 
     The cutter holder  5  includes a holder body  45 , a movable cylindrical portion  46  and a pressing device  47 . The holder body  45  is mounted on the support shafts  33   a  and  33   b . The movable cylindrical portion  46  has a cutter  4  (a cutting blade) and is held by the holder body  45  so as to be vertically movable. The pressing device  47  is configured to press the object  6 . 
     More specifically, the holder body  45  has an upper end  45   a  and a lower end  45   b  both of which are folded rearward such that the holder body  45  is generally formed into a C-shape, as shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5  and so forth. The upper and lower ends  45   a  and  45   b  are immovably fixed to the support shafts  33   a  and  33   b  by retaining rings  48  fixed to upper and lower ends of the support shafts  33   a  and  33   b , respectively. The support shaft  33   b  has a middle part to which is secured a coupling member  49  provided with a rearwardly directed engagement pin  43  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The holder body  45 , support shafts  33   a  and  33   b , the engagement pin  43  and the coupling member  40  are formed integrally with one another. The cutter holder  5  is vertically moved by the third moving unit  44  in conjunction with the engagement pin  43 . Furthermore, compression coil springs  50  serving as biasing members are mounted about the support shafts  33   a  and  33   b  so as to be located between upper surfaces of the support portion and upper end of the holder body  45 , respectively. The entire cutter holder  5  is elastically biased upward by a biasing force of the compression coil springs  50  relative to the carriage  19  side. 
     Mounting members  51  and  52  are fixed to the middle portion of the holder body  45  by screws  54   a  and  54   b  respectively, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The mounting members  51  and  52  are provided for mounting the movable cylindrical portion  46 , the pressing device  47  and the like are fixed to the middle portion of the holder body  45  by screws  54   a  and  54   b  respectively. The lower mounting member  52  is provided with a cylindrical portion  52   a  (see  FIG. 4 ) which supports the movable cylindrical portion  46  so that the movable cylindrical portion  46  is vertically movable. The movable cylindrical portion  46  has a diameter set so that the movable cylindrical portion  46  is allowed to be brought into a sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion  52   a . The movable cylindrical portion  46  has an upper end on which a flange  46   a  supported on an upper end of the cylindrical portion  52   a  is formed so as to expand radially outward. A spring shoe  46   b  is mounted on an upper end of the flange  46   a . A compression coil spring  53  is interposed between the upper mounting member  51  and the spring shoe  46   b  of the movable cylindrical portion  46  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The compression coil spring  53  biases the movable cylindrical portion  46  (the cutter  4 ) to the lower object  6  side while allowing the upward movement of the movable cylindrical portion  46  against the biasing force when an upward force acts on the cutter  4 . 
     The cutter  4  is provided in the movable cylindrical portion  46  so as to extend through the movable cylindrical portion  46 . In more detail, the cutter  4  has a round bar-like cutter shaft  4   b  which is longer than the movable cylindrical portion  46  and a blade  4   a  integrally formed on a lower end of the cutter shaft  4   b . The blade  4   a  is formed into a substantially triangular shape. The blade  4   a  has a lowermost blade edge  4   c  formed at a location offset by a distance d from a central axis  4   z  of the cutter shaft  4   b , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Bearings  55  (see  FIG. 4 ) are provided in the movable cylindrical portion  46  so as to be located at upper and lower ends respectively. The cutter  4  is held by bearings  55  so as to be rotatably movable about the central axis  4   z  (the Z axis) in the vertical direction. Thus, the blade edge  4   c  of the cutter  4  presses an X-Y plane or the surface of the object  6  from the Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane. Furthermore, the cutter  4  has a height that is set so that when the cutter holder  5  has been moved to the lowered position, the blade edge  4   c  passes through the object  6  on the holding sheet  10  but does not reach the upper surface of the plate member  3   b  of the platen  3 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . On the other hand, the blade edge  4   c  of the cutter  4  is moved upward with movement of the cutter holder  5  to the raised position, thereby being spaced from the object  6  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Three guide holes  52   b ,  52   c  and  52   d  (see  FIGS. 2 to 5 ) are formed at regular intervals in a circumferential edge of the lower end of the cylindrical portion  52   a . A pressing member  56  is disposed under the cylindrical portion  52   a  and has three guide bars  56   b ,  56   c  and  56   d  which are to be inserted into the guide holes  52   b  to  52   d  respectively. The pressing member  56  includes a lower part serving as a shallow bowl-shaped pressing portion body  56   a . The aforementioned equally-spaced guide bars  56   b  to  56   d  are formed integrally on the circumferential end of the top of the pressing portion body  56   a . The guide bars  56   b  to  56   d  are guided by the respective guide holes  52   b  to  52   d , so that the pressing member  56  is vertically movable. The pressing portion body  56   a  has a central part formed with a through hole  56   e  which vertically extends to cause the blade  4   a  to pass therethrough. The pressing portion body  56   a  has an underside serving as a contact portion  56   f  which is brought into a surface contact with the object  6  while the blade  4   a  is located in the hole  56   e . The contact portion  56   f  is formed into an annular horizontal flat surface and is brought into surface contact with the object  6 . The contact portion  56   f  is made of a fluorine resin such as Teflon® so as to have a lower coefficient of friction, whereupon the contact portion  56   f  is rendered slippery relative to the object  6 . 
     The pressing portion body  56   a  has a guide  56   g  which is formed integrally on the circumferential edge thereof so as to extend forward, as shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5  and so forth. On the other hand, the mounting member  52  has a front mounting portion  52   e  for a solenoid  57 , integrally formed therewith. The front mounting portion  52   e  is located in front of the cylindrical portion  52   a  and above the guide  56   g . The solenoid  57  serves as an actuator for vertically moving the pressing member  56  thereby to press the object  6  and constitutes a pressing device  47  together with the pressing member  56  and a controller  61  which will be described later. The solenoid  57  is mounted on the front mounting portion  52   e  so as to be directed downward. The solenoid  57  includes a plunger  57   a  having a distal end fixed to the upper surface of the guide  56   g . When the solenoid  57  is driven with the cutter holder  5  located at the lowered position, the pressing member  56  is moved downward together with the plunger  57   a  thereby to press the object  6  with a predetermined pressure (see  FIG. 5 ), as will be described in detail later. In contrast, when the plunger  57   a  is located above during non-drive of the solenoid  57 , the pressing member releases the object  6  from application of the pressing force. When the cutter holder  5  is moved to the raised position during non-drive of the solenoid  57  (see two-dot chain line in  FIG. 4 ), the pressing member  56  is completely spaced from the object  6 . 
     The holding sheet  10  has an adhesive layer  10   a  (see  FIG. 7 ) for holding the object  6 . The object  6  is immovably held on the holding sheet  10  by a resultant force of adhesion of the adhesive layer  10   a  and a pressing force of the pressing device  47 . The holding sheet  10  is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and formed into a flat rectangular plate shape, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The holding sheet  10  has an upper side (a side opposite the cutter  4 ) on which the adhesive layer  10   a  is formed by applying an adhesive agent to the holding sheet  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The sheet-like object  6  such as paper, cloth, resin film or the like is removably held by the adhesive layer  10   a . The adhesive layer  10   a  has an adhesion that is set to a small value such that the object  6  can easily be removed from the adhesive layer  10   a  without breakage thereof. 
     An electrical arrangement of the control system of the cutting apparatus  1  will now be described with reference to a block diagram of  FIG. 8 . A controller  61  controlling the entire cutting apparatus  1  mainly comprises a computer (CPU). A ROM  62 , a RAM  63  and an external memory  64  are connected to the controller  61 . The ROM  62  stores a cutting control program for controlling the cutting operation, a cutting data processing program and the like. The RAM  63  temporarily stores data and programs necessary for execution of various processing manners. The external memory  64  stores a plurality of types of cutting data, full data which will be described later, area data indicative of areas where cutting is allowed, and the like. 
     Operation signals are supplied from the various operation switches  65  to the controller  61 . The controller  61  controls a displaying operation of the LCD  9 . In this case, while viewing the displayed contents of the LCD  9 , the user operates the switches  65  to select and designate pattern cutting data of a desired pattern. The operation switches  65  also serve as input units for setting a high-speed cutting process by user&#39;s input operation as will be described later. 
     Detection signals are also supplied to the controller  61  from various sensors  66  such as a sensor for detecting the holding sheet  10  set through the opening  2   a  of the cutting apparatus  1 . To the controller  61  are also connected drive circuits  67  to  70  driving the Y-axis, X-axis and Z-axis motors  15 ,  26  and  34  and the solenoid  57 . The controller  61  controls the Y-axis, X-axis and Z-axis motors  15 ,  26  and  34  and the solenoid  57 , based on cutting data, whereby a cutting operation is automatically executed for the object  6  on the holding sheet  10 . 
     The cutting data will now be described with an example in which a plurality of, for example, eight patterns are cut from the object  6  held on the holding sheet  10 . A sheet of paper is employed as the object  6  in the example. Furthermore, each pattern is trapezoidal as shown in  FIG. 9B . Eight trapezoidal patterns are to be cut as shown in  FIG. 9A . The eight patterns are labeled as A to H respectively for the sake of easiness in explanation. The full data in this case includes “the number of patterns” as information about the total number of patterns, cutting data of “patterns A to H” and “delimiter data”. The number of patterns is 8. The cutting data of each of patterns A to H comprises X-Y coordinate data indicating apexes of cutting lines or peripheral lines composed of a plurality of line segments. 
     More specifically, a cutting line of pattern A includes four line segments A 1  to A 4  constituting a closed trapezoid in which the cutting start and end points P 0  and P 4  correspond with each other, as shown in  FIG. 9B . The trapezoid includes two apexes P 2  and P 3  each having a set angle of 90° and also includes, as the cutting data, first to fifth coordinate data corresponding to cutting start point P 0 , apexes P 1  to P 3 , and cutting end point P 4  respectively (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The other patterns B to H are trapezoids which are the same as pattern A as shown in  FIG. 9A . Cutting lines of patterns B to H also include line segments B 1  to B 4 , C 1  to C 4 , . . . and H 1  to H 4  in the same manner as pattern A respectively. Coordinate values (first to fifth coordinate value data) of patterns B to H are configured to set so that patterns A to H are formed separately from one another. 
     The cutting data of patterns A to H contain respective pieces of mask information as shown in  FIG. 10 . The mask information is data indicative of a minimum rectangular frame L encompassing a peripheral edge as an outline of each pattern A-H. For example, the rectangular frame L as shown in  FIG. 9B  is formed into a rectangle and contains pattern A. Of line segments L 1  to L 4  of the rectangular frame L, two line segments L 3  and L 4  correspond with line segments A 3  and A 4  of pattern A respectively. The other line segments L 1  and L 2  overlap parts of line segments A 1  and A 2  of pattern A respectively. Mask information of a minimum rectangular frame L encompassing the outline of each pattern is also stored regarding each of the other patterns B to H. Mask information is set according to an outline of pattern. Accordingly, the frame may not be rectangular but may have a frame-like shape allowing the frame to encompass a pattern. 
     When the patterns A to H are to be cut based on the full data shown in  FIG. 10 , the cutting is carried out sequentially from pattern A. More specifically, firstly, the cutter  4  is moved to the X-Y coordinate of the cutting start point P 0  of the pattern A relative to the object  6 . The movement includes the movement of the holding sheet  10  (the object  6 ) in the Y direction by the first moving unit  7  and the movement of the cutter holder  5  in the X direction by the second moving unit  8 . The cutter  4  is then relatively moved by the third moving unit  44  so that the blade edge  4   c  penetrates through the cutting start point P 0  of the object  6 . The cutter  4  is next relatively moved toward the coordinate of the end point P 1  of the line segment A 1  by the first and second moving units  7  and  8 . As a result, the object  6  is cut along line segment A 1  by the cutter  4 . The end point P 1  of the previous line segment A 1  serves as a start point P 0  of the next line segment A 2 . The cutting of line segment A 2  is also carried out in the same manner as the line segment A 1  continuously. Regarding each of the line segments A 2  to A 4 , the cutter  4  is also moved in the direction as shown by arrow in  FIG. 9A . Consequently, the pattern A is cut along the cutting line of “trapezoid.” Patterns B to H are also cut along the cutting lines in the order of the patterns B, C, and H based on the cutting data, respectively. 
     Delimiter data are affixed to ends of cutting data of patterns A to H in the full data respectively. The blade edge  4   c  of the cutter  4  is spaced from the object  6  by the third moving unit  44  on the basis of the delimiter data every time when the cutting of each cutting line is completed. The cutter  4  is then relatively moved to a location corresponding to a next cutting start point. This relative movement is an empty feed without the cutting of the object  6  and a linear movement. Symbol “I” in  FIG. 9A  designates empty feed from the cutting line of pattern A to the cutting line of pattern B for the sake of easiness in explanation. 
     A time period of forward and backward feed of the holding sheet  10  without the cutting of the object  6  is thus increased with an increase in the number of patterns to be cut. The time period of forward and backward feed refers to a moving time of the holding sheet  10  by the drive roller  12  and the pinch roller  13 . Furthermore, a time period of vertical movement of the cutter  4  and a time period of movement of the carriage  19  are also increased. Accordingly, a substantial time period is required for the cutting of all the patterns A to H. 
     In view of the above-described problem, new cutting data capable of reducing the cutting time period is generated on the basis of the above-mentioned existing full data in the cutting apparatus  1  of the example. More specifically, the cutting apparatus  1  is provided with a software configuration (execution of a cutting data processing program) which generates cutting data about new cutting lines. For example, the new cutting lines are arranged so that patterns A to H are adjacent to one another in the X and Y directions, as shown in  FIG. 11A . In this case, the patterns A to H are arranged so that at least parts of the patterns A to H are neighboring in contact with one another. Consequently, the patterns A to H are regarded as a single pattern group. Cutting data is generated on which cutting lines of an outline of the entire pattern group are continuously cut. 
     The external memory  64  stores region data, which is indicative of, for example, a cuttable region  71  (see  FIG. 9A ) set on the basis of the size of the sheet-like object  6  (or the holding sheet  10 ). The pattern group is arranged so as to be fitted within the cuttable region  71  on the basis of the region data and the existing full data as will be described in detail later. 
       FIGS. 11A to 11E  illustrate a concrete processing procedure in the case where new cutting data of the pattern group (full data) is generated. The concrete processing procedure will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13  as well as  FIGS. 1 to 11E .  FIG. 12  shows full data of the pattern group and  FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing the processing of a cutting data processing program executed by the controller  61 . 
     The user firstly sets the holding sheet  10  holding the object  6  through the opening  2   a  of the cutting apparatus  1 . The user further operates one or more of the operation switches  65  to instruct paper feeding. The user then selects a desired one of cutting data (the full data as shown in  FIG. 10 , for example) stored in the external memory  64 , for example. As a result, the full data is read from the external memory  64 , and the region data corresponding to the holding sheet  10  is also read to be expanded to the RAM  63 . The read full data is provided for cutting the eight patterns A to H spaced from one another, as shown in  FIG. 9A . 
     The controller  61  arranges the patterns A to H so that the respective rectangular frames L are closely arranged within the cuttable region  71 , based on the mask information of the patterns A to H and the region data. As a result, the patterns A to H are changed into coordinates arranged so that at least parts of the cutting lines are neighboring in contact with one another (step S 1 ). In more detail, X coordinates of patterns A to D and E to H are changed so that the line segments L 1  and L 3  (see  FIG. 9B ) of the rectangular frames A to D and E to H are linearly continuous in the X direction, as shown in  FIG. 11A . Furthermore, Y coordinates of the patterns A and E are changed so that the line segments L 2  and L 4  of the rectangular frames L of the respective patterns A and E are linearly continuous. In the same manner as described above, the Y coordinates of the line segments L 2  and L 4  of the rectangular frames L of the patterns B and F, C and G, and D and H are changed so that the line segments L 2  and L 4  are linearly continuous in the Y direction. As a result, the patterns A to H are changed into coordinates such that the line segments of the neighboring patterns overlap or the line segments are arranged so as to be continuous in the X or Y direction. The rectangular frames L of the respective patterns A to H are shown only in  FIG. 11A  and eliminated in  FIG. 11B to 11E . 
     The initial cutting directions and cutting orders (referred to as “cutting No.”) are maintained even after reposition of patterns A to H. Arrows in  FIG. 11A  indicate cutting directions and numerals in  FIG. 11A  designate cutting Nos. The controller  61  then extracts, as an extraction unit, contact portions of the cutting lines in patterns A to H after reposition. The extraction is carried out based on data (line segment data) of coordinates of start and end points of the line segments in the patterns A to H. The controller  61  joins the post-reposition cutting lines of the patterns A to H to one another at the extracted contact portions or connects the post-reposition cutting lines so that the cutting lines are commonalized (step S 2 ). 
     For example, line segments B 3  to D 3  of the patterns B to D are extensions of line segment A 3  of pattern A in  FIG. 11A  in the X direction. More specifically, regarding each of the line segments A 3  to D 3 , an end of each line segment is in contact with an end of a neighboring line segment, whereupon ends in contact with each other have respective coordinate data corresponding to each other. Accordingly, the line segments A 3  to D 3  are integrated to a single line segment (see line segment of cutting No.  3  in  FIG. 11B ). As a result, the line segments A 3  to D 3  of the patterns A to D are presented as single line segment data. More specifically, the line segments A 3  to D 3  of patterns A 3  to D 3  are presented as coordinate data of start and end points in cutting No.  3  line segment. In the same manner, the line  30 . segments E 3  to H 3  of the patterns E to H as shown in  FIG. 11B  are integrated to a single cutting number  13  line segment. 
     Furthermore, the line segment E 4  of pattern E and line segment F 2  of pattern F are extensions of line segment A 4  of pattern A in  FIG. 11A  in the Y direction. Furthermore, a part of the line segment A 4  overlaps the line segment B 2  of pattern B. The line segments A 4 , E 4  and F 2  of the respective patterns A, E and F are combined into a single line segment (see cutting No.  4  line segment in  FIG. 11B ). In the same manner, the line segments B 4 , F 4 , G 2  and C 2  of the respective patterns B, F, G and C are combined into a single line segment (see cutting No.  6  line segment in  FIG. 11B ). The line segments C 4 , G 4 , H 2  and D 2  of the respective patterns C, G, H and D are combined into a single line segment (see cutting No.  8  line segment in  FIG. 11B ). The line segments D 4  and H 4  of the respective patterns D and H are combined into a single line segment (see cutting No.  10  line segment in  FIG. 11B ). 
     Thus, when the cutting lines of the neighboring patterns include respective line segments which are linearly continuous in the same direction or which overlap each other, these line segments are connected together into a single line segment (see line segments of cutting Nos.  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  13 ) indicated by solid lines as shown in  FIG. 11B ). More specifically, the controller  61  is configured as a connecting unit which connects the line segments. Eight patterns A to H are regarded as a single pattern group by the controller  61  in execution of a connecting process. As a result, the number of line segments constituting the whole pattern group is decreased by half from  32  to  16  as shown in  FIG. 11B . 
     In the state as shown in  FIG. 11B , the controller  61  extracts parallel line segments at step S 3  based on line segment data in the pattern group. More specifically, the controller  61  extracts line segments of cutting Nos.  3  and  13  as a line segment parallel to the X direction and line segments of cutting Nos.  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  as a line segment parallel to the Y direction. The controller  61  extracts line segments of cutting Nos.  7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  as a line segment parallel to the line segment of cutting No.  1  which extends in an oblique direction. Of these line segments, the line segments of cutting Nos.  2  and  12  and the line segments of cutting Nos.  4 ,  6 ,  8 , and  10  are oppositely directed. The controller  61  then interchanges coordinate data of start and end points of respective line segment data regarding cutting Nos.  4 ,  6 ,  8  and  10 . As a result, the line segments of cutting Nos.  4 ,  6 ,  8  and  10  are changed so as to have a single downward cutting direction. Thus, when the pattern group involves parallel line segments, the parallel line segments are changed so as to have a single cutting direction. 
     In  FIG. 11C , the line segments can be divided into a first group of line segments of cutting Nos.  1 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  14 ,  15  and  16 , a second group of line segments of cutting Nos.  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12 , and a third group of line segments of cutting Nos.  3  and  13 , depending upon the cutting direction. The controller  61  then generates cutting data for sequentially cutting the line segments for every group (step S 4 ). More specifically, a process of rearranging data whose cutting order is to be changed is executed regarding data of oblique line segments to be cut in the order of cutting Nos.  1 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  in  FIG. 11C . As a result, the data of line segments of cutting Nos.  1 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  are changed to data for cutting in the order of cutting Nos.  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  as shown in  FIG. 11D . In the same manner, data of line segments in the Y-direction indicated by cutting Nos.  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  as shown in  FIG. 11C  are changed by the data rearranging process into data for cutting of line segments in the order of cutting Nos.  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13  and  14  as shown in  FIG. 11D . Furthermore, data of line segments in the X direction indicated by cutting Nos.  3  and  13  in  FIG. 11C  are changed by the data rearranging process into data for the cutting of line segments in the order of cutting Nos.  15  and  16  as shown in  FIG. 11D . The full data is thus generated as cutting data on which parallel line segments as shown in  FIG. 11D  are sequentially cut for every group. Accordingly, the direction of the blade  4   a  of the cutter  4  need not be changed during the cutting of line segments in each group when the patterns A to H are cut on the basis of the cutting data. This can realize the cutting of patterns A to H in a short period of time. 
     More specifically, the blade edge  4   c  of the cutter  4  is offset by distance d from the central axis  4   z  of the cutter axis  4   b  as described above (see  FIG. 7 ). Accordingly, the blade edge  4   c  is subjected to resistance from the object  6  with relative movement of the cutter  4  and the object  6 , whereby the cutter  4  is rotatively moved about the central axis  4   z . The rotative movement automatically changes the direction of the blade edge  4   c  along the direction of relative movement. Accordingly, for example, when one line segment (a cutting line segment) and the other one (a cutting line segment) form an L-shape, the blade edge  4   c  of the cutter  4  faces the one line segment. Subsequently, the blade edge  4   c  is turned to the other segment line when the cutting of the other line segment starts (at the apex of L-shape). In this case, the central axis  4   z  is located distance d away from the apex of the L-shape. Therefore, in order that the blade edge  4   c  may be turned to the direction along the other line segment, the cutter  4  needs to be moved so that the central axis  4   z  draws an arc as viewed on a planar view. On the contrary, since the parallel line segments are sequentially cut in the example as described above, the cutter  4  need not be operated to be turned, whereupon the cutting time can be shortened. 
     The controller  61  determines at step S 5  whether or not high-speed cutting has been set by user&#39;s input operation. When determining that high-speed cutting has been set (YES), the controller  61  generates full data which can further shorten the cutting time as compared with the new full data generated at steps S 1  to S 4 . In this case, the controller  61  extracts line segments composing an outline of the pattern group as shown in  FIG. 11D , based on the above-described line segment data of the pattern group. More specifically, the controller  61  extracts the line segments of cutting Nos.  1 ,  5 ,  9 ,  13 ,  14  and  16  and parts of the line segments of cutting Nos.  10  to  12  and  15 . Extracted line segments form a stretch of outline as shown by solid line (cutting No.  1 ) in  FIG. 11E . The controller  61  then generates cutting data with the apex P 0  serving as cutting start and end points P 13  based on coordinate data of apexes P 0  to P 12  composing data of the line segments (step S 6 ). Generated cutting data has first coordinate data, second coordinate data, third coordinate data, and fourteenth coordinate data corresponding to cutting start point P 0 , apex P 1 , apex P 2 , . . . and cutting end point P 13  respectively. 
     The controller  61  further generates cutting data for line segments other than the outline of the pattern group, based on the line segment data of the pattern group (step S 7 ). More specifically, the controller  61  extracts line segments (shown by broken line in  FIG. 11E ) obtained by removing the outline from all the line segments constituting the pattern group. The controller  61  carries out a process of rearranging the line segment data in a new order, based on coordinate data of the start and end points composing the line segment data. Cutting data for cutting line segments in the order of cutting Nos.  2  to  8  in  FIG. 11E  is generated by the rearranging process. New cutting data of cutting Nos.  1  to  8  (full data) is thus generated as shown in  FIG. 12 . The full data includes coordinate data of outline of cutting No.  1 , line segments of cutting Nos.  2  to  4  in the inclined direction, line segments of cutting Nos.  5  to  7  in the Y direction, line segment of cutting No.  8  in the X direction and delimiter data affixed to respective ends of cutting data. Mask information as shown on top of  FIG. 12  is represented as a minimum rectangular frame (not shown) surrounding the outline of cutting No.  1 . The reason for this is that patterns A to H are regarded as a single pattern group as described above. 
     The controller  61  then writes generated new full data into the RAM  63  thereby to update the full data, ending the process. On the other hand, when determining that the high-speed cutting process is not set at step S 5  (NO), the controller  61  writes the full data generated at steps S 1  to S 4  into the RAM  63  thereby to update the full data, ending the process. 
     Subsequently, when the high-speed cutting process is to be executed, the object  6  on the holding sheet  10  is cut on the basis of the generated the new full data (see  FIG. 12 ). As a result, the cutter  4  is moved relative to the object  6  so that the outline of the pattern group constituted by the patterns A to H shown by solid line in  FIG. 11E  is cut collectively in continuity. Consequently, the outline of pattern group is effectively cut in continuity without the cutter  4  being spaced from the object  6 . 
     The line segments of cutting Nos.  5  to  7  in  FIG. 11E  partially overlap between neighboring patterns in the high-speed cutting process. Accordingly, a cutting time is reduced by half regarding each overlapping part. Furthermore, the cutter  4  can efficiently cut the line segments of cutting Nos.  2  to  4  and the line segments of cutting Nos.  5  to  7  as shown by broken line in  FIG. 11E  without the direction of the blade being changed. 
     Furthermore, the whole length of the cutting line in the case of cutting a plurality of patterns A to H is reduced since the cutting is carried out on the basis of new full data regardless of set or unset high-speed cutting process. This is obvious from the comparison of  FIG. 9A  with  FIG. 11D  or  11 E. In other words, this can reduce the relative movement of the cutter  4  during the cutting or the number of times of back feed of the holding sheet  10 . Consequently, the occurrence of displacement of cutting position due to back feed of the holding sheet  10  can be reduced as much as possible while the cutting time is reduced. 
     The object  6  is pressed by the contact surface  56   f  as the result of drive of the solenoid  57  during the cutting. Accordingly, the object  6  can be held so as not to be displaced, by the pressing of the contact surface  56   f  as well as by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer  10   a  of the holding sheet  10 . Additionally, the pressing member  56  is moved relative to the object  6  in the cutting. Since the contact surface of the pressing member  56  is made of a low-friction material, a frictional force generated between the contact surface  56   f  and the object  6  can be reduced as much as possible. Consequently, the displacement of the object  6  due to the frictional force can also be prevented, whereupon the object  6  can be held more reliably and a more accurate cutting line can be formed. 
     As understood from the foregoing, the controller  61  in the example executes a disposing routine (step S 1 ) of disposing a plurality of patterns A to H so that at least a part of cutting lines of the patterns A to H including a plurality of continuous line segments A 1  to A 4 , and H 1  to H 4  are neighboring in contact with each other. The controller  61  further executes an extracting routine (step S 2 ) of extracting the contact portions of the cutting lines of the patterns A to H (step S 2 ), a connecting routine (step S 2 ) of connecting the cutting lines so that the cutting lines of the patterns A to H are joined with one another at the contact portions or so that the cutting lines of the patterns A to H and the contact portions are commonalized, and a cutting data generating routine of generating cutting data on the basis of the cutting lines of the patterns A to H connected in the connecting routine (see steps S 3  and S 4 ). 
     According to this configuration, the controller  61  can generate, as a cutting data generating unit, the cutting data in which the cutting lines are connected so that the cutting lines of the patterns A to H are joined with one another or commonalized. Accordingly, based on the generated cutting data, the patterns A to H can continuously be cut by using the contact portions or the commonalized cutting lines can be cut at once. Consequently, useless relative movement of the cutter  4  can be eliminated, whereby the cutting time can be reduced. 
     The controller  61  serves as an arranging unit which arranges the patterns A to H so that the line segments constituting the neighboring patterns overlap. According to this control manner, the cutting data of patterns A to H can be generated in which line segments of neighboring patterns overlap. Consequently, the cutting lines of neighboring patterns can collectively be cut along the line segments. Accordingly, the entire length of the cutting line necessary for the cutting of the patterns A to H is reduced, with the result of reduction in the cutting time. 
     The controller  61  connects the cutting lines of the neighboring patterns together as a cutting line to be cut consecutively. According to this configuration, the cutting data is generated on which the neighboring patterns are consecutively cut. Consequently, the neighboring patterns can consecutively cut on the basis of the cutting data. 
     When the neighboring patterns have linearly consecutive line segments of the cutting lines, the controller  61  connects these line segments together into a cutting line to be cut as a single line segment. According to this, the cutting data can be generated on which a plurality of line segments is effectively cut as a single line segment over a plurality of patterns. Furthermore, the line segments of cutting Nos.  13  and  16  in  FIG. 11D  and a part of the line segments constituting the outline in  FIG. 11E  are cut so that regions in which the patterns A to H are formed in the object  6  are divided by linear line segments. Consequently, the yield of the object  6  can be improved. 
     The cutter  4  is configured to be subjected to the resistance force of the object  6  and to change the direction of the blade  4   a  thereof by the movement relative to the object  6 . Furthermore, the cutting data generating unit generates the cutting data on which when the line segments that are common to a plurality of patterns A to extend in the same direction, the line segments of these cutting lines are sequentially cut without change in the direction of the blade  4   a . According to this, even when the cutter  4  is configured to be capable of changing the direction of the blade  4   a , the cutting lines extending in the same direction can sequentially be cut without requirement of an operation to change the direction of the blade  4   a . Accordingly, the time for changing the direction of the blade  4   c  can be eliminated. 
     The controller  61  regards the patterns A to H, as a single pattern group and generates the cutting data on which the cutting line of the outline of the whole pattern group is continuously cut. This can generate the cutting data on which the outline of the pattern group unifying the patterns A to H, that is, a stretch of cutting line is formed (see steps S 6  and S 7  and  FIG. 11E ). Consequently, the time required for the cutting of the patterns A to H can be reduced to a large extent. 
     Second Example 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate a second example. Differences of the second example from the first one will be described in the following. Identical or similar parts in the second example will be labeled by the same reference symbols as those in the first example. 
     In the cutting apparatus  1 , new cutting data (see  FIG. 12 ) is generated on the basis of the existing cutting data (the full data as shown in  FIG. 10 ) provided for cutting a plurality of patterns A to H, as described above. The new cutting data can be stored in a storage unit such as the RAM  63  or the like, as data capable of significantly reducing the cutting time. Furthermore, in the cutting apparatus  1 , new cutting data can be generated when the cutting data processing program is executed for existing cutting data on which various shapes and the numbers of patterns are cut as well as the patterns A to H. 
     More specifically, patterns O to Z exemplified in  FIG. 14A  are cut on the basis of existing cutting data.  FIG. 14A  shows six square patterns O to T on the top column, three trapezoidal patterns U to W on the middle column and three trapezoidal patterns X to Z on the lowest column. A cutting line of pattern O includes four line segments O 1  to O 4  and is a closed square having cutting start and end points corresponding to each other. An arrow of two-dot chain line inside the cutting line shows a cutting direction and order of line segments O 1  to O 4  of the pattern O. Cutting data (not shown) of the pattern O is composed of data of first to fifth coordinates corresponding to respective apexes. Each one of the other patterns P to T is a square comprising four line segments in the same manner as the pattern O. Coordinate values (first to fifth coordinate data) of the patterns P to T are set so that the respective patterns O to T are spaced from one another. “Mask information” in cutting data of the patterns O to T indicates that rectangular frames are squares corresponding to the patterns O to T, respectively (not shown). 
     In the cutting apparatus  1 , new cutting data is generated on the basis of the existing full data provided for cutting the patterns O to T. In this case, the controller  61  executes the following processing instead of the above-described steps S 2  to S 4 . More specifically, the controller  61  generates cutting data of cutting lines along which the patterns O to T are cut for every pattern in the order of the patterns O to T. Regarding overlapping line segments, the line segment to be firstly cut is excluded from the cutting lines. A pattern group as shown on the top column in  FIG. 14B  is formed based on the new cutting data. In this case, line segments to be cut include four line segments O 1  to O 4  of pattern O, three line segments (C-shaped line segments of cutting Nos.  2  to  4 ) of patterns P to R and two line segments of patterns S and T (inverted L-shaped line segments of cutting Nos.  5  and  6 ). These line segments are cut for every pattern. 
     The cutting line of pattern U as shown on the middle column in  FIG. 14A  includes four line segments U 1  to U 4 . The cutting line has a pair of parallel opposite sides U 1  and U 3  at both sides thereof respectively. Arrows of two-dot chain line inside the cutting line show a cutting direction and order of line segments U 1  to U 4  of pattern U. Cutting data of pattern U has first to fifth coordinate data (not shown) corresponding to respective apexes. Each one of the other patterns V and W also has a trapezoidal shape comprising four line segments in the same manner as the pattern U. The patterns V and W have coordinate values which are set so that the patterns U to W are spaced from one another. 
     New cutting data is generated on the basis of the existing full data for the cutting of patterns U to W by the execution of a cutting data processing program. 
     More specifically, steps S 1  to S 7  are executed so that cutting data is generated regarding the cutting line of the pattern group shown on the middle column in FIG.  14 B. Based on the new cutting data, a pattern group is formed which is arranged so that parallel line segments (opposite sides) in patterns U to W overlap. In this case, an outline (see cutting No.  1  in  FIG. 14B ) unifying the patterns U to W is cut and the remaining overlapping line segments (see cutting Nos.  2  and  3 ) are also cut. 
     The cutting line of pattern X as shown on the lowest column of  FIG. 14A  comprises four line segments X 1  to X 4 . The cutting line has parallel upper and lower bases X 4  and X 2 . An arrow of two-dot chain line inside the cutting line shows a cutting direction and order of line segments X 1  to X 4  of the pattern X. 
     Cutting data of the pattern X has first to fifth coordinate data (not shown) corresponding to respective apexes. Each of the other patterns Y and Z is a trapezoid comprising four line segments in the same manner as the pattern X. Coordinate values of the patterns Y and Z are set so that the respective patterns Y to Z are spaced from each other. 
     New cutting data is generated on the basis of the existing full data for the cutting of patterns X to Z by the execution of a cutting data processing program. More specifically, steps S 1  to S 7  arc executed so that cutting data is generated regarding the cutting line of the pattern group shown on the lowest column in  FIG. 14B . Based on the new cutting data, a pattern group is formed which is arranged so that the patterns X to Z are brought into point contact with one another at lower apexes. In this case, all the patterns X to Z can be cut when the cutting is executed only along an outline (see cutting No.  1  in  FIG. 14B ) unifying the patterns X to Z. 
     As described above, when the patterns are square in shape as the patterns O to T as shown on the top column in  FIG. 14B , the cutting data can be generated on which all the line segments other than the outline of the pattern group are arranged so as to overlap. Accordingly, differing from the first example, the second example can reduce the cutting line by half regarding the patterns S and T even when the patterns are cut for every pattern. Furthermore, the entire length of the cutting line necessary for the cutting of the patterns O to T can be reduced, whereby an efficient cutting can be executed. 
     As shown on the middle column in  FIG. 14B , cutting data can be generated on which the patterns U to W are arranged in a predetermined direction (the X direction, for example) and the line segments other than the outline of the pattern group overlap. Consequently, the patterns U to W can be cut out by setting the high-speed cutting process and by cutting the outline (see cutting No.  1  in  FIG. 14B ) formed by unifying the patterns U to W and the remaining overlapping line segments (see cutting Nos.  2  and  3 ). 
     As shown on the lowest column in  FIG. 14B , the cutting data can be generated on which the neighboring patterns X to Z are arranged so that all the cutting lines are consecutively (in a unicursal manner) connected together. Accordingly, delimiter data between the patterns X to Z can be eliminated. Consequently, the blade edge  4   c  of the cutter  4  need not be spaced from the object  6  so as to be moved to the position corresponding to the cutting start point of the next pattern relative to the object  6 , with the result that the cutting time can be reduced as much as possible. 
     Third Example 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate a third example. Differences of the third example from the second one will be described in the following. Identical or similar parts in the third example will be labeled by the same reference symbols as those in the second example. 
     The cutting apparatus  1  of the second example is configured to change the disposition of the patterns X to Z which are originally cut independently based on the existing full data. On the other hand, in the cutting apparatus  1  of the third example, a plurality of patterns X to Z is arranged using the cutting data of a single existing pattern X. More specifically, new cutting data is generated based on single cutting data of pattern X as shown in  FIG. 15A . In the new cutting data, the same patterns X to Z are arranged in a predetermined direction (the X or Y direction). In this case, the line segments of the rectangular frame L of the pattern X are connected to new line segments of the rectangular frames L of the patterns Y and Z linearly in the X direction. 
     Accordingly, when arranged in the Y direction as shown in  FIG. 15B , the patterns X to Z can be cut out only by cutting the outline of cutting No.  1  and the line segments of cutting Nos.  2  and  3  in the same manner as the patterns U to W in  FIG. 14B . On the other hand, when the patterns X to Z are arranged in the X direction, the cutting data can be generated on which the cutting lines are connected together between the neighboring patters in the unicursal manner. 
     The cutting data of three or more patterns may be generated from a single existing pattern X. The cutting apparatus  1  may be configured so that the direction in which the patterns are arranged can be designated via one or more of the operation switches  65  or the like by the user. 
     Fourth Example 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a fourth example. Differences of the fourth example from the first one will be described in the following. Identical or similar parts in the fourth example will be labeled by the same reference symbols as those in the first example. 
       FIG. 16  shows a personal computer (hereinafter, “PC  80 ”) which is configured as a cutting data processing device processing the above-described cutting data. More specifically, PC  80  includes a controller  81  mainly constituted by a computer (CPU). A ROM  82 , a RAM  83  and an EEPROM  84  are connected to the control circuit  81 . An input section  85  and a display section  86  are also connected to the PC  80 . The input section  85  includes a key board, a mouse and the like which are operated by the user for various instructions, selection and input operation. The display section  86  includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) which displays messages or the like necessary for the user. 
     The PC  80  includes a communication section  87  provided for wired connection to the cutting apparatus  1 . On the other hand, the cutting apparatus  1  includes a communication section  79 . Both communication sections  79  and  8  are connected together via a cable  87   a , whereby data including the aforesaid cutting data and region data can be transmitted and received between the PC  80  and the cutting apparatus  1 . Alternatively, the PC  80  and the cutting apparatus  1  may be wireless-connected. The controller  81  serving as a control unit controls the entire PC  80  and executes the cutting data processing program and the like. The ROM  82  stores the cutting data processing program and the like. The RAM  83  temporarily stores data and programs necessary for various processings. The RAM  83  has a storage region provided for storing cutting data and the like in the same manner as in the first example. The EEPROM  84  stores various cutting data (including full data). 
     The controller  81  reads the cutting data from the EEPROM  84  to execute the processing of the cutting data processing program, that is, the processing of the flowchart of  FIG. 13 . The controller  81  generates new cutting data which is capable of significant reduction of a cutting time, based on the existing cutting data for cutting a plurality of patterns. The generated cutting data is overwritten on the EEPROM  84 . The cutting apparatus  1  cuts the object  6  based on the generated cutting data transmitted from the PC  80 . 
     As described above, the controller  81  serves as an arranging unit, an extraction unit, a connecting unit and a cutting data generating unit in the same manner as in the first example. Accordingly, the controller  81  can generate new cutting data connected so that the cutting lines of the patterns are joined with one another or commonalized, based on the existing cutting data. Thus, the fourth example can achieve the same advantageous effects as those of the first to third examples. 
     The above-described examples should not be restrictive but may be modified or expanded as follows. The cutting apparatus  1  should not be limited by the above-described cutting plotter. The cutting apparatus  1  may be various types of devices or apparatuses provided with respective cutting functions. 
     The cutting data processing program stored in the cutting apparatus  1  or the storage unit of the PC  80  may be stored in a computer readable storage medium including a USB memory, a CD-ROM, a flexible disc, a DVD and a flash memory. In this case, when the cutting data processing program is read from the storage medium by computers of various data processing devices, the same operation and advantageous effects as those achieved by the foregoing examples can be achieved. 
     The foregoing description and drawings are merely illustrative of the present disclosure and are not to be construed in a limiting sense. Various changes and modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such changes and modifications are seen to fall within the scope of the appended claims.