Abstract:
In a machining system that conducts nesting to arrange parts over a workpiece and machines the workpiece with a machine tool according to a result of the nesting, there is an automatic programming device for preparing a nesting machining program for the machine tool, wherein nested workpiece information relating to the workpiece nested is acquired according to the information relating to the parts and the information relating to the workpiece, sections that require no re-nesting in the nested workpiece information are locked according to the operator&#39;s designation, re-nesting is conducted on sections other than the locked sections.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an automatic programming device and a method therefor, for preparing a nesting program to nest (make a cutting plan of) parts over a workpiece such as a sheet (sheet material) and machine the parts. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Conventionally, an operator checks an entire layout of parts automatically arranged over a plurality of sheets according to automatic nesting. If found a low-yield sheet, the operator conducts optimization by manually rearranging parts with the use of parts moving and copying commands. 
         [0003]    For example, a high-yield layout of parts PX and PY shown in  FIG. 9  is unachievable by automation. If such parts PX and PY are automatically nested, a low-yield layout will be made, and therefore, the operator has to manually arrange the parts PX and PY. 
       PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
       [0004]    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-007274 
         [0005]    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-007275 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to the conventional automatic nesting, an operator must entirely manually edit parts on a sheet with the use of sheet editing commands, thereby needing time and labor for optimization. In particular, if the editing must be carried out over a plurality of sheets, there will be a problem of further increasing labor of the operator. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems. An object of the invention is to provide an automatic programming device and a method therefor, capable of simplifying a sheet program data editing operation conducted by operator and shortening a data preparation time. 
         [0008]    In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one characteristic of the present invention provides an automatic programming device for preparing a nesting machining program for a machine tool in a machining system that conducts nesting to arrange parts over a workpiece and machines the workpiece with the machine tool according to a result of the nesting. 
         [0009]    The automatic programming device includes a storage means to store information relating to the parts subjected to the nesting and information relating to the workpiece, an input means with which an operator designates parts or sheets, and a control means to carry out: 
         [0010]    (A) a process of acquiring nested workpiece information relating to the workpiece nested according to the information relating to the parts and the information relating to the workpiece; 
         [0011]    (B) a process of locking sections that require no re-nesting in the nested workpiece information according to the operator&#39;s designation; 
         [0012]    (C) a process of conducting re-nesting on sections other than the locked sections; and 
         [0013]    (D) a process of preparing a nesting machining program according to all nesting results. 
         [0014]    According to another characteristic of the present invention, the control means sets priority order on the sections other than the locked sections, and according to the priority order, conducts the re-nesting process on the sections other than the locked sections. 
         [0015]    According to another characteristic of the present invention, the locked sections are at least one of the parts and sheets. 
         [0016]    Another characteristic of the present invention provides an automatic programming method for an automatic programming device having an input means, a storage means, and a control means in a machining system that conducts nesting to arrange parts over a workpiece, and according to a result of the nesting, makes a machining tool machine the workpiece, the method allowing the automatic programming device to prepare a nesting machining program for the machine tool and including: 
         [0017]    (A) a step of making the control means acquire nested workpiece information relating to the workpiece nested according to information relating to the parts and workpiece read out of the storage means; 
         [0018]    (B) a step of making the control means lock sections that require no re-nesting in the nested workpiece information according to operator&#39;s designation entered with the input means; 
         [0019]    (C) a step of making the control means conduct re-nesting on sections other than the sections locked in the step (B); and 
         [0020]    (D) a step of making the control means prepare a nesting machining program according to all nesting results. 
         [0021]    According to another characteristic of the present invention, the locked sections are at least one of the parts and sheets. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory view schematically showing a laser machining system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic programming device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a nesting program preparing operation of the automatic programming device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is an explanatory view showing a nesting program preparing operation of the automatic programming device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an explanatory view showing a nesting program preparing operation of the automatic programming device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing, in a parts-positions-locked state in the flowchart of  FIG. 3 , a process of acquiring information relating to parts to be nested and a process of acquiring information relating to target sheets and priority order thereof. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing, in a sheet-locked state in the flowchart of  FIG. 3 , a process of acquiring information relating to parts to be nested and a process of acquiring information relating to target sheets and priority order thereof. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is an explanatory view showing a nesting program preparing operation of the automatic programming device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a conventional view explaining a related art. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory view schematically showing a laser machining system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0033]    In this embodiment, a machine tool that machines parts after the parts are nested is a laser machine tool as an example. The present invention is not limited to this and is applicable to an NC turret punch press, a combined machine, and the like. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the laser machining system  1  has an automatic programming device (control means)  7  that uses data of workpieces (sheets) in a database (storage means)  3 , to prepare a machining program for the laser machine tool  5 . NC data based on a given machining program prepared by the automatic programming device  7  is converted by an NC device  9  into drive data, which is sent to the laser machine tool  5 . According to the drive data, a control device  11  of the laser machine tool  5  controls various locations to laser-machine a workpiece on a laser machining table. 
         [0035]    The database  3  also stores data of machined parts. The control device  11  of the laser machine tool  5  is provided with a display unit  13  to display various pieces of information. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the automatic programming device  7  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the automatic programming device  7  is a computer having a CPU  15  connected to a ROM  17  and a RAM  19 . The CPU  15  is also connected to an input device (input means)  21  such as a keyboard and a display device  23  such as a display. The CPU  15  is connected to the database  3 . 
         [0038]    In the automatic programming device  7 , the CPU  15  follows instructions given by an operator through the input device  21 , uses data in the database  3 , employs the RAM  19  according to a computer program from the ROM  17 , and prepares for the laser machine tool  1  a machining program that includes a nesting process to be explained later. 
         [0039]    Next, with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 8 , a nesting program preparing operation of the automatic programming device  7  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  will be explained. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a nesting program preparing operation of the automatic programming device  7  and  FIGS. 4, 5, and 8  are explanatory views showing the nesting program preparing operation of the automatic programming device  7 . 
         [0041]    First, in step SA 01 , the automatic programming device  7  acquires nesting sheet information (sheet names, the number of sheets, and the like) automatically nested by automatic nesting or manual nesting on the basis of sheet and parts data. 
         [0042]    In step SA 02 , the automatic programming device  7  locks in the nesting sheet information parts arrangements that have been designated by the operator as not requiring re-nesting. For example, the operator designates with the input device  21  serving as the input means the parts arrangements shown in  FIG. 4( a )  as parts arrangements not requiring re-nesting. Once the parts arrangements are locked, there will be a sheet ST 1  having locked parts P 1  to P 4  as shown in  FIG. 4( b ) . A lock mark A 1  shown in  FIG. 4( b )  indicates that the parts P 1  to P 4  are locked along the periphery of the sheet ST 1 . 
         [0043]    Locking a parts arrangement is carried out by the operator who specifies with the input device  21  the parts arrangement on the display device  23 . 
         [0044]    Next, in step SA 03 , the automatic programming device  7  locks in the nesting sheet information a high-yield sheet designated by the operator as not requiring re-nesting. 
         [0045]    For example, there are a plurality of sheets ST 1 , ST 2 , and ST 3  in  FIG. 5( a ) . As shown in  FIG. 5( b ) , the sheet ST 1  designated by the operator as a high-yield sheet not requiring re-nesting is locked and low-yield sheets ST 2  and ST 3  are unlocked. In  FIG. 5( b ) , a lock mark A 2  indicates that the sheet ST 1  is locked and lock marks A 3  and A 4  indicate that the sheets ST 2  and ST 3  are unlocked. 
         [0046]    Locking a high-yield sheet is carried out by the operator by specifying with the input device  21  serving as the input means one or more of a plurality of sheets displayed on the display device  23 . 
         [0047]    In this example, high-yield sheets not requiring re-nesting are specified by the operator. Instead, the high-yield sheets not requiring re-nesting may automatically be specified and locked. 
         [0048]    Next, in step SA 04 , the automatic programming device  7  acquires information relating to parts to be nested, and in step SA 05 , acquires information relating to target sheets and priority order thereof. The steps SA 04  and SA 05  will be explained in detail in each of the cases of locking parts positions (step SA 02 ) and locking sheets (step SA 03 ). 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a process of acquiring information relating to parts to be nested and a process of acquiring information relating to target sheets and priority order thereof when parts positions are locked. 
         [0050]    In step SB 01  of  FIG. 6 , the automatic programming device  7  acquires information relating to parts that are not locked as information relating to parts to be nested (parts that must automatically be arranged). For example, the operator specifies the parts arrangements shown in  FIG. 4( a )  and locks the parts arrangements. At this time, parts P 5  to P 8  shown in  FIG. 4( c )  are assumed to be unlocked parts. Then, information relating to the parts P 5  to P 8  is acquired as the information relating to parts to be nested. 
         [0051]    In step SB 02 , the automatic programming device  7  stores as a user designated sheet a section other than the parts-arrangement-locked sections. For example, an inner section of the locked parts P 1  to P 4  on the sheet ST 1  shown in  FIG. 4( b )  is stored as a user designated sheet. 
         [0052]    In step SB 03 , the automatic programming device  7  sets priority order on the stored user designated sheet. For example, the user designated sheet of the inner section of the locked parts P 1  to P 4  on the sheet ST 1  shown in  FIG. 4( b )  is provided with a priority order of Priority-1. 
         [0053]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , in step SA 06 , the automatic programming device  7  executes a re-nesting process in the above-mentioned state, to nest the parts P 5  to P 8  (refer to  FIG. 4( c ) ) obtained from the information relating to parts to be nested over the user designated sheet (the inner section of the locked parts P 1  to P 4  on the sheet ST 1 ) stored with the priority order of Priority-1, thereby providing a result shown in  FIG. 4( d ) . 
         [0054]    In this explanation, there is one level of priority order (Priority-1). If there are a plurality of user designated sheets having a plurality of levels of priority order, parts to be nested are nested on user designated sheets according to the levels of priority order. 
         [0055]    Next, in step SA 07 , the automatic programming device  7  displays a result of the nesting (for example, the state shown in  FIG. 4( d ) ) on the display device  23 . 
         [0056]    Thereafter, in step SA 09 , the automatic programming device  7  prepares a nesting machining program according to all nesting results. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing a process of acquiring information relating to parts to be nested and a process of acquiring information relating to target sheets and priority order thereof when sheets are locked. 
         [0058]    In step SC 01  of  FIG. 7 , the automatic programming device  7  acquires information relating to parts to be nested from sheets that are not locked. For example, in  FIG. 5( b ) , a sheet ST 1  is locked and sheets ST 2  and ST 3  are not locked. In this case, information relating to parts P 9  to P 16  on the sheets ST 2  and ST 3  is acquired as the information relating to parts to be nested. 
         [0059]    In step SC 02 , the automatic programming device  7  acquires information relating to the unlocked sheets as acquired material information (sheets that must automatically be arranged). For example, the sheets ST 2  and ST 3  shown in  FIG. 5( b )  that are unlocked are acquired as the acquired material information. 
         [0060]    In step SC 03 , the automatic programming device  7  sets priority order on the acquired material information. For example, the sheets ST 2  and ST 3  shown in  FIG. 5( b )  are provided with Priority-2 and Priority-3, respectively. 
         [0061]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , in step SA 06 , the automatic programming device  7  executes a re-nesting process in the above-mentioned state, to nest the parts P 9  to P 16  contained in the information relating to parts to be nested over the acquired material information (sheet ST 2 ) stored with the priority order of Priority-2, thereby providing a result shown in  FIG. 8( c ) . 
         [0062]    In this example, there are two levels of priority order (Priority-2 and Priority-3). A case with a larger number of levels of priority order is manageable in a similar manner. 
         [0063]    The re-nesting process to nest parts to be nested is carried out in order of the case when parts positions are locked and the case when sheets are locked. 
         [0064]    Next, in step SA 07 , the automatic programming device  7  displays a result of the nesting (for example, the state shown in  FIG. 8( c ) ) on the display device  23 . 
         [0065]    Thereafter, all nesting results are checked, parts arrangements are determined, and the nesting machining program preparing process ends (step SA 09 ). 
         [0066]    As mentioned above, this embodiment checks layouts of sheets on which parts are automatically arranged, designates only sheets or parts that must automatically be arranged, and automatically arranges them, thereby providing effects of simplifying a data preparing operation, shortening a data preparation time, and reducing data preparation errors. 
         [0067]    The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and is properly modifiable to realize other embodiments. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0068]    The present invention is able to simplify a sheet program data preparing operation carried out by operator and shorten a data preparation time.