Patent ID: 12233480

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are just examples and a variety of modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device in a first embodiment. The information processing device100is a device that simulates whether an object rises or not. Further, the information processing device100is a device that executes a judgment method.

Here, hardware included in the information processing device100will be described.

FIG.2is a diagram showing the configuration of the hardware included in the information processing device in the first embodiment. The information processing device100includes a processor101, a volatile storage device102and a nonvolatile storage device103.

The processor101controls the whole of the information processing device100. For example, the processor101is a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or the like. The processor101can also be a multiprocessor. The information processing device100may be implemented by either a processing circuitry or software, firmware or a combination of software and firmware. Incidentally, the processing circuitry can be either a single circuit or a combined circuit.

The volatile storage device102is main storage of the information processing device100. For example, the volatile storage device102is a Random Access Memory (RAM). The nonvolatile storage device103is auxiliary storage of the information processing device100. For example, the nonvolatile storage device103is a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a Solid State Drive (SSD).

Further, the information processing device100is connected to an input device and a display. For example, the input device is a keyboard or a pointing device. Incidentally, illustration of the input device and the display is left out inFIG.2.

Returning toFIG.1, the information processing device100will be described below.

The information processing device100includes a storage unit110, a cutout region extraction unit120, a barycenter calculation unit130, a support extraction unit140, a judgment unit150, a rotation axis determination unit160, a height determination unit170and an output unit160.

The storage unit110may be implemented as a storage area secured in the volatile storage device102or the nonvolatile storage device103.

Part or all of the cutout region extraction unit120, the barycenter calculation unit130, the support extraction unit140, the judgment unit150, the rotation axis determination unit160, the height determination unit170and the output unit180may be implemented by the processor101.

Part or all of the cutout region extraction unit120, the barycenter calculation unit130, the support extraction unit140, the judgment unit150, the rotation axis determination unit160, the height determination unit170and the output unit180may be implemented as modules of a program executed by the processor101. For example, the program, executed by the processor101is referred to also as a judgment program. The judgment program has been recorded in a record medium, for example.

The storage unit110stores various items of information.

The cutout region extraction unit120acquires processing information from the storage unit110. It is also possible for the cutout region extraction unit120to acquire the processing information from something other than the storage unit110. The processing information is information regarding the processing of an object corresponding to a region cut out by a laser processing machine. As a concrete example, the processing information includes Numerical Control (NC) coordinates representing places where a head that outputs a laser beam passes through and information indicating whether the laser beam should be outputted or not at each of the NC coordinates. The NC coordinates are referred to as an apex or spices. Incidentally, the laser processing machine is a two-dimensional laser processing machine.

The cutout region extraction unit120extracts a region to be cut out by the laser processing machine based on the processing information. The region to be cut out is referred to as a cutout region. The region to be cut out may also be represented as a region to be cut away from a work that is a material.

Here, processes executed by the cutout region extraction unit120will be described by usingFIGS.3to9.

FIG.3is a diagram (No.1) for explaining a process executed by the cutout region extraction unit in the first embodiment.

First, a set of apices from a cutting process starting point to a cutting process ending point is referred to as a graph. For example,FIG.3shows a graph11and a graph12.

The apices forming a graph are referred to as nodes. For example,FIG.3shows nodes13. A line connecting a node and a node is referred to as a link. For example,FIG.3shows links14.

The cutout region extraction unit120executes various processes for each apex indicated by the processing information according to a processing order. The processes will be described in detail below.

When executing a process for the next apex, the cutout region extraction unit120executes an intersection judgment based on a line connecting an immediately previous node and the apex and links in all graphs. The cutout region extraction unit120calculates intersection points based on the intersection judgment. Since there is a possibility that the line connecting the immediately previous node and the apex intersects with a plurality of links, the cutout region extraction unit120sorts the calculated intersection points in the order of closeness to the immediately previous node. This will be explained below by usingFIG.4.

FIG.4is a diagram (No.2) for explaining a process executed by the cutout region extraction unit in the first embodiment.FIG.4shows nodes21to24. Further,FIG.4shows intersection points25to27. For example, when cutting is executed towards the node24subsequently to the node23, the cutout region extraction unit120sorts the intersection points in the order of the intersection points25,26and27.

Incidentally, when there is no intersection point as the result of the intersection judgment, the cutout region extraction unit120specifies the next apex as a node. The cutout region extraction unit120connects the node and the immediately previous node. By this operation, the cutout region extraction unit120is capable of generating a link.

When one or more intersection points have been calculated as the result of the intersection judgment, there is a possibility that a closed region has been generated, and thus the cutout region extraction unit120executes a closed region detection process in the sorted order. In the detection process, each intersection point is handled as a node. The cutout region extraction unit120segments an intersecting link. The cutout region extraction unit120generates two links based on the intersection point handled as a node and nodes situated at both ends of the intersecting link. For example, the cutout region extraction unit120segments a link connecting the node21and the node22. Then, the cutout region extraction unit120generates a link connecting the node21and the intersection point25and a link connecting the node22and the intersection point25. Further, the cutout region extraction unit120generates a link connecting the node23and the intersection point25. For example, the cutout region extraction unit120detects the node23subsequently to the intersection point25by using the intersection point25as a starting point, via a link. The cutout region extraction unit120detects the node22subsequently to the node23via a link. The cutout region extraction unit120detects the intersection point25subsequently to the node22via a link. When the intersection point25is used as a starting point and the intersection point25is detected again as above, the cutout region extraction unit120detects a closed region28. Incidentally, when the cutout region extraction120detects a plurality of nodes respectively connected to a plurality of links connected to a certain node, the cutout region extraction unit120specifies the plurality of nodes as detection targets. For example, when the cutout region extraction unit120detects the nodes22and23respectively connected to a plurality of links connected to the intersection point25handled as a node, the cutout region extraction unit120specifies the nodes22and23as detection targets.

Here, the node23is referred to also as first coordinates. The node24is referred to also as second coordinates. The link connecting the node23and the node24is referred to also as a first line. The link connecting the node21and the node22is referred to also as a second line calculated before the first line.

As above, the cutout region extraction unit120calculates the intersection point25where the link connecting the node21and the node22and the link connecting the node23and the node24intersect with each other. The cutout region extraction unit120extracts the closed region28, which is a closed region based on the node22, the node23and the intersection point25, as a cutout region.

In the detection process, when the cutout region extraction unit120detects a node other than the starting point twice, the cutout region extraction unit120ends the detection process. When the detection process is ended, the cutout region extraction unit120excludes the links from the detection targets. For example, the starting point is assumed here to be the intersection point26. Since a link connecting the intersection point25and the intersection point26and a link connecting the node23and the intersection point26are situated on the same straight line, the cutout region extraction unit120excludes a link connecting the node23and the intersection point25from the detection targets. In a process of detecting nodes in the order of the intersection point25, the node22and the node23, the intersection point25is detected again. Therefore, the cutout region extraction unit120ends the detection process. Then, the cutout region extraction unit120excludes the link connecting the node22and the node23, the link connecting the node22and the intersection point25and the link connecting the node23and the intersection point25from the detection targets. Then, the cutout region extraction unit120detects the node21subsequently to the intersection point25via a link. The cutout region extraction unit120detects the intersection point26subsequently to the node21via a link. Since the intersection point26is used as the starting point and the intersection point26is detected again as above, the cutout region extraction unit120detects a closed region29.

FIG.5is a diagram (No.3) for explaining a process executed by the cutout region extraction unit in the first embodiment.FIG.5shows nodes31to35.

Further,FIG.5shows a region of the nodes31,32,33and34and a region of the nodes31,34and35. When a cutting process is executed in the order of the node31, the node32, the node33, the node34, the node35, the node31and the node34, the region of the nodes31,32,33and34and the region of the nodes31,34and35are detected as cutout regions. Which cutout region, i.e., which of the region of the nodes31,32,33and34and the region of the nodes31,34and35, is selected as a new cutout region will be explained below. The cutout region extraction unit120compares the nodes31,32,33and34and the nodes31,34and35. Then, the cutout region extraction unit120extracts one node that is not common. For example, the cutout region extraction unit120extracts the node35. The node35is contained in the region of the nodes31,32,33and34. When the node not common is contained in the other region as above, the cutout reg-on extraction unit120judges the region including the node not common as the new cutout region. For example, the cutout region extraction unit120judges the region of the nodes31,34and35as the new cutout region.

When a cutting process is executed in the order of the node31, the node32, the node33, the node34, the node35, the node31and the node34, the node35, the link connecting the node31and the node35and the link connecting the node34and the node35are cut away. Therefore, the cutout region extraction unit120excludes the node35, the link connecting the node31and the node35and the link connecting the node34and the node35from targets of the judgment process for the extraction as a cutout region. Namely, a link used twice as a link of a cutout region is excluded from the targets of the judgment process for the extraction as a cutout region. Further, the cutout region extraction unit120excludes the node35from the targets due to the exclusion of the link connecting the node31and the node35and the link connecting the node34and the node35from the targets.

FIG.6is a diagram (No.4) for explaining a process executed by the cutout region extraction unit in the first embodiment. When the region42is cut out after the region41is cut out, the cutout region extraction unit120excludes all links and nodes related to the region41from the targets of the judgment process for the extraction as a cutout region. Further, the cutout region extraction unit120manages the links and nodes related to the region41as internal information regarding the region42. The cutout region extraction unit120also manages cutout regions shown inFIG.7in a similar manner.

FIG.7is a diagram (No.5) for explaining a process executed by the cutout region extraction unit in the first embodiment.FIG.7shows nodes51,52,53,54,55,56,57and58and an intersection point59. When a cutting process is executed in the order of the node51, the node52, the node53, the node54, the node55, the node56, the node57, the node58and the node51, a region corresponding to the nodes56,57and58and the intersection point59is cut away. The links and nodes of the region corresponding to the nodes56,57and58and the intersection point59are managed as internal information regarding a region corresponding to the nodes51,52,53,54,55,56,57and58and the intersection point59.

FIG.8is a diagram (No.6) for explaining a process executed by the cutout region extraction unit in the first embodiment.FIG.8shows nodes61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72and73.

When a cutting process is executed in the order of the node61, the node62, the node63, the node64, the node65, the node66, the node67, the node68, the node69, the node70and the node61, the cutting process includes a step of cutting a region that has already been cut out. For example, the step is a step of executing a cutting process in the order of the node72, the node67and the node73. The cutout region extraction unit120does not add the links and nodes corresponding to the region already cut out.

When a processing reference point is contained in another cutout region, the cutout region extraction unit120judges that the processing reference point has already been cut out. Incidentally, the processing reference point is the node67, for example. Further, when the cutout region extraction unit120newly generates a link, if a midpoint of the link to be generated is already contained in another cutout region, the cutout region extraction unit120judges that a processing locus is already contained in another cutout region. In this case, the cutout region extraction unit120does not generate the link connecting nodes.

FIG.9is a diagram (No.7) for explaining a process executed by the cutout region extraction unit in the first embodiment. When the cutout region extraction unit120executes the intersection judgment, there are cases where a graph intersects with another graph. When a graph intersects with another graph, the cutout region extraction unit120combines the former graph and the latter graph.

FIG.9shows graphs81,82and83. The cutout region extraction unit120executes a cutting process in the order of the graph81, the graph82and the graph83. When the cutting process of the graph83is executed by the cutout region extraction unit120, the graph82and the graph83intersect with each other at a point84. Therefore, the cutout region extraction unit120combines the graph82and the graph83together. Then, the cutout region extraction unit120handles the graph82and the graph83as one graph. Further, when the cutting process of the graph83is executed by the cutout region extraction unit120, the graph812and the graph83intersect with each other at a point85. Therefore, the cutout region extraction unit120combines the graph81and the graph83together. Then, the cutout region extraction unit120handles the graph81, the graph82and the graph83as one graph.

As above, the cutout region extraction unit120extracts cutout region information indicating the cutout regions. Further, the cutout region extraction unit120extracts a plurality of sets of apex coordinates indicating the cutout regions.

The barycenter calculation unit130calculates the barycenter of each cutout region. Specifically, the barycenter calculation unit130calculates the barycenter of each cutout region by using a plurality of sets of apex coordinates.

When a region to be at out exists in a cutout region, the barycenter calculation unit130calculates the barycenter of the cutout region in consideration of the region to be cut out. When the cutout region has a concavity, there are cases where the position of the barycenter is outside the cutout region.

The above-described method is just an example of the method of calculating the barycenter. Thus, the barycenter calculation unit130may also calculate the barycenter of the cutout region by a different method.

Further, the barycenter calculation unit130calculates the area of the cutout region. The barycenter calculation unit130calculates the weight of an object corresponding to the cutout region based on the area and a surface density. This calculation method is a calculation method for cases where the object is a metal plate having a uniform surface density. This calculation method is just an example. Thus, the weight may also be calculated by a different calculation method.

As above, the barycenter calculation unit130calculates the barycenter of the cutout region and the weight of an object corresponding to the cutout region. The barycenter of the cutout region may also be represented as the barycenter of an object corresponding to the cutout region.

Next, the support extraction unit140will be described below.

Based on the cutout region information and support information indicating one or more supports supporting the object corresponding to the cutout region, the support extraction unit140extracts a support supporting the object at an outermost position among the one or more supports. Further, the support extraction unit140extracts a support count as the number of supports supporting the object at the outermost positions. Here, the object is a component, for example. In the following description, the object is assumed to be a component.

The method of extracting supports will be described concretely below.

FIG.10shows a concrete example of a support extraction method in the first embodiment.FIG.10indicates an X-axis and a Y-axis. The support extraction unit140acquires information indicating a plurality of supports from the storage unit110. The support extraction unit140combines the information indicating a plurality of supports with the cutout region.FIG.10shows a plurality of supports.FIG.10shows a support201, for example. Here, the support is referred to also as a support member. Here, the one or more supports supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region are represented by two-dimensional coordinates based on the X-axis and the Y-axis. Incidentally, the X-axis is referred to also as a first axis. The Y-axis is referred to also as a second axis.

The support extraction unit140calculates a maximum value and a minimum value of the X coordinate among the one or more supports supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region. Further, the support extraction unit140calculates a maximum value and a minimum value of the Y coordinate among the one or more supports supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region.

The support extraction unit140extracts a support having the minimum value of the X coordinate among the one or more supports supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region. The support extraction unit140extracts a support having a maximum value of the Y coordinate and a support having a minimum value of the Y coordinate from one or more supports situated on an axis202where the minimum value of the X coordinate is situated and supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region. Since there is only one such support inFIG.10, the support extraction unit140extracts a support203.

The support extraction unit140extracts a support205having a maximum value of the Y coordinate and a support206having a minimum value of the Y coordinate from one or more supports situated on an axis204and supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region.

The support extraction unit140generates a line connecting the support203and the support205and a line connecting the support203and the support206. However, when the Y coordinate of the support205is smaller than the Y coordinate of the support203, the support extraction unit140does not generate the line connecting the support203and the support205. Further, when the Y coordinate of the support206is larger than the Y coordinate of the support203, the support extraction unit140does not generate the line connecting the support203and the support206.

The support extraction unit140judges whether or not the Y coordinate of the extracted support equals the calculated maximum value of the Y coordinate or the calculated minimum value of the Y coordinate. When the Y coordinate of the extracted support equals the maximum value of the Y coordinate or the minimum value of the Y coordinate, the support extraction unit140stops the search for the support having the maximum value of the Y coordinate or the support having the minimum value of the Y coordinate. For example, the support extraction unit140stops the search for the support having the minimum value of the Y coordinate since the Y coordinate of the support206equals the calculated minimum value.

Further, when an angle based on the line generated immediately before and the line currently generated is a concave angle or the line generated immediately before and the line currently generated are the same straight line, the support extraction unit140generates a line that connects a support at the other end of the line generated immediately before and the currently detected support.

As above, the support extraction unit140repeats the above-described process for each axis until the support having the calculated maximum value of the Y coordinate and the support having the calculated minimum value of the Y coordinate are extracted.

The support extraction unit140extracts a support having the maximum value of the X coordinate among the one or more supports supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region. The support extraction unit140repeats a process the same as the above-described process for each axis towards a direction in which the X coordinate value decreases.

Then, the support extraction unit140extracts supports corresponding to the maximum coordinate value in regard to the X-axis, the minimum coordinate value in regard to the X-axis, the maximum coordinate value in regard to the Y-axis and the minimum coordinate value in regard to the Y-axis among the one or more supports supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region.

FIG.11is a diagram showing the result of the concrete example of the support extraction method in the first embodiment.FIG.11shows supports211to216extracted by the support extraction unit140.

Then, the support extraction unit140connects the supports corresponding to the maximum coordinate value in regard to the X-axis, the minimum coordinate value in regard to the X-axis, the maximum coordinate value in regard to the Y-axis and the minimum coordinate value in regard to the Y-axis by lines. The plurality of supports connected by the lines constitute a support apex set. A region based on the plurality of supports connected by the lines is referred to as a first region.FIG.11shows a first region217.

After the extraction of the supports, the support extraction unit140extracts the support count. Specifically, the support count is the sum total of the number of supports corresponding to the maximum coordinate value in regard to the X-axis among the supports supporting the component at the outermost positions, the number of supports corresponding to the minimum coordinate value in regard to the X-axis among the supports supporting the component at the outermost positions, the number of supports corresponding to the maximum coordinate value in regard to the Y-axis among the supports supporting the component at the outermost positions, and the number of supports corresponding to the minimum coordinate value in regard to the Y-axis among the supports supporting the component at the outermost positions.FIG.11indicates that the support count is 6.

The support extraction unit140may also extract the supports by means of calculation since the supports are arranged at even intervals. Further, the supports can also be information indicating the supports inputted to the information processing device100by an operation by a user. The supports can also be information indicating the supports received by the information processing device100from another device. The supports may also be detected based on an image captured by an image capturing device.

Next, the judgment unit150will be described below. The judgment unit150judges whether the component corresponding to the cutout region will incline and rise by being supported by the one or more supports or not based on the support count. This sentence may also be expressed as follows: The judgment unit150judges whether the component corresponding to the cutout region will incline and rise between/among a plurality of supports or not based on the support count.

A process executed by the judgment unit150will be described in detail below.

FIG.12is a flowchart (No.1) showing the process of the judgment unit in the first embodiment.

(Step S11) The judgment unit150judges whether or not the extracted support count is 1 or less. When the extracted support count is 1 or less, the judgment unit150advances the process to step S14. When the extracted support count is 2 or more, the judgment unit150advances the process to step S12.

(Step S12) The judgment unit150judges whether or not the extracted support count is 2. When the extracted support count is 2, the judgment unit150advances the process to step S13. When the extracted support count is 3 or more, the judgment unit150advances the process to step S21.

(Step S13) The judgment unit150judges that the component corresponding to the cutout region will incline and rise by being supported by the one or more supports. Then, the judgment unit150ends the process.

(Step S14) The judgment unit150judges that the component corresponding to the cutout region will not incline and rise by being supported by the one or more supports. Then, the judgment unit150ends the process.

FIG.13is a flowchart (No.2) showing the process of the judgment unit in the first embodiment.

(Step S21) The judgment unit150judges whether or not the barycenter calculated by the barycenter calculation unit130is inside the first region. When the barycenter is inside the first region, the judgment unit150advances the process to step S22. When the barycenter is outside the first region, the judgment unit150advances the process to step S25.

(Step S22) The judgment unit150calculates a force point as a central point of a combined moment by using a plurality of impulsive forces, as impulsive forces at a plurality of representative points selected from a range where gas spouts out, and the barycenter of the cutout region. Incidentally, the gas is assist gas. The impulsive force is referred to also as gas spout pressure. The plurality of impulsive forces may also be represented as follows: The plurality of impulsive forces are impulsive forces corresponding to a plurality of representative points selected from a range where gas spouts out.

Here, the impulsive force due to the gas spout will be explained.

FIG.14is a diagram for explaining the impulsive force due to the gas spout in the first embodiment. Here, the gas scatters in a certain range. Incidentally, there are cases where it is considered that there is only one place to which the impulsive force due to the gas spout is applied. For example, the impulsive force is applied to a place corresponding to the center of the range where the gas spouts out. When the place to which the impulsive force is applied is outside the cutout region, this way of consideration concludes that no impulsive force is applied to the component corresponding to the cutout region. Therefore, the impulsive force due to the gas spout is considered to be applied to a plurality of places.

FIG.14shows a range221in which the gas scatters. The center of the range227is a center222.FIG.14also shows a processing locus223. The impulsive force due to the gas spout is applied to the range221. InFIG.14, the places where the impulsive force due to the gas spout is applied to a cutout region224are indicated as points. The points to which the impulsive force due to the gas spout is applied include a point225, for example.

In the calculation of the combined moment, the plurality of points to which the impulsive force is applied are selected from a range of pressure distribution. For the calculation of the combined moment, it is possible to use information such as the type of a nozzle, the spout pressure of the gas, the height of the nozzle, a nozzle diameter, the angle of the nozzle, room temperature, atmospheric pressure, and pressure distribution data based on the shape of the nozzle. These items of information may be stored in the storage unit110.

Here, the pressure distribution will be explained. As the pressure distribution, a pressure distribution model obtained by an experiment or the like is used. Namely, a predetermined pressure distribution model is used as the pressure distribution. It is permissible even if no pressure distribution model is used. In the case where no pressure distribution model is used, the pressure distribution is determined based on the type of the nozzle. For example, when the nozzle discharging the gas is a critical nozzle, Gaussian distribution is used as the pressure distribution. Gaussian distribution is referred to also as normal distribution. Incidentally, the critical nozzle is a nozzle in which the gas flow speed reaches the speed of sound at the outlet of the nozzle. When the nozzle discharging the gas is a supersonic nozzle, for example, the pressure distribution is assumed to be uniform distribution of pressure. Incidentally, the supersonic nozzle is a nozzle in which the gas flow speed exceeds the speed of sound at the outlet of the nozzle.

Here, the method of selecting the plurality of points to which the impulsive force is applied will be explained concretely. The plurality of points will hereinafter be referred to as a plurality of representative points.

FIG.15is a diagram showing a concrete example of the method of selecting the plurality of representative points in the first embodiment. InFIG.15, the range in which the gas scatters are assumed to be a circle having a diameter2d, and the impulsive force in two regions: a circular region232having a diameter d and a region233corresponding to the diameter d to the diameter2d, is evaluated. When Gaussian distribution is used, the diameter2dis defined as a range including 96% of the whole impulsive force. Incidentally, a center231is the center of the circle having the diameter d and the circle having the diameter2d.

Four points at positions at a distance d/4 from the center231are selected as a plurality of representative points. Further, twelve points at positions at a distance 3d/4 from the center231are selected as a plurality of representative points. In the case where the gas pressure is distributed uniformly, the impulsive force at each of the plurality of selected representative points equals πPd2/16.

As above, in the case where the nozzle is a supersonic nozzle, the places to which a plurality of impulsive forces are respectively applied are selected based on distribution in which the pressure is uniform.

Also in cases where Gaussian distribution is used, the plurality of representative points are selected as described above. Then, the impulsive force is calculated by using the following expression (1) when there is no angular dependence:
PF=∫P(r)dS=∫∫02πrP(r)dθdr=2π∫rP(r)dr  (1)

Incidentally, P(r) represents the pressure distribution. The character r represents the distance from the center of the range in which the gas scatters. For example, whenFIG.15is used, total impulsive force in the circle of the diameter d is obtained as a definite integral PF1. Incidentally, r ranges from 0 to d/2. The impulsive force at each of the plurality of representative points in the circle of the diameter d is PF1/4. Further, total impulsive force in the circle of the diameter2dis obtained as a definite integral PF2. Incidentally, r ranges from d/2 to d. The impulsive force at each of the plurality of representative points at the positions at the distance 3d/4 from the center231is PF2/12.

The impulsive force at the center231may be one in the plurality of representative points.

As above, the places to which a plurality of impulsive forces are respectively applied are selected based on a predetermined pressure distribution model. In the case where the nozzle is a critical nozzle, the places to which a plurality of impulsive forces are respectively applied are selected based on Gaussian distribution.

Incidentally, the method of selecting a plurality of representative points is not limited to the method described above.

The judgment unit150calculates the X coordinate MX of the central point of the combined moment by using the following expression (2):
MX=(gmX0+F1X1+F2X2+ . . . +FnXn)/(gm+F1+F2+ . . . +Fn)  (2)

The character g represents the gravitational acceleration. The character m represents the weight of the component corresponding to the cutout region. The character X0represents the X coordinate of the barycenter of the cutout region. Each character Firepresents the impulsive force at each representative point. Each character Xirepresents the X coordinate of each representative point. Incidentally, i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

The judgment unit150calculates the Y coordinate MY of the center of the combined moment by using the following expression (3):
MY=(gmY0+F1Y1+ . . . +FnYn)/(gm+F1+F2+ . . . +Fn)  (3)

The character Y0represents the Y coordinate of the barycenter of the cutout region. Each character Yirepresents the Y coordinate of each representative point.

The center of the combined moment is referred to as the force point. Namely, the force point is represented by the X coordinate MX and the Y coordinate MY. Further, in the case where the judgment in the step S21is No, the barycenter is referred to as the force point.

(Step S23) The judgment unit150judges whether or not the force point is inside the first region. When the force point is inside the first region, the judgment unit150advances the process to step S24. When the force point is outside the first region, the judgment unit150advances the process to step S25.

(Step S24) The judgment unit150judges that the component corresponding to the cutout region is stable due to support by a plurality of supports. Then, the judgment unit150judges that the component corresponding to the cutout region will not incline and rise by being supported by the one or more supports. The judgment unit150ends the process.

(Step S25) The judgment unit150judges that the component corresponding to the cutout region will incline and rise by being supported by the one or more supports. Then, the judgment unit150ends the process.

Here, when the step S13or the step S25has been executed, the information processing device100executes a rotation axis determination process.

Next, the rotation axis determination unit160will be described below. The rotation axis determination unit160executes the rotation axis determination process.

When the step S13has been executed, the rotation axis determination unit160determines a line connecting the two supports as the rotation axis. When the step S25has been executed, the rotation axis determination unit160determines the rotation axis as shown inFIG.16.

FIG.16is a diagram showing a concrete example of the rotation axis determination process in the first embodiment. Supports241,242and243are supports extracted by the support extraction unit140. The supports242and243are supports situated adjacent to the support241. Incidentally, the supports242and243are referred to also as a plurality of second supports. A line244is a line connecting the support241and the support242. A line245is a line connecting the support241and the support243.

The rotation axis determination unit160detects the support241closest to a force point246among the supports extracted by the support extraction unit140. Incidentally, the support241is referred to also as a first support. The rotation axis determination unit160detects the lines244and245connected to the support241. The rotation axis determination unit160calculates a bisector247that bisects an angle based on the lines244and245.

The rotation axis determination unit160detects that the force point246is situated in a direction of the line244with reference to the bisector247. The rotation axis determination unit160determines the line244as the rotation axis. As above, the rotation axis determination unit160determines the rotation axis based on the supports241,242and243and the force point246.

Next, the height determination unit170will be described below. The height determination unit170determines the height when the component rises as shown inFIG.17.

FIG.17is a diagram showing a concrete example of a height determination process in the first embodiment.FIG.17shows a cutout region251, a force point252and a rotation axis253.

The height determination unit170determines a region situated on a side opposite to the position of the force point252with reference to the rotation axis253as a rising region. The rising region is a rectangular region obtained by cutting the cutout region251by the rotation axis253.FIG.17shows a rising region254.

Further, the height determination unit170determines the distance from the rotation axis253to a position in the cutout region farthest from the rotation axis253as the height to which the component corresponding to the cutout region rises.

As above, the height determination unit170determines the height when the component corresponding to the cutout region rises based on the cutout region251, the force point252and the rotation axis253.

Next, the output unit180will be described below. The output unit180outputs the result of the judgment by the judgment unit150. For example, the output unit180outputs the result of the judgment to the display. Further, the output unit180outputs the result of the judgment as audio, for example. Furthermore, the output unit180outputs the result of the judgment to a paper medium, for example. The user can recognize whether the component corresponding to the cutout region will rise or not.

The output unit180outputs the height determined by the height determination unit170. The user can consider whether the head outputting the laser beam will collide with the component or not.

According to the first embodiment, the information processing device100makes the rising judgment based on the number of supports supporting the object corresponding to the cutout region in the vicinity of an outer edge of the cutout region among the one or more supports supporting the object corresponding to the cutout region. In other words, the information processing device100makes the rising judgment in the whole of the cutout region. Accordingly, the information processing device100is capable of increasing the accuracy of the rising judgment.

Further, the information processing device100does not make the rising judgment based on the number of all of the supports supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region. Extracting all of the supports increases the processing load on the information processing device100. The information processing device100extracts supports supporting the component corresponding to the cutout region in the vicinity of the outer edge of the cutout region. Therefore, the information processing device100is capable of reducing the processing load on the information processing device100.

Furthermore, the information processing device100does not regard only the center of the range in which the gas scatters as the place to which the impulsive force is applied. Thus, even when the cutout region is deviated from, the center, the information processing device100is capable of incorporating the impulsive force due to the gas spout applied to the cutout region into the rising judgment. Therefore, the information processing device100is capable of increasing the accuracy of the rising judgment.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described below in the second embodiment, the description will be given mainly of differences from the first embodiment and items common to the first embodiment will be left out.FIG.1toFIG.17will be referred to in the second embodiment.

FIG.18is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a laser processing machine in the second embodiment. The laser processing machine300includes a storage unit310, a cutout region extraction unit320, a barycenter calculation unit330, a support extraction unit340, a judgment unit350, a rotation axis determination unit360, a height determination unit370and an output unit380.

The storage unit310may be implemented as a storage area secured in a volatile storage device or a nonvolatile storage device included in the laser processing machine300.

Part or all of the cutout region extraction unit320, the barycenter calculation unit330, the support extraction unit340, the judgment unit350, the rotation axis determination unit360, the height determination unit370and the output unit380may be implemented by a processor included in the laser processing machine300.

Part or all of the cutout region extraction unit320, the barycenter calculation unit330, the support extraction unit340, the judgment unit350, the rotation axis determination unit360, the height determination unit370and the output unit380may be implemented as modules of a program executed by the processor included in the laser processing machine300. For example, the program executed by the processor included in the laser processing machine300is referred to also as a judgment program. The judgment program has been recorded in a record medium, for example.

Processes executed by the cutout region extraction unit320, the barycenter calculation unit330, the support extraction unit340, the judgment unit350, the rotation axis determination unit360, the height determination unit370and the output unit380are the same as the processes executed by the cutout region extraction unit120, the barycenter calculation unit130, the support extraction unit140, the judgment unit150, the rotation axis determination unit160, the height determination unit170and the output unit180. Therefore, the description is omitted for the processes executed by the cutout region extraction unit320, the barycenter calculation unit330, the support extraction unit340, the judgment unit350, the rotation axis determination unit360, the height determination unit370and the output unit380.

According to the second embodiment, the laser processing machine300makes the rising judgment based on the number of supports supporting the object corresponding to the cutout region in the vicinity of the outer edge of the cutout region among the one or more supports supporting the object corresponding to the cutout region in other words, the laser processing machine300makes the rising judgment in the whole of the cutout region. Accordingly, the laser processing machine300is capable of increasing the accuracy of the rising judgment.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

11,12: graph,13: node,14: link,21,22,23,24: node,25,26,27: intersection point,28,29: closed region,31,32,33,34,35: node,41,42: region,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58: node,59: intersection point,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73: node,81,82,83: graph,84,85: point,100: information processing device,101: processor,102: volatile storage device,103: nonvolatile storage device,110: storage unit,120: cutout region extraction unit,130: barycenter calculation unit,140: support extraction unit,150: judgment unit,160: rotation axis determination unit,170: height determination unit,180: output unit,201: support,202: axis,203: support,204: axis,205: support,206: support,211,212,213,214,215,216: support,217: region,221: range,222: center,223: processing locus,224: region,225: point,231: center,232,233: region,241,242,243: support,244,245: line,246: force point,247: bisector,251: cutout region,252: force point,253: rotation axis,254: rising region,300: laser processing machine,310: storage unit,320: cutout region extraction unit,330: barycenter calculation unit,340: support extraction unit,350: judgment unit,360: rotation axis determination unit,370: height determination unit,380: output unit.