Patent Application
20180111282
The present disclosure relates a cut data generating apparatus, a cut data generating method, and a non-transitory recording medium storing a cut data generating program that generate cut data for allowing a cutting apparatus including a cutting mechanism to cut a pattern having a predetermined shape out of a target workpiece.
Conventionally, a cutting apparatus has been known that cuts, by a cutting mechanism, a predetermined shape out of a sheet-shaped target workpiece, such as paper or cloth, based on cut data.
Such a type of conventional cut data is for achieving cutting so that cutting lines can include straight lines or smooth curves to acquire an outline that clearly defines a pattern. However, certain users may prefer cutting having a hand-torn feature in cases where fur is expressed in a pattern of an animal and where blurred pieces of scenery, such as bushes and clouds, are expressed, for example. Accordingly, there is a demand for generating cut data that allows cutting having a hand-torn feature.
The present disclosure has been made in view of the above described situation, and has an object to provide a cut data generating apparatus, a cut data generating method, and a non-transitory recording medium storing a cut data generating program that can generate cut data that is for cutting a pattern having a predetermined shape out of a target workpiece and is capable of achieving cutting having a hand-torn feature.
To achieve the object described above, a cut data generating apparatus according to the present disclosure that generates cut data for allowing a cutting apparatus including a cutting mechanism to cut a pattern out of a target workpiece, includes a controller, the controller being configured to control the cut data generating apparatus to: identify an outline of the pattern; form a first cutting line that has a jagged shape swinging with a predetermined swinging amount in a direction intersecting with the outline, along the outline; and generate the cut data for cutting along the first cutting line.
The “predetermined swinging amount” in this specification is not limited to a certain swinging amount identified by a certain value, but encompasses multiple swinging amounts identified by respective values different from each other.
This summary is not intended to identify critical or essential features of the disclosure, but instead merely summarizes certain features and variations thereof. Other details and features will be described in the sections that follow.
Aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, in the accompanying figures in which like reference characters may indicate similar elements.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, needs satisfied thereby, and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, illustrative embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Hereinafter, a first embodiment that is a specific implementation of the present disclosure is described with reference to
As illustrated in
The body cover 12 has a laterally elongated rectangular box shape with its front surface being slightly obliquely inclined. A front surface opening 12a that opens in a laterally elongated manner is formed at the front surface portion of this cover. A lower side portion of the front surface of the body cover 12 is provided with a front cover 17 for opening and closing the front surface opening 12a, in a turnable manner. The holding member 16 is inserted from the front into the cutting apparatus 11 in a state where the front cover 17 is opened, and is set on the upper surface of the platen 13. The upper surface of the platen 13 forms a horizontal plane. The holding member 16 is mounted on this surface, and is fed in the forward and rearward direction (Y direction).
An operation panel 18 is provided at a right portion on the upper surface of the body cover 12. The operation panel 18 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 19, and various operation switches 20 for allowing a user to perform various operations of designation, selection or input. The various operation switches 20 include a touch panel provided on the surface of a display 19.
A feed mechanism that feeds the holding member 16 on the upper surface of the platen 13 in the forward and rearward direction (Y direction) is provided in the body cover 12. Furthermore, a cutter transfer mechanism that transfers the cut head 15 in the left and right direction (X direction) is provided. Here, the directions in this embodiment are defined. The feed direction of the holding member 16 by the feed mechanism is defined as the forward and rearward direction (Y direction). The transfer direction of the cut head 15 by the cutter transfer mechanism is defined as the left and right direction (X direction). The direction orthogonal to the forward and rearward direction and the left and right direction is defined as the up and down direction (Z direction).
The feed mechanism is described. A pinch roller 21 and a drive roller 22 that each extend in the left and right direction are provided to be arranged on an upper position and a lower position, respectively, in the body cover 12. The holding member 16 is fed in the forward and rearward direction with left and right edge portions being clamped between the pinch roller 21 and the drive roller 22. Although not illustrated in detail, a Y-axis motor 23 (illustrated only in
Next, the cutter transfer mechanism is described. A guide rail 24 that is disposed rear and above the pinch roller 21 and extends in the left and right direction is arranged in the body cover 12. The cut head 15 is supported by the guide rail 24 in a manner movable in the left and right direction. Although not illustrated in detail, an X-axis motor 25 (illustrated only in
On the other hand, although not illustrated, a follower pulley is provided at a right side portion in the body cover 12. An endless timing belt extends in the left and right direction between the drive pulley and the follower pulley, and is horizontally wound around these pulleys. An intermediate portion of the timing belt is coupled to the cut head 15. Accordingly, the cutter transfer mechanism transfers the cut head 15 in the left and right direction through the timing belt by the rotation of the X-axis motor 25.
The cut head 15 includes a cartridge holder 26, and an up-down drive mechanism that drives the cartridge holder 26. The cartridge holder 26 detachably holds the cutter cartridge 14. Although not illustrated, the cutter cartridge 14 includes a cutter along the central axis of a cylindrical case that extends in the vertical direction of this case. At a lower end of the cutter, a blade is formed. The cutter cartridge 14 holds the cutter at a position allowing the blade to protrude slightly from the lower end portion of the case.
The up-down drive mechanism includes a Z-axis motor 27 (illustrated only in
The cutting mechanism is configured as described above. At the time of cutting operation, the blade of the cutter is in a state of penetrating the target workpiece W, which is the cutting target workpiece held by the holding member 16, in the thickness-wise direction. In this state, the feed mechanism moves the target workpiece W held by the holding member 16 in the forward and rearward direction, and the cutter transfer mechanism moves the cut head 15, i.e., the cutter, in the left and right direction, thereby applying the cutting operation to the target workpiece W. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The ROM 30 stores various control programs, such as a cut control program for controlling the cutting operation, an image reading program that reads image data, a cut data generating program that generates and edits the cut data, and a display control program that controls the display of the LCD 19. The RAM 31 temporarily stores data and programs required for various processes. The EEPROM 32 or the external memory 36 stores outline data pertaining to various patterns, and cut data generated to cut the patterns having predetermined shapes.
The cut data indicates a cut position for cutting the cutting target workpiece W, and is made up of a set of data items having coordinate values that indicate cut positions in the XY coordinate system. The control circuit 29 executes the cut control program, to thereby control the X-axis motor 25, the Y-axis motor 23 and the Z-axis motor 27 through the respective drive circuits 33, 34 and 35 according to the cut data, and to automatically execute the cutting operation for the target workpiece W held by the holding member 16.
In this embodiment, the control circuit 29 executes the cut data generating program to execute each process as the cut data generating apparatus that generates the cut data. The cut data generating program is not limited to a program preliminarily stored in the ROM 30. Alternatively, the cut data generating program may be configured to be recorded in an external non-transitory recording medium, for example, an optical disk or the like and to be read from the non-transitory recording medium. Furthermore, the program may be a program to be downloaded from the outside via a network.
Typically, for example, the cut data is generated by acquiring outlines that represent a pattern made up of closed diagrams from among multiple patterns stored in the EEPROM 32 or read from the scanner 28 based on data on the pattern selected by the user, and by generating the cut data for cutting along the outline based on the outline data. At this time, in this embodiment, when the control circuit 29 generates the cut data, the user operates the operation switches 20 to thereby allow an instruction for a hand-torn cut data generating process to be issued. Here, the hand-torn cut data is cut data capable of cutting having a hand-torn feature in cases where fur is expressed in a pattern of an animal and where blurred pieces of scenery, such as bushes and clouds, are expressed, for example.
As described in detail later, in this embodiment, the process of generating the hand-torn cut data by the control circuit 29 is performed as follows. That is, first, an outline identifying step of identifying an outline L0 of a pattern (see
Here,
In this embodiment, for forming the first cutting line L1, as illustrated in
In this embodiment, after formation of the first cutting line L1, the control circuit 29 judges whether or not there is a portion where the segments of the first cutting line L1 are in proximity, less than a predetermined distance D, or intersect with each other. In this case, more specifically, the distances between the first configuration points Q and the corresponding line segments that constitute the first cutting line L1 are acquired and compared with the predetermined distance D. When the control circuit 29 judges the proximity or intersection at the first cutting line L1, this circuit corrects the proximity or intersecting portion between the segments of the first cutting line L1 to secure a space of the predetermined distance D or more, thereby forming a second cutting line L2. Consequently, the control circuit 29 also has functions as a proximity judgment unit and a second cutting line generating unit.
More specifically, when the control circuit 29 corrects the proximity or intersecting portion between the segments of the first cutting line L1 to secure the space of the predetermined distance D or more, this circuit changes the swinging amounts t of the first configuration points Q for generating the first cutting line L1 (for example, reduces the amounts), thereby correcting the positions of the first configuration points to form the second cutting line L2. Alternatively, the transfer direction of the first configuration points Q for generating the first cutting line L1 is changed, for example, to the opposite side of the outline L0, thereby correcting the positions of the first configuration points Q to form the second cutting line L2. Both the swinging amount and the direction may be configured to be changed. When the second cutting line L2 is formed, the control circuit 29 generates the cut data for cutting along the second cutting line L2.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, as illustrated in
Next, the operation of the configuration described above is described with reference also to
At step S3, a specification of the resolution (predetermined interval b) by the user operation is received. At step S4, a specification for the maximum, value tmax of the swinging amount t by the user operation is received. In this case, the predetermined interval b and the maximum value tmax are specified as, for example, 1.0 mm or the like in units of 0.1 mm. A default value may be preset. At step S5, the value of the swinging amount t is set randomly by a random number so as not to exceed the maximum value tmax.
In next step S6, a process of forming the first cutting line L1 based on the outline L0 and the determined resolution (predetermined interval b) and the swinging amount t is performed. As exemplified in
At step S7, the formed first cutting line L1 is allowed to be previewed on the LCD 19. Here, as illustrated in
Here, a possibility is considered that the formation of the first cutting line L1 by providing the jagged shape as described above may cause the following adverse effect. For example, the first cutting line L1 of the pattern of “bull” illustrated in
In this embodiment, in processes at and after step S8, it is checked whether or not the segments of the first cutting line L1 are in proximity to or intersect with each other, and a required spot is corrected (formation of the second cutting line L2). At step S8, the proximity or intersection check for the first cutting line L1 is started with the first configuration points Q being adopted as points of interest sequentially from the starting point (to the end point). At step S9, it is judged whether or not the distances between the points of interest and the corresponding line segments are each less than the predetermined distance D. As exemplified in
When the distance between the point of interest and each line segment is at least the predetermined distance D (No at step S9), it is judged whether or not the check has been completed to the end point at step S14. If not completed (No at step S14), the processing flow proceeds to the next configuration point at step S16, the process flow returns to step S9, and it is judged whether or not the distance to each line segment pertaining to the next point of interest (first configuration point Q) is less than the predetermined distance D. On the contrary, when the distance between the point of interest and each line segment is less than the predetermined distance D (Yes at step S9), it is judged whether there is a possibility that the pattern is broken by proximity or intersection or not in step S10.
As for the judgment whether or not there is a possibility that the pattern is broken, when the segments of the first cutting line L1 are in proximity to each other by a distance less than the predetermined distance D, it is judged whether or not a portion between the segments of the first cutting line L1 is in or out of the pattern. If it is judged that the portion is in the pattern, it can be judged that there is a possibility that the pattern is broken. In the example in
When it is judged that there is a possibility that the pattern is broken (Yes at step S10), the proximity or intersecting spot is allowed to be previewed on the LCD 19 and is thus notified to the user at step S11. The user looks at the view, judges the necessity of correction, and issues a designation of whether correction is performed through the operation switches 20 or not. Upon receipt of the designation of unnecessity of the correction (No at step S12), the processing flow returns to step S9, and proximity or intersection check for the next point of interest is performed. Upon receipt of designation of necessity of the correction (Yes at step S12), the proximity or intersecting portion with the point of interest and the line segment is corrected to be separated by at least the predetermined distance at step S13, and the second cutting line L2 is formed.
The process of correction at step S13 is performed by changing the movement direction of the first configuration point Q in formation of the first cutting line L1 with respect to the first configuration point Q that is the point of interest. Alternatively, the process is performed by changing the swinging amount in formation of the first cutting line L1. In the example in
After the second cutting line L2 is thus formed by correcting the first configuration point Q, it is judged whether check has been completed to the end point or not at S14. If not completed (No at step S14), the processing flow proceeds to the next configuration point at step S16 and the processes from step S9 are repeated. After completion of check to the end point (Yes in step S14), the cut data for cutting the target workpiece W along the cutting line is generated at step S15, and the processes are finished. The cutting apparatus 11 performs the cutting operation based on the generated cut data.
As described above, according to this embodiment, execution of the hand-torn cut data generating process identifies the outline of the pattern, forms the first cutting line that has the jagged shape swinging with random swinging amounts in the direction intersecting with the outline along this outline, and generates the cut data for cutting along the first cutting line. Cutting the target workpiece W using the cut data can cut the pattern that has the jagged shape swinging with the random swinging amount, along the outline L0 of the pattern. As a result, an excellent effect capable of generating the cut data that is for cutting the pattern having the predetermined shape out of the target workpiece W and is capable of cutting with the hand-torn feature, is exerted.
In this embodiment, the configuration points P are disposed on the outline L0 at predetermined intervals b, the first configuration points Q are determined by moving the configuration points P with the respective random swinging amounts, and sequentially connects the first configuration points Q with line segments to thereby form the first cutting line L1. Consequently, the jagged shape of the first cutting line L1 having a fineness according to the predetermined interval can be acquired. Here, the predetermined interval, b and the maximum value tmax of the swinging amount t are allowed to be set by the user operation. Consequently, the jagged shape of the first cutting line L1 with the fineness and swinging amount that are desired by the user can be acquired.
In particular, according to this embodiment, the proximity with less than the predetermined distance D or intersection between the segments of the first cutting line L1 (between the first configuration point Q and the line segment) is judged, and the second cutting line L2 is formed so that the proximal portion can have a space of at least the predetermined distance D, and the cut data for cutting along the second cutting line L2 is generated. Consequently, the adverse effects due to the jagged shape that include the case where the thin portion of the pattern is broken or the case where the portions that are in proximal but intended to be separated from each other are left uncut, are prevented from occurring.
Upon satisfaction of a condition where it is judged to be in the pattern in a case of proximity less than the predetermined distance D between the segments of the first cutting line L1, the second cutting line L2 is formed. Consequently, the second cutting line L2 is allowed not to be formed unnecessarily. In this embodiment, the second cutting line L2 is formed by changing the movement directions of the first configuration points Q in formation of the first cutting line L1, or the second cutting line L2 is formed by changing the swinging amounts of the first configuration points Q in formation of the first cutting line L1. Consequently, an advantageous effect capable of simply and securely forming the second cutting line L2 can also be exerted.
In the hand-torn cut data generating process (the flowchart of
Next, referring to
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the process of generating hand-torn cut data executed by the control circuit 29. As exemplified in
A flowchart of
At step S25, specification for the resolution (predetermined interval b) by the user operation is received. At step S26, a specification for the maximum value tmax of the swinging amount t by the user operation is received. At step S27, the value of the swinging amount t is set randomly by a random number so as not to exceed the maximum value tmax. In next step S28, a process of forming the first cutting line L1 is performed for the outline L0 is performed, based on the period of the swell described above, the determined resolution (predetermined interval b), and the swinging amount t. Subsequently, the processes at and after step S7 are executed.
As illustrated in
Consequently, also according to the second embodiment, an excellent effect capable of generating the cut data that is for cutting the pattern having the predetermined shape out of the target workpiece W and is capable of cutting with the hand-torn feature, is exerted. Furthermore, after the virtual outline Lv acquired by adding gradual wave-shaped swell to the outline L0 is determined, the virtual outline Lv is adopted as the outline and provided with the jagged shape having random swinging amounts to form the first cutting line L1. Consequently, not only the outline L0 is formed to have the jagged shape in a simple manner but also the shape that has a more complex feature while substantially being along the outline L0 can be cut.
In the hand-torn cut data generating process in the second embodiment described above (the flowchart of
A flowchart of
At step S37, measurement of the distances between the configuration points P and line segments is started with the point of interest being adopted from the start point sequentially among the configuration points P is started. At step S38, the distance between the point of interest and each of the line segments constituting the outline L0 is acquired, and it is judged whether or not the distance is less than the predetermined distance D. In this case, line segments on both the sides (front and rear) of the point of interest (configuration point P) are excluded. The predetermined distance D can be set according to the size of the pattern, for example. When the distance between the point of interest and each line segment is less than the predetermined distance D (Yes at step S38), a flag A is assigned to the configuration point P at step S39, and the process flow proceeds to step S40.
When the distance between the point of interest and each line segment is at least the predetermined distance D (No at step S38), the process flow proceeds to step S40. At step S40, it is judged whether the check has been completed to the end point or not. If not completed (No at step S40), the next configuration point P is adopted as the point of interest at step S41 and the processes from step S38 are repeated. Accordingly, a narrow portion where the segments of the outline L0 are in proximity to each other by a distance less than the predetermined distance D is extracted, and the flags A are assigned to the configuration points P constituting the narrow portion.
At next step S42, a process is started that specifies the swinging amount t for each of the configuration points P, starting sequentially from the start point. Here, at step S43, it is judged whether the flag A is assigned to the configuration point P or not. If the flag A is not assigned (No at step S43), the value of the swinging amount t for the configuration point P is randomly determined by the random number with the swinging amount t at step S44, and the process flow proceeds to step S46. On the contrary, if the flag A is assigned to the configuration point P (Yes at step S43), the swinging amount t is determined for the configuration point P in the direction apart from the line segment with the small distance at step S45, and the process flow proceeds to step S46. At step S45, the swinging amount t may be configured to be small.
At step S46, it is judged whether or not the process has been completed to the configuration point P that is the end point of the outline L0. If not completed (No at step S46), the processing flow proceeds to the next configuration point P at step S47, and the processes from step S43 are repeated. As described above, when the swinging amounts t are determined for all the configuration points P (Yes at step S46), the intersection between line segments is checked at step S48. The processes are performed in a manner analogous to the processes at step S9 to S14 in the first embodiment described above. Subsequently, at step S49, the first cutting line L1 is formed based on the configuration points P of the outline L0 and the swinging amounts t. The cut data for cutting the target workpiece W along the first cutting line L1 is generated. At step S50, the first cutting line L1 is allowed to be previewed on the LCD 19, and the process flow is finished. The cutting apparatus 11 performs the cutting operation based on the generated cut data.
As with the first embodiment described above, according to the third embodiment, an excellent effect capable of generating the cut data that is for cutting the pattern having the predetermined shape out of the target workpiece W and is capable of cutting with the hand-torn feature, is exerted. The adverse effects due to the jagged shape that include the case where the thin portion of the pattern is broken or the case where the portions that are in proximal but intended to be separated from each other are left uncut are prevented from occurring. Here, the portion in proximity to the outline L0 can be preliminarily extracted before formation of the first cutting line L1, thereby negating the need of the process of correction after formation of the first cutting line L1.
As illustrated in
The cut data generating apparatus 1 includes a personal computer that executes a cut data generating program. As illustrated in
The display unit 2 displays necessary information, such as a message for the user. The keyboard 3 and the mouse 4 are operated by the user. Operation signals thereof are input into the control circuit 5. The RAM 6 temporarily stores the necessary information according to a program, executed by the control circuit 5. The ROM 7 stores a cut data generating program and the like. The EEPROM 8 stores data on various patterns that are generation targets of cut data (outline data, etc.), generated cut data and the like.
The communication unit 9 is configured to communicate data and the like with external apparatuses. In this embodiment, cut data generated by the cut data generating apparatus 1 is transmitted by the communication unit 9 through the communication cable 10 to the communication unit 37 of the cutting apparatus 11. The communication unit 9 of the cut data generating apparatus 1 and the communication unit 37 of the cutting apparatus 11 may be connected to each other via wireless communication. The cut data may be exchanged between the cut data generating apparatus 1 and the cutting apparatus 11 via a detachable external device, such as a USB memory, or via a network, such as the Internet, although not illustrated.
In this embodiment, the cut data generating apparatus 1 (control circuit 5) executes the cut data generating program to execute various processes as the cut data generating apparatus that generates the cut data. Typically, the cut data is generated by generating the cut data for cutting along the outline L0 that represents the pattern, from data on the outline L0. At this time, the user is allowed to issue an instruction of executing the hand-torn cut data generating process through the operation of the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4. Accordingly, the control circuit 5 functions as an outline identifying unit, a first cutting line forming unit, and a cut data generating unit.
As the processes of generating the hand-torn cut data by the control circuit 5, an outline identifying step of identifying the outline L0 of the pattern, a first cutting line forming step of forming the first cutting line L1 that has a jagged shape swinging with the random swinging amounts in the direction intersecting with the outline L0 along the outline L0, and a cut data generating step of generating the cut data for cutting along the first cutting line L1 are sequentially executed. Consequently, also according to the fifth embodiment, an excellent effect capable of generating the cut data that is for cutting the pattern having the predetermined shape out of the target workpiece W and is capable of cutting with the hand-torn feature, is exerted.
Each embodiment described above has the configuration that randomly determines the value of the swinging amount t. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. That is, multiple values predetermined so as not to exceed the maximum value tmax may be assigned to the swinging amount t. In this case, these values may be assigned to the configuration points P in a predetermined order. A single value that does not exceed the maximum value tmax may be assigned to the value of the swinging amount t.
In each embodiment described above, the cut data generating apparatus is made up of the cutting apparatus, or a general personal computer. Alternatively, the cut data generating apparatus may be configured as an apparatus dedicated to cut data generation. A configuration may be adopted where the cut data generating apparatus is provided with a scanner that reads data on a graphical item from an original diagram. Alternatively, the present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment described above. The specific configuration of the cutting apparatus can be variously changed. Appropriate changes may be applied in a range without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.
In the embodiments described above, a single CPU may perform all of the processes. Nevertheless, the disclosure may not be limited to the specific embodiment thereof, and a plurality of CPUs, a special application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or a combination of a CPU and an ASIC may be used to perform the processes.
The foregoing description and drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure and are not to be construed in a limited 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 disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-126549 | Jun 2015 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/066160, filed on Jun. 1, 2016, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-126549, filed on Jun. 24, 2015. The disclosure of the foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2016/066160 | Jun 2016 | US |
| Child | 15848957 | US |
