JP7803357B2 - Cutting device, cutting control method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cutting device, a cutting control method, and a program.

Cutting devices that cut media are known in the past. Regarding this type of cutting device, the following Patent Document 1 discloses an adhesive sheet forming device that cuts the periphery of a cut area and also cuts off unnecessary areas inside the cut area.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-98505

However, with the adhesive sheet forming device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the unwanted area inside the cut area has a rectangular shape, a removal device (extrusion device) cannot be used to remove the unwanted area. Therefore, in such cases, the unwanted area inside the cut area must be removed manually, which is time-consuming and can damage the wanted area.

The present invention was developed in consideration of these problems, and aims to easily and smoothly remove unnecessary areas inside the cut area.

To solve the above problem, the cutting device of the present invention comprises a cutting unit that cuts the medium to be cut based on predetermined design information, and a control unit, and when the design information includes unnecessary area information that indicates unnecessary areas to be removed after the cutting, the control unit controls the cutting unit to perform a special cut that causes curling inside the unnecessary area indicated by the unnecessary area information.

This invention makes it possible to easily and smoothly remove unnecessary areas inside the cut area.

1 is a block diagram showing a cutting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cutting device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a mounting table on which a mount with paper attached thereto is placed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for scrap cutting processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of scrap removal cutting. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a cross section of paper when scrap cutting is performed, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the movement of a cutter blade when scrap cutting is performed. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for setting a scraping cut width and a scraping cut length. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for setting a scraping cut width and a scraping cut length. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of scrap removal cutting. 10A to 10D are diagrams showing examples of scrap cutting. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a cut data generation process. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a necessity selection acceptance screen. 10A to 10D are diagrams showing examples of a necessity selection acceptance screen. 10A, 10B, and 10D are diagrams showing examples of a necessity selection acceptance screen, and FIG. 10C is a diagram showing an example of a symbol mark. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a modified scrap cutting process.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. As shown in Figure 1, the cutting system 1 of this embodiment comprises a cutting device 10 and a terminal device 50.

The cutting device 10 is a device that cuts a planar medium, such as a rectangle, attached to a backing sheet 32 (described below) placed (set) on a mounting table 31 (described below) into any planar shape. In this embodiment, an example is described in which paper 60 (see Figure 3), such as A4 paper, is used as the medium to be cut, but this is not limited to this. The medium to be cut may also be other media that can be cut with a cutter blade, such as a sheet of resin, sticker, or leather.

The terminal device (cut data generation device) 50 is a PC (Personal Computer) or server that generates and edits cut data that indicates the planar shape and position to be cut by the cutting device 10. The terminal device 50 also receives input of operation information related to the cutting device 10 and displays display information related to the cutting device 10. The terminal device 50 is used by being connected to the cutting device 10 via wireless communication.
The terminal device 50 communicatively connected to the cutting device 10 is not limited to a PC, but may be other terminal devices such as a smartphone or a tablet PC. The wireless communication method between the cutting device 10 and the terminal device 50 is Bluetooth (registered trademark). However, the wireless communication method is not limited to Bluetooth, and other communication methods such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may be used. The communication connection between the cutting device 10 and the terminal device 50 is not limited to wireless communication, but may be wired communication. Wired communication is, for example, wired communication of USB (Universal Serial Bus) via a communication cable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting device 10 also includes an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) 11 as a control unit, an operation unit 12, a memory unit 13, an indicator unit 14, a wired communication unit 15, a wireless communication unit 16, a cutting unit 17, an origin position detection unit 18, a paper feed unit 19, and a paper feed detection unit 20. The various units of the cutting device 10 are connected via a bus 21.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the cutting device 10. The MPU 11 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU reads out a specified program from the various programs stored in the memory unit 13, expands it into the RAM, and executes various processes in cooperation with the expanded program. The RAM is a volatile semiconductor memory that forms a work area for temporarily storing various data and programs. The operation unit 12 has various buttons that accept input from the user when pressed on each button and output the operation information to the MPU 11. The various buttons on the operation unit 12 include a position key for moving the position of the paper 60, a button to pause cutting, a button to set the paper 60, and a button to remove the paper 60.

The memory unit 13 is a memory unit such as a flash memory that can read and write information. The memory unit 13 stores various data such as cutting data and various programs. In particular, the memory unit 13 stores a scrap cutting program 131 for executing the scrap cutting process described below. The indicator unit 14 has a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that indicates various states of the cutting device 10 by turning it on or off. The indicator unit 14 has, for example, a power lamp that indicates whether the power is on or off. The indicator unit 14 turns the light-emitting element's light on or off in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11.

The wired communication unit 15 is an interface for wired communication based on a communication standard such as USB. The MPU 11 transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as the terminal device 50 via the wired communication unit 15 and a communication cable. The wireless communication unit 16 has an antenna, a modulation/demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc., and is an interface for Bluetooth wireless communication with external devices such as the terminal device 50. The MPU 11 transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as the terminal device 50 via the wireless communication unit 16.

The cutting unit 17 has an X-axis motor 171, a Z-axis motor 172, a carriage 173, and a cutter blade 174. In accordance with instructions from the MPU 11, the cutting unit 17 moves the cutter blade 174 mounted on the carriage 173 in the X-axis and Z-axis directions by driving the X-axis motor 171 and the Z-axis motor 172. By moving the cutter blade 174, the cutting unit 17 cuts the paper 60 attached to the backing paper 32 placed (set) on the mounting table 31 into any planar shape. The cutter blade 174 is mounted on the carriage 173 in such a manner that its axis (drive shaft) 174c (see Figure 7(a)) can rotate freely around its axis. In other words, the cutter blade 174 is designed so that the blade faces the cutting direction when the paper (medium to be cut) 60 is cut. To orient the blade in the cutting direction, the carriage 173 and/or paper feed unit 19 can be driven while the tip (edge) of the cutter blade 174 is slightly touching the paper 60, allowing the blade to orient in the desired direction. Here, with reference to Figure 3, the paper 60 attached to the backing paper 32 placed on the mounting table 31, and the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis will be explained.

The backing paper 32 is used to prevent the cutter blade 174 from damaging the mounting table 31 and to place the paper 60 in the correct position. The backing paper 32 has a flat rectangular shape. Since the backing paper 32 is placed on the mounting table 31, it has a shape that fits within the planar shape of the mounting table 31. The backing paper 32 is made of a soft material that does not damage the cutter blade 174 when cutting the paper 60, and an adhesive is applied to its upper surface for attaching the paper 60. The mounting paper 32 with the paper 60 attached is placed on the mounting table 31. The X-axis is taken as the main scanning direction when transporting the mounting table 31 (backing paper 32, paper 60). The Y-axis is perpendicular to the X-axis and is taken as the transport direction (paper feed direction, sub-scanning direction) of the mounting table 31 (backing paper 32, paper 60). The Z-axis is perpendicular to the XY plane and is taken as the direction in which the cutter blade 174 moves up and down relative to the paper 60.

Returning to Figure 2, the X-axis motor 171 is a motor that drives the carriage 173 in the X-axis direction in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The Z-axis motor 172 is a motor that drives the cutter blade 174 in the Z-axis direction in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The carriage 173 is a movable part in the X-axis direction that carries the cutter blade 174. The cutter blade 174 is a blade made of a conductive material such as metal with a slanted cutting edge at the tip, for example, for cutting paper 60.

The origin position detection unit 18 is a position detection unit such as an optical sensor that detects whether the cutter blade 174 is at the origin position in the X-axis direction in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The origin position detection unit 18 outputs the detection result of whether the cutter blade 174 is at the origin position to the MPU 11. The MPU 11 uses the detection result of whether the cutter blade 174 is at the origin position to control the position of the cutter blade 174 of the cutting unit 17 in the X-axis direction.

The paper feed unit 19 has a Y-axis motor 191. The paper feed unit 19 is a transport unit that, in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11, drives the Y-axis motor 191 to transport the mounting table 31, on which the backing sheet 32 with paper 60 attached thereto, in the Y-axis direction. The paper feed detection unit 20 is a detection unit such as an optical sensor that, in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11, detects whether the mounting table 31, on which the backing sheet 32 with paper 60 attached thereto is placed, has been fed (set) into the paper feed slot of the paper feed unit 19. The paper feed detection unit 20 outputs the detection result of the setting of the paper 60 to the MPU 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 50 includes a CPU 51, RAM 52, a storage unit 53, a display unit 54, an operation unit 55, and a communication unit 56. The various components of the terminal device 50 are connected via a bus 57. The CPU (display control means, reception means, auxiliary means) 51 is a processor that controls the operation of the various components of the terminal device 50 by reading and executing a program 531 stored in the storage unit 53 and performing various arithmetic processing. The RAM 52 provides working memory space for the CPU 51 and stores temporary data. The storage unit 53 is a non-temporary recording medium readable by the CPU 51 as a computer, and stores the program 531 and various data (e.g., cutting data).

The display unit 54 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., and displays various types of information according to display information instructed by the CPU 51. The operation unit 55 has a key input unit such as a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse, and accepts key operation inputs and position operation inputs from the user and outputs this operation information to the CPU 51. The CPU 51 accepts user input operations based on the information transmitted from the operation unit 55. The communication unit 56 is, for example, a communication unit that employs a wireless standard such as Bluetooth, or a wired communication unit such as a USB terminal.

The cutting device 10 also performs scrap cutting in the scrap cutting process (see Figure 5). This scrap cutting (special cutting) is a cut that generates a so-called curl that makes it easier to identify unnecessary areas (scrap areas) when cutting the paper 60 into an arbitrary shape and makes it easier to remove these unnecessary areas. Here, the scrap cutting process will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

As shown in Figure 6, the outer periphery (cut line) 62 of a required area 61, which has an octagonal outer shape, is cut out of a paper 60, and the outer periphery (cut line) 64 of an unnecessary area 63, which is a vertically elongated oval inside the required area 61, is cut out. The scrap-removal cut described above is performed inside the unnecessary area 63, forming zigzag cuts C. In other words, multiple wedge-shaped cuts are made. These cuts C are formed by driving the cutter blade 174 in a zigzag pattern. At this time, the cutting edge of the cutter blade 174 does not follow the movement of the axis of the cutter blade 174, causing disturbances such as curling of the paper 60 at the corners of the cuts C (the mountain-shaped tips). Here, with reference to Figure 7, the movement of the cutter blade 174 during scrap-removal cuts will be explained.

As shown in Figure 7(a), when scrap cutting is being performed, the cutting edge 174a of the cutter blade 174 penetrates the paper 60, and the cutter blade 174 is set so that the cutting edge 174b does not penetrate the paper 60. As shown in Figure 7(b), when the shaft (drive shaft) 174c of the cutter blade 174 reaches the corner CN during scrap cutting, the shaft 174c is at position c1 in the figure, the cutting edge 174a is at position a1 in the figure, and the cutting edge 174b is at position b1 in the figure. Then, when the shaft 174c moves from position c1 to position c2 in a wedge-shaped (V-shaped) trajectory, the cutting edge 174a moves to position a2 in the figure, and the cutting edge 174b moves to position b2 in the figure. Because the cutter blade 174 is cut into the paper 60 from the cutting edge 174a to the base 174b, when the cutting edge 174a moves from position a1 to position a2 and the base 174b moves from position b1 to position b2, the cutting edge 174a and base 174b do not follow the movement of the shaft 174c, causing the paper 60 to curl up near the area surrounded by a1, b1, a2, and b2. Therefore, when a scraping cut is performed, the wedge-shaped (V-shaped) movement of the shaft 174c of the cutter blade 174 is repeated, resulting in a cluster of curls in the unnecessary area (e.g., unnecessary area 63 (see Figure 6)). This makes the unnecessary area stand out, making it easy to identify. Furthermore, the unnecessary area can be easily and smoothly removed by pinching the curl with tweezers or hooking a finger.

Returning to Figure 5, when the scrap cutting process begins, the MPU 11 first obtains unnecessary area information indicating the shape and position of the unnecessary area (scratch area) from the cut data (step S1). Here, before the scrap cutting process is performed, it is assumed that a cutting process (contour cutting process) has been performed in advance to cut out the necessary area (e.g., necessary area 61; see Figure 6) and the unnecessary area (e.g., unnecessary area 63; see Figure 6) based on the cut data (design information) indicating the shape and position of each of the necessary area and the unnecessary area.

Next, based on the unnecessary area information acquired in step S1, the MPU 11 derives an inscribed rectangle A with the largest area in the unnecessary area (step S2). If there are multiple unnecessary areas in step S2, the inscribed rectangle A with the largest area is derived for each unnecessary area. Then, step S3 and subsequent steps are performed for each unnecessary area. In this embodiment, the inscribed rectangle A is assumed to be rectangular as shown in Figures 8 and 9, but it may also be a trapezoid, parallelogram, or rhombus. Here, the shorter of the two pairs of sides of the derived inscribed rectangle A is defined as the width WA, and the longer of the two pairs of sides is defined as the height HA. Furthermore, since the inscribed rectangle A is derived based on the unnecessary area information as described above, i.e., it depends on the shape of the unnecessary area, the direction of the width WA and the direction of the height HA of the inscribed rectangle A do not necessarily align with the X-axis or Y-axis direction of the cutting device 10. If the derived inscribed quadrilateral A is a square, for example, the inscribed quadrilateral A is derived so that one set of sides is parallel to the X-axis direction and the other set of sides is parallel to the Y-axis direction. The length of the sides parallel to the X-axis direction is the width WA, and the length of the sides parallel to the Y-axis direction is the height HA.

Next, the MPU 11 determines whether the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A derived in step S2 (see Figures 8 and 9) is greater than the scraping cut reference width (step S3). Here, the scraping cut reference width is the default value for the scraping cut width, and is set to a predetermined length (approximately 1 mm to 3 mm). As shown in Figure 8, the scraping cut width indicates the stroke length from one corner CN1 of the zigzag-shaped cut C to the next corner CN2 adjacent to the corner CN1. The scraping cut angle is the angle of the corner of the cut C, and is set to a predetermined angle (an angle of 90 degrees or less). The scraping cut length indicates the length of the cut C in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the scraping cut width.

If it is determined in step S3 that the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A is greater than the standard width for the scraping cut (step S3; YES), the MPU 11 sets the scraping cut width to the standard width for the scraping cut, as shown in Figure 8 (step S4). Next, the MPU 11 sets the scraping cut position so that one end (e.g., the left end in the figure) of the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A coincides with the corner of the scraping cut (notch C) closest to that end (e.g., the left end in the figure) (step S5). In this way, if the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A is greater than the standard width for the scraping cut, the scraping cut width may be adjusted to the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A. However, since curling occurs only at the corners of the scraping cut (notch C), it is preferable to shorten the time required for cutting (scraping) other than the corners. Therefore, when the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A is larger than the reference width for the scraping cut, the scraping cut width is set to the reference width for the scraping cut, thereby preventing the time required for the scraping cut from becoming too long. Furthermore, by setting the scraping cut position at one end of the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A, it is possible to cause the unnecessary region 63 to turn up around the edge, making it easier to remove the unnecessary region 63 than when the unnecessary region 63 is turned up in the center. In step S5, the scraping cut position may be set so that the other end of the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A (e.g., the right end in the figure) coincides with the corner of the scraping cut (notch C) closer to the other end (e.g., the right end in the figure). Additionally, in step S5, the scraping cut position is set so that one end of the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A coincides with the corner of the scraping cut (notch C) closest to that end; however, for example, the scraping cut position may also be set so that the corner closest to that end of the scraping cut is spaced about 0.5 mm inside that end.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the MPU 11 sets the scraping cut length to the height HA of the inscribed rectangle A (step S8). Note that the scraping cut length does not necessarily have to be set to the height HA of the inscribed rectangle A. For example, if the value (length) of the height HA of the inscribed rectangle A is equal to or greater than a predetermined value that is the minimum required for the scraping cut, the scraping cut length may be set to that predetermined value. The above-mentioned predetermined value is, for example, a value that corresponds to the scraping cut length when the scraping cut is performed so that 1 to 10 corners are formed.

Next, the MPU 11 adds a cut line (special cut design) for performing a special cut to the cutting data based on the scraping cut width set in step S4, the scraping cut position set in step S5, and the scraping cut length set in step S8, and causes the cutting unit 17 to perform the scraping cut (step S9). The MPU 11 then ends the scraping cut process.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S3 that the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A is not greater than the scraping cut reference width (step S3; NO), the MPU 11 sets the scraping cut width to the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A (step S6), as shown in FIG. 9. Next, the MPU 11 sets the scraping cut position so that the corners of the scraping cut (notch C) fit within the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A (step S7). Next, the MPU 11 sets the scraping cut length to the height HA of the inscribed rectangle A (step S8). Note that even if it is determined that the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A is not greater than the scraping cut reference width, the scraping cut length does not necessarily have to be set to the height HA of the inscribed rectangle A. For example, if the value (length) of the height HA of the inscribed rectangle A is equal to or greater than a predetermined value that is the minimum required for the scraping cut, the scraping cut length may be set to that predetermined value.

Next, the MPU 11 adds a cut line (special cut design) for performing a special cut to the cutting data based on the scraping cut width set in step S6, the scraping cut position set in step S7, and the scraping cut length set in step S8, and causes the cutting unit 17 to perform the scraping cut (step S9). The MPU 11 then ends the scraping cut process.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the cutting device 10 comprises a cutting unit 17 that cuts paper (medium to be cut) 60 based on cutting data (predetermined design information), and an MPU (control unit) 11. When the cutting data (predetermined design information) includes unnecessary area information indicating unnecessary areas to be removed after cutting, the MPU (control unit) 11 controls the cutting unit 17 to perform a scrap-removing cut (special cut) that causes curling inside the unnecessary area. This results in a scrap-removing cut that causes curling inside the unnecessary area, so the unnecessary area can be easily and smoothly removed by pinching the curling with tweezers or hooking a finger over it. Furthermore, the curling makes the unnecessary area more noticeable, making it easier to identify the unnecessary area.

In addition, the scraping cut (special cut) is a cut in which a wedge-shaped cut is made once or multiple times by moving the drive shaft 174c of the cutter blade 174, which constitutes the cutting section 17, while the cutter blade 174 has cut into the paper (medium to be cut) 60, thereby changing the direction of the cutting edge of the cutter blade 174. As a result, when cutting a bent line where lines of different directions are connected, such as a wedge shape, normally, one of the wedge-shaped lines is cut from start to finish, and then the cutter blade 174 is temporarily retracted from the paper 60, and the direction of the cutting edge is changed while the cutter blade 174 has not penetrated the paper 60, and then the other wedge-shaped line is cut (first cutting method). However, with scraping cuts, the cutter blade 174 is cut into the paper 60 (the cutter blade 174 has penetrated the paper 60), and the drive shaft 174c of the cutter blade 174 is moved to change the direction of the cutting edge (second cutting method), thereby making a wedge-shaped cut and effectively causing curling.

In addition, the MPU 11 sets the width (scraping cut width), length (scraping cut length), and position (scraping cut position) of the cut C when scraping cut (special cut) is performed based on the width and shape of the unnecessary area, so that scraping cut can be performed appropriately inside the unnecessary area.

Furthermore, if the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area is larger than the reference width (scraping cut reference width) of the cut C when scraping cut (special cut), the MPU 11 sets the width of the cut C to the reference width of the cut C. If the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area is equal to or smaller than the reference width of the cut C when scraping cut (special cut), the MPU 11 sets the width of the cut C to the width of the inscribed rectangle A. This allows the width of the cut C when scraping cut (scraping cut width) to be set according to the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area, allowing for appropriate scraping cut inside the unnecessary area. Furthermore, if the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area is larger than the reference width (scraping cut reference width) of the cut C when scraping cut, setting the width of the cut C (scraping cut width) to the reference width of the cut C can prevent the time required for scraping cut from increasing.

Furthermore, if the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area is greater than the reference width (scraping cut reference width) of the notch C when the scraping cut (special cut) is performed, the MPU 11 sets the position of the notch C so that one end of the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A coincides with the corner of the notch C closest to that end. If the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area is less than the reference width (scraping cut reference width) of the notch C when the scraping cut (special cut) is performed, the MPU 11 sets the position of the notch C so that the corner of the notch C fits within the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A. This sets the position of the notch C (scraping cut position) when the scraping cut is performed according to the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area, allowing the scraping cut to be performed appropriately inside the unnecessary area. Furthermore, if the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area is larger than the reference width of the notch C when scraping is performed (reference width for scraping cut), the position of the notch C can be set so that one end of the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A coincides with the corner of the notch C closest to that end, causing the unnecessary area to curl up around the edge, making it easier to remove the unnecessary area compared to when the curl is generated in the center of the unnecessary area.

In addition, the MPU 11 sets the length of the cut C when scraping is performed to be less than the height of the inscribed rectangle A of the unnecessary area, allowing scraping to be performed appropriately inside the unnecessary area.

In addition, the scraping cut is performed using a second cutting method that differs from the first cutting method, which is the way the cutter blade 174 is moved when cutting based on the cutting data (predetermined design information). This allows for a desirable curl when the wedge-shaped cut is made, so that the unwanted area can be easily and smoothly removed by pinching the curl with tweezers or hooking a finger over it.

The above description of the embodiment is merely an example of the cutting device, cutting control method, and program according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, in the above embodiment, the scrap-removing cut (special cut) may be a half cut that does not completely cut the medium to be cut. For example, if the medium to be cut is a sticker paper consisting of at least two layers, a base material and a sticker, the scrap-removing cut may be performed using the second cutting method described above, targeting only the sticker portion. Note that when the above sticker paper is cut using the first cutting method described above, the two layers, the base material and the sticker, are completely cut.

In addition, in the above embodiment, continuous zigzag-shaped notches C (see Figure 6) are formed by the scraping cut, but scraping cuts may also be performed so that multiple wedge-shaped (V-shaped) notches C are formed at positions spaced apart from each other, as shown in Figure 10, for example.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the pressure and cutting speed when the cutter blade 174 cuts into the paper (medium to be cut) 60 are not specified for normal cutting and scrap-removal cutting, but these may be changed to favorably cause curling. For example, in scrap-removal cutting, the pressure when the cutter blade 174 cuts into the paper 60 may be greater (or less) or the cutting speed may be faster (or slower) than in normal cutting.

In the above embodiment, in step S2 of the scraping cut process (see FIG. 5), the inscribed rectangle A may be derived so that the width WA of the inscribed rectangle A is aligned with the X-axis or Y-axis direction of the cutting device 10. In such a case, the scraping cut (notch C) may be made along a pre-specified one of the four sides of the inscribed rectangle A. For example, if the left side of the four sides of the inscribed rectangle A is pre-specified, the scraping cut position is set so that the left side of the inscribed rectangle A coincides with the corner of the scraping cut (notch C) closest to the left side, as shown in FIG. 11(a), and notch C is made. Furthermore, if the right side of the four sides of the inscribed rectangle A is pre-specified, the scraping cut position is set so that the right side of the inscribed rectangle A coincides with the corner of the scraping cut (notch C) closest to the right side, as shown in FIG. 11(b), and notch C is made. Furthermore, if the upper side of the four sides of inscribed quadrilateral A is specified in advance, then the scraping cut position is set so that the upper side of inscribed quadrilateral A coincides with the corner of the scraping cut (cut C) closest to the upper side, as shown in Figure 11(c), and cut C is inserted. Furthermore, if the lower side of the four sides of inscribed quadrilateral A is specified in advance, then the scraping cut position is set so that the lower side of inscribed quadrilateral A coincides with the corner of the scraping cut (cut C) closest to the lower side, as shown in Figure 11(d), and cut C is inserted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

In the scraping cut process of the above embodiment (see Figure 5), scraping cut is automatically performed on unnecessary areas (e.g., unnecessary area 63; see Figure 6) even when the user does not want it to be performed. This can lead to the problem that the unnecessary areas cannot be used for other purposes (e.g., masking) due to the curling that occurs as a result of the scraping cut. Furthermore, if the unnecessary areas are too small to be scraped, errors in the drive position of the cutter blade 174 can affect the necessary areas adjacent to the unnecessary areas. Therefore, in this modified example, when the cut data generation process (described below) that generates cut data is performed, a selection of whether scraping cut is required is accepted for each unnecessary area, and necessity identification information indicating whether the selected scraping cut is required is attached to the cut data (unnecessary area information). Then, in the scraping cut process (described below) of this modified example, scraping cut is performed only on unnecessary areas that require scraping cut based on the necessity identification information.

First, referring to FIG. 12 , the cut data generation process executed by the terminal device 50 will be described. When the cut data generation process is initiated, the CPU 51 of the terminal device 50 generates cut data based on user operation and determines whether the generation of the cut data has been completed (step S101). If it is determined in step S101 that the generation of the cut data has not been completed (step S101; NO), the CPU 51 repeats the determination process of step S101 until the generation of the cut data is completed. Then, if it is determined that the generation of the cut data has been completed (step S101; YES), the CPU 51 displays a necessity selection acceptance screen G1 on the display unit 54, which accepts a selection of whether or not to perform scraping cuts for each unnecessary region (step S102). Note that if cut data has been generated in advance and stored in the memory unit 53, the necessity selection acceptance screen G1 may be displayed on the display unit 54 when the cut data is acquired from the memory unit 53.

As shown in FIG. 13, the necessity selection reception screen G1 displays a cutting image G11 based on the generated cutting data, along with message information G12 prompting the user to select whether or not to perform a scraping cut (e.g., "Please specify the area where the scraping cut will be performed."). The cutting image G11 is displayed in such a way that the necessary area G111 and the unnecessary area G112 can be distinguished from each other. For example, the necessary area G111 is displayed in a hatched state, while the unnecessary area G112 is displayed in a blank state. Furthermore, each unnecessary area G112 can be specified via the operation unit 55 (e.g., by touching the unnecessary area G112). As shown in Figure 13, when an operation to designate an unnecessary area G112 is performed, that unnecessary area G112 is designated as an area where scraping cuts are to be made (an area where scraping cuts are required), and as shown in Figure 14(a), the display mode of that unnecessary area G112 is changed from white to a predetermined display color (e.g., gray) and displayed. On the other hand, when the display mode of that unnecessary area G112 is a predetermined display color, when an operation to designate that unnecessary area G112 is performed, that unnecessary area G112 is designated as an area where scraping cuts are not to be made (an area where scraping cuts are not required), and the display mode of that unnecessary area G112 is changed from the predetermined display color to white and displayed.

In addition, on the necessity selection reception screen G1, the necessary area G111 and the unnecessary area G112 may be distinguishable from each other, for example, by using different display colors or different color intensities. Furthermore, on the necessity selection reception screen G1, when the cutting image G11 is initially displayed, the display mode of each unnecessary area G112 does not have to be displayed as a white background, but may be displayed in the specified display color described above. In other words, each unnecessary area G112 may be displayed in a state where it is designated (selected) as an area where a scraping cut will be made. Furthermore, the cutting image G11 may not distinguish between the necessary area G111 and the unnecessary area G112, and only display the cut line G113 for cutting these areas, as shown in FIG. 14(b).

Furthermore, the method of accepting the selection of whether or not to perform weeding is not limited to directly specifying the unnecessary region G112 as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 14(c), an input form G13 may be provided for inputting the number of the region where weeding should be performed (region where weeding needs to be performed), and the selection of whether or not to perform weeding can be accepted by the user entering the number of the region where weeding should be performed into the input form G13. In such a case, the cutting image G11 is assigned a number (1 to 4) identifying each unnecessary region G112. In the example of FIG. 14(c), the unnecessary region G112 corresponding to the number "2" is designated (selected) as the region where weeding should be performed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14(d), a selection form G14 may be provided for selecting whether or not to perform weeding for each unnecessary region G112, and the selection of whether or not to perform weeding can be accepted using the selection form G14. In such a case, the cutting image G11 is assigned a number (1 to 4) identifying each unnecessary region G112. In the example of Figure 14(d), the unnecessary area G112 corresponding to number "2" has been designated (selected) as the area where scraping cuts will be made.

Furthermore, when an area is designated (selected) as an area for making a scraping cut on the necessity selection reception screen G1, the designated unnecessary area G112 may be displayed in a predetermined display color, as shown in FIG. 15(a), and a symbol mark M indicating the location where the scraping cut will be made may be displayed. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the designated unnecessary area G112 may not be displayed in a predetermined display color, but the symbol mark M may be displayed to make the area where the scraping cut will be made identifiable. Furthermore, the symbol mark M may be displayed in the form of a circumscribed rectangle of the scraping cut (cut C) that will actually be made, as shown in FIG. 15(c)(i). However, it may also be displayed in the form of a centerline of the scraping cut (cut C) that will actually be made, as shown in FIG. 15(c)(ii). Alternatively, instead of the symbol mark M, a cut line CL indicating the scraping cut (cut C) that will actually be made may be displayed, as shown in FIG. 15(d). In such cases, the cutoff line CL may be displayed in red or flashing to make it easier to see.

Returning to FIG. 12 , the CPU 51 then determines whether the selection of whether scraping cutting is required has been completed on the necessity selection reception screen G1 (step S103). If it is determined in step S103 that the selection of whether scraping cutting is required has not been completed (step S103; NO), the CPU 51 repeats the determination process of step S103 until it determines that the selection is completed. Then, if it is determined in step S103 that the selection of whether scraping cutting is required has been completed (step S103; YES), the CPU 51 associates necessity identification information related to scraping cutting with each unnecessary region based on the selection result of whether scraping cutting is required on the necessity selection selection reception screen G1 and attaches it to the cut data (unnecessary region information) (step S104). The CPU 51 then terminates the cut data generation process. Note that the above-mentioned necessity identification information may be attached to the cut data itself, or the necessity identification information may be provided separately from the cut data.

Next, a modified example of the scraping cutting process will be described with reference to FIG. 16. When the scraping cutting process of this modified example is started, the MPU 11 acquires unnecessary area information from the cut data (step S1), similar to the scraping cutting process of the above embodiment (see FIG. 5). Next, the MPU 11 determines whether there is an unnecessary area that requires scraping cutting based on the necessity identification information attached to the unnecessary area information (step S201). If it is determined in step S201 that there is no unnecessary area that requires scraping cutting (step S201; NO), the MPU 11 terminates the scraping cutting process. If it is determined in step S201 that there is an unnecessary area that requires scraping cutting (step S201; YES), the MPU 11 performs the processes from step S2 onward on the unnecessary area that requires scraping cutting, and then terminates the scraping cutting process. Note that the processes from step S2 onward are the same as the scraping cutting process described in the above embodiment, and therefore their description will be omitted.

As described above, according to this modified example, the CPU 51 of the terminal device 50 displays on the display unit 54 the unnecessary area (cutting image G11) of the paper (medium to be cut) 60 that will become unnecessary after cutting is performed by the cutting device 10 based on specified cutting data. The CPU 51 also accepts a selection from the user as to whether scrap-removing cutting (special cutting) is required, which involves curling inside the unnecessary area (cutting image G11) that is performed by the cutting device 10, for the unnecessary area displayed on the display unit 54. The CPU 51 also attaches necessity identification information indicating whether scrap-removing cutting is required to the accepted cutting data. This allows the scrap-removing cutting to be performed only on the unnecessary area desired by the user when cutting is performed by the cutting device 10 based on the above cutting data, allowing for flexible scrap-removing cutting.

In addition, when the CPU 51 receives a selection of whether or not to perform scraping cuts, it displays the unnecessary areas that require scraping cuts in a manner that is easy for the user to identify. This allows the user to check in advance the unnecessary areas that will be subjected to scraping cuts, preventing the unnecessary areas that the user does not want to be scraped cuts from being subjected to scraping cuts.

In addition, when the CPU 51 receives a selection of whether or not scraping cutting is required, it displays a predetermined mark (symbol mark M) at the position where the scraping cutting will be performed within the unnecessary area where the scraping cutting is required. This allows the unnecessary area where the scraping cutting will be performed to be confirmed in advance, and makes it easier to visualize the position where the scraping cutting will actually be performed.

Although variations of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the variations described above, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

1 Cutting system, 10 Cutting device, 11 MPU, 17 Cutting unit, 174 Cutter blade, 50 Terminal device (cutting data generating device), 51 CPU, 54 Display unit, 60 Paper (medium to be cut)

Claims (8)

a cutting unit that cuts the medium to be cut based on predetermined design information;
a control unit,
When the design information includes unnecessary area information indicating an unnecessary area to be removed after the cutting, the control unit controls the cutting unit to perform a special cut in which a turn-up occurs inside the unnecessary area indicated by the unnecessary area information.
A cutting device characterized by: The special cut is a cut in which a wedge-shaped cut is made one or more times by moving a drive shaft of the cutter blade that constitutes the cutting unit while the cutter blade is cut into the medium to be cut and changing the direction of the cutting edge of the cutter blade.
2. The cutting device according to claim 1. the control unit sets the width, length, and position of the cut when the special cut is performed based on the size and shape of the unnecessary area.
3. The cutting device according to claim 2. When the width of the inscribed rectangle of the unnecessary region is larger than the reference width of the notch, the control unit sets the width of the notch to the reference width of the notch, and when the width of the inscribed rectangle of the unnecessary region is equal to or smaller than the reference width of the notch, sets the width of the notch to the width of the inscribed rectangle.
4. The cutting device according to claim 3. When the width of the inscribed rectangle of the unnecessary region is larger than the reference width of the notch, the control unit sets the position of the notch so that one end of the width of the inscribed rectangle coincides with a corner of the notch that is closer to the one end, and when the width of the inscribed rectangle of the unnecessary region is equal to or smaller than the reference width of the notch, the control unit sets the position of the notch so that the corner of the notch falls within the width of the inscribed rectangle.
5. The cutting device according to claim 4. the control unit sets the length of the cut to be equal to or less than the height of an inscribed rectangle of the unnecessary region.
4. The cutting device according to claim 3. A cutting control method for a cutting device having a cutting unit that cuts a medium to be cut based on predetermined design information,
a step of controlling the cutting unit to perform a special cut in which a turn-up occurs inside the unnecessary area indicated by the unnecessary area information when the design information includes unnecessary area information indicating an unnecessary area to be removed after the cutting.
A cutting control method characterized by: a computer of a cutting device having a cutting unit that cuts a medium to be cut based on predetermined design information;
a control means for controlling the cutting unit to perform a special cut in which a turn-up occurs inside the unnecessary area indicated by the unnecessary area information when the design information includes unnecessary area information indicating an unnecessary area to be removed after the cutting;
A program characterized by functioning as