Patent Application
20180264742
The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a solid object modeling system, and an information processing method, especially relates to a processing technique of solid object information (three-dimensional information) representing a three-dimensional shape of a solid object to be modeled by a solid object modeling device.
In recent years, a technology called additive manufacturing is receiving attention. In the additive manufacturing, a solid object (which is a three-dimensional object, and hereinafter may be referred to as a “3D model”) is modeled by depositing layers of molding materials using a solid object modeling device (what is called a 3D printer). The additive manufacturing is implemented by a 3D printer for discharging filamentary molding material (hereinafter may be referred to as “filament”) to a designated location, and by a software for creating a 3D model from 3D model data designated by a user and for indicating to the 3D printer a location where the filament is to be discharged. The software analyzes the 3D model data, and converts the 3D model data into a control code for controlling the 3D printer, using a module called “slicer” included in the software.
The slicer cuts the 3D model into slices having a same thickness along a Z-axis direction, and generates slice data from the cross-sectional shape of the 3D model at each Z coordinate. In the above mentioned additive manufacturing, based on the slice data, toolpath data, which represents a path and width of a toolpath indicating a location where the filament is to be discharged, is generated, and the toolpath data is processed from a piece of the toolpath data corresponding to the lowermost layer of the 3D model. The 3D model is created by depositing filament layers from the lowermost layer to the uppermost layer. Each filament layer is formed by discharging a filament from the 3D printer, with discharge location of the filament moved in accordance with the toolpath data of each layer. The toolpath data is trajectory information representing a path and width of the toolpath, and the toolpath indicates a location where the filament is to be discharged when an outline or an interior of the slice data is generated with a single stroke.
In the additive manufacturing technique, a method for generating toolpath is proposed, in which a hatch path is determined based on intersections of the hatch and an outline, in generating a fill parameter (see Patent Document 1, for example).
In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, toolpath data representing a path and width of the toolpath that indicates a location where the filament is to be discharged with a single stroke is generated, and a 3D model is created by depositing a filament based on the generated toolpath data. In creating the 3D model, if an amount of discharge of a filament per unit of time is constant, a gap, in which a filament is not filled, may occur on a surface of the 3D model or inside the 3D model.
To solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provision of an information processing device for processing three-dimensional information representing a three-dimensional shape of a solid object to be modeled by a solid object modeling device configured to model the solid object by depositing a plurality of layers each of which is formed by discharging the filamentary molding material on the flat surface. The information processing device includes: a three-dimensional information acquisition unit configured to acquire the three-dimensional information; a layer information generating unit configured to generate a plurality of pieces of layer information corresponding to the respective layers of the filamentary molding materials, by slicing the three-dimensional information; a deposition information generating unit configured to generate, from the layer information, deposition information used for depositing the filamentary molding material by discharging the filamentary molding material on the flat surface; a gap region information generating unit configured to generate gap region information representing a gap region to be formed between the filamentary molding materials by depositing the filamentary molding material based on the deposition information; and a discharging information generating unit configured to generate discharging information for controlling discharge of the filamentary molding material, in accordance with the deposition information and the gap region information.
The present disclosure aims at, when creating a 3D model by depositing layers of molding materials by discharging filamentary molding materials on a flat surface, making a gap which may occur between the filamentary molding materials discharged on the flat surface small, or preferably eliminating the gap.
In the following, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, an example of a solid object modeling system including a 3D printer and a PC will be explained. The 3D printer in the solid object modeling system is configured to receive modeling data such as toolpath data, obtained by converting 3D data such as CAD (Computer Aided Design) data representing a shape of a 3D model, and to create the 3D model by depositing layers of filaments based on the modeling data. The PC is configured to send the modeling data to the 3D printer. In the following, the solid object modeling system according to the present embodiment, especially a data processing function of the PC performed when the modeling data is sent to the 3D printer, will be described.
As illustrated in
The CPU 10 controls an entirety of the PC 1. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of high-speed information acquisition or information storage, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 performs information processing. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium, and is used for storing a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a nonvolatile storage medium capable of reading or writing information, and is used for storing an OS (Operating System), various control programs, an application program, and the like.
The I/F 50 is for connecting various hardware or network to the bus 80. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface used for checking status of the PC 1 by a user. The operation unit 70 is a user interface for entering information to the PC 1 by the user, and an example of the operation unit 70 includes a keyboard and a mouse.
As the CPU 10 performs arithmetic operations in accordance with a program loaded into the RAM 20 from the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or a recording medium such as an optical disc (not illustrated) under the above mentioned hardware configuration, a software control unit is configured. Functions of the PC 1 according to the present embodiment are embodied by a combination of the configured software control unit and the hardware.
Next, a structure of the 3D printer 2 will be described with reference to
As mentioned earlier, the 3D printer 2 discharges a filament from the discharging head 201 to form each layer of a solid object to be formed, in accordance with a sliced image of each layer generated by horizontally slicing a three-dimensional shape of the solid object determined by entered modeling data, and deposits each layer sequentially to form the solid object. Specifically, a filament is discharged from the discharging head 201 to a position corresponding to image data of the sliced image. As a result, a part where a filament is discharged becomes a shape corresponding to image data of the sliced image. That is, the discharging head 201 and the arm 202 acts as a filament discharging unit for selectively discharging a filament to a position determined based on information of a three-dimensional shape of a 3D model to be formed.
When forming of one layer is completed, a new filament layer is formed on a layer which has already been formed. By repeating the operation to deposit layers formed by discharging a filament sequentially, a solid object is formed. That is, the base 211 acts as a stage when a filament is discharged.
Note that a hardware configuration of the 3D printer 2 is also similar to the hardware configuration of the PC 1 described with reference to
Next, with reference to
The controller 220 includes a main control unit 221, a network control unit 222, and a discharging head driver 224. The main control unit 221 has a function to control the controller 220 in entirety, and is embodied by the CPU in the 3D printer 2 performing arithmetic operations in accordance with an OS or an application program. The network control unit 222 is an interface of the 3D printer 2 to exchange information with other equipment such as the PC 1, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface is used as the network control unit 222. The discharging head driver 224 is driver software for driving the discharging head 201. The discharging head driver 224 performs driving of the discharging head 201 by a control of the main control unit 221.
Next, with reference to
The controller 100 is embodied by the CPU 10 performing arithmetic operations in accordance with an OS or an application program, and acts as a control unit for controlling the PC 1 in entirety. As illustrated in
The 3D data application 110 is application software such as CAD software, to process data expressing a 3-dimensional shape of an object. The 3D data conversion processing unit 120 is a 3D information processing unit performing a process for converting entered 3D data. That is, a program embodying the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 is an example of an information processing program.
An input of 3D data to the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 is performed by the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 obtaining data entered into the PC 1 via a network, or by the 3D data application 110 calling a function of the 3D data conversion processing unit 120. Alternatively, the input may be performed by the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 obtaining file path data specified by a user operating the operation unit 70.
The 3D data conversion processing unit 120 analyzes the obtained 3D data, and creates modeling data such as toolpath by converting the 3D data. The 3D data conversion processing unit 120 according to the present embodiment creates modeling data such that, when a 3D model having a three-dimensional shape represented by the input 3D data is formed on the base 211, a gap region formed between filaments becomes small or a gap region is not created. That is, the PC 1 including the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 is an example of an information processing device. Details will be described below.
The 3D printer driver 130 is a software module for controlling an operation of the 3D printer 2 by the PC 1, and may have functions similar to general purpose driver software for a 3D printer. A function embodied by the 3D printer driver 130 is based on a function implemented in a printer driver of a generic printer for paper. The 3D printer driver 130 generates data (hereinafter referred to as “slice data”) of the cross-sectional shape of each layer of a 3D model formed by cutting a three-dimensional shape of the 3D model represented by 3D data into slices, and sends the slice data to the 3D printer 2 with control information.
Next, functions of the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 will be described with reference to
The 3D data acquisition unit 121 generates and acquires 3D data of a 3D model, as illustrated in
The toolpath data acquisition unit 123 is an example of a deposition information generating unit, and for each of the layers represented by the slice data acquired by the slice data acquisition unit 122, the toolpath data acquisition unit 123 generates, from slice data of a layer as illustrated in
The information representing the route A of the toolpath contained in the toolpath data includes, as illustrated in
The gap region data acquisition unit 124 converts toolpath data into image data, detects a gap pixel by classifying the image data, detects a gap region based on the detected gap pixel, generates gap region data representing the detected gap region, and obtains the gap region data. That is, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 is an example of a gap region information generating unit.
Based on the toolpath data acquired by the toolpath data acquisition unit 123 and the gap region data acquired by the gap region data acquisition unit 124, the data processing unit 125 generates gap suppression control data for reducing a size of a gap region which may occur between filaments when creating a 3D model with the 3D printer 2, or preferably for eliminating the gap region. The gap suppression control data is data for performing control of enlarging a thickness or width of a filament to be discharged on the base 211, by, for example, reducing a moving speed of the discharging head 201, increasing a discharging speed of a filament discharged from the discharging head 201, or the like. The data processing unit 125 also generates discharging information (that is, modeling data) for controlling discharge of a filament, by adding the gap suppression control data to the toolpath data. That is, the data processing unit 125 is an example of a discharging information generating unit.
The converted data output unit 126 outputs, to the 3D printer driver 130, the modeling data generated by the data processing unit 125 by adding the gap suppression control data to the toolpath data. That is, the converted data output unit 126 is an example of a 3D information output unit. The 3D printer driver 130 creates a job for operating the 3D printer based on the modeling data, and sends data representing the job to the 3D printer 2.
As described above, the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 according to the present embodiment generates gap suppression control data based on toolpath data. In a case in which gap regions E1, E2, and the like are expected to be formed between filaments F as illustrated in
Next, an operation of a system according to the present embodiment will be described.
Next, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 detects a gap pixel by classifying the image data generated at step S1203. For example, as illustrated in
Afterward, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 detects image data related to the gap region K from image data of the gap pixels included in the gap region K detected at step S1205. That is, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 generates and acquires an image including only the toolpath region J and the gap region K separated from the image data obtained at step S1203 (step S1206). Next, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 selects one of the gap pixels having gap labels by searching the image (step S1207), and at step 1208, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 determines if there is a gap pixel adjacent to the selected gap pixel (or if there is a gap pixel connected to the selected gap pixel via one or more gap pixels). As a result of the determination, if a gap pixel adjacent to the selected gap pixel (or a gap pixel connected to the selected gap pixel via one or more gap pixels) is not found (step S1208/NO), a process of the gap region data acquisition unit 124 proceeds to step S1213 to be described below. On the other hand, if a gap pixel adjacent to the selected gap pixel (or a gap pixel connected to the selected gap pixel via one or more gap pixels) is found (step S1208/YES), the gap region data acquisition unit 124 connects the found gap pixel with the gap pixel selected at step S1207 (step S1209).
Next, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 determines if all adjacent gap pixels are connected or not (step S1210). If not all adjacent gap pixels are connected (step S1210/NO), the process of the gap region data acquisition unit 124 reverts to step S1209, and the gap region data acquisition unit 124 repeats a process to connect the extracted gap pixel to adjacent gap pixel. On the other hand, if all adjacent gap pixels are connected (step S1210/YES), the gap region data acquisition unit 124 determines a region covered with all of the connected gap pixels as a single gap region, and saves size information of the determined gap region and location information of the determined gap region, as gap region data (step S1211). The gap region data mentioned here is an example of gap region information.
Next, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 attaches a check label to each of the gap pixels located in the gap region corresponding to the gap region data saved at step S1211 (step S1212). Next, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 determines if all gap pixels in the image acquired at step S1206 have been searched for (step S1213). If not all gap pixels have been searched for (step S1213/NO), the process of the gap region data acquisition unit 124 reverts to step S1207, and the gap region data acquisition unit 124 repeats steps from step S1207 to step S1212. When repeating the steps, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 regards a pixel having a check label attached as a processed pixel, and excludes the pixel from a processing target of the steps. After all gap pixels has been searched for (step S1213/YES), the process of the gap region data acquisition unit 124 proceeds to step S1214.
At step S1214, the data processing unit 125 reduces a size of the gap region K corresponding to the gap region data saved at step S1211, or preferably eliminates the gap region K, by expanding width of all toolpaths (step S1214). The data processing unit 125 at step S1214 adjusts width of all the toolpaths to expand the width of all the toolpaths, based on a size (width P to be described below) of each gap region. In a case in which multiple gap regions are present, the data processing unit 125 determines a width B after adjustment (to be described later) of the toolpaths based on a size (width P) of the largest (having a maximum width P) gap region among the multiple gap regions. During the adjustment, the data processing unit 125 extracts a perpendicular direction element N that is perpendicular to a driving direction M of toolpath L adjacent to a gap region K, as illustrated in
Next, the data processing unit 125 obtains data concerning the adjustment of the toolpath width performed at step S1214, as the gap suppression control data, and adds the obtained gap suppression control data to the toolpath data, to generate modeling data which is discharging information for controlling discharge of a filament.
And then, when a user instructs, by operating the operation unit 70, to start forming a solid object by the 3D printer 2, the converted data output unit 126 outputs the modeling data generated by the data processing unit 125. The 3D printer driver 130 having received the modeling data generates data of a job for causing the 3D printer 2 to perform forming a solid object, and transmits the data to cause the 3D printer 2 to perform forming a solid object. By performing the above process, the entire operation of the system according to the present embodiment is completed.
Next, an operation of the 3D printer 2 having received data of a job will be described. The main control unit 221 in the controller 220 controls the discharging head driver 224 based on the data of the job, and moves the discharging head 201 to a predetermined position above the base 211 using the arm 202. After driving the discharging head 201, the main control unit 221 refers to the modeling data, and causes the discharging head 201 to discharge a filament on the base 211 while driving the discharging head 201 using the arm 202 based on the toolpath data of the lowest layer. After completing discharge of a filament corresponding to one layer, the main control unit 221 repeats the discharge operation of a filament until the discharge for every layer is completed. By performing the above process, the operation of the 3D printer 2 having received data of a job is completed.
As described above, the solid object modeling system according to the present embodiment determines a gap region that may occur between filaments when a 3D model is formed by discharging a filament based on toolpath data, and generates gap suppression control data for reducing a size of the gap region, or preferably eliminating the gap region, by increasing a width of toolpath. As a result, it is possible to control the 3D printer 2 to reduce a size of a gap between filaments or eliminate the gap, when it is predicted that a gap region is generated between filaments. Accordingly, because an occurrence of deformation, caused by a gap region occurring between filaments of a 3D model formed by the 3D printer, can be reduced, forming of a 3D model by the 3D printer can be performed more precisely.
The solid object modeling system according to the first embodiment reduces sizes of, or preferably eliminates, all gap regions detected based on gap pixels. The solid object modeling system according to a second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the solid object modeling system according to a second embodiment is configured such that a user sets a threshold of an area of a gap region to be processed in advance by inputting the threshold using the operation unit 70 of the PC 1, and in that the solid object modeling system according to the second embodiment reduces a size of detected gap region, or preferably eliminates the detected gap region, only when the detected gap region has a larger area than the threshold.
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in
As described above, the solid object modeling system according to the present embodiment determines a region made by connecting gap pixels as a gap region only when an area of the region is equal to or larger than the threshold, and reduces a size of the gap region, or preferably eliminates the gap region, by increasing a width of toolpath. Accordingly, because a process for a region made by connecting gap pixels having smaller area than the threshold can be omitted, the number of the gap regions to be processed can be lessened and a processing speed for forming modeling data can be improved.
The solid object modeling system according to the first embodiment reduces sizes of gaps, or preferably eliminates gaps, by adjusting width of all toolpaths based on gap region data. In the solid object modeling system according to a third embodiment, instead of adjusting width of all toolpaths, a process of reducing a size of the gap region or preferably eliminating the gap region is performed with respect to a part of a toolpath adjacent to a gap region.
As illustrated in
Then, the process proceeds to step S1702, and, with respect to all parts Q of the toolpaths L extracted at step S1701, the data processing unit 125 adjusts width of the toolpaths L in accordance with the procedure mentioned above with reference to
Next, the data processing unit 125 obtains data concerning the adjustment of the toolpath width performed at step S1702, as the gap suppression control data, and adds the obtained gap suppression control data to the toolpath data, to generate modeling data which is discharging information for controlling discharge of a filament.
As described above, the solid object modeling system according to the present embodiment extracts a part Q adjacent to a gap region K among toolpaths L, and with respect to the extracted part Q of the toolpaths L, a width of the toolpaths L is adjusted locally. Accordingly, a width of a part of the toolpath L that is not adjacent to the gap region is not adjusted. As a result, processing speed for forming modeling data can be improved. Further, because the width of the part of the toolpaths L other than the part Q adjacent to the gap region K is not adjusted, quality of a 3D model formed by the 3D printer 2 can be improved.
The solid object modeling system according to the first embodiment reduces a size of a gap region, or preferably eliminates a gap region, by adjusting a width of a toolpath based on a gap region related to gap region data. In the solid object modeling system according to a fourth embodiment, if there is a limitation of an increase in width of a toolpath to reduce a size of a gap region or preferably eliminate a gap region, or if a gap region cannot decrease in size or cannot preferably be eliminated, a new toolpath is added to the gap region to reduce a size of the gap region or preferably to eliminate the gap region.
As illustrated in
Next, the data processing unit 125 obtains, as gap suppression control data, each of the data concerning the adjustment of the toolpath width performed at step S1214 and the data concerning the addition of the toolpath S performed at step S1903, and adds the obtained gap suppression control data to the toolpath data, to generate modeling data which is discharging information for controlling discharge of a filament.
Conversely, if part of the toolpath L2 adjacent to the gap region K is not adjacent to the toolpath L1 running along the outline R (step S1901/N0), the data processing unit 125 obtains data concerning the adjustment of the toolpath width performed at step S1214, as the gap suppression control data, and adds the obtained gap suppression control data to the toolpath data, to generate modeling data which is discharging information for controlling discharge of a filament.
If a width of a toolpath L1 running along an outline R of modeling data were expanded, displacement of a toolpath from the outline R would occur when forming a 3D model, and unevenness might be formed on a surface of the formed 3D model. Therefore, there is a certain limitation in an adjustable range of a width of the toolpath L1. Further, even if a width of a toolpath L2 adjacent to the toolpath L1 running along the outline R were expanded in order to reduce a size of a gap region K between the toolpaths L2 or preferably to eliminate the gap region K, the size of the gap region K might not decrease, as illustrated in
Note that a case as illustrated in
In the solid object modeling system according to the present embodiment, the data processing unit 125 determines if part of a toolpath L2 adjacent to a gap region K, whose width has been adjusted, is also adjacent to a toolpath L1 running along an outline R. If the part of the toolpath L2 adjacent to the gap region K is also adjacent to the toolpath L1 running along the outline R, a new toolpath S in accordance with a width of the gap region K is added to the gap region K to which the toolpath L2 is adjacent. Accordingly, in a case in which unevenness might be formed on a surface of the formed 3D model even if a width of a toolpath L1 were expanded, or in a case a gap region K might not be reduced in size or eliminated even if a width of a toolpath L2 were expanded, the solid object modeling system according to the present embodiment can reduce a size of the gap region K or can eliminate the gap region. As a result, quality of a surface of a 3D model can be improved, and forming of a 3D model by the 3D printer 2 can be performed more precisely.
The solid object modeling system according to the first embodiment reduces a size of a gap region, or preferably eliminates a gap region, by adjusting a width of a toolpath. However, in the solid object modeling system according to a fifth embodiment, by changing a route of a toolpath, a size of the gap region is reduced or preferably the gap region is eliminated.
As illustrated in
Next, the data processing unit 125 obtains, as gap suppression control data, data concerning the adjustment of the bending angles of the toolpaths performed at step S2101, and adds the obtained gap suppression control data to the toolpath data, to generate modeling data which is discharging information for controlling discharge of a filament.
As described above, in forming toolpath data, a gap region K may be formed between toolpaths L depending on a bending angle Φ1 of the toolpath L as illustrated in
The solid object modeling system according to the first embodiment detects a gap region K by performing an extraction of a gap pixel in an image on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In a solid object modeling system according to the sixth embodiment, a search of a gap region K in an image is conducted by using a search region T having a predetermined fixed shape and area.
As illustrated in
If an adjacent search region T having the gap pixel ratio not less than the predetermined threshold is extracted (step S2302/YES), the gap region data acquisition unit 124 recognizes that an entirety of all the search regions T extracted at step S2302 is a part of the gap region K, and connects the search regions T with adjacent search regions T having the gap pixel ratio not less than the predetermined threshold (step S2303).
Next, at step S2304, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 determines whether all adjacent search regions T having the gap pixel ratio not less than the predetermined threshold are connected (step S2304). If not all adjacent search regions T having the gap pixel ratio not less than the predetermined threshold have been connected (step S2304/NO), the process reverts to step S2303 and the gap region data acquisition unit 124 repeats a process for connecting a search region T having the gap pixel ratio not less than the predetermined threshold, with an adjacent search region T having the gap pixel ratio not less than the predetermined threshold. If all adjacent search regions T having the gap pixel ratio not less than the predetermined threshold have been connected (step S2304/YES), the gap region data acquisition unit 124 recognizes all of the connected search regions T to be a single gap region K, and saves information about size and location of the recognized gap region K as gap region data (step S2305). Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S2306, and the gap region data acquisition unit 124 attaches a check label to each of the pixels located in the gap region K corresponding to the gap region data saved at step S2305. Next, the process proceeds to step S2307, and the gap region data acquisition unit 124 determines if a search of gap pixels on a per search region basis T (performed at step S2301) is completed in an entirety of an image.
If a search of gap pixels on a per search region basis T has not been completed in an entirety of an image (step S2307/NO), the process reverts to step 2301, and the gap region data acquisition unit 124 repeats the process of steps S2301 to S2306. With respect to repeating the process of steps S2301 to S2306, if the gap region data acquisition unit 124 finds a search region T including a pixel to which a check label is attached, the gap region data acquisition unit 124 determines that the process of steps S2301 to S2306 has already been completed with respect to the search region T, and the search region T is excluded from an object of the process of steps S2301 to S2306. When a search of gap pixels on a per search region basis T has been completed in an entirety of an image (step S2307/YES), the process proceeds to step 1214, and a process similar to that described in the first embodiment will be carried out.
As described above, the solid object modeling system according to the present embodiment scans an image for each search region T having a predetermined fixed shape and area, and determines if the search region T is a part of a gap region K or not. Further, adjacent search regions that are determined as the part of the gap region are regarded as a single gap region, and data relevant to the gap region is saved. Accordingly, since the solid object modeling system according to the present embodiment can simultaneously process all pixels in a search region T having a predetermined fixed shape and area, a processing speed for generating modeling data can be improved, as compared to the solid object modeling system according to the first embodiment, which searches for a gap region K by performing an extraction of a gap pixel for each pixel of an image.
The solid object modeling system according to the first embodiment reduces a size of a gap region K between toolpaths L, or preferably eliminates the gap region, by expanding a width of the toolpath L. In the solid object modeling system according to a seventh embodiment, in a case in which a gap region K between toolpaths L runs along an outline R, a change of a route A of a toolpath L is performed in addition to an expansion of a width B of the toolpath L.
As illustrated in
At step S3001, if at least one gap region K between toolpaths L running along an outline R is included among all gap regions K corresponding to the gap region data (step S3001/YES), the process proceeds to step S3002 and the data processing unit 125 adjusts widths B and routes A of all toolpaths L. Next, the data processing unit 125 obtains data concerning the adjustment of the widths B and routes A of all the toolpaths L performed at step S3002, as the gap suppression control data, and adds the obtained gap suppression control data to the toolpath data, to generate modeling data which is discharging information for controlling discharge of a filament.
Conversely, if a gap region K between toolpaths L running along an outline R is not included in all the gap regions K corresponding to gap region data (step S3001/N0), the process proceeds to step S1214, and a process similar to that described in the first embodiment will be carried out.
For example, in a case in which a gap region E2 exists between toolpaths L running along an outline R protruding upward as illustrated in
That is, in a process for adjusting widths B and routes A of all toolpaths L performed at step S3002, widths B of all toolpaths L are expanded, and routes A of all the toolpaths L are moved toward an inside of an outline R of an internal region C represented by the contour information G. The width B and the route A of the toolpaths L after adjustment are determined such that a gap region E2 between toolpaths L running along an outline R can be reduced in size or preferably eliminated, and that the outline R can be maintained in the same condition as the outline R before adjustment.
The solid object modeling system according to the second embodiment expands a width of the toolpath L to reduce a size of a gap region K having an area not less than a threshold, or preferably to eliminate the gap region K. In the solid object modeling system according to an eighth embodiment, similar to the seventh embodiment, in a case in which a gap region K between toolpaths L runs along an outline R, a change of a route A of a toolpath L is performed in addition to an expansion of a width B of the toolpath L.
As illustrated in
Conversely, if a gap region K between toolpaths L running along an outline R is not included in all the gap regions K corresponding to gap region data (step S3001/N0), the process proceeds to step S1214, and a process similar to that described in the first embodiment will be carried out.
According to the present embodiment, in addition to an effect of the above described second embodiment, similar to the seventh embodiment, the gap region E2 can be eliminated, and the toolpath L is prevented from extending outside of the outline R. As a result, quality of a surface of a 3D model can be improved, and forming of a 3D model by the 3D printer 2 can be performed more precisely.
In the solid object modeling system according to the third embodiment, a width of a part of toolpaths L adjacent to a gap region K is expanded to reduce a size of a gap region K between the toolpaths L, or preferably to eliminate the gap region K. In the solid object modeling system according to a ninth embodiment, similar to the seventh embodiment, in a case in which a gap region K between toolpaths L runs along an outline R, a change of a route A of a part of a toolpath L adjacent to a gap region K is performed in addition to an expansion of a width of the part of the toolpath L.
As illustrated in
Conversely, if a gap region K between toolpaths L running along an outline R is not included in all the gap regions K corresponding to gap region data (step S3001/N0), the process proceeds to step S1702, and a process similar to that described in the third embodiment will be carried out.
According to the present embodiment, in addition to an effect of the above described third embodiment, similar to the seventh embodiment, the gap region E2 can be eliminated, and the toolpath L is prevented from extending outside of the outline R. As a result, quality of a surface of a 3D model can be improved, and forming of a 3D model by the 3D printer 2 can be performed more precisely.
In the solid object modeling system according to the fifth embodiment, by changing a route A of toolpaths L, a gap region K between the toolpaths L is reduced in size, or preferably is eliminated. In the solid object modeling system according to a tenth embodiment, similar to the seventh embodiment, in a case in which a gap region K between toolpaths L runs along an outline R, a change of a route A of a toolpath L is performed in addition to an expansion of a width B of the toolpath L.
As illustrated in
Conversely, if a gap region K between toolpaths L running along an outline R is not included in all the gap regions K corresponding to gap region data (step S3001/N0), the process proceeds to step S2101, and a process similar to that described in the fifth embodiment will be carried out.
According to the present embodiment, in addition to an effect of the above described fifth embodiment, similar to the seventh embodiment, the gap region E2 can be eliminated, and the toolpath L is prevented from extending outside of the outline R. As a result, quality of a surface of a 3D model can be improved, and forming of a 3D model by the 3D printer 2 can be performed more precisely.
Similar to the first embodiment, the solid object modeling system according to the sixth embodiment also reduces a size of a gap region K between toolpaths L, or preferably eliminates the gap region, by expanding a width of the toolpath L. In the solid object modeling system according to a eleventh embodiment, similar to the seventh embodiment, in a case in which a gap region K between toolpaths L runs along an outline R, a change of a route A of a toolpath L is performed in addition to an expansion of a width B of the toolpath L, which consequently mitigates an effect on an outline R of a 3D model by a process for expanding a width of the toolpath L in order to reduce a size of a gap region K between toolpaths L running along an outline R or preferably to eliminate the gap region K.
As illustrated in
Conversely, if a gap region K between toolpaths L running along an outline R is not included in all the gap regions K corresponding to gap region data (step S3001/N0), the process proceeds to step S1214, and a process similar to that described in the first embodiment will be carried out.
According to the present embodiment, in addition to an effect of the above described sixth embodiment, similar to the seventh embodiment, the gap region E2 can be eliminated, and the toolpath L is prevented from extending outside of the outline R. As a result, quality of a surface of a 3D model can be improved, and forming of a 3D model by the 3D printer 2 can be performed more precisely.
In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 generates gap suppression control data is described. However, this is merely an example, and functions of the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 and the 3D printer driver 130 may be incorporated in the 3D printer 2. In this case, 3D data acquired by the 3D data acquisition unit 121 that was described with reference to
Further, by storing modeling data such as a toolpath generated in the PC 1 into a storage medium such as a USB memory, and by enabling the 3D printer 2 to read the modeling data from the storage medium, the 3D printer 2 may form a 3D model based on the modeling data read from the storage medium.
Alternatively, the solid object modeling system may be configured such that a function of the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 is implemented in the 3D printer 2 but a function of the 3D printer driver 130 remains in the PC 1. In this case, the 3D data conversion processing unit 120 may be configured to execute a modeling process by the 3D printer 2 based on data representing a job created by the 3D printer driver 130.
Further, examples of the solid object modeling system in the description of each of the above embodiments are configured to perform a process to generate gap region data from toolpath data of each layer, and a process to expand a width of the toolpath, to add a new toolpath, or to change a route of the toolpath, in order to reduce a size of a gap region represented by the generated gap region data, or preferably to eliminate the gap region. However, the process to expand a width of a toolpath, to add a new toolpath, or to change a route of a toolpath may be executed in combination properly to reduce a size of a gap region, or preferably to eliminate the gap region.
Further, to adjust a gap region represented by gap region data, a width of a toolpath may be expanded so that a gap region can be reduced in size or so that a gap region can be eliminated.
The information processing device, the solid object modeling system, the information processing method, the information processing program, and the computer-readable recording medium have been described with reference to the above embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various variations and enhancements may be applied within the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-236870 | Dec 2015 | JP | national |
The present application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/085603 filed on Nov. 30, 2016, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-236870 filed on Dec. 3, 2015. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2016/085603 | Nov 2016 | US |
| Child | 15983241 | US |
