EP3856495A1

EP3856495A1 - Method of controlling 3d printing process

Info

Publication number: EP3856495A1
Application number: EP19908226.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Krzysztof WILK; Szymon Kostrzewa; Kamil Nowoczek; Krzysztof Roguski; Mateusz Wróbel
Original assignee: 3DGence Sp zoo
Current assignee: 3DGence Sp zoo
Priority date: 2018-09-25
Filing date: 2019-07-28
Publication date: 2021-08-04
Also published as: WO2020145830A1; EP3856495A4

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a method for controlling a three-dimensional (3D) printing process comprising preparation of a file with applicable specifications for a spatial model (16) and application of a digital tag (10) to a container (12) that holds a printing material, wherein printing parameters or communication data enabling connection with an external server are recorded onto said digital tag (10), wherein after the container (12) is inserted into a 3D printer (14) the data are read and extracted from the tag to a controller (18), whereby machine codes are generated based on the received data used to control the printing process of a physical model (20).

Description

METHOD OF CONTROLLING 3D PRINTING PROCESS

Technical field

The subject of the present invention is a method for controlling a three-dimensional (3D) printing process by a fused filament fabrication technology, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to methods for delivering and communicating spatial printing parameters for specific 3D printing materials.

Prior art

In a process of three-dimensional (3D) printing by a fused filament fabrication technology various types of materials (substrates) may be utilized for 3D printing with different physicochemical properties. The physicochemical properties of a material constitute important information required by a 3D printer, for successfully printing a desired physical model. Such physicochemical properties reflecting a spatial model and defining the specific printing parameters are saved in the form of unique machine codes, which control the printing process. Such machine codes are produced by a spatial printer controller, which may exist within the printer or an external computer with dedicated software is used as a controller that is operably connected to the 3D printer.

The course of the printing process, visual quality and mechanical properties of the printed model depend on the parameters of the spatial printing process, which are different for each type of printing material.

Preparation of the printing parameters is a long-term activity that requires considerable effort, time, and monetary resources - and, therefore, is highly confidential and proprietary by the developers of such parameters. In the field of 3D printing, the applicable set of printing parameters are often supplied along with the printing material, and often also with software that is configured to generate the necessary machine code based on the printing parameters. In some cases, however, the software and printing parameters are susceptible to being reverse engineered by competitors or other parties, which compromises the confidential and proprietary nature of the specific printing parameters (which, as mentioned above, required considerable effort, time, and monetary resources).

In the field of 3Dprinting, methods are known to protect the specific printing parameters against reverse engineering. For example, some manufacturers have distributed printing materials on reels (or in containers), along with a microchip that contains limited forms of the printing parameters, which the spatial printer is capable of reading. Such operational parameters include certain basic information about the materials (e.g., material name, color, weight, etc.), along with certain basic information that is relevant to the printing process (e.g., required temperatures, loading speeds, etc.). However, such basic information is not sufficient to be used as a printing profile. In addition, it is not possible to print from such materials that do not contain the microchip (which consumers do not like). In other cases, printing materials may be provided on reels that contain a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, which is configured to communicate certain limited and decrypted forms of the printing operational parameters to a 3D spatial printer. These methods are unfavorable as well for a variety of reasons.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved method for delivering and communicating full printing parameters for specific 3D printing materials, in a manner that preserves the confidential and proprietary nature of such parameters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is proposing a method for controlling a three-dimensional (3D) printing process consisting of delivering and communicating printing parameters for a specific 3D printing materials, in a manner that preserves the confidential and proprietary nature of such parameters. A method for controlling a three-dimensional (3D) printing process, according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising preparation of a file with applicable specifications for a spatial model and application of a digital tag containing a data determining at least part of printing parameters to a container that holds a printing material, and after the container is inserted into a 3D printer, the data are read and extracted to a controller which is configured to control the printing process on the 3D printer, whereby machine codes are generated, based on the received data with printing parameters and, preferably based on the spatial model specifications, to control the printing process of a physical model. The method comprises the following steps:

recording encrypted data containing the printing parameters onto a digital tag; applying the digital tag to the container that holds the printing material; inserting the container with the printing material into the 3D printer and decrypting the encrypted printing parameters; generating in the controller printing machine codes for controlling the printing process based on the decrypted printing parameters and, preferably based on the spatial model specifications; printing the physical model based on the generated printing machine codes.

Preferably, the controller is housed within the 3D printer or within an external computer that is operably connected to the 3D printer via external server.

As the digital a passive radio identification tag or a microchip may be used.

The container can have the form of a spool, a cartridge, a handle or a tank.

A method for controlling a three-dimensional (3D) printing process, according to the second aspect of the present invention, comprising preparation of a file with applicable specifications for a spatial model, and determination of a data of at least part of printing parameters, and after a container that holds a printing material with a digital tag applied on it is inserted into a 3D printer, the data are read and extracted to a controller which is configured to control a printing process on the 3D printer, whereby machine codes are generated based on the received data with printing parameters and, preferably based on the spatial model specifications, to control the printing process of a physical model. The method comprises the following steps: recording encrypted communication data onto the digital tag, enabling the 3D printer to connect and communicate with an external server; applying the digital tag to the container that holds the printing material; inserting the container into the 3D printer, whereupon the 3D printer communicates with the external server, and then downloads and decrypts the encrypted printing parameters housed within that server; generating in the controller printing machine codes for controlling the printing process based on the decrypted printing parameters and, preferably based on the spatial model specifications; printing a physical model based on the generated printing machine code.

As the digital tag a passive radio identification tag or a microchip is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The methods according to the invention is illustrated in the embodiment in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 - presents a diagram of controlling a 3D printing process in which a controller housed within a 3D printer is responsible for generating machine codes based upon decrypted printing parameters (derived from a digital tag applied to a container that with printing material) and a printed spatial model. Fig. 2 - presents a diagram of controlling a spatial printing process in which a controller housed within an external computer is responsible for generating machine codes based upon decrypted printing parameters (derived from a digital tag applied to a container with printing material) and a printed spatial model.

Fig. 3 - presents is a diagram of controlling a spatial printing process in which printing parameters are downloaded from an external server, such that a controller housed within a 3D printer is able to generate machine codes after decryption of printing parameters received from the server.

Fig. 4 - presents a diagram of controlling a spatial printing process in which a controller housed within an external computer is responsible for generating machine codes after receiving decrypted printing parameters from an external server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Below embodiments of the present invention describe different methods for delivering and communicating printing parameters for specific 3D printing materials in a manner that preserves the confidential and proprietary nature of such printing parameters. The phrase “printing parameters” refers to specific parameters and conditions to be used by a 3D printer during operation, which are optimized for the physicochemical properties of the printing material to be used. Examples of such printing parameters may include printing temperatures at both the nozzle and build platform, the build speed, cooling fan speeds, and others. On the other hand examples of printing materials include PC, PA, PEI, PAEK, ABS, PLA, materials consisting of glass, carbon, or other fibers; materials consisting of wood, metals, ceramics, and other fillings; materials that are conductive, flexible, or soluble; and many other types of specialty and non-standard printing materials.

According to the first embodiment schematically shown in Fig. 1, printing parameters are recorded in an ecrypted form onto a digital tag 10, which is configured to be applied onto the container 12 that holds the printing material. The digital tag 10 may be applied to the container 12 via adhesives, magnets, mechanical attachments, or other suitable means. The container with printing material may, for example, include a standard cartridge, a spool reel, or a spool holding the printing material, or other containers that hold printing material that are adapted to be inserted into a 3D printer.

The digital tag 10 - which stores the encrypted printing parameters - may consist of a passive radio identification tag or microchip. However, other types of encryption may be employed in the present invention. Examples of currently-available technique may include the Data Encryption Standard (DES), TripleDES, RSA, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Twofish, or others.

According to this embodiment after the container 12 is loaded into the 3D printer 14, using a reader housed within the printer 14, the printing parameters are decrypted and communicated to a controller 18 of the printer. Preferably, a file with the numerical description of a spatial model 16 is also communicated to the controller 18, such as through a user interface of the 3D printer. The file with the spatial model 16 includes data and measurements (in a form that may be interpreted by the controller 18) that reflect the desired three-dimensional shape and dimensions of the physical object (the desired physical model 20) to be printed. Printing machine codes based upon the printing parameters and the spatial model 16 are generated in the controller 18. Once the machine code has been generated, the printing process is controlled by means of the controller 18 and the physical model 20 is printed.

According to other embodiment schematically shown in Fig. 2, the printing machine codes are produced within an external computer 22 which is used as the 3D printer controller. In this embodiment, the controller 18 generates machine codes, based on the supplied printing parameters and the spatial model 16, is housed within the external computer 22. The external computer 22 is operably connected and configured to communicate with the 3D printer 14, e.g., through hard wire or wireless network connections. Then after the printing parameters are read and extracted from the digital tag 10 that is applied to the container 12, the printing parameters are communicated to the external computer 22, preferably along with a file containing a numerical description of the spatial model 16. The controller 18 housed within the external computer 22 then decrypts the printing parameters and thereafter produces the applicable machine codes, which are then communicated back to the 3D printer 14, and the desired physical model 20 is printed according to the instructions.

Fig. 3 presents another embodiment of the present invention, according to which the applicable printing parameters are housed (in an encrypted format) within an external server 24. As used herein, the term“server” may include a dedicated server (or set of servers) or, alternatively, may include server space within a cloud server platform. In this embodiment, a set of communication data are recorded in an encrypted form onto the digital tag 10, which is applied to the container 12 with the printing material. The communication data are configured to enable the 3D printer 14 to connect and communicate with the external server 24. After the container 12 is loaded into the 3D printer 14, the printer 14 connects with the external server 24 and downloads the applicable printing parameters (which are subsequently read and decrypted by the controller 18 housed within the 3D printer 14). Preferably, a file with applicable specifications for the spatial model 16 are also provided to the controller 18 (e.g., through a user interface of the 3D printer 14). At this point, the controller 18 has the necessary information to then generate the applicable machine codes, which are then used by the 3D printer 14 to print the desired physical model 20

In turn, Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention, according to which an external computer 22 may house the controller 18 described herein. As in the embodiment of Fig. 3, a set of communication data are recorded in an encrypted form onto the digital tag 10 which is applied to the container^. In this embodiment, after the container 12 is loaded into the 3D printer 14, the printer 14 connects with the external server 24 which transfers the applicable encrypted printing parameters to the external computer 22. Preferably, the file with spatial model 16 specifications are also provided by server 24 to the external computer 22 (e.g., directly by an operator of the system). The controller 18 housed within the external computer 22 decrypts the printing parameters (preferably, along with the spatial model 16 specifications) to generate the applicable machine codes. The machine codes are then subsequently delivered to the 3D printer 14 via the external server 24, and the physical model 20 is printed on the 3D printer 14. An advantage of the invention is a higher level of protection of confidential and proprietary spatial printing parameters against known solutions. The printing parameters are not embodied within the software that is required to generate machine codes, therefore they do not have to be available to the user when using specific materials. Data stored onto a digital tag can be encrypted with a strong algorithm whose decoder is only housed within a printer controller. These data are only readable using advanced techniques that require irreversible damage to the printer components.

Using the methods of the invention, reading information from a digital tag and preparing the model for printing may be carried out automatically, which simplifies the operation of the printer and reduces the risk of errors.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a three-dimensional (3D) printing process comprising preparation of a file with applicable specifications for a spatial model (16), and application of a digital tag (10) containing data determining at least part of a printing parameters to a container (12) that holds a printing material, wherein after the container (12) is inserted into a 3D printer (14), the data are read and extracted to a controller (18) which is configured to control a printing process on the 3D printer (14), whereby machine codes are generated based on the received data with printing parameters and, preferably based on the spatial model (16) specifications, to control the printing process of a physical model (20) characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

recording encrypted data containing the printing parameters onto the digital tag (10);

applying the digital tag (10) to the container (12) with the printing material; inserting the container (12) into the 3D printer (14) and decrypting the encrypted printing parameters;

generating in the controller (18) printing machine codes for controlling the printing process based on the decrypted printing parameters and, preferably based on the spatial model (16) specifications;

printing a physical model (20) based on the generated printing machine codes.

2. The methods according to claim 1, wherein the controller (18) is housed within the 3D printer (14).

3. The methods according to claim 1, wherein the controller (18) is housed within an external computer (22) that is operably connected to the 3D printer (14) via an external server (24).

4. The methods according to claims 1 or 2 or 3 wherein the digital tag (10) is a passive radio identification tag.

5. The methods according to claims 1 or 2 or 3 wherein the digital tag (10) is a microchip.

6. The methods according to claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein container (12) is a spool.

7. The methods according to claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the container (12) is a cartridge.

8. The methods according to claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the container (12) it a handle.

9. The methods according to claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the container (12) is a tank.

10. A method for controlling a three-dimensional (3D) printing process comprising preparation of a file with applicable specifications for a spatial model (16), and determination of a data of at least part of a printing parameters, wherein after a container (12) that holds a printing material with a digital tag (10) applied on it is inserted into a 3D printer (14), the data are read and extracted to a controller (18) which is configured to control a printing process on the 3D printer (14), whereby machine codes are generated based on the received data with printing parameters and, preferably based on the spatial model (16) specifications, to control the printing process of a physical model (20), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

recording encrypted data containing a communication data onto the digital tag (10) enabling the 3D printer (14) to connect and communicate with an external server (24); applying the digital tag (10) to a container (12) that holds the printing material; inserting the container (12) into the 3D printer (14), whereupon the 3D printer communicates with the external server (24), and then downloads and decrypts the encrypted printing parameters housed within that server; generating in the controller (18) printing machine codes for controlling the printing process based on the decrypted printing parameters and, preferably based on the spatial model (16) specifications; printing a physical model (20) based on the generated printing machine codes.

11. The methods according to claim 10, wherein the controller (18) is housed within the 3D printer (14).

12. The methods according to claim 10, wherein the controller (18) is housed within an external computer (22) that is operably connected to the 3D printer (14) via the external server (24).

13. The methods according to claims 10 or 11 or 12 wherein the digital tag (10) is a passive radio identification tag.

14. The methods according to claims 10 or 11 or 12 wherein the digital tag (10) is a microchip.

15. The methods according to claims 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 wherein the container (12) is a spool.

16. The methods according to claims 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 wherein the container (12) is a cartridge.

17. The methods according to claims 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 wherein the container (12) is a handle.

18. The methods according to claims 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 wherein the container (12) is a tank.