JP2012096427A - Apparatus, method and program for generating setting data for three dimensional molding apparatus, and recording medium readable by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily execute proper setting according to a condition requested by a user in a three dimensional molding of one or more objects.SOLUTION: A setting data generating apparatus for a three dimensional molding apparatus for molding a three dimensional molded article using a molding material includes: an input means 61 of obtaining three dimensional data of the molded article; a parameter setting means 63 for setting which parameter is preferential in a plurality of molding parameters including the molding time necessary for three dimensionally molding corresponding to the plurality of objects and the use quantity of the molding material necessary for the molding of the molded article; and a calculation means 64 of performing calculation so that the attitude of the object becomes optimum on the basis of priority of the molding parameter set in the parameter setting means 63. The calculation means 64 is configured to independently calculate the attitudes of the plurality of the objects.

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a setting data creation method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a setting data creation program for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium. About.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an apparatus that performs three-dimensional modeling by sequentially laminating a resin for each cross section obtained by cutting a modeled object by a plurality of parallel surfaces, and generates a modeled object that becomes a three-dimensional model of the modeled object. In particular, in the field of rapid prototyping (RP), which is used for prototyping in product development, an additive manufacturing method capable of three-dimensional molding is used. The additive manufacturing method slices the three-dimensional CAD data of a product, creates the original data of production by superimposing thin plates, and laminates materials such as powder, resin, steel plate, paper, etc. Create As such a layered modeling method, an inkjet method, a powder method, an optical modeling method, a sheet lamination method, an extrusion method, and the like are known.

  In such a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, generally, setting data for modeling a modeled object is created using a three-dimensional modeling program. For example, three-dimensional data of a model created in advance by another three-dimensional CAD program is read by the three-dimensional modeling program, this three-dimensional data is placed on the modeling plate as an object, and the arrangement and orientation are determined. The data is converted into a format that can be read by the original modeling apparatus, and the converted modeling data is transmitted to the 3D modeling apparatus main body.

Special table 2003-535712 gazette

  For example, in a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a modeled object with resin, the time required for modeling and the amount of resin are largely changed depending on the arrangement position and orientation of the object of the modeling target arranged on the modeling plate. Therefore, the user tries to find a setting value that can be modeled in as short a time as possible and reduce the required amount of resin by adjusting the arrangement position and orientation of the object on the modeling plate. In particular, when a plurality of objects are arranged on one modeling plate, since many combinations such as relative positions and respective postures are conceivable, adjustment work becomes troublesome. On the other hand, a technique for automatically optimizing the postures and arrangements of all the set objects and displaying parameters such as the amount of resin consumed and the molding time is known.

  However, if you try to automatically set an optimal posture that minimizes modeling time when multiple objects with large sizes are arranged on the modeling plate, for example, the modeling time of some large objects is dominant. Thus, the posture and arrangement of small objects are almost neglected from the modeling time, and it cannot be said that the optimum setting according to the user's wishes is necessarily made. In particular, the conventional method can only be set in a lump, and the user cannot make detailed settings, for example, to make a specific part of a specific object a glossy surface.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and the main object of the present invention is to enable appropriate settings in accordance with the conditions required by the user when three-dimensionally modeling one or more objects. An object of the present invention is to provide a setting data creation device for a 3D modeling apparatus, a setting data creation method for a 3D modeling apparatus, a setting data creation program for a 3D modeling apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the setting data creation apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object using a modeling material Input data 61 for acquiring three-dimensional data of a modeled object, modeling time required for three-dimensional modeling corresponding to the plurality of objects, and modeling material required for modeling a modeled object The parameter setting means 63 for setting which one of the plurality of modeling parameters including the usage amount of the object is prioritized, and the posture of the object is based on the priority of the modeling parameters set by the parameter setting means 63 And calculating means 64 for calculating so as to be optimized. The calculating means 64 can be configured to be able to calculate the optimum posture individually for each of a plurality of objects. This makes it possible to set an optimum posture for each of multiple objects, eliminating the problem that the posture of a small object could not be set to the optimum posture even if there were multiple objects. it can.

  Moreover, according to the setting data creation apparatus for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the second aspect, the calculation unit 64 minimizes the usage amount of the modeling material among the modeling parameters or minimizes the modeling time. The optimum posture of the object can be calculated. Accordingly, it is possible to perform an appropriate calculation that minimizes the amount of modeling material used and the modeling time that are of great interest to the user.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation device for the 3D modeling apparatus according to the third aspect, after the calculation means 64 calculates the optimum posture, the calculation position is further optimized according to the modeling parameters. Possible. Thereby, after determining the optimum posture, the optimum posture and the optimum placement can be realized by executing the optimum placement function.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation device for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the calculation unit 64 is in accordance with the general optimization condition including the priority of the modeling parameter set by the parameter setting unit 63. A general optimization function that performs an optimal posture and / or optimal arrangement is executable, and a customized optimization function that performs an optimal posture and / or optimal arrangement according to individual conditions specified by a user for an arbitrary object is provided. be able to. As a result, it is possible to realize two types of optimization, general-purpose optimization and user-oriented optimization, and it is possible to perform modeling in a form desired by the user with higher flexibility.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation device for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus has a model material MA that becomes a final modeled object as a modeling material on the modeling plate 40, and By repeating the operation of supporting the overhanging portion where the model material MA overhangs and discharging the support material SA that is finally removed while scanning in at least one direction and curing the support material SA in the height direction. Modeling can be performed by generating slices having a predetermined thickness and stacking the slices in the height direction. Thereby, it is possible to flexibly set the optimum posture and the optimum arrangement for the object with respect to the ink jet type three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the support material SA and the model material MA are used as modeling parameters whose priority can be specified by the parameter setting unit 63. Including the contact area, the calculation means 64 can calculate the optimum posture so as to minimize the contact area. Thereby, the surface of the model material used as the last modeled object can be increased in a glossy and glossy finish portion that is not in contact with the support material, and an advantage of improving the appearance of the modeled object obtained can be obtained.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation device for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the display means 62 for displaying a plurality of objects indicating the modeled object specified by the inputted three-dimensional data is further provided. The display means 62 can be configured to display the posture of each object in a state where the support material SA is added to the model material MA. This makes it easy for the user to visually confirm the position of the support material at which position of the model material, which is the final model, by the display means.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the display means 62 can display the support material SA added to the model material MA in a translucent manner. it can. Thereby, it can visually recognize without the shape of a model material hiding in the site | part which a support material contacts with a model material, and the advantage that confirmation work becomes easy is acquired.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creating apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the adjusting means 65 for adjusting the arrangement position and / or orientation of the object displayed on the display means 62, respectively. Can be provided. As a result, the user can manually specify the posture and position of the object, or the user can make desired fine adjustments to the automatically calculated optimum posture and optimum posture, and 3D modeling with a higher degree of freedom. Can be set.

  Still further, according to the setting data creation device for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the tenth aspect, when the orientation and / or arrangement position of the object is changed by the adjustment means 65, it corresponds to the object in the display means 62 accordingly. The display of the model material MA and the support material SA to be updated can be updated in real time with the changed posture and / or arrangement position. Thereby, the user can confirm the position of the support material after fine adjustment in real time, and the adjustment work can be facilitated.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation device for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the specific region designated in the model material MA in the object displayed on the display means 62 is the support Changing means for changing the posture of the object so as not to contact the material SA can be provided. Thereby, the specific area designated by the user can be a glossy glossy surface that does not come into contact with the support material, and an advantage that a molded article desired by the user can be easily obtained is obtained.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation device for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the object can be rotated so that the predetermined area in the object designated by the changing means faces the upper surface. . Thereby, since the surface of the designated model material becomes the upper surface after modeling, the support material is not attached on the surface and the mat surface is not formed.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, a setting data creation method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object using a modeling material, Required for three-dimensional modeling corresponding to the plurality of objects, a step of acquiring three-dimensional data of a plurality of modeling objects, a step of displaying a plurality of objects indicating a modeling object defined by the input three-dimensional data Based on the step of setting which one of the plurality of modeling parameters including the modeling time and the usage amount of the modeling material required for modeling the modeled object, and the priority of the set modeling parameter, the modeling parameter A step of calculating an optimal arrangement posture of each object so as to minimize the amount of modeling material used or minimize modeling time, and superiority of the set modeling parameters. Each of the plurality of objects including a step of optimizing the arrangement position of each object so that the amount of modeling material used for modeling parameters is minimized or the modeling time is minimized based on the degree. On the other hand, the optimum position and optimum posture can be calculated individually. Accordingly, it is possible to perform an appropriate calculation that minimizes the amount of modeling material used and the modeling time that are of great interest to the user. Further, after determining the optimum posture, the optimum posture and the optimum placement can be realized by executing the optimum placement function.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation program for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, a setting data creation program for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object using a modeling material, An input function for acquiring three-dimensional data of a plurality of modeling objects on a computer, a display function for displaying a plurality of objects indicating a modeling object defined by the input three-dimensional data, and the display function The adjustment function for adjusting the arrangement positions and / or orientations of the plurality of objects displayed in Step 1, the modeling time required for three-dimensional modeling corresponding to the plurality of objects, and the modeling material required for modeling the modeled object A parameter setting function for setting which one of the plurality of modeling parameters including the usage amount has priority, and a modeling parameter set by the parameter setting function. A calculation function for calculating the object placement position and / or posture so that the amount of modeling material used for modeling parameters is minimized or the modeling time is minimized based on the priority of the data. And the calculation function can be configured to calculate the optimum posture individually for each of the plurality of objects. Accordingly, it is possible to perform an appropriate calculation that minimizes the amount of modeling material used and the modeling time that are of great interest to the user.

  Furthermore, according to the setting data creation program for the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus has a model material MA that becomes a final modeled object as a modeling material on the modeling plate 40, and By repeating the operation of supporting the overhanging portion where the model material MA overhangs and discharging the support material SA that is finally removed while scanning in at least one direction and curing the support material SA in the height direction. An inkjet type three-dimensional modeling apparatus that generates a slice by generating a slice having a predetermined thickness and stacking the slice in the height direction, and a modeling parameter whose priority can be specified by the parameter setting function , Including an area where the support material SA and the model material MA contact each other, and the calculation function calculates an optimal posture so as to minimize the contact area. Can Noh. Thereby, the surface of the model material used as the last modeled object can be increased in a glossy and glossy finish portion that is not in contact with the support material, and an advantage of improving the appearance of the modeled object obtained can be obtained.

  Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium according to the sixteenth aspect stores the above program. Recording media include CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, flexible disk, magnetic tape, MO, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD + R, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, Blu-ray, HD A medium that can store a program such as a magnetic disk such as a DVD (AOD), an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is included. The program includes a program distributed in a download manner through a network line such as the Internet, in addition to a program stored and distributed in the recording medium. Furthermore, the recording medium includes a device capable of recording the program, for example, a general purpose or dedicated device in which the program is mounted in a state where the program can be executed in the form of software, firmware, or the like. Furthermore, each process and function included in the program may be executed by computer-executable program software, or each part of the process or hardware may be executed by hardware such as a predetermined gate array (FPGA, ASIC), or program software. And a partial hardware module that realizes a part of hardware elements may be mixed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the three-dimensional modeling apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a top view which shows a mode that a head part is moved to XY direction. It is a perspective view which shows the modeling thing modeled with the model material and the support material. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a head part. It is a top view which shows a mode that a modeling material is discharged with the head part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removes the surplus part of modeling material with a roller part. It is a block diagram which shows the setting data creation apparatus for 3D modeling apparatuses. It is an image figure which shows the screen of a setting data creation program. It is an image figure which shows the "open file" dialog screen. It is an image figure which shows the example by which the object was displayed on the display column of FIG. It is an image figure which shows the example which moves the object of FIG. It is an image figure which shows a print data creation dialog. It is an image figure which shows the other example of a parameter setting means. It is a schematic diagram which shows the area which projected the object on XZ plane and YZ plane. FIG. 17A is a perspective view of an object, and FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the object of FIG. 17A is formed by stacking a plurality of slices. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distance from the viewpoint right above the object of Fig.17 (a). It is a schematic diagram which shows the pattern of the model material or support material discharged to each pixel of n layer in XY plane. It is a schematic diagram which shows the pattern of the model material or support material discharged to each pixel of the n + 1 layer in XY plane. It is a schematic diagram which shows the pattern of the model material or support material discharged to each pixel of n + 2 layer in XY plane. It is an image figure which shows the state which made the support material non-display. It is an image figure which shows the state which displayed the support material with the support material virtual display function. It is an image figure which shows a glossy surface designation | designated function. It is an image figure which shows the state which performed the glossy surface designation | designated function in FIG. It is an image figure which shows the state which set the attitude | position separately with respect to several objects with the separate setting function. It is an image figure which shows the state which arrange | positions the object from which a magnitude | size differs. It is an image figure which shows the state which rearranged for every object in FIG. It is a top view which shows the area | region modeled in 2 fields in XY plane of a modeling plate. It is a top view which shows the state from which the width of 1 field is decided by the size of a head part. It is a top view which shows the example of an improper arrangement of two objects. It is a top view which shows the example of suitable arrangement | positioning of two objects. It is a perspective view which shows five objects arrange | positioned on a modeling plate. It is a top view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned object OB14 on a modeling plate. FIG. 35 is a perspective view of FIG. 34. It is a top view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned object OB14 and OB16 on a modeling plate. FIG. 37 is a perspective view of FIG. 36. It is a top view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned all the objects on the modeling plate. It is a perspective view of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows six objects arrange | positioned on a modeling plate. It is a top view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the object 1 on the modeling plate. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of FIG. 41. It is a top view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the objects 1 and 4 on a modeling plate. FIG. 44 is a perspective view of FIG. 43. It is a top view which shows the state which arranges an object on a modeling plate sequentially. It is a perspective view of FIG. It is a top view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned all the objects on the modeling plate. It is a perspective view of FIG. It is a top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning in case there is one object. It is a top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning in case there are two objects. It is a top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning when the object with the shortest length of a X direction cannot be arrange | positioned adjacently. It is an image figure of the user interface screen which shows an object moving means. FIG. 53 is an image diagram showing an example in which an object is moved in the X direction from the state of FIG. 52 and automatically stopped. FIG. 54 is an image diagram showing an example in which an object is moved in the Y direction from the state of FIG. 53 and automatically stopped. It is an image figure which shows the example which moved the object to Z direction and made it stop automatically. FIG. 56 is an image diagram showing an example in which the clearance in the Z direction is set large in FIG. 55. It is an image figure which shows the example which performs a clearance minimum movement function with respect to a some object in a horizontal direction. FIG. 58 is an image diagram showing a state in which the minimum clearance movement function is executed from the state of FIG. 57. It is an image figure which shows the example which performs a clearance minimum movement function to a perpendicular direction with respect to several objects. FIG. 60 is an image diagram showing a state in which the minimum clearance movement function is executed from the state of FIG. 59. It is an image figure which shows the example of a warning means.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment shown below is a setting data creation apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a setting data creation method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, and a setting for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus to embody the technical idea of the present invention. A data creation program and a computer-readable recording medium are exemplified, and the present invention relates to a setting data creation device for a 3D modeling apparatus, a setting data creation method for a 3D modeling apparatus, and a 3D modeling apparatus The setting data creation program and the computer-readable recording medium are not specified as follows. Further, the present specification by no means specifies the members shown in the claims to the members of the embodiments. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified, and are merely explanations. It is just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing.

  The connection between the 3D modeling apparatus used in the embodiment of the present invention and the computer, printer, external storage device and other peripheral devices for operation, control, display, and other processing connected thereto is, for example, IEEE 1394. RS-232x, RS-422, RS-423, RS-485, serial connection such as USB, parallel connection, or electrical or magnetic via a network such as 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T , Communicate optically. The connection is not limited to a physical connection using a wire, but may be a wireless connection using a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.1x, radio waves such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared light, optical communication, or the like. Furthermore, a memory card, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used as a recording medium for exchanging data or storing settings. In this specification, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus is used to mean not only a three-dimensional modeling apparatus main body but also a three-dimensional modeling system in which peripheral devices such as a computer and an external storage device are combined.

In this specification, the 3D modeling apparatus, the 3D modeling method, and the 3D modeling program are a system that performs 3D modeling, and input / output, display, calculation, communication, and other processes related to image generation. However, the present invention is not limited to the apparatus and method to be performed automatically. Apparatuses and methods for realizing processing by software are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, software or programs, plug-ins, objects, libraries, applets, compilers, modules, macros that run on specific programs, etc. can be incorporated into general-purpose circuits or computers to enable image generation itself or related processing. The apparatus and system also correspond to the 3D modeling apparatus, 3D modeling method, 3D modeling program, and computer-readable recording medium of the present invention. In this specification, the computer includes a general-purpose or dedicated computer, a workstation, a terminal, a portable electronic device, PDC, CDMA, W-CDMA, FOMA (registered trademark), GSM, IMT2000, fourth generation, and the like. Mobile phones, PHS, PDAs, pagers, smartphones and other electronic devices. Further, in this specification, the program is not limited to a program that is used alone, such as a mode that functions as a part of a specific computer program, software, or service, a mode that is called and functions when necessary, an OS, and the like. It can also be used as an aspect provided as a service in the environment, an aspect that operates resident in the environment, an aspect that operates in the background, and other support programs.
Example 1

  In FIG. 1, the block diagram of the three-dimensional modeling system 100 which concerns on Example 1 of this invention is shown. Here, an example applied to an inkjet three-dimensional modeling apparatus will be described as an example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. However, the present invention does not specify the three-dimensional modeling apparatus as an ink jet system, but a three-dimensional modeling apparatus using another system, for example, a powder modeling method, an optical modeling method, a sheet laminating method, an extrusion method, or the like. It can also be used. This three-dimensional modeling system 100 manufactures an arbitrary modeled object by ejecting and curing a modeling material in a liquid or fluid state by an ink jet method and laminating them. As the modeling material, a model material MA constituting a final modeled object and a support material SA that is modeled and finally removed to support the projecting portion from which the model material MA projects are used.

  A three-dimensional modeling system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a setting data creation device 1 (computer PC in FIG. 1) that sends setting data to the three-dimensional modeling device 2 and a three-dimensional modeling device 2. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 2 includes a control unit 10, a head unit 20, and a modeling plate 40. The head unit 20 includes a model material discharge nozzle 21 that discharges the model material MA and a support material discharge nozzle 22 that discharges the support material SA as modeling material discharge means. Further, the head unit 20 is also provided with a roller unit 25 for smoothing the surface of the modeling material by scraping off an excess from the discharged modeling material, and a curing unit 24 for curing the modeling material. Further, the head portion 20 is scanned back and forth in the horizontal direction in order to discharge the modeling material from the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22 to an appropriate position on the modeling plate 40 in a liquid or fluid state by an ink jet method. XY direction drive as horizontal drive means for scanning in the X direction and Y direction orthogonal to the X direction, and vertical drive means for moving the relative position in the height direction between the head portion 20 and the modeling plate 40 A unit 31 and a Z-direction drive unit 32 are provided.

When the computer PC receives an external input of model data designed by a three-dimensional shaped object, for example, a three-dimensional CAD, the CAD data is first converted into, for example, STL (Stereo Lithography Data) data. Setting data creation device 1 that generates cross-sectional data obtained by slicing STL data into a plurality of thin cross-sectional bodies, and transmits the slice data to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 2 in a batch or in units of each slice layer Function as. At this time, corresponding to the determination of the posture on the modeling plate 40 of model data (actually, STL data after conversion) designed by three-dimensional CAD or the like, and supporting the model formed by the model material in this posture The position where the support material SA is provided is set for the space or the location where the data is necessary, and slice data corresponding to each layer is formed based on these data. The control means 10 takes in the cross-sectional data from the computer PC and controls the head unit 20, the XY direction driving unit 31, and the Z direction driving unit 32 according to the data. Under the control of the control means 10, the XY direction drive unit 31 is operated, and the model material MA and the support material SA as modeling materials are formed as droplets from the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22 of the head unit 20. By discharging to an appropriate position on the modeling plate 40, a cross-sectional shape based on the cross-sectional data given from the computer PC is modeled. Then, the model material MA, which is one of the modeling materials discharged onto the modeling plate 40, is at least cured to be changed from a liquid or fluid state to a solid and cured. This action creates a cross section or slice.
(slice)

  Here, the “slice” is a stacking unit in the z direction of the modeled object, and the number of slices is a value obtained by dividing the height by the stacking thickness. Actually, as a requirement for determining the thickness of each slice, the minimum unit discharge amount that can be discharged from each discharge nozzle, the variation due to the eccentricity of the roller of the roller unit 25 in the vertical direction, and the like can be set. The thickness is determined. The value set based on such a viewpoint is set as the minimum value of the slice, and thereafter, the user obtains the modeling object, for example, each slice amount can be finally determined from the viewpoint of modeling accuracy and modeling speed. . In other words, if the user chooses to give priority to modeling accuracy, each slice amount is determined by the above-described minimum slice value or a value in the vicinity thereof, while if the modeling speed is given priority, the minimum modeling accuracy is maintained. Each slice amount can be determined. Or, as another method, a method of letting the user select the ratio of modeling accuracy and modeling speed sensuously, or by letting the user input the maximum allowable modeling time, some combinations of modeling time and modeling accuracy Can be displayed as candidates, and the conditions that the user prefers can be selected.

  Further, the modeling action for one slice data is that the modeling material is in a liquid or fluid state from the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22 at least in the forward path or the return path when the head unit 20 reciprocates in the X direction. In a state in which the modeled object discharged by the inkjet method and discharged on the modeling plate 40 is in an uncured state, the roller unit 25 is acted to smooth the surface of the uncured modeled object at least in the forward path or the return path. At the same time, it is performed by performing a series of steps of curing the modeled object at least once by irradiating light of a specific wavelength from the curing means 24 to the smoothed modeled surface. Needless to say, it is automatically changed according to the thickness of the slice data and the required modeling accuracy.

On the other hand, the maximum thickness formed once on the modeling plate is discharged from the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22 at least in the forward path or the return path, and the cross-sectional shape after the discharged liquid droplets have landed However, it is determined by the unit discharge amount that can keep a substantially circular shape.
(Modeling plate 40)

  The modeling plate 40 can be moved up and down by the Z-direction drive unit 32. When one slice is formed, the Z-direction drive unit 32 is controlled by the control means 10, and the modeling plate 40 is lowered by a distance corresponding to the thickness of one slice. Then, by repeating the same operation as described above, a new slice is stacked on the upper side (upper surface) of the first slice. A thin object is formed by laminating several thin slices produced in this way.

  In addition, in the case of a so-called overhang shape in which the modeled object protrudes, an overhang support part shape is added as necessary when the modeled object is converted into data in the computer PC. And the control means 10 models overhang support part SB based on the shape of the overhang support part simultaneously with modeling of model material MA which comprises the last molded article. Specifically, the overhang support portion SB is formed by discharging a support material SA different from the model material MA from the support material discharge nozzle 22 as a droplet. After the modeling, the target three-dimensional modeled object can be obtained by removing the support material SA constituting the overhang support part SB.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 3, the head unit 20 is moved in the horizontal direction, that is, the XY direction by the head moving means 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the modeling plate 40 is moved in the height direction, that is, the Z direction by the plate lifting / lowering means (Z direction driving unit 32). Thereby, the relative height of the head part 20 and the modeling plate 40 can be changed, and three-dimensional modeling becomes possible. More specifically, the head unit 20 first discharges the model material MA and the support material SA as modeling materials from the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22 to appropriate locations based on the slice data by the head moving unit 30. Therefore, the model material MA and the support material SA are discharged from a plurality of orifices that are reciprocated in the X direction and are provided in the discharge nozzles 21 and 22, respectively, and extend in the Y direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the width in the Y direction of each discharge nozzle 21, 22 is smaller than the width in the Y direction that can be formed on the modeling plate 40, and the width in the Y direction of the model data for modeling Is larger than the total length of the orifice extending in the Y direction, the reciprocating operation in the X direction at a predetermined position of each discharge nozzle 21, 22 is followed by shifting each discharge nozzle 21, 22 in the Y direction by a predetermined amount, The model material MA and the support material SA are repeatedly ejected to appropriate locations based on the slice data together with the reciprocal scanning in the X direction, thereby generating a modeled object corresponding to all set modeling data. .

In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, the plate raising / lowering means which raises / lowers the modeling plate 40 is used as the Z direction drive part 32, However, it is not restricted to this example, Like 3D modeling apparatus 2 'shown in FIG. It is also possible to employ a Z-direction drive unit 32 ′ that fixes the 40 side in the height direction and moves the head unit side in the Z direction. Further, the movement in the XY direction may be performed by fixing the head portion side and moving the modeling plate side. Further, as described above, the shift in the Y direction of the head unit 20 is not necessary if the width of each nozzle is substantially the same as the width of the modeling plate 40 in the Y direction. Even in this case, for example, for the purpose of increasing the resolution in the Y direction of the modeled object determined by the interval between the orifices provided in the nozzles, each of the orifices becomes an orifice at the time of the previous modeling by shifting the head part 20 in the Y direction. And may be shifted so that it is located between the orifice and the orifice.
(Control means 10)

  The control means 10 controls the discharge pattern of the modeling material. That is, the head member 20 is reciprocally scanned in one direction while the model material MA and the support material SA are ejected onto the modeling plate 40 by the modeling material ejecting means in at least one of the reciprocal scanning in the X direction. Then, after the modeling material is discharged onto the modeling plate by the modeling material discharge unit and at least one of the outward path and the return path, the model material MA and the support material SA are cured by the curing unit 24, Slice is generated, and modeling is performed by moving the relative position of the modeling plate 40 and the head unit 20 in the height direction and repeating the stacking of slices. Although the details will be described later, the surface of the modeling material by the roller unit 25 is smoothed after the modeling material is discharged onto the modeling plate by the modeling material discharging unit and the surface of the modeling material is cured by the curing unit 24. It is carried out on at least one of the outbound path and the inbound path before making it.

The control means 10 discharges either the model material MA or the support material SA in one reciprocating scan, smoothes the surface of the modeling material by the roller portion 25, and further cures by the curing means 24. After that, the other modeling material that was not discharged is discharged in the next and subsequent reciprocating scans, and the surface of the modeling material is smoothed and cured. By performing these series of steps at least once, one slice is generated. Needless to say, the series of steps corresponding to one slice of data includes repeating a plurality of times depending on, for example, the final surface accuracy and modeling time required by the user. As a result, either the model material MA or the support material SA can be cured individually by smoothing and curing the surface of the model material MA or the support material SA, and then discharging the other. There is an advantage that mixing at the SA interface can be effectively avoided.
(Modeling material)

As described above, as the modeling material, the model material MA that becomes a final modeled object and the support material SA that supports the projecting portion from which the model material MA projects and is finally removed are used. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modeled object formed so as to cover the periphery of the spherical model material MA with a rectangular parallelepiped support material SA, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof.
(Curing means 24)

As the model material MA, a light curable resin, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin can be used. In this case, the curing unit 24 is a light irradiation unit that emits light including a specific wavelength at which the material of the model material MA reacts and cures, and is an ultraviolet irradiation unit such as an ultraviolet lamp. As the ultraviolet lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, an LED or the like can be used. In this example, the support material is also an ultraviolet curable resin. In the case of using an ultraviolet curable resin that is cured with ultraviolet rays having the same wavelength, the same ultraviolet irradiation means can be used, and an advantage that a light source can be shared is obtained.
(Model material MA)

  Moreover, a thermoplastic resin can also be used as a model material. In this case, the curing unit 24 serves as a cooling unit. When using a thermoplastic resin for both the model material and the support material, by adopting a model material whose melting point is higher than the melting point of the support material, the molded object is higher than the melting point of the support material after the completion of lamination, The support material can be melted and removed by heating and keeping the temperature lower than the melting point of the model material. Furthermore, one of the model material and the support material can be a photo-curing resin, and the other can be a thermoplastic resin.

Alternatively, a material that can be cured by a chemical reaction with the curing material can be used as the model material. Further, the model material may be mixed with a liquid modifier as necessary in order to adjust the jetting characteristics such as viscosity and surface tension. Also, the injection characteristics can be changed by adjusting the temperature. Other examples of the model material include an ultraviolet photopolymer, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, and urethane.
(Support material SA)

  As the support material SA, water swellable gel, wax, thermoplastic resin, water-soluble material, soluble material, or the like can be used as a removable material. For the removal of the support material SA, a method such as separation using a thermal expansion difference, which is dissolved by power washing such as aqueous solution, heating, chemical reaction, water pressure washing, or electromagnetic wave irradiation, depending on the properties of the support material, can be used as appropriate. .

  Since the support material is finally removed, characteristics that are easy to remove are required. For example, the water-soluble support material can be removed by melting the support material by putting it in a water tank after the modeled object is modeled. On the other hand, the higher the solubility of the support material, the lower the strength of the support material. If the rigidity of the support material is insufficient, the ability to support the model material is reduced, and it becomes difficult to form the model material on the upper surface of the support material, and the accuracy of the model material may be reduced. On the other hand, if the rigidity of the support material is increased, when the support material is removed from the final modeled object, it becomes difficult to elute into the water, and the removal takes time. As described above, as a result of the conflicting characteristics required for the support material, it has conventionally been difficult to obtain a support material having optimal characteristics.

Therefore, as in this embodiment, for example, when a water-soluble material is used as the support material, the support material is directly formed during modeling of the model in the modeling apparatus by forming the support shell SS as the outer shell of the support material SA. Touching the air as much as possible and, as a result, suppressing the support material from absorbing moisture in the air can prevent deformation of the support material and deformation of the model material due to deformation of the support material during modeling. Furthermore, the formation of the support shell SS can suppress the internal support material from absorbing moisture in the air, so that the performance of the support material as water-soluble can be improved. It is possible to increase the elution rate of the support material when immersed in the solution. With this configuration, there is an advantage that the elution can be accelerated by breaking the outermost support material SA at the time of removal and the support material can be removed in a short time while having sufficient rigidity. In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the support shell SS covered on the rectangular parallelepiped surface is broken to remove the internal support material SA.
(Details of support material SA)

The support material SA includes a non-curable component. In particular, by increasing the solubility, the support material can be eluted and removed in a short time after being put into a water tank. The solubility of the support material is not limited to water solubility, and may be soluble in a specific solvent. On the other hand, since such a support material is in a liquid or gel form, when it is touched with a hand, it becomes sticky or slimy, and is easily soiled. Therefore, as described above, the support shell SS is provided on the surface of the support material to protect it.
(Support shell SS)

The support shell SS provided on the outer surface of the support material SA is composed of a model material MA having higher rigidity than the support material SA. In this way, the rigidity of the surface of the support material SA can be increased, and the outflow of the support material SA can be prevented. In this embodiment, since the support shell SS is constituted by the model material MA discharged from the model material discharge nozzle 21, the model material discharge nozzle 21 of the head portion 20 can be shared as the discharge nozzle of the support shell SS. Since the support shell SS of the support material SA can also be modeled at the time of modeling the material MA, it is advantageous in terms of cost and speed. Specifically, at the time of generating three-dimensional modeling data with at least the model material MA and the support material SA, the automatic processing is performed with respect to the position at which the outer surface of the modeling data is formed with the support material. Specifically, the support material located on the outer surface thereof is changed to a model material, or data is generated so as to form a thin film layer formed from the model material so as to cover the outer surface of the support material. The model material MA is discharged and cured at a position where the support shell SS is formed on the outer surface of the support material SA when each slice corresponding to the generated data is formed, and the outer surface of the support material SA is thin. The control means 10 controls the modeling material discharge means so as to be covered with the model material MA. Thereby, the advantage that the support shell SS can be easily formed is obtained by forming the thin model material MA on the surface of the support material SA. Note that the thickness of the thin film formed of this model material is preferably about 0.1 mm to 5 mm in terms of the balance between ease of removal and securing of strength. Further, in the present embodiment, the support shell SS is constituted by the model material MA discharged from the model material discharge nozzle 21, but a material different from the model material MA is discharged as long as the material has appropriate characteristics as the support shell. Alternatively, a support shell may be configured by separately providing a nozzle. At this time, the material for the support shell is a material that is harder and less tough than the model material MA in terms of balancing ease of removal and securing of strength at a higher level. Is preferred.
(Peeling structure of support shell SS)

On the other hand, in the configuration in which the support shell SS is provided in the support material SA, the support shell SS is more difficult to peel from the modeling material as the rigidity of the support shell SS is higher. Therefore, it is preferable to add a structure that facilitates peeling of the support shell SS. Specifically, the entire surface of the support material SA is not covered with the support shell SS, but an exposed portion in which the support material SA is partially exposed is provided. By doing in this way, it becomes easy to fracture | rupture support shell SS in an exposed part after modeling of a molded article. In addition, when the support material SA is made soluble, the support material SA can be eluted from the exposed portion by impregnation in the liquid after the modeling object is formed, and the support shell SS can be peeled off without breaking the support shell SS. There is an advantage that labor for removing the material SA can be saved. Alternatively, by forming only the outer peripheral portion of the continuous outer surface where the support shell SS must be formed into a shape that is thicker than the other outer surface on which the support shell SS is formed, the support shell SS It is also possible to easily peel off the continuous outer surface to be molded.
(Head 20)

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the head unit 20 of the inkjet three-dimensional modeling apparatus. The head unit 20 shown in this figure is provided with a dedicated discharge nozzle that individually discharges the model material MA and the support material SA as a modeling material discharge means. Specifically, a model material discharge nozzle 21 for discharging the model material MA and a support material discharge nozzle 22 for discharging the support material SA are provided in parallel with each other. Each discharge nozzle is provided with two nozzle rows 23, and these nozzle rows 23 are arranged so as to be shifted by a half nozzle as shown in the plan view of FIG. 7, thereby improving the resolution. The nozzle rows 23 arranged in the offset state are arranged so that the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22 are aligned on the same line, thereby matching the resolution of the model material and the support material. I am letting.

  In the head portion 20, a support material discharge nozzle 22, a model material discharge nozzle 21, a roller portion 25, and a curing means 24 are integrally provided from the left. Each discharge nozzle discharges an ink-shaped modeling material in the manner of a piezoelectric element type ink jet print head. The modeling material is adjusted to a viscosity that can be discharged from the discharge nozzle.

In the example of FIG. 6, after the head portion 20 discharges the model material MA first, the support material SA is discharged. Further, the head portion 20 discharges the modeling material on the forward path (left to right in the figure), and is cured by the curing means 24 on the return path (right to left in the figure).
(Roller part 25)

  The head unit 20 further presses the surfaces of the discharged model material MA and the support material SA in an uncured state, and removes the excess of the modeling material, thereby smoothing the modeling material surface 25. Is provided. The state of the operation of the roller unit 25 will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. This example shows a state in which the surface of the discharged model material MA is leveled by the roller body 26 in an uncured state. The roller unit 25 includes a roller main body 26 that is a rotating body, a blade 27 that is disposed so as to protrude from the surface of the roller main body 26, a bus 28 that stores a modeling material scraped off by the blade 27, and a bus 28. And a suction pipe 29 for discharging the modeling material accumulated in the container. The roller body 26 is rotated counterclockwise (clockwise in FIG. 8) with respect to the traveling direction of the head portion 20, and scrapes off the uncured modeling material. The modeling material thus scraped up adheres to the roller body 26 and is carried to the blade 27, and then scraped off by the blade 27 and guided to the bus 28. For this reason, the blade 27 is fixed in a downward gradient posture toward the bus 28. The suction pipe 29 is connected to a pump, and sucks and discharges the modeling material accumulated in the bus 28. In this example, the outer shape of the roller body 26 is about φ20 mm, and the rotation speed is about 10 rotations / s.

  The roller portion 25 scrapes off when the head portion 20 advances from the right to the left in the drawing. In other words, when the model material MA and the support material SA are discharged from the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22 to the appropriate positions based on the slice data while the head portion 20 advances from the left to the right, respectively. The roller portion 25 does not contact the modeling material, and similarly, illumination from the light source of the curing means 24 is not performed. In the drawing, in the main scanning direction from the left to the right of the head unit 20, for example, in the main scanning direction as the return path from the right to the left after at least the modeling material is discharged from the nozzles 21 and 22 in the forward path. The above-described scraping operation of the roller unit 25 is executed, and at least the curing means 24 as a light source for irradiating light for curing the model material MA is also operated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the roller portion 25 is arranged in front of the curing means 24, on the left side in the figure, with respect to the traveling direction of the head portion 20. As a result, after the uncured modeling material is scraped off by the roller unit 25 first, the curing means 24 cures the modeling material. With such an arrangement, the modeling material can be scraped and cured in the same pass, and the advantage of being able to be processed efficiently is obtained.
(Setting data creation device for 3D modeling equipment)

  Next, a setting data creation apparatus that instructs such three-dimensional modeling apparatus to provide data of a model will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. The setting data creation device 1 for a 3D modeling apparatus shown in this figure includes an input means 61 for acquiring 3D data such as CAD data, and the acquired 3D data, for example, STL (Stereo Lithography Data) data. Display means 62 for three-dimensionally displaying an object that is defined by the three-dimensional data converted into the three-dimensional data, parameter setting means 63 for setting a modeling parameter, and an object according to the set modeling parameter Calculating means 64 for calculating the optimum posture and arrangement position, and adjusting means for the user to finely adjust the optimum posture and optimum position calculated by the computing means 64 or to manually adjust the desired position and posture. 65, the setting data for driving the 3D modeling apparatus according to the determined posture and position are converted into a data format that can be read by the 3D modeling apparatus. To, and output means 66 for outputting the 3D modeling apparatus.

  In addition, as described above, as an example of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a setting data creating apparatus that sends setting data of a three-dimensional shaped object to the inkjet three-dimensional modeling apparatus will be described. Does not specify the 3D modeling apparatus to be used as an inkjet system, but for other systems, for example, 3D modeling apparatuses using a layered modeling method such as a powder method, an optical modeling method, a sheet laminating method, an extrusion method, etc. Even available.

  As described above, the ink jet method is a method in which, after jetting a liquefied material, at least the material of the model material MA reacts and cures light including a specific wavelength, for example, ultraviolet light (UV), or is cooled. Is formed by curing. According to this method, since the principle of the ink jet printer can be applied, there is an advantage that high definition can be easily achieved.

  As described above, the resin lamination type three-dimensional modeling apparatus has two types, namely, the model material MA that is the final modeled object and the support material SA that is finally removed after supporting the overhanging portion of the model material MA. The modeling material is ejected onto the modeling plate 40 while scanning in the XY directions, and modeling is performed by stacking in the height direction. The model material MA and the support material SA, which are modeling materials, are made of a resin having a property of being cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light. As the curing means 24 for curing the modeling material, an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating ultraviolet light is scanned in the XY direction together with the nozzle for discharging the model material MA and the support material SA, and the model material MA and the support material discharged from the nozzle. The SA is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light.

This setting data creation apparatus is realized by a setting data creation program executed by a general purpose or dedicated computer, in addition to being configured by dedicated hardware. Here, an example in which a setting data creation program is installed in a commercially available personal computer to form a setting data creation device will be described based on the user interface screens shown in FIGS. FIG. 10 is a screen image after starting the setting data creation program. In this figure, an object display column 68 for configuring the display unit 62 is provided on the left side, and an operation column 70 for performing various operations, which configures the adjustment unit 65 and the parameter setting unit 63, is provided on the right side. Each is arranged.
(Display field 68)

In the display column 68, a state in which the object is virtually arranged on the modeling plate 40 can be displayed. On the modeling plate 40, a modeling region MR for performing three-dimensional modeling is displayed in a box shape. The modeling region MR is a region that can be modeled on the modeling plate 40, and an object is arranged within this range to create setting data for performing actual three-dimensional modeling. The object is displayed three-dimensionally, and the viewpoint can be changed to an arbitrary position. A viewpoint change icon 69 for easily switching the viewpoint is provided at the upper right of the display column 68. The viewpoint change icon 69 shows a plan view of the modeling plate 40 as viewed from information, and eight camera-like icons are provided around it. In other words, if you click on one of these camera-like icons provided at an interval of 45 degrees in a 360-degree field of view directed to an arbitrary center in the XY plane, in the example, the virtual center point of the modeling plate, The viewpoint can be changed from the selected direction to the virtual center point of the modeling plate and from the corresponding direction with respect to the plan view. It is also possible to switch to two-dimensional display. Of course, the user can also finely adjust or adjust the viewing direction by dragging the cursor displayed on the screen after selecting a specific camera position or without directly selecting a camera.
(Operation column 70)

In the operation column 70, buttons for performing various operations with a mouse or keyboard input device connected to the computer are arranged. Note that as one form of the adjusting means 65 for moving an object, the adjusting means includes an operation for moving the object by a mouse operation or the like in the display field 68 in addition to the operation by the operation field 70.
(Object list 71)

In the upper part of the operation column 70, an object list 71 for displaying a list of objects is provided. In this column, all objects currently displayed in the display column 68 are displayed, and information such as the name of the object and the presence / absence of surface finish is displayed. Also, operations such as selecting a plurality of objects can be performed here.
(Object generation field 72)

In the middle, an object generation field 72 for generating an object is provided, and buttons for performing operations such as input and deletion of the object are arranged. These buttons constitute input means 61. Specifically, from the left, a “read” button 73 for inputting object data, a “copy” button 74 for copying an object, and a deletion of a selected object “ A “delete” button 75 is provided.
(Manual operation column 76)

Further, below the object generation field 72, a manual operation field 76 for displaying information about the selected object and making detailed settings is provided. Here, the position, rotation angle, size, enlargement / reduction ratio, etc. of the object can be adjusted. The adjustment can be performed by directly inputting a numerical value, increasing / decreasing with an increase / decrease button, or changing continuously with a mouse or the like. It is also possible to perform operations such as maintaining the ratio of size such as length and width during enlargement / reduction, or selecting surface finish.
(Automatic operation column 78)

Further, an automatic operation column 78 for performing automatic setting is provided in the lower part of the manual operation column 76. Here, an “optimal posture” button 80 for executing an optimal posture determination function for automatically calculating the optimal posture of the object, and an “optimal placement” button 81 for executing an optimal position determination function for automatically calculating the optimal position of the object. And an “estimate” button 82 for calculating the modeling time. When the “estimate” button 83 is pressed, the modeling time predicted according to the current setting is calculated and displayed in the predicted modeling time display field. A radio button 63A for selecting either the minimum modeling time or the minimum usage amount of the modeling material is provided below the “optimum posture” button 80 as the parameter setting means 63 for specifying the modeling parameters. ing. As described above, in addition to or instead of the function of selecting either the modeling time minimum or the modeling material usage minimum as the parameter setting means 63, the ratio between the modeling accuracy and the modeling speed is set by the user. By letting the user input the maximum modeling time that can be selected sensuously, by displaying the combination of several modeling times and modeling accuracy as candidates, the user can select the conditions that the user prefers Is also possible. Needless to say, when the user selects either the modeling time minimum or the modeling material usage minimum as the parameter setting means 63 and presses the “estimate” button 83, the modeling time predicted according to the current setting is set. Calculated.
(Output means 66)

Further, a “print” button 84 for executing 3D modeling is arranged as an output means 66 at the lower right of the operation column 70. When the “print” button 84 is pressed, for example, the setting data, which is each slice data of the converted STL data, is output from the output unit 66 to the 3D modeling apparatus in a batch or in units of each slice data. The print command is instructed and 3D modeling is started.
(Input means 61)

  The input unit 61 is a unit for taking in the three-dimensional data in which the shape of the modeled object is created in advance by three-dimensional CAD or the like. As the three-dimensional data, data created in accordance with a standardized general purpose or dedicated data format can be used. For example, STL, STEP, IGES, Parasolid, ACIS, HSF, NGRAIN, OBJ, DXF, VRML, XVL, HTML Is available. In the example of FIG. 10, when the “read” button 73 in the object generation field 72 is pressed as an example of the input means 61, the “open file” dialog screen 85 shown in FIG. 11 opens. From this screen, the user selects a desired STL file as three-dimensional data. Also, on the right side of the screen, the content of the currently selected 3D data is displayed as a preview, making it easy for the user to select a data file.

  When three-dimensional data is selected by the input means 61, an object defined by the selected three-dimensional data is displayed in the display column 68 of FIG. 10 after being converted into STL data, for example. This is shown in FIG. From the screen of FIG. 12, the user can select the object OB1 using the adjusting means 65 and move it to an arbitrary position, or change it to an arbitrary posture such as tilt or rotation. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the object OB1 is moved while being rotated and inclined. In this specification, the movement of the object is used to include rotation and inclination.

  Although only one object OB1 is displayed in the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13, a plurality of three-dimensional data can be fetched from the input means 61 and arranged at an arbitrary position. In addition, a plurality of objects can be arranged on the modeling plate 40 by copying one input object. Furthermore, it is possible to delete an arbitrary object. These operations are performed by operating the “copy” button 74 and the “delete” button 75 in the object generation field 72 described above.

The user selects either the minimum modeling time or the minimum usage amount of the modeling material as the parameter setting means 63 for specifying the modeling parameters described above arbitrarily, and pressing the “optimum posture” button 80, After the position and orientation of the object OB1 are determined by the adjusting unit 65, when the “print” button 84 in the operation column 70 is pressed, setting data is output from the output unit 66 to the 3D modeling apparatus. Specifically, a print data creation dialog 86 as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, and setting data in a format that can be read by the 3D modeling apparatus, which is a 3D printer, is generated and transferred to the 3D modeling apparatus. As described above, the user can create setting data using the setting data creation device, and can instruct the modeling to the three-dimensional modeling device.
(Parameter setting means 63)

On the other hand, the setting data creation device shown in FIG. 9 includes parameter setting means 63 and calculation means 64. In accordance with the general optimization conditions set by the parameter setting unit 63, the calculation unit 64 calculates the optimal posture and optimal position of the object.
(Modeling parameters)

  In the three-dimensional modeling, the amount of the required model material MA is invariant regardless of the posture and position of the object, but the amount of the support material SA that supports this depends on the posture and arrangement state of the model material MA. Change. Therefore, it can be said that the smaller the amount of the support material used, the more efficient the molding can be done while suppressing the consumption of the expensive support material.

On the other hand, a three-dimensional modeling apparatus generally has a problem that a modeling time is relatively long. For example, in an inkjet three-dimensional modeling apparatus, a model material MA and a support material SA are used as modeling materials, and these modeling materials are ejected while reciprocating the head portion 20 on the modeling plate 40 to slice one layer. Mold. Since the slice is sequentially laminated from the lower layer to obtain a modeled object having a desired height, the number of slices increases as the modeled object height increases, and the modeling time increases accordingly. For this reason, it is important to reduce the height of the shaped object placed on the modeling plate 40.
(Parameter setting means 63)

As described above, the optimum posture and position of the object change depending on which one of the minimum modeling time and the minimum usage amount of the modeling material is given priority. In other words, it can be said that these are modeling parameters that define conditions for three-dimensional modeling. Therefore, the user designates, using the parameter setting means 63, which one of the modeling parameters is given priority for the three-dimensional modeling. For this reason, the parameter setting means 63 is used to set which of the plurality of modeling parameters is to be subjected to the three-dimensional modeling that is to be prioritized and minimized.
(Support material contact area)

  In addition, the modeling parameter is not limited to the modeling time and the usage amount of the modeling material (support material SA in the ink jet method), and can include other indexes. For example, an area where the support material and the model material are in contact with each other can also be defined as a modeling parameter. In particular, in the case of the inkjet method, the surface of the model material that is in contact with the support material becomes rough and the interface between the model material and the support material in an uncured state at the time of modeling As a result of the mixing of the support material, the surface of the model material after curing becomes cloudy, and the transparency and texture are worse than the surface where the support material is not joined, resulting in a matte mat surface. On the other hand, the surface of the model material that is not in contact with the support material is a glossy surface that is glossy or glossy. As the surface finish, it is sometimes required to have a glossy surface, that is, a glossy surface as much as possible, or in other words, to reduce the matte surface, since the glossy surface looks better. Therefore, minimizing the contact area of the support material to the model material surface, that is, the mat surface, can also be used as a modeling parameter to be taken into consideration when setting the three-dimensional modeling conditions.

  An example of the parameter setting unit 63 is the radio button 63A provided in the operation column 70 of FIG. In the example of FIG. 10, either the modeling time minimum or the resin amount minimum can be specified as the modeling parameter.

Another example of the parameter setting means 63 is shown in FIG. In the modeling parameter setting dialog 63B shown in this figure, the modeling time, the usage amount of the modeling material, and the priority order of the support material contact area can be defined as the modeling parameters. In this example, for all of the modeling parameters, which are all of the minimum time, the minimum resin amount, and the minimum mat surface, the user is allowed to specify the priority order for determining the optimal posture and position of modeling with numerical values. At that time, by not inputting a numerical value for a parameter that is determined to be unnecessary for prioritization, it can be excluded from the calculation for determining the optimum posture and position of modeling.
(Calculation means 64)

The computing unit 64 performs computation so that the posture and position of the object are optimized based on the priority of the modeling parameters set by the parameter setting unit 63. Here, when there are a plurality of objects, the calculation means 64 can calculate the optimum posture and the optimum position for each object.
(Optimum posture determination function)

Hereinafter, the details of the procedure of the optimum posture determination function in which the calculation means 64 adjusts the posture of the object according to the general optimization condition will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the optimum posture is determined by the rotation angle of the object to be optimized on the X, Y, and Z axes. Specifically, the object is rotated with respect to the X, Y, and Z axes, and a rotation angle that matches the condition defined by the general optimization condition is determined. This optimum posture determination function can perform posture determination individually for a plurality of objects. As a result, an object whose posture has been changed may interfere with other objects. In this case, the user manually adjusts the position, posture, etc. of the object using the adjusting means 65.
(Minimum modeling time)

  First, an optimum posture determination method when the modeling time minimum is selected as the modeling parameter (selection is given so as to prioritize the time minimum in FIG. 15) will be described. The modeling time required for modeling with the three-dimensional modeling apparatus can be calculated as follows.

  Modeling time = (Modeling time for one slice) x (Number of layers)

  Therefore, if the modeling time for one slice or the number of layers can be reduced, the modeling time can be shortened. Among these, although the modeling time of one slice is affected to some extent by the slice area, the degree of influence on the modeling time is overwhelmingly less than the number of layers. Therefore, it can be said that reducing the number of layers greatly affects the shortening of the modeling time. Since the number of layers is determined by the height of the object in the Z direction, the number of layers can be reduced and the modeling time can be shortened by making the height in the Z direction as low as possible.

  An example of a specific procedure for determining the optimum posture will be described with reference to FIG. Here, with respect to the object arranged on the modeling plate 40, the posture in which the height in the Z direction is minimized is determined from the following three steps.

  First, the object is rotated around the X axis, and the rotation angle at which the height is minimized is obtained. Here, the height of the object (the height in the YZ plane and the XZ plane in FIG. 16) is acquired while rotating the object around the X axis by a certain width. Next, it is rotated by a certain width around the Y axis. Here, the height when the Y axis is rotated by an angle φ and then the X axis is rotated by an angle θ is obtained from the matrix calculation by the following equation.

  Z ′ = − cos (θ) * sin (φ) * x + sin (θ) * y + cos (θ) * cos (φ) * z

  In other words, the object is rotated around either axis in the X or Y direction to obtain the height of the object at each rotation angle, and after determining the rotation angle at which the height is minimized, this determined While maintaining the rotation angle around one axis, this time, the object is rotated around the other axis to determine the rotation angle at which the height is minimized. Thereby, when the object is rotated around the X axis and the Y axis, the posture at which the height of the object is minimized can be determined.

  Alternatively, in order to obtain a similar result, it may be obtained by drawing in a virtual window using OpenGL or the like. In this way, the above calculation is performed on characteristic points, the maximum of Z ′ is obtained, and the height of the shaped object is obtained when the angle θ is rotated about the X axis and the angle φ is rotated about the Y axis. While changing θ and φ, the minimum Z combination is obtained.

  Next, with respect to the object having the posture determined in the above step, the posture in which the circumscribed rectangle of XY is minimized and X ≧ Y is determined while rotating around the Z axis. By performing this step, although the height does not change, the modeling time can be shortened.

  That is, the width in the Y direction of the modeled object is larger than the width of the plurality of orifices (the Y direction in this embodiment) of each of the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22 provided in the head 20. If the posture to be reduced can be obtained, the reciprocation of the head unit 20 may be performed only in the reciprocation in the X direction from the origin in the X direction and the Y direction, for example.

  On the other hand, the width in the Y direction of the modeled object is larger than the width of the plurality of orifices (Y direction in this embodiment) provided for each of the model material discharge nozzle 21 and the support material discharge nozzle 22. Taking the posture and position, the reciprocating operation of the head unit 20 is, for example, the reciprocating operation in the X direction from the origin in the X direction and the Y direction, and the reciprocating operation in the X direction after shifting the head unit 20 in the Y direction. This means that the operation needs to be repeated, resulting in a longer modeling time.

  For this reason, after determining the posture that minimizes the height of the object when the object is rotated around the X axis and the Y axis described above, the posture of the model is rotated around the Z axis. It is important to determine an attitude that reduces the number of times the head 20 is shifted in the Y direction as much as possible.

  Further, as described above, the posture with the minimum modeling time can be obtained by merely rotating the object around the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. Considering the amount of movement from the driving origin of the XY plane set for the XY plane, the optimum position is preferably automatically arranged at the driving origin or a position close to the origin.

The rotation angles of X, Y, and Z are determined in the order as described above. The rotation angle width around each axis is determined according to the processing capability of the computing means 64, the required accuracy, and the like. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which a user can designate a rotation angle width. For example, in the modeling parameter setting dialog shown in FIG. 15 and the like, the rotation angle width is designated by a numerical value or selected from predetermined options (for example, 4 types of 22.5 °, 30 °, 45 °, and 90 °). A dialog can be provided to allow the user to select.
(Minimum amount of resin)

  Next, an optimum posture determination method when the minimum amount of modeling material is selected as a modeling parameter (selection is given so as to give priority to the minimum resin amount in FIG. 15) will be described based on FIGS. Taking a mushroom-shaped object as shown in FIG. 17A as an example, a support material SA is required to support the model material MA constituting the mushroom-shaped umbrella portion from below. This object is configured by stacking a plurality of slices as shown in FIG. Each slice has a projected area when looking upward from the Z position of the slice. Each slice includes a model material MA and a support material SA. Therefore, the object projection is expressed by the following equation.

  Object projection = model material part + support material part

  Here, the amount of resin used for the model material MA necessary for modeling the object is unchanged regardless of the posture of the object. On the other hand, when the posture of the object is changed, the value obtained by adding the areas of projection of the model material MA changes, but the model material MA is constant and the volume of the support material SA changes. Therefore, what is necessary is just to obtain | require the attitude | position which minimizes support material SA. From the above, it can be said that the posture in which the total sum of the projections of the objects used for the support material is minimum is the minimum resin amount of the support material.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 18, when the viewpoint is placed directly above the object and the distance from the viewpoint is the depth value, when the depth value is added, the volume of the space to be drawn from the bounding box (collision determination area) is Desired.

  The determination method of the optimum posture that minimizes the support material can be basically performed in the same procedure as the determination method that minimizes the modeling time described above. Note that the minimum value of the height and area is obtained at the minimum modeling time, whereas the minimum value of the sum of the projected areas of each slice data described above is obtained at the minimum resin amount.

In other words, the object is rotated around either the X or Y axis, the sum of the projected areas of each slice data of the object at each rotation angle is obtained, and the rotation angle that minimizes the sum of the projected areas is determined. Then, while maintaining the determined rotation angle around one axis, this time, the object is rotated around the other axis, and the rotation angle that minimizes the sum of the projected areas is determined in the same manner. . Thereby, when the object is rotated around the X axis and the Y axis, it is possible to determine an attitude in which the amount of resin at the time of modeling the object is minimized. This minimum amount of resin can be obtained by simply rotating the object around the X axis and the Y axis as described above, but the head 20 is set with respect to the modeling possible range of the modeling plate 40. Considering the amount of movement from the drive origin of the XY plane, it is preferable that the optimum position is automatically arranged at the drive origin or a position close to the origin.
(Mat surface minimum)

  Further, an optimum posture determination method when the minimum support material contact area is selected as the modeling parameter (selection is given so as to give priority to the minimum mat surface in FIG. 15) will be described with reference to FIGS. As a premise, the posture of the object to be evaluated is the same as the posture determination when the resin amount is minimum as described above, the object is rotated around one of the X axis and the Y axis, and the mat surface is the smallest. Is determined, and then the object is rotated around the other axis to determine the minimum attitude of the final mat surface.

  The content described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21 is a concept for obtaining the mat surface area in each posture of rotation around the axis. 19, 20, and 21, in the n layer, the n + 1 layer, and the n + 2 layer, which are arbitrary layers in the XY plane, the model material M or the support material S is discharged to each pixel or is blank. It shows. Here again, as with the minimum resin amount, the matte is obtained by adding the amount of change from the support material region S to the region other than the support material (S ′ = model material + blank) while creating a cross-sectional view of the object. The surface is the smallest. The mat surface in the XY plane can be obtained from the number of points where S and M are adjacent, as shown in FIGS. In other words, in each slice data, the area where the model material MA and the support material SA are in contact is obtained, and the values of all the slice data are summed, whereby the area of the mat surface for all the slice data can be obtained.

  On the other hand, this mat surface is not limited to each slice data unit, but also exists between one slice data and other slice data adjacent below or above it, so the mat surface for each slice data described above. In addition to this area, it is necessary to obtain the mat surface existing in the Z direction, that is, the height direction.

For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21, the pixel value changes to S, M, and blank when moving from the nth layer to the (n + 1) th layer and from the n + 1th layer to the (n + 2) th layer. Is shaded. This coincides with the number of bits in which 1 is set in XOR of the binary image (BMP) in which the support material area is represented by 1 and the other areas are represented by 0. In addition, when there are S around the pixels of M, the point where M and S are in contact, that is, the mat surface, is also a calculation target. At this time, consideration is given to the calculation so that the mat surface obtained from each slice data is not counted twice. Thus, the mat surface can be calculated relatively easily by converting the region of the support material into a binary image. In other words, the area of the mat surface can be obtained by the sum of the area of the mat surface obtained from each slice data described above and the area of the mat surface obtained between slice data adjacent in the height direction.
(Customization optimization function)

The general optimization function in which the calculation unit obtains the optimal posture based on the priority of the modeling parameter designated by the parameter setting unit 63 has been described above. Although such an algorithm that minimizes modeling time and resin amount can automatically determine the optimal posture, depending on the purpose and purpose of the object, the user may want to specify the posture and arrangement with further attention. is there. In this case, since the above general optimization function automatically determines the posture, it may not necessarily coincide with the user's intention. For example, a case where a specific part of an object is desired to be a mat surface can be considered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, not only general-purpose optimization of posture and position but also user-customized optimization can be executed. Specifically, the user can designate individual conditions for an arbitrary object, and an optimum posture and optimum arrangement are performed while giving priority to the individual conditions. As a result, it is possible to perform general-purpose optimization and optimization that is customized in a user-oriented manner, and it is possible to perform modeling in a form desired by the user with higher flexibility.
(Optimum manual posture)

In order for the user to manually specify the optimum posture, the posture of the object is adjusted from the screen shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. As described above, as the adjustment means 65, drag using a pointing device such as a mouse in the display column 68, designation of a rotation angle in the operation column 70 of FIG. As a result, the user can manually specify the posture and position of the object, or the user can make desired fine adjustments to the automatically calculated optimum posture and optimum position, and 3D modeling with a higher degree of freedom. Can be set.
(Support material virtual display function)

Furthermore, when displaying an object on the display unit, not only the model material but also the support material can be displayed in an overlapping manner. In the example of FIGS. 22 to 23, when the support material is displayed from the state of FIG. 22 in which the support material is not displayed for the model material of the object OB2, the portion of the support material SA is high as shown in FIG. Written and displayed. The support material SA can be visually distinguished easily from other parts by being displayed in yellow or fluorescent color. As a result, the region to which the support material SA adheres can be confirmed, and the contact surface between the model material and the support material, that is, the portion where the finish is a matte mat surface can be easily identified. In the example of FIG. 23, the support material SA is displayed in a semi-transparent manner, so that the modeling of the portion in contact with the support material can be visually recognized without being hidden, which is convenient. Such a support material region can be realized by applying, for example, a shadowing logic for calculating a shadow in image processing. Further, when the object is rotated, the display of the position where the support material adheres is also changed, and the changed state is preferably reflected in real time. By updating in real time in this way so that the state after the change can be confirmed, the user can easily adjust how to attach the support material, which is more convenient. The support material virtual display function can be turned ON / OFF. As shown in FIG. 22, if the support material is not displayed, the display can be switched to the display of only the model material. However, in the case of this display format, the surface in contact with the support material on the surface of the model material, the support The mat surface can be displayed more easily by changing the color of the surface that is not in contact with the material.
(Glossy surface designation function)

  On the other hand, there may be a case where a specific portion of an object is desired to have a glossy surface with gloss. In this case, it is sufficient that the support material can be brought into contact with the portion, and the mat surface or the glossy surface can be easily confirmed by appropriately using ON / OFF of the above-described support material virtual display function.

  Furthermore, there is a case where a specific surface is absolutely desired to be a glossy surface. This is due to the circumstances of the user that cannot be calculated with the amount of resin or modeling time, and is difficult to achieve with automatic calculation. Therefore, the user can manually rotate the object, and change the posture so that the portion does not need to be supported by the support material SA, for example, the upper surface, so that the corresponding portion can be changed to the glossy region. Since the support material is not required for the upper surface molding of the model material, the glossy surface can be reliably secured. In order to make such a posture change easy, a glossy surface designation function is provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, after the user designates an arbitrary part (designated area indicated by GF in FIG. 24) on the object OB3 with a pointing device such as a mouse, the user selects “Up the selection surface” from the program toolbar. When the “make” button 88 is selected, the object OB3 is automatically rotated so that the designated portion is the upper surface as shown in FIG. Here, the posture of the object is changed so that the normal vector of the triangle that constitutes the object matches the Z direction. As a result, the user can easily change the specific part so as to face directly upward and specify the glossy surface. In the example of FIGS. 24 and 25, the support member is rotated so as not to be attached to the hole portion on the bottom surface of the object. In the example of FIG. 25, the region of the support material is displayed in a frame shape. Further, the bottom surface of the support material is displayed in a different color on the modeling plate 40, so that the user can easily understand the size of the support material.

  Furthermore, the calculation unit may be configured to perform automatic calculation in consideration of such user-customized conditions. For example, it may be configured to calculate an arrangement that reduces the molding time and the amount of resin within the condition after making a specific surface glossy.

The determination of the optimal posture based on all the parameters described above is such that, for example, when a plurality of objects are displayed on the screen, the optimal posture based on the selected parameter is obtained for each object unit. Yes. This is made possible by recognizing that each object is read from a separate STL file.
(Individual setting function)

  As described above, the optimum posture determination function described above can individually set postures for a plurality of objects. Further, when a plurality of objects having the same shape are arranged on the modeling plate 40, information on the determined posture can be copied and used. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the posture can be individually set even for objects having the same shape. For example, in the example of FIG. 26, an example in which four objects OB4 to OB7 having the same shape are arranged on the modeling plate 40 is shown. Each object has a posture determined from a different viewpoint. In this example, in order from the left, the object OB4 is arranged so that the user designates the selected surface upward and the oblique surface is the upper surface, and the posture is minimized with the modeling time. The determined object OB5, the object OB6 adjusted by the user so that the support material does not attach to the bottom hole, and the object OB7 whose posture is determined with the minimum amount of resin. As described above, it is possible to simultaneously three-dimensionally determine the postures determined from different viewpoints.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, when considering three-dimensional modeling of two different objects OB8 and OB9 having a gear at the same time, a support material is inherently provided on the meshing surface of the gear. From this point of view, it can be said that the arrangement as shown in FIG. This state is a posture obtained by selecting the above-described “minimum resin amount” modeling parameter for the two objects OB8 and OB9. As a result, while positioning the posture so that the gear meshing surface becomes a surface extending in the Z direction orthogonal to the XY plane of the modeling plate 40, the objects OB8 and OB9 are in the Z direction on the XY plane. It is arranged at the position where it doesn't overlap.

  With this arrangement, the amount of resin is minimized and the support material is not attached to the meshing surfaces of the gears. However, since the cylindrical object OB8 is in an upright posture and becomes higher in the Z direction, the modeling time becomes extremely long. In such an optimal arrangement method, even when there are a plurality of objects, only a single setting can be performed, and although the user's request for the minimum amount of resin is satisfied, the modeling time may be extremely long. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, since the optimum posture can be individually set for a plurality of objects in addition to the collective optimum setting function, a cylindrical object OB8 is compared with a small gear-like object OB9. Can be set independently. In the example of FIG. 28, the gear-shaped object OB9 is placed in a flat posture in the same manner as in FIG. Can be made a preferable arrangement for this modeling material. In this way, even when three-dimensional modeling of a plurality of objects at the same time, by enabling individual setting, flexible setting according to each object is possible, and in a form according to the user's request Three-dimensional modeling can be realized.

More specifically, for example, the optimum posture of the object is determined by the batch setting described with reference to FIG. 27, and after confirming the posture, the object whose posture is to be changed is selected with the cursor. By selecting the modeling parameters and pressing the “optimum posture button” again, the optimum posture of the object shown in FIG. 28 can be obtained. Needless to say, by selecting the two objects OB8 and OB9 individually from the beginning, selecting the modeling parameters for the optimal posture, and pressing the “optimum posture button”, the posture of the object shown in FIG. 28 is obtained. Is also possible.
(Optimum position determination method)

  The above has described the optimum posture determination method for optimizing the posture by rotating the object. When the optimum posture is determined in this way, it is next determined at which position on the modeling plate 40 the object is to be placed. In particular, when forming a plurality of objects simultaneously, the setting of the arrangement position is also important. Hereinafter, the optimum position determination method will be described.

  Here, the arrangement is performed after the orientation of the object is determined first. For this reason, the height of the object and the mat surface have already been determined. For this reason, in the optimal position determination method, modeling time is considered as a modeling parameter. That is, the objects on the modeling plate 40 are rearranged and arranged in a specific region in the order that the modeling time is minimized.

  As described above, the head unit 20 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus discharges the resin as the modeling material while scanning the modeling plate 40 in the X-axis direction. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 29, the two reciprocations of scanning of the head unit 20 are set as one set, and one unit of the shaped object formed thereby becomes a field FD. If the size of the formed field FD in the X direction is equal to or smaller than the size of the modeling plate 40 according to the scanning width, it can be set freely. On the other hand, the size in the Y direction is defined by the width of the head portion 20 used for modeling, that is, the number of nozzles (number of orifices), as shown in FIG. . For this reason, when modeling the modeling thing whose length of the Y direction is longer than the modeling width of the head part 20, it is necessary to divide into a plurality of fields FD for modeling. And as the number of fields increases, the time required for modeling increases. Thus, the number of modeling fields is determined not only by the size of the single object in the Y direction, but also by the size and arrangement of the plurality of objects in the Y direction. For example, in the arrangement example shown in FIG. 31, the two objects OB10 and OB11 are each a size that can be modeled in one field alone, but the object OB11 is arranged so as to straddle between fields, so that modeling of two fields is performed. Has become necessary. On the other hand, in the arrangement example shown in FIG. 32, since the two objects OB12 and OB13 are arranged so as to fit within one field, modeling in one field is possible, and the arrangement example in FIG. Compared to, modeling time can be reduced to ½.

  Hereinafter, a specific procedure for determining the optimum position will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, an example in which five objects OB14 to OB18 having different sizes as shown in FIG. 33 are optimally arranged on the modeling plate 40 will be considered. Here, it is assumed that each object has a size that fits in one field of the head unit 20 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. First, height information is acquired for each object. Next, the object having the highest height (object OB14 in the example of FIG. 33) is arranged at the origin of the modeling area MA on the modeling plate 40. As a result, a plan view as shown in FIG. 34 and a perspective view as shown in FIG. 35 are obtained. Next, among the objects other than the object having the second highest height, the object having the shortest length in the X direction (object OB16 in the example of FIG. 33) is arranged next to the first object in the X direction (FIG. 36 is a plan view and a perspective view of FIG. 37). Finally, the remaining objects are arranged in order of height (a plan view of FIG. 38 and a perspective view of FIG. 39). In this way, a plurality of objects can be automatically arranged on the modeling plate 40.

  The above example demonstrated the case where each object was the magnitude | size which can be modeled in 1 field. Next, an optimal arrangement method in the case where an object is formed over a plurality of fields, that is, an object exceeding the width of one field is included will be described with reference to FIGS. First, among the objects OB19 to OB24 shown in FIG. 40, the object having the highest height (object OB19 in FIG. 40) is arranged at the origin of the modeling area MA on the modeling plate 40 (plan view of FIG. 41 and FIG. 42). Perspective view). Next, among the objects other than the second highest object, the object having the shortest length in the X direction (object OB22 in FIG. 40) is arranged next to the first object OB19 in the X direction (FIG. 40). 43) and a perspective view of FIG. Next, the remaining objects are arranged in the order of height (a plan view of FIG. 45 and a perspective view of FIG. 46). Finally, if there is an object that could not be placed in the X direction (here, object OB24), the object is placed closer to the origin in the Y direction (plan view of FIG. 47 and perspective view of FIG. 48).

  In addition, as a special example, when there is only one object, it is arranged at the origin of the modeling area MA on the modeling plate 40 as shown in FIG. 49 (object OB25). When there are only two objects (objects OB26 to OB27), as shown in FIG. 50, an object having a high height (object OB26) is set as the origin, and the other object (object OB27) is arranged next to it. Further, as shown in FIG. 51 (objects OB28 to OB30), the object (object OB30) having the shortest length in the X direction selected from objects other than the object having the second highest height in the procedure described above. ) Cannot be placed next to an already placed object, it is placed in the Y direction.

In this way, by executing the optimal position determination method following the optimal posture determination method, one or more objects can be appropriately arranged on the modeling plate 40 along desired conditions.
(Object movement means)

  Furthermore, the setting data creation program moves the object selected on the display means 62 in a specific direction, and when there is another object in this movement direction, ensures a minimum clearance that does not interfere with this object. Object moving means having an automatic stop function for automatically stopping at a position is provided. This makes it possible to achieve the minimum clearance movement that allows a plurality of objects to easily approach each other with a predetermined clearance, eliminating the need to manually move the object to the last minute, and extremely easily Placement can be performed.

  An example of such object moving means is shown in the user interface screen of FIG. In this figure, when an object movement button 90 provided on the tool bar is pressed with an arbitrary object selected, a movement icon 91 is displayed so as to overlap the object. The movement icon 91 is formed by superimposing rings parallel to the XY plane, the YZ plane, and the XZ plane, and provided with arrow-shaped icons at four equal intervals on the outer periphery of each ring. The arrow icons are provided on the ring in postures oriented in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions, which are the movement directions of the object displaying the movement icon 91. Rings can also be used to rotate objects. That is, the object can be rotated along a plane defined by the ring. As another example, instead of using the three-dimensional ring and the icon on the arrow, the object to be moved is placed on the cursor, dragged, and initially moved in the direction to be moved. Can automatically move the object in the direction the cursor has moved.

  In this specification, an icon means an object displayed on a display screen. It is merely called an icon to distinguish it from an object indicating a modeled object, and is not limited to an icon displayed on a so-called desktop.

  By pressing this arrow icon, the minimum clearance movement function is executed, and the object can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow of the arrow icon. The object is automatically stopped at a position where it cannot move. One of the positions that cannot be moved is a position that protrudes beyond the outer edge of the modeling area MA defined as an area that can be modeled on the modeling plate 40, that is, a position that cannot be physically set. Another position that cannot be moved is a case where another object exists in the moving direction of the object. In this case, a predetermined value is set in the moving direction with respect to another object that is already arranged at a specific position in the moving direction. A clearance is provided so that the moving object automatically stops.

  In the example of FIG. 52, when the arrow icon of the object OB31 directed to the origin side in the X direction is pressed, as shown in FIG. 53, the clearance progresses toward the origin in the X direction and comes into contact with the object OB32. It will be automatically stopped. Further, in this state, by pressing the arrow icon directed to the origin side in the Y direction, the object can be brought close to the position in the Y direction as shown in the plan view of FIG. The operation of moving from the state of FIG. 52 to FIGS. 53 and 54 requires only two operations of pressing the two arrow icons respectively, and brings the objects close to each other at a position where the minimum clearance is provided. Can do.

  The principle in this case will be described in detail. First, when the object OB31 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 52 to the state shown in FIG. 53, the part located in the moving direction of the object OB31 that is the moving target (the U-shape shown in the figure). Between the two end portions of the object OB32 and the portions at the both ends of the object OB32 that are already arranged on the left side of the figure. The object OB31 moves until at least one of the clearances reaches a predetermined clearance, and stops moving when one of the clearances reaches the predetermined clearance.

  Further, when the object OB31 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 53 to the state shown in FIG. 54, similarly, one of the U-shaped arms of the object OB32 already arranged in the moving direction (portion located in the upward direction in the figure). The object OB31 moves until a predetermined clearance is reached with respect to the wall portion on the plane which is the same as one of the U-shaped arm portions (portions located in the upward direction in the figure) of the object OB31. When one of them reaches a predetermined clearance, the movement is stopped.

  That is, when an object that is a moving object is specified and a moving direction is further determined, a part of the moving object that faces the moving direction is recognized in the moving direction, and on the other hand, the moving object is moved in the moving direction. The target object that becomes the interference object existing in the movement width of the target object is recognized, the part desired in the movement direction of the specified target object is recognized, and the part that faces the movement direction of the moving object and the target object that becomes the interference object are identified. Recognize the clearance between all corresponding points in the moving direction between the desired parts in the moving direction, and stop the movement of the moving object when the distance between one corresponding point reaches the preset clearance It is like that. The distance and the clearance are obtained from coordinate points in a three-dimensional coordinate space virtually set in the modeling plate 40 of the moving object and the object to be interfered.

  Furthermore, the object moving function can be used not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction. FIG. 55 shows an example in which the same behavior as in FIGS. 52 and 53 is applied in the Z direction, and the object OB33 is brought close to the object OB34 in the vertical direction. In the example of FIG. 55, the vertical clearance is set larger than the horizontal clearance. This is because the support material is always interposed in the vertical direction, and the setting is made with a margin so as not to adversely affect the molded article in consideration of the way the support material is attached. Also, the vertical clearance can be set larger. That is, the horizontal clearance and the vertical clearance can be set individually. Needless to say, the detailed clearance control between the object OB33 and the object OB34 only applies the horizontal clearance control described with reference to FIGS. 52 to 54 in the vertical direction. Details are omitted.

  In the example shown in FIG. 56, when the object OB35 is made to approach the object OB36 in the vertical direction, the object OB35 is stopped until the upper end of the opening of the object OB36. By taking a large clearance in this way, three-dimensional modeling can be performed more stably. The embodiment of FIG. 56 differs from the detailed clearance control of the embodiment of FIGS. 52 to 55 described above, and generates data that surrounds an object in a three-dimensional circumscribed cuboid, and for the data, The clearance between objects is controlled.

As described above, the object can be moved intuitively to the optimum position very easily by the object moving means. In particular, since the object can be arranged at a position that leaves the minimum clearance where the object can be shaped, it is not necessary to set a subtle position in consideration of the overlapping of the objects as in the conventional case, and the object can be operated extremely easily. In addition, the ability to place objects at a minimum distance leads to a reduction in modeling time. That is, the modeling time can be shortened because the moving time of the head unit 20 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus is shortened when the modeling objects as objects are present as close as possible. Furthermore, by arranging and arranging a plurality of objects, it is possible to effectively use the modeling plate 40 having a limited size, and it is possible to obtain a plurality of modeling objects at a time. In particular, since a 3D modeling apparatus generally has a long modeling time, it is extremely important to model efficiently.
(Modeling condition setting means)

Moreover, you may provide the modeling condition setting means which can set the conditions regarding modeling for every object. For example, the modeling condition setting unit selects an object in the display field 68 on the screen of FIG. 52 and sets the modeling condition from the operation field 70 for this object. As an example of the modeling condition setting unit, there is a changing unit that changes the posture of the object so that a specific part of the object is a glossy surface. As one form of the changing means, there is a “surface finish” column 77 provided in the manual operation column 76 of the operation column 70. From this column, the surface finish is selected as “matt”, “glossy” or the like. The setting data creation program changes the posture of the object according to the modeling conditions specified here. For example, the glossy surface is guaranteed by forcibly rotating the object so that the surface faces upward. As will be described later, if another object is placed on the upper surface of this object and the glossy surface cannot be realized, a warning can be issued.
(Simultaneous movement of multiple objects)

  In the above example, the example in which the objects are individually moved using the object moving means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the movement and automatic stop functions can be executed for a plurality of objects. For example, as shown in FIG. 57, when a plurality of objects (for example, objects OB39 to OB40) are selected in a state where there are a plurality of objects OB37 to OB40 and the clearance minimum movement function is executed, each object is shown in FIG. Is moved to a state where the minimum clearance is maintained. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 57, a plurality of objects are selected by checking a check box corresponding to a desired object for the objects displayed in a list in the operation column 70. Alternatively, it is possible to make a selection by a known method such as selecting a range with the mouse so as to surround a desired object group in the display column 68, or selecting a plurality of objects with the mouse while pressing the Ctrl key on the keyboard. When the movement icon 91 is operated in this state, each selected object is moved toward the origin of the modeling area MA on the modeling plate 40, and is automatically stopped leaving a predetermined clearance. In this example, the distance between each object and the origin is calculated, and the object is moved toward the origin sequentially from the object closest to the origin (object OB39 in the example of FIG. 57).

  More specifically, when a plurality of objects (for example, objects OB39 to OB40) start horizontal movement in the upper left direction in the figure, the same control as the movement control of the individual objects described above is performed for each object OB39 and OB40. Is called. That is, a plurality of movement starts are disclosed simultaneously, but the clearance control is the same as the movement control of the individual objects. As a result, the object OB39 first approaches the object OB37 that has already been arranged and stops with a minimum clearance, while the object OB40 further moves toward the object 38 and stops with a minimum clearance. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 58 is provided.

  In addition, in the above-mentioned plurality of object movements, even though the movement start is integrated, the control is applied to each object by the same control as the individual control described above. It is also possible to regard the plurality of objects as one block object and apply the individual control to the one object.

Furthermore, such simultaneous movement of a plurality of objects can function not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 59, in a state where there are a plurality of objects OB41 to OB44 and the objects OB41 to OB42 are selected, the movement icon 91 is operated, and these objects OB41 to OB42 are shown in FIG. In this example, the objects are arranged close to each other toward the objects OB43 to OB43 below while leaving the minimum clearance. In this way, the object moving means can function in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.
(clearance)

  Here, in the case where a support material is used, the predetermined clearance refers to a clearance from which the support material can be removed, for example. It also depends on the viscosity of the support material and the removal method. For example, when the support material has a low viscosity and is submerged and eluted, the clearance can be set small enough to allow water to enter. Conversely, if the support material has a high viscosity or is removed manually, the clearance is set large. Moreover, when providing the support shell which coat | covers this on the surface of a support material, it sets to the value which considered the thickness of this support shell. Moreover, when removing a support material using tools, such as a nipper, it sets to the clearance gap which such a tool enters. Alternatively, in the case where the support material is made of a brazing material, the size is set such that the brazing material is melted with heat and the melted support material can flow out. On the other hand, when the support material does not exist, a distance capable of forming the model material MA is sufficient. Thus, the clearance is set to an optimum value depending on the material of the support material to be used, the removal method, and the like. Similarly, the user can input and set a desired clearance.

  The clearance may not be constant for all objects, and a different clearance may be set for each object. For example, when the surface shape of the object is complicated, the clearance can be set slightly larger in consideration of the ease of removing the support material. Such individual designation is performed by setting means.

  Further, the clearance is preferably made different between the height direction and the horizontal direction. In particular, in the case of the inkjet method, although it can be arranged relatively close in the horizontal direction, in the height direction, a support material is interposed between the objects, so that it is supported by the weight of the upper object. Since a support material capable of securing sufficient rigidity and holding force even when the material is pressed is required, it is preferable to take a large clearance so that a sufficient support material can be interposed.

Thus, the object moving means can automatically stop the selected object at a position that does not interfere with other objects when moving the selected object in a specific direction. In addition to not interfering with each other, by realizing a clearance minimum movement function that automatically stops at a position where the clearance is secured, the minimum clearance can be easily secured, and the position adjustment work by the user can be greatly saved.
(Warning means)

  Furthermore, it is possible to provide warning means for monitoring the arrangement of the object and issuing a warning in the case of an abnormal arrangement. When the object is moved in the modeling area MA by the object moving unit or the adjusting unit 65, the warning unit is configured to satisfy the modeling condition set by the modeling condition setting unit with respect to another object positioned in the movement direction. Make a warning. For example, when the object is moved in the downward direction, the warning unit can issue a warning when the modeling condition for the object positioned in the downward direction is not satisfied. In particular, when an object positioned in the downward direction is set to have a glossy surface as a modeling condition, if another object is placed on the top surface of the object, the glossy surface cannot be formed. Therefore, by notifying the user with the warning means, it is urged to avoid such an arrangement, and settings that are not intended by the user can be avoided.

  In the inkjet method, since the upper surface of the object becomes a glossy surface, it is thought that there is a demand for utilizing a glossy surface that makes the finished surface beautiful. It is considered that the user rarely desires an arrangement in which another object is arranged on the upper surface, in other words, an arrangement in which the support material adheres to the upper surface of the object. From such a viewpoint, when moving an object, the user is warned to avoid an arrangement in which the objects overlap each other, in other words, an arrangement in which the support material is discharged on the upper surface of one object. .

  For example, when the user presses the “print” button 84 in the state of FIG. 55 or 56 to start modeling, a warning dialog 92 as shown in FIG. 61 is displayed. The warning dialog 92 warns that the surface designated as the glossy surface does not become the glossy surface due to the influence of the support material because the objects overlap in the Z direction. In addition to the warning message, the warning means can be realized by other methods for alerting the user such as warning sound and alarm, or prohibiting such setting itself.

  In addition to the above, the warning means may be configured to detect that interference has occurred by detecting that the object has interfered with, for example, when the object is moved. For example, if the object interferes, the entire object or the part to be interfered is displayed in red, a warning message such as “Object is interfering” is displayed, or a sound or a warning sound is issued. Various forms are available. As a result, the user can recognize the interference and is urged to re-set to an appropriate arrangement, thereby avoiding an incorrect arrangement.

  The setting data creation apparatus for the 3D modeling apparatus, the setting data creation method for the 3D modeling apparatus, the setting data creation program for the 3D modeling apparatus, and the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention are UV-cured by an inkjet method It can be suitably used for three-dimensional modeling in which resins are laminated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Three-dimensional modeling system 1 ... Setting data creation apparatus 2, 2 '... Three-dimensional modeling apparatus 10 ... Control means 20 ... Head part 21 ... Model material discharge nozzle 22 ... Support material discharge nozzle 23 ... Nozzle row 24 ... Curing means 25 ... Roller part 26 ... Roller body 27 ... Blade 28 ... Bus 29 ... Suction pipe 30 ... Head moving means 31 ... XY direction driving parts 32, 32 '... Z direction driving part 40 ... Modeling plate 61 ... Input means 62 ... Display means 63 ... Parameter setting means; 63A ... Radio button; 63B ... Modeling parameter setting dialog 64 ... Calculation means 65 ... Adjustment means 66 ... Output means 68 ... Display field 69 ... Viewpoint change icon 70 ... Operation field 71 ... Object list 72 ... Object generation Column 73 ... "Read" button 74 ... "Copy" button 75 ... "Delete" button 76 ... Manual operation column 77 ... ""Finishing" column 78 ... Automatic operation column 80 ... "Optimum posture" button 81 ... "Optimum placement" button 82 ... "Estimate" button 84 ... "Print" button 85 ... "Open file" dialog screen 86 ... Print data creation Dialog 88 ... "Selection surface up" button 90 ... Object move button 91 ... Move icon 92 ... Warning dialog MA ... Model material SA ... Support material SS ... Support shell PC ... Computer SB ... Overhang support MR ... Modeling areas OB1 to OB44 ... object GF ... designated area FD ... field

Claims (16)

It is a setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object using a modeling material,
Input means (61) for acquiring three-dimensional data of the model;
Parameter setting means for setting which one of the plurality of modeling parameters including the modeling time required for three-dimensional modeling corresponding to the plurality of objects and the amount of modeling material used for modeling the model to be prioritized ( 63)
Based on the priority of the modeling parameters set by the parameter setting means (63), calculation means (64) for calculating the object posture to be optimum,
With
A setting data creation apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the calculation means (64) is configured to be able to individually calculate an optimum posture for each of a plurality of objects. A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1,
The calculation means (64) is configured to be able to calculate the optimal posture of an object that minimizes the amount of modeling material used among modeling parameters or minimizes modeling time, Setting data creation device for the device. A setting data creation apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A setting data creation apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the calculation means (64) is operable to calculate an optimal arrangement position in accordance with a modeling parameter after calculating an optimal posture. A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The calculation means (64) enables execution of a general optimization function for performing an optimal posture and / or optimal arrangement in accordance with a general optimization condition including the priority of the modeling parameters set by the parameter setting means (63). on the other hand,
A setting data creation apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, comprising a customization optimization function for performing an optimal posture and / or optimal arrangement according to an individual condition designated by a user for an arbitrary object. A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
As a modeling material, the 3D modeling device is on the modeling plate (40).
Model material (MA) that will be the final model,
Supporting the projecting portion where the model material (MA) projects, and the support material (SA) finally removed,
By repeating the operation of ejecting while curing in at least one direction and curing it, a slice having a predetermined thickness in the height direction is generated, and the slice is stacked in the height direction A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, characterized in that: A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 5,
As a modeling parameter that can specify the priority in the parameter setting means (63), including the area where the support material (SA) and the model material (MA) contact,
The setting data creating apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the calculating means (64) is capable of calculating an optimal posture so as to minimize the contact area. A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising:
Provided with a display means (62) for displaying a plurality of objects indicating a modeled object defined by the input three-dimensional data,
In the display means (62), the posture of each object is configured to be displayed in a state where the support material (SA) is added to the model material (MA). Setting data creation device. A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 7,
In the display means (62), the support material (SA) added to the model material (MA) is displayed translucently. A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising:
A setting data creation apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, comprising adjustment means (65) for adjusting the arrangement position and / or orientation of the object displayed by the display means (62). A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 9,
When the orientation and / or arrangement position of the object is changed by the adjustment means (65), the display of the model material (MA) and the support material (SA) corresponding to the object in the display means (62) is also changed accordingly. And the setting data creation apparatus for 3D modeling apparatuses characterized by being updated in real time by the arrangement position. A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising:
Changing means for changing the posture of the object so that a specific area specified in the model material (MA) in the object displayed in the display means (62) does not come into contact with the support material (SA). A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. A setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 11,
A setting data creating apparatus for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the object is rotated so that a predetermined area in the object designated by the changing means faces an upper surface. It is a setting data creation method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object using a modeling material,
Acquiring three-dimensional data of a plurality of shaped objects;
Displaying a plurality of objects indicating a modeled object defined by the inputted three-dimensional data;
A step of setting which one of the plurality of modeling parameters including the modeling time required for three-dimensional modeling corresponding to the plurality of objects and the usage amount of the modeling material required for modeling the modeled object,
A step of calculating an optimal arrangement posture of each object so as to minimize the amount of modeling material used for the modeling parameter or minimize the modeling time based on the set priority of the modeling parameter; ,
A step of calculating an optimal arrangement position of each object based on the set priority of the modeling parameter so as to minimize the amount of the modeling material used for the modeling parameter or minimize the modeling time; ,
Including
A setting data creation method for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, characterized in that an optimum position and an optimum posture can be individually calculated for each of a plurality of objects. It is a setting data creation program for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object using a modeling material.
An input function for acquiring three-dimensional data of a plurality of objects;
A display function for displaying a plurality of objects indicating a modeled object defined by the input three-dimensional data;
An adjustment function for adjusting the arrangement positions and / or postures of the plurality of objects displayed by the display function;
A parameter setting function for setting which one of the plurality of modeling parameters including the modeling time required for the three-dimensional modeling corresponding to the plurality of objects and the usage amount of the modeling material required for modeling the model is to be prioritized; ,
Based on the priority of the modeling parameters set by the parameter setting function, the arrangement position and / or orientation of the object is optimal so as to minimize the amount of modeling material used for the modeling parameters or minimize the modeling time. A calculation function for calculating so that
Realized,
A setting data creation program for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the calculation function is configured to be able to individually calculate an optimum posture for each of a plurality of objects. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus setting data creation program according to claim 14,
As a modeling material, the 3D modeling device is on the modeling plate (40).
Model material (MA) that will be the final model,
Supporting the projecting portion where the model material (MA) projects, and the support material (SA) finally removed,
By repeating the operation of ejecting while curing in at least one direction and curing it, a slice having a predetermined thickness in the height direction is generated, and the slice is stacked in the height direction An inkjet 3D modeling device
As a modeling parameter that can specify the priority with the parameter setting function, including the area where the support material (SA) and the model material (MA) contact,
A setting data creation program for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, wherein the calculation function is capable of calculating an optimum posture so as to minimize the contact area.   A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 14 or 15.