JP2017210650A - Three-dimensional molding support apparatus and three-dimensional molding support method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To aim to produce an efficient molded article.SOLUTION: To three-dimensional shape data 122 of a molded article that becomes a target to be molded, a support prohibition area for prohibiting setting of a support that supports an overbank that forms a vacancy on a lower side when molding a molded article is set via an input part 131, the set support prohibition area has a processing part 100 that prohibits generation of the support, and the treatment part 100 includes a support unnecessary posture search part 111 that may not generate the support in the support prohibition area and searches a posture of a model based on the three-dimensional shape data 122 and a support minimum posture search part 112 that searches a posture by which an area imparting the support becomes minimum among postures of the model that may not generate the support.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a 3D modeling support apparatus and a 3D modeling support method for generating data in additive manufacturing.

  Generally, in additive manufacturing, additive manufacturing equipment (3D (Dimension)) is based on a model (hereinafter referred to as a modeling model) that supports 3D shape data generated by using dedicated software. The printer device) is actually shaped and a shaped object is produced.

  There are various types of additive manufacturing of metal, such as a powder bed fusion method and a directional energy deposition method. In addition, a metal additive manufacturing method is generally a method of forming a material by melting and bonding materials with heat. This layered modeling is a technique for modeling a shape by stacking metal layers having a thickness of about several tens to several hundreds of μm. At this time, in the powder bed fusion method, a layer of metal powder is spread every layer in a region including a cross section of the shaped shape, and the metal powder is melted and bonded by a laser or the like at a place where the shaped shape is present. Modeling is performed. In the directional energy deposition method, modeling is performed by supplying powder to a location having a modeling shape and melting and bonding the metal powder with a laser or the like. In any method, the first layer of the modeled object is formed on a plate-like material having a necessary rigidity called a base plate.

  For this reason, when there is a projecting shape (hereinafter referred to as an overhang) in the second and subsequent layers, melting and bonding are performed on an unbonded metal material (metal powder layer) or in the air. Therefore, deformation of overhang due to heat shrinkage or dead weight is likely to occur. Here, the overhang is a portion in which the lower part is hollow in the modeled object, such as an overhang (a predetermined part where the lower part is empty when the modeled object is modeled). For example, the overhang includes a table or H-shaped outer shape or cross section.

  When deformation due to heat shrinkage or dead weight occurs in the overhang, the modeled object in the overhang comes into contact with the instrument in the 3D printer apparatus, and modeling is forcibly stopped (modeling failure), or the shape of the modeled model finally formed is , It will be far from the planned shape. In order to avoid such a situation, a reinforcing material called a support for supporting the overhang is provided as a part of the modeling shape in the lower layer of the overhang. By providing support, it is possible to suppress deformation of overhang due to heat shrinkage or dead weight. Note that the added support is deleted by machining or the like after modeling. As a matter of course, if the deformation due to heat shrinkage or its own weight is in a condition or shape within an allowable range in the manufacturing process, support for the purpose of suppressing the deformation becomes unnecessary.

  On the other hand, a similar treatment is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 for resin layered modeling. Patent Document 1 includes a setting data creation device for a three-dimensional modeling apparatus that models a three-dimensional modeled object using a modeling material, and an input unit 61 for acquiring three-dimensional data of the modeled object. , Parameter setting means 63 for setting which one of a plurality of modeling parameters including a modeling time required for three-dimensional modeling corresponding to a plurality of objects and a usage amount of a modeling material required for modeling a model is to be prioritized. And calculation means 64 for calculating the object posture based on the priority of the modeling parameters set by the parameter setting means 63, the calculation means 64 for each of the plurality of objects. Configuration data creation device for 3D modeling device, setting data creation method for 3D modeling device, and setting for 3D modeling device Over data creation program and computer readable recording medium is disclosed (see Abstract).

  In addition, a technique for providing a support so as to minimize the support or modeling time and creating a modeling model has been proposed. In such a technique, a shape in which the surface of the overhang is extruded toward the base plate is proposed as the shape of the support.

JP 2012-96427 A

  In the case of additive manufacturing in resin, it is possible to remove the support by making the model and the support different materials and dissolving the support with a dedicated solution.In many cases, the support should be easily removed. Is possible.

  However, in the case of layered modeling in metal, it is common to model the modeled object and the support with the same material, and the support is removed by machining or the like. For this reason, there is a problem that the support at a position where the machining tool cannot reach cannot be removed by machining or the like. As a countermeasure to such a problem, for an area that cannot be removed by machining or the like, the user may delete the support on the modeling model on which the support is installed in advance on the support confirmation screen or the like.

  However, the overhang where the support is deleted in advance is a part that is supposed to be supported. Therefore, when actual modeling starts, the deformation of the overhang in the portion where the support has been erased may become excessive. If the deformation of the overhang becomes excessive, as described above, the modeled object being modeled may come into contact with the tool in the 3D printer apparatus, and the modeling may be forcibly stopped (modeling failure). In this case, it is necessary to review the posture of the modeled object, the arrangement of the support, and the like, and to model again, resulting in a great loss of time and cost. In particular, when a plurality of modeling objects are modeled at the same time with the same 3D printer apparatus, modeling objects having no problem with the deformation amount need to be modeled again, which may cause further time and cost loss. .

  In this case, it is necessary to review the posture of the modeled object, the arrangement of the support, etc., and model again, resulting in a loss of time and cost. In particular, when a plurality of modeling objects are modeled at the same time with the same 3D printer apparatus, modeling objects having no problem with the deformation amount need to be modeled again, which may cause further time and cost loss. .

  This invention was made | formed in view of such a background, and this invention makes it a subject to manufacture a molded article efficiently.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention prohibits the installation of a support that supports a predetermined part that is set in the three-dimensional shape data of the modeled object and the three-dimensional shape data and that is empty at the bottom of the modeled object. The support prohibited area, which is an area, and an input unit to which a determination index for performing necessity determination of the support is input, and the necessity / unnecessity of the support in the support prohibited area based on the determination index. It is characterized by comprising: a support-unnecessary posture search unit that searches for a posture that does not require support in the support prohibited area, and a display unit that displays the shape of the searched posture.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the support from being generated in an area that cannot be machined.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the three-dimensional modeling assistance apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the three-dimensional modeling assistance apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is FIG. (1) which shows the production | generation procedure of the molded article in a 3D printer apparatus. It is FIG. (2) which shows the production | generation procedure of the molded article in a 3D printer apparatus. It is FIG. (The 3) which shows the production | generation procedure of the molded article in a 3D printer apparatus. It is FIG. (The 4) which shows the production | generation procedure of the molded article in a 3D printer apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in the three-dimensional modeling assistance apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the detailed procedure of the support unnecessary attitude | position search process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the detailed procedure of the support unnecessary attitude | position search process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the detailed procedure of the minimum support attitude | position search process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the detailed procedure of the minimum support attitude | position search process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the modeling model which created the support with the method which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the modeling model created with the method (comparative example) which does not consider a support prohibition area | region with respect to the three-dimensional shape data similar to FIG. 10, and a support. These are figures which show an example of the input screen which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Next, modes for carrying out the present invention (referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the 3D shape data input to the 3D modeling support apparatus is referred to as “3D shape data”, and the 3D shape data to which support is given and sent to a 3D printer apparatus (not shown) is “modeling”. This is referred to as “model data”. In addition, the shape indicated by the three-dimensional shape data is appropriately referred to as “model”, and the shape indicated by “modeling model data” is appropriately referred to as “modeling model”. And based on modeling model data, the object which a 3D printer apparatus models is called a modeled object.

<First Embodiment>
[Device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the three-dimensional modeling support apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
The support prohibition area data 121 is data related to an area that is inappropriate for installation of a support, such as a tool not reaching. Note that the support prohibited area is set, for example, when the user points to the area of the three-dimensional shape data 122 with a mouse or the like.
The three-dimensional shape data 122 is, for example, STL (Standard Triangulated Language) data created by dedicated software or the like, and is composed of a set of surface elements (for example, a triangular shape in the STL format).
The determination index 123 is a threshold value for determining whether or not an overhang, which is a predetermined portion that is empty at the time of modeling a modeled object, requires support. The determination index 123 is set in advance by the user. For example, support is required when the length of the overhang is larger than the determination index 123 or the angle is less than the determination index 123, and support is unnecessary in other cases. As a result, the shape after the support is added becomes a shape in which the angle of the overhang is less than the threshold set by the determination index 123 or there is no portion whose length is greater than the threshold.
As long as the determination index 123 is an index related to deformation or heat dissipation, an index other than the length or angle of the overhang may be used, and a plurality of indices may be used.

The unsupported posture search unit 111 extracts surface elements of the three-dimensional shape data 122 included in the input support prohibited area, and searches for postures where the extracted surface elements do not require support. Note that there may be a plurality of postures as search results by the support-unnecessary posture search unit 111.
The minimum supported attitude search unit 112 searches for an attitude that minimizes the support in the surface elements other than the support prohibited area (supportable area).

  In the processing performed by the support-unnecessary posture searching unit 111 and the minimum supported posture searching unit 112, posture changing processing for changing the posture in the three-dimensional shape data 122 is performed. Further, in the processing performed by the support-unnecessary posture search unit 111 and the minimum support posture search unit 112, a support-necessity determination process is performed for each surface element that determines the necessity of support for each surface element. Such posture change processing and support necessity determination processing can be realized by a general technique.

  When the processing by the support unnecessary posture search unit 111 and the minimum support posture search unit 112 ends, the support grant unit 113 gives support data to the three-dimensional shape data 122 of the posture with the minimum support, Generate modeling model data.

The user inputs the support prohibited area data 121, the three-dimensional shape data 122, the determination index 123, and the like via the input unit 131.
As described above, the determination index 123 is data relating to an index for determining whether it is necessary to install a support, and is, for example, the length or angle of an overhang.
The input prohibited area data 121, the three-dimensional shape data 122, the determination index 123, and the like are displayed on the display unit 132. The user confirms the information displayed on the display unit 132 by visual observation or the like.

The display part 132 displays the modeling shape after support provision, and the surface contained in a support prohibition area | region. In this display, a support prohibited area may be displayed, and a surface included in a supportable area (an area other than the support prohibited area) may be displayed instead of the support prohibited area.
And actual modeling is performed by the data (modeling model data) based on the output result currently displayed on the display part 132 being input into 3D printer apparatus 2 (FIG. 2).

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the 3D modeling support apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The three-dimensional modeling support apparatus 1 includes a memory 101, a storage device 102, an input device 103, a display device 104, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 105.
The memory 101 is loaded with a program stored in the storage device 102, and the loaded program is executed by the CPU 105, whereby the processing unit 110 and the support-unnecessary posture search unit 111 constituting the processing unit 110, the minimum support A posture searching unit 112 and a support providing unit 113 are embodied. Since the support-unnecessary posture search unit 111, the minimum support posture search unit 112, and the support provision unit 113 have already been described with reference to FIG. 1, description thereof is omitted here. The input device 103 corresponds to the input unit 131 in FIG. 1, and the display device 104 corresponds to the display unit 132 in FIG.

Further, the storage device 102 stores prohibited support area data 121, three-dimensional shape data 122, a determination index 123, and the like. The support-prohibited area data 121, the three-dimensional shape data 122, and the determination index 123 have already been described with reference to FIG.
The 3D modeling support apparatus 1 is connected to a 3D printer apparatus 2 that models a modeled object by layered modeling based on the modeling model data generated by the 3D modeling support apparatus 1.
The 3D modeling support device 1 and the 3D printer device 2 may be integrated.

[Description of Operation of 3D Printer]
Here, a powder bed fusion method, which is a representative metal layering method in the 3D printer apparatus 2 (FIG. 1), will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D.
In this method, powder 211 is spread on the lifting table 201 (FIG. 3A), and the powder 211 is melted and bonded by irradiating this powder 211 with a laser 221 or the like (circle 212 painted black in FIG. 3B). . By repeating this operation (FIG. 3C), a modeled object is formed (FIG. 3D).

  At this time, in FIG. 3D, a circle 211 filled in white is a portion that remains as a powder. The powder (circle 211) stuck to the taken-out modeled object is removed by a measure such as blowing off with a gas. As shown in FIG. 3B to FIG. 3D, the part to be melted and joined (black circle 212) is the upper part of the part already melted and joined (the length in the horizontal direction is within an allowable range or a predetermined length). Basically, it includes a slanted upper part that is greater than the angle.

  However, there are many cases in which the shape of an arbitrarily specified shaped object requires melting and bonding of the upper part of the unmelted part. In such a case, the support is provided so that the modeled object is the upper part of the part that has already melted and bonded (the horizontal length is within an allowable range or includes an oblique upper part that is a predetermined angle or more). It is done. If this basic cannot be observed, there is a risk that the shaped object will not have the intended shape due to deformation such as heat shrinkage. Furthermore, when the amount of deformation is large, when the powder 211 is laid, a roller used for pressing and compacting the powder 211 may come into contact with the deformed shaped object, and the shaping process may be forcibly stopped. If it becomes like this, modeling of a molded article cannot be performed to the last.

  In such a state, the user needs to review the shape of the modeled object and perform modeling again from the beginning, resulting in a loss of time and cost. In particular, when a plurality of modeling objects are modeled at the same time with the same 3D printer device 2 (FIG. 1), a modeling object having no problem with the deformation amount needs to be modeled again, which requires much time and cost. May cause serious loss.

  As described above, a portion that has already been melted and bonded and that projects obliquely upward (including horizontal) or a portion that is hollow below is called an overhang. As described above, when this overhang is less than the angle set by the determination index 123, support is required. Regarding this angle, it is common to set the angle of the surface of the shaped shape with respect to the horizontal as a threshold value. For example, when 45 ° is set as the angle threshold, an overhang of less than 45 ° with respect to the horizontal is a place where support is necessary, and an overhang of 45 ° or more is a place where support is not needed. Further, even if the surface has an angle less than the threshold, support is not required if the length of the overhang is within the allowable range of deformation.

[flowchart]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the 3D modeling support apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the following description, FIG. 2 will be referred to as appropriate.
First, a support prohibited area is set in the three-dimensional shape data 122 via the input device 103 (S1). For example, the support prohibited area is set by the user selecting the support prohibited area in the three-dimensional shape data 122 with a mouse or the like.
Next, a support-unnecessary posture search process is performed by the support-unnecessary posture search unit 111 to search for a posture of a model that does not require support in the support-prohibited area (S2). Here, as described above, the model is a shape indicated by the three-dimensional shape data 122. Details of the support-free posture search process will be described later.
Then, the minimum support posture search unit 112 performs a minimum support posture search process for searching for a posture that minimizes an overhang that requires installation of a support (S3). Details of the minimum supported posture search process will be described later.

Then, the support granting process is performed by the support granting unit 113 in which the support granting unit 113 creates the three-dimensional shape data 122 to which the support is given in a posture that minimizes the overhang that requires the installation of the port as a result of the minimum support posture search process. (S4).
Then, in accordance with the modeling model data output as a result of step S4, a 3D modeling process is performed in which the 3D printer device 2 (not shown) generates a modeled object (S5).

(Unsupported posture search processing)
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing detailed procedures of the support-unnecessary posture searching process (S2 in FIG. 4) according to the present embodiment.
First, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 extracts all surface elements from the three-dimensional shape data 122, and substitutes the total number (number of surface elements) of the extracted surface elements into Nf (S201 in FIG. 5). At this time, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 assigns surface element numbers 1 to Nf to the extracted surface elements (S202).
Next, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 sets the surface element number to i (i = 1 to Nf) and i = 1 (S203).
Then, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 determines whether or not the i-th surface element is included in the support prohibited area (S204). In step S204, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 determines that the surface element is included in the support prohibited area when a part of the surface element to be processed is in the support prohibited area.
As a result of step S204, when the i-th surface element is not included in the support prohibited area (S204 → No), the support-unnecessary posture searching unit 111 advances the process to step S206.

If the i-th surface element is included in the support prohibited area as a result of step S204 (S204 → Yes), the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 adds the surface element number i to the surface element number list in the support prohibited area. (S205).
Then, the support-unnecessary posture searching unit 111 performs a calculation of i = i + 1 (S206).
Next, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 determines whether i> Nf is satisfied (S207).
As a result of step S207, if i ≦ Nf (S207 → No), the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 returns the process to step S204.
As a result of step S207, if i> Nf (S207 → Yes), the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 outputs the surface element number list in the support prohibited area (S208).

  Here, when expressed using the xyz orthogonal coordinate system, when the z-axis direction is the stacking direction, the roll φ is rotated around the z axis, and the pitch θ is rotated around the x axis. is there. In the processing of FIGS. 5 and 6, the posture parameters are set to two of roll φ and pitch θ. This is because the model has a symmetrical shape with respect to the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. It is because it is intended. When the modeled object is asymmetric with respect to the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, roll φ, pitch θ, and yaw ψ may be used as posture parameters.

The unsupported posture searching unit 111 sets the rotation amount of the posture in the model to roll φ and pitch θ, and φ = 0 ° and θ = 0 ° (S211 in FIG. 6).
Thereafter, the support-unnecessary posture searching unit 111 rotates the model at angles of φ and θ (S212). Here, the model is a shape indicated by the three-dimensional shape data 122 as described above.
Then, the unnecessary support posture searching unit 111 extracts all surface elements having surface element numbers in the surface element number list in the support prohibited area (S213).
Subsequently, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 determines whether or not support is required for all the extracted surface elements (S214). The determination as to whether or not support is necessary is performed by determining whether or not the corresponding surface element becomes an overhang exceeding the allowable range by the determination index 123.
As a result of step S214, when support is not necessary for all the extracted surface elements (S214 → Yes), the support-unnecessary posture searching unit 111 advances the processing to step S216.

As a result of step S214, when support is required for any of the extracted surface elements (S214 → No), the support-unnecessary posture search unit 111 sets φ and θ as a pair and the posture list that does not need to support the support-prohibited region. Is added to the current φ and θ (S215).
Then, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 sets φ = φ + Δφ (S216). Δφ is, for example, 5 °.
Next, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 determines whether or not φ ≧ 360 ° (S217).
As a result of step S217, if φ <360 ° (S217 → No), the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 returns the process to step S212.

As a result of step S217, when φ ≧ 360 ° (S217 → Yes), the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 sets θ = θ + Δθ and φ = 0 ° (S218). Δθ is, for example, 5 °.
Then, the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 determines whether or not θ> 180 ° (S219).
If the result of step S219 is θ ≦ 180 ° (S219 → No), the support unnecessary posture searching unit 111 returns the process to step S212.
If the result of step S219 is θ> 180 ° (S219 → Yes), the support-unnecessary-posture searching unit 111 outputs a posture list that does not require support in the support-prohibited area (S220).

In step S214, there may be a case where an attitude that does not require support is not found in the support prohibited area. In this case, all the postures of the surface elements in the support prohibited area may be displayed on the display device 104 to present all the postures to the user. And, the support is given to the prohibited area, and the user determines the modeling shape (within the range of allowable manufacturing error, etc.) that has no problem with the performance, reliability, etc. of the modeled object. It may be included in a posture that does not require support of the prohibited area.
Alternatively, when a posture that does not require support is not found in the support-prohibited region, the support-unnecessary posture searching unit 111 divides the model and performs the processing illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 on each of the divided models. May be.
In the authenticity determination in steps S217 and S219, the roll φ and pitch θ threshold values may be other values in consideration of the symmetry of the shape.

  In the processing of FIGS. 5 and 6, a posture that does not require support is calculated within the support setting inappropriate region.

(Support minimum posture search processing)
7 and 8 are flowcharts showing detailed procedures of the minimum supported posture search process (S3 in FIG. 4) according to the present embodiment.
First, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 extracts all the surface elements from the three-dimensional shape data 122, and substitutes the total number of extracted surface elements (the number of surface elements) for Nf (S301 in FIG. 7).
Then, the minimum supported posture searching unit 112 assigns surface element numbers 1 to Nf to the extracted surface elements (S302).
Next, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 sets the surface element number to i (1 to Nf) and sets i = 1 (S303).
Then, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 determines whether or not the i-th surface element is not included in the support prohibited area (S304). In step S304, when a part of the surface element is in the support prohibited area, the minimum supported posture searching unit 112 determines that the surface element is included in the support prohibited area.
As a result of step S304, when the i-th surface element is included in the support prohibited area (S304 → No), the minimum supported posture search unit 112 advances the process to step S306.

As a result of step S304, when the i-th surface element is not included in the support prohibited area (S304 → Yes), the minimum supported posture search unit 112 adds the surface element number i to the surface element number list in the supportable area. (S305).
Subsequently, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 performs an operation of i = i + 1 (S306).
Next, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 determines whether i> Nf (S307).
As a result of step S307, if i ≦ Nf (S307 → No), the process returns to step S304.
As a result of step S307, when i> Nf (S307 → Yes), the minimum supported posture search unit 112 outputs a surface element number list in the supportable region (S308). The supportable area is an area other than the support prohibited area.

Subsequently, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 extracts all postures (a set of φ and θ) from the posture list that does not require support in the support prohibited area output in step S220 of FIG. Is substituted for Na (S311 in FIG. 8).
At this time, the minimum supported posture searching unit 112 assigns posture numbers 1 to Na to each of the extracted postures, that is, pairs of φ and θ (S312).
Next, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 sets the posture number to j (1 to Na) and j = 1 (S313).

Subsequently, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 rotates the model to φ and θ angles (S314). Here, the model is a shape indicated by the three-dimensional shape data 122 as described above.
Then, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 extracts all the surface elements in the surface element number list in the supportable region (S315).
Subsequently, the minimum support posture search unit 112 performs a support necessity determination for each of the extracted surface elements, calculates the total area of the surface elements that require support, and substitutes it for Aj (S316). Here, the area of the surface element that requires support is the calculation target, but the volume of the support that is required may be the calculation target.
Next, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 calculates j = j + 1 (S317).
Then, the minimum supported posture searching unit 112 determines whether j> Na is satisfied (S318).
As a result of step S318, if j ≦ Na (S318 → No), the minimum supported posture search unit 112 returns the process to step S315.

If j> Na as a result of step S318, the supported minimum attitude searching unit 112 searches for the minimum value among A1 to ANa, and substitutes the searched minimum value for Amin (S319).
Subsequently, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 substitutes the posture number j when the total area of the surface elements that require support is Amin into the minimum supported posture number (S320).
Then, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 outputs the minimum supported posture number (S321).

In step S319, assuming that a plurality of posture numbers j taking Amin are found, in step S320, a minimum supported posture list may be output instead of the minimum supported posture number. In this case, in step S320, the minimum supported posture search unit 112 may output one or both of the minimum supported posture list and the representative minimum supported posture number. The representative minimum support posture number is selected by the minimum support posture search unit 112 from the minimum support posture numbers included in the minimum support posture list. The representative minimum support posture number is, for example, the first minimum support posture number in the minimum support posture list.
In step S320, when the minimum supported posture list is output, it may be narrowed down to one posture somewhere in the process until the modeling, or the modeling may be performed in all postures in the minimum supported posture list. .

(input screen)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen according to the present embodiment.
In the input screen 300, the file name of the 3D shape data 122 is input to the 3D shape data input field 301.
In the support prohibited area setting field 302, the file name of the STL data in which the support prohibited area is set is input. For example, when a user selects a predetermined area in the three-dimensional shape data 122 with a mouse on a screen (not shown), the surface element of the selected area is extracted as STL data. The user assigns a file name to the extracted STL data, and inputs the assigned file name in the support prohibited area setting field 302.
An overhang determination angle setting field 303 and an overhang determination length setting field 304 are fields for setting the determination index 123.
In the overhang determination angle setting field 303, an overhang angle for installing the support is input. In the example of FIG. 9, a support is installed if the overhang is less than 45 °.
In the overhang determination length setting field 304, the minimum length for which overhang can be set is input. In the example of FIG. 9, support is not required if the length of the overhang is 1 mm or less, and if it is greater than 1 mm, a support is created. The condition input to the overhang determination angle setting field 303 and the condition input to the overhang threshold setting field 304 are in an OR relationship. That is, in the example of FIG. 9, an overhang is formed when the angle of the overhang is less than 45 ° or the length is greater than 1 mm.

  Next, the effect of the 3D modeling support apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Reference is made to FIG. 2 as appropriate.

(This embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the modeling model 400 in which the support 401 is created by the method according to the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 10 is displayed on the display device 104 of the three-dimensional modeling support apparatus 11.
10 and 11, horizontal lines in the modeling model 400 and the supports 401 and 411 indicate that they are manufactured by being stacked.
In FIG. 10, the space 403 in the modeling model 400 cannot be machined, and thus is defined as a support prohibited area 402. Therefore, no support is installed in the space 403 in the modeling model 400. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the support from being generated in an area where machining cannot be performed. In addition, the part shown with the code | symbol 423 becomes overhang.

Further, when the overhang length threshold is set to the length of reference numeral 421, the support 401 is created in the posture of the modeling model 400 shown in FIG. In addition, if the posture shown in FIG. 10 is reversed, it may seem that support is not required at first glance, but the length of the portion indicated by reference numeral 422 exceeds the threshold. As described above, since the portion indicated by the reference numeral 422 is included in the support prohibition area 402, a support cannot be created. Therefore, the posture opposite to that shown in FIG. It is burned.
Eventually, the support 401 is created in the posture shown in FIG. In this way, by performing the support-unnecessary posture search process, it is possible to avoid the deformation of the modeled object in the support prohibited area 402 even if the support 401 is not installed in the support prohibited area 402.

(Comparative example)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a modeling model 400 created with a method (comparative example) that does not consider a support prohibited area with respect to the same three-dimensional shape data as FIG. 10 and a support 411.
As described above, in the modeling model 400 having the space 403 inside, the space 403 is an area in which a tool does not enter and cannot be machined. Further, it is assumed that the length indicated by reference numeral 431 is the same length as the overhang length threshold. When the support prohibition area is not set, the minimum support posture in the modeling model 400 is a posture as shown in FIG. At this time, the support 411 is installed in the space 403 as shown in FIG.

The amount of support 401 shown in FIG. 10 is larger than the amount of support 411 shown in FIG.
However, since the support 401 shown in FIG. 10 can be easily removed by machining after the modeling is completed, the modeling model 400 can be modeled closer to the intended shape.

Since the support 411 in FIG. 11 is an area that cannot be machined, the user deletes the support from the three-dimensional shape data on the support confirmation screen or the like. However, since the length of the overhang 432 is significantly longer than the length of the reference numeral 431, the overhang 432 may be excessively deformed during modeling.
On the other hand, according to the technique of the present embodiment, the posture as shown in FIG. 11 that requires support in the support prohibited region 403 is excluded in the support-unnecessary posture search process described with reference to FIGS. Therefore, even if there is no support in the support prohibited area 403 in FIG. 10, a posture is selected in which the length of the overhang does not exceed the reference numeral 421 that is the threshold length.
Incidentally, the conventional technique selects the posture shown in FIG. 11 as the optimum posture.

  Furthermore, the support 401 shown in FIG. 10 is provided at a position where it can be easily removed by machining. Therefore, according to the method according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to greatly reduce the labor for removing the support 401 and to greatly increase the manufacturing speed of the modeling model 400. As a result, it is possible to increase the efficiency of manufacturing the modeled object.

  Further, by performing the minimum support posture search process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the amount of the support 401 in a state where no support is installed in the support prohibited area 403 can be minimized. Thereby, the removal time of the support 401 can be shortened.

  When the support formed in the support prohibited area 403 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, support may be formed in the support prohibited area 403.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same components as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
In the first embodiment, the support prohibited area in FIG. 9 is designated by STL data or the like (see the support prohibited area setting field 302 in FIG. 9). On the other hand, in the input screen 300a shown in the second embodiment, information on the tool shape is input by inputting the minimum end mill diameter in the minimum end mill diameter input field 302a of FIG. The processing unit 110 (FIG. 2) searches an area that cannot be machined in the three-dimensional shape data 122 from the input information on the tool shape, and sets the searched area as a support prohibited area. In this way, the processing unit 1120 sets the support prohibited area based on the size of the tool used.
In addition, it is a well-known technique to search the area | region which cannot be machined in the three-dimensional shape data 122 from the information regarding a tool shape.

  In this way, it is not necessary for the user to determine whether or not the region cannot be machined, and work efficiency can be improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to having all the configurations described. In addition, a part of the configuration of a certain embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of a certain embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.

Each of the above-described configurations, functions, the units 110 to 113, the storage device 102, and the like may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of them, for example, with an integrated circuit. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the above-described configurations, functions, and the like may be realized by software by interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function by a processor such as the CPU 105. Information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing each function is stored in an HD (Hard Disk), a memory, a recording device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, It can be stored in a recording medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) card or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).
In each embodiment, control lines and information lines are those that are considered necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily shown on the product. In practice, it can be considered that almost all configurations are connected to each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 3D modeling assistance apparatus 103 Input device 104 Display apparatus 110 Processing part 111 Unsupported attitude | position search part 112 Support minimum attitude | position search part 113 Support provision part 121 Support prohibition area | region data 122 3D shape data 123 Determination index 131 Input part 132 Display part 300, 300a Input screen 301 Three-dimensional shape data input field 302 Support prohibition area setting field 302a Minimum end mill diameter input field 303 Overhang determination angle setting field 304 Overhang determination length setting field 400 Modeling model 401,411 Support 402 Support prohibition area 423 432 Overhang (predetermined part where the bottom is empty when modeling a model)

Claims (8)

Three-dimensional shape data of a modeled object, a support prohibited area that is set in the three-dimensional shape data and prohibits the installation of a support that supports a predetermined part that is empty at the bottom of the modeled object, and the installation of the support An input unit for inputting a determination index for determining whether it is necessary or not,
Based on the determination index, it is determined whether the support is necessary or unnecessary in the support prohibited area, and a support-unnecessary attitude search unit that searches for an attitude that does not require support in the support prohibited area;
A display unit for displaying the shape of the searched posture;
A three-dimensional modeling support apparatus characterized by comprising: The support-free posture searching unit
Of the surface elements constituting the three-dimensional shape data, extract the surface elements included in the support prohibited area,
By rotating the model indicated by the three-dimensional shape data by a predetermined angle, it is determined whether the support is necessary for the surface element included in the support prohibited area,
The 3D modeling support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, as a result of the determination, the angles at which support is determined to be unnecessary for all the surface elements included in the support prohibited area are output. Minimum support attitude search for determining the necessity / unnecessity of the support based on the determination index for all the attitudes that do not require the support, and searching for the attitude that minimizes the support from the attitudes that do not require the support Have
The display unit
The shape of the searched posture is displayed. The three-dimensional modeling support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The minimum support posture search unit includes:
Among the surface elements that constitute the model indicated by the three-dimensional shape data, extract the surface elements that are not included in the support prohibited area,
The total area of the surface elements on which the support is installed, or the volume of the support to be installed among all the postures determined that the support is unnecessary for all the surface elements included in the support prohibited area. The three-dimensional modeling support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an angle at which is minimized is output. In a place other than the prohibited area, the support providing unit for providing support to the part determined to be necessary by the support,
The display unit
The three-dimensional modeling support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a modeling shape to which support is given is displayed. The 3D modeling support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a processing unit that sets the support prohibited area based on a size of a tool to be used. For the three-dimensional shape data of the modeled object, a three-dimensional modeling support apparatus that performs settings related to the installation of a support that supports a predetermined portion that is empty at the bottom when modeling the modeled object,
The three-dimensional shape data, set to the three-dimensional shape data, a support prohibition region that is a region prohibiting the installation of the support, and a determination index for performing necessity / unnecessity determination of the support installation is input,
A three-dimensional modeling support method, comprising: determining a necessity / unnecessity of the support in the support prohibited area based on the determination index, and searching for an attitude in which the support is unnecessary in the support prohibited area. The three-dimensional modeling support device
The necessity of the support is determined for all the postures that do not require the support based on the determination index, and the posture that minimizes the support is searched from the postures that do not require the support. The three-dimensional modeling support method according to claim 7.

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