JP2022009541A - Molding device, system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism for grasping and managing a used amount of consumables used in control devices such as 3D printers.

SOLUTION: A managing server of the present invention that manages information about at least one molding device that executes a job for molding a three-dimensional object using a plurality of consumables includes: collecting means for collecting information about a plurality of jobs executed by the molding device; aggregation means for executing an aggregation process that aggregates an amount of each of the plurality of consumables used in the molding device based on the collected information; and providing means for providing a report on an usage status of the molding device that has executed the plurality of jobs as a result of the aggregation process. In the provided report, the amount of each of the plurality of consumables used in the molding device during an aggregation period is displayed for each type of consumables.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a management system for managing information about a control device for modeling a three-dimensional model, and relates to a technique for totaling the amount of consumables used for modeling.

In recent years, 3D printers have rapidly become widespread. A 3D (3-dimensional) printer is a general term for a control device that creates a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional object) based on special model data. The technique related to three-dimensional modeling is also called Adaptive Manufacturing (additional manufacturing). On the other hand, a 2D (2-dimensional) printer indicates a printing device that prints flatly on paper (sheet) or the like.

Although 3D printers themselves have existed for some time, they have only been used in some industries, such as the manufacturing industry, because they are large, take up space, are difficult to handle, and are expensive. Due to recent technological innovations, the number of easy-to-use, inexpensive, and small-sized 3D printers, such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), has rapidly increased, and it is also used by general consumers. It has come to be. In addition, due to recent technological innovations, various modeling methods have been devised, and the 3D printer itself has become highly functional and high-performance, so companies that actively use 3D printers for the purpose of manufacturing prototypes and product parts are It has increased.

There are many types of consumables used for modeling with 3D printers. The material of the consumable material handled differs depending on the modeling method. Further, the consumable material used for modeling with a 3D printer includes not only the material used for the object but also the material used for the support that is modeled as needed as a support during modeling. Further, in the case of modeling using a material such as gypsum, which is a special powder, and an adhesive, the adhesive used for modeling is also included in the consumable material.

On the other hand, in the field of conventional 2D printers, there are various applications for managing and operating printers. In order to properly manage 2D printers and reduce total costs related to printing operations, there is a service called MPS (Managed Print Service). One of the services is a service that reports the usage status such as the number of prints, the aggregation rate, the double-sided rate, and the color rate of the 2D printer. By collecting counter information such as the number of prints from a 2D printer, totaling based on that information, creating a usage report and visualizing it, it is possible to propose the optimum printing method and device layout to the customer. ..

Patent Document 1 describes a print control device that decodes a control command sent to the printing device and calculates the amount of consumables such as toner and ink used before printing is executed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-219343

In order to provide the MPS as described above also in the 3D printer, it is required to grasp the amount of consumables used for modeling in the 3D printer in order to create a report on the usage status of the 3D printer.

In addition, 3D printers that use many different colors or types of consumables depending on the application have specific usage counters (for example, monochrome prints, color prints, etc.) like 2D printers. not. Therefore, it is not possible to easily obtain a consumable material usage counter.

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not disclose a specific method for calculating the amount of consumables used in a 2D printer from a control command. Therefore, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot be easily diverted for creating a report on the usage status of a material in a 3D printer.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for grasping and managing the amount of consumables used in a control device such as a 3D printer.

In order to solve the above problems, the management server of the present invention is a management server that manages information about at least one modeling device that executes a job for modeling a three-dimensional object using a plurality of consumable materials. A collection means for collecting information about a plurality of jobs executed by the modeling device and an aggregation process for totaling the amounts of the plurality of consumable materials used in the modeling device based on the collected information. The aggregation means is to be provided, and as a result of the aggregation process, a providing means for providing a report on the usage status of the modeling apparatus that has executed the plurality of jobs is provided. The feature is that the amount of each of the plurality of consumable materials used in the modeling apparatus is displayed for each type of consumable material.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for grasping and managing the amount of consumables used in a control device such as a 3D printer.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration and the network configuration which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of an information processing function. It is a figure which shows the example of the software and hardware composition of this system. It is a figure which shows the example of the data used in this system. (A) It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen about modeling. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of the control instruction generated by the modeling control software 301. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the generation process of history information. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the material usage counter creation process for each device. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the material usage calculation processing. (C) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the calculation process of the non-object usage amount for the canceled job. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the creation process of the usage history for each predetermined period. (B) It is a figure which shows the example of the usage amount history 326. (C) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the aggregation processing of the usage amount of a material in a predetermined period. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of a report.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration and a network configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The network 101 is an intranet, a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN), or the like. The 3D printer 102 is an example of a control device that forms a solid (three-dimensional object) based on special model data. The computer 103 is a client computer in which modeling control software is installed. The computer 104 is a management server on which the 3D printer management application operates. The computers 103 and 104 include types such as personal computers (PCs), tablet computers, and smartphones.

The 3D printer 102 and the computers 103 and 104 constituting the management system of this embodiment can transmit and receive information to and from each other via the network 101. The network 101 may be a wireless network such as a wireless LAN. Further, the network 101 may be a public network such as the Internet as long as information can be transmitted / received.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information processing function of the 3D printer 102, the computer 103, and 104. In the 3D printer 102, the configuration of the embedded computer 312 shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later, corresponds to the hardware of the information processing function shown in FIG.

The user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) 201 inputs / outputs information and signals by means of a display, keyboard, mouse, touch panel, buttons, and the like. Computers that do not have these hardware can also be connected and operated from other computers using Remote Desktop or Remote Shell.

The network interface 202 connects to a network such as a LAN and communicates with other computers and network devices. The embedded program and data are recorded in the ROM 204. RAM 205 is a temporary memory area. The secondary storage device 206 is an HDD, a flash memory, or the like. The CPU 203 executes a program read from the ROM 204, the RAM 205, the secondary storage device 206, and the like. Each of the above units 201 to 206 is connected via the input / output interface 207.

The 3D printer 102 further includes a hardware configuration according to the modeling method. The hardware configuration according to the modeling method is specifically the engine unit of the 3D printer 102. In addition to a storage device such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, the engine unit has hardware according to the modeling method controlled by the CPU. For example, in the case of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), the hardware comprises a printhead, a stage, a heater that overheats a nozzle of the printhead, a fan for cooling, a motor, and the like. A motor is provided in the 3D printer to drive the printhead in the X, Y, Z axis directions. Other modeling methods include, for example, a stereolithography method (STL: Stereolithography), a powder combustion method (SLS: Selective Laser Sintering), an inkjet method, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration (including a partial hardware configuration) of this system.

First, the configuration of the computer 103 will be described.

The modeling control software 301 is software installed and executed on the computer 103. The modeling control software 301 is software including, for example, a function called a slicer for generating output settings and control commands related to modeling.

The setting information 302 is information including setting items and setting values thereof related to modeling of the modeling control software 301. The setting items related to modeling include, for example, the model name of the 3D printer to be used, the moving speed and temperature of the print head, the type and color of the material to be used, the name, the filling pattern, and the like.

The 3D model data 303 is three-dimensional model data representing an object to be modeled in a three-dimensional shape. For example, there is STL (Stareo Lithography), which is one of the file formats for storing data expressing a three-dimensional shape.

The control command 304 is a control command of a 3D printer generated by the modeling control software 301 based on the 3D model data 303. For example, an instruction of a machine machine called G code (G-code) is extended for a 3D printer. The format is widely used. The modeling control software 301 generates not only a control command related to modeling of an object which is a modeling part represented by 3D model data, but also a control command related to modeling of support necessary for modeling. It should be noted that the STL file does not contain information regarding the modeling of the support. When the STL file is converted to G-code, information about support modeling is added.

The execution result 305 is data obtained by processing the modeling result 317, which will be described later, sent from the 3D printer 102 by the modeling control software 301. For example, the modeling result 317 in the log format is converted into an easy-to-use format of the modeling control software 301.

Further, the modeling control software 301 has a function of creating a job history including setting information 302, control instruction 304, and the like, and transmitting the job history to the computer 104. The job history creation function and the job history transmission function to the computer 104 may be added to general modeling control software in the form of a plug-in program. Alternatively, another application (a program (not shown) having a job history creation function and a job history transmission function to the computer 104 can be installed on the computer 103 to realize these functions. The application collects information related to a job from the modeling control software 301 and information such as an execution result from the 3D printer 102, and creates a job history.

Next, the configuration of the 3D printer 102 will be described.

The hardware 311 is an engine unit of the 3D printer 102. The hardware that constitutes a 3D printer differs depending on the modeling method. For example, in the case of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), the hardware 311 includes a printhead, a motor that drives the stage or printhead in the X, Y, Z axis directions, a heater that overheats the nozzle of the printhead, and cooling. It consists of fans and so on.

The embedded computer 312 is a computer embedded in the 3D printer 102. Compared to general-purpose computers, the embedded computer 312 specializes in necessary functions, eliminates unnecessary functions, performance, and parts, and is manufactured at a low cost. The embedded computer 312 may be a general-purpose computer, depending on the functions and performance required of the 3D printer.

The 3D printer control application 313 is an application executed on the embedded computer 312. The 3D printer control application 313 includes a UI 314, an API (Application Programming Interface) 315, and a hardware control unit 316.

The UI314 has a combination of a display that displays only a few lines of characters and a hardware operation button, and a display with a touch panel, etc., at a low price. The state of the 3D printer is confirmed by the display contents of the UI 314, and the desired process is instructed to the 3D printer by operating the UI 314.

The API 315 accepts instructions and data transmission / reception from an external computer 103 or 104. An instruction is transmitted from the external computer 103 or 104 to the 3D printer control application 313 via the API 315 to control the 3D printer 102.

The hardware control unit 316 operates each unit constituting the hardware 311 according to the command received via the UI 314 and the API 315 and the command issued by the 3D printer control application 313 itself, and outputs the modeled object and preprocesses the output. -Execute post-processing.

The control command 304 generated by the above-mentioned modeling control software 301 is sent to the 3D printer control application 313 via the network 101 and API 315. Further, the control command 304 generated by the computer 103 may be sent to the 3D printer control application 313 via the computer 104. Further, when the 3D printer 102 does not have a network interface, the control command 304 can be sent to the 3D printer control application 313 via a storage device such as a USB memory.

The 3D printer control application 313 interprets the control instruction 304 by the output instruction from the UI 314 or the API 315, and the hardware control unit 316 operates each part of the hardware 311 to output a modeled object.

The modeling result 317 is information held by the 3D printer 102, such as the output progress of the modeled object, the final output result such as success or failure, the start or end of the job, or the stop / restart time. The modeling control software 301 acquires the modeling result 317 and confirms the modeling result of the 3D printer on the computer 103.

The capability information 318 is information indicating the capability of the 3D printer 102. The capability information 318 is capability information based on the modeling method of the 3D printer 102, and includes a range of printhead speed and temperature, material type, layer thickness, modeling capacity, etc. supported by the 3D printer 102. Contains the definition of. Alert information 319 is information indicating an alert of a 3D printer. Alert information 319 holds alert information about the 3D printer, such as the printhead is clogged, the cooling fan is not working, the material is empty, the laser is not working, and so on.

Next, the configuration of the computer 104 will be described.

The 3D printer management application 321 is an application executed on the computer 104. The device list 322 is data showing a list of devices managed by the 3D printer management application 321.

The job history 323 is a job execution history including the modeling result 317 acquired from the 3D printer 102, the setting information 302 acquired from the computer 103, the control instruction 304, the execution result 305, and the like. Based on the setting information 302 and the control instruction 304 included in the job history 323, the computer 104 can calculate and total the usage amount of the material. An example of calculating the amount of material used will be described later with reference to FIG.

The usage report 324 is a report displayed and output by the 3D printer management application 321.

The usage amount counter information 325 is information obtained by quantifying the usage amount of the material used in the 3D printer for each individual 3D printer and each material type. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, an individual 3D printer is simply referred to as a device.

The usage history 326 includes a history of recording the material usage for each job executed by the 3D printer and a history of recording the usage counter information 325 for each period set by the 3D printer management application 321.

By acquiring a unique ID for each device from the 3D printer 102, the 3D printer management application 321 can identify the acquired data for each device even if there are multiple devices to be managed and the same model. Can be aggregated. Further, the 3D printer management application 321 updates the job history 323, the alert history 327, and the device list 322 by constantly or periodically acquiring various data from the 3D printer 102 or the computer 103, which is the managed device.

It should be noted that the software configuration described is not limited to the hardware configuration and arrangement of the 3D printer and the computer described in this embodiment, and it is supplemented that the software configuration can be implemented. That is, each software may be executed on any hardware of the embedded computer 312, the computer 103, and 104 of the 3D printer. Further, all the software may be executed by one hardware, or the required software may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data used in this system. The data shown in FIG. 4 is an example of attributes included in the setting information 302, the ability information 318, the alert information 319, and the job history 323.

The setting information 401 is setting information related to modeling set by the modeling control software 301 or the like. The attributes of the setting information 401 include, for example, the color and type of the material, the moving speed and temperature of the extruder, the type of the support material when the support material is used and the type of the support material, and the presence or absence of the filling pattern and the case of using the filling pattern. There are types of filling patterns, etc.

The ability information 402 is the ability information that can be acquired when the ability information 318 can be acquired from the 3D printer 102. The attributes of the capability information 402 include, for example, the color and type of the material that can be used in the 3D printer, the range of each of the X, Y, and Z axis directions in which the print head can operate, the range of the rotation speed of the fan, and the like. be.

The alert information 403 is the alert information that can be acquired when the alert information 319 can be acquired from the 3D printer 102. Attributes of alert information 403 include, for example, an empty material, a clogged extruder, a broken fan, and an open protective cover.

The job history 404 is a job history that can be included in the above-mentioned job history 323. The job history 404 includes, for example, a job identification ID and date / time information, an identification ID and name of a device used, a name and type of a material used, a filling pattern, and the like. The names and types of materials used may be defined in an array structure in consideration of the case where the print heads are a plurality of heads.

Note that each attribute / alert shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and the attributes actually used are not limited to the attributes shown in FIG.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen related to modeling. Reference numeral 500 is an example of the setting screen provided by the modeling control software 301.

Make settings related to modeling for the 3D printer selected in the 501 drop-down box. Reference numeral 502 is a radio button for selecting a resolution output profile. It is also possible to load a user-customized profile.

Reference numeral 503 and 504 are drop-down boxes for selecting the type of material used in the printhead. If the capabilities of the 3D printer selected in 501 can be acquired, for example, the materials that can be used in the 3D printer may be selectable in the drop-down list based on the attributes shown in the capability information 402 of FIG. If the capability of the 3D printer selected in 501 cannot be acquired, it will be selected from the material candidates prepared by the modeling control software.

Here, as the type of material, for example, materials such as ABS, PLA, nylon, PET and the like can be selected. It is also possible to select a dedicated water-soluble material as a support. The example given here is an example of a material related to FDM modeling, and in the case of other modeling methods, different materials are used. For example, as a material related to inkjet modeling, there are photocurable resins, waxes and the like. Materials related to SLS modeling include powders such as nylon and metal. As a material related to the stereolithography method, there is a special photocurable resin. There are also 3D printers that use special powders such as plaster and adhesives for modeling.

In this embodiment, a technique that makes it possible to report the amount of material used for FDM modeling is described. The present invention can report the amount of consumables (materials, adhesives) used in the modeling of various 3D printers mentioned here in appropriate units such as length, weight, and volume. It is a thing. In the report here, it is also assumed that the usage amount is provided by classifying the consumable material into, for example, the type and color of the consumable material.

Reference numeral 505 is a drop-down list for selecting the presence / absence of support and the type of material used for modeling the support when there is support. If you want to use the material selected in 503 and 504 for support, you can select, for example, "left head", "right head" in 505. The support includes, for example, a water-soluble support shown in FIG. 5 and a support made of a material that can be peeled off by hand, and these are used as a material dedicated to the support. On the other hand, if the device has only one head and multiple materials cannot be used in one job, the material used to create the object corresponding to the 3D model data will be used for support modeling. May also be used. In order to distinguish between these two types of supports, in this embodiment, the material used exclusively for modeling the support is referred to as a support-dedicated material.

Reference numeral 506 is a parameter setting for each item. The control command 304 is generated based on the value set in 506. If the capability of the 3D printer selected in 501 can be acquired, the range of the set values is, for example, the range of values supported by the 3D printer based on the attributes shown in 402. On the other hand, if the capability of the 3D printer selected in 501 cannot be acquired, the range of the set values is the range of the values defined by the modeling control software. When the button 507 is pressed, a job is generated based on the values set in each of the 500 setting items. The generated job includes setting information 302, control instruction 304, and the like. When the button 508 is pressed, the setting related to modeling is completed and the setting screen 500 is closed.

Note that 500 is an example of a setting screen, and the example of UI is not limited to 500. For example, 500 is a UI that allows multiple materials to be selected, but as described above, in the case of a single-head 3D printer, there may be only one drop-down list for selecting materials. Further, various setting items in the setting screen 500 may differ depending on the model of the 3D printer, and may differ depending on the modeling control software used even in the same model. Therefore, the setting items that can be set are not limited to the examples given on the setting screen 500.

FIG. 5B shows a control command related to FDM modeling, which is an example of a control command generated by the modeling control software 301. The 3D printer 102 outputs a 3D object by executing the control instruction 304 in order from the beginning. 511 is the beginning of the instruction statement, 512 is the end of the instruction statement, and 513 and 514 are the instruction statements of the modeling of a certain layer.

Reference numeral 511 is the head portion of the instruction statement, and in the example, initial settings such as the temperature and position adjustment of the print head are performed. 512 is the end of the instruction statement, and in the example, the end setting such as cooling the print head and returning the position to the original position is performed.

Reference numeral 513 is a group of commands that actually output the material. "G1" is an instruction to move the printhead, "X", "Y", and "Z" indicate the coordinates defined on the 3D printer, and "F" is the feed rate (printhead movement speed). “E” indicates the length of the material extruded from the printhead. Here, the length of the material extruded from the printhead refers to the length of the filamentous material before being output from the printhead. For example, on the fourth line of the instruction statement of 513, "G1 X-18.975 Y-17.750 E1.57750 F1080.000" is written. The instruction indicates that the length of the extruded filament is 1.57750 mm and the printhead is moved to coordinates (18.975, 17.750) at a speed of 1080.000 mm / min. By executing such commands in order and stacking sliced plane objects in the Z-axis direction, a three-dimensional object is generated.

The "E" in each line of the instruction statement indicates the total length of the material that is continuously extruded up to the instruction in the corresponding line. In the command of "G92 E0", the extruding length is reset to 0. This indicates that the next extrusion destination is an excelave. By summing the values of "E" just before being reset, the length of the material used for modeling can be calculated. The weight of the material used for modeling can be calculated using the length of the material, the cross-sectional area of the material (filament of FIG. 5B), and the density of the material.

Further, the method for calculating the amount of the material used for modeling may be other than the above-mentioned method. After one layer is modeled by the 513 command statement, the next layer is modeled by the 514 command statement. Looking at the instruction statement at the beginning of each instruction group, there is a difference in the Z-axis direction, and this difference becomes the layer thickness (stacking pitch). As described in the setting screen of FIG. 5A, the thickness of the layer is variable because it is an item that can be set by the user. In the examples shown by 513 and 514, the stacking pitch is 0.2 mm. The weight of the material used for modeling may be determined by using the stacking pitch, the moving distance of the printhead during material output, and the density of the material. By this method, it is also possible to calculate the weight of the material used for modeling without using the value of "E" included in the control command.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of generation processing of history information (for example, job history 323) to be transmitted to the computer 104 in the computer 103. It is assumed that this process is mainly operated by a functional module that generates a job, generates history information, sends the history information, and the like, which is realized by executing the modeling control software 301.

In S601, the stored 3D model data 303 is acquired.

In S602, the setting information 302 regarding the modeling input by the interface provided by the modeling control software 301 is acquired.

In S603, the control command 304 is generated based on the 3D model data 303 acquired in S601 and the setting information 302 acquired in S602.

In S604, a job for instructing the 3D printer 102 to perform modeling is created. The job includes setting information 302, control instruction 304, and the like. After that, the created job is transmitted from the computer 103 to the 3D printer 102. The created job may be transmitted to the 3D printer 102 via the computer 104 or another computer (not shown).

In S605, in the computer 103, the modeling result 317 of the transmitted job is acquired from the 3D printer 102, and the execution result 305 is generated according to the content of the modeling result 317.

In S606, job history 323 is created as history information based on the setting information 302, the control instruction 304, and the execution result 305.

In S607, the job history generated in S606 is transmitted to the computer 104 running the 3D printer management application 321.

The process of creating the job history 323 may be executed by the 3D printer 102 itself. In that case, the job history 323 is stored in the 3D printer 102, and the computer 104 collects the job history 323 from the 3D printer 102. .. Further, when the job transmitted by the computer 103 is transmitted to the 3D printer 102 via the computer 104, the computer 104 itself may create the job history. Therefore, the job history creation process can be executed by any computer or 3D printer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow chart of the computer 104 for creating material usage counter information 325 for each device. This process is executed by the 3D printer management application 321 (hereinafter referred to as management application 321).

The material usage counter creation process for each device shown in FIG. 7A will be described.

In S701, the management application 321 collects the job history 323 of the device to be managed. The management application 321 stores the collected job history 323 in the ROM 204 or the secondary storage device 206 in the computer 104.

The processes from S702 to S711 are repeatedly performed for the job history 323 of the device to be aggregated, for which the material usage amount is not counted. The management application 321 may add a flag when saving the job history 323 in S701 in order to determine whether or not the usage amount has been counted for each job history.

In S703, the management application 321 acquires the information of the type of the used material based on the setting information included in the job history 323. The type of material used may be singular or plural. When the material type information is included in the control instruction, the management application 321 may acquire the material type information from the control instruction.

In S704, the management application 321 determines whether or not the material has been exchanged between the time when the previous job is executed and the time when the current job is executed, based on the job history 323. For example, the management application 321 determines that the material has been exchanged when the material used in the previous job and the material used in this job are different from each other based on the job history 323. Further, when the occurrence of the material exchange event is recorded as log information regarding the 3D printer, the management application 321 may determine that the material has been exchanged by referring to the contents recorded in the log information. good. The management application 321 proceeds to S705 when there is a material exchange, and proceeds to S706 without executing the process of S705 when there is no material exchange.

In S705, the management application 321 counts the amount of material used to prepare for modeling. For example, the management application 321 calculates the amount of material used to clean the printhead when replacing the material as an out-of-object usage. As the non-object usage amount of the material spent for cleaning, the value acquired from the ability information 318 may be used, or the value preset by the user in the management application 321 may be used. In addition to exchanging materials, the management application 321 may calculate the usage amount of the material output as the modeling preparation before the start of the job as the non-object usage amount.

In this embodiment, the usage amount of the material used when executing the job, which is other than the usage amount of the material used for the object corresponding to the 3D model data, such as the usage amount of the material for modeling preparation, is the object. It will be called the amount used outside. Non-object usage includes, for example, the usage of materials used for support, build preparation, or abort jobs.

In S706, the management application 321 determines whether or not the present job is a job canceled during modeling based on the job history 323. The management application 321 proceeds to S707 if it is not a canceled job, and proceeds to S708 if it is a canceled job.

In S707, the management application 321 performs a material usage calculation process. The process of calculating the amount of material used will be described later with reference to FIG. 7B.

In S708, the management application 321 performs a non-object usage calculation process for the canceled job. The process of calculating the amount of material used for the modeled object in the job canceled during modeling will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 (C).

In S709, the management application 321 saves the material usage amount calculated in S707 and the non-object usage amount calculated in S708 for each job. Here, regarding the non-object usage amount, the management application 321 may save the non-object usage amount for each reason of occurrence. The amount of material used for each job calculated in S709 is included in the usage history 326 and is retained. By retaining the data of the material usage for each job, the material usage for each job can be displayed as a report in the report described later with reference to FIG.

In S710, the management application 321 adds the calculated material usage amount to the counter value of the item for each material type of the usage amount counter information 325. If the corresponding item does not exist, the management application 321 may create a new item as a new material type and record the calculated usage amount. Further, the management application 321 records the usage amount of the material used in one job calculated here in the usage amount history 326. Further, if it is unnecessary after saving / adding the usage amount of the material in S709 and S710, the management application 321 may discard the control command 304 included in the job history 323 for which the usage amount has been counted.

In S711, the management application 321 ends the process of this flowchart when it is determined that the update of the counter information 325 using the material usage amount related to all the job history 323 is completed. If there is an unprocessed job history 323, the process returns to S702 to continue processing.

If the computer 103 can execute the material usage calculation process described later using FIGS. 7B and 7C, the management application 321 manages the material usage calculated in S701. May be collected. In that case, the processing of S702 to S711 may be omitted.

Next, the calculation process of the amount of the material used shown in FIG. 7B will be described. This process is a process executed in S707.

In S721, the management application 321 calculates the amount of material used to create the desired 3D object. As described above, the management application 321 calculates the material usage by decoding the control instructions. If multiple materials are used, the material usage is calculated for each type of material used.

In S722, the management application 321 determines whether or not the support material has been used. The management application 321 can determine whether or not the support material is used in this job, for example, by whether or not the support material is set to be used on the setting screen 500 505.

In S723, the management application 321 calculates the amount of material used for support. Since the support is not a part that forms the object itself, in this embodiment, it is calculated as the usage amount outside the object.

The management application 321 can determine whether or not the material used for support is a support-only material by using the setting information set in 505 of FIG.

When the support-only material is used, the management application 321 decodes the control command to the support-only material usage output from the support printhead in the same way as the normal material usage calculation. Can be calculated. The management application 321 calculates the usage of the support-only material as the non-object usage.

On the other hand, when the material used for modeling the object is also used for modeling the support, the management application 321 identifies the part output as the support from the control command 304 and uses the material as the support. It is necessary to calculate the amount. For example, since the support has a feature that the material is output so that a plurality of thin columnar shaped parts are lined up, the management application 321 determines that the part where the same instruction group appears more than a predetermined number of times in the Z-axis direction is the support. You may. Further, the management application 321 may determine that the portion of the modeling portion written in the control instruction generated by the modeling control software 301 that is not represented by the 3D model data is supported.

Next, the calculation process of the non-object usage amount for the canceled job shown in FIG. 7C will be described. This process is a process executed in S708.

In S731, the management application 321 specifies at which instruction in the control instruction 304 the job was canceled. In order to specify the command at the canceled portion, for example, a method of specifying based on the log of the modeling result 317 is used. Alternatively, it may be a method of specifying which instruction was canceled from the job execution time. In the method using the job execution time, the management application 321 first obtains the job execution time from the job start time and the job stop time, and then obtains the printhead movement speed and movement distance by decoding the control command 304. , Calculate the time required for each instruction. Then, the management application 321 can identify the instruction at the point where the instruction is canceled at the time when the total required time for each instruction and the job execution time become equal.

In S732, the management application 321 calculates the amount of material used up to the instruction specified in S731. The management application 321 calculates the usage of this material as an out-of-object usage.

8 (A) and 8 (C) are flowcharts showing the flow of usage aggregation processing realized by executing the management application 321.

FIG. 8A will be described with reference to the process of creating the usage history 326 based on the usage counter information 325 executed at predetermined periods preset for the management application 321. This process is executed, for example, when the predetermined period is one day, at the timing of 0:00 am every day.

In S801 to S803, the management application 321 performs processing for each target device in which the usage counter information 325 exists.

In S802, the information indicated by the usage counter information 325 is recorded as the usage history 326.

In S803, when the processing is completed for all the target devices, the management application 321 ends the processing of this flowchart.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of usage history 326. The usage history 326 shows the usage history 326 of the red ABS resin in Device 1 in FIG. 8 (C).

The date indicates the date on which the usage counter information 325 was recorded. The usage amount is the usage amount counter information 325 as of the recorded date. The management application 321 creates a usage history 326 for each type of material used in each device.

FIG. 8C is a flowchart showing a flow of aggregation processing of the amount of material used in a predetermined period. For example, this process is executed when the user specifies an aggregation period or the like and instructs to create a report via a screen provided by the management application 321 or the like.

In S811 to S815, the management application 321 performs aggregation processing on the device to be aggregated.

In S812, the usage history 326 recorded in S802 of FIG. 8A during a predetermined period for each device is acquired. The management application 321 may acquire only the usage counter information at the beginning and end of a predetermined period, or may acquire all the history during the predetermined period.

In S813, the usage amount of the material in the designated aggregation period is aggregated based on the usage amount history 326 acquired in S812. At this time, the usage amount of the material used for the created object and the non-object usage amount used for executing the job are separately aggregated. In addition, the usage amount of the material used for the modeled object and only the usage amount outside the object may be distinguished and aggregated. Also, the usage of materials used for objects and support may be aggregated separately from the material usage for at least one of the aborted job and the build preparation.

As a method of totaling the usage amount, for example, the difference between the usage amount counter information at the beginning and the end of the totaling period may be calculated. However, it may not be possible to calculate at the beginning and end of the period because the usage counter information cannot be acquired or does not exist at the beginning or end of the specified period. In such a case, it is necessary to apply another aggregation method, but the aggregation method is not particularly limited in the present invention.

When the processing is completed for all the devices to be aggregated in S814, the management application 321 proceeds to the processing in S815.

In S815, the management application 321 creates report data based on the calculated value. The management application 321 may only save the output data or may use the data to display a report.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the report created by the process of FIG. 8C. Reference numeral 900 is a report on the usage status of materials aggregated for each device. The report 900 may be a Web application, a native application, or a report printed on paper, and the display method is not particularly limited. The usage amount for each type of material in each device calculated by the processing of S811 to S814 in FIG. 8C is displayed as a report as in the example shown in FIG.

901 is a table showing an example of the breakdown of the usage amount for each type of material. The material type 902 is an item indicating the type of the material used in the device to be reported.

The usage amount 903 is an item indicating the usage amount of the material in the length (m) in the aggregated period. The usage amount of the material calculated by the processing of S811 to S814 in FIG. 8C is reflected in the usage amount 903.

The thickness 904 is an item indicating the thickness (mm) in the case of a material forming the shape of a filament. The usage amount 905 is an item indicating the usage amount (kg) of the material in the aggregated period. The usage amount 905 is calculated using the usage amount 903, the thickness 904, and the density of the material. For example, since Report 900 is a report of a device that uses a material that forms the shape of a filament, for each type of material, the usage amount 903 indicated by length, the thickness 904, and the density of the material are used. , The amount used (kg) is calculated. Further, the usage amount (m ^ 3) may be calculated using the usage amount 903 indicated by the length and the cross-sectional area of the material.

The job count 906 is an item indicating the number of jobs executed using the material of the corresponding type. The canceled job 907 is an item indicating the non-object usage amount (m) when the job is canceled. The support 908 is an item indicating the amount (m) of the material used for the support. The modeling preparation 909 is an item indicating the amount (m) of the material used in the modeling preparation. A preset value may be used as the amount of the material used for one modeling preparation.

910 is a graph showing the usage amount for each type of material of the device. 911 is a graph showing the usage rate of the material used in the device.

Reference numeral 912 is an example of the breakdown of the usage amount for each job in the device. A table of 912 is created using the history of material usage for each job executed by the 3D printer, which is included in the usage history 326.

The job name 913 is an item indicating a job name. The total usage amount 914 is an item indicating the total usage amount (m) of the material for each job. The canceled job 915 is an item indicating the non-object usage amount (m) of the material used in the canceled job. The support 916 is an item indicating the non-object usage amount (m) of the model material support material and the support-dedicated material. The modeling preparation 917 is an item indicating the amount (m) of the material used in the modeling preparation. The non-object ratio 918 is an item indicating the ratio (%) of the non-object usage amount to the total usage amount. The execution date / time 919 is an item indicating the date / time (year / month / date / time) when the job was executed. The execution result 920 is an item indicating the execution result of the job. For example, if the job execution result is successful, "OK" is displayed, and if it is unsuccessful, "NG" is displayed. It should be noted that the item in the table of 912 may include one or more types of materials used for modeling when the job is executed.

Note that the tables and graphs in Report 900 are examples of reports for visualizing the amount of materials used, and the contents to be displayed are not limited to the items shown in Report 900. For example, items such as the number of canceled jobs and the number of material exchanges may be added to 901. Also, the report may show only either the usage used for the object or the non-object usage. Also, as out-of-object usage, only one of the aborted jobs, support, and build preparation may be shown in the report. Further, in the usage amount breakdown by job 912, it is also possible to display an aggregation result showing the usage amount for each type of one or more materials used in each job.

According to this embodiment, the amount of material used in a control device such as a 3D printer can be grasped and managed for each type of material.

(Example 2)
In Example 1, unlike a conventional 2D printer, a 3D printer that cannot acquire usage counter information and job history has been described. To create usage counter information 325 for each material type by accumulating and utilizing information including control command 304 as job history 323, and to display a report on material usage considering non-object usage. The configuration of is explained.

In this embodiment, as with the conventional 2D printer, the procedure is further simplified for the 3D printer that can directly acquire the usage counter information and the job history from the device. Specifically, a part of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is omitted. However, if the job is aborted or the same material is used for the object and support, the out-of-object usage must be calculated by decoding the control instructions. This problem can be solved by following the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

If the total amount of material used for job execution is known, and either the amount of material used for the object or the amount used outside the object is calculated from the control command, the other Is also included in the aggregation process.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the 3D printer that cannot acquire the usage counter information and the job history has been mainly described, but the 3D printer that can acquire the usage counter information and the job history can also be obtained, or even in a mixed environment. , The present invention can be applied.

(Example 3)
In Examples 1 and 2, the usage amount counter information 325 was created, and further, the usage amount history 326 was created to perform the aggregation process. However, even if the usage counter information 325 and the usage history 326 are not created, the report can be created by performing the aggregation process for all the job histories 323 each time the report is created.

Therefore, the present invention can be applied to the computer 104 shown in FIG. 3 even if the management application 321 does not have the usage counter information 325 and the usage history 326.

(Other Examples)
The present invention also includes an apparatus or system configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments and a method thereof.

Here, the present invention is a device or system that is a main body that executes one or more software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. Further, a method for realizing the above-described embodiment executed by the device or system is also one of the present inventions. Further, the program is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the program is read and executed by one or more computers (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device. That is, as one of the present inventions, the program itself or various storage media that can be read by the computer that stores the program are also included. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment.

104 Computer 321 3D Printer Management Application

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a modeling device, which is an execution means for executing a job for modeling a three-dimensional object using a plurality of consumable materials, and information about the executed job. The information about the output job includes information about the amount of each of the plurality of consumable materials used in the execution means, and the information about the output job. The report created based on the information is characterized in that the amount of the plurality of consumables used in the plurality of jobs executed by the execution means within the aggregation period is displayed for each type of consumables.

Claims (14)

A management server that manages information about at least one modeling device that executes jobs for modeling 3D objects using multiple consumables.
A collection means for collecting information about a plurality of jobs executed by the modeling apparatus, and
A totaling means for executing a totaling process for totaling the amounts of each of the plurality of consumable materials used in the modeling apparatus based on the collected information.
As a result of the aggregation process, there is a providing means for providing a report on the usage status of the modeling apparatus that has executed the plurality of jobs.
In the report provided, the management server is characterized in that the amount of each of the plurality of consumables used in the modeling apparatus within the aggregation period is displayed for each type of consumables. The management server according to claim 1, wherein the collecting means collects, as information about the job, an identifier of the modeling apparatus that executed the job. The management server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collecting means collects information on the date when the job is executed by the modeling apparatus as information about the job. The management server according to claim 3, wherein the collected date information includes at least one of a start date and a completion date. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the collecting means collects information about the type of consumable material used in the job as information about the job. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the collecting means collects information about the amount of consumables used in the job as information about the job. In the report provided by the means provided, the amount of consumables used in the modeling apparatus during the aggregation period is a unit indicating either length, weight, or volume, depending on the type of consumables. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is displayed in. The report provided by the providing means according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the usage of one of the plurality of consumables is displayed using a unit of volume. Management server. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of consumable materials are a powder and a sub-consumable material for modeling the three-dimensional object using the powder. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the three-dimensional object to be modeled contains the plurality of consumable materials. The information about the jobs collected by the collecting means includes information about the jobs that were canceled while being executed by the modeling apparatus.
The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the report provided by the providing means displays the number of canceled jobs. It also has a means of accepting the designation of the aggregation period from the user.
The totaling means executes a totaling process for totaling the amount of consumables used in the modeling apparatus within the totaling period according to the received designation.
The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the providing means provides a report in which the amount of consumables used in the modeling apparatus is displayed within the aggregation period. It is a control method of a management server that manages information about at least one modeling device that executes a job for modeling a 3D object using multiple consumables.
A collection process that collects information about multiple jobs executed by the modeling device, and
Based on the collected information, a totaling process for executing a totaling process for totaling the amounts of each of the plurality of consumable materials used in the modeling apparatus, and a totaling process.
As a result of the aggregation process, the process of providing the usage status of the modeling apparatus that has executed the plurality of jobs is provided.
In the report provided, the control method is characterized in that the amount of each of the plurality of consumables used in the modeling apparatus is displayed for each type of consumables within the aggregation period. A program for operating a computer as the means according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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