JP6432242B2 - Pattern printing method, pattern printing system, pattern generation method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pattern printing method, a pattern printing system, a pattern generation method, and a program, and in particular, a pattern printing method, a pattern printing system, a pattern generation method, and a program for three-dimensionalizing a desired region of a thermally expandable sheet. About.

  As one type of three-dimensional forming technology for forming a three-dimensional printed matter, black ink or toner is printed in a desired pattern on a thermally expandable sheet that is foamed by heating to increase its volume, and then the thermally expandable sheet. A technique for uniformly irradiating light on the entire surface of the substrate is known. This technology utilizes the fact that the heat-expandable sheet has a higher heat absorption rate and is heated to a higher temperature than the non-printed area where the black ink or toner is printed. The sheet in the area where ink or toner is printed is foamed and raised. Patent Literature 1 describes a three-dimensional printing apparatus using this technique.

JP 2012-171317 A

  By the way, in the above-described technique, a so-called foaming thickening in which the sheet rises in a region wider than a region where black ink or toner is printed may occur. This is because the heat absorbed in the area where the black ink or toner is printed is transferred to the surrounding area, so that the area where the black ink or toner is not printed is also heated to a high temperature. It is done. For this reason, even when black ink or toner is printed so as to obtain a desired pattern, it is difficult to three-dimensionalize the pattern with high accuracy.

  In light of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that contributes to three-dimensionalization of a desired region of a thermally expandable sheet with high accuracy.

One aspect of the present invention includes information for specifying a region in which the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet should be suppressed from first pattern data including information for specifying a region to be three-dimensionalized in the thermally expandable sheet. Generate second pattern data, and on the first pattern data, print the material that promotes the inflow of heat into the region to the three-dimensional region of the thermally expandable sheet, Based on the second pattern data, a material that suppresses the inflow of heat into the region is printed on the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed, and the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is suppressed. The region to be included includes a region sandwiched between the regions to be three-dimensionalized of the two thermally expandable sheets, and the region to be suppressed to three-dimensionalize the thermally expandable sheet is the two thermally expandable sheets Sandwiched between the three-dimensional areas of the sheet It is to provide a pattern printing method that does not include a region not.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed is specified from the first pattern data including information specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. A second pattern data including information to be generated, and based on the first pattern data, a material that promotes the inflow of heat into the region of the thermally expandable sheet in the region to be three-dimensionalized Printing and printing a material that suppresses the inflow of heat into the region in the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed based on the second pattern data, and the first pattern data To identify a spatially continuous continuous region that constitutes the region to be three-dimensionalized, and for each of the identified continuous regions, determine a peripheral region adjacent to and surrounding the continuous region And decide The second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet configured by the peripheral region is to be generated is generated, and the heat is applied to each of the specified continuous regions. The peripheral region may be determined so that the width surrounding the continuous region increases as the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous region increases when the expandable sheet is uniformly irradiated with heat .

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed is specified from the first pattern data including information specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. A second pattern data including information to be generated, and based on the first pattern data, a material that promotes the inflow of heat into the region of the thermally expandable sheet in the region to be three-dimensionalized Printing and printing a material that suppresses the inflow of heat into the region in the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed based on the second pattern data, and the first pattern data From the above, a spatially continuous continuous area constituting the area to be three-dimensionalized is specified, and when the area of the specified continuous area exceeds a predetermined threshold, the area exceeds the threshold Each of the continuous regions On the other hand, it includes information for determining a peripheral region that is adjacent to and surrounds the continuous region, and that specifies a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet configured by the determined peripheral region is to be suppressed. It is good as well.

  Furthermore, in the pattern printing method, when the heat-expandable sheet is uniformly irradiated with heat for each of the identified continuous regions, the larger the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous regions, the more the surrounding regions are surrounded. The peripheral region may be determined so that the width becomes wide. Further, for each of the determined peripheral regions, the higher the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous region corresponding to the case where the heat-expandable sheet is uniformly irradiated with heat, the higher the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression is determined. The second pattern data may be generated that includes information for specifying a region where suppression should be suppressed and information on the degree of suppression of three-dimensionalization of each of the peripheral regions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the information specifying the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet should be suppressed from the first pattern data including the information specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. A pattern generating unit that generates second pattern data including the material, and a material that promotes inflow of heat into the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet based on the first pattern data. A material that suppresses the inflow of heat to the region in the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed based on the second pattern data generated by the pattern generation unit. comprising a printing unit for printing, wherein the pattern generating means from said first pattern data to identify the spatially continuous consecutive regions constituting the region to be the three-dimensional, the continuous region identified When the area exceeds a predetermined threshold, for each of the continuous areas having an area exceeding the threshold, a peripheral area adjacent to and surrounding the continuous area is determined and determined. providing a pattern printing system that generates the second pattern data including the information specifying the areas to be suppressed said thermally expandable sheet the three-dimensional of consisting of the peripheral region.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet should be suppressed from first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. Is generated, and a spatially continuous continuous region constituting the region to be three-dimensionalized is specified from the first pattern data, and the area of the specified continuous region is determined in advance. A peripheral region adjacent to and surrounding the continuous region is determined for each of the continuous regions having an area exceeding the threshold, and the determined peripheral region Provided is a pattern generation method for generating the second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet to be configured is to be suppressed .

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an area in which the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed is determined from the first pattern data including information specifying the area to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. Generate second pattern data including information to be identified, identify a spatially continuous continuous area constituting the area to be three-dimensionalized from the first pattern data, and identify the area of the identified continuous area Is determined to determine a peripheral region adjacent to and surrounding the continuous region for each of the continuous regions having an area exceeding the threshold when the threshold value exceeds a predetermined threshold. There is provided a program for executing a process of generating the second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expansible sheet constituted by a peripheral region is to be suppressed .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which contributes to three-dimensionalizing the desired area | region of a thermally expansible sheet with high precision can be provided.

It is the figure which showed a mode that heat was irradiated to the thermally expansible sheet in which the conventional printing pattern was printed. It is a top view of the thermally expansible sheet on which the conventional printing pattern was printed. It is the figure which showed the surface shape after the heating of the thermally expansible sheet on which the conventional printing pattern was printed. It is the figure which showed a mode that heat was irradiated to the thermally expansible sheet in which the printing pattern which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was printed. It is a top view of the thermally expansible sheet on which the printing pattern concerning one embodiment of the present invention was printed. It is the figure shown about the relationship between the frequency | count of white printing, and the clearance gap between black printing. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the hardware constitutions of the computer which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is another figure which showed the structure which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the pattern production | generation process performed with the computer which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the 2nd pattern production | generation process performed with the computer which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the figure which illustrated the pattern which shows the area | region which should be three-dimensionalized which the computer which concerns on Example 1 of this invention receives. It is the figure which illustrated the pattern which shows the area | region which should suppress the three-dimensionalization which the computer which concerns on Example 1 of this invention produces | generates. It is the figure which illustrated the printing pattern which the computer which concerns on Example 1 of this invention produces | generates. 3 is a flowchart of pattern printing processing performed by the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the 2nd pattern generation process performed with the computer which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is the figure which illustrated the pattern which shows the area | region which should be three-dimensionalized which the computer which concerns on Example 2 of this invention receives. It is the figure which illustrated the printing pattern which the computer which concerns on Example 2 of this invention produces | generates. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the area of printing for foaming, and foaming thickness. It is the figure which showed another example of the printing pattern which the computer which concerns on Example 2 of this invention produces | generates. It is a flowchart of the modification of the 2nd pattern production | generation process performed with the computer which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is the figure which illustrated the printing pattern which the computer which concerns on Example 3 of this invention produces | generates. It is a figure which shows the density | concentration of the printing for foaming, and the relationship of foaming thickness. It is the figure which illustrated the printing pattern which the computer which concerns on Example 4 of this invention produces | generates. It is the figure which illustrated the printing pattern which the computer which concerns on Example 5 of this invention produces | generates.

  With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, in one embodiment of the present invention, a pattern (hereinafter simply referred to as a print pattern) printed on the thermally expandable sheet 3 for three-dimensional formation, and a print pattern in a related art in the related art The difference will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the thermally expandable sheet 3 includes a base material 1 and a foamed layer 2 containing a thermal foaming agent coated on the base material 1. The base material 1 is made of a cloth such as paper or canvas, a panel material such as plastic, and the material is not particularly limited. The foam layer 2 is a layer having the property of foaming by heating and increasing its volume. A known commercial product can be used as the thermally expandable sheet 3 composed of the base material 1 and the foamed layer 2 containing a thermal foaming agent.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which heat is applied to a thermally expandable sheet 3 on which a conventional print pattern is printed. FIG. 2 is a top view of the thermally expandable sheet 3 on which a conventional print pattern is printed. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the surface shape after heating of the thermally expandable sheet 3 on which a conventional print pattern is printed.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the material 4 which accelerates | stimulates the inflow of the heat | fever to the said area | region is printed in the area | region which should be three-dimensionalized of the foaming layer 2 of the thermally expansible sheet 3. Here, the material 4 that promotes the inflow of heat is typically a material having a high heat absorption rate such as black ink or toner. The heat absorption rate is a ratio indicating how much of the light energy can be absorbed as heat energy when irradiated with light.

  Thereafter, the foam layer 2 of the thermally expandable sheet 3 printed with the material 4 that promotes the inflow of heat is heated by heat radiation from the halogen lamp 5. As a result, the material 4 that has absorbed a large amount of heat transfers heat to the foam layer 2 and heats it, so that the region of the foam layer 2 immediately below the material 4 (that is, the region to be three-dimensionalized) is foamed. It rises and becomes three-dimensional. However, in the conventional method, as shown in FIG. 3, not only the foam layer 2 directly under the material 4 but also its peripheral region is foamed and foamed to rise.

  This is presumably because the heat from the material 4 is attenuated as compared to the region immediately below, but is also transferred to the surrounding region (hereinafter referred to as the peripheral region). That is, the sum of the amount of heat transferred from the material 4 to the peripheral region (transfer heat amount) and the amount of heat directly absorbed by the peripheral region from the halogen lamp 5 (absorbed heat amount) causes the peripheral region to foam. A sufficient amount of heat (temperature) may be reached, in which case the surrounding area will foam and rise with the area directly below the material 4.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which heat is applied to the thermally expandable sheet 3 on which the printing pattern according to the embodiment of the present invention is printed. FIG. 5 is a top view of the thermally expandable sheet 3 on which a printing pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention is printed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of times of white printing and the gap L of black printing.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the material 4 that promotes the inflow of heat is printed in the region to be three-dimensionalized of the foam layer 2 of the thermally expandable sheet 3. Further, the material 6 that suppresses the inflow of heat is printed in a region other than the region to be three-dimensionalized (a region where three-dimensionalization is to be suppressed). Here, the material 6 that suppresses the inflow of heat is typically a material having a low heat absorption rate, such as white ink or toner. In FIGS. 4 and 5, a part of the region other than the region to be three-dimensionalized, more specifically, a region between two regions of 10 mm square on which the material 4 that is black ink is printed is white. An example is shown in which a material 6 that is ink is printed. Here, the material that promotes the inflow of heat is a material that has a higher heat absorption rate than the foam layer 2, and the material that suppresses the inflow of heat has a heat reflectance that is greater than that of the foam layer 2. It refers to expensive materials. Furthermore, the material that promotes the inflow of heat may be a material having a higher heat absorption rate than the foamed layer 2 and the material that suppresses the inflow of heat. A material having higher heat reflectivity than the foam layer 2 and the material that promotes the inflow of heat may be used.

  Thereafter, the foam layer 2 of the thermally expandable sheet 3 is heated by heat radiation from the halogen lamp 5. As a result, the material 4 that has absorbed a large amount of heat transfers heat to the foamed layer 2 and heats it, so that the region of the foamed layer 2 immediately below the material 4 foams and rises and becomes three-dimensional. This is the same as in the prior art. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the bulge in the peripheral region where the material 6 is printed is suppressed as compared with the conventional case.

  This is presumably because the amount of heat flowing into the peripheral region from above is reduced due to the presence of the material 6 that suppresses the inflow of heat. That is, for the peripheral area on which the material 6 is printed, the amount of heat emitted from the halogen lamp 5 and transferred to the peripheral area through the material 6 is directly from the surface of the peripheral area if the material 6 is not printed. Less than the amount of heat that would have been absorbed. For this reason, even if combined with the amount of heat transferred from the material 4 to the peripheral region (transfer heat amount), it becomes difficult to reach the amount of heat (temperature) sufficient for the peripheral region to foam, and the bulge in the peripheral region is suppressed. .

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which the material 6 is printed once in the peripheral region and one layer made of the material 6 is formed on the peripheral region. However, the material 6 is printed a plurality of times in the peripheral region. May be. By increasing the number of times of printing with the material 6 (the number of times of white printing in FIG. 6), it is possible to further reduce the amount of heat flowing into the peripheral region immediately below. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, it becomes possible to further widen the width (gap L in FIG. 6) of the non-protruded region between the two 10 mm square regions on which the material 4 is printed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the region where the three-dimensionalization on which the material 6 that suppresses the inflow of heat is printed (the three-dimensionalization suppression region) is the three-dimensionalization on which the material 4 that promotes the inflow of heat is printed. It does not overlap the area to be formed (three-dimensional object area) and is in contact with the outer peripheries of the two three-dimensional object areas facing each other. In addition, the three-dimensional suppression region is provided in a region sandwiched between two three-dimensional object regions, but conversely, in other regions, that is, regions not sandwiched between two three-dimensional object regions. Not provided. This is because in a region not sandwiched between two three-dimensional object regions, only the amount of heat from one of the three-dimensional object regions is transmitted, or the influence is considered to be large. This is because it is considered that the amount of heat transferred from both of the three-dimensional object regions is large in the region sandwiched between the regions. Therefore, the material 6 that suppresses the inflow of heat is formed only in the region sandwiched between the two three-dimensional object regions that are considered to be particularly affected by the amount of heat transferred. Thus, there is an effect that the amount of white ink used can be reduced while suppressing the influence of the amount of heat transferred from the three-dimensional object region on the three-dimensional control region. However, the material 6 that suppresses the inflow of heat may be provided not only in a region sandwiched between a plurality of three-dimensional object regions, but also in other regions as in each example described later. Even in that case, it is needless to say that the influence of the amount of heat transferred from the three-dimensional object region on the three-dimensionalization suppression region can be suppressed, and consequently the desired region of the thermally expandable sheet can be three-dimensionalized with high accuracy.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, unlike the conventional print pattern including only the region to be three-dimensionalized, the print that distinguishes between the region to be three-dimensionalized and the region to be three-dimensionally suppressed is distinguished. A pattern is printed on the thermally expandable sheet 3 for three-dimensional formation using a material that promotes the inflow of heat and a material that suppresses the heat. In particular, a material that suppresses the inflow of heat is printed in a region where three-dimensionalization is to be suppressed. Thereby, since the protrusion of a peripheral area | region can be suppressed, it becomes possible to three-dimensionalize the desired area | region of the thermally expansible sheet 3 with high precision compared with the past.
Hereinafter, examples that further embody the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing system 100 according to the present embodiment. The printing system 100 is a pattern printing system that prints a print pattern for three-dimensionalizing a desired region of the thermally expandable sheet 3 on the thermally expandable sheet 3, and includes a computer 10 and a display device connected to the computer 10. 20, an input device 30 and a printing device 40 are provided.

  The display device 20 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT display device, or the like. The input device 30 is, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. The input device 30 may be a touch sensor arranged on the screen of the display device 20.

  The computer 10 is a pattern generation unit that generates print pattern data. The computer 10 is a general computer such as a personal computer, for example, and includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13, a reading device 14, a display IF 15, an input IF 16, and a communication IF 17, as shown in FIG. These are connected to each other by a bus 18.

  The CPU 11 generates print pattern data by executing a pattern generation program using the memory 12. The memory 12 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, and includes a RAM area and a ROM area.

  The storage device 13 is, for example, a hard disk device, and stores a pattern generation program, print pattern data generated by executing the program, and the like. Note that the storage device 13 may be a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The storage device 13 may be an external recording device.

  The reading device 14 accesses the portable recording medium 19 according to an instruction from the CPU 11. The portable recording medium 19 is, for example, a semiconductor device (USB memory, etc.), a medium (information such as a magnetic disk) to which information is input / output by magnetic action, and a medium (CD-ROM, etc.) to which information is input / output by optical action. For example, a DVD).

  The display IF 15 is, for example, an interface device that outputs data to the display device 20 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 11. For example, the input IF 16 is an interface device that receives data from the input device 30 and is a device that receives an instruction from a user. The communication IF 17 is an interface device that transmits and receives data to and from the printing device 40 via a network in accordance with instructions from the CPU 11. For example, the communication IF 17 transmits print pattern data to the printing apparatus 40.

  The pattern generation program may be installed in advance in the storage device 13, for example, and may be provided to the computer 10 via the portable recording medium 19 or via a network.

  In the computer 10 configured as described above, print pattern data is generated in accordance with an instruction from the user. Specifically, first, the user operates the input device 30 to designate a desired region of the thermally expandable sheet 3 as a region to be three-dimensionalized. As a result, the first pattern data including information specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized is input to the computer 10. The computer 10 generates print pattern data for three-dimensionalizing a desired region of the thermally expandable sheet 3 by executing a pattern generation program with the first pattern data as an input. Details of the pattern generation method performed by the computer 10 will be described later.

  The printing device 40 is a printing unit that prints a printing pattern on the thermally expandable sheet 3. The printing apparatus 40 is, for example, an inkjet printer that uses ultraviolet curable ink (hereinafter referred to as UV ink). As shown in FIG. 7, a controller 41, a transport unit 42, a head unit 43, a light source unit 44, and The sensor unit 45 is provided. Note that the printing apparatus 40 only needs to be able to print a print pattern on the thermally expandable sheet 3, and thus may be configured as a printer of another type such as a laser printer instead of an ink jet printer.

  The controller 41 controls the transport unit 42, the head unit 43, and the light source unit 44 in order to print the print pattern on the thermally expandable sheet 3 based on the print pattern data received from the computer 10. The controller 41 is connected to a sensor unit 45 including sensors arranged in each part.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the transport unit 42 includes a drive roller 42a, a driven roller 42b, and a transport belt 42c stretched over the drive roller 42a and the driven roller 42b. The transport unit 42 transports the thermally expandable sheet 3 in the transport direction by the transport belt 42c being driven by the rotation of the drive roller 42a and circulatingly moving in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the head unit 43 includes at least two printer heads (printer head 43a and printer head 43b) that discharge UV ink at different positions in the transport direction. For example, the printer head 43a ejects black UV ink, and the printer head 43b ejects white UV ink. Note that the black UV ink is a material having a higher heat absorption rate than the thermally expandable sheet 3 and is a material that promotes the inflow of heat. The white UV ink is a material having a lower heat absorption rate than that of the black UV ink, and is preferably a material having a lower heat absorption rate than that of the thermally expandable sheet 3. White ink is a material that suppresses the inflow of heat.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the light source unit 44 includes at least two light sources (light source 44 a and light source 44 b) that irradiate ultraviolet rays to cure the UV ink at different positions in the transport direction. The light source 44a irradiates black UV ink ejected from the printer head 43a with ultraviolet rays, and the light source 44b irradiates white UV ink ejected from the printer head 43b with ultraviolet rays. As shown in FIG. 10, one light source 44a is provided on each side in the scanning direction of the printer head 43a perpendicular to the transport direction with respect to the printer head 43a, and moves in conjunction with the printer head 43a. It is configured. One light source 44b is also provided on each side of the printer head 43b in the scanning direction of the printer head 43b, and is configured to move in conjunction with the printer head 43b.

  In the printing apparatus 40 configured as described above, a print pattern for three-dimensionalizing a desired region of the thermally expandable sheet 3 is printed on the thermally expandable sheet 3 in accordance with the print pattern data received from the computer 10. Specifically, the controller 41 controls each part according to the print pattern data, whereby black UV ink is ejected from the printer head 43a to the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet 3, and ultraviolet light is irradiated from the light source 44a. The Thereby, black UV ink is printed in the region to be three-dimensionalized. Further, white UV ink is ejected from the printer head 43b to the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet 3 is to be suppressed, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the light source 44b. As a result, white UV ink is printed in the region where the three-dimensionalization is to be suppressed.

  FIG. 11A is a flowchart of the pattern generation process performed by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11B is a flowchart of the second pattern generation process performed by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a pattern (first pattern P1) indicating a region to be three-dimensionalized received by the computer 10. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a pattern (second pattern P <b> 2) indicating a region where the three-dimensionalization generated by the computer 10 is to be suppressed. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a print pattern P3 generated by the computer 10. Hereinafter, the pattern generation method performed by the computer 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

  When the computer 10 executes the pattern generation program, the pattern generation process shown in FIG. 11A is started. First, the computer 10 acquires first pattern data including information specifying a region to be three-dimensionalized on the thermally expandable sheet 3 input by the user by operating the input device 30 (step S1).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the first pattern data includes information on the first pattern P1 indicating the region to be three-dimensionalized (three-dimensional object region 60) in the sheet region 50 of the thermally expandable sheet 3. It is out. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the three-dimensional object region 60 is composed of a plurality of continuous regions (continuous region 61, continuous region 62, continuous region 63, continuous region 64, continuous region 65) that are spatially continuous. Yes. Note that the first pattern data may include information on the degree of three-dimensionalization indicating how much the area (each position) should be three-dimensional in addition to the information specifying the area. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the entire three-dimensional object region 60 is three-dimensionalized with the same degree of three-dimensionalization.

  Next, the computer 10 includes information for identifying a region in which the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet 3 is to be suppressed by the second pattern generation process illustrated in FIG. 11B from the first pattern data acquired in step S1. Second pattern data is generated (step S2). That is, the computer 10 functions as a pattern generation unit that generates second pattern data from the first pattern data. As shown in FIG. 13, the second pattern data includes information related to the second pattern P <b> 2 indicating a region to be suppressed (three-dimensional suppression region 70) in the sheet region 50 of the thermally expandable sheet 3. . The second pattern generation process by the computer 10 is as follows. First, the computer 10 specifies one or more continuous areas based on the first pattern data (step S2-1). Next, the computer 10 compares each area of the identified one or more continuous regions with a predetermined threshold value (step S2-2). When the area of at least one continuous region exceeds the threshold, the computer 10 uses the entire region excluding one or more continuous regions from the entire region of the sheet region 50 as the second pattern data, and the area of any continuous region If the value is also equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the second pattern data is not generated (step S2-3). By doing in this way, there exists an effect which can reduce the usage-amount of white UV ink, suppressing the influence which the amount of heat transmitted from the three-dimensional object area has on the three-dimensional control area. Here, the threshold value is determined as follows. In other words, if the area of the continuous area on which the black UV ink is printed by the printing device 40 (the area for foaming printing) is narrower than a predetermined threshold, the continuous area when the heat-expandable sheet 3 is irradiated with heat. Since the amount of heat absorbed by is sufficiently small, foaming thickening in which the surrounding area and the surrounding area rise is not generated or negligibly small. The maximum area in this case is set as a threshold value. In FIG. 13, as a result of determining that all the areas of the plurality of continuous regions shown in FIG. 12 exceed the threshold value, all of the regions other than the three-dimensional object region 60 in the sheet region 50 are suppressed from being three-dimensionalized. An example of region 70 is shown. Note that the second pattern data may include information on the degree of suppression of three-dimensionalization of the region (each position) in addition to the information specifying the region. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the entire three-dimensionalization suppression region 70 shows the same degree of three-dimensionalization suppression.

  Finally, the computer 10 generates print pattern data including information on the print pattern to be printed on the thermally expandable sheet 3 from the first pattern data acquired in step S1 and the second pattern data generated in step S2. (Step S3). As shown in FIG. 14, the print pattern data includes information related to the print pattern P <b> 3 that distinguishes and specifies the three-dimensional object region 60 and the three-dimensional object suppression region 70 in the sheet region 50. As shown in FIG. 14, the three-dimensionalization suppression area 70 does not overlap the three-dimensional object area 60 and is in contact with the entire outer periphery of the three-dimensional object area 60.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the pattern printing process performed by the printing apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the pattern printing method performed by the printing apparatus 40 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  First, the printing apparatus 40 receives and acquires print pattern data from the computer 10 (step S11). Next, the printing apparatus 40 prints black UV ink, which is a material that promotes the inflow of heat into the three-dimensional object region 60 of the thermally expandable sheet 3, based on the print pattern data (step) S12). More specifically, the printing apparatus 40 specifies the three-dimensional object region 60 based on the first pattern data extracted from the print pattern data, and applies black UV ink to the three-dimensional object region on the thermally expandable sheet 3. The first pattern P1 indicating 60 is printed.

  Note that printing is not limited to one time, and may be performed a predetermined number of times. When the information about the degree of three-dimensionalization is included in the first pattern data, the printing apparatus 40 may change the number of times of printing based on the information about the degree of three-dimensionalization. For example, more printing may be performed when stronger three-dimensionalization is required. Further, the printing apparatus 40 may change the print density based on the information on the degree of three-dimensionalization. For example, when there is a demand for stronger three-dimensionalization, printing may be performed so that the density becomes higher. The print density can be realized by area gradation, for example.

  Finally, based on the print pattern data, the printing apparatus 40 prints white UV ink, which is a material that suppresses the inflow of heat into the three-dimensionalization suppression region 70 of the thermally expandable sheet 3 (step S13). ). More specifically, the printing apparatus 40 uses white UV ink on the thermally expandable sheet 3 based on the second pattern data extracted from the print pattern data, and the second pattern P2 indicating the three-dimensionalization suppression region 70. Print as follows. In other words, the printing apparatus 40 functions as a printing unit that prints the three-dimensionalization suppression region 70 of the thermally expandable sheet 3 with a material that suppresses the inflow of heat to the region based on the second pattern data.

  Note that printing is not limited to one time, and may be performed a predetermined number of times. In addition, when the second pattern data includes information on the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression, the printing apparatus 40 may change the number of times of printing based on the information on the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression. For example, when the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression is high (that is, when there is a strong demand for suppression of three-dimensionalization), more printing may be performed. Moreover, you may perform the above-mentioned step S12 and step S13 by changing order.

  In a present Example, the three-dimensionalization suppression area | region 70 of the thermally expansible sheet 3 from the 1st pattern data containing the information which specifies the three-dimensional object area | region 60 of the thermally expansible sheet 3 which the user input with the computer 10 is used. Second pattern data including information to be specified is generated. And based on these data, while the printing apparatus 40 prints the material which accelerates | stimulates the inflow of heat to the three-dimensional object area | region 60 of the thermally expansible sheet 3, the three-dimensionalization suppression area | region 70 of the thermally expansible sheet 3 is printed. A material that suppresses the inflow of heat is printed on. Thereby, when the heat-expandable sheet 3 is heated for three-dimensionalization after printing, it is possible to suppress the foaming thickening in which the three-dimensionalization suppression region 70 is raised together with the three-dimensionalization target region 60. For this reason, the desired area | region of the thermally expansible sheet 3 can be three-dimensionalized with high precision.

  The configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the printing system 100 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and description is abbreviate | omitted. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second pattern generation process is different from the second pattern generation process performed in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the second pattern generation process performed by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a pattern (first pattern P11) indicating a region to be three-dimensionalized received by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a print pattern P31 generated by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the relationship between the area of foaming printing and the foaming thickness. Hereinafter, the second pattern generation process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19.

  First, the computer 10 specifies a spatially continuous continuous area constituting the area to be three-dimensionalized from the first pattern data acquired in step S1 of FIG. 11 (step S21). For example, if the first pattern data indicating the first pattern P11 shown in FIG. 17 is received, the continuous area 81 and the continuous area 82 constituting the three-dimensional object area 80 are specified.

  Next, the computer 10 compares each area of all identified continuous regions with a predetermined threshold value (step S22). Next, the computer 10 determines, for each continuous area determined to exceed the threshold value in step S22, a peripheral area adjacent to and surrounding the continuous area (step S23). FIG. 18 shows that the peripheral area 91 is determined for the continuous area 81 and the peripheral area 92 is determined for the continuous area 82 as a result of determining that the areas of all the continuous areas shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows having determined the three-dimensionalization suppression area | region 90 comprised by the peripheral region 91 and the peripheral region 92. FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the three-dimensionalization suppression area 90 does not overlap the three-dimensional object area 80 and is in contact with the entire outer periphery of the three-dimensional object area 80. Note that no peripheral region is generated for a continuous region that does not exceed the threshold (step S23). Here, the peripheral area 91 and the peripheral area 92 have outer peripheries parallel to the outer peripheries of the continuous area 81 and the continuous area 82, respectively. The distance between the outer periphery of the peripheral region 91 and the outer periphery of the continuous region 81, that is, the width of the peripheral region 91 is equal to the distance between the outer periphery of the peripheral region 92 and the outer periphery of the continuous region 82, that is, the width of the peripheral region 92. .

  Furthermore, the computer 10 determines the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression for each of the peripheral areas determined in step S23 (step S24). Here, the larger the area of the corresponding continuous region, the higher the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression in the peripheral region. As shown in FIG. 19, when the area of a continuous region (area for foaming printing) on which black UV ink is printed by the printing apparatus 40 is larger, the heat-expandable sheet 3 is uniformly irradiated with heat. This is because the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous area increases, and the foaming thickness in which the surrounding area rises with the continuous area also increases. For this reason, a high degree of three-dimensional suppression is assigned to a peripheral region corresponding to a continuous region having a large area. Here, large foaming foam means that the foaming height in the region around the continuous region is high and the foaming range is wide.

  In FIG. 18, the level of the degree of three-dimensional suppression is indicated by the shaded density. The peripheral area 91 corresponding to the continuous area 81 having a large area is shown by darker shading than the peripheral area 92 corresponding to the continuous area 82 having a small area. That is, it is indicated that the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression of the peripheral area 91 is higher than the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression of the peripheral area 92.

  Finally, the computer 10 obtains second pattern data including information for specifying the three-dimensionalization suppression region 90 configured by the peripheral region determined in step S23 and information on the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression of each peripheral region. Generate (step S25).

  When the second pattern generation process shown in FIG. 16 is completed, the computer 10 obtains the first pattern data acquired in step S1 of FIG. 11 and the second pattern generated by the second pattern generation process shown in FIG. Based on the data, print pattern data indicating the print pattern P31 shown in FIG. 18 is generated.

  Also in the present embodiment, the computer 10 generates the second pattern data including the information for specifying the three-dimensional suppression region 90 from the first pattern data including the information for specifying the three-dimensional object region 80. Based on these data, the printing device 40 prints a material that promotes the inflow of heat into the three-dimensional object region 80 and also prints a material that suppresses the inflow of heat into the three-dimensional object region 90. . For this reason, like Example 1, foaming thickness can be suppressed and the desired area | region of the thermally expansible sheet 3 can be three-dimensionalized with high precision.

  Further, in this embodiment, the computer 10 replaces all the regions other than the three-dimensional object region 80 as the three-dimensionally suppressed region 90, instead of surrounding regions (peripheral regions) that constitute the three-dimensional object region 80. Is determined as the three-dimensional suppression region 90. For this reason, it is possible to omit useless printing in an area where foaming is unlikely to occur.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the computer 10 generates the second pattern data so that the peripheral region where a larger foaming thickness can occur has a higher degree of three-dimensionalization suppression. As a result, the printing device 40 increases the number of times of printing with the material that suppresses the inflow of heat in the peripheral region where a larger foam thickness is generated. For this reason, without increasing the number of times of printing uniformly, the necessary number of times of printing can be performed in a required area, and foaming can be efficiently suppressed.

  In addition, although the example which determines the three-dimensionalization suppression degree for every peripheral area | region which comprises a three-dimensionalization suppression area | region was shown above, the three-dimensionalization suppression degree may be determined for every position in a three-dimensionalization suppression area | region. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating another example (print pattern P32) of the print pattern generated by the computer 10. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a modification of the second pattern generation process for generating the print pattern shown in FIG. Also in FIG. 20, the three-dimensional object suppression region 90 does not overlap the three-dimensional object region 80 and is in contact with the entire outer periphery of the three-dimensional object region 80. As shown in FIG. 20, when the continuous area 81 and the continuous area 82 are located close to each other, a part of the peripheral area 91 and a part of the peripheral area 92 may overlap. Even in such a case, for example, by determining the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression for each position in the three-dimensionalization suppression area by the process shown in FIG. Taking into account the three-dimensional suppression degree 91 and the three-dimensional suppression degree of the surrounding area 92, for example, the total value can be determined. As a result, the number of times of printing of the overlapping region 93 where heat from both the continuous region 81 and the continuous region 82 is assumed to flow is increased more than the peripheral region 91 and the peripheral region 92, thereby effectively suppressing foaming. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the process illustrated in FIG. 21 will be specifically described. Also in the process shown in FIG. 21, a continuous region is specified (step S21), a peripheral region is determined based on the specified continuous region (step S22 and step S23), and a degree of three-dimensionalization suppression is determined for each peripheral region ( Step S24) is the same as the process shown in FIG. In the process illustrated in FIG. 21, after step S <b> 24, the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression is determined for each position of the three-dimensionalization suppression area configured from the surrounding area (step S <b> 31). Here, for each position of the three-dimensionalization suppression region 90 constituted by the peripheral region based on the information specifying the peripheral region determined in step S23 and the information on the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression of each peripheral region determined in step S24. The degree of three-dimensional suppression is determined. More specifically, for a position belonging to a single peripheral area in the three-dimensional suppression area 90 (that is, a position where the peripheral areas do not overlap), the degree of three-dimensional suppression of the single peripheral area is set to the position. Is determined as the degree of three-dimensional suppression. On the other hand, for positions belonging to a plurality of peripheral areas in the three-dimensional suppression area 90 (that is, positions where the peripheral areas overlap), the total value of the degree of three-dimensional suppression of the plurality of peripheral areas is set to the three-dimensionalization of the positions. Determine as the degree of suppression. Finally, the computer 10 specifies information for specifying the three-dimensionalization suppression region 90 including the peripheral region determined in step S23, and information on the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression for each position in the three-dimensionalization suppression region determined in step S31. The second pattern data including is generated (step S32).

  16 and 21 show an example of assigning one value of the degree of three-dimensional suppression to the entire peripheral area when determining the degree of three-dimensional suppression of the peripheral area. On the other hand, it is not necessary to assign one value of the degree of suppression of three-dimensionalization. For example, the degree of suppression of solidification may be determined such that the degree of suppression of solidification in an area close to a continuous area in the peripheral area is higher. Thereby, since the frequency | count of printing can be increased or a printing density can be made deeper as the area | region with high possibility of three-dimensionalizing larger, foaming thickening can be suppressed efficiently.

  The configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the printing system 100 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and description is abbreviate | omitted. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second pattern generation process is different from the second pattern generation process performed in the first embodiment. The second pattern generation process of the present embodiment is similar to the second pattern generation process performed in the second embodiment, but the content of the process for determining the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression in step S24 in FIG. Is different.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a print pattern P33 generated by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the density of foaming printing and the foaming thickness. Hereinafter, the second pattern generation process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 22, and 23.

  First, the computer 10 specifies a spatially continuous continuous area 111 and a continuous area 112 constituting the three-dimensional object area 110 from the first pattern data (step S21). Next, the computer 10 compares the areas of all the identified continuous regions 111 and 112 with a predetermined threshold value (step S22). Next, the computer 10 applies the peripheral region 121 to the continuous region 111 whose area has been determined to exceed the threshold value in step S22, and similarly, the continuous region 112 whose area has been determined to exceed the threshold value. The peripheral region 122 is determined for (step S23). The width of the peripheral region 121 and the width of the peripheral region 122 determined here are equal to each other.

  Furthermore, the computer 10 determines the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression for each of the peripheral areas determined in step S23 (step S24). Here, the higher the density of the corresponding continuous region, the higher the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression in the peripheral region. As shown in FIG. 23, when the density of the continuous area where the black UV ink is printed by the printing apparatus 40 (the density of foaming printing) is higher, the heat-expandable sheet 3 is uniformly irradiated with heat. This is because the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous area increases, and the foaming thickness in which the surrounding area rises with the continuous area also increases. For this reason, a high degree of three-dimensional suppression is assigned to a peripheral region corresponding to a continuous region having a high density. Note that the density of the continuous region is specified based on information on the degree of three-dimensionalization included in the first pattern data.

  Finally, the computer 10 obtains the second pattern data including information for specifying the three-dimensionalization suppression region 120 configured by the peripheral region determined in step S23 and information on the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression of each peripheral region. Generate (step S25).

  When the second pattern generation process is completed, the computer 10 prints the print pattern P33 shown in FIG. 22 based on the first pattern data and the second pattern data generated by the second pattern generation process. Generate data. As illustrated in FIG. 22, the three-dimensionalization suppression area 120 does not overlap the three-dimensional object area 110 and is in contact with the entire outer periphery of the three-dimensional object area 110.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to suppress the foaming thickening and three-dimensionalize the desired region of the thermally expandable sheet 3 with high accuracy. Further, as in the case of the second embodiment, it is possible to omit useless printing in an area where the possibility of foaming is low. Further, it is the same as in the second embodiment in that it is possible to efficiently suppress foaming by printing the necessary number of times in a necessary area without increasing the number of times of printing uniformly. In this embodiment, the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression may be determined for each position in the three-dimensional object region.

  The configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the printing system 100 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and description is abbreviate | omitted. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second pattern generation process is different from the second pattern generation process performed in the first embodiment. Note that the second pattern generation process of the present embodiment is similar to the second pattern generation process performed in the second embodiment, but the contents of the process of determining the peripheral region in step S23 of FIG. 16 are different. Yes.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a print pattern P34 generated by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the second pattern generation process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 19, and 24.

  First, the computer 10 specifies a spatially continuous continuous area 131 and a continuous area 132 constituting the three-dimensional object area 130 from the first pattern data (step S21). Next, the computer 10 compares each area of all the identified continuous regions 131 and 132 with a predetermined threshold value (step S22).

  Next, the computer 10 applies the peripheral region 141 to the continuous region 131 whose area has been determined to exceed the threshold in step S22, and similarly, the continuous region 132 whose area has been determined to exceed the threshold. The peripheral region 142 is determined for the above (step S23). Here, the peripheral region is determined such that the larger the area of the corresponding continuous region, the wider the width surrounding the peripheral region. That is, the width of the peripheral region 141 is wider than the width of the peripheral region 142. As shown in FIG. 19, the larger the area of the continuous region (the area for printing for foaming), the larger the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous region when the heat-expandable sheet 3 is uniformly irradiated with heat, This is because the foaming thickness in which the surrounding area rises along with the continuous area also increases. For this reason, a wide peripheral area is assigned to a continuous area having a large area.

  Furthermore, the computer 10 determines the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression for each of the peripheral areas determined in step S22 (step S24). Here, all the surrounding areas are determined to have the same degree of three-dimensionalization suppression. As described above, the amount of heat absorbed varies depending on the area of the continuous region. In this embodiment, the influence on the peripheral region is absorbed by changing the width of each peripheral region. The degree may be equal.

  Finally, the computer 10 generates second pattern data including information for specifying the three-dimensional suppression region 140 formed by the peripheral region determined in step S22 (step S25).

  When the second pattern generation process is completed, the computer 10 prints the print pattern P34 shown in FIG. 24 based on the first pattern data and the second pattern data generated by the second pattern generation process. Generate data. As illustrated in FIG. 24, the three-dimensionalization suppression area 140 does not overlap the three-dimensional object area 130 and is in contact with the entire outer periphery of the three-dimensional object area 130.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first to third embodiments, it is possible to suppress foaming thickening and three-dimensionalize a desired region of the thermally expandable sheet 3 with high accuracy. Further, as in the case of the second and third embodiments, it is possible to omit wasteful printing in a region where the possibility of foaming is low.

  The configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the printing system 100 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and description is abbreviate | omitted. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the second pattern generation process is different from the second pattern generation process performed in the first embodiment. Note that the second pattern generation process of the present embodiment is similar to the second pattern generation process performed in the fourth embodiment, but the contents of the process of determining the peripheral region in step S23 of FIG. 16 are different. Yes.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a print pattern P35 generated by the computer 10 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the second pattern generation process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 23, and 25.

  First, the computer 10 specifies the spatially continuous continuous area 151 and the continuous area 152 constituting the three-dimensional object area 150 from the first pattern data (step S21). Next, the computer 10 compares the areas of all the identified continuous regions 151 and 152 with a predetermined threshold value (step S22).

  Next, the computer 10 determines the peripheral region 161 for the continuous region 151 whose area has exceeded the threshold value in step S22, and similarly determines that the area has exceeded the threshold value to the continuous region 152. On the other hand, the peripheral area 162 is determined (step S23). Here, the peripheral region is determined such that the higher the density of the corresponding continuous region, the wider the width surrounding the peripheral region. As shown in FIG. 23, as the density of the continuous area (foaming printing density) is higher, the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous area becomes larger when the heat-expandable sheet 3 is uniformly irradiated with heat. This is because the foaming thickness in which the surrounding area rises along with the continuous area also increases. For this reason, a wide peripheral area is assigned to a continuous area having a high density.

  Furthermore, the computer 10 determines the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression for each of the peripheral areas determined in step S23 (step S24). Here, all the surrounding areas are determined to have the same degree of three-dimensionalization suppression. As described above, the amount of heat absorbed varies depending on the concentration of the continuous region, but in this embodiment, the influence on the peripheral region is absorbed by changing the width of each peripheral region, so that the three-dimensional suppression of the peripheral region is suppressed. The degree may be equal.

  Finally, the computer 10 generates second pattern data including information for specifying the three-dimensionalization suppression region 160 formed by the peripheral region determined in step S23 (step S25).

  When the second pattern generation process is completed, the computer 10 prints the print pattern P35 shown in FIG. 25 based on the first pattern data and the second pattern data generated by the second pattern generation process. Generate data. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the three-dimensionalization suppression area 160 does not overlap the three-dimensional object area 150 and is in contact with the entire outer periphery of the three-dimensional object area 150.

  Also in this example, as in Examples 1 to 4, it is possible to suppress the foaming thickness and three-dimensionalize the desired region of the thermally expandable sheet 3 with high accuracy. Further, as in the second to fourth embodiments, it is possible to omit wasteful printing in a region where the possibility of foaming is low.

  The above-described embodiments are specific examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The pattern generation method, the pattern printing method, the pattern printing system, and the program can be variously modified and changed without departing from the concept of the present invention defined by the claims. Several features in the context of the individual embodiments described in this specification may be combined into a single embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which black UV ink is printed in the three-dimensional object region and white UV ink is printed in the three-dimensional object suppression region. However, another material that promotes the inflow of heat may be printed instead of the black UV ink, and another material that suppresses the inflow of heat may be printed instead of the white UV ink.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the area of the continuous region is compared with a predetermined threshold, the three-dimensionalization suppression region is determined on the condition that the area of the continuous region exceeds the threshold, and the second pattern data is Although it produced | generated, it is not restricted to this. For example, the second pattern data may be generated by always setting a region adjacent to the continuous region as the three-dimensionalization suppression region without performing comparison with the threshold value.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which white UV ink is printed a plurality of times when printing is performed a plurality of times in the three-dimensional object region. However, if printing is performed a plurality of times, it is not always necessary to print the same material. For example, in the case of printing three times, it is only necessary to suppress heat absorption from the surface after printing, so white UV ink may be printed only for the last third printing. Then, other materials may be printed in the first printing and the second printing other than that. The material used in the final printing is desirably a material that suppresses the inflow of heat, such as white UV ink with low heat absorption, whereas it is used in other printing. The other material is preferably a material having a lower thermal conductivity than, for example, white UV ink so that the heat absorbed from the surface is less transferred to the foamed layer 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printing system 100 including the computer 10 and the printing apparatus 40 is illustrated. However, the printing system includes a pattern generation unit corresponding to the computer 10 and a pattern printing unit corresponding to the printing apparatus 40. It is sufficient if it is provided, and these means may be provided in a single device.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the computer 10 generates print pattern data from the first pattern data and the second pattern data and transmits the print pattern data to the printing apparatus 40 has been described. However, the print pattern data is not necessarily generated. May be. For example, the computer 10 may transmit the first pattern data and the second pattern data to the printing apparatus 40 separately.

Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the application of the present application will be added.
[Appendix 1]
Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. And
Based on the first pattern data, a material that promotes inflow of heat into the region is printed on the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet,
A pattern printing method, comprising: printing a material that suppresses the inflow of heat into the region in the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed based on the second pattern data.

[Appendix 2]
In the pattern printing method according to attachment 1,
The pattern printing method characterized in that the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed is a region adjacent to the region of the thermally expandable sheet to be three-dimensionalized.

[Appendix 3]
In the pattern printing method according to appendix 1 or 2,
The area which should suppress three-dimensionalization of the said thermally expansible sheet contains the area | region pinched | interposed into the area | region which should be three-dimensionalized of the said two said thermally expansible sheets.

[Appendix 4]
In the pattern printing method according to attachment 3,
The area | region which should suppress the three-dimensionalization of the said thermally expansible sheet does not contain the area | region which is not pinched | interposed into the area | region which should be three-dimensionalized of the said two said thermally expansible sheets.

[Appendix 5]
In the pattern printing method according to appendix 1 or 2,
From the first pattern data, specify a spatially continuous region that constitutes the region to be three-dimensionalized,
For each identified continuous region, determine a peripheral region adjacent to and surrounding the continuous region;
The pattern printing method comprising generating the second pattern data including information for specifying a region in which the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet configured by the determined peripheral region is to be suppressed.

[Appendix 6]
In the pattern printing method according to appendix 1 or 2,
From the first pattern data, specify a spatially continuous region that constitutes the region to be three-dimensionalized,
When the area of the identified continuous area exceeds a predetermined threshold, for each of the continuous areas having an area exceeding the threshold, a peripheral area that is adjacent to and surrounds the continuous area Decide
The pattern printing method comprising generating the second pattern data including information for specifying a region in which the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet configured by the determined peripheral region is to be suppressed.

[Appendix 7]
In the pattern printing method according to appendix 5 or 6,
For each of the identified continuous regions, when the heat-expandable sheet is uniformly irradiated with heat, the periphery surrounding the continuous region increases as the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous region increases. A pattern printing method characterized by determining an area.

[Appendix 8]
In the pattern printing method according to any one of appendices 5 to 7,
For each of the determined peripheral regions, determine the higher degree of three-dimensionalization as the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous region corresponding to the case where the heat-expandable sheet is uniformly irradiated with heat,
The pattern printing method comprising: generating the second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization is to be suppressed and information on the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression of each of the peripheral regions.

[Appendix 9]
Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. Pattern generating means to perform,
Based on the first pattern data, a material that promotes the inflow of heat into the region is printed on the region to be three-dimensionalized on the thermally expandable sheet, and the pattern generation unit generates the first And a printing unit that prints a material that suppresses the inflow of heat into the region in the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed based on the pattern data of 2. Printing system.

[Appendix 10]
Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. A pattern generation method characterized by:

[Appendix 11]
On the computer,
Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. A program characterized by causing processing to be executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base material 2 Foam layer 3 Thermally expansible sheet 4, 6 Material 5 Halogen lamp 10 Computer 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Reading device 15 Display IF
16 input IF
17 Communication IF
18 Bus 19 Portable recording medium 20 Display device 30 Input device 40 Printing device 41 Controller 42 Transport unit 42a Drive roller 42b Driven roller 42c Transport belt 43 Head units 43a and 43b Printer head 44 Light source unit 44a and 44b Light source 45 Sensor unit 50 Sheet Region 60, 80, 110, 130, 150 Three-dimensional object region 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 81, 82, 111, 112, 131, 132, 151, 152 Continuous region 70, 90, 120, 140, 160 Three-dimensional suppression region 91, 92, 121, 122, 141, 142, 161, 162 Peripheral region 93 Overlapping region 100 Printing system P1, P11 First pattern P2 Second pattern P3, P31, P32, P33, P34, P35 Printing pattern

Claims (9)

Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. And
Based on the first pattern data, a material that promotes inflow of heat into the region is printed on the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet,
Based on the second pattern data, a material that suppresses the inflow of heat to the region is printed on the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed ,
The region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet should be suppressed includes a region sandwiched between the two regions of the thermally expandable sheet to be three-dimensionalized, and
The pattern printing method, wherein the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed does not include a region which is not sandwiched between the two regions of the thermally expandable sheet to be three-dimensionalized. . The pattern printing method according to claim 1,
The pattern printing method characterized in that the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed is a region adjacent to the region of the thermally expandable sheet to be three-dimensionalized.   Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. And
  Based on the first pattern data, a material that promotes inflow of heat into the region is printed on the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet,
  Based on the second pattern data, a material that suppresses the inflow of heat to the region is printed on the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed,
  From the first pattern data, specify a spatially continuous region that constitutes the region to be three-dimensionalized,
  For each identified continuous region, determine a peripheral region adjacent to and surrounding the continuous region;
  Generating the second pattern data including information for specifying a region in which the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expansible sheet constituted by the determined peripheral region is to be suppressed;
  For each of the identified continuous regions, when the heat-expandable sheet is uniformly irradiated with heat, the periphery surrounding the continuous region increases as the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous region increases. Determine the area
A pattern printing method.   Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. And
  Based on the first pattern data, a material that promotes inflow of heat into the region is printed on the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet,
  Based on the second pattern data, a material that suppresses the inflow of heat to the region is printed on the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed,
  From the first pattern data, specify a spatially continuous region that constitutes the region to be three-dimensionalized,
  When the area of the identified continuous area exceeds a predetermined threshold, for each of the continuous areas having an area exceeding the threshold, a peripheral area that is adjacent to and surrounds the continuous area Decide
  The second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet configured by the determined peripheral region is to be generated is generated.
A pattern printing method.   The pattern printing method according to claim 4,
  For each of the identified continuous regions, when the heat-expandable sheet is uniformly irradiated with heat, the periphery surrounding the continuous region increases as the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous region increases. Determine the area
A pattern printing method.   The pattern printing method according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
  For each of the determined peripheral regions, determine the higher degree of three-dimensionalization as the amount of heat absorbed in the continuous region corresponding to the case where the heat-expandable sheet is uniformly irradiated with heat,
  The second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization is to be suppressed and information on the degree of three-dimensionalization suppression of each of the peripheral regions is generated.
A pattern printing method.   Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. Pattern generating means to perform,
  Based on the first pattern data, a material that promotes the inflow of heat into the region is printed on the region to be three-dimensionalized on the thermally expandable sheet, and the pattern generation unit generates the first A printing unit that prints a material that suppresses the inflow of heat into the region on the region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is to be suppressed based on the pattern data of 2;
  The pattern generation means specifies a spatially continuous region that constitutes the region to be three-dimensionalized from the first pattern data,
  When the area of the identified continuous area exceeds a predetermined threshold, for each of the continuous areas having an area exceeding the threshold, a peripheral area that is adjacent to and surrounds the continuous area Decide
  The second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet configured by the determined peripheral region is to be generated is generated.
A pattern printing system characterized by that.   Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. And
  From the first pattern data, specify a spatially continuous region that constitutes the region to be three-dimensionalized,
  When the area of the identified continuous area exceeds a predetermined threshold, for each of the continuous areas having an area exceeding the threshold, a peripheral area that is adjacent to and surrounds the continuous area Decide
  The second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet configured by the determined peripheral region is to be generated is generated.
A pattern generation method characterized by that.   On the computer,
  Generation of second pattern data including information for specifying a region for suppressing the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet is generated from the first pattern data including information for specifying the region to be three-dimensionalized of the thermally expandable sheet. And
  From the first pattern data, specify a spatially continuous region that constitutes the region to be three-dimensionalized,
  When the area of the identified continuous area exceeds a predetermined threshold, for each of the continuous areas having an area exceeding the threshold, a peripheral area that is adjacent to and surrounds the continuous area Decide
  The second pattern data including information for specifying a region where the three-dimensionalization of the thermally expandable sheet configured by the determined peripheral region is to be generated is generated.
A program characterized by causing processing to be executed.