JP6877835B2 - Modeling method and modeling system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a modeled object, a modeling device, and a modeling system.

Conventionally, an inkjet printer that prints by an inkjet method has been widely used (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Further, in recent years, a method using an inkjet head (inkjet modeling method) has been studied as a configuration of a modeling device (3D printer) for modeling a three-dimensional modeled object.

Internet URL http://www.mimaki.co.jp

When a modeled object is modeled by an inkjet modeling method, a modeled object having a colored surface or the like can be modeled by using a coloring ink as a modeling material. Further, in this case, in order to express various colors by the reduced color mixing method, a light-reflecting material such as white ink is formed inside a colored region (colored layer) formed by a coloring ink in a modeled object. It is conceivable to form a light reflection region (light reflection layer).

Further, when modeling a modeled object by an inkjet modeling method, it is also conceivable to form a translucent region by using a translucent material such as transparent clear ink. Specifically, for example, in the case of modeling a model of a vehicle (automobile, motorcycle, etc.), it is conceivable to form a portion of a lamp (headlight, etc.) with a translucent material.

However, when the inventor of the present application actually performs modeling under various conditions, for example, when a translucent region is further formed on a part of a colored model, the vicinity of the surface is simply made of a translucent material. It has been found that sufficient transparency may not be obtained only by forming. In addition, as a result, it has been found that modeling with a desired quality may be difficult. Therefore, in such a case, it is desired to model the modeled object by a more appropriate method. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a modeled object, a modeling apparatus, and a modeling system that can solve the above problems.

The inventor of the present application has conducted diligent research on the case of further forming a translucent region on a part of a colored model. The reason why a sufficient transparency cannot be obtained by simply forming the vicinity of the surface with a translucent material is that the light reflecting region is formed inside the translucent region. I found it. It was also found that the transparency of the translucent region can be appropriately enhanced by modeling the modeled object without forming the light reflecting region inside the translucent region. In addition, through further diligent research, we have found a method for appropriately producing a modeled object having such a structure.

That is, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a modeled object in which the modeled object is manufactured by using a modeling device for modeling a three-dimensional modeled object, and an attempt is made to model the modeled object by the modeling device. The data indicating the modeled object to be formed, which is the data used for the modeling data preparation step of preparing the modeling data in which at least a part of the surface is colored, and the data used for controlling the modeling operation by the modeling device, and the modeling data. Is a data generation step for a modeling device that generates data for a modeling device indicating the modeled object in a different predetermined format based on the modeling data, and causes the modeling device to model the modeled object based on the data for the modeling device. A modeled object having a modeling execution step and modeled by the modeling apparatus has a light-reflecting region formed of a light-reflecting material in an internal region constituting the inside and a region excluding a part around the internal region. And, a colored region formed of a coloring material on the outside of the light reflecting region and a light transmitting material formed of a translucent material at least a part of a portion where the colored region is not formed around the internal region. The data generation step for the modeling apparatus is provided with a sex region, and the overall shape is the same as that of the modeled object indicated by the modeling data, and the color is associated with the translucent material. A first data generation step of generating first data, which is data indicating an object whose entire surface is colored with a sex-corresponding color, based on the modeling data, and the translucency from the modeled object indicated by the modeling data. Data indicating an object that has the same shape as the portion excluding the region and at least the surface is colored in the same color as the modeled object indicated by the modeling data for the portion excluding the translucent region. A second data generation step of generating a second data based on the modeling data, and a step of generating the modeling device data based on the first data and the second data, in the translucent region. A third data generation step in which the corresponding portion is generated based on the first data, and the portion other than the portion corresponding to the translucent region generates the data for the modeling apparatus generated based on the second data. Have.

With such a configuration, for example, a modeled object can be appropriately manufactured in a state where a light reflection region is formed inside the colored region and no light reflection region is formed inside the translucent region. Further, as a result, for example, it is possible to appropriately balance expressing various colors by the subtractive color mixing method and enhancing the transparency of the translucent region. Therefore, with such a configuration, for example, a high-quality model can be appropriately manufactured.

Further, as the configuration of the present invention, it is conceivable to use a modeling device, a modeling system, or the like having the same characteristics as described above. In these cases as well, for example, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

According to the present invention, for example, a high-quality model can be appropriately produced.

It is a figure which shows an example of the modeling system 10 which executes the manufacturing method of the modeled object which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of the modeling system 10. FIG. 1B shows an example of the configuration of the main part of the modeling apparatus 12. FIG. 1C shows an example of a more detailed configuration of the head portion 102. It is a figure explaining the modeled object 50 modeled by the modeling apparatus 12. FIG. 2A shows an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50. FIG. 2B shows an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50 modeled by the modeling device 12. FIG. 2C shows a modified example of the configuration of the modeled object 50. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation which generates the data for a modeling apparatus in a control PC 14. A part of the operation of generating data for a modeling device is schematically shown. 4 (a), (b), and (c) schematically show the operation of steps S104, S106, and S110 in the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the more detailed operation of a slice process.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a modeling system 10 that executes a method for manufacturing a modeled object according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of the modeling system 10. In this example, the modeling system 10 includes a modeling device 12 and a control PC 14.

The modeling device 12 is a device that executes modeling of a three-dimensional modeled object, and models the modeled object under the control of the control PC 14. Further, in this example, the modeling operation performed by the modeling device 12 is an example of the operation of the modeling execution process. Further, more specifically, the modeling device 12 is, for example, a full-color modeling device capable of modeling a modeled object colored in full color, and data showing the modeled object to be modeled in a format matched to the modeling device 12. The data for the modeling device is received from the control PC 14, and the modeled object is modeled based on the data for the modeling device. Further, in this example, the modeling device 12 receives data including a plurality of slice data indicating cross sections at different positions in the modeled object to be modeled from the control PC 14 as data for the modeling device.

The control PC 14 is a modeling control device (host PC) that controls the operation of the modeling device 12. In this example, the control PC 14 receives original data (original 3D data) indicating the modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device 12 in a predetermined format from the outside, and based on the original data, each position of the modeled object 50. Generate slice data corresponding to the cross section of. Then, the control PC 14 supplies the modeling device data including the slice data corresponding to each position to the modeling device 12. Further, thereby, the control PC 14 controls the operation of modeling by the modeling device 12.

Further, in this example, the original data received by the control PC 14 is an example of modeling data, and indicates a modeled object in a format independent of the model of the modeling device 12. As the original data, for example, various general-purpose three-dimensional data (CAD data and the like) and the like can be preferably used. Further, in this example, the original data is data composed of a plurality of data corresponding to a plurality of parts (parts or parts, etc.) constituting each part of the modeled object. In this case, the original data is composed of, for example, a plurality of partial data which are data indicating a part of the modeled object.

Further, as described above, in this example, the data for the modeling device is the data used for controlling the operation of modeling by the modeling device 12, and the modeled object to be modeled is in a format matched to the modeling device 12. Indicated by. In this case, showing the modeled object in a format suitable for the modeling device 12 means, for example, indicating the modeled object in a format depending on the model of the modeling device 12. Further, in this case, the data for the modeling device can be considered as, for example, data indicating a modeled object in a predetermined format different from the original data.

In addition, in the following, the operation in the case of modeling a modeled object based on the original data indicating an object whose surface is partially colored will be mainly described. Further, in this example, the operation of the control PC 14 receiving the original data is an example of the operation of the modeling data preparation process for preparing the modeling data. Further, in the modified example of the configuration of the modeling system 10, the original data may be generated by the control PC 14 according to, for example, a user's instruction, instead of receiving the original data from the outside. In this case, the operation of generating the original data can be considered as an example of the operation of the preparation process.

Further, as described above, in this example, the modeling system 10 is composed of a plurality of devices (modeling device 12 and control PC 14). However, in the modification of the modeling system 10, the modeling system 10 may be configured by one device. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to configure the modeling system 10 with one modeling device 12 including the function of the control PC 14.

Subsequently, a specific configuration of the modeling apparatus 12 will be described. FIG. 1B shows an example of the configuration of the main part of the modeling apparatus 12. In this example, the modeling device 12 has a head unit 102, a modeling table 104, a scanning drive unit 106, and a control unit 110.

The modeling apparatus 12 may have the same or the same configuration as the known modeling apparatus, except for the points described below. More specifically, except for the points described below, the modeling apparatus 12 is the same as or the same as a known modeling apparatus that performs modeling by ejecting droplets that are a material of the modeled object 50 using, for example, an inkjet head. It may have a similar configuration. In addition to the configurations shown in the figure, the modeling apparatus 12 may further include various configurations necessary for modeling, coloring, and the like of the modeled object 50, for example. Further, in this example, the modeling device 12 is a modeling device (3D printer) that models a three-dimensional modeled object 50 by a layered manufacturing method. In this case, the additive manufacturing method is, for example, a method of stacking a plurality of layers to form a modeled object 50. The modeled object 50 is, for example, a three-dimensional three-dimensional structure.

The head portion 102 is a portion for discharging the material of the modeled object 50. Further, in this example, ink is used as the material of the modeled object 50. In this case, the ink is, for example, a liquid discharged from the inkjet head. More specifically, the head portion 102 ejects ink that is cured according to a predetermined condition from a plurality of inkjet heads as a material of the modeled object 50. Then, by curing the ink after landing, each layer constituting the modeled object 50 is formed in layers, and the modeled object is modeled by the layered manufacturing method. Further, in this example, as the ink, an ultraviolet curable ink (UV ink) that is cured from a liquid state by irradiation with ultraviolet rays is used.

Further, the head portion 102 further discharges the material of the support layer 52 in addition to the material of the modeled object 50. Further, as a result, the modeling device 12 forms a support layer 52 around the modeled object 50, if necessary. The support layer 52 is, for example, a laminated structure that supports the modeled object 50 by surrounding the outer periphery of the modeled object 50 being modeled. The support layer 52 is formed as needed at the time of modeling the modeled object 50, and is removed after the modeling is completed. Further, a more specific configuration of the head portion 102 will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 1 (c).

The modeling table 104 is a trapezoidal member that supports the modeling object 50 being modeled, is arranged at a position facing the inkjet head in the head portion 102, and the modeled object 50 being modeled is placed on the upper surface. Further, in this example, the modeling table 104 has a configuration in which at least the upper surface can be moved in the stacking direction (Z direction in the drawing), and is driven by the scanning drive unit 106 to model the modeled object 50. At least the upper surface is moved as the process progresses. In this case, the laminating direction is, for example, the direction in which the modeling materials are laminated in the additive manufacturing method. More specifically, in this example, the stacking direction is a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (Y direction in the figure) and the sub scanning direction (X direction in the figure).

The scanning drive unit 106 is a drive unit that causes the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation that moves relative to the modeled object 50 being modeled. In this case, moving relative to the modeled object 50 being modeled means, for example, moving relative to the modeling table 104. Further, having the head portion 102 perform the scanning operation means, for example, causing the inkjet head of the head portion 102 to perform the scanning operation. Further, in this example, the scanning drive unit 106 causes the head unit 102 to perform a main scanning operation (Y scanning), a sub scanning operation (X scanning), and a stacking direction scanning (Z scanning).

The main scanning operation is, for example, an operation of ejecting ink while moving in the main scanning direction. In this example, the scanning drive unit 106 fixes the position of the modeling table 104 in the main scanning direction and moves the side of the head unit 102 to cause the head unit 102 to perform the main scanning operation. Further, the scanning drive unit 106 may move the side of the modeled object 50 by, for example, fixing the position of the head unit 102 in the main scanning direction and moving the modeling table 104, for example.

The sub-scanning operation is, for example, an operation of moving relative to the modeling table 104 in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. More specifically, the sub-scanning operation is, for example, an operation of moving relative to the modeling table 104 in the sub-scanning direction by a preset feed amount. In this example, the scanning drive unit 106 fixes the position of the head unit 102 in the sub-scanning direction between the main scanning operations and moves the modeling table 104 to cause the head unit 102 to perform the sub-scanning operation. .. Further, the scanning drive unit 106 may cause the head unit 102 to perform the sub-scanning operation by fixing the position of the modeling table 104 in the sub-scanning direction and moving the head unit 102.

The stacking direction scanning is, for example, an operation of moving the head portion 102 in the stacking direction relative to the modeled object 50 by moving at least one of the head portion 102 or the modeling table 104 in the stacking direction. Further, the scanning drive unit 106 adjusts the relative position of the inkjet head with respect to the modeled object 50 being modeled in the stacking direction by causing the head unit 102 to scan in the stacking direction in accordance with the progress of the modeling operation. More specifically, in this example, the scanning drive unit 106 fixes the position of the head unit 102 in the stacking direction and moves the modeling table 104. The scanning drive unit 106 may move the head unit 102 by fixing the position of the modeling table 104 in the stacking direction.

The control unit 110 is, for example, the CPU of the modeling device 12, and controls the modeling operation of the modeling object 50 by controlling each unit of the modeling device 12. More specifically, in this example, the control unit 110 controls the operation of each unit of the modeling device 12 based on the modeling device data received from the control PC 14. According to this example, the modeled object 50 can be appropriately modeled.

Subsequently, a more detailed configuration of the modeling apparatus 12 will be described. FIG. 1C shows an example of a more detailed configuration of the head portion 102. In this example, the head portion 102 has a plurality of inkjet heads, a plurality of ultraviolet light sources 204, and a flattening roller 206. Further, as a plurality of inkjet heads, as shown in the figure, there are an inkjet head 202s, an inkjet head 202mo, an inkjet head 202w, an inkjet head 202y, an inkjet head 202m, an inkjet head 202c, an inkjet head 202k, and an inkjet head 202t. These plurality of inkjet heads are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, for example, by aligning their positions in the sub-scanning direction. Further, each inkjet head has a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined nozzle row direction on a surface facing the modeling table 104. Further, in this example, the nozzle row direction is a direction parallel to the sub-scanning direction.

Further, among these inkjet heads, the inkjet head 202s is an inkjet head that ejects the material of the support layer 52. As the material of the support layer 52, for example, a known material for the support layer can be preferably used. The inkjet head 202mo is an inkjet head that ejects modeling material ink (Mo ink). In this case, the modeling material ink is, for example, an ink dedicated to modeling used for modeling the inside (internal region) of the modeled object 50.

The inside of the modeled object 50 is not limited to the modeling material ink, and may be further formed by using inks of other colors. Further, for example, it is conceivable to form the inside of the modeled object 50 only with inks of other colors (for example, white ink) without using the modeling material ink. In this case, the inkjet head 202mo may be omitted in the head portion 102.

The inkjet head 202w is an inkjet head that ejects white (W color) ink. Further, in this example, the white ink is an example of a light-reflecting ink, and is used, for example, when forming a region having a property of reflecting light (light-reflecting region) in the modeled object 50. Further, the inkjet head 202w is an example of a head for a light-reflecting material, which is an inkjet head that ejects droplets of a light-reflective material.

The inkjet head 202y, the inkjet head 202m, the inkjet head 202c, and the inkjet head 202k (hereinafter referred to as inkjet heads 202y to k) are coloring inkjet heads (coloring heads) used when modeling the colored model 50. , Discharges chromatic ink, which is an example of a coloring material. More specifically, the inkjet head 202y ejects yellow (Y color) ink. The inkjet head 202m ejects magenta (M color) ink. The inkjet head 202c ejects cyan (C color) ink. Further, the inkjet head 202k ejects black (K color) ink. Further, in this case, each color of YMCK is an example of a process color used for full-color expression by the subtractive color mixing method.

The inkjet head 202t is an inkjet head that ejects clear ink. The clear ink is, for example, a clear color ink which is a colorless transparent color (T). Further, in this example, the clear ink is an example of a translucent material. Further, the inkjet head 202t is an example of a head for a translucent material, which is an inkjet head that ejects droplets of a translucent material.

The plurality of ultraviolet light sources 204 are light sources (UV light sources) for curing the ink, and generate ultraviolet rays for curing the ultraviolet curable ink. Further, in this example, each of the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 204 is arranged on one end side and the other end side of the head portion 102 in the main scanning direction so as to sandwich an array of inkjet heads between them. As the ultraviolet light source 204, for example, a UV LED (ultraviolet LED) or the like can be preferably used. It is also conceivable to use a metal halide lamp, a mercury lamp, or the like as the ultraviolet light source 204.

The flattening roller 206 is a flattening means for flattening a layer of ink formed during modeling of the modeled object 50. The flattening roller 206 flattens the ink layer by contacting the surface of the ink layer and removing a part of the ink before curing, for example, during the main scanning operation.

By using the head portion 102 having the above configuration, the ink layer constituting the modeled object 50 can be appropriately formed. Further, by forming a plurality of layers of ink in layers, the modeled object 50 can be appropriately modeled.

The specific configuration of the head portion 102 is not limited to the configuration described above, and can be variously modified. For example, the head portion 102 may further have an inkjet head for colors other than the above as an inkjet head for coloring. Further, the arrangement of the plurality of inkjet heads in the head portion 102 can be variously modified. For example, some inkjet heads may be displaced from other inkjet heads in the sub-scanning direction.

Subsequently, the modeled object 50 modeled by the modeling device 12 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a modeled object 50 modeled by the modeling device 12. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50, and shows a simplified example of the modeled object 50 when modeling a motorcycle model as the modeled object 50.

Further, the modeled object 50 shown in FIG. 2A is an example of the modeled object 50 having a translucent region 160 on at least a part of the surface. In this case, the translucent region 160 is, for example, a region that is translucently formed by a translucent material on the surface of the modeled object 50. More specifically, in this example, the translucent region 160 is a region corresponding to a headlamp in a motorcycle, and is formed mainly by using clear ink, which is an example of a translucent material.

The fact that the translucent region 160 is formed mainly by using clear ink means that, for example, 80% by weight or more, preferably 90% by weight or more, more preferably 90% by weight or more of the ink used for forming the translucent region 160. Is that the translucent region 160 is formed by using the clear ink with a weight of 95% or more. With this configuration, for example, a translucent region 160 having high translucency can be appropriately formed. More specifically, in this example, the translucent region 160 is a region formed only with clear ink. Further, in the modified example of the configuration of the modeled object 50, for example, the translucent region 160 is formed by further using a small amount of coloring ink or the like to form the translucent region 160 colored in a light color. It is also possible to do it. Further, on the surface of the modeled object 50, the regions other than the translucent region 160 are colored in various colors using, for example, coloring ink. With this configuration, for example, the modeled object 50 with high design can be appropriately modeled.

Further, in this example, instead of simply forming the translucent region 160 on the surface of the modeled object 50 instead of coloring it in various colors, the translucent region 160 is also formed inside the modeled object 50. There is a difference between the inside of the light and the inside of the colored area where coloring is performed in various colors. Further, as a result, the modeling of the modeled object 50 having a high design property is realized.

Therefore, the configuration of the modeled object 50 including the inside and the like will be described in more detail below. For convenience of illustration and explanation, an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50 will be described below in the case where the shape of the modeled object 50 is further simplified.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the modeled object 50 modeled by the modeling device 12, and schematically shows an example of the configuration of the cross section of the modeled object 50. Further, as shown in the figure, the illustrated cross section is an XY cross section perpendicular to the Z direction. Further, in this case, the ZX cross section and the ZZ cross section of the modeled object 50 perpendicular to the Y direction and the Z direction have the same configuration.

Further, in FIG. 2B, the configuration of the modeled object 50 is simplified in the case of modeling the modeled object 50 in which the translucent region 160 is formed on a part of the surface and the other portion on the surface is colored. Is shown. In this case, coloring the surface of the modeled object 50 means that, for example, at least a part of the region in which the color can be visually recognized from the outside is colored in the modeled object 50. Further, in this case, as shown in the figure, for example, the modeled object 50 has an internal region 152, a light reflection region 154, a colored region 156, and a translucent region 160.

The internal area 152 is an area that constitutes the inside of the modeled object 50. Further, the internal region 152 can be considered as, for example, a region constituting the shape of the modeled object 50. In this example, the head portion 102 (see FIG. 1) forms an internal region 152 by using the modeling material ink discharged from the inkjet head 202mo (see FIG. 1).

The light reflection region 154 is a region for reflecting light incident from the outside of the modeled object 50 via the colored region 156 and the like. In this example, the head portion 102 forms a light reflection region 154 around the internal region 152 by using the white ink ejected from the inkjet head 202w (see FIG. 1).

Further, as shown in the figure, in this example, the light reflection region 154 is formed only in the region excluding a part around the internal region 152. More specifically, in this case, a portion around the internal region 152 where the light-transmitting region 160 is formed, the light-reflecting region 154 is not formed, and the colored region 156 is formed on the surface of the modeled object 50. The light reflection region 154 is selectively formed with respect to the light reflecting region 154. Further, as a result, the light reflection region 154 is formed between the internal region 152 and the colored region 156, and the light reflection region 154 is not formed between the internal region 152 and the translucent region 160. The reflection region 154 is formed.

The coloring region 156 is a region to be colored by the coloring ink ejected from the inkjet heads 202y to k. Further, in this example, the head portion 102 reflects light by using the coloring ink ejected from the inkjet heads 202y to k (see FIG. 1) and the clear ink ejected from the inkjet head 202t (see FIG. 1). A colored region 156 is formed around the region 154. Further, in this case, for example, various colors are expressed by adjusting the ejection amount of the ink for coloring each color to each position. In addition, clear ink is used to compensate for the change in the amount of coloring ink (the ejection amount per unit volume is 0% to 100%) caused by the difference in color to a constant 100%. With this configuration, for example, each position of the coloring region 156 can be appropriately colored with a desired color.

Further, as described above, in this example, the light reflection region 154 is formed in a region excluding a part around the internal region 152. Therefore, the colored region 156 formed on the outside of the light reflection region 154 is also formed on the outside of the internal region 152, except for a part.

Further, in this case, as shown in the figure, a translucent region 160 is formed in a portion where the light reflecting region 154 and the colored region 156 are not formed around the internal region 152. Further, in this example, the modeling apparatus 12 uses the clear ink discharged from the inkjet head 202t to form a light-transmitting region 160 in a region where the light-reflecting region 154 and the colored region 156 are not formed around the internal region 152. To form. By forming each region as described above, it is possible to appropriately form a modeled object 50 having a translucent region 160 on a part of the surface and coloring a portion other than the translucent region 160 on the surface.

Here, when modeling the modeled object 50 having the translucent region 160 on the surface, if the modeled object 50 having a simpler structure is formed, only a part around the internal region 152 as in this example. Instead of forming the light-reflecting region 154, it seems that the light-reflecting region 154 may be formed all around the inner region 152, and the translucent region 160 may be formed outside the light-reflecting region 154. .. Further, when the translucent region 160 is formed in this way, for example, by considering the translucent region 160 as a part of the colored region 156, it is possible to further simplify the data processing and the like performed at the time of modeling. Become.

However, when the translucent region 160 is formed in this way, the translucent region 160 is transparent because the color of the light reflecting region 154 can be seen through the translucent region 160 when observing the modeled object 50. The feeling may be insufficient. Further, as a result, it may be difficult to form the modeled object 50 of a desired quality.

On the other hand, in this example, the translucent region 160 is formed in a portion around the internal region 152 where the light reflecting region 154 is not formed, as described above. Therefore, according to this example, for example, it is possible to appropriately prevent the color of the light reflecting region 154 from being seen through the translucent region 160 when observing the modeled object 50. Further, as a result, for example, the transparency of the translucent region 160 can be appropriately enhanced.

Further, in this case, by forming the light reflection region 154 inside the coloring region 156, various colors can be appropriately expressed in the coloring region 156 by the subtractive color mixing method. Therefore, according to this example, for example, expressing various colors by the subtractive color mixing method in the colored region 156 and enhancing the transparency of the translucent region 160 can be appropriately compatible with each other. Further, as a result, for example, a high-quality modeled object can be appropriately modeled.

Further, as shown in the figure, in this example, the thickness of the translucent region 160 is thicker than the thickness of the colored region 156. In this case, the thickness of each region is the thickness of the surface of the modeled object 50 in the normal direction. Further, in FIG. 2B, for convenience of illustration, a case where the thickness of the translucent region 160 is equal to the thickness of the combined portion of the light reflecting region 154 and the colored region 156 is shown. Therefore, when the thickness of the translucent region 160 is d1, the thickness of the light reflection region 154 is d2, and the thickness of the colored region 156 is d3, d1 = d2 + d3 is satisfied.

Further, in the modified example of the configuration of the modeled object 50, the thickness of the translucent region 160 does not necessarily have to be equal to the thickness of the portion where the light reflecting region 154 and the colored region 156 are combined. FIG. 2C shows a modified example of the configuration of the modeled object 50. In this case, the thickness (d1) of the translucent region 160 is larger than the thickness (d2 + d3) of the combined portion of the light reflecting region 154 and the colored region 156. Even in this configuration, the transparency of the translucent region 160 can be appropriately enhanced.

Further, in this case, the shape of the internal region 152 is also deformed according to, for example, the thickness of the translucent region 160. More specifically, in the internal region 152, the portion where the translucent region 160 is formed on the outside is formed to have a shape recessed inward from the portion where the light reflecting region 154 and the colored region 156 are formed on the outside. Can be considered.

Further, although not shown, in a further modification of the configuration of the modeled object 50, for example, regarding the thickness (d1) of the translucent region 160, the portion where the light reflection region 154 and the colored region 156 are combined. It is also conceivable to make it smaller than the thickness (d2 + d3). In this case, for example, in the internal region 152, the portion where the translucent region 160 is formed on the outside may have a shape protruding outward from the portion where the light reflection region 154 and the colored region 156 are formed on the outside. Conceivable.

Further, in a further modification of the modeled object 50, for example, the thickness of the translucent region 160 is made thicker than that of the colored region 156, and then light is reflected between the internal region 152 and the translucent region 160. It is also conceivable to form region 154 and the like. Even in this configuration, by forming the thick translucent region 160, for example, the transparency of the translucent region 160 can be enhanced. Furthermore, as a modification, it is also conceivable to form a light reflection region 154 and a colored region 156 between the thick translucent region 160 and the internal region 152. With this configuration, for example, the inside of the headlamp can be expressed in a colored state.

Further, in the above, the case where the light transmissive region 160 is formed in the entire region where the light reflection region 154 and the colored region 156 are not formed, mainly around the internal region 152, has been described. However, the translucent region 160 may be formed, for example, in a part of the portion where the colored region 156 or the like is not formed around the internal region 152.

Further, in a further modification of the configuration of the modeled object 50, it is conceivable that the basic configuration of the modeled object 50 is different from the above. More specifically, for example, it is conceivable to form an internal region 152 that also has the function of the light reflection region 154 by using, for example, white ink without distinguishing between the internal region 152 and the light reflection region 154. Be done. Also in this case, for example, by making the thickness of the translucent region 160 thicker than that of the colored region 156, the transparency of the translucent region 160 can be enhanced. It is also conceivable to use clear ink to form a separation region between the light reflection region 154 and the coloring region 156. In this case, the separation region is, for example, a transparent region (transparent layer) for preventing the ink constituting the light reflection region 154 and the ink constituting the coloring region 156 from being mixed with each other. Further, for example, it is conceivable to form a protective region on the outermost surface of the modeled object 50 by using clear ink. In this case, the protected area is, for example, a transparent area for protecting the outer surface of the modeled object 50.

Subsequently, the operation of generating data for the modeling apparatus on the control PC 14 (see FIG. 1) will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of generating data for a modeling device in the control PC 14. FIG. 4 schematically shows a part of the operation of generating the data for the modeling apparatus. 4 (a), (b), and (c) schematically show the operation of steps S104, S106, and S110 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

Further, the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the operation of the data generation process for the modeling device that generates the data for the modeling device based on the original data. Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, in this example, the control PC 14 receives the original data indicating the modeled object 50 to be modeled from the outside. Then, in the operation of generating the data for the modeling device, the control PC 14 first reads the original data.

As the original data, for example, 3D format data in which a three-dimensional shape (3D shape) and color information are defined can be preferably used. Further, as such data, for example, a Wavefront OBJ format object file (OBJ file) or the like can be preferably used. Further, as the original data, for example, it is conceivable to use data in another format (data in 3D format) capable of defining three-dimensional shape and color information.

Further, as described above, in this example, the original data is data composed of a plurality of data corresponding to a plurality of parts (parts, parts, etc.) constituting each part of the modeled object. Therefore, in this example, the control PC 14 synthesizes parts with respect to the read original data (S104). In this case, the control PC 14 is, for example, by synthesizing a plurality of partial data which are a plurality of data indicating each part in the original data, for example, as shown schematically in FIG. 4A, of the modeled object 50. Data 300 after parts synthesis, which is data showing the whole, is generated. Further, in this example, the data after synthesizing the parts 300 is data indicating the shape and the surface color of the modeled object 50 to be modeled. Therefore, a color corresponding to each position on the surface of the modeled object 50 to be modeled is set at each position on the surface 302 of the data 300 after the parts are synthesized.

Then, the control PC 14 fills the data 300 after synthesizing the parts with a color corresponding to the clear ink, which is preset as a color corresponding to the color of the clear ink (S106). In this case, the clear-corresponding color is an example of the translucent-corresponding color which is a color associated with the translucent material. Further, filling with a clear-corresponding color means, for example, replacing the color of each part of the surface 302 in the data after synthesizing the parts with the clear-corresponding color. Further, as a result, the control PC 14 generates the first data 400, which is data indicating one object colored with a clear corresponding color, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 4 (b). Further, by generating the first data 400 by such an operation, in this example, the first data 400 shows the same shape as the data 300 after the parts are synthesized, and the entire surface 402 is colored with a clear color. It becomes the data that was done. Further, in this example, the data (3D data) used for the post-part synthesis data 300, the first data 400, and the like is, for example, data showing only the shape of the surface and the color of the surface. Therefore, to fill the data 300 after synthesizing parts with a color corresponding to clearing means, for example, to fill the surface 302 of the data 300 after synthesizing parts.

In this example, the operation of step S106 is an example of the operation of the first data generation step. Further, the first data 400 can be considered as, for example, data indicating an object having the same overall shape as the modeled object 50 indicated by the original data and whose entire surface is colored with a clear-corresponding color. .. Further, in this example, yellow is used as the clear color. More specifically, yellow, which is used as a clear-corresponding color, is, for example, a color in which the R value and the G value are 255 and the B value is 0 when expressed by an 8-bit RGB value. Further, in this case, in the first data 400, the entire surface 402 is colored yellow.

Further, in the modified example of the operation of the control PC 14, a color other than yellow may be used as the clear corresponding color. Further, in this case, it is preferable to use the same color as any of the coloring inks (for example, the inks of each color of YMCK) used in the modeling apparatus 12 (see FIG. 1) as the clear corresponding color. With this configuration, for example, by using a primary color that does not mix ink as a clear-compatible color, it is possible to more easily and appropriately manage the clear-compatible color.

Further, after the first data 400 is generated, the control PC 14 reads the original data again in order to further generate the second data which is another data generated based on the original data (S108). More specifically, in this example, the control PC 14 reads the data after synthesizing the parts 300 after synthesizing the parts with respect to the original data as an operation of reading the original data. In the modified example of the operation of the control PC 14, the original data before the parts synthesis may be read in step S108. In this case, after reading the original data, the data 300 after parts synthesis is regenerated in the same manner as or in the same manner as in step S104, for example.

Further, following the operation of step S108, the control PC 14 deletes the region corresponding to the transparent portion in the modeled object 50 from the data 300 after synthesizing the parts. Further, as a result, for example, the second data 500 having the deletion unit 504 as schematically shown in FIG. 4C is generated (S110). In this case, the shape of the object shown by the second data 500 is, for example, the same shape as the portion of the modeled object 50 shown by the original data excluding the translucent region 160 (see FIG. 2). Regarding the color of the object indicated by the second data 500, for example, the color of the surface 502 of the portion excluding the translucent region 160 is set to the same color as the modeled object 50 indicated by the original data. In this case, the color of the surface 502 of the object indicated by the second data 500 is the same as the color of the modeled object 50 indicated by the original data, for example, by being the same as the color of the surface 302 of the data 300 after component synthesis. is there.

Further, in this example, step S110 is an example of the operation of the second data generation step. Further, regarding the operation of step S110, the portion to be made transparent in the modeled object 50 is, for example, a portion corresponding to the translucent region 160 in the modeled object 50. Further, the operation of deleting the region corresponding to the transparent portion from the data 300 after synthesizing the parts is an example of the operation of deleting the portion corresponding to the translucent region 160 from the original data.

Further, following the operation of step S110, the control PC 14 generates data to be sliced, which is the data to be subjected to the subsequent slicing process, based on the first data 400 and the second data 500. Then, the generated data to be sliced is written out (S112). In this example, the sliced data is an example of intermediate data generated before the slicing process is performed. Further, the sliced data is, for example, data indicating an object in a format including at least color information indicating a color to be colored and shape information indicating a shape to be modeled.

Further, in this example, the operation of step S112 is an example of the operation of the intermediate data generation step. More specifically, in step S112, for example, by arranging the first data 400 and the second data 500 at the same positions on the coordinates, the information indicated by the first data 400 and the information indicated by the second data 500 are displayed. Generates sliced data that combines with. Further, in this example, as the data to be sliced, for example, an object file (OBJ file) in Wavefront OBJ format is used. In this case, the sliced data is, for example, an object file in which the first data 400 and the second data 500 are written to the same position.

Further, following the operation in step S112, the control PC 14 performs slicing processing on the data to be sliced (S114). In this example, the operation of step S114 is an example of the operation of the slice data generation step. Further, in step S114, the control PC 14 generates a plurality of slice data by dividing the object indicated by the sliced data into round slices at preset intervals. Further, as a result, the control PC 14 generates data for the modeling device including slice data corresponding to the cross section of each position of the modeled object 50 in the stacking direction.

Here, in this example, the operations of steps S112 and S114 are examples of the operations of the third data generation step. Further, in this case, the third data generation step is, for example, a step of generating data for a modeling apparatus based on the first data 400 and the second data 500. Further, in the operations of steps S112 and S114, for example, in the control PC 14, a portion corresponding to the translucent region 160 in the modeled object 50 is generated based on the first data 400, and the portion other than the portion corresponding to the translucent region 160 is generated. Generates modeling device data generated based on the second data 500.

Subsequently, the operation of the slicing process performed in step S114 will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a more detailed operation of the slicing process. In the operation of the slicing process, the control PC 14 first reads the data to be sliced (S202) and determines whether or not the generation of all the slice data is completed (S204). Then, when the generation of all the slice data is not completed (S204: No), the process proceeds to the operation after step S206, and the slice data at each position in the stacking direction is generated.

Further, in step S206, the control PC 14 generates data for clear ink. More specifically, in this step, the control PC 14 confirms whether or not there is clear-corresponding color data in the layer to be sliced in the sliced data, and if there is clear-corresponding color data, that data is used. Replace with clear ink data. Then, the data indicating the replaced layer is stored as slice data in the memory or the like of the control PC 14.

In this example, the control PC 14 executes the slice processing operation according to, for example, a slicer program which is a program (application software for modeling) that performs slice processing on the data to be sliced. Further, in step S206, the replacement of the clear corresponding color data with the clear ink data can be performed by, for example, setting (turning on) the replacement of the data with the clear ink (clear replacement) in the slicer program. Execute.

Further, following the operation in step S206, the control PC 14 overwrites the color data (S208). More specifically, in this step, the control PC 14 confirms whether or not the layer to be sliced in the data to be sliced has data other than the clear-corresponding color. Then, when there is data other than the clear corresponding color, the slice data generated in step S206 is overwritten as the color data indicating the color to be colored on the surface of the modeled object 50. Further, as a result, slice data reflecting the color data is generated and stored in the memory or the like of the control PC 14.

Further, in this case, the color data to be overwritten with the slice data is, for example, data for designating the ink used for forming the colored region 156 (see FIG. 2) in the modeled object 50. Further, the overwriting operation can be considered as, for example, an operation of overwriting the slice data for a color other than the clear-compatible color among the colors set on the surface of the second data 500 (see FIG. 4). it can. Further, in this step, the control PC 14 further overwrites the color data with the data specifying the white ink used for forming the light reflection region 154 (see FIG. 2). With this configuration, for example, the color information set on the surface 502 of the second data 500 can be appropriately reflected in the slice data.

Further, following the operation in step S208, the control PC 14 converts the slice data overwritten with the color data and the like in step S208 into a format suitable for the modeling apparatus 12 (S210). Further, following the operation of step S210, the control PC 14 repeats the operation of step S204. Then, when the generation of all slice data has not been completed yet (S204: No), the operation proceeds again to the operation after step S206, and the next slice data is generated. When all the slice data generation is completed (S204: Yes), the control PC 14 ends the slice processing operation.

By the above operation, the control PC 14 generates data for a modeling device including a plurality of slice data indicating cross sections of different positions of the modeled object 50 to be modeled. Further, in this case, in each of the plurality of slice data included in the modeling apparatus data, the color of the portion where the clear corresponding color is set in the sliced data is replaced with the color of the clear ink. Further, the color of the portion where the color other than the clear corresponding color is specified in the second data 500 is as specified in the second data 500. Further, in this case, the portion of the modeled object 50 corresponding to the translucent region 160 is maintained without being overwritten by another color.

Therefore, when the modeled object 50 is modeled by the modeling device 12 (see FIG. 1) using such data for the modeling device, for example, the light reflecting region 154 or the like is not formed in the translucent region 160 and is cleared. The translucent region 160 can be appropriately formed only with ink. Further, as a result, for example, a modeled object 50 having a highly transparent translucent region 160 can be appropriately formed. More specifically, for example, in the case of modeling a model of a vehicle such as a motorcycle, by setting a portion such as a headlight to a translucent region 160, a highly designed model 50 is more appropriately modeled. be able to.

The process or the like performed by the control PC 14 or the like is not limited to the specific process described above, and can be changed in various ways. For example, in the above, the operation in the case of generating one data (OBJ file or the like) having the information indicated by the first data 400 and the information indicated by the second data 500 for the sliced data has been described. However, in the modified example of the operation of the control PC 14, a plurality of data (OBJ files or the like) corresponding to the first data 400 and the second data 500 may be used as the data to be sliced. In this case, in the program (application software for modeling) that performs slicing processing on the control PC 14, the slicing processing is performed while appropriately determining which of the first data 400 and the second data 500 corresponds to the data. Further, as the data to be sliced or the like, data in a format other than the OBJ file may be used. In this case, it is preferable to use data in a format capable of writing out necessary color information and the like.

The present invention can be suitably used, for example, in a method for producing a modeled object.

10 ... modeling system, 12 ... modeling device, 14 ... control PC, 50 ... modeled object, 52 ... support layer, 102 ... head part, 104 ... modeling table, 106 ... Scanning drive unit, 110 ... Control unit, 152 ... Internal area, 154 ... Light reflection area, 156 ... Colored area, 160 ... Translucent area, 202 ... Inkjet Head, 204 ... UV light source, 206 ... Flattening roller, 300 ... Data after parts synthesis, 302 ... Surface, 400 ... First data, 402 ... Surface, 500 ... Second data, 502 ... surface, 504 ... deleted part

Claims (11)

It is a manufacturing method of a modeled object that manufactures the modeled object by using a modeling device that models a three-dimensional modeled object.
Data indicating the modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device, and a modeling data preparation step of preparing modeling data in which at least a part of the surface is colored.
Data used for controlling the operation of modeling by the modeling device, and a data generation step for the modeling device that generates data for the modeling device indicating the modeled object in a predetermined format different from the modeling data based on the modeling data. ,
It is provided with a modeling execution step of causing the modeling device to model the modeled object based on the data for the modeling device.
The modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device is
The internal area that makes up the inside and
A light-reflecting region formed of a light-reflecting material in a region excluding a part around the internal region,
A colored region formed of a coloring material on the outside of the light reflecting region,
A translucent region formed of a translucent material is provided at least a part of a portion where the colored region is not formed around the internal region.
The data generation step for the modeling apparatus is
The first data showing an object having the same overall shape as the modeled object shown by the modeling data and having at least the entire surface colored with a predetermined color associated with the translucent material. The first data generation step of generating data based on the modeling data, and
The shape is the same as the portion of the modeled object shown by the modeling data excluding the translucent region, and at least the portion excluding the translucent region has the same color as the modeled object indicated by the modeling data. A second data generation step of generating at least second data, which is data indicating an object whose surface is colored, based on the modeling data, and
It is a step of generating the data for the modeling apparatus based on the first data and the second data, and a portion corresponding to the translucent region is generated based on the first data, and the translucent region is formed. A method for manufacturing a modeled object, characterized in that a portion other than the corresponding portion includes a third data generation step of generating the data for the modeling apparatus generated based on the second data. The modeling data is composed of a plurality of partial data which are data indicating a part of the modeled object.
The first data generation step, said the plurality of partial data synthesized data, by filling a total of the predetermined color, the first indicating one of an object at least the surface at the predetermined colors are colored The method for manufacturing a modeled object according to claim 1, wherein data is generated. In the second data generation step, by deleting the portion corresponding to the translucent region from the modeling data, the shape is the same as the portion excluding the translucent region from the modeled object indicated by the modeling data. The method for manufacturing a modeled object according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second data is generated. The modeling data is data indicating the modeled object in a format that does not depend on the model of the modeling device.
The method for manufacturing a modeled object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data for the modeling device is data indicating the modeled object in a format depending on the model of the modeling device. The data for the modeling device is data including a plurality of slice data showing cross sections of the modeled objects at different positions from each other.
The third data generation step is
An intermediate data generation step of generating intermediate data indicating an object in a format including color information indicating a color to be colored and shape information indicating a shape to be formed based on the first data and the second data.
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a slice data generation step of generating the plurality of slice data by dividing the object indicated by the intermediate data into round slices at preset intervals. The method for manufacturing the modeled object described. The claim is characterized in that the slice data generation step generates the plurality of slice data in a state where the color of the portion where the predetermined color is set in the intermediate data is replaced with a translucent color. The method for manufacturing a modeled object according to 5. The claim is characterized in that the slice data generation step generates the plurality of slice data so that the color of the portion whose color is specified in the second data is as specified in the second data. The method for manufacturing a modeled object according to 5 or 6. The modeling device is
A coloring head, which is an inkjet head that ejects droplets of coloring material,
A head for a light-reflecting material, which is an inkjet head that ejects droplets of a light-reflective material,
A head for a translucent material, which is an inkjet head that ejects droplets of a translucent material, is provided.
In the modeling execution process
The light-reflecting region is formed by using the light-reflecting material head.
The coloring region is formed using the coloring head, and the coloring region is formed.
The method for manufacturing a modeled object according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the translucent region is formed by using the translucent material head. It is a modeling system that creates three-dimensional objects.
A modeling device that models the modeled object and
A modeling control device for controlling the operation of the modeling device is provided.
The modeling control device is data indicating the modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device, and is data used for controlling the modeling operation by the modeling device based on the modeling data in which at least a part of the surface is colored. A modeling device data indicating the modeled object is generated in a predetermined format different from the modeling data.
The modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device is
The internal area that makes up the inside and
A light-reflecting region formed of a light-reflecting material in a region excluding a part around the internal region,
A colored region formed of a coloring material on the outside of the light reflecting region,
A translucent region formed of a translucent material is provided at least a part of a portion where the colored region is not formed around the internal region.
In the operation of generating the data for the modeling device, the modeling control device is
The first data showing an object having the same overall shape as the modeled object shown by the modeling data and having at least the entire surface colored with a predetermined color associated with the translucent material. The first data generation step of generating data based on the modeling data, and
The shape is the same as the portion of the modeled object shown by the modeling data excluding the translucent region, and at least the portion excluding the translucent region has the same color as the modeled object indicated by the modeling data. A second data generation step of generating at least second data, which is data indicating an object whose surface is colored, based on the modeling data, and
It is a step of generating the data for the modeling apparatus based on the first data and the second data, and a portion corresponding to the translucent region is generated based on the first data, and the translucent region is formed. A modeling system characterized in that a third data generation step of generating the data for the modeling apparatus generated based on the second data is executed except for the corresponding portion. It is a manufacturing method of a modeled object that manufactures the modeled object by using a modeling device that models a three-dimensional modeled object.
Data indicating the modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device, and a modeling data preparation step of preparing modeling data in which at least a part of the surface is colored.
Data used for controlling the operation of modeling by the modeling device, and a data generation step for the modeling device that generates data for the modeling device indicating the modeled object in a predetermined format different from the modeling data based on the modeling data. ,
It is provided with a modeling execution step of causing the modeling device to model the modeled object based on the data for the modeling device.
The modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device is
The internal area that makes up the inside and
A colored region formed of a coloring material on the outside of the internal region,
A region formed of a translucent material in at least a part of a portion where the colored region is not formed around the internal region, and the thickness of the surface of the modeled object in the normal direction is thicker than the colored region. With a translucent area,
The data generation step for the modeling apparatus is
The first data showing an object having the same overall shape as the modeled object shown by the modeling data and having at least the entire surface colored with a predetermined color associated with the translucent material. The first data generation step of generating data based on the modeling data, and
The shape is the same as the portion of the modeled object shown by the modeling data excluding the translucent region, and at least the portion excluding the translucent region has the same color as the modeled object indicated by the modeling data. A second data generation step of generating at least second data, which is data indicating an object whose surface is colored, based on the modeling data, and
It is a step of generating the data for the modeling apparatus based on the first data and the second data, and a portion corresponding to the translucent region is generated based on the first data, and the translucent region is formed. A method for manufacturing a modeled object, characterized in that a portion other than the corresponding portion includes a third data generation step of generating the data for the modeling apparatus generated based on the second data. It is a modeling system that creates three-dimensional objects.
A modeling device that models the modeled object and
A modeling control device for controlling the operation of the modeling device is provided.
The modeling control device is data indicating the modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device, and is data used for controlling the modeling operation by the modeling device based on the modeling data in which at least a part of the surface is colored. A modeling device data indicating the modeled object is generated in a predetermined format different from the modeling data.
The modeled object to be modeled by the modeling device is
The internal area that makes up the inside and
A colored region formed of a coloring material on the outside of the internal region,
A region formed of a translucent material in at least a part of a portion where the colored region is not formed around the internal region, and the thickness of the surface of the modeled object in the normal direction is thicker than the colored region. With a translucent area,
In the operation of generating the data for the modeling device, the modeling control device is
The first data showing an object having the same overall shape as the modeled object shown by the modeling data and having at least the entire surface colored with a predetermined color associated with the translucent material. The first data generation step of generating data based on the modeling data, and
The shape is the same as the portion of the modeled object shown by the modeling data excluding the translucent region, and at least the portion excluding the translucent region has the same color as the modeled object indicated by the modeling data. A second data generation step of generating at least second data, which is data indicating an object whose surface is colored, based on the modeling data, and
It is a step of generating the data for the modeling apparatus based on the first data and the second data, and a portion corresponding to the translucent region is generated based on the first data, and the translucent region is formed. A modeling system characterized in that a third data generation step of generating the data for the modeling apparatus generated based on the second data is executed except for the corresponding portion.

Images