JP6939325B2 - Modeling system, image processing device, manufacturing method and program of modeled object - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a modeling system, an image processing device, a manufacturing method and a program of a modeled object.

The technique of modeling a modeled object (also called a three-dimensional object) is known. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method for forming a stereoscopic image, which is an image having a three-dimensional spread as a modeled object. Specifically, in the method disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a pattern is formed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet with a material having excellent light absorption characteristics, and the formed pattern is irradiated with light by an irradiation means. Heat it. As a result, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet on which the pattern is formed expands and rises, forming a stereoscopic image.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 64-28660 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-150812

When the heat-expandable sheet expands due to heating, it may be unnecessarily deformed from a flat surface due to the stress generated by the expansion. There is a desire to expand the heat-expandable sheet to obtain a desired model while suppressing such deformation of the heat-expandable sheet.

The present invention is for solving the above problems, and provides a modeling system, an image processing device, a manufacturing method and a program for a modeled object capable of suppressing deformation when the heat-expandable sheet expands. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the modeling system according to the present invention
When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the shade image shows the expansion of the heat-expandable sheet. A generation means for generating a printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of a heat-expandable sheet is added, and
A printing means for printing the printed image generated by the generating means on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat.
An expansion means for expanding the heat-expandable sheet by irradiating the heat-expandable sheet on which the printed image is printed by the printing means with an electromagnetic wave.
It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deformation when the heat-expandable sheet expands.

It is sectional drawing of the heat-expandable sheet for modeling a modeled object by the modeling system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the modeled object formed on the heat-expandable sheet shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the modeling system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the thermal expansion sheet was deformed in the conventional example. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 5th example of the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sixth example of the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the high density region extracted from the shading image shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the shading image which extracted a plurality of high density regions in an embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the printed image which added the suppression pattern to the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the printed image which added the suppression pattern to the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the printed image which added the suppression pattern to the shading image in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example which the printed image shown in FIG. 14 was printed on the heat-expandable sheet. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the expansion apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mode that the expansion apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention executes an expansion process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the print image generation processing executed by the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the determination process in the print image generation process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the manufacturing process of the shaped object executed by the printing apparatus and expansion apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) to (e) are diagrams showing stepwise how a modeled object is manufactured on the heat-expandable sheet shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals.

<Thermal expandable sheet 100>
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional configuration of a heat-expandable sheet 100 for manufacturing a modeled object according to the present embodiment. The heat-expandable sheet 100 is a medium on which a modeled object is formed by expanding a preselected portion by heating. A modeled object is an object having a three-dimensional shape, and is formed by expanding a part of the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the sheet in a two-dimensional sheet. The modeled object is also called a three-dimensional object or a three-dimensional image. The shape of the modeled object includes a simple shape, a geometric shape, a general shape such as a character, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat-expandable sheet 100 includes a base material 101, a heat-expandable layer 102, and an ink receiving layer 103 in this order. Note that FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the heat-expandable sheet 100 before the modeled object is modeled, that is, in a state where no part is expanded.

The base material 101 is a sheet-like medium that is the basis of the heat-expandable sheet 100. The base material 101 is a support that supports the thermal expansion layer 102 and the ink receiving layer 103, and plays a role of maintaining the strength of the thermal expansion sheet 100. As the base material 101, for example, general printing paper can be used. Alternatively, the material of the base material 101 may be synthetic paper, cloth such as canvas, or a plastic film such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and is not particularly limited.

The thermal expansion layer 102 is laminated on the upper side of the base material 101, and is a layer that expands when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. The thermal expansion layer 102 includes a binder and a thermal expansion agent dispersed in the binder. The binder is a thermoplastic resin such as a vinyl acetate polymer or an acrylic polymer. Specifically, the heat-expanding agent is a heat-expandable microcapsule (micropowder) having a particle size of about 5 to 50 μm, in which a substance that vaporizes at a low boiling point such as propane or butane is encapsulated in an outer shell of a thermoplastic resin. ). When the thermal expansion agent is heated to a temperature of, for example, about 80 ° C. to 120 ° C., the contained substance is vaporized, and the heat expansion agent foams and expands due to the pressure. In this way, the thermal expansion layer 102 expands according to the amount of heat absorbed. The thermal expansion agent is also called a foaming agent.

The ink receiving layer 103 is a layer that absorbs and receives ink, which is laminated on the upper side of the thermal expansion layer 102. The ink receiving layer 103 receives printing ink used in an inkjet printer, printing toner used in a laser printer, ink for a ballpoint pen or fountain pen, graphite for a pencil, and the like. The ink receiving layer 103 is formed of a suitable material for fixing them to the surface. As the material of the ink receiving layer 103, for example, a general-purpose material used for inkjet paper can be used.

The modeling system 1 can model a modeled object on such a heat-expandable sheet 100. Carbon molecules are printed on the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 to be expanded. Carbon molecules are a type of electromagnetic wave heat conversion material (heat generating agent) that is contained in black (carbon black) or other color ink and absorbs electromagnetic waves and converts them into heat. Carbon molecules generate heat by absorbing electromagnetic waves and thermally vibrating. When the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which carbon molecules are printed is heated, the heat-expandable layer 102 of that portion expands to form bumps. By forming a convex or uneven shape by the ridges (bumps) of the thermal expansion layer 102, a modeled object is formed on the thermal expansion sheet 100.

FIG. 2 shows, as an example, a case where a modeled object 10 imitating a brick used as an outer wall material of a building is modeled on a heat-expandable sheet 100. In this way, by combining the expansion points and heights of the heat-expandable sheet 100, various shaped objects can be modeled. Modeling is also called modeling. In addition, expressing aesthetics or texture through visual or tactile sensation by modeling is called "decoration".

<Modeling system 1>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a modeling system 1 for modeling the modeled object 10 on the heat-expandable sheet 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the modeling system 1 includes an image processing device 30, a printing device 40, and an expansion device 50.

The image processing device 30 is an information processing device (terminal device) such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet, and is a control unit that controls a printing device 40 and an expansion device 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, a recording medium drive unit 35, and a communication unit 36. Each of these parts is connected by a bus for transmitting a signal.

The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU is, for example, a microprocessor or the like, and is a central processing unit that executes various processes and operations. In the control unit 31, the CPU reads the control program stored in the ROM and controls the operation of the entire image processing device 30 while using the RAM as the work memory.

The storage unit 32 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 32 stores programs and data executed by the control unit 31. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 32 stores the modeling data 321.

The modeling data 321 is data required for modeling a modeled object on the heat-expandable sheet 100. The modeling data 321 is data of an image printed on the heat-expandable sheet 100 by the printing apparatus 40, specifically, data of a shading image (image for modeling) which is an image for modeling a three-dimensional shape of a modeled object. , Data of a color image (coloring image), which is an image for coloring a modeled object, is included.

The shading image is an image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 by shading in black and white. The shading image 200a is an image printed on the heat-expandable sheet 100 with a material that becomes hot when a predetermined electromagnetic wave is applied to heat-expand the heat-expandable sheet 100. FIG. 5 shows a shade image 200a as an example. In the shade image 200a, the black and shaded portions indicate the parts to be expanded in the heat-expandable sheet 100. Further, in the shade image 200a, the darker the color (higher density and lower brightness), the larger the degree of expansion, and the lighter the color (low density and higher brightness), the smaller the degree of expansion. Thus, in the shade image 200a, at a higher concentration in the larger inflatable portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 so that the three-dimensional shape of the modeled object to be modeled can be formed on the heat-expandable sheet 100. A shade pattern is drawn.

In addition, the storage unit 32 has image data (surface foaming data) printed on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 (the surface on the ink receiving layer 103 side) and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 (surface foaming data) as shading image data. The image data (back surface foaming data) printed on the base material 101 side surface) is stored.

Although not shown, the color image is an image showing colors for coloring a modeled object formed by a shade image. For example, in the case of modeling the brick-like model 10 shown in FIG. 2, the color image is an image for coloring a portion corresponding to a plurality of blocks constituting the brick in a color imitating a brick. .. The color image is printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 with at least one color of the color inks.

The storage unit 32 stores data of a shade image (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “scale image 200”) and a color image for modeling various shaped objects including the shade image 200a shown in FIG. There is. Such grayscale image and color image data are read from the recording medium by the recording medium driving unit 35, or acquired from an external device via the communication unit 36, and stored in the storage unit 32 in advance. Alternatively, the shade image and the color image can be generated or edited by the user via the operation unit 33.

Returning to FIG. 4, the operation unit 33 includes input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, buttons, touch pad, and touch panel, and receives operations from the user. By operating the operation unit 33, the user can input an operation for generating or editing the modeling data 321 and input a command for starting the modeling process of the modeled object 10.

The display unit 34 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and a display drive circuit for displaying an image on the display device. For example, the display unit 34 displays the modeling data 321. Further, the display unit 34 displays information indicating the current state of the printing device 40 or the expanding device 50, if necessary.

The recording medium driving unit 35 reads out the program or data recorded on the portable recording medium. The portable recording medium is a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -ROM, a flash memory provided with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard connector, or the like. For example, the recording medium driving unit 35 reads out the modeling data 321 from the portable recording medium and acquires it.

The communication unit 36 includes an interface for communicating with an external device including the printing device 40 and the expanding device 50. The image processing device 30 is connected to the printing device 40 and the expansion device 50 via a flexible cable, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, or a wireless LAN, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like wirelessly. Under the control of the control unit 31, the communication unit 36 communicates with the printing device 40, the expansion device 50, and other external devices according to at least one of these communication standards.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 31 functionally has a reception unit 311 that functions as a reception means, a determination unit 312 that functions as a determination means, a generation unit 313 that functions as a generation means, and an output means (printing). It includes an output unit 314 that functions as a control means). In the control unit 31, the CPU functions as each of these units by reading the program stored in the ROM into the RAM, executing the program, and controlling the program.

The reception unit 311 receives from the user the designation of the modeled object to be modeled. Specifically, the user can operate the operation unit 33 to specify a desired modeled object to be modeled from a plurality of modeled objects for which image data is prepared as modeling data 321. For example, when modeling the modeled object 10 imitating the outer wall material shown in FIG. 2, the user designates the outer wall material as the modeling target. The reception unit 311 receives the designation of the modeled object input from the user in this way. The reception unit 311 is realized by the control unit 31 cooperating with the operation unit 33.

When the reception unit 311 receives the designation of the modeled object from the user, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the shade distribution in the shade image 200 for modeling the designated modeled object satisfies a specific condition. The specific condition is a condition for determining whether or not the heat-expandable sheet 100 is easily deformed when the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands. The determination unit 312 is realized by the control unit 31 cooperating with the storage unit 32.

Specifically, the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands by being irradiated with electromagnetic waves in the expansion device 50 after the grayscale image 200 is printed by the printing device 40. At this time, stress is generated inside the heat-expandable sheet 100 due to the expansion of the heat-expandable layer 102. Due to such stress, the heat-expandable sheet 100 may be deformed into an unintended shape such as being distorted or warped.

FIG. 6 shows, as an example, a shade image 200b in which a region having a high density, that is, a region having a large degree of expansion has an elongated shape in one direction (X direction in FIG. 6). The stress when the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands is particularly strong near the boundary between the expandable portion and the non-expandable portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100. Therefore, when the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands according to the shading image 200b, the stress acting in the Y direction is larger than the stress acting in the X direction, as shown by the arrow of the curve in FIG. As a result, the heat-expandable sheet 100 tends to warp in the X direction.

In particular, the base material 101 has a characteristic of being easily warped along the direction of the flow line, that is, the direction of the fibers constituting the base material 101. When the direction of the longer of the vertical and horizontal lengths of the shading image 200 is the direction of the flow line of the base material 101, that is, in the example of FIG. 6, the direction of the flow line of the base material 101 is the X direction. In this case, the heat-expandable sheet 100 tends to warp in the X direction.

FIG. 7 schematically shows how the heat-expandable sheet 100 is deformed when the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the shade image 200b is printed is expanded. As a result of strong stress acting in the Y direction during expansion, as shown in FIG. 7, the heat-expandable sheet 100 has a planar shape shown by a dotted line, and both ends of the heat-expandable sheet 100 in the Y direction are the heat-expandable sheet 100. It becomes easy to bend like a bow in the direction perpendicular to the surface of. If the heat-expandable sheet 100 is deformed in this way, the quality of the modeled object formed therein may be deteriorated.

On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows a shading image 200c in which the high-density region is not elongated, that is, has a shape having the same length in the X direction and the Y direction. When the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands according to the shading image 200c, the same degree of stress acts in both the X direction and the Y direction, as shown by the curved arrows in FIG. Therefore, when the high-concentration region does not have an elongated shape, the heat-expandable sheet 100 is less likely to be deformed than when the high-concentration region has an elongated shape.

Further, FIGS. 9 to 11 show shade images 200d, 200e, and 200f as another example in which the region having a high density has an elongated shape. As in the shade image 200d shown in FIG. 9 and the shade image 200e shown in FIG. 10, when the size (area) of the high density region is relatively small even if it has an elongated shape, the size of the expanding portion is large. Since the value is small, the stress generated is also small. Alternatively, as in the shade image 200f shown in FIG. 11, when the density is relatively low even if the region having a high density has an elongated shape, the degree of expansion is small, so that the stress generated is also small. Therefore, when the high concentration region is small or the concentration is low, the heat-expandable sheet 100 is less likely to be deformed than when the high concentration region is large or the concentration is high.

As described above, the easiness of deformation of the heat-expandable sheet 100 changes depending on the mode of the distribution of the shade in the shade image 200. Therefore, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the shade distribution in the designated shade image 200 satisfies a specific condition, so that the designated shade image 200 is thermally expanded and the heat-expandable sheet 100 is formed. Is determined whether the image is distorted or warped to the extent that it exceeds a predetermined tolerance, that is, the quality of the modeled product produced therein is deteriorated. Therefore, the determination unit 312 determines the degree of distortion in which the designated shading image 200 distorts or warps the heat-expandable sheet 100 beyond a predetermined tolerance as the heat expands. Here, the degree of strain is a measure indicating the magnitude of strain or warpage of the heat-expandable sheet 100.

Specifically, the determination unit 312 extracts a region having a relatively high density from the shade image 200 for modeling the designated modeled object. The region where the density is relatively high is a region where the brightness value (also referred to as a pixel value or the density value) is low, that is, a dark (close to black) region as compared with other regions in the shade image 200. As an example, when the shading image 200 for modeling the designated modeled object is the shading image 200a shown in FIG. 5, the determination unit 312 indicates a region having a relatively high density as a region shown by a broken line in FIG. The high concentration region 210 is extracted.

The determination unit 312 determines whether the brightness value of each pixel included in the grayscale image 200 is higher or lower than a preset threshold value. Then, the determination unit 312 extracts a region having a brightness value higher than the threshold value as a high density region 210. Alternatively, the determination unit 312 may extract the high density region 210 by a well-known edge detection algorithm. For example, the determination unit 312 estimates the density gradient in each of the horizontal direction (X direction) and the vertical direction (Y direction) by applying the Sobel operator, and detects a portion where the density changes sharply as an edge. .. Then, the determination unit 312 extracts the region surrounded by the detected edges as the high density region 210.

When the high density region 210 is extracted from the light and shade image 200, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the light and shade distribution in the light and shade image 200 satisfies a specific condition based on the shape, size and density of the high density area 210. judge. Specifically, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the shape, size, and density of the high concentration region 210 satisfy the first, second, and third criteria, respectively. Then, the determination unit 312 determines the degree of distortion based on the shape, size, and density of the high density region 210 when the shade distribution in the shade image 200 satisfies a specific condition.

As a first criterion, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the shape of the high concentration region 210 is an elongated shape that easily deforms the heat-expandable sheet 100. Therefore, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the ratio of the shorter length to the longer length of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high concentration region 210 is smaller than the first reference value. Is determined.

Specifically, in the shade image 200a shown in FIG. 12, the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high density region 210 correspond to Ly and Lx, respectively, and the longer length is Lx, which is shorter. The length of the side is Ly. The determination unit 312 calculates Ly / Lx as the ratio of the shorter length Ly to the longer length Lx, and determines whether or not the calculated ratio Ly / Lx is smaller than the first reference value. The first reference value is preset to a value smaller than 1 such as 0.5 and 0.3.

For example, when the high density region 210 has a long shape in one direction as in the shade images 200b, 200d to 200f shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 to 11, the ratio Ly / Lx is larger and smaller than 1. Become a value. On the other hand, when the high density region 210 does not have an elongated shape as in the shade image 200c shown in FIG. 8, the ratio Ly / Lx is close to 1. In this way, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the shape of the high concentration region 210 is an elongated shape based on the ratio of the vertical and horizontal lengths in the high concentration region 210. At this time, the determination unit 312 determines that the smaller the calculated ratio, the greater the degree of distortion of the heat-expandable sheet 100.

Depending on the shade distribution in the shade image 200, a plurality of high density regions 210 are extracted. For example, when a plurality of high-density regions are arranged side by side in the X direction as in the shade image 200g shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of high-density regions 210 separated from each other in the X direction are extracted. When a plurality of high-concentration regions 210 are extracted in this way, the vertical and horizontal lengths of the high-concentration regions 210 for the determination unit 312 to calculate the ratio can be freely defined. As an example, as shown in FIG. 13, the length Lx in the horizontal direction (X direction) is defined as the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the X coordinate in all the high concentration regions 210, and is defined in the vertical direction (Y). The length Ly of (direction) can be defined as the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Y coordinate in all the high concentration regions 210. Alternatively, the determination unit 312 generates an image in which all the high density regions 210 are connected to one high density region 210 by a smoothing process, and the vertical and horizontal directions of one high density region 210 in the smoothed image. The length of may be used.

Next, the determination unit 312 determines the size and density of the high concentration region 210. As described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, when the size of the high concentration region 210 is relatively small and when the concentration of the high concentration region 210 is relatively low, the heat-expandable sheet 100 Since the stress acting on the heat-expandable sheet 100 is also reduced, the heat-expandable sheet 100 is less likely to be deformed. Therefore, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the size and concentration of the high concentration region 210 are sufficient to deform the heat-expandable sheet 100.

More specifically, the deformability of the heat-expandable sheet 100 varies depending on the proportion of the high-concentration region 210 on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100. For example, when the ratio of the area occupied by the high concentration region 210 to the heat expandable sheet 100 is small, the influence of the high concentration region 210 on the heat expandable sheet 100 is small. On the other hand, the larger the ratio of the area occupied by the high concentration region 210 to the heat-expandable sheet 100, the easier it is to deform the heat-expandable sheet 100.

Therefore, the determination unit 312 calculated and calculated the ratio of the size (area) of the high density region 210 to the size (size) of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the grayscale image 200 is printed as a second reference. It is determined whether or not the ratio is larger than the second reference value. Then, the determination unit 312 determines that the size of the high concentration region 210 is such that the heat-expandable sheet 100 is deformed when the calculated ratio is larger than the second reference value. The second reference value is preset to an appropriate value. At this time, the determination unit 312 determines that the larger the calculated ratio, the greater the degree of distortion of the heat-expandable sheet 100.

Further, the higher the concentration of the high concentration region 210 (that is, closer to black), the easier it is to deform the heat-expandable sheet 100. Therefore, the determination unit 312 calculates the average of the brightness values of each pixel included in the high density region 210 as a third reference, and determines whether or not the calculated average is smaller than the third reference value. Then, the determination unit 312 determines that the concentration in the high concentration region 210 deforms the heat-expandable sheet 100 when the calculated average is smaller than the third reference value, that is, when the concentration is relatively high. judge. The third reference value is preset to an appropriate value. At this time, the determination unit 312 determines that the smaller the average of the calculated luminance values, the greater the degree of distortion of the heat-expandable sheet 100.

When a plurality of high-concentration regions 210 are extracted as in the shade image 200 g shown in FIG. 13, the determination unit 312 uses the sum of the areas of the plurality of high-concentration regions 210 as the second reference. As a third criterion, the average of the brightness values in the entire plurality of high density regions 210 can be used. Specifically, as a second reference, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the ratio of the total area of the plurality of high-concentration regions 210 to the size of the heat-expandable sheet 100 is larger than the second reference value. To judge. Further, as a third reference, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the average of the luminance values in the entire plurality of high-concentration regions 210 is smaller than the third reference value. Alternatively, when a smoothing process is performed on a plurality of high-concentration regions 210, the area of the smoothed high-concentration region 210 and the average brightness value may be used.

Returning to FIG. 4, when the determination unit 312 determines that the shade distribution in the shade image 200 satisfies a specific condition, that is, the shade image 200 allows the heat-expandable sheet 100 to be predetermined. When it is determined that the image is distorted or warped excessively, a printed image 250 in which the shading image 200 is provided with the suppression pattern 220 is generated. The suppression pattern 220 is a pattern for suppressing deformation (that is, distortion or warpage) of the heat-expandable sheet 100 when the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands. The generation unit 313 is realized by the control unit 31 cooperating with the storage unit 32.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a printed image 250 in the case where the shade image 200 for modeling the designated modeled object is the shade image 200b shown in FIG. In the shading image 200b, since the high density region 210 has an elongated shape in the horizontal direction (X direction), stress acts strongly in the vertical direction (Y direction) when the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands. In order to prevent the deformation of the heat-expandable sheet 100 due to the stress generated in the vertical direction, the generation unit 313 has a high density of colors (that is, both sides in the example of FIG. 14) in the margin region of at least one side (both sides in the example of FIG. 14) of the shade image 200b. The suppression pattern 220 is added with black or a color close to black).

When the high-concentration region 210 has a long shape in one direction, the generation unit 313 uses a pattern having a long shape in the direction perpendicular to the one direction as the suppression pattern 220 in this one direction of the grayscale image 200. It is added to the margin area on at least one side. When the shape of the high concentration region 210 is elongated in the horizontal direction (X direction) as shown in FIG. 14, one direction is the horizontal direction (X direction), and the direction perpendicular to one direction is the vertical direction (X direction). (Y direction). Therefore, in the example of FIG. 14, the generation unit 313 adds a pattern having a length in the vertical direction longer than the length in the horizontal direction, that is, an elongated pattern in the vertical direction (Y direction) as the suppression pattern 220.

As described above, by adding a long pattern as the suppression pattern 220 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the high concentration region 210, the direction of stress generated by the high concentration region 210 when the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands. Stress is also generated in the direction perpendicular to (vertical direction in the example of FIG. 14). The stress generated in both the vertical and horizontal directions prevents the heat-expandable sheet 100 from being deformed in only one direction as shown in FIG. 7, and as a result, the deformation of the heat-expandable sheet 100 is suppressed. NS.

The shape, size, and density of the suppression pattern 220 can be variously set according to the purpose. For example, the generation unit 313 may add the suppression pattern 220 only to the margin area on one side as shown in FIG. 15, or add a plurality of patterns separated from each other as the suppression pattern 220 as shown in FIG. Is also good.

Alternatively, the generation unit 313 may add a pattern having a different shape, size, or density depending on the shape, size, or density of the high density region 210 to the grayscale image 200 as the suppression pattern 220. In other words, the generation unit 313 may add a pattern corresponding to the degree of distortion determined by the determination unit 312 to the shade image 200. For example, when the shape of the high-concentration region 210 is elongated, the area is large, or the density is high, that is, when the degree of strain is large, the stress generated by the high-concentration region 210 becomes stronger. In this case, since the generation unit 313 strengthens the stress generated by the suppression pattern 220 and suppresses the deformation of the heat-expandable sheet 100, the suppression pattern 220 has a longer and narrower shape, a larger area, or a higher concentration. A high pattern may be added to the shading image 200.

In addition, the determination unit 312 and the generation unit 313 perform the process of generating the print image 250 from the shade image 200 with the data (surface foaming data) of the shade image 200 printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100. This is executed for each of the data of the shade image 200 (back surface foaming data) printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100. That is, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the shade distribution satisfies the specific conditions for each of the shade image 200 for the front surface and the shade image 200 for the back surface. Then, when the determination unit 312 determines that the shade distribution in the surface shade image 200 satisfies the specific condition, the generation unit 313 adds the suppression pattern 220 to the surface shade image 200. When the print image 250 for the back side is generated and the determination unit 312 determines that the light and shade distribution in the light and shade image 200 for the back side satisfies a specific condition, the suppression pattern 220 is added to the light and shade image 200 for the back side. A printed image 250 for the back surface is generated.

Returning to FIG. 4, the output unit 314 outputs the print image 250 generated by the generation unit 313 to the printing device 40, and causes the printing device 40 to print the printed image 250 on the heat-expandable sheet 100. Specifically, the output unit 314 generates print data including the data of the print image 250 generated by the generation unit 313 and the data of the corresponding color image. Then, the output unit 314 communicates with the printing device 40 via the communication unit 36, and outputs the generated print data to the printing device 40. At this time, the output unit 314 outputs the print control data including the print data and the command to execute printing according to the print data and the setting information at the time of printing to the printing device 40. As a result, the output unit 314 causes the printing device 40 to print the printed image 250 on the heat-expandable sheet 100. In other words, the output unit 314 functions as a print control means for printing the suppression pattern 220 for suppressing the distortion or warpage of the thermal expansion sheet 100 due to the thermal expansion on the thermal expansion sheet 100 together with the grayscale image 200. The output unit 314 is realized by the control unit 31 cooperating with the communication unit 36.

<Printing device 40>
Returning to the description of the modeling system 1 shown in FIG. The printing device 40 is a printing unit that prints an image on the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100. The printing device 40 is an inkjet printer that prints an image by atomizing ink and spraying it directly onto a printing medium. The printing device 40 functions as a printing means.

FIG. 17 shows a detailed configuration of the printing apparatus 40. As shown in FIG. 17, the printing apparatus 40 can reciprocate in the main scanning direction D2 (X direction) orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction D1 (Y direction), which is the direction in which the heat-expandable sheet 100 is conveyed. To be equipped.

A print head 42 for executing printing and an ink cartridge 43 (43k, 43c, 43m, 43y) containing ink are attached to the carriage 41. The ink cartridges 43k, 43c, 43m, and 43y contain black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y color inks, respectively. The ink of each color is ejected from the corresponding nozzle of the print head 42.

The carriage 41 is slidably supported by the guide rail 44 and is narrowly held by the drive belt 45. The carriage 41 moves in the main scanning direction D2 together with the print head 42 and the ink cartridge 43 by driving the drive belt 45 by the rotation of the motor 45 m.

A platen 48 is provided at a position facing the print head 42 at the lower portion of the frame 47. The platen 48 extends in the main scanning direction D2 and forms a part of the transport path of the heat-expandable sheet 100. The transport path of the heat-expandable sheet 100 is provided with a paper feed roller pair 49a (lower roller is not shown) and a paper discharge roller pair 49b (lower roller is not shown). The paper feed roller pair 49a and the paper discharge roller pair 49b convey the heat-expandable sheet 100 supported by the platen 48 in the sub-scanning direction D1.

Although not shown, the printing device 40 includes a control unit such as a CPU and a storage unit such as a ROM, RAM, and non-volatile memory. In the control unit, the CPU controls the operation of the printing device 40 by executing the control program stored in the ROM while using the RAM as the work memory. Further, the printing device 40 is connected to the image processing device 30 via a flexible communication cable 46. The printing device 40 acquires print data and print control data from the image processing device 30 via the flexible communication cable 46 under the control of the control unit. Then, the printing apparatus 40 executes printing on the heat-expandable sheet 100 according to the acquired print data and print control data.

Specifically, the printing apparatus 40 controls the paper feed roller pair 49a and the paper output roller pair 49b to convey the heat-expandable sheet 100. Further, the printing device 40 rotates the motor 45m to move the carriage 41 and conveys the printing head 42 to an appropriate position in the main scanning direction D2. Then, the printing device 40 injects ink onto the heat-expandable sheet 100 to be conveyed to the print head 42, and prints a print image 250 (a shade image 200 to which the suppression pattern 220 is added) and a color image. ..

More specifically, the printing apparatus 40 prints the printed images 250 for the front surface and the back surface generated by the image processing apparatus 30 on the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 with black ink containing carbon black. .. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the printing apparatus 40 prints the printed image 250 on which the suppression pattern 220 is added to the margin areas on both sides on the heat-expandable sheet 100. Black ink containing carbon black is an example of a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat, and is also called heat-generating (heat-bearing) ink. Further, the printing apparatus 40 prints a color image on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 with at least one color ink of the color inks. Specifically, the color ink is a black K ink that does not contain cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and carbon black.

<Expansion device 50>
The expansion device 50 irradiates the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 with an electromagnetic wave to generate heat of the printed image 250 printed on the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100, and prints the heat-expandable sheet 100. An expansion unit that expands the printed portion of the image 250. The expansion device 50 functions as an expansion means.

FIG. 19 schematically shows the configuration of the expansion device 50. In FIG. 19, the X direction corresponds to the width direction of the expansion device 50, the Y direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the expansion device 50, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are orthogonal to each other. As shown in FIG. 19, the expansion device 50 includes a housing 51, an insertion unit 52, a tray 53, a ventilation unit 54, a transfer motor 55, a transfer rail 56, an irradiation unit 60, and a power supply unit 69. , And a control unit 70.

The insertion portion 52 is provided with an openable / closable door, and is a mechanism for inserting the heat-expandable sheet 100 into the housing 51. The user opens the insertion portion 52, slides the tray 53 and pulls it toward the front side, and then installs the heat-expandable sheet 100 on the tray 53 with the front surface or the back surface facing upward. Then, when the tray 53 on which the heat-expandable sheet 100 is installed is returned to the inside of the housing 51 and the insertion portion 52 is closed, the heat-expandable sheet 100 is arranged at a position where electromagnetic waves can be irradiated by the irradiation unit 60. ..

The tray 53 is a mechanism for installing the heat-expandable sheet 100 at an appropriate position in the housing 51. The tray 53 includes a sensor for detecting the heat-expandable sheet 100, and whether or not the heat-expandable sheet 100 is installed, and when the heat-expandable sheet 100 is installed, the heat-expandable sheet 100 is installed. Detect size.

The ventilation unit 54 is provided at the inner end of the expansion device 50 and ventilates the inside of the expansion device 50. The ventilation unit 54 includes at least one fan, and ventilates the inside of the housing 51 by discharging the air inside the housing 51 to the outside.

The transfer motor 55 is, for example, a stepping motor that operates in synchronization with pulse power, and moves the irradiation unit 60 along the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100. Inside the housing 51, a transport rail 56 is provided in the Y direction, that is, in a direction parallel to the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100. The irradiation unit 60 is attached to the transport rail 56 so that it can move along the transport rail 56. The irradiation unit 60 reciprocates along the transport rail 56 while keeping the distance from the heat-expandable sheet 100 constant, using the driving force accompanying the rotation of the transport motor 55 as a power source. The transfer motor 55 functions as a moving means for relatively moving the heat-expandable sheet 100 and the irradiation unit 60.

Specifically, the irradiation unit 60 has a first position P1 corresponding to the back end of the heat-expandable sheet 100 and a second position corresponding to the front end of the heat-expandable sheet 100. It moves back and forth between P2 and. The transfer motor 55 moves the irradiation unit 60 in the first direction from the first position P1 to the second position P2 and in the second direction from the second position P2 to the first position P1. .. The first position P1 is the initial position (home position) of the irradiation unit 60. The irradiation unit 60 stands by at the first position P1 when the expansion device 50 is not operating.

The irradiation unit 60 is a mechanism for irradiating electromagnetic waves, and irradiates the heat-expandable sheet 100 arranged on the tray 53 with electromagnetic waves. As shown in FIG. 19, the irradiation unit 60 includes a lamp heater 61, a reflector 62, a temperature sensor 63, a cooling unit 64, and a barcode reader 65.

The lamp heater 61 includes, for example, a halogen lamp as an irradiation source, and has a near-infrared region (wavelength 750 to 1400 nm), a visible light region (wavelength 380 to 750 nm), or an electromagnetic wave as an electromagnetic wave with respect to the heat-expandable sheet 100. , Irradiates light in the mid-infrared region (wavelength 140-4000 nm). The irradiation unit 60 and the lamp heater 61 function as irradiation means for irradiating the heat-expandable sheet 100 with energy by irradiating light in such a wavelength range.

When the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the printed image 250 printed with the black ink containing carbon black is printed is irradiated with light (energy), the portion where the printed image 250 is printed is compared with the portion where the printed image 250 is not printed. , Light is converted to heat more efficiently. Therefore, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the printed image 250 is printed is mainly heated, and expands when the heat-expanding agent reaches a temperature at which expansion starts. The irradiation unit 60 functions as a thermal expansion means for thermally expanding the heat-expandable sheet 100 by irradiating light (energy) while being conveyed by the transfer motor 55. The light emitted by the lamp heater 61 may be an electromagnetic wave, and is not limited to the light in the above wavelength range.

The reflector 62 is arranged so as to cover the upper side of the lamp heater 61, and is a mechanism for reflecting the light emitted from the lamp heater 61 toward the heat-expandable sheet 100. The temperature sensor 63 is a thermocouple, a thermistor, or the like, and functions as a measuring means for measuring the temperature of the reflector 62. The cooling unit 64 includes at least one fan, and cools the inside of the irradiation unit 60 and the housing 51 by blowing air to the irradiation unit 60.

The barcode reader 65 functions as a reading means for reading the barcode provided on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100. The barcode is an identifier for identifying the heat-expandable sheet 100, and is an identifier indicating that the heat-expandable sheet 100 is a dedicated sheet for modeling a modeled object. Although not shown, a plurality of barcodes are attached to the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 along the edges thereof. The barcode reader 65 includes a light source and an optical sensor, and optically reads the barcode by a well-known method. The barcode reader 65 is attached to the irradiation unit 60 and moves together with the irradiation unit 60.

The power supply unit 69 includes a power supply IC (Integrated Circuit) and the like, and creates and supplies necessary power to each unit in the expansion device 50. For example, the ventilation unit 54, the transfer motor 55, the lamp heater 61, and the cooling unit 64 operate by obtaining electric power from the power supply unit 69.

The control unit 70 is provided on a substrate arranged at the bottom of the housing 51. The control unit 70 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to each unit of the expansion device 50 via a system bus which is a transmission path for transferring instructions and data. In the control unit 70, the CPU reads the control program stored in the ROM and controls the operation of the entire expansion device 50 while using the RAM as the work memory.

Further, although not shown, the control unit 70 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory and a hard disk, a time measuring device such as an RTC (Real Time Clock), and a communication interface for communicating with the image processing device 30. Be prepared.

<Expansion processing>
The control unit 70 expands the heat-expandable sheet 100 by irradiating the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the printed image 250, that is, the shade image 200 to which the suppression pattern 220 is added, is printed by the printing device 40 with electromagnetic waves.

FIG. 20 shows how the expansion device 50 executes the expansion process. In the expansion process, the control unit 70 supplies a power supply voltage to the irradiation unit 60 to light the lamp heater 61. Then, the control unit 70 drives the transfer motor 55 in a state where the irradiation unit 60 is irradiated with electromagnetic waves. As a result, the control unit 70 moves the irradiation unit 60 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, that is, in the first direction by a predetermined distance. In this way, the control unit 70 moves the irradiation unit 60 from one end to the other of the heat-expandable sheet 100 to irradiate the entire front surface or back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 with electromagnetic waves.

The specified distance varies depending on the size of the heat-expandable sheet 100. For example, if the size of the heat-expandable sheet 100 is A3 size, the specified distance is the distance from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Alternatively, if the size of the heat-expandable sheet 100 is A4 size, the specified distance is half the distance from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

When an electromagnetic wave is irradiated by the irradiation unit 60, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the printed image 250 is printed with black ink containing carbon black generates heat and expands when heated to a specified temperature. ..

The specified temperature is a temperature at which the thermal expansion agent contained in the thermal expansion layer 102 starts expansion, for example, a temperature of about 80 ° C. to 120 ° C. The control unit 70 moves the irradiation unit 60, which irradiates the electromagnetic wave with a predetermined intensity, at a predetermined speed to bring the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the printed image 250 is printed to a temperature equal to or higher than the specified temperature. Heat. The predetermined strength and the predetermined speed are preset so that the heat-expandable sheet 100 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or higher.

In this way, the control unit 70 expands the heat-expandable sheet 100 by irradiating the irradiation unit 60 with electromagnetic waves while moving the irradiation unit 60 in the first direction by the transfer motor 55. The portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the printed image 250 is printed expands to a height corresponding to the density. As a result, a desired modeled object is formed on the heat-expandable sheet 100. At this time, not only the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the shade image 200 is printed but also the portion on which the suppression pattern 220 is printed expands, so that heat is suppressed while suppressing unnecessary deformation of the heat-expandable sheet 100. The expandable sheet 100 can be inflated. The portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the suppression pattern 220 is printed can be removed, for example, by cutting the margin region after taking out the heat-expandable sheet 100 from the expansion device 50.

By such an expansion process, the irradiation unit 60 reaches the second position P2. After executing the expansion process, although not shown, the control unit 70 is required while moving the irradiation unit 60 from the second position P2 to the first position P1, that is, returning the irradiation unit 60 to the initial position. Depending on the situation, the ventilation process by the ventilation unit 54 or the cooling process by the cooling unit 64 is executed. Specifically, the control unit 70 drives the ventilation unit 54 to discharge the air in the housing 51 heated by the expansion process to the outside. Further, the control unit 70 drives the cooling unit 64 to cool the irradiation unit 60 and the heat-expandable sheet 100 heated by the expansion treatment.

<Processing flow of modeling system 1>
The flow of processing executed in the modeling system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart.

First, with reference to FIG. 21, the flow of the print image generation process executed in the image processing apparatus 30 will be described. In the print image generation process shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 31 functions as the reception unit 311 and receives the designation of the modeled object to be modeled by the modeling system 1 (step S1). The user can operate the operation unit 33 to specify a desired modeled object from a plurality of modeled objects that can be modeled by the modeling system 1.

Upon receiving the designation of the modeled object, the control unit 31 functions as the determination unit 312 and determines whether or not the suppression pattern 220 needs to be printed when modeling the designated modeled object (step S2). The details of the determination process in step S2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the determination process shown in FIG. 22 starts, the control unit 31 extracts the high-density region 210 from the shade image 200 for modeling the designated modeled object (step S21). Specifically, the control unit 31 compares the brightness value of each pixel included in the shading image 200 with a preset threshold value, or by a method such as edge detection, the shading image 200 has a relative density. It is divided into a region with a relatively high concentration and a region with a relatively low concentration. Then, the control unit 31 extracts a region having a relatively high concentration as compared with the surroundings as a high concentration region 210.

When the high-concentration region 210 is extracted, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the shape of the high-concentration region 210 is long in one direction (step S22). Specifically, the control unit 31 calculates the ratio of the shorter length to the longer length of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high concentration region 210. Then, the control unit 31 determines that the shape of the high concentration region 210 is an elongated shape that easily deforms the heat-expandable sheet 100 when the calculated ratio is smaller than the first reference value.

When the shape of the high concentration region 210 is elongated (step S22; YES), the control unit 31 determines whether the size of the high concentration region 210 is large enough to deform the heat-expandable sheet 100 and the concentration is high. (Step S23). Specifically, the control unit 31 calculates the ratio of the area of the high concentration region 210 to the size of the heat-expandable sheet 100. Then, when the calculated ratio is larger than the second reference value, the determination unit 312 determines that the high concentration region 210 is large enough to deform the heat-expandable sheet 100. Further, the control unit 31 calculates the average brightness value of each pixel included in the high density region 210. Then, when the calculated average is smaller than the third reference value, the determination unit 312 determines that the concentration of the high concentration region 210 is high enough to deform the heat-expandable sheet 100.

When the size of the high density region 210 is large enough to deform the heat-expandable sheet 100 and the density is high (step S23; YES), the control unit 31 determines that the suppression pattern 220 needs to be printed (step S23; YES). Step 24). On the other hand, when the shape of the high concentration region 210 is not elongated (step S22; NO), or even if the shape of the high concentration region 210 is elongated, the heat-expandable sheet 100 is deformed to such an extent. When the size of the high density region 210 is small or the density is not high (step S23; NO), the control unit 31 determines that printing of the suppression pattern 220 is unnecessary (step 25). As a result, the determination process shown in FIG. 22 is completed.

When it is determined that the suppression pattern 220 needs to be printed as a result of the determination process shown in FIG. 22 (step S2; YES), the control unit 31 functions as the generation unit 313 and displays the suppression pattern 220 on the grayscale image 200. The added print image 250 is generated (step S3). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, for example, the control unit 31 generates the printed image 250 by adding the suppression pattern 220 to the margin area on at least one side of the shading image 200.

On the other hand, when it is determined that printing of the suppression pattern 220 is not necessary (step S2; NO), the control unit 31 skips the process of step S3. In other words, when the suppression pattern 220 does not need to be printed, the control unit 31 does not add the suppression pattern 220 to the grayscale image 200, and generates the grayscale image 200 as it is as the print image 250.

When the print image 250 is generated, the control unit 31 functions as an output unit 314 and outputs print data including the data of the generated print image 250 and the corresponding color image data to the printing device 40 (step S4). Specifically, the control unit 31 communicates with the printing device 40 via the communication unit 36, and outputs the generated print data to the printing device 40 together with the print control data. In step S4, the control unit 31 functions as an output unit 314. As a result, the print image generation process shown in FIG. 21 is completed.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 and the cross-sectional view of the heat-expandable sheet 100 shown in FIGS. The flow will be described.

First, the user prepares the heat-expandable sheet 100 before the modeled object is modeled. Then, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 100 into the printing apparatus 40 with its surface facing upward. The printing apparatus 40 prints the conversion layer 104 on the surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 100 (step S100). The conversion layer 104 is a layer formed of a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat, specifically, black ink containing carbon black. The printing device 40 prints on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 according to the data (surface foaming data) of the printed image 250 to be printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 among the print data output from the image processing device 30. , Discharges black ink containing carbon black. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24A, the conversion layer 104 is formed on the ink receiving layer 103.

Second, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the conversion layer 104 is printed into the expansion device 50 with its surface facing upward. The expansion device 50 irradiates the surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 100 with electromagnetic waves by the irradiation unit 60 (step S200). The conversion layer 104 printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 generates heat by absorbing the irradiated electromagnetic waves. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24B, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the conversion layer 104 is printed rises and expands.

Third, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 100 whose surface is heated and expanded into the printing apparatus 40 with its surface facing upward. The printing apparatus 40 prints the color ink layer 105 on the surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 100 (step S300). Specifically, the printing device 40 has a surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 of cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y according to the color image data of the print data output from the image processing device 30. Discharges at least one color of ink. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24 (c), the color ink layer 105 is formed on the ink receiving layer 103 and the conversion layer 104.

When printing a black or gray color image on the color ink layer 105, the printing device 40 is formed by mixing three color inks of cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y, or carbon black. It is formed by further using a black ink that does not contain. This prevents the portion where the color ink layer 105 is formed from being heated in the expansion device 50.

Fourth, the user turns over the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the color ink layer 105 is printed and inserts the heat-expandable sheet 100 into the expansion device 50 with the back surface facing upward. The expansion device 50 irradiates the back surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 100 with electromagnetic waves by the irradiation unit 60 to heat the heat-expandable sheet 100 from the back surface. As a result, the expansion device 50 volatilizes the solvent contained in the color ink layer 105 to dry the color ink layer 105 (step S400). By drying the color ink layer 105, the heat-expandable sheet 100 can be easily expanded in a later step.

Fifth, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the color ink layer 105 is printed into the printing apparatus 40 with the back surface facing upward. The printing apparatus 40 prints the conversion layer 106 on the back surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 100 (step S500). The conversion layer 106 is a layer formed of a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat, specifically black ink containing carbon black, similarly to the conversion layer 104 printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100. The printing device 40 applies the print data output from the image processing device 30 to the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 according to the data of the print image 250 to be printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 (back surface foaming data). , Discharges black ink containing carbon black. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24 (d), the conversion layer 106 is formed on the back surface of the base material 101.

Sixth, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the conversion layer 106 is printed into the expansion device 50 with its back surface facing upward. The expansion device 50 irradiates the back surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 100 with electromagnetic waves by the irradiation unit 60 (step S600). The conversion layer 106 printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 generates heat by absorbing the irradiated electromagnetic waves. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24 (e), the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the conversion layer 106 is printed rises and expands.

In addition, in FIGS. 24A to 24E, the conversion layer 104 and the color ink layer 105 are shown to be formed on the ink receiving layer 103 for easy understanding. However, more accurately, the color ink and the black ink are absorbed inside the ink receiving layer 103, so that they are formed in the ink receiving layer 103.

As described above, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the conversion layers 104 and 106 are formed expands, so that a color model is formed on the heat-expandable sheet 100. The conversion layers 104 and 106 are heated more as the concentration thereof is higher, so that the conversion layers 104 and 106 expand more. Therefore, by adjusting the shading of the conversion layers 104 and 106 according to the target height, it is possible to obtain shaped objects having various shapes.

Either one of the treatment of heating the heat-expandable sheet 100 from the front surface and the treatment of heating the heat-expandable sheet 100 from the back surface may be omitted. For example, when only the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 is heated and expanded, steps S500 and S600 in FIG. 23 are omitted. On the other hand, when only the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 100 is heated and expanded, steps S100 and S200 in FIG. 23 are omitted. Further, the printing of the color image in step S300 may be executed after the process of heating the heat-expandable sheet 100 from the back surface in step S600.

Further, when forming a monochrome stereoscopic image, the printing apparatus 40 may print a monochrome image instead of the color image in step S300. In this case, a layer of black ink is formed on the ink receiving layer 103 and the conversion layer 104 instead of the color ink layer 105.

As described above, in the modeling system 1 according to the present embodiment, the image processing device 30 adds a suppression pattern 220 for suppressing deformation of the heat-expandable sheet 100 to the shade image 200 for modeling the modeled object. The added print image 250 is generated. Then, the printing device 40 prints the printed image 250 including the suppression pattern 220 on the heat-expandable sheet 100, and the expansion device 50 transmits an electromagnetic wave to the heat-expandable sheet 100 on which the printed image 250 including the suppression pattern 220 is printed. Irradiate and inflate. By adding the suppression pattern 220 to the shading image 200 and printing in this way, it is possible to suppress unnecessary deformation such as warping of the heat-expandable sheet 100 when the heat-expandable sheet 100 expands. .. As a result, a desired modeled object can be accurately produced on the heat-expandable sheet 100.

(Modification example)
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is an example, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the embodiments of the present invention can be applied in various ways, and all the embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the determination unit 312 determines whether or not the shade distribution in the shade image 200 satisfies a specific condition, that is, the suppression pattern 220, based on the shape, size, and density of the high density region 210. It was determined whether printing was necessary. However, in the present invention, as a simpler configuration, the determination unit 312 omits the process of determining the size or density of the high density region 210, and prints the suppression pattern 220 based only on the shape of the high density region 210. May be determined whether or not is required. That is, when the heat-expandable sheet 100 has a shape that is easily deformed at the time of expansion, such as a shape that is long in one direction, the determination unit 312 determines that the shade distribution in the shade image 200 satisfies a specific condition. You may. Further, only one of the size and the density of the high concentration region 210 may be used for the determination.

Alternatively, the determination unit 312 may determine whether or not the suppression pattern 220 needs to be printed by using conditions other than the shape, size, or density of the high density region 210. For example, the determination unit 312 needs to print the suppression pattern 220 when the shade distribution in the shade image 200 corresponds to the distribution in which the heat-expandable sheet 100 is empirically or experimentally found to be easily deformed. That is, it may be determined that the shade distribution satisfies a specific condition.

Further, the image processing device 30 may not have the function of the determination unit 312, and an external device other than the image processing device 30 may have the function of the determination unit 312. The external device is a server or the like installed remotely from the image processing device 30. For example, when the light and shade image 200 is generated by an external device, the external device determines whether or not the light and shade distribution in the generated light and shade image 200 satisfies a specific condition, and the generated light and shade image 200 is generated. At the same time, the determination result may be provided to the image processing device 30.

In the above embodiment, the image processing device 30 has a function of a generation unit 313 that generates a printed image 250 in which a suppression pattern 220 is added to the shading image 200 when the shading distribution in the shading image 200 satisfies a specific condition. I was prepared. However, in the present invention, the image processing device 30 does not have to have the function of the generation unit 313. That is, when the shading distribution in the shading image 200 satisfies a specific condition, the output unit 314 outputs the suppressing pattern 220 and the shading image 200 to the printing device 40, respectively, and outputs the suppressing pattern 220 to the printing device 40. May be printed on the heat-expandable sheet 100 together with the shading image 200.

Further, the image processing device 30 includes images of a plurality of predetermined patterns as candidates for the suppression pattern 220 in the storage unit 32, and the generation unit 313 or the output unit 314 responds to the determination result by the determination unit 312. Therefore, the suppression pattern 220 to be printed together with the grayscale image 200 may be selected from the plurality of patterns. In this case, for example, when the shape of the high density region 210 is elongated, the area is larger, or the density is higher, that is, when the degree of distortion is larger, the generation unit 313 or the output unit 314 can be used as the suppression pattern 220. Select a pattern that is more elongated in shape, has a larger area, or has a higher density. As described above, the generation unit 313 or the output unit 314 may select the suppression pattern 220 corresponding to the degree of distortion from the plurality of predetermined patterns.

In the above embodiment, the heat-expandable sheet 100 includes a base material 101, a heat-expandable layer 102, and an ink receiving layer 103. However, in the present invention, the configuration of the heat-expandable sheet 100 is not limited to this. For example, the heat-expandable sheet 100 may not be provided with the ink receiving layer 103, or may be provided with a peelable peeling layer on the front surface or the back surface. Alternatively, the heat-expandable sheet 100 may include a layer made of any other material.

In the above embodiment, the image processing device 30, the printing device 40, and the expansion device 50 are independent devices. However, in the present invention, at least any two of the image processing device 30, the printing device 40, and the expansion device 50 may be integrated.

In the above embodiment, the expansion device 50 includes a transport motor 55 as a moving means for moving the irradiation unit 60, and transmits electromagnetic waves to the heat-expandable sheet 100 whose position is fixed while moving the irradiation unit 60. The heat-expandable sheet 100 was expanded by the irradiation method. However, the expansion device 50 includes a transport mechanism for transporting the heat-expandable sheet 100, and irradiates the transported heat-expandable sheet 100 with electromagnetic waves from the irradiation unit 60 whose position is fixed. The heat-expandable sheet 100 may be expanded. As described above, the expansion device 50 may inflate the heat-expandable sheet 100 by any method as long as the heat-expandable sheet 100 and the irradiation unit 60 can be relatively moved.

The printing method of the printing device 40 is not limited to the inkjet method. For example, the printing device 40 is a laser printer, and an image may be printed by using toner and a developing agent. Further, the conversion layers 104 and 106 may be formed of a material other than black ink containing carbon black as long as it is a material that easily converts electromagnetic waves into heat. In this case, the conversion layers 104 and 106 may be formed by means other than the printing apparatus 40.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 31 of the image processing device 30 includes a CPU, and functions as a reception unit 311, a determination unit 312, a generation unit 313, and an output unit 314 by the function of the CPU. However, in the image processing apparatus 30 according to the present invention, instead of the CPU, the control unit 31 is dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or various control circuits. The hardware provided with the hardware may function as the reception unit 311, the determination unit 312, the generation unit 313, and the output unit 314. In this case, each process may be executed on individual hardware, or each process may be collectively executed on a single piece of hardware. Further, part of each process may be executed by dedicated hardware, and the other part may be executed by software or firmware.

It should be noted that the image processing apparatus 30 provided in advance with a configuration for realizing the function according to the present invention can be provided, and the image processing exemplified in the above embodiment can be applied to a computer that controls the image processing apparatus 30 by applying a program. It is also possible to realize each functional configuration by the device 30. That is, a program for realizing each functional configuration by the image processing device 30 illustrated in the above embodiment can be applied so that a CPU or the like that controls an existing information processing device or the like can execute the program.

The method of applying such a program is arbitrary. The program can be stored and applied in a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or memory card. Further, the program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and applied via a communication medium such as the Internet. For example, the program may be posted and distributed on a bulletin board system (BBS: Bulletin Board System) on a communication network. Then, by starting this program and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS (Operating System), the above processing may be executed.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and the equivalent range thereof. included. The inventions described in the claims of the original application of the present application are described below.

(Appendix 1)
When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the shade image shows the expansion of the heat-expandable sheet. A generation means for generating a printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of a heat-expandable sheet is added, and
A printing means for printing the printed image generated by the generating means on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat.
An expansion means for expanding the heat-expandable sheet by irradiating the heat-expandable sheet on which the printed image is printed by the printing means with an electromagnetic wave.
A modeling system characterized by being equipped with.
(Appendix 2)
A means for determining whether or not the distribution of light and shade satisfies the specific condition based on the shape of the high density area which is a region where the density is relatively high in the light and shade image.
Further prepare
When the determination means determines that the specific condition is satisfied, the generation means generates the print image in which the suppression pattern is added to the shading image.
The modeling system according to Appendix 1, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that.
(Appendix 3)
The specific condition is satisfied when the ratio of the shorter length to the longer length of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high concentration region is smaller than the first reference value. ,
The modeling system according to Appendix 2, characterized in that.
(Appendix 4)
When the high-concentration region has a long shape in one direction, the generation means uses a pattern having a long shape in a direction perpendicular to the one direction as the suppression pattern in the one direction of the grayscale image. By adding to the margin area on at least one side, the printed image is generated.
The modeling system according to Appendix 2 or 3, characterized in that.
(Appendix 5)
The determination means determines whether or not the distribution of the light and shade satisfies the specific condition based on the shape of the high concentration region and the size or concentration of the high concentration region.
The modeling system according to any one of Appendix 2 to 4, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that.
(Appendix 6)
Under the specific conditions, the ratio of the shorter length to the longer length of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high concentration region is smaller than the first reference value, and the heat. It is satisfied when the ratio of the size of the high concentration region to the size of the expandable sheet is larger than the second reference value.
The modeling system according to Appendix 5, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that.
(Appendix 7)
Under the specific conditions, the ratio of the shorter length to the longer length of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high concentration region is smaller than the first reference value, and the height is high. Satisfied when the average of the luminance values in the density region is smaller than the third reference value.
The modeling system according to Appendix 5 or 6, characterized in that.
(Appendix 8)
The generation means generates the printed image by adding a pattern having a different shape, size or density depending on the shape, size or density of the high density region to the grayscale image as the suppression pattern.
The modeling system according to any one of Supplementary note 2 to 7, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that.
(Appendix 9)
An image processing device that generates a printed image printed on a heat-expandable sheet that expands when an electromagnetic wave is irradiated in the expansion device with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat in the printing device.
When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the heat-expandable sheet is expanded in the shade image. A generation means for generating the printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of the heat-expandable sheet is added, and
An output means that outputs the printed image generated by the generation means to the printing apparatus and causes the printing apparatus to print the printed image on the heat-expandable sheet with the material.
An image processing device comprising.
(Appendix 10)
When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the shade image shows the expansion of the heat-expandable sheet. A generation step of generating a printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of the heat-expandable sheet is added, and
A printing step of printing the printed image generated in the generation step on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat,
In the printing step, the heat-expandable sheet on which the printed image is printed is irradiated with electromagnetic waves to expand the heat-expandable sheet to produce a modeled object.
A method for manufacturing a modeled object, which comprises.
(Appendix 11)
A computer that produces a printed image printed with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat in a printing device on a heat-expandable sheet that expands when it is irradiated with electromagnetic waves in the expansion device.
When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the heat-expandable sheet is expanded in the shade image. A generation means for generating the printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of the heat-expandable sheet is added.
An output means that outputs the printed image generated by the generation means to the printing apparatus and causes the printing apparatus to print the printed image on the heat-expandable sheet with the material.
A program to function as.
(Appendix 12)
Computer,
An image printed on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that becomes hot when irradiated with a predetermined electromagnetic wave in order to heat-expand the heat-expandable sheet allows the heat-expandable sheet to have a predetermined tolerance with the heat expansion. Judgment means for determining whether or not the image is distorted or warped excessively.
When the image printed on the heat-expandable sheet is determined by the determination means to be an image that distorts or warps the heat-expandable sheet beyond a predetermined tolerance, the said image accompanying the thermal expansion. A printing control means for printing a suppression pattern for suppressing distortion or warpage of a heat-expandable sheet on the heat-expandable sheet together with the image.
A program characterized by functioning as.
(Appendix 13)
Computer,
An image printed on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that becomes hot when irradiated with a predetermined electromagnetic wave in order to heat-expand the heat-expandable sheet allows the heat-expandable sheet to have a predetermined tolerance with the heat expansion. Judgment means for determining the degree of distortion that distorts or warps beyond the degree,
A print control means for printing a suppression pattern for suppressing distortion or warpage of the heat-expandable sheet due to the thermal expansion corresponding to the determined degree of distortion on the heat-expandable sheet together with the image.
A program characterized by functioning as.

1 ... Modeling system, 10 ... Modeled object, 30 ... Image processing device, 31 ... Control unit, 32 ... Storage unit, 33 ... Operation unit, 34 ... Display unit, 35 ... Recording medium drive unit, 36 ... Communication unit, 40 ... Printing device, 41 ... Carriage, 42 ... Printing head, 43, 43k, 43c, 43m, 43y ... Ink cartridge, 44 ... Guide rail, 45 ... Drive belt, 45m ... Motor, 46 ... Flexible communication cable, 47 ... Frame, 48 ... Platen, 49a ... Paper feed roller pair, 49b ... Paper discharge roller pair, 50 ... Expansion device, 51 ... Housing, 52 ... Insertion part, 53 ... Tray, 54 ... Ventilation part, 55 ... Conveyor motor, 56 ... Conveyance rail , 60 ... irradiation unit, 61 ... lamp heater, 62 ... reflector, 63 ... temperature sensor, 64 ... cooling unit, 65 ... bar code reader, 69 ... power supply unit, 70 ... control unit, 100 ... thermoexpandable sheet, 101 ... Substrate, 102 ... Thermal expansion layer, 103 ... Ink receiving layer, 104, 106 ... Conversion layer, 105 ... Color ink layer, 200, 200a to 200 g ... Shading image, 210 ... High density region, 220 ... Suppression pattern, 250 ... Printed image, 311 ... Reception unit, 312 ... Judgment unit, 313 ... Generation unit, 314 ... Output unit, 321 ... Modeling data, D1 ... Sub-scanning direction, D2 ... Main scanning direction

Claims (13)

When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the shade image shows the expansion of the heat-expandable sheet. A generation means for generating a printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of a heat-expandable sheet is added, and
A printing means for printing the printed image generated by the generating means on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat.
An expansion means for expanding the heat-expandable sheet by irradiating the heat-expandable sheet on which the printed image is printed by the printing means with an electromagnetic wave.
A modeling system characterized by being equipped with. A means for determining whether or not the distribution of light and shade satisfies the specific condition based on the shape of the high density area which is a region where the density is relatively high in the light and shade image.
Further prepare
When the determination means determines that the specific condition is satisfied, the generation means generates the print image in which the suppression pattern is added to the shading image.
The modeling system according to claim 1. The specific condition is satisfied when the ratio of the shorter length to the longer length of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high concentration region is smaller than the first reference value. ,
The modeling system according to claim 2, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that. When the high-concentration region has a long shape in one direction, the generation means uses a pattern having a long shape in a direction perpendicular to the one direction as the suppression pattern in the one direction of the grayscale image. By adding to the margin area on at least one side, the printed image is generated.
The modeling system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that. The determination means determines whether or not the distribution of the light and shade satisfies the specific condition based on the shape of the high concentration region and the size or concentration of the high concentration region.
The modeling system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that. Under the specific conditions, the ratio of the shorter length to the longer length of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high concentration region is smaller than the first reference value, and the heat. It is satisfied when the ratio of the size of the high concentration region to the size of the expandable sheet is larger than the second reference value.
The modeling system according to claim 5, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that. Under the specific conditions, the ratio of the shorter length to the longer length of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the high concentration region is smaller than the first reference value, and the height is high. Satisfied when the average of the luminance values in the density region is smaller than the third reference value.
The modeling system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that. The generation means generates the printed image by adding a pattern having a different shape, size or density depending on the shape, size or density of the high density region to the grayscale image as the suppression pattern.
The modeling system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the modeling system is characterized in that. An image processing device that generates a printed image printed on a heat-expandable sheet that expands when an electromagnetic wave is irradiated in the expansion device with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat in the printing device.
When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the heat-expandable sheet is expanded in the shade image. A generation means for generating the printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of the heat-expandable sheet is added, and
An output means that outputs the printed image generated by the generation means to the printing apparatus and causes the printing apparatus to print the printed image on the heat-expandable sheet with the material.
An image processing device comprising. When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the shade image shows the expansion of the heat-expandable sheet. A generation step of generating a printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of the heat-expandable sheet is added, and
A printing step of printing the printed image generated in the generation step on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat,
In the printing step, the heat-expandable sheet on which the printed image is printed is irradiated with electromagnetic waves to expand the heat-expandable sheet to produce a modeled object.
A method for manufacturing a modeled object, which comprises. A computer that produces a printed image printed with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat in a printing device on a heat-expandable sheet that expands when it is irradiated with electromagnetic waves in the expansion device.
When the distribution of the shade in the shade image showing the expanded portion and the degree of expansion by the shade in the heat-expandable sheet satisfies a specific condition, the heat-expandable sheet is expanded in the shade image. A generation means for generating the printed image to which a suppression pattern for suppressing deformation of the heat-expandable sheet is added.
An output means that outputs the printed image generated by the generation means to the printing apparatus and causes the printing apparatus to print the printed image on the heat-expandable sheet with the material.
A program to function as. Computer,
An image printed on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that becomes hot when irradiated with a predetermined electromagnetic wave in order to heat-expand the heat-expandable sheet allows the heat-expandable sheet to have a predetermined tolerance with the heat expansion. Judgment means for determining whether or not the image is distorted or warped excessively.
When the image printed on the heat-expandable sheet is determined by the determination means to be an image that distorts or warps the heat-expandable sheet beyond a predetermined tolerance, the said image accompanying the thermal expansion. A printing control means for printing a suppression pattern for suppressing distortion or warpage of a heat-expandable sheet on the heat-expandable sheet together with the image.
A program characterized by functioning as. Computer,
An image printed on the heat-expandable sheet with a material that becomes hot when irradiated with a predetermined electromagnetic wave in order to heat-expand the heat-expandable sheet allows the heat-expandable sheet to have a predetermined tolerance with the heat expansion. Judgment means for determining the degree of distortion that distorts or warps beyond the degree,
A print control means for printing a suppression pattern for suppressing distortion or warpage of the heat-expandable sheet due to the thermal expansion corresponding to the determined degree of distortion on the heat-expandable sheet together with the image.
A program characterized by functioning as.

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