KR20170143367A - Controlling method of three dimensional printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a controlling method of a three-dimensional printer for enhancing usage convenience and accessibility of the three-dimensional printer. The controlling method of a three-dimensional printer generates a community for using the three-dimensional printer, receives a scheduling request from a user who is a member of the community, and provides authority for use of the three-dimensional printer to the user by approving the scheduling request.

Description

{Controlling method of three dimensional printer}

The present invention relates to a control method of a three-dimensional printer.

A three-dimensional printing or additive process forms a three-dimensional item (3D object) from three-dimensional data (e.g., a computer-aided design (CAD) model). 3D printing differs from a subtractive process such as cutting or drilling in that it forms items while continuously stacking the material layers.

Three-dimensional printing can be performed by various methods such as FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), EBF ³ (Direct Metal Laser Sintering), DMLS (Selective Laser Sintering), LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing), SLA have. Such 3D printing can be used in a great many fields such as prototyping, architecture, industrial design, automobile, aviation, engineering, education, jewelry, and fashion.

U.S. Published Patent Application No. US2012 / 0219698 (published on August 30, 2012)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of a three-dimensional printer for improving ease of use and accessibility of a three-dimensional printer.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other matters not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a three-dimensional printer, the method comprising: generating a community for use of a three-dimensional printer; receiving a scheduling request from a user who is a member of the community; And authorizing the user to use the 3D printer.

And setting an alert to provide the user with a notification related to the operation of the 3D printer.

The notification may include a moving picture or a snapshot of the printing operation of the 3D printer.

The three-dimensional printer is provided with an external peripheral device capable of establishing network connectivity, and the external peripheral device may include a camera.

Creating the community may accept an invitation request provided by a member of the community to create the community.

The administrator of the community may be the owner of the 3D printer or the owner of the 3D printer designated by the owner.

Another aspect of the method for controlling a three-dimensional printer according to the present invention for solving the above problems is to subscribe to a community for use of a three-dimensional printer and to provide a manager of the community with a scheduling request And receiving from the manager the usage right of the 3D printer and receiving a notification related to the operation of the 3D printer.

Other specific details of the invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

1 is a view for explaining a network environment related to a method of controlling a three-dimensional printer according to some embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the exemplary three-dimensional printer of Fig. 1. Fig.
3 and 4 are a block diagram and a front view for explaining the external connection device of FIG. 1, respectively.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a three-dimensional printer according to some embodiments of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a three-dimensional printer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

One element is referred to as being "connected to " or" coupled to "another element, either directly connected or coupled to another element, One case. On the other hand, when one element is referred to as being "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to " another element, it does not intervene another element in the middle. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. "And / or" include each and every combination of one or more of the mentioned items.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, components and / or sections, it is needless to say that these elements, components and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, element or section from another element, element or section. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first element, the first element or the first section mentioned below may be the second element, the second element or the second section within the technical spirit of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. It is noted that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" used in the specification are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the components, steps, operations, and / Or additions.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used in a sense commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, commonly used predefined terms are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly defined otherwise.

1 is a view for explaining a network environment related to a method of controlling a three-dimensional printer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a three-dimensional printer 10, a control server 30, and a plurality of users P1 to P3 can be connected through a network 20. [

The three-dimensional printer 10 may be any type of printer. For example, any one of the FDM (Fused deposition modeling), EBF 3 (Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication), DMLS (Direct metal laser sintering), SLS (Selective laser sintering), LOM (Laminated object manufacturing), SLA (Stereolithography) Can be used.

The three-dimensional printer 10 may include a communication module capable of connecting to the network 20 therein. Alternatively, when the 3D printer 10 does not include a communication module, an external connection device (e.g., a dongle) (e.g., a printer, a printer, etc.) that can make network connectivity to the 3D printer 10 11) can be installed (see Figs. 3 and 4).

Meanwhile, as will be described later, in some embodiments of the present invention, the external connection device 11 installed in the three-dimensional printer 10 includes the camera 140. Accordingly, the users P1 to P3 can view the printing operation of the three-dimensional printer 10 in real time (streaming service) or confirm at least one snapshot of the printing operation.

The network 20 may be any type of network. For example, wireless LAN (WLAN), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) (Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000), EV-DO (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) (IEEE 802.16), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), Wireless Mobile Broadband Service (WMBS), Bluetooth (High Speed Uplink Packet Access) , Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Ultra Sound Communication (USC) Visible Light Communication (VLC), Wi-Fi, This can be Wi-Fi Direct.

The control server 30 can be any type as long as it can perform the operations described below. The control server 30 may be physically implemented as a plurality of servers or as a single server. Functionally, the control server 30 may be implemented in the form of a web server, a database server, a proxy server, or the like.

The plurality of users P1 to P3 are devices capable of driving the three-dimensional printer 10 through the network 20. [ These users P1 to P3 may be, for example, a smart phone, a portable terminal, a mobile terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP) A portable terminal, a telematics terminal, a navigation terminal, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a slate PC, a tablet PC, an ultrabook, a wearable device, For example, a smartwatch, a smart glass, and a head mounted display (HMD)), a wibro terminal, an internet protocol television (IPTV) terminal, a smart TV, The present invention can be applied to all electronic products capable of transmitting and / or receiving in a wired / wireless environment such as an AVN (Audio Video Navigation) terminal, an A / V (Audio / Video) system and a flexible terminal.

A plurality of users P1 to P3 may be members of a community (CM) directly related to the use of the three-dimensional printer 10. Also, at least one (e.g., P1) of the plurality of users P1 to P3 may be the administrator of the community CM. Here, the manager P1 may be the owner of the three-dimensional printer 10. Or, it may be a person appointed by the owner and delegated the authority of the owner. The remaining (for example, P2 and P3) may be the person who has been given the right to use the 3D printer 10 from the manager P1.

The community CM can be created on the Internet (e.g., platform) by the manager P1. It is noted that the community (CM) is a community bounded by one three-dimensional printer (10). That is, it may be a community in which the owner of the three-dimensional printer 10 and those who want to use the three-dimensional printer are bound.

The community (CM), by default, has a privilege for the administrator (P1) to control the system.

The process of becoming a member of the community (CM) begins with an invitation or an invitation request.

That is, the manager (P1) of the community (CM) can send an invitation to someone who has, for example, an email address or an account of another site. If the recipient does not yet have an account for the platform (where the community (CM) is created), then an account creation of the platform may be required before becoming a member of the community (CM).

Conversely, a member of the platform (e.g., P2) may send an invitation request to the manager (P1) of the community (CM) via the network (20). Of course, the manager P1 may ignore the invitation request or accept the invitation request.

Within the community (CM), or within the web or mobile platform, there may be a chat interface for communication between the users (P1-P3) of the community (CM).

The three-dimensional printer 10 corresponding to the community CM can be used by the users P1 to P3 belonging to the community CM. However, naturally all the users P1 to P3 can not use the three-dimensional printer 10 at the same time. Therefore, the manager P1 must grant the right to use the three-dimensional printer 10 to the remaining users P2 and P3.

To this end, the user (for example, P2) must first make a scheduling request to the manager P1. The scheduling request may be in various forms. For example, a request for allocation of use time (that is, a use time from a certain time to a certain time), an allocation order of use order (for example, when the current printing is completed) Requests (e.g., letting the platform print a particular model), or a combination of these requests.

The scheduling request must be acknowledged to the manager P1. The approval by the manager P1 may be various schemes. The scheduling request of the user P2 can be accepted as it is or can be accommodated by changing it. Optionally, prior to making a change, the user P2 may be offered a reverse first. The manager P1 may grant only a part of the user right to the user P2. For example, the manager P1 may not give the user P2 a live video streaming right.

After the approval, during the approved period, the user P2 can directly control the three-dimensional printer 10. The user P2 who is authorized to directly deal with the three-dimensional printer 10 can perform the following operations.

- Start / end of the print job of the three-dimensional printer (10)

- Streaming a g-code command that can affect the operation of the 3D printer 10 in real time (in real time)

- Live video streaming authority: During the operation of the 3D printer 10, a print job can be monitored. That is, it can be confirmed through the camera 140 of the external connection device 11 provided in the three-dimensional printer 10. By being granted such authority, the user P2 can confirm the print progress of the three-dimensional model requested by the user (i.e., how many percent of the print is in progress).

On the other hand, the administrator P1 temporarily grants the user P2 the usage right of the 3D printer 10, but the administrator P1 can still have the management authority of the 3D printer 10. For example, the manager P1 may perform a task of granting a usage right according to a scheduling request of another user P3, monitoring a printing operation, stopping the printing operation of the 3D printer 10 if necessary .

On the other hand, if the user P2 does not have a live video streaming right, the user P2 is in progress and periodically updating the static image of the 3D printer 10 You may be authorized to access the Site.

That is, every predetermined interval, the external connection device 11 can take a printing operation as a static image (snapshot). For each specific interval, the taken snapshot may be uploaded to the platform (or community) or to the terminal of the user P2.

On the other hand, an interval at which each new static image (snapshot) is taken can be set by the manager P1.

Further, if necessary, the user P2 can receive a notification related to the printing operation. Through this, the user P2 can acquire status updates information related to the three-dimensional model requested by the user. The manager P1 may, for example, make a notification setting that includes at least some of the following:

- frequency of sending status update information (frequency)

- Whether to include snapshots or videos in each status update

- whether another user (e.g., P3) in the community (CM) receives a completion notification when the print operation of the specific model is completed

- From which time until which time the notifications were sent or held

- whether or not to send a notification to the user requesting printing of the specific three-dimensional model at the start and / or end of printing of the specific three-dimensional model

- Contents of each status update information: nozzle, heat bed temperature, print progress of the current 3-dimensional model (several%), print end point of current on-going 3-dimensional model, At least one of the viewpoint / end-of-view point, general print status, and file name being printed may be included in the notification.

According to these settings, the server 30 can check the status of the three-dimensional printer 10 and send a notification to the user P2.

A community of users P1 to P3 using one three-dimensional printer 10 on a network (for example, a platform) is created, and the administrator of the community P1 uses the three- The plurality of users P2 and P3 can use one 3D printer 10 by giving them to the other users P2 and P3. Through such a platform and community, more and more people can use the 3D printer 10 more easily.

In the case of the three-dimensional printer 10 having no network connectivity, an external peripheral device (e.g., a dongle) capable of establishing network connectivity is installed in the input / output connection port of the three-dimensional printer 10, (10) can be easily connected to the network.

In addition, the external peripheral device includes a camera, so that a plurality of users P1 to P3 can directly check the current state of the 3D printer 10, the progress of printing, and the like.

Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the exemplary three-dimensional printer of Fig. 1. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 2, the three-dimensional printer may include a controller D20, a support D 140, an effector D10, a nozzle D192, a source supply D30, and the like.

The support member D140 is a space for forming the three-dimensional item D191. The support base D140 may be fixed or may be moved or rotated under the control of the controller D20. In addition, the support base D140 can lightly adhere the three-dimensional item D191 to the support base D140 in order to stably fix the three-dimensional item D191. Alternatively, heat may be applied to the support (D140) (i.e., serve as a heat bed).

The source supply D30 can supply the source material to the nozzle D192. For example, the source material may be in the form of a filament. Alternatively, the source material may be in the form of a pellet, a powder, or a liquid plastic, and is not limited to a specific form. When the source material has a filament shape, the source supply D30 may be in the form of a holder in which filaments are wound.

The source (i.e., the filament) is transferred to the effector D10 through the tube D31.

The effector D10 melts the transferred filament and discharges the molten filament through the nozzle D192 onto the support base D140.

The controller D20 can control the support base D140, the source providing unit D30, the effector D10, and the like.

Further, the controller D20 can process the source data related to the three-dimensional item D191 to be printed, that is, three-dimensional data (for example, g-code). The three-dimensional data can be sliced into a plurality of two-dimensional data (i.e., data for creating a layer). Here, the three-dimensional data includes (x, y, z) coordinate values, and the two-dimensional data refers to (x, y) coordinate values having no z value. Here, since the z value is fixed to a constant value, the two-dimensional data does not include the z value.

The source data may be directly input by the user to the three-dimensional printer, or may be data stored in a server, a terminal (for example, a personal computer, a notebook, another three-dimensional printer, etc.) have.

The manner in which the effector D10 (i.e., the nozzle D192) operates is not limited to a specific method. For example, when the effect D10 is to move from point A to point B, the effector D10 may move linearly along the x axis or linearly along the y axis, depending on the linear operating method have.

Alternatively, the effector D10 may be driven according to a delta operating method. The delta driving scheme is, for example, connected via three (or three) pairs of rods (or delta arms) to three (or three) pairs of axes of the effector D10, respectively . The effector D10 can move freely in the x-axis, the y-axis, the diagonal direction, etc. according to the movement of three (or three) pairs of rods.

Assuming that the distance between point A and point B is d in the x-axis direction, the effector D10 moves in the x-axis direction by d for 3 hours in the linear drive system. However, in the delta driving mode, the effect D10 can be moved by d for, for example, t hours. This is because the effect (D10) can move a lot if three loads move a little.

3 and 4 are a block diagram and a front view for explaining the external connection device 11 of Fig. 1, respectively.

3, the external connection device 11 may include a control module 110, a communication module 120, a connection module 130, a camera 140, and the like.

The camera 140 captures the current state and the like of the three-dimensional printer 10 under the control of the control module 110. The camera 140 may provide motion pictures or snapshots.

The communication module 120 is a module for communicating with the control server 30 and / or the users P1 to P3 via the network 20. [ The communication module can be any module that can communicate through the network 20. [ For example, wireless LAN (WLAN), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) communication, Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA2000), Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Only (EV-DO), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access ), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), IEEE 802.16, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), Wireless Mobile Broadband Service (WMBS) (Bluetooth), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Ultra Sound Communication : USC), Visible Light Communication (VLC) (Wi-Fi) and Wi-Fi Direct (Wi-Fi Direct).

The connection module 130 is a module to be connected to the 3D printer 10. That is, the command provided through the network 20 can be transmitted to the 3D printer 10 and the current status of the 3D printer 10 (e.g., the temperature of the heat bed) can be transmitted to the network 20 . The connection module 130 may be any module that can be connected to the 3D printer 10, for example, a USB.

The control module 110 controls all of the camera 140, the connection module 130, and the communication module 120. For example, the control module 110 may be implemented as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), but is not limited thereto.

Although not shown in the drawings, the camera 140 may further include a memory for storing images photographed by the camera 140. [ The memory may be, for example, a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory) (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM A disk, and / or an optical disk.

Further, if necessary, it may further include an input module. Such an input module can generate input data for controlling the operation of the external connection device 11. [ The input module may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the exemplary external connection device 11 includes a camera 140 and a control module 110, a communication module 120, and the like. The installation module 190 is a device for installing the external connection device 11 in the three-dimensional printer 10. The shape and material of the installation module 190 can be variously selected.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a three-dimensional printer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

1 and 5, the user P2 transmits an invitation request to the manager P1 via the server 30 (S210).

When the manager P1 receives the invitation request (S230), the server 30 creates the community CM (S220). The server 30 notifies the administrator P1 and the user P2 that the community CM has been created (S240).

As described above, unlike FIG. 5, the manager P1 may first create the community CM and send an invitation to someone who has an account at, for example, an email address or other site. If the recipient does not yet have an account for the platform (where the community (CM) is created), then an account creation of the platform may be required before becoming a member of the community (CM).

The user P2 makes a scheduling request (S250). The scheduling request may be in various forms. For example, a request for allocation of use time (that is, a use time from a certain time to a certain time), an allocation order of use order (for example, when the current printing is completed) Requests (e.g., letting the platform print a particular model), or a combination of these requests.

The server 30 transmits a scheduling request to the manager P1.

The manager P1 approves the scheduling request and grants the user a usage right (S260). On the other hand, the approval by the manager P1 may be various schemes. The scheduling request of the user P2 can be accepted as it is or can be accommodated by changing it. Optionally, prior to making a change, the user P2 may be offered a reverse first. The manager P1 may grant only a part of the user right to the user P2. For example, the manager P1 may not give the user P2 a live video streaming right.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a three-dimensional printer according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the manager P1 sets an alert (S310). As described above, the notification setting may include a frequency of sending the status update information, whether to include a snapshot or a moving image in each status update, whether another user (for example, P3) of the community CM has completed the print operation of the specific model Dimensional model is notified to the user who has requested the printing of the specific three-dimensional model at the start and / or end of printing of the specific three-dimensional model, whether or not the completion notification is received, The contents of each status update information, and the like.

The server 30 stores the notification setting.

As another embodiment, the server 30 may transmit the notification settings to the 3D printer 10 in advance. That is, there may be data to be prepared in advance by the three-dimensional printer 10 in order to send a notification to the manager P1 and the user P2. Therefore, if the notification settings are provided in advance to the three-dimensional printer 10, the three-dimensional printer 10 can prepare in advance.

The server 30 requests the three-dimensional printer 10 for the current state S320 at a predetermined time in the notification setting (S320). Here, the "current state" is a request for information necessary for the 3D printer 10 according to the notification setting.

The three-dimensional printer 10 transmits the current state to the server 30 (S320). For example, nozzle status, heat bed temperature, snapshot / animation, and the like.

The server 30 transmits the current state provided from the three-dimensional printer 10 to the manager P1 and the user P2.

Here, the server 30 determines whether the current progress of the three-dimensional model is in progress (a few percent), the print end point of the current on-going three-dimensional model, the estimated print start / And may add at least one of the file names to the notification.

Of course, the print progression degree (several%) of the three-dimensional model, the print end point of the current on-going three-dimensional model, the print expected start point / The module 110 may calculate in advance and provide it to the server 30. In this case, the server 30 may proceed to the simple processing without any additional calculation and only deliver it to the manager P1 and the user P2.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, You will understand. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

10: 3D printer
30: control server
P1 ~ P3: User (P1: Administrator)
110: Control module
120: Communication module
130: connection module
140: camera

Claims (7)

Create a community for the use of 3D printers,
Receives a scheduling request from a user who is a member of the community,
And accepting the scheduling request to provide the user with a right to use the 3D printer. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising setting an alert to provide the user with a notification related to the operation of the three-dimensional printer. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the notification includes a moving picture or a snapshot of the printing operation of the three-dimensional printer. The method according to claim 1 or 3,
The three-dimensional printer is provided with an external peripheral device capable of establishing network connectivity,
Wherein the external peripheral device includes a camera. The method according to claim 1,
To create the community,
And accepting an invitation request provided from a member of the community to generate the community. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the manager of the community is an owner of the 3D printer or a person designated by the owner and delegated authority of the owner. Join the community for the use of 3D printers,
To the manager of the community, a scheduling request for using the 3D printer,
Receiving, from the manager, a right to use the 3D printer,
And receiving a notification related to the operation of the three-dimensional printer.

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