KR20180115940A - 3D Printing Slicing Method using Various G-Code Plug-in - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a 3D printing slicing method using various G-code plug-ins. The 3D printing slicing method includes the following steps of: inputting 3D model data; slicing the input 3D model data; and converting the sliced data to mechanical codes which can be processed by a 3D printer. The slicing step is executed by a first engine commonly used by multiple 3D printers while configuring 3D printing slicer software. The conversion step is executed by the plug-ins individually applied to the 3D printers while configuring 3D printing slicer software. The 3D printing slicer software capable of mounting the various G-code plug-ins can be used to allow compatibility between the 3D printers with different specifications.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a 3D printing slicing method using various G-code plug-ins,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to 3D printing related technology, and more particularly, to a slicing technique for 3D printing.

3D printing is a new manufacturing method that can be customized to produce various materials such as plastic, resin, and metal.

Unlike the paradigm of existing industries, 3D printing makes it possible for anyone to manufacture (design and produce) prototypes or finished products from the design phase of production to the production stage without the need for a separate mold, thereby lowering the entry barriers to entry and creating jobs. Contributing.

However, 3D printers that are currently being sold domestically and abroad are manufactured with the manufacturer's own specifications without the common controllable standard, and there is a lack of compatibility with the control through the exclusive program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a 3D printing slicer SW capable of mounting various G-code plug-ins for compatibility with a plurality of 3D printers having different specifications. And a 3D printing slicing method using the 3D printing method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for constructing a 3D printing sharing platform by arranging a 3D printing slicer SW capable of mounting various G-code plug-ins in a 3D printing distributed cloud, thereby enabling accurate estimation and scheduling .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of remote work instruction and control to various 3D printers dispersed by using a 3D printing slicer SW capable of mounting various G-Code plug-ins.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 3D printing slicing method including: inputting 3D model data; Slicing the input 3D model data; And converting the sliced data into a machine code capable of being processed by the 3D printer, wherein the slicing step is performed by a first engine that constitutes a 3D printing slicer SW and is commonly used in a plurality of 3D printers , The conversion step is performed by plug-ins that constitute the 3D printing slicer SW and are applied separately to a plurality of 3D printers.

Plug-ins can be added, changed and removed from the 3D printing slicer SW.

In the conversion step, processing common to a plurality of 3D printers is performed by a second engine which constitutes a 3D printing slicer SW and is commonly used by a plurality of 3D printers, May be performed by plug-ins.

A 3D printing slicing method according to the present invention includes the steps of: calculating a cost required for 3D printing of 3D model data by referring to a result of performing a slicing step and a converting step; And providing the calculated cost to the user.

The calculating step can calculate the cost based on the material and time required for 3D printing of the 3D model data.

A plurality of 3D printers may be connected to at least one of a remote network and a local network.

The 3D printing slicing method according to the present invention may further include storing at least one of the cost, the result of the re-evaluation of the cost, and the order content calculated in the calculating step as a 3D printing history.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computing system includes a communication unit communicatively coupled to a plurality of 3D printers; A 3D printing slicer SW, slicing 3D model data input to a first engine commonly used in a plurality of 3D printers, constituting a 3D printing slicer SW, and extracting plug-ins among a plurality of plug- And a processor for converting the data sliced by the plug-in into a machine code capable of being processed by the 3D printer.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, compatibility with a plurality of 3D printers having different specifications can be achieved by using a 3D printing slicer SW capable of mounting various G-code plug-ins.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, a 3D printing sharing platform can be constructed, and 3D printing sharing business can be created through accurate and various estimates and appropriate scheduling management.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to instruct and control remote work on various distributed 3D printers using a 3D printing slicer SW capable of mounting various G-Code plug-ins, ) Or a Smart Factory configuration, it will be possible to construct a mass customized production system based on 3D printing.

1 is a detailed illustration of a 3D printing workflow,
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating detailed description items of 3D printing 3-M,
3 is a diagram showing the technical areas of the 3D printing slicer SW,
4 is a detailed illustration of the technical areas of the 3D printing slicer SW,
5 illustrates a concept of a G-Code plug-in in the 3D printing slicer SW according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram showing a plug-in type item of an attribute window of the 3D printing slicer SW,
7 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which a 3D printing slicer SW according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is placed in a cloud for providing a distributed 3D printing service,
8 is a diagram showing a situation in which an error occurs in the prediction of the material and the output time,
9 is a conceptual diagram for intelligent 3D printing sharing platform,
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a LOT-based order history management system,
11 is a block diagram of a computing system that executes a 3D printing slicer SW according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1. 3D printing workflow

1 is a detailed view of a 3D printing workflow. The 3D printing workflow can be roughly divided into three steps (3-M, modeling-machining-monitoring) as shown in FIG. Each step is performed as a separate SW product. FIG. 2 shows details of 3D printing 3-M.

1.1 Modeling for AM

The modeling step is performed by a new SW that uses polygon mesh data (e.g., STL file) as input data instead of conventional modeling that uses CAD data as input data.

The STL file is a data format transmitted between the modeling step and the machining step, and is polygonal mesh data rather than CAD data.

As shown on the left side of FIG. 1, the modeling step receives an existing modeling tool (e.g., CAD), a 3D scanner, the Internet, and an STL file generated by CT / MRI.

In the modeling step, direct modeling is performed based on input polygon mesh data, or modeling is performed through topology optimization and lattice structures.

In this process, CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) such as FEA (Finite Element Analysis), CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), and MBD (Multibody Dynamics) based on polygon mesh data is selectively performed.

1.2 Machining for AM

The machining step is an essential step in 3D printing, and is a process of slicing input 3D model data and converting it into a machine code (e.g., G-Code) file recognized by the 3D printer equipment.

The G-Code file is a data format that is passed between the machining step and the monitoring step. The G-Code file is a machine code file of a different format supported by the 3D printer equipment.

The machining step is a composite area of machining elements such as a Mesh Correction, a Mesh Orientation, and a Mesh Slicing, a support structure, and a Path Planning.

1.3 Monitoring for AM

The monitoring step is a step of monitoring the output process and output shape in the 3D printer equipment.

In the monitoring step, the nozzles or the laser beam alignment (Nozzle Calibration), which is the basis of the 3D printing output, the layer printing of each layer in the 2D (2D) Process monitoring is performed, and shape monitoring is performed to compare the original 3D model of each layer with the output shape.

2. 3D printing slicer SW with various G-code plug-in

The 3D printing slicer SW for generating a machine code (e.g., G-Code) input to the 3D printer includes a computer graphics technology area and a mechanical technology technology area, as shown in FIG. 3 .

The computer graphics technology area includes technologies for handling polygonal mesh data. In the mechanical engineering field, a tool path planning (hereinafter referred to as a "tool path planning") used for subtractive manufacturing such as a conventional CNC milling machine Tool Path Planning) and Machine Code Generation technology.

In FIG. 4, the computer graphics technology area and the mechanical engineering technology area are separately shown based on the 3D printing slicing (machining) process.

The 3D printing slicer SW takes polygon mesh data represented by STL as an input and outputs a machine code represented by G-Code.

Mesh Correction for correcting errors of polygon mesh data, Orientation of 3D model and Positioning in 3D printing bed, Support structure for overhang area based on 3D printing bed bottom Support Structures, and Mesh Slicing, which divides a 3D model into layers and converts them into 2D polylines, is a computer graphics technology area.

The Tool Path Planning and G-Code Generation areas correspond to the areas of mechanical engineering.

Depending on the characteristics of the 3D printer HW, the areas that are actually affected are mainly mechanical engineering areas such as tool path planning and machine code generation.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, even if the 3D printer HW is changed or the 3D printer HW feature is changed by modifying the computer graphics technology area into "3D printing slicer engine ", the" 3D printing slicer engine " , And only the mechanical engineering field is replaced.

Accordingly, the mechanical engineering field can be modularized into a plug-in, and the technology commonly used for each plug-in can be duplicated.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, a "Machine Code Generator Engine" is implemented as a core engine, and a plug-in module is used to individually reflect 3D printer HW characteristics And the like.

6 shows an example of a G-Code plug-in item to be selected by the 3D printing slicer SW according to the embodiment of the present invention through a plug-in type item of a property window (Property Page or Settings Window) of the 3D printing slicer SW Respectively. G-Code plug-ins that can be installed to be selectable include:

- Unknown (JSON): Export to JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) data type plug-in

- Ultimaker2: G-Code generation plugin with Ultimaker's Ultimaker2 3D printer compatible format

- SentiCode-Metal: G-Code generation plug-in for Sentrol's SLM-based Metal 3D printer in SentiCode format

- SentiCode-Sand: G-Code generation plug-in for Sentrol SLS based SentiCode type 3D printer

- Ulsan-BinderJet: Machine code generation plug for nozzle for 3D printer of BJ type for Ulsan Shipbuilding & Marine

- 3DL-MultiNozzle: G-Code generation plug-in in 3DLCight format for multi-nozzle 3D printer of 3Delight FFF method

- 3DL-VariantNozzle: 3Delight FFF-type variable nozzle G-Code generation plug-in for 3D printer 3DLCode format

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, in order to solve the compatibility of 3D printers having different specifications, different characteristics of each of the 3D printers HW can be solved by G-Code plug-in method and added, changed and removed freely And implements the 3D printer slicer SW through a common interface.

3. 3D printing Distributed cloud-based 3D printing sharing platform

A "3D Printing Distributed Cloud" that can overcome physical limitations by connecting various 3D printers that are locally separated or mobile can be constructed by network, which can be used to build a "3D printing sharing platform".

In this case, the 3D printing slicer SW according to the embodiment of the present invention is disposed in the cloud to perform 3D printing information sharing and management with compatibility, and accurate material usage and output from the slicing result and G-code conversion result Time prediction enables precise estimates, and ultimately accurate price calculation is possible.

Furthermore, it is possible to perform more precise scheduling in distributed printing, and it is possible to instruct and control work remotely by transmitting machine code corresponding to each different 3D printer in a distributed printing operation.

FIG. 7 illustrates a situation in which a 3D printing slicer SW according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in a cloud providing a distributed 3D printing service.

As shown in FIG. 7, the 3D printing slicer SW according to the embodiment of the present invention disposed in the 3D printing distributed cloud includes a set of G-Code plug-ins for various 3D printers connected to the network, Various estimates by printers (material usage, output time estimation, etc.) can be accurately calculated to provide accurate and varied prices.

In addition, a machine code (for example, G-Code) specific to the corresponding 3D printer generated in this process can be remotely connected to the 3D printer (for example, by inserting the control code for the 3D printer into the machine code) And direct and control 3D printing directly from the remote.

In addition, when a large number of distributed printing is performed in a 3D printing distributed cloud, more precise output scheduling can be performed based on accurate estimates calculated in the foregoing, namely, material usage amount and output time, thereby improving service efficiency and increasing user's trust do.

In addition, based on the actual output process and the output result, it is possible to judge the performance of the G-Code plug-in for a specific 3D printer. Based on this data, the performance of the G-code plug-in can be continuously improved. Therefore, as the service continues, the performance of the 3D printing slicer SW and its G-Code plug-in in the cloud used by the service will be continuously improved, so that the core technology of the cloud becomes a brain.

As shown in FIG. 8, when using a 3D printing slicer SW of a non-company, the material and output time prediction may be wrong. Many 3D printer providers do not provide their own 3D printing slicer SW, so the printer characteristics are not reflected and the wrong side can occur.

However, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to distinguish the common engine from the 3D printing slicer SW and implement the parts that need to be implemented separately for each of the 3D printers as plug-ins, thereby preventing the problem as shown in FIG.

4. Intelligent 3D printing sharing platform

The 3D printing sharing platform can intelligentize the platform by accumulating the technical know-how of the shared platform itself through the following technical virtuous cycle.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the order history management is performed based on the LOT based on the customer's order, and the supplier such as the 3D printing output specialist can reassess the cost based on the proposed method based on the system proposed by the system .

The history of such revenues is recorded in the data repository (eg, DB) in the cloud and on the shared platform, along with the order history. This process data is accumulated and Big Data is collected. Based on this, the shared platform is intelligent through machine learning to provide more accurate quotation calculation and process data for the next service, The longer this period of time, the more accurate this technical data becomes.

As shown in FIG. 10, the LOT-based order history management system includes an output date, materials used (termination, supply date, etc.), output parameters (temperature and speed), printer status information, 3D model feature points Through the comprehensive management of the output history related to the output items such as information (output time, material quantity, etc.), post-processing information, order and delivery information, the output and history management are provided to the consumer, , And a system that enables reliable quality control for the manager.

In addition, the 3D printing slicer SW installed in the cloud dynamically generates machine code, so the G code is remotely transmitted based on various functions provided by the machine code. Various operations are possible. For example, G-Code is added to G-Code, which performs the task of separating the 3D printing output that has been output at the back of the existing G-Code, so that it can be used without any human intervention .

5. Computing system running 3D printing slicer SW

11 is a block diagram of a computing system that executes a 3D printing slicer SW according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the computing system includes a communication unit 110, a monitor 120, a processor 130, an input unit 140, and a storage unit 150.

The communication unit 110 communicates with various 3D printers through a remote or local network, and directs 3D printing to the 3D printers while transferring them as G-code files.

The monitor 120 is an output means for outputting the execution result of the processor 130. The input unit 140 is an input means for receiving a user command and transmitting it to the processor 130. [

The processor 130 performs the above-described modeling, machining (slicing), and monitoring, and performs machining (slicing) by executing the 3D printing slicer SW described above.

The storage unit 150 provides the necessary storage space for the processor 130 to perform the above steps.

6. Variations

Up to now, a 3D printing slicer SW capable of mounting various G-Code plug-ins and a 3D printing sharing platform constructed by disposing it in a 3D printing distributed cloud and its intelligence have been described in detail through preferred embodiments.

It goes without saying that the technical idea of the present invention can also be applied to a computer-readable recording medium having a computer program for performing the functions of the apparatus and method according to the present embodiment. In addition, the technical idea according to various embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in computer-readable code form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can be read by a computer and can store data. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a hard disk drive, or the like. In addition, the computer readable code or program stored in the computer readable recording medium may be transmitted through a network connected between the computers.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

110:
120: Monitor
130: Processor
140: Input unit
150:

Claims (10)

Receiving 3D model data;
Slicing the input 3D model data;
Converting the sliced data into a machine code capable of being processed by the 3D printer,
In the slicing step,
Is performed by a first engine which constitutes a 3D printing slicer SW and is commonly used in a plurality of 3D printers,
In the conversion step,
Wherein the 3D printing slicer SW is implemented by plug-ins constituting a 3D printing slicer SW and applied separately to a plurality of 3D printers.
The method according to claim 1,
The plug-
A 3D printing slicing method characterized by being able to add, change and remove in a 3D printing slicer SW.
The method according to claim 1,
In the conversion step,
A process common to a plurality of 3D printers is performed by a second engine that constitutes a 3D printing slicer SW and is commonly used by a plurality of 3D printers,
Wherein a separate process for a plurality of 3D printers is performed by plug-ins.
The method according to claim 1,
Calculating a cost required for 3D printing of 3D model data by referring to a result of performing the slicing step and the converting step; And
And providing the calculated cost to a user. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 31. < / RTI >
The method of claim 4,
In the calculating step,
Wherein the cost is calculated on the basis of material and time required for 3D printing of 3D model data.
The method of claim 4,
And storing the 3D printing history as at least one of the cost calculated at the calculating step, the result of the re-evaluation of the cost, and the contents of the order.
The method according to claim 1,
Many 3D printers,
A remote network, and a local network.
The method of claim 7,
And transferring the machine code generated in the conversion step to the 3D printer via the network.
The method of claim 8,
In the delivery step,
And a control code for the 3D printer is inserted into the machine code and transmitted.
A communication unit communicatively connected to a plurality of 3D printers;
A 3D printing slicer SW, slicing 3D model data input to a first engine commonly used in a plurality of 3D printers, configuring a 3D printing slicer SW, and extracting plug-ins among a plurality of plug- And converting the data sliced by the plug-in into a machine code that can be processed by the corresponding 3D printer.

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