WO2021093933A1

WO2021093933A1 - Method for producing a three-dimensional structure that reproduces a character string, structure and use of the structure

Info

Publication number: WO2021093933A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/080882
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Henrik Hansen; Daniel Salomon RASUMOWSKY
Original assignee: Modismo Ag
Priority date: 2019-11-11
Filing date: 2019-11-11
Publication date: 2021-05-20
Also published as: EP4058292A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional structure that reproduces a character string, the characters being arranged and shaped relative to each other, wherein offset surfaces of the characters are used, the offset surfaces are arranged such that they touch or overlap, a monolith is formed therefrom, and the monolith is shaped. The invention further relates to different devices and to an application for implementing the method.

Description

Method for producing a three-dimensional structure which represents a character string, the structure and its

application

Scope of invention

The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional structure which reproduces a character sequence by means of characters which are arranged and shaped relative to one another, as well as the structure and its application.

Strings were known; Even before Gutenberg invented the printing press, monks had arranged letters next to letters when translating the Bible. Today it is common practice to identify businesses or private sites, e.g. apartments, by means of a sequence of letters.

These character strings made of material are usually designed as a composite that is held together by a carrier material, e.g. a sign, since otherwise the individual characters would fall apart. It is also known to arrange a sequence of isolated characters, each individual character being fixed, e.g. by a carrier. This comes into question above all if the individual characters, usually letters, are made large in order to be read from a distance or to be in a meaningful relationship to the dimensions of the building that they characterize. Such character strings are often given as individual orders to specialized businesses that produce them as a single object.

However, there is a need for a method which allows a text or other character sequence of your choice to be visualized in a simple and inexpensive manner and then as a physical object self-selected material and in a self-determined size or to have it manufactured. Another need exists to provide a three-dimensional structure that represents a string of characters. Such a structure should preferably be self-standing or, alternatively, should be, for example, as a lettering or

Let the decorative object hang on the wall. The process should be able to be carried out in a cost-optimized manner and be able to result in readable structures that can be used, among other things, as a personal credo, souvenir, personal gift.

This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in that offset surfaces of the characters are used, the offset surfaces are arranged in such a way that they touch or overlap, form a monolith therefrom, and shape it, as well by providing a three-dimensional structure obtainable by the method according to the invention.

The characters can represent letters, e.g. ASCII characters in any language or special characters such as so-called emoticons or combinations thereof. According to one embodiment of the invention, the characters are generated as vector contours or converted into such, or if they are already present as such, they are used as such. If these are not available in vector format, this can be generated, for example, by removing or deleting the inner surface of the characters.

In the method according to the invention, offset surfaces of the characters are used which arise between the contours or main contours and the offset contours of the characters. It is then beneficial and often necessary for the characters or their contours or main contours and offset contours to be arranged in such a way that the desired message is legible. The horizontally aligned characters or their offset contours are grouped and moved to the desired line height.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the character string can be formed with characters whose size varies. This enables special accents and accents to be achieved. Regardless of the alignment of the string, e.g. B. as a block with the same line width or with a different line length, it has proven to be beneficial to form the monolith in a centered alignment.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an overall offset contour is formed by removing the inner portions of the offset contours which overlap.

It is also favorable that the overall offset contour is formed from the outer curve portions of all offset curves in such a way that a single contiguous contour is created.

In order to achieve the objectives of the invention, it has proven to be advantageous that a coherent surface, which is referred to as a "monolith", is formed from the contours or main contours and overall offset contours of the characters. This is advantageous in FIG In the context of the invention, it is also possible for internal, non-overlapping portions of the offset surfaces to be removed from the monolith, for example by a to achieve a calmer, more legible appearance.

In order to achieve stable stability of the three-dimensional structure according to the invention, the volume and the center of gravity can be calculated. Then the string or structure can move around the vertical axis indicated by the Focus leads, grouped or aligned accordingly.

The three-dimensional structure can be shaped using subtractive or additive methods. Laser or water jet cutting are advantageous, but also CNC milling, 3D printing, as well as casting and injection molding processes and other mechanical manufacturing processes. Although the method can be carried out manually by hand, it is particularly preferred to carry out the method steps up to or including the shaping by means of a computer.

The present invention also covers three-dimensional structures which are obtainable according to one or more of the method claims 1-13. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a three-dimensional structure which is characterized in that the monolith can be read by the volume of the characters cut out of it and is delimited by the overall offset z-contour. This structure can advantageously be centered.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the three-dimensional structures according to the invention are designed in preferred embodiments without a carrier material or any other type of composite, and can nevertheless achieve stability and stability. According to the invention, however, it is not excluded to attach a carrier around, next to or under the three-dimensional structure or the character string. In this way, decorative aspects can be achieved, e.g. if the character string contrasts with the carrier in color or the desired effects result from the choice of different materials.

The material that can be used in the context of the invention is not restricted. Wood, plastic, glass or metal, for example stainless steel or aluminum, are advantageous if, for example, value is placed on a low weight. As far as the character string is exposed to the weather, stainless steel, aluminum, but also glass or weather-resistant plastic can be used.

The method according to the invention can advantageously be carried out via an application, e.g. B. can be applied via the Internet or locally on a computer. This allows the entry of the desired character string, its dimensioning and the desired material, so that, in conjunction with a resulting production file, the shaping can be carried out directly by an appropriately equipped company. This application can be on a smartphone, tablet or another computer.

In the context of the invention, the following advantages are achieved: First, the method allows simple and quick handling of the required steps, which allows a design and visualization of desired monoliths for those who work with CAD software (Computer Aided Design) and CNC production, i.e. computer-controlled Machine tools is familiar.

In the context of a computer application, the process even enables anyone - even without knowledge of CAD applications or manufacturing processes - to design, visualize, easily adapt and then order a desired object, and this within a few minutes.

In order to achieve the desired creative and practical effect, the user can "play" with the typeface, its format, its dimension, etc. until he has the result that is satisfactory and, if applicable, the desired price, which is automatically calculated and can be displayed and thus can help in setting the above criteria. The method according to the invention and the structure obtainable therefrom are not only versatile, but also allow material and thus weight and cost savings. The volume required for printing the characters is optimized in that all characters can be read as a cut-out volume, and the material actually required for the monolith can thus be kept to a minimum.

The invention is explained below in the context of a preferred embodiment, which, however, is not to be understood as restrictive. In particular, it is not essential that all steps shown are carried out in the method according to the invention and / or in the order shown. Merely by way of example it should be mentioned that the "make block" execution or the removal of internal areas between the characters can be omitted, etc.

Create string

Any character string (= text and / or characters) is defined, e.g. using a keyboard on a device with a screen (mobile phone, tablet, desktop computer, etc.).

Example 1 distribute characters on lines as shown in Figure 23

Theoretically, any arrangement of characters on lines is possible. In the case of short sentences, phrases and quotations, it is advantageous to distribute one word per line, as this increases the height to a certain extent.

Example 2 as shown in Figure 24 Convert characters to outlines

Normally, texts are created on computers as so-called "fonts" (e.g. TrueType, and in other standard formats), which means that they cannot be easily edited and used.

It is therefore advantageous to convert them into "contours", that is to say into lines and / or curves that can be used geometrically for the following steps.

Example 3, as shown in Figure 25, machine composite contours

In order to be able to use characters that consist of more than one contour, they can first be edited as follows before the following steps.

Example 4 as shown in Figure 26

annotation

There are fonts in which the inner contours are already connected to the main contours for cutting applications in such a way that step a) and in some cases also b) can be omitted. So these steps are not absolutely necessary.

Create offset contour

For the characters, a so-called offset contour is created with a distance A from the main contour of the character, which can be selected by yourself, which results in an offset area between the two contours. The corners of the offset contours can be designed in different ways, for example as in the example below on a miter or in a rounded, e.g. radial way.

The offset contours and offset surfaces serve two subsequent steps: a) The calculation of the character spacing b) The creation of the overall offset contour

Example 5 as shown in Figure 27

Calculate horizontal character spacing

Initially, all characters are at the origin with their lower left corner. Now each character is shifted from the origin of the coordinate system within its line until it is to the right of its left neighbor and is the correct distance from it.

The correct distance is defined by a suitable overlap of the offset area around each character, so that on the one hand legibility and on the other hand subsequent cohesion can be guaranteed.

Example 6 as shown in Figure 28

Move lines to the correct height

All lines with their now horizontally aligned characters are now still on top of each other with their lower left corner at the origin of the coordinate system.

The characters belonging to a line are grouped and moved to the appropriate height, including a suitable line spacing between the lines.

Example 7 as shown in Figure 29 Horizontal alignment of the lines

In this embodiment, a centered alignment of the lines is proposed as the standard, since this has the advantage that the objects remain in equilibrium in the case of free-standing use and are less likely to fall over.

Example 8 as shown in Figure 30 Option: "Make Block"

This option allows the automatic scaling of all lines to the same width, regardless of the number of characters. Since this scaling is preferably done proportionally, the lines change their respective height depending on their width.

Example 9 as shown in Figure 31

Create total offset contour

After all characters including their offset contours are in the correct position, the so-called total offset contour is created. This consists of the respective outer contour components of all offset contours. This means that these contour parts are connected to form a single new contiguous contour.

Example 10 as shown in Figure 32

Variant 1 for internal parts of the offset contours

All internal parts of the offset curves are deleted.

Example 11 as shown in Figure 33 Variant 2 for internal parts of the offset contours

The areas of the offset surfaces that do not overlap become further openings that remain within the overall offset contour. Both variants have advantages:

Variant 1: better readability, calmer appearance. Variant 2: less material = less weight and costs

Example 12 as shown in Figure 34 create a monolith surface

A single contiguous area can now be created between the main contours of the characters and the overall offset contour. In the example only variant 1 is shown, an analogous procedure applies to variant 2.

Example 13 as shown in Figure 35

Create a monolith volume

The coherent surface created is now optionally extruded, i.e. extended into the third dimension in order to obtain a spatial volume with a depth T. This depth T is variable and can be adjusted at any time.

Example 14, as shown in Figure 36, calculate volume content and center of gravity

For the consideration and subsequent production and a model of the monolith object, two calculations are beneficial, which are now carried out: 1) Volume content

The resulting volume content is calculated in order to calculate the weight and material requirements for manufacture.

2) focus

The center of gravity of the volume is calculated, which helps to be able to easily view the model of the monolith, since the subsequent display can be optimally rotated around it without losing sight of the object.

In addition, the focus is helpful for other applications, for example for a hanging object, for which, in a further step, e.g. B. a suspension eyelet can be placed at the exact location of the monolith where it remains in balance, which will be on the vertical axis of the center of gravity.

Example 15 as shown in Figure 37 display of the model

The three-dimensional model can now be viewed in a selected material with light and shadow cast from any angle and distance. This allows the properties of the object to be checked and, if necessary, adjusted, such as the size, the depth, the material and the width of the offset area.

Execution options:

The object can be in variants, e.g.

1) for hanging (chain, pendant, mobile etc.)

2) as a container for storing items 3) designed as a commodity, for example a lamp, bottle (hollow body), etc. and optionally displayed.

Example 16, as shown in Figure 38, calculate price interactively

On the basis of all the values now known, the procedure allows, e.g. in the context of an application, an automatic calculation of the price, which is visible in addition to the object during the design. When the object is adjusted, it is updated so that the object properties can also be set according to the price criterion, which can often be helpful, and would otherwise always have to be re-calculated.

The following is a simplified list of the relevant criteria that are included in the calculation formula and which may vary depending on the type of production.

Example 17

1) Production of laser / water jet cut (subtractive process) a) Material costs

- Required material area * material thickness = material volume

- Material volume * material price / volume = material costs b) machine costs

- Initiation machine

- Length of cutting path * cutting speed = cutting time

- Cutting time * machine costs / time = machine costs c) Possible additional costs such as painting, administration, etc. d) Margin e) Shipping (shown separately)

2) Production of 3D printing (additive processes) a) Material costs: effective printing volume relevant b) Machine costs

- Initiation machine

- Printing time * machine costs / time c) Possible additional costs such as painting, administration etc. d) Margin e) Shipping (shown separately)

Order to manufacturer

If the user or customer is satisfied with the result and would like to order it, a normal purchase process takes place, as is known from other applications or web shops, with the storage of customer data such as name, address, etc., as well as the payment of the Purchase price.

The application then preferably sends the order to a manufacturer automatically. For example, in the form of an email that receives all the information required to process the order, as well as the file for production on its machine tool, for example in the ". Dxf" format or another suitable format. Example 18 as shown in Figure 39

The embodiment of the present invention and further aspects were explained above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

In the following, aspects in connection with the implementation of the invention at the device level and the process sequences associated therewith will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a device for implementing the invention at the device level.

As shown in FIG. 10, the device according to the invention contains different functional units. This includes a user terminal 10 by means of which an interface to the user of the system according to the invention is implemented. In addition, a 3D shaping device 20 and a computing device or a computer 30, which can optionally be connected to a database 50, are provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, the computing device 30 contains at least one interface 32 which, depending on the application, can be suitably designed, for example as a wireless interface to a cell phone if the user terminal is a cellular phone. The interface 32 is suitable for exchanging information not only with the user terminal 10, but also with the 3D shaping device 20.

As shown in FIG. 10, the computing device 20 furthermore contains at least one processor 34, coupled to the interface 32 and a memory 36 coupled to at least one processor 34. The memory 36 is, for example, a read-only memory ROM, a flash ROM, a free access memory RAM, or a dynamic RAM DRAM or a static RAM SRAM. The memory functionality can also be supported by the database 50. For example, different typographies or preconfigurations for the 3D structure can be stored in the database 50.

As shown in FIG. 10, the memory 36 contains suitably configured program source code, which can be executed by the at least one processor 34, for implementing the functionality of the computing device 30 described below. This functionality is referenced below in the form of different units that are not represent individual hardware components of the computing device 30, but rather reflect the functionalities that can be achieved by the at least one processor 34 when executing a correspondingly configured program source code.

As shown in FIG. 10, the memory 36 contains at least suitably configured program source code for implementing a character processing unit 38, an offset contour processing unit 40, a monolith generation unit 42, and a 3D structure generation unit 44.

It should be mentioned that although different device units of the system according to the invention are shown as separate devices in FIG. 10, the present invention of course also covers a system in which these devices described are either fully integrated or partially integrated. This depends on the respective application, for example whether the 3D generation takes place exclusively and under the control of the manufacturer or is implemented as a web application. In the latter case, the functionality of the computing device 30 can also be relocated to the cloud, for example. FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of the general mode of operation of the device shown in FIG. 10 for implementing the invention at the device level.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the context of the invention, in a first step S10, executed by the character processing unit 38, character strings are processed, which are passed to the computing device 30 via the interface 32.

This is followed by step S20, carried out by the offset contour processing unit 40, in order to create the offset contour as set out above.

As shown in FIG. 11, step S20 is followed by step S30, executed by the offset contour processing unit 40 for arranging the offset contour generated in step S20.

As shown in FIG. 11, this is followed by step S40, carried out by the monolith generation unit 42, for forming a monolith.

As shown in FIG. 11, step S50 finally follows, executed by the 3D structure generation unit 44, for generating a 3D structure in accordance with the desired character string.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for illustrating individual steps which are carried out by the character processing unit 38 when processing character strings.

As shown in FIG. 12, the step S10 for processing a character string is subdivided into the creation of a character string, step S10-1, and into the partitioning of created character strings into individual lines, step S10-2. Within the scope of the present invention, any formats for characters, for example ASCI, as well as options for creating the character strings and their input are supported. Options for the configuration of the user device 10 for creating the character string are graphical user interfaces, keyboard, speech recognition systems, use of preconfigured character strings, as examples.

Furthermore, the division of the characters on different lines, section S10-2, is supported in a variable manner. It is not mandatory that individual character strings form a word in each line, and it is also possible to combine different words in a line, partial words in a line, etc.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart to illustrate individual steps which are carried out by the offset contour processing unit 40 when the offset contours and offset surfaces are created.

In general, and as described above, the creation of offset contours and offset surfaces requires a conversion of characters into contours, step S20-1, processing of composite contours, step S20-2, and the creation of the offset contours, step S20-3.

As explained above, the conversion to contours includes, for example, the elimination of internal contours, or the grouping of external contours into a grouped contour. The offset contour is then created with a frame formation on the basis of a main contour, with corresponding parameters for the width of the offset contour for the configuration of the offset contour according to the invention being freely selectable. FIG. 14 shows a flowchart to illustrate individual steps which are carried out by the monolith generation unit 42 in the arrangement of offset surfaces. As shown in FIG. 14, in a step S30-1 characters or words which are assigned to a specific line must first be arranged in this line. This is done by calculating horizontal character spacing. The result is a line with different lines, represented by offset contours that appropriately overlap.

As shown in FIG. 14, the lines are then aligned vertically, step S30-2, line spacings being suitably parameterizable. This is followed by the horizontal alignment of the lines, step S30-3, for example left-justified, right-justified, centered, according to the user's specifications. Optionally, the lines can be formed into a rectangular block structure by automatically scaling the lines, step S30-4.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 14, an overall offset contour is created in step S30-5. The objective here is to create a coherent area or the monolith area described above.

FIG. 15 shows the representation of individual steps which are carried out by the structure generation unit 44 when the 3D structure is generated.

As shown in FIG. 15, the generation of the 3D structure is divided into the calculation of the volume content and the center of gravity of the 3D structure, step S50-1, into the display of the model, step S50-2, into the determination of production parameters, step S50-3, as well as the generation of a production order S50-4. The result of the last step S50-4 is sent via the interface 32 to the 3D Forming device 20 forwarded, for example to a contractor who implements the result of the 3D structure generation by means of 3D printing, milling or other suitable shaping methods.

Above, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15, aspects of the implementation of the invention at the device level and the process sequences associated therewith were explained.

Aspects of the present invention will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 16 to 22 insofar as they are related to the implementation of the present invention in the form of an application or an app.

FIG. 16 shows a client-server constellation which forms the basis for the use of the present invention in the form of an application.

As shown in FIG. 16, the implementation of the present invention takes place by means of an application using a user terminal 60 which interacts with a server 70 which is operated, for example, in a so-called cloud. According to the invention, the interaction of the user terminal 60 with the server 70 can be represented by means of different communication mechanisms, for example the Internet, wireless radio communication, a combination thereof, etc.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of a user terminal 60 in which the present invention is used in the form of an application.

As shown in FIG. 17, the user terminal 60 contains a display 62, a processor 64 and a memory 66.

As shown in FIG. 17, the memory 66 contains an appropriately configured program source code through which at least one processor 64 can be executed to implement the functionality of the user terminal 60 described below. This functionality is referenced below in the form of different units that do not represent individual hardware components of the user terminal 60, but rather reflect the functionalities, which can be achieved by the at least one processor 64 when executing a correspondingly configured computer program.

As shown in FIG. 17, the memory 66 contains at least suitable program source code for implementing an application configuration unit 68 and an application application unit 69.

FIG. 18 shows a flow chart to illustrate individual work steps that are to be carried out when installing the application according to the invention.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the context of the invention, in a first step S60, executed by the application configuration unit 68, an application or a computer program is downloaded that implements the method according to the invention in software as far as it is related to the design of the character string .

As shown in Figure 18, this is followed by step S70, also carried out by the application

Configuration unit 68, for installing the downloaded application in the memory 66.

As shown in FIG. 18, this is followed by step S80, executed by the processor 64, for executing the

Application as explained in more detail below.

FIG. 19 shows a flow chart to illustrate individual steps involved in executing the Application according to the invention can be carried out at the user terminal 60.

As shown in FIG. 19, within the scope of the invention, in a first step S90, executed by the application application unit 69, an interaction screen is displayed to the user. This is followed, carried out by the application application unit 69, by the input of text in a step S100, supplemented by the input of design parameters in a step S110, likewise carried out by the application application unit 69.

As shown in FIG. 19, step S110 is followed by step S120, executed by processor 64 for converting the input of the production data. According to the present invention, the implementation of the production data can take place in numerous variants. A first, rudimentary form consists of appropriately formatting the entered text and the entered design parameters and forwarding them to the cloud as such. Alternatively, it should be considered to process the information entered already on the user terminal according to the above-described method for producing a 3D structure to such an extent that only a formation in the 3D structure by means of a corresponding production device has to follow after the production data has been transmitted . In addition, within the scope of the present invention, varieties are recorded in which a hybrid form of the alternatives just described of the pure forwarding of input data or the complete implementation in a monolith can take place. This is particularly advantageous for constellations in which an iteration of the design steps is desired for the user, who can then experiment locally on the user terminal 60 with design parameters.

As shown in FIG. 19, finally in a step S130, carried out by a shown in FIG Communication means, transmission of the production data to the server 70 shown in FIG. 16 or another suitably designed computing device that is operated, for example, directly by the manufacturer of the 3D structure.

As shown in FIG. 20, the user interface has a text input field by means of which a character string can be entered. In the context of the present invention, there are no restrictions with regard to the number of words, vocabulary, language, etc.

As shown in FIG. 20, the user interface enables the user of the method according to the invention to track the current status of the design result at any time. With suitable input fields for the height, depth, frame size for the offset contour, for the option of a block formation, for the font, as well as for the manufacturing material, it is possible for the user to experiment with design parameters in order to achieve the design result on a goal specified by the user to implement optimally.

It should be mentioned that the design of the user interface shown in FIG. 20 is of course only to be understood as an example. The parameters for the design can be modified, expanded or supplemented at any time. This also applies to the mechanisms for interaction with the user, for example using a keyboard, speech recognition, etc.

It should also be mentioned that within the scope of the present invention, the user interface can be provided in different forms for specific sub-tasks:

• Size selection according to XS to XL, or customer-specific with manual input of dimensions. • Material selection: Display of material options with

Prices.

• Selection of the layout in the block layout.

• Summary display of the selected

Draft information optionally with price information before sending the production order.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic diagram of a server by means of which the application of the present invention is supported after the transmission of production data from the user terminal 60.

As shown in FIG. 21, the server 70 contains at least one interface 72 which, depending on the application, can be suitably designed, for example from wireless interfaces to a cell phone or as an Internet connection. The interface 72 is suitable not only for the exchange of information with the user terminal 60, but also for the exchange of information with the 3D shaping device 20, suitable in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 21, the server 70 furthermore contains at least one processor 74 coupled to the interface 72 and a memory 76 coupled to the at least one processor 74. The memory 76 is, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a DRAM, an SRAM, suitably adapted to the requirements of the application.

As shown in Figure 21, the memory 76 contains the appropriately configured program source code

Computer program that can be executed by the at least one processor 74 for implementing the functionality of the server 70 described below. This functionality is in turn referenced by units that are implemented when the appropriately configured computer program modules are executed. As shown in Figure 21, the memory 76 contains at least the appropriately configured program source code for

Implementation of an order processing unit 78, a transformation unit 80 and a production order generation unit 82.

FIG. 22 shows a flow chart to illustrate individual steps that are carried out by means of the server shown in FIG. A first step S140, carried out by the interface 72, consists in receiving production data as they were generated on the side of the user terminal 60. These are then stored in the memory 76 in a suitable manner for subsequent processing in a step S150.

Step S150 is followed by step S160, carried out by the order processing unit 78 and the transformation unit 80. Here, the order processing unit 78 implements matters that are related to the procedural or commercial aspects of a product order. This means, for example, setting production prices, delivery dates, etc.

A further substep of step S150, carried out by the transformation unit 80, is to suitably transform the information that was generated via the user terminal 60 into data that are directly suitable for the production of a 3D structure. The mode of operation of the transformation unit 80 depends on the extent to which the user terminals 60 generate design information. If, for example, only the text and design parameters are entered by the user terminal 60, the method according to the invention for producing the monolith must be implemented completely in the server 70 by means of the transformation unit 80. Otherwise, the complete monolith should be included in the information that If the server 70 receives, the transformation unit 80 only has to perform the step of preparing the shaping of the 3D structure before the corresponding design data are then forwarded to the 3D structure production device.

As shown in FIG. 22, there is a further step S160, carried out by the production order generation unit, in which the order processing data and the production data are combined and the corresponding production order is sent to the manufacturer of the 3D structure.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings and preferred embodiments, it can be seen that the present invention can also be implemented with the use of variations and modifications, explanation for the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, as by the subject matter Claims is defined. For example, the functionalities described can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination thereof.

Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of protection of the claims is to be interpreted as being restricted by the preceding description, but rather that it is defined using all equivalents accessible to a person skilled in the art within the meaning of the present invention.

characters

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown in the following figures.

Figure 1 illustrates the scaling

Figure 2 shows possibilities of positioning

Figure 3 shows hanging decorative objects Figure 4, 5, 6 shows the structure as a container and / or as its lid, or inserted therein

FIG. 7 shows a "make block" design. FIG. 8 shows CAD (= Computer Aided Design) modeling, production by means of laser cutting, and the volume of the monolith desired by gluing individual layers

FIG. 9 shows the options for the choice of material and color

FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a device for implementing the invention at the device level

FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of the general mode of operation of the device shown in FIG

FIG. 12 shows a flow chart to illustrate individual steps that are carried out when processing character strings

FIG. 13 shows a flow chart for the representation of individual steps which are carried out in the creation of offset contours and offset surfaces

FIG. 14 shows a flow chart to illustrate individual steps that are carried out when arranging offset surfaces FIG. 15 shows a flow diagram for the representation of individual steps that are carried out when generating a 3D structure

FIG. 16 shows a client-server constellation which forms the basis for the use of the present invention in the form of an application

FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of a user terminal in which the present invention is used in the form of an application

FIG. 18 shows a flow chart to illustrate individual steps that are carried out when installing the application according to the invention

FIG. 19 shows a flow diagram for the representation of individual steps which are carried out when the application according to the invention is executed

FIG. 20 shows an example of the design of the user interface which is used for entering design information

FIG. 21 shows a schematic diagram of a server by means of which the application of the present invention is supported

FIG. 22 shows a flow chart for the representation of individual steps which are carried out by means of the server shown in FIG Figures 23 to 39 show examples and are used for a better understanding of the present invention

Claims

1) A method for producing a three-dimensional structure which reproduces a sequence of characters, the characters being arranged and shaped relative to one another, characterized in that offset surfaces of the characters are used, the offset surfaces are arranged in such a way that they touch or overlap from this forms a monolith and shapes it.

2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaping is carried out by means of laser cutting, water jet cutting, CNC milling, 3D printing, casting or injection molding processes or other mechanical manufacturing processes.

3) Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the offset surfaces of the characters are formed between the contours or main contours and offset contours of the characters.

4) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a coherent monolith area is formed from the contours or main contours and offset contours of the characters.

5) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that non-overlapping internal portions of the offset surfaces are removed from the monolith.

6) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method steps are carried out by means of a computer.

7) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that further elements are added to the monolith, for example a container or to obtain another commodity, such as a lamp.

8) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contours or main contours and offset contours of the characters are converted into a vector format or used as such.

9) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that ASCII characters in any language or special characters are used alone or in combination as characters.

10) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the character string is formed with characters whose size varies.

11) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the character string is arranged as a block with the same line width.

12) Application of the method according to one or more of the preceding claims in a computer-aided application on the Internet or locally on a computer.

13) Application of the method according to claim 12, characterized in that according to the specification of the desired character sequence, its dimension and the material by means of an application, the formation is carried out via a production file.

14) Three-dimensional structure which reproduces a character string, obtainable by the method according to one or more of the preceding claims 1-11.

15) Three-dimensional structure according to claim 14, characterized in that the monolith through the out of it cut volume of the characters is legible and limited by the total offset contour.

16) Device for producing a three-dimensional structure containing a processor unit, a memory for storing instructions that can be executed by the processor unit, and a 3D structure generating unit which is designed to carry out the method for producing a three-dimensional structure according to one of claims 1 to 15.

17) Computer program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to support a method for producing a three-dimensional structure which reproduces a character string, the method performing at least the following steps:

Arranging the characters according to a desired correlation of the characters,

Generation of offset areas of the characters,

Arranging the offset surfaces so that they touch or overlap, and

Forming a monolith from the generated offset surfaces.

18) Computer program according to claim 17, wherein the method further comprises the steps according to one or more of the method claims 3 to 5 and 7 to 11.

19) Computer program according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the method further comprises the step of three-dimensional display of the monolith.

20) Apparatus for carrying out a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure comprising a character string reproduces, containing a processor unit and a memory for storing a computer program executable by the processor unit, by means of which the following steps can be carried out:

Arranging the characters according to a desired correlation of the characters,

Generation of offset areas of the characters,

Arranging the offset surfaces so that they touch or overlap, and

Forming a monolith from the generated offset surfaces.

21) Device according to claim 20, wherein the steps according to one or more of the method claims 3 to 5 and 7 to 11 can be carried out by means of the computer program.

22) Device according to claim 20 or 21, in which the following steps can also be carried out by means of a computer program:

Downloading the computer program to the device; and

Install the computer program in the memory of the device.

23) Device according to one of claims 20 to 22, in which the step of three-dimensional display of the monolith can also be carried out by means of the computer program.

24) Device according to one of claims 20 to 23, in which at least one of the following steps can also be carried out by means of the computer program: Display an interaction screen,

Enter a text to form the character string,

Entering design parameters,

Converting the input information into production data and transferring the production data.

25) A method for operating a device to support a method for producing a three-dimensional structure which reproduces a character string, comprising the steps:

Display an interaction screen,

Enter a text to form the character string,

Entering design parameters,

26) The method according to claim 25, further comprising the steps according to one or more of the method claims 3 to 5 and 7 to 11 can be carried out.

27) The method according to claim 25 or 26, further comprising the steps:

Downloading the computer program to the device; and

Install the computer program in the memory of the device. 28) The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, further comprising the step of three-dimensional display of the monolith.

29) Server for carrying out a method for producing a three-dimensional structure which reproduces a character string, containing a processor unit and a memory for storing a computer program that can be executed by the processor unit, by means of which the following steps can be carried out:

Receiving production data, transforming the production data into one

Production order as the basis for shaping the character string to be reproduced as a 3D structure,

Sending the production order to the manufacturer of the 3D structure.