JP6836363B2 - Modeling support system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the modeling of a three-dimensional shape.

In recent years, devices for modeling a three-dimensional shape, such as a 3D printer, have been attracting attention. In a 3D printer, modeling is performed by laminating materials. At this time, in order to realize the desired modeling under the influence of gravity, the modeling is completed by supporting the solid in the process of modeling according to the shape of the solid to be modeled (hereinafter referred to as "object") and the physical characteristics of the material used. It is common practice to introduce a member (called a "support member", a "support material", etc.) that is later removed from the target object.

Generally, in the case of a device such as a 3D printer that has a directionality in the modeling process, from what direction (called the modeling direction) the object is modeled (in other words, the object after completion based on the modeling device). There are many possibilities for how to determine the orientation). If the molding direction is different, the method of introducing the support member (position for forming the support member, total amount of the support member to be formed, and other information about the support member) may be different. The method of introducing the support member affects the time required to complete the modeling, the required capacity of the modeling device, the modeling accuracy, the cost, and the like.
From this point of view, it is desirable that the user can adjust the designation of the modeling direction so that the support member is appropriately introduced to the object.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-1267

However, in order to determine the optimum position of the support member, complicated structural calculation by a computer is required, which consumes a large amount of hardware resources. Therefore, it was not realistic to repeat such a calculation many times under different conditions.
An object of the present invention is to assist a user in deciding how to introduce a support member.

In one embodiment, the present invention describes the positions of a reception unit that accepts a designation of the shape of a solid to be modeled, a transmission unit that transmits the designation to a server device, and a support member used when modeling the solid by the modeling device. Provided is a terminal device having an acquisition unit that acquires information representing the above from a server device, and a display unit that displays the support member at a position according to the acquired information together with the three-dimensional object.
From another point of view, the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires information on the shape of a solid to be modeled from a terminal device, and a determination unit that determines the position of a support member used when modeling the solid by the modeling device. Provided is a server having a transmission unit that transmits the determined position to the terminal device.

According to the present invention, the user is assisted in determining how to introduce the support member.

The figure which shows the outline of the modeling support system 100. The figure which shows the functional structure of the user terminal 200. The figure which shows the functional structure of the server 300. The external perspective view of the object of modeling 990. An example of the orientation of the object 990. (A) to (c) are examples of support members used according to the molding direction. The figure which shows the operation example of the modeling support system 100. An example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 200 when specifying a modeling direction. (A) is an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 200 when confirming how to use the support member. (B) is an enlarged view of the support member 980.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the modeling support system 100. The modeling support system 100 includes a user terminal 200, a server 300, and a modeling device 400. The user terminal 200, the server 300, and each modeling device 400 are connected via the communication network 900. The communication network 900 is, for example, the Internet.

Each modeling device 400 is a computer-controlled modeling device called a 3D printer, a machining center, or the like, and executes modeling according to 3D data supplied from the server 300. In general, there is a direction in three-dimensional modeling. For example, in an apparatus that realizes modeling by laminating materials, the stacking direction (generally the vertical direction) is one parameter that defines the direction of the modeling process. That is, as the lamination type device, for example, a fused deposition modeling method (FDM method; Fused Deposition Modeling), a stereolithography method (STL method; Stereolithography), a powder sintering method (SLS method; Selective Laser Sintering), and an inkjet method. , There are devices using an inkjet powder lamination method, a projection method, and the like.
The material used for modeling differs depending on the modeling method, user designation, and device capability. The material constituting the target article and the support member may be the same or different. The number of modeling devices 400 is an example. Further, the performance and function of each modeling apparatus 400 may be the same or different.

FIG. 2 shows the functional configuration of the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 is, for example, a general-purpose computer, and includes a reception unit 210, a control unit 230, a storage unit 250, a communication unit 220, and a display unit 240.

The storage unit 250 is a storage device for a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like, and stores a program executed by the control unit 230 and 3D data read by the program. The 3D data is data showing the three-dimensional shape of the object to be modeled, and is, for example, STL, OBJ, PLY, OFF, 3DS, COLLADA, PTX, V3D, PTS, APTS, XYZ, GTS, TRI, ASC, The data is in the format of X3D, X3DV, VRML, ALN, DXF, GTS, U3D, IDTF, X3D and the like. The 3D data may be data created and output by 3DCG software, 3D scanned data, data obtained from a 3D data sharing site, or the like, and its generation. It doesn't matter how you get it or how you get it.

The communication unit 220 is implemented as a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the server 300 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard, and includes a transmission unit 221 and an acquisition unit 222.
The transmission unit 221 transmits the designation received by the reception unit 210 to the server device.
The acquisition unit 222 acquires information indicating the position of the support member used when modeling the solid in the modeling direction by the modeling device 400 from the server 300.

The reception unit 210 is an input device operated by a user (hereinafter, simply referred to as a user) of the user terminal 200 such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and a stylus, and receives an instruction from the user. Specifically, the reception unit 210 receives at least the shape of the three-dimensional object to be modeled. The shape does not have to have information about the size of the entire solid. For example, the shape information may include only the relative size of each side or surface constituting the solid. In addition, the reception unit 210 accepts the designation regarding the modeling conditions of the solid. The designation regarding the modeling conditions is for a base portion that is formed in the modeling direction of the solid using the same material as the support member prior to the size of the solid or the modeling of the solid, and supports or joins the support members. Information may be included. The information on the base portion may include at least one of one or more positions where the support member and the base portion come into contact with each other, the thickness of the base portion (offset position in the stacking direction), and the shape of the base portion.

The control unit 230 is implemented as one or more dedicated processors such as a general-purpose processor (CPU or the like) and / or a drawing processing processor (GPU).

The display unit 240 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays an image based on image data supplied from the control unit 230.
Specifically, the control unit 230 has a general function (designation of a three-dimensional direction and a designated direction) possessed by an application program for performing three-dimensional modeling generally called 3DCG, 3DCAD, or the like. It has a function to display a three-dimensional image that is entwined). More specifically, the control unit 230 displays the support member on the display unit 240 at a position according to the information acquired from the server 300 together with the image of the object. The control unit 230 draws, for example, the solid and the support member in different colors so that the user can easily see the solid and the support member.

FIG. 3 shows the functional configuration of the server 300. The server 300 is realized as, for example, a general-purpose server device. The server 300 may include an input unit such as a keyboard, a touch panel, and a mouse, and a display, which are not shown and are used by the administrator of the server 300.
The server 300 includes a communication unit 310, a control unit 320, and a storage unit 340. The communication unit 310 is implemented as a communication interface and transmits / receives information between the user terminal 200 and each modeling device 400. The communication unit 310 includes a reception unit 311 and a transmission unit 312.

When the reception unit 311 acquires the information on the shape of the solid to be modeled and the modeling conditions of the solid from the user terminal 200, the reception unit 311 supplies the information to the control unit 320. The modeling condition is information that defines the content of the modeling process executed by the modeling apparatus 400. The modeling conditions are, for example, one or more positions where the object and the support member come into contact, the area of the part of the object where contact with the support member is prohibited, the ability of the modeling device 400, the material used for modeling, and the support member. It includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the material, the shape of the support member, the time to completion of modeling, the accuracy of modeling, and the total amount of material used for modeling. The reception unit 311 may acquire at least a part of the modeling conditions from at least one of the user terminal 200 and the modeling device 400.
The transmission unit 312 transmits the 3D data of the support member supplied from the control unit 320 to the user terminal 200.

The storage unit 340 is a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, or other storage device, and stores a program for realizing a function described later when executed by the control unit 320. In addition, the storage unit 340 includes a plurality of costs when it is desired to perform modeling of the content based on the content of the modeling process including the method of introducing the support member, such as the function and price of each modeling device 400. Information necessary for the control unit 320 to determine which of the modeling devices 400 to execute is stored in the modeling device 400. In addition, the storage unit 340 stores information about the method of introducing the support member previously determined by the control unit 320. Specifically, information on the formation position of the support member is associated and stored according to the shape of the object specified by the user.

The control unit 320 is implemented as one or more processors, and determines a method of introducing the support member based on the modeling conditions supplied from the reception unit 311 according to a predetermined algorithm. Regarding the modeling conditions, for example, when the user specifies only the modeling direction as the modeling direction, if there is necessary information other than the modeling direction, it is appropriately acquired from the modeling device 400 or the storage unit 340.
In a preferred embodiment, the method of introducing the support member includes information indicating the position of the support member with respect to the object. The information indicating the position of the support member preferably includes, but is not limited to, one or more positions where the support member contacts the object (position for supporting the object), but is not limited to this, and supports the modeled object. The information may be any information indicating the position where the member should exist. The contact may be realized at one point or at a surface. Preferably, the control unit 320 determines the position of the support member so as not to come into contact with a portion such as a corner or an edge of the object as much as possible.

Further, the information indicating the position of the support member may be expressed by coordinates (Cartesian coordinates or polar coordinates), or expresses a relative positional relationship with parameters (vertices, faces, sides, etc.) that characterize the object. It may be a thing. For example, when all the vertices of the object are serially numbered, the position of the support member may be represented by the serial number. In this case, the vertices corresponding to the numbers should contact the support. How to express the information indicating the position of the support member and the information about the introduction method of the support member depends on the conditions such as the format of the 3D data of the object and the communication resource between the user terminal 200 and the server 300. Will be decided as appropriate.
The control unit 320 generates 3D data of the support member based on the determined introduction method of the support member, and outputs the 3D data to the transmission unit 312.

This algorithm, for example, finds a solution that minimizes the total amount of support members used and the size of the area in contact with the object, provided that it meets a predetermined structural (mechanical) criterion. .. In general, the smaller the number of support members used, the lower the material cost, and the smaller the area in contact with the object, the more time and effort it takes to remove the support members, and the less the molding accuracy deteriorates due to the removal. Because it can be done.

The method of introducing the support member may further include information specifying the shape of the support member. For example, this information specifies a cylinder, a prism, one or more cylinders, a rod, or a branched branch.
Further, the control unit 320 may determine a plurality of methods for introducing the support member. For example, when it is calculated that there are a plurality of patterns of positions that are equivalent in terms of strength or cost, one or more patterns are selected and output to the transmission unit 312.
Further, the control unit 320 may determine information about another support member that supports the support member (a member formed prior to modeling the object or the support member and functioning as a base for modeling). Specifically, this information may include at least one of one or more positions where the member contacts the solid, the thickness of the member (offset position in the stacking direction), and the shape of the member.
When the control unit 320 acquires a modeling condition other than the modeling direction from the user terminal 200, the control unit 320 may determine a method of introducing the support member including the position of the support member in consideration of the modeling condition.

Further, when the control unit 320 uses the support member to perform modeling with the modeling device 400 according to the determined position, the control unit 320 determines at least one of the material or total amount of the support member and the estimated modeling accuracy. Ancillary information regarding the modeling to be included may be further determined and supplied to the transmission unit 312. This incidental information may be acquired from the modeling apparatus 400 determined to be used for modeling, may be stored in the storage unit 340 in advance, or may be acquired from the user terminal 200.
Further, when determining the method of introducing the support member, the control unit 320 does not follow only a predetermined algorithm, but may add information about the method of introducing the support member calculated in the past stored in the storage unit 340. Good.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the object 990. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the object 990 is a hexahedron having vertices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the object 990 in the direction in which the surface ABCD faces the front. The orientation of the article (orientation in use) is the direction of the arrow in the figure. The orientation of the article and the modeling direction do not necessarily have to be the same. In general, there are infinite modeling directions in theory, but the required support members will differ depending on the modeling direction.

6 (a) to 6 (c) show an example of the support member 980 introduced according to the molding direction. In the case where the modeling device 400 is a device that discharges a material in a horizontal plane to form one layer having a predetermined thickness, and repeatedly stacks the materials from the bottom to the top in the vertical direction to complete the object. For example, when the modeling direction shown in (a) is adopted, the (plane AFHD) is the bottom surface (the surface formed first; the bottom layer), and the surface BCGF is the top surface (the top layer; the surface formed last). The modeling will be done in the same direction.
Here, in general, a support member is required when the angle of the protruding surface (overhang portion) exceeds a predetermined value. Assuming that this predetermined value is θ0 and θ1 <θ0 <θ2 in the figure, in the example of the figure (a), the support member 980 represented by DCI (I') is used to support the formation of the surface DCGH. -1 is provided. The support member 980-1 is drawn as a triangular prism, but this is an example. For example, the support member may be a hollow triangular prism, or in short, if it has a shape that mechanically supports the surface DCGH. Good.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when a modeling method is adopted in which the CBFG is on the bottom surface and the HAEH is on the top surface, for example, it is necessary to provide the support member 980-2 in the space portion represented by JCBKK'J'GF. is there.
When a modeling method is adopted in which the BFEA is on the bottom surface and the CGHD is on the top surface as shown in FIG. 3C, it is necessary to provide the support member 980-3 in the space portion represented by, for example, BLMM'FL'.

As described above, the shape, size, total amount, etc. of the support member 980 differ depending on the modeling direction adopted in the modeling apparatus. Further, depending on how the support member 980 comes into contact with the object 990, the molding accuracy when the support member 980 is removed from the object 990 by manual work or a machine tool may be affected.

The angle of the surface of the object is only one factor in determining the method of introducing the support member. It may also depend on factors such as the shape of the support member, the length of one support member (distance between the indicated points), and the distance between adjacent support members. Further, θ0 may fluctuate according to the vertical position (height) of the support member. That is, the algorithm used by the control unit 320 when determining the optimum modeling direction is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

FIG. 7 shows an operation example of the modeling support system 100. The user inputs the shape of the object (S502). Specifically, the 3D data to be modeled is specified. FIG. 8 is an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 200 at this time. The screen includes object OB1, object OB2, and object OB3. The object OB1 is an image of the object 990 viewed from an angle specified by the user. Every time the user's viewpoint is changed, the image is updated from the viewpoint. Object OB2 is a message prompting an operation. The object OB3 is used when the content specified by the user is confirmed.

The user specifies the modeling conditions (S504). Specifically, using a mouse or the like, the object OB1 is rotated in a desired direction on the screen, and the rotation is adjusted so that the upper direction of the screen is the modeling direction (stacking direction). If necessary, the user inputs modeling conditions other than the modeling direction such as size and selects the object OB3, and the specified modeling conditions are determined.

Returning to FIG. 7, the modeling conditions are transmitted to the server 300 (S506). The server 300 determines the method of introducing the support member, including at least the position of the support member, based on the modeling conditions (S508). Information indicating the method of introducing the support member is transmitted to the user terminal 200 (S510).

The user terminal 200 synthesizes and displays the object and the support member (S512). FIG. 9A is an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 200 when confirming how to use the support member. In FIG. 3A, the object OB1'of the object, the object OB5 and the object OB6 representing the support member and the base portion, respectively, are displayed at the positions calculated by the server 300.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a region where the support member is located. That is, the rendering of the completed product is displayed on the user terminal 200. More specifically, as in (b), the object OB5 is a columnar member arranged at predetermined intervals, each having a surface UE in contact with the object 990 and a surface LE in contact with the object OB6. The shape and thickness arrangement interval of each object OB5 may be the same or different.
The object OB6 has a plate shape with a thickness d. Object OB5 and object OB6 are displayed in different colors so that they can be easily distinguished from each other. It should be noted that the brightness, density, and gradation may be different instead of the difference in color, and the constant display / blinking display may be used properly. Moreover, each object OB may be displayed in a different color. For example, when the server 300 decides to use a plurality of types of objects, the objects 5 corresponding to the support members having the same shape and characteristics are displayed in different colors. Alternatively, color coding may be performed on each characteristic portion of one support member. For example, when a support member has a rod shape having branches, the branched portion and the non-branched portion may be color-coded.
In addition, the above colors include colorless or transparent. For example, the entire support member is not displayed, and the area where the support member and the object or the base portion contact is colored with a color different from that of the object. This display mode does not require confirmation of the shape of the object, but is useful when it is desired to grasp only the position where the object is used.

Object OB2'is a message prompting the user for confirmation. The user confirms the image, verifies whether it is in line with the intention, and the position, shape, total amount (volume) of the support member, the contact position and contact area between the support member and the object, and the thickness of the base portion are the user's intentions. Check if it is in line with.

The user selects the object OB4 when he / she thinks that the method of introducing the support member needs to be modified (S514: YES in FIG. 7). Then, the user terminal 200 displays the screen shown in FIG. 8 and accepts the designation of new modeling conditions (S504 in FIG. 7). For example, when the support member 980 is a product sample, its size is not important, the amount of support member to be modeled is larger than expected, and we wanted to reduce the total amount of support member due to budget constraints. In such a case, in the new modeling condition notified to the server 300, the overall size of the support member 980 is specified to a smaller value, or the modeling direction is changed. Alternatively, according to the user's rule of thumb, when it is determined that there is a high possibility that an inconvenience will occur even without the object OB6, the object OB6 is specified as unnecessary (that is, d = 0). Alternatively, judging from the total amount of support members, there seems to be a budget margin, so as a new modeling condition, the condition for the total amount of support members is specified to reduce the modeling accuracy due to gravity during modeling. In the user terminal 200, the images composited and displayed based on the information about the introduction method of the support member acquired from the server 300 are stored, and a plurality of images are simultaneously arranged in parallel on one screen so as to be easily compared. May be displayed.

In this way, the steps S504 to S514 of FIG. 7 are repeated until the user is satisfied.
When the user selects the object OB3 (S514; NO), the information indicating the confirmation of the request is transmitted from the user terminal 200 to the server 300 (S516).
The server 300 stores the 3D data of the support member 980 and the data representing the information about the introduction method of the support member determined by the control unit 320 (S518). Then, the server 300 selects one modeling device 400, transmits 3D data and information indicating the support member introduction method to the one modeling device 400, and requests the modeling process (S520). The server 300 determines information related to the execution of the modeling process (S522), such as a delivery date, an estimate of the cost, and an identifier of the determined modeling device 400, and transmits the information to the user terminal 200 (S524).

In the above embodiment, it is not necessary to execute the calculation of the method of introducing the support member on the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 need only draw based on the information acquired from the server 300. In addition, the user can visually confirm the result of simulating how the support member is introduced, and if it does not meet the intention, correct the modeling conditions such as the modeling direction and confirm the simulation result. it can. This correction / confirmation work can be repeated until the user is satisfied.

<Other Examples>
The modeling method used by the modeling apparatus 400 is not limited to the method of laminating materials. For example, the modeling apparatus 400 may realize modeling by cutting raw materials. Moreover, the direction of modeling does not have to be the vertical direction. For example, when modeling is realized by cutting, the modeling direction specified by the user defines the moving direction of the cutting tool under computer control. In short, the modeling direction may be one or more parameters that define the modeling process. For example, the modeling direction controlled by the modeling device may be two or more. For example, in the case of a laminated device that scans a material discharge port to complete modeling for one layer, the scanning direction is specified as the modeling direction in addition to the stacking direction.

In short, the system of the present invention includes a terminal device and a server device, and the terminal device includes a reception unit that accepts a designation of the shape of the three-dimensional object to be modeled, a transmission unit that transmits the designation to the server device, and a modeling device. An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the position of a support member used when modeling a solid from a server device, and a display unit that displays the support member at a position according to the acquired information together with the solid. The server device is used when the acquisition unit that acquires the shape of the solid to be modeled and the information about the modeling direction of the solid from the terminal device and when the modeling device models the solid according to the modeling direction. It suffices to have a determination unit that determines the position of the support member to be used, and a transmission unit that transmits the determined position to the terminal device.

100 ... modeling support system, 400 ... modeling device, 200 ... user terminal, 230 ... control unit, 240 ... display unit, 210 ... reception unit, 221 ... transmission unit, 220 ... communication unit, 222 ... acquisition unit, 250 ... storage unit, 300 ... server, 311 ... reception unit, 312 ... transmission unit, 320 ... determination unit, 340 ...・ ・ Storage unit, 900 ・ ・ ・ Communication network, 980 ・ ・ ・ Support member, 990 ・ ・ ・ Object

Claims (14)

The reception section that receives information on the shape of the three-dimensional object to be modeled,
A transmission unit that transmits the received information to the server apparatus,
An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the position of the support member introduced when modeling a solid by the modeling device from the server device, and
Together with the solid, the support member have a display unit for displaying the position according to the obtained information,
The receiving unit receives the designation of the modeling conditions after the positions of the solid and the supporting member are displayed on the display unit, and the transmitting unit transmits the designated modeling conditions to the server device.
Terminal equipment. The modeling device stacks materials,
The terminal device according to claim 1. The reception unit further specifies the modeling conditions of the solid.
The terminal device according to claim 1 or 2. The modeling conditions are the direction of modeling, the size of the solid, the position where the solid and the support member come into contact, and the thickness of the base portion formed by using the support member prior to modeling the solid. Including at least one of them,
The terminal device according to claim 3. The display unit distinguishes between the three-dimensional object and the support member.
The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An acquisition unit that acquires information on the shape of the solid to be modeled from the terminal device,
A determination unit that determines the position of the support member introduced when modeling the solid by the modeling device, and
Possess a transmission unit for transmitting the information representing the position that is the determined to the terminal device,
After further transmitting the information indicating the determined position, the acquisition unit receives the designation of the modeling condition from the terminal device, and the determination unit repositions the support member based on the accepted modeling condition. The server to decide. The server according to claim 6, wherein the position of the support member is a position where the support member comes into contact with the three-dimensional object or another support member. The server according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit determines the shape of the support member. The determination unit determines a plurality of combinations of positions by a plurality of support members, and determines a plurality of combinations of positions.
The transmitter transmits the determined combination of positions.
The server according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The acquisition portion is at least one of the direction of modeling, the size of the solid, the position where the solid and the support member contact, and the thickness of a portion formed by using the support member prior to modeling the solid. Acquire more modeling conditions including one,
The determination unit determines the position based on the modeling conditions.
The server according to any one of claims 6 to 9. When modeling using the support member according to the determined position, the determination unit provides incidental information including at least one of the material or total amount of the support member and the estimated modeling accuracy. Further decide
The transmitter further transmits the incidental information.
The server according to any one of claims 6 to 10. It further has a storage unit that stores the shape acquired by the acquisition unit and the position determined by the determination unit in association with each other.
The determination unit determines the position based on the correspondence stored in the storage unit.
The server according to any one of claims 6 to 11. On a computer with a display
Steps to receive information on the shape of the solid to be modeled,
And transmitting the received information to the server apparatus,
The step of acquiring information indicating the position of the support member introduced when modeling a solid by the modeling device from the server device, and
The display unit has a step of displaying the support member at a position according to the acquired information together with the solid.
A program for accepting designation of modeling conditions and transmitting the designated modeling conditions to the server device after the positions of the solid and the support member are displayed on the display unit. Further causing the computer to perform a step of specifying the modeling conditions of the solid.
The program according to claim 13.

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