TWI544402B - The method and apparatus for setting the three - dimensional printer - Google Patents

Description

Three-dimensional printer setting method and device thereof

The invention relates to the field of three-dimensional printers, in particular to a method for setting up a three-dimensional printer and an apparatus thereof.

Three-dimensional printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology in which three-dimensional printing objects are created by a three-dimensional printer through a continuous solid layer. Compared with other additive manufacturing technologies, 3D printers have the advantages of high speed, low price and high ease of use. The 3D printer is a device that can print real three-dimensional objects. It is functionally the same as the laser forming technology. It uses layered processing and superposition forming, which is to create a three-dimensional printed object entity by adding materials layer by layer, and the traditional material removal. Processing technology is completely different. The three-dimensional printer is referred to its technical principle, because the process of layered processing is very similar to the working principle of the inkjet printer.

When printing a 3D printed object with a 3D printer, the printing materials used for 3D printing are different, and the printing parameters such as printing temperature and/or printing flow rate are set to obtain the best. The printing effect is also different. Even for the same print material used by 3D printers, when printing different batches or different 3D prints of the same 3D print object, the print parameters set for the best print results are also There will be differences.

In order to obtain the best printing effect, it is necessary to manually test the printing parameters of the 3D printer by manual observation and hand touch feeling, so as to determine the results. The print parameters for the best print results. In this test process, manual long-term experience is required, the efficiency is low and the setting may be inaccurate due to human reasons, and it is not possible to promote the application in a wide range, nor to print the parameter settings of the standardized 3D printer.

In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for setting a three-dimensional printer, which can perform standard setting of printing parameters of a three-dimensional printer to improve the accuracy of obtaining an optimal printing effect.

The embodiment of the invention further provides a printing parameter setting device for a three-dimensional printer, which can perform the printing parameter setting of the three-dimensional printer in a standardized manner, thereby improving the accuracy of obtaining an optimal printing effect.

According to the above object, the present invention is implemented as follows: a method for setting a three-dimensional printer, the method comprising: selecting a plurality of test print parameter values within a range of print parameters, and setting a plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of tests respectively Print the parameter values.

Prints the print material according to multiple test prints and prints the print material into the corresponding area.

The actual characteristic values of the printed materials in each area are measured, and the absolute difference from the standard characteristic values is calculated as the error value for each area.

The test print parameter value corresponding to the region with the smallest error value is used as the print parameter of the three-dimensional printer.

Print parameters for print temperature, print flow rate, feed rate or cooling rate A type, or a parameter related to one of a printing temperature, a printing flow rate, a feeding speed, and a cooling rate.

The print parameter range is the range of print parameters specified by the print material, or selected from the range of print parameters specified by the print material according to the selection rules.

The actual characteristic value of the printed material is the actual height value printed by the printed material.

The standard characteristic value is the standard height value.

The step of printing the printing material into the corresponding area according to the test printing parameter value, further includes the steps of: setting a printing control code corresponding to one of the areas; and running the printing control code.

The step of measuring the actual characteristic value of each printed material in the area and calculating the absolute difference between the standard characteristic value and the standard characteristic value as the error value of the area, further comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of sample points and measuring the actual characteristic value of the printed material Calculating the absolute difference between the value and the standard characteristic value; and accumulating the absolute difference and dividing by the number of sample points to obtain a cumulative error value, wherein the cumulative error value is used as the error value for each region.

A setting device for a three-dimensional printer, the device comprising: a setting unit, a control unit, a printing unit and a sensor, wherein: the setting unit selects a plurality of test printing parameter values within the printing parameter range, and sets Corresponding to multiple areas of multiple test print parameter values.

The sensor measures the actual characteristic value of each printed material in each area and calculates the absolute difference from the standard characteristic value as the error value of each area.

The control unit, the electrical connection setting unit, the printing unit and the sensor, the control setting unit, the printing unit and the sensor are operated, and the test printing parameter value corresponding to the region with the smallest error value is used as the three-dimensional printing table The printing parameters of the machine.

The control unit further comprises calculating an absolute difference between the actual characteristic value of the printing material and the standard characteristic value, accumulating the absolute difference and dividing the number of the plurality of sample points to obtain a cumulative error value, wherein the cumulative error value is used as each The error value of the area.

The sensor is a distance sensor.

It can be seen from the above solution that the embodiment of the present invention first selects a plurality of test print parameter values within the range of print parameters to be set, and sets a plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of test print parameter values respectively, and the three-dimensional printer Print the printed material values according to the multiple test print parameters, and print the printed materials into the corresponding areas; then, measure the actual characteristic values of the printed materials in each area, and calculate the absolute difference from the standard characteristic values. The value is used as the error value of each area; finally, the test print parameter value corresponding to the area with the smallest error value is used as the printing parameter of the three-dimensional printer. Since the present invention does not require manual testing of the printing parameters of the three-dimensional printer as in the prior art, the software and the sensor are used for standardization testing to obtain the printing parameters of the best printing effect of the three-dimensional printer. Therefore, it is possible to promote the application on a large scale and improve the accuracy of obtaining the best printing effect.

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FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for setting a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a specific embodiment of a method for setting a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a region used in a first embodiment of a method for setting a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a region used in a second embodiment of a method for setting a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for setting a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In order to standardize the printing parameter setting of the three-dimensional printer, the accuracy of obtaining the best printing effect is improved, and the setting method of the three-dimensional printer can be applied. In the embodiment of the present invention, the printing parameter to be set first is set. Selecting a plurality of test print parameter values in the range, and setting a plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of test print parameter values respectively, and the three-dimensional printer respectively prints the print parameter values by using a plurality of test prints, and prints the print materials to the corresponding ones. In the region; then, the sensor is used to measure the actual characteristic value of the printed material in each region, and the absolute difference between the standard and the characteristic value is used as the error value of each region; finally, the region with the smallest error value The corresponding test prints the parameter values as the print parameters of the 3D printer.

The area may be a rectangle, a polygon, a circle or an ellipse, etc., and the embodiment of the present invention does not limit the shape and size of the area.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for setting a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the specific steps are as follows:

Step 101: Select a plurality of test print parameter values in the range of print parameters to be set, and set a plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of test print parameter values.

In this step, the printing material specifies the range of printing parameters, and the setting of the printing parameter range is the printing parameter range specified by the printing material, or according to the setting rules of the setting. It is selected from the range of printing parameters specified by the printed material.

In this step, selecting a plurality of test print parameter values, and setting a plurality of regions corresponding to a plurality of test print parameter values, can be completed by using the software set by the present invention.

Step 102: Control the three-dimensional printer to print the printing parameter values by using a plurality of test printing parameter values, and print the printing material into the corresponding area.

Step 103: The actual characteristic value of the printing material in each area is measured by a sensor, and the absolute difference between the standard characteristic value and the standard characteristic value is calculated as the error value of each area.

In this step, the actual material value of the printing material may be the actual height value printed by the printing material, and the sensor may be a distance sensor for measuring the actual height value printed by the printing material.

Step 104: The test print parameter value corresponding to the region with the smallest error value is used as the print parameter of the three-dimensional printer.

The steps described in FIG. 1 are all performed by the software control provided, and the control process of the software is as shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is a specific embodiment of the method for setting the three-dimensional printer provided by the embodiment of the present invention. The specific steps of the flow chart are:

Step 201: The test begins.

Step 202: The software determines a range of printing parameters to be set.

In this step, the printing material defines the printing parameter range, and the set printing parameter range may be the printing parameter range specified by the printing material, or may be printed from the printing material according to a preset selection rule. Selected from the parameter range, no longer limited here.

Step 203: The software divides multiple regions within a range of print parameters to be set, and generates corresponding test print parameter values for each region, and generates corresponding data according to the corresponding relationship. Print the control code.

In this step, the print control code sequentially printed in the corresponding area according to the different test print parameter values is set in the three-dimensional printer.

Step 204: The three-dimensional printer runs the print control code, prints the parameter values by using different test prints, and prints the print material into the corresponding area.

Step 205: Measure the actual characteristic value of the printing material in each area by using a sensor, and calculate an absolute difference value from the standard characteristic value.

Step 206: For each area, a plurality of sample points may be selected to measure the actual characteristic values of the printed materials, and the absolute difference between the calculated values and the standard characteristic values is respectively calculated, and then the cumulative sum is divided and the number of samples is divided. The cumulative error value is obtained as the error value for each region.

Step 207: Compare the error value of each area, and use the test print parameter value corresponding to the area with the smallest error value as the printing parameter of the three-dimensional printer.

Step 208: The test ends.

The invention is illustrated by the following two preferred embodiments.

Embodiment 1

The printing parameter to be set for the three-dimensional printer is the printing temperature of the printing material.

When printing materials, the printing temperature range of the printing material is marked. The printing temperature range is the recommended temperature range of the printing material. Different printing materials have different recommended temperature ranges, which are outside the printing temperature range. It will block the print head of the 3D printer and even damage the print head of the 3D printer.

First, select multiple test print temperature values within the print temperature range to be set, and set different rectangular areas corresponding to multiple test print temperature values.

For example, if the printing temperature marked by the printing material ranges from 190 ° C to 220 ° C, the variable printing temperature range is 30 ° C. In the printing temperature range, multiple test prints are selected in units of 1 degree Celsius. Temperature values, and set different rectangular areas corresponding to multiple test print temperature values, as shown in Figure 3.

Then, the software generates a print control code according to the above correspondence.

Again, the 3D printer prints the printed material according to the print control code, prints the print temperature using different test prints, and prints the print material into the corresponding rectangular area.

Again, for each rectangular area, multiple sample points can be selected. The distance sensor is used to measure the actual height value of the printed material, and the absolute difference between the sample and the standard height value is calculated separately. The cumulative error value is obtained as the number of sample points, as the error value of each rectangular area, the actual height value of the printing material in each rectangular area, and the absolute difference between the standard height value and the standard height value is used as the error value of each rectangular area. ; Here, a distance sensor can be disposed under the print head platform of the three-dimensional printer, and the software controls the movement of the print head platform, and scans each printed rectangular area in FIG. 3 to calculate an error value. For example, to scan the distance of 100 collection points on a rectangular area, if the standard height value is 5 cm, the scanning distance is 5.1 cm, the error value is 0.1 cm, and the scanning distance is 4.9 cm, then the error value is taken as an absolute value. It is 0.1 cm.

Finally, the test printing temperature value corresponding to the rectangular area with the smallest error value is used as the printing temperature of the three-dimensional printer, and the printing temperature of the three-dimensional printer is saved as the printing temperature of the subsequent printing material. And generate a print control code based on the print temperature.

Embodiment 2

The printing parameter to be set for the three-dimensional printer is the printing flow rate of the printing material.

First, select multiple test print flow rate values within the range of print flow rates to be set, and set different circular areas corresponding to multiple test print flow rate values.

According to the printing flow rate range, it is divided into multiple circular areas. If the printing material flow rate ranges from 20 to 80 cubic centimeters per second, the variable range value is 60, and multiple tests are selected in units of 1 cubic centimeter. Print the flow rate values and set different circular areas that correspond to multiple test print flow values, as shown in Figure 4.

Then, the software generates a print control code according to the above correspondence.

Again, the 3D printer prints the printed material according to the print control code, prints the flow rate value with different tests, and prints the printed material into the corresponding circular area.

Again, for each circular area, multiple sample points can be selected. The distance sensor is used to measure the actual height value of the printed material, and the absolute difference between the standard height values and the standard height value is calculated separately. Divide by the number of sample points to obtain the cumulative error value, as the error value of each circular area, the actual height value of the printed material in each circular area, and the absolute difference between the standard height value and each of the circular areas. Error value Here, a distance sensor can be disposed under the printing head platform of the three-dimensional printer, and the software controls the movement of the printing head platform, and scans each printed circular area in FIG. 3 to calculate an error value. For example, to scan the distance of 100 sample points on a circular area, if the standard height value is 5 cm, the scanning distance is 5.1 cm, the error value is 0.1 cm, and the scanning distance is 4.9 cm, then the error value is taken as an absolute value. It is also 0.1 cm.

Finally, the test print flow rate value corresponding to the circular area with the smallest error value is used as the print flow rate of the three-dimensional printer, and the print flow rate of the three-dimensional printer is saved as The printing flow rate of the printed material is subsequently printed, and the print control code is generated based on the printing flow rate.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the printing parameters of the three-dimensional printer are not limited to the printing temperature and the printing flow rate mentioned in the embodiment, and the printing parameter may also be the feeding speed or the cooling speed, or the printing temperature, Prints the relevant parameters for one of the flow rate, feed rate, and cooling rate.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a printing parameter setting device for a three-dimensional printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device structure includes: a setting unit, a control unit, a printing unit, and a sensor, and the printing unit is a three-dimensional printer. Print unit, where: Set the unit to select multiple test print parameter values within the range of print parameters to be set, and set multiple areas corresponding to multiple test print parameter values.

Print units that print printed material into the corresponding area based on multiple test print parameter values.

The sensor measures the actual characteristic value of the printed material in each area and calculates the absolute difference from the standard characteristic value as the error value for each area.

The control unit, the electrical connection setting unit, the printing unit and the sensor, the control setting unit, the printing unit and the sensor are used for controlling the printing unit to print the plurality of test printing parameter values respectively, The printing material is printed into the corresponding area; the control sensor measures the actual characteristic value of the printing material in each area, and the absolute difference between the standard characteristic value and the standard characteristic value is used as the error value of each area; The test print parameter value corresponding to the region with the smallest error value is used as the print parameter of the 3D printer.

In an embodiment, the control unit is further configured to control the absolute difference between the sensor and the standard characteristic value, and then perform cumulative summation and divide by the number of sample points to obtain a cumulative error value, as the error of each region. value.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor of the printing parameter setting device may be a distance sensor for measuring the height.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. All modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

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Claims (9)

A method for setting a three-dimensional printer comprises the steps of: selecting a plurality of test print parameter values within a range of print parameters, and setting a plurality of regions respectively corresponding to the test print parameter values; and printing the parameters according to the tests a value, printing a column of printed materials into the corresponding regions; measuring an actual characteristic value of each of the printing materials in the regions, and calculating an absolute difference from a standard characteristic value as the One of the error values of the region; the test print parameter value corresponding to the region having the smallest error value is used as one of the three-dimensional printer printing parameters. The method of claim 1, wherein the printing parameter is a printing temperature, a printing flow rate, a feed rate, or a cooling rate. The method of claim 1, wherein the printing parameter range is a printing parameter range specified by the printing material, or is selected from the printing parameter range specified by the printing material according to a selection rule. The method of claim 1, wherein the actual characteristic value of the printing material is an actual height value printed by the printing material, the standard characteristic value being a standard height value. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of printing the printing material into the corresponding regions according to the test printing parameter values further comprises the steps of: setting corresponding regions One of the print control codes; and the print control code is run. The method of claim 1, wherein the actual characteristic value of each of the printing materials in the regions is measured, and the absolute difference between the standard property values is calculated as the error of the regions The step of value further includes the steps of: selecting a plurality of sample points and measuring the actual characteristic value of the printed material, calculating the absolute difference between the standard characteristic values; and accumulating the absolute differences and The number of sample points is divided to obtain a cumulative error value, which is the error value for each of the regions. A setting device for a three-dimensional printer comprises: a setting unit, selecting a plurality of test printing parameter values within a range of printing parameters, and setting a plurality of regions respectively corresponding to the printing parameter values; a printing unit, according to The test print parameter values print a print material into the corresponding regions; a sensor that measures an actual characteristic value of each of the print materials in the regions and calculates a standard characteristic An absolute difference between the values is used as an error value of the regions; and a control unit electrically connecting the setting unit, the printing unit and the sensor, controlling the setting unit, the printing unit, and the sense The tester operates and the test print parameter value corresponding to the area with the smallest error value is used as one of the three-dimensional printer printing parameters. The device of claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the sensor to calculate the absolute difference between the actual characteristic value of the printing material and the standard characteristic value, and then accumulate the absolute differences. The value is divided by the number of the plurality of sample points to obtain a cumulative error value, wherein the cumulative error value is The error value for each of the regions. The device of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a distance sensor.