3D printing apparatus and printing method, data processing method and system for three-dimensional model

Abstract

The application provides a 3D printing device and printing method, a three-dimensional model data processing method and system. The method controls an energy radiation device to configure original slice images and virtual slice images in target slice data of a target three-dimensional model. When printing, the 3D printing device projects onto a printing reference surface in a conventional projection mode to form a solidified layer. The 3D printing device projects onto the printing reference surface in a virtual projection mode to compensate for the solidified layer. In this way, the solidified printing is performed in different projection modes, so that the printed 3D component has a smoother surface quality while considering the feature expression fine pattern, thereby solving the problem of poor surface quality of the printed product caused by water ripples or sawtooth patterns on part of the surface of the 3D component printed by the existing 3D printing technology.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of 3D printing equipment, and in particular to a 3D printing equipment, a printing method applied to the 3D printing equipment, a control system, a data processing method of a three-dimensional model, a data processing system of the three-dimensional model, and a computer readable storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] 3D printing technology is a kind of rapid prototyping technology, which often takes liquid photosensitive resin, photosensitive polymer and other materials as the material to be formed, divides the printing model into multiple cross-section layers, and then constructs the entity through layer-by-layer printing. The light-cured 3D printing equipment has high forming precision and is widely used in customized goods, medical jigs, prostheses and other aspects.

[0003] In the DLP surface exposure process 3D printing application, the smallest unit of printing is the projection pixel of the DLP light machine. Because of the existence of pixel units, the projected pattern of the DLP light machine will have a pixel square or grid composed of stepped edges in the case of magnification. This stepped edge, reflected in the actual 3D printed object, is a pixel pattern or water wave pattern. Commonly, if the focal length and projected image of the DLP light machine are clear, the water wave pattern on the 3D component in the actual printing effect cannot be avoided, even if some gray scale solutions are used to correct it. Due to the existence of pixel edges, the actual cured pattern is still angular, and thus the visual and tactile effect of smooth surface of some 3D components cannot be achieved. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the related art, the purpose of the present application is to provide a 3D printing equipment, a printing method applied to the 3D printing equipment, a control system, a data processing method of a three-dimensional model, a data processing system of the three-dimensional model, and a computer readable storage medium, to solve the problem of poor surface quality of the printed 3D component due to water wave or sawtooth pattern on part of the surface.

[0005] To achieve the above object and other related objects, the first aspect of the present application provides a printing method applied to a 3D printing device, the printing method comprising the following steps: reading current slice data of a target three-dimensional model, the current slice data comprising an original slice image and a virtualized slice image, the virtualized slice image having partially same image features as the original slice image; causing an energy radiation device to project the original slice image of the current slice data to solidify a material to be formed on a printing reference surface to form a current solidified layer; causing a component platform to be silent to wait for the energy radiation device to switch a virtualized projection mode; causing the energy radiation device to project the virtualized slice image in the virtualized projection mode to solidify the material to be formed on the printing reference surface again to compensate the current solidified layer; causing the component platform to be raised to peel off the compensated current solidified layer, and reading next slice data of the target three-dimensional model to update the next slice data as the current slice data, and lowering the component platform to the printing reference surface and switching the energy radiation device to a regular projection mode; repeating the above steps to perform layer-by-layer printing until a 3D component of the target three-dimensional model is printed completely.

[0006] The second aspect of the present application provides a control system for a 3D printing device with surface exposure, the control system comprising: a storage device for storing at least one program; a processing device connected with the storage device for running the at least one program to perform and realize the printing method as described in the first aspect above.

[0007] The third aspect of the present application provides a data processing method of a three-dimensional model, the three-dimensional model being used for a 3D printing device to print a 3D component, the data processing method comprising the following steps: reading a target three-dimensional model and defining a part region in the target three-dimensional model as a part to be virtualized; slicing the target three-dimensional model to generate an original slice data set comprising a plurality of original slice images; slicing the part to be virtualized to generate a virtualized slice data set comprising a plurality of virtualized slice images; each layer of the virtualized slice data set having a corresponding original slice image with same layer information in the original slice data set; and the virtualized slice image having partially same image features as the original slice image; wherein the original slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project to a printing reference surface in a regular projection mode to form a solidified layer; and the virtualized slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project to the printing reference surface in a virtualized projection mode to compensate the solidified layer.

[0008] The fourth aspect of the present application provides a data processing system of a three-dimensional model, the three-dimensional model being used for printing a three-dimensional component by a 3D printing device, the data processing system comprising: a reading module configured to read a target three-dimensional model; a defining module configured to define a selected part of the target three-dimensional model as a part to be made transparent; a slicing module configured to slice the target three-dimensional model to generate an original slice dataset comprising a plurality of original slice images, and slice the part to be made transparent to generate a transparent slice dataset comprising a plurality of transparent slice images; wherein each layer of the transparent slice dataset has a corresponding original slice image with the same layer information in the original slice dataset, and the transparent slice image has partially same image features as the original slice image; the original slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project onto a printing reference surface in a normal projection mode to form a solidified layer; and the transparent slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project onto the printing reference surface in a transparent projection mode to compensate for the solidified layer.

[0009] The fifth aspect of the present application provides a 3D printing device, comprising: a container configured to hold a material to be formed; a component platform configured to attach a solidified layer formed by the material to be formed; a Z-axis driving mechanism connected to the component platform, configured to control the component platform to rise or fall during a printing operation; an energy radiation device configured to radiate energy to a printing reference surface in the container to selectively solidify the material to be formed on the printing reference surface, so as to form a patterned solidified layer; and a control device configured to read current slice data of a target three-dimensional model, control the energy radiation device to project onto the printing reference surface in a normal projection mode according to an original slice image in the current slice data to form a solidified layer, and control the energy radiation device to project onto the printing reference surface in a transparent projection mode according to a transparent slice image in the current slice data to compensate for the solidified layer.

[0010] The sixth aspect of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, characterized by storing at least one computer program, the computer program being run by a processor to control a device where the storage medium is located to execute the printing method according to the first aspect described above, or the data processing method of a three-dimensional model according to the third aspect described above.

[0011] In summary, the 3D printing device, the printing method applied to the 3D printing device, the control system, the data processing method of the three-dimensional model, the data processing system of the three-dimensional model, and the computer readable storage medium provided by the application control the energy radiation device to configure the original slice image and the virtual slice image in the target slice data of the target three-dimensional model. When printing, the 3D printing device projects to the printing reference surface in the conventional projection mode to form a solidification layer; the 3D printing device projects to the printing reference surface in the virtual projection mode to compensate for the solidification layer. In this way, the solidification printing is carried out in different projection modes, so that the printed 3D component has a more smooth surface quality while taking into account the fine pattern of the feature expression, thereby improving the surface quality of the printed product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The specific features involved in the application are shown in the appended claims. The features and advantages of the invention involved in the application can be better understood by referring to the exemplary embodiments described in detail below and the accompanying drawings. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0013] Figure 1 The principle schematic diagram of the 3D printing device exposed to the bottom of the application in an embodiment is shown.

[0014] Figure 2 The flowchart of the data processing method of the three-dimensional model of the application in an embodiment is shown.

[0015] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the target three-dimensional model of the application in an embodiment is shown.

[0016] Figure 4 The schematic diagram of a part of the target three-dimensional model defined as a part to be virtualized in an embodiment of the application is shown.

[0017] Figure 5 The schematic diagram of an original slice image after slicing the target three-dimensional model as a whole in an embodiment of the application is shown.

[0018] Figure 6 The schematic diagram of a virtual slice image after slicing the part to be virtualized in an embodiment of the application is shown.

[0019] Figure 7 The principle block diagram of the data processing system of the three-dimensional model of the application in an embodiment is shown.

[0020] Figure 8 The flowchart of the printing method of the application in an embodiment is shown.

[0021] Figure 9 The schematic diagram of the energy radiation device of the application switching the projection mode in an embodiment is shown.

[0022] Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing the energy radiation device of the present application switching the projection mode in another embodiment.

[0023] Figure 11 A schematic diagram showing the energy radiation device of the present application with a ground glass lens placed in the light path in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following describes the embodiments of the present application by specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the content disclosed in the description.

[0025] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, several embodiments of the present application. It is understood that other embodiments can be used and mechanical, structural, electrical, and operational changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the embodiments of the present application are defined only by the claims of the issued patent. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. Spatially relative terms, such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "below", "above", "bottom", "top", and the like, can be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.

[0026] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in combination with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0027] As described in the background, since the focal length of the DLP light machine projection in the 3D printing device and the projected image are relatively clear, the water ripples or sawtooth phenomenon on the 3D component in the actual printing effect is difficult to avoid, even if some gray scale solutions are used for correction, due to the existence of pixel edges, the actually solidified pattern is still angular, and the smooth surface effect of some 3D components cannot be achieved.

[0028] In the process of generating the technical solution of the present application, the inventors found that if a slight defocus is adopted in the DLP light machine (the focal plane is not in the printing plane), the image is not clear due to defocus, and is no longer affected by the pixel edges. At this time, the printed model profile is very smooth, and the original water wave or sawtooth phenomenon is also reduced or even eliminated. However, in the case of slight defocus of the DLP light machine, many printed details will also be blurred, and the originally required lines on the surface of the 3D component will be smoothed. In the present application, the "defocus" refers to the focal plane not being in the printing plane, the image blurred before and after the focal point, which is also commonly referred to as out-of-focus imaging / virtual image / defocus (also referred to as Bokeh, and also referred to as OOF, i.e. Out Of Focus).

[0029] To this end, the present application provides a 3D printing device, a printing method applied to the 3D printing device, a control system, a data processing method of a three-dimensional model, a data processing system of a three-dimensional model, and a computer readable storage medium, which are used to print by adopting the respective advantages of the clear focus and the slight defocus, and are particularly suitable for printing scenarios or printing requirements of models that have both precision requirements and smooth surfaces, such as parts with fine pipelines inside and smooth surfaces outside, or parts with fine patterns in some local parts, etc.

[0030] To this end, the present application provides a printing method applied to a 3D printing device and the 3D printing device, which are used to solve the problem of poor surface quality of the printed product caused by water wave or sawtooth lines on part of the surface of the 3D component printed by the existing 3D printing technology, and can also ensure that the printed 3D component can exhibit the desired details such as lines or patterns and the smooth surface effect of the desired smooth surface.

[0031] The printing method of the present application is applied to a 3D printing device. In an embodiment, the 3D printing device is a bottom surface exposure 3D printing device. For the purpose of facilitating understanding of the bottom surface exposure 3D printing device of the present application, please refer to Figure 1 , which shows a principle schematic diagram of the bottom surface exposure 3D printing device of the present application in an embodiment. As shown in the figure, the 3D printing device comprises a container 11, a component platform 12, a Z-axis driving mechanism 13, an energy radiation device 14, and a control device 15.

[0032] The container 11 is used to hold the material to be formed, and the bottom surface of the container 11 is transparent, which is used to transmit the light / pattern emitted by the energy radiation device at the bottom of the container. In an embodiment, the transparent bottom of the container 11 is made of materials such as glass or transparent resin. In some cases, the container 11 can also be referred to as a resin tank or a vat. The container 11 can be entirely transparent or only the bottom of the container is transparent. For example, the container 11 is a glass container, and in some embodiments, the four side walls of the container 11 are pasted with light-absorbing paper (such as black film or black paper) to reduce the interference of light scattering on the curing of the material to be formed / light-cured material during projection. In some embodiments, for the printing device that performs bottom surface exposure forming, a release film (not shown) that facilitates the release of the printed and cured layer from the bottom surface of the container is also laid on the inside bottom surface of the container 11. The transparent flexible film that facilitates release is, for example, a FEP release film, which is a hot melt extrusion cast film made of ultra-pure FEP resin (fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer). The FEP release film has excellent non-stickiness, high temperature resistance, electrical insulation, mechanical properties, wear resistance, etc.

[0033] In an embodiment, in order to facilitate the release between the bottom surface of the container 11 and the cured pattern layer, increase the printing speed by increasing the release speed, and ensure the yield, in some examples, a flexible release film is laid on the bottom surface of the container, which utilizes the flexibility of the release film to deform during the movement of the component platform, and utilizes the elastic force caused by the deformation to release the release film from the pattern cured layer. The flexible release film is, for example, a fluorine release film, a plastic film product coated with silicone oil, etc.

[0034] In another embodiment, in order to compensate for the increase in release difficulty caused by the decrease in flexibility, a release plate or a surface facing the pattern cured layer side of the container 11 is laid with a microporous structure. This greatly reduces the contact area between the release plate and the pattern cured layer. The microporous structure not only reduces the contact area, but also disperses the contact position, so that the release plate as a whole is easier to release from the pattern cured layer compared to the flexible release film. For example, the top end of the hole wall of each microporous structure is in a meshed contact with the pattern cured layer. Therefore, when the component platform of the 3D printing device is released by using the same force as the flexible release film, the release plate has a faster release speed, as disclosed in the technical solution of Chinese Patent Application CN114851564A.

[0035] In embodiments, the material to be formed includes any liquid material that is susceptible to photocuring, such as a photocuring resin liquid, or a resin liquid mixed with ceramic powder, color additives, or other mixed materials. The liquid material can also include any one or more of the following mixtures: a mixture of two or more raw materials that can produce a slow chemical reaction, a material that can produce a slow chemical reaction with components in the air, or a material that is susceptible to evaporation to change the components. The liquid material has a certain viscosity, which is related to the mixed material. For example, a photocuring resin liquid mixed with 60% ceramic powder has a higher viscosity than a photocuring resin liquid mixed with 20% ceramic powder.

[0036] In embodiments of a 3D printing device that exposes the bottom surface, the component platform 12 is disposed on the inner bottom surface of the container 11 to attach the solidified layer formed by the material to be formed, i.e., to attach the patterned solidified layer obtained after energy radiation, so as to accumulate the 3D component via the patterned solidified layer. Specifically, the component platform 12 is, for example, a component plate. The component platform 12 generally starts from a position that is one layer height away from the bottom surface of the container 11, and accumulates each patterned solidified layer solidified at the bottom surface by a general upward movement to obtain the corresponding 3D component 2. In some embodiments, the component platform 12 can also be referred to as a forming plate.

[0037] In embodiments of the present application, such as a bottom exposure device (e.g., a DLP or LCD device), the component platform is suspended above the printing reference surface to attach and accumulate the patterned solidified layer solidified by irradiation. Generally, the material of the component platform is different from the photocuring material. The component platform is driven by the Z-axis driving mechanism in the 3D printing device to move along the Z-axis (vertical direction) to fill the material to be solidified between the component platform and the printing reference surface, so that the energy radiation device in the 3D printing device can irradiate the material to be solidified by energy radiation, so that the irradiated material is solidified and accumulated to attach to the component platform.

[0038] In embodiments, in order to accurately control the irradiation energy of each solidified layer, the component platform and the manufactured 3D object part attached thereto need to be moved to a position where the minimum distance between the component platform and the printing reference surface is the layer thickness of the solidified layer to be solidified, and the component platform is raised by the Z-axis driving mechanism to separate the solidified layer from the bottom of the container. In this embodiment, when the Z-axis driving mechanism drives the component platform to move downward, it is generally to lower the component platform or the patterned solidified layer attached to the component platform to a distance of one solidified layer height from the bottom of the container, so as to irradiate the photocuring material filled in the distance. When the Z-axis driving mechanism drives the component platform to move upward, it is generally to separate the patterned solidified layer from the bottom of the container.

[0039] The Z-axis driving mechanism 13 is connected to the component platform 12 for controlling the component platform 12 to ascend or descend during a printing operation. In an embodiment, the component platform 12 is detachably fixed to the Z-axis driving mechanism 13, so that after the 3D component is printed, the operator can remove the component platform 12 from the Z-axis driving mechanism 13 to take the component, and then install the component platform 12 to the Z-axis driving mechanism 13 for the next printing.

[0040] In an embodiment, the Z-axis driving mechanism 13 includes a driving unit and a vertical moving unit. The driving unit is used to drive the vertical moving unit, so that the vertical moving unit drives the component platform to ascend or descend. For example, the driving unit includes a driving motor for driving the component platform to ascend or descend. The driving unit is controlled by a separate control instruction. The control instruction includes a directional instruction for indicating the component platform to ascend, descend or stop, and can further include parameters such as rotational speed / rotational speed acceleration, or torque / torsion, etc. This is advantageous for precisely controlling the descending distance of the vertical moving unit to achieve accurate adjustment of the Z-axis.

[0041] Here, the vertical moving unit includes, for example, a fixed rod fixed at one end of the component platform, and a clamping type moving assembly fixed at the other end of the fixed rod. The clamping type moving assembly is driven by the driving unit to drive the fixed rod to vertically move. The clamping type moving assembly is, for example, a limit moving assembly clamped by a toothed structure, such as a rack. For another example, the vertical moving unit includes a lead screw and a positioning moving structure sleeved on the lead screw. The two ends of the lead screw are screwed to the driving unit, and the extended end of the positioning moving structure is fixedly connected to the component platform. The positioning moving structure can be, for example, a ball screw.

[0042] The energy radiation device 14 is located below the container 11 for radiating energy to the bottom surface of the container 11 to selectively solidify the material to be formed on the printing reference surface between the component platform 12 and the bottom surface of the container 11 to form the patterned solidified layer. In an embodiment, the energy radiation device 14 is used to radiate patterned energy through the bottom surface of the container 11 to form a corresponding pattern (such as the original slice image and the virtual slice image in the present application) at the bottom surface. The energy radiation device 14 is installed at the bottom of the 3D printing device, specifically below the container 11, and includes, for example, a surface exposure type energy radiation device.

[0043] In an embodiment, the area exposure energy radiation device comprises a DLP (Digital Light Procession) system, which comprises a projection device. For example, the projection device comprises a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) chip, a controller and a storage module. The storage module stores a layered image of a layered 3D object model. The DMD chip irradiates light corresponding to each pixel of the layered image to the bottom surface of the container 11 upon receiving a control signal from the controller. The DMD chip appears to be a small mirror from the outside, which is encapsulated in a sealed space composed of metal and glass. In fact, the mirror is composed of hundreds of thousands or even millions of micro-mirrors, each of which represents a pixel, and the projected image is composed of these pixels. The DMD chip can be simply described as a semiconductor light switch and a micro-mirror corresponding to each pixel. The controller controls each light switch in the DMD chip to allow / inhibit each micro-mirror to reflect light, thereby irradiating the corresponding layered image to the photobuilding material through the transparent bottom of the container, so that the photobuilding material corresponding to the image shape is solidified to obtain a patterned solidified layer. In this embodiment, the projection device comprises an optical machine, which has a lens with adjustable / adjustable focal length, such as the lens 140 shown in the subsequent Figure 9

[0044] In an embodiment, the area exposure energy radiation device comprises an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) system, which comprises a radiation source and a panel. The radiation source is used to provide radiation energy, which comprises but is not limited to a 406 nm UV-LED light source, a 355 nm UV-LED light source, visible light, etc. In specific applications, the specific requirements of the printing material can be determined, for example, for a visible light curing and forming printing material, visible light can be used as a radiation source, and for a printing material based on a certain waveband of ultraviolet light, the corresponding waveband of ultraviolet light can be used as a radiation source. The panel is used to provide a layered image, so that the light source displays a pattern with brightness after irradiation on the layered image. The panel comprises but is not limited to an LCD panel. In this embodiment, the LCD system is based on a bottom surface exposure LCD device, and the energy radiation device is an LCD liquid crystal screen light source system. The LCD comprises an LCD liquid crystal screen below the container and a light source arranged below the LCD liquid crystal screen. The control chip in the energy radiation device projects the layered image of the to-be-printed slice to the printing surface through the LCD liquid crystal screen, and uses the pattern radiation surface provided by the LCD liquid crystal screen to solidify the to-be-solidified material in the container into a corresponding pattern solidified layer.

[0045] ​In an embodiment provided by the present application, the energy radiation device can switch the defocus projection mode, specifically, by adjusting the focal length of the energy radiation device to make the defocus slice image projected by the energy radiation device defocus on the printing reference surface. In this embodiment, the lens of the energy radiation device is driven by a driving mechanism preset on the energy radiation device to adjust the focal length of the energy radiation device. As shown in Figure 9 the driving mechanism preset on the energy radiation device 14 includes a passive gear 141, a driving gear 142 engaged with the passive gear 141 and a focusing motor 143. In the illustrated embodiment, the energy radiation device 14 has an adjusting lens 140 which can be adjusted in focal length by the rotation of the coaxially arranged passive gear 141 engaged with the driving gear 142 driven by the focusing motor 143. When the focusing motor 143 receives a focal length adjustment instruction, the focusing motor 143 rotates to drive the driving gear 142 and in turn drive the passive gear 141. The rotation of the passive gear 141 drives the adjusting lens 140 to adjust the focal length of the energy radiation device to move its focal point away from the printing reference surface F, so that the image projected by the energy radiation device appears as a defocused image, and in turn the interface contour of the defocus slice image can be defocused.

[0046] In another embodiment provided by the present application, the energy radiation device switches the defocus projection mode by arranging a movable light-transmitting component in the light path of the energy radiation device to make the defocus slice image projected by the energy radiation device defocus on the printing reference surface. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting component includes a driving mechanism movably arranged on one side of the light path of the energy radiation device and a frosted lens connected to the driving mechanism. When the driving mechanism receives an instruction to switch the defocus projection mode, the frosted lens is arranged in the light path of the energy radiation device. As shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 the light-transmitting component includes a driving mechanism 160 and a frosted lens 161 connected to the driving mechanism 160. The driving mechanism 160 is a telescopic arm which has a driving motor 162 movably connected to the proximal end of the telescopic arm and has the frosted lens 161 fixed to the distal end of the telescopic arm. When the driving motor 162 receives an instruction to switch the defocus projection mode, the driving motor 162 extends in the direction indicated by the arrow to drive the frosted lens 161 into the projection light path of the adjusting lens 140' of the energy radiation device 14', i.e. into the state as shown in Figure 11 so that the defocus slice image projected by the energy radiation device 14' defocuses on the printing reference surface F.

[0047] The control device 15 is configured to read current slice data of a target three-dimensional model, and control the energy radiation device to project onto a printing reference surface in a normal projection mode according to original slice images in the current slice data to form a solidified layer, and control the energy radiation device to project onto the printing reference surface in a virtual projection mode according to virtual slice images in the current slice data to compensate the solidified layer. In an embodiment, the control device 15 is an electronic device comprising a processor, and the control device 15 can be a computer device, an embedded device, an integrated circuit integrated with a CPU, or the like.

[0048] For example, the control device 15 can comprise a processing unit, a storage unit, and a plurality of interface units. Each of the interface units is connected to a device in the 3D printing device, such as the energy radiation device and the Z-axis driving mechanism, which is independently packaged and transmits data through an interface. The control device 15 further comprises at least one of a prompting device, a human-computer interaction device, or the like. The interface unit is determined according to the connected device, and the interface type thereof includes, but is not limited to, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) interface, an industrial control interface, or the like. For example, the interface units comprise a plurality of USB interfaces and a plurality of RS232 interfaces, and the USB interfaces can be connected to the human-computer interaction device.

[0049] The storage unit is configured to store files required by the 3D printing device for printing. The files include a model file (for example, an STL format file) of a 3D component (a target three-dimensional model) to be manufactured, a program file and a configuration file required for CPU running, and the like. The model file describes each layer image, layer height, and other printing-related attribute information (such as radiation duration, radiation power, placement position, temperature information of the material to be formed in the resin tank, and the like) of the 3D component to be printed. The storage unit comprises a non-volatile memory and a system bus. The non-volatile memory is exemplified by a solid state disk, a U disk, or the like. The system bus is configured to connect the non-volatile memory and the CPU together, and the CPU can be integrated in the storage unit, or packaged separately from the storage unit and connected to the non-volatile memory through the system bus.

[0050] The processing unit comprises at least one of a CPU, a chip integrated with a CPU, a programmable logic device (FPGA), and a multi-core processor. The processing unit further includes a memory, a register, and other memories for temporarily storing data. The processing unit serves as a control unit for controlling the devices to perform the process in sequence. For example, in the printing process, after the Z-axis driving mechanism moves the component platform to a position with a distance from the preset printing reference surface, the processing unit transmits the corresponding layer image to the panel of the energy radiation device and causes the radiation source to radiate energy. After the energy radiation device completes the irradiation to patternize and solidify the light forming material, the Z-axis driving mechanism drives the component platform to rise, peels off the solidified solidification layer, and then adjusts and moves to a new position with a distance from the preset printing reference surface, and repeats the above exposure process.

[0051] Before the 3D printing device performs the printing process, the pre-processing of the target three-dimensional model needs to generate slice data (also known as layer data) of the target three-dimensional model through a slicing software. The slice data includes a plurality of slice images obtained by slicing the complete three-dimensional model, wherein each slice image is configured with a layer height and sequence information of the slice image being read. The slice image is obtained by cross-sectional division along the Z-axis direction (i.e., along the height / vertical direction) based on the 3D component model. The slice image is formed on each adjacent cross-sectional layer formed by cross-sectional division, and the slice image can be regarded as an image composed of an interface contour. In the case where the cross-sectional layer is thin enough, the contour lines of the upper cross-sectional surface and the lower cross-sectional surface are consistent. For a 3D printing device based on face projection, the slice data includes slice images.

[0052] In an embodiment, the layering processing method for performing data processing of a three-dimensional model can be executed in a slicing program loaded in a single user device or a server. The user device includes but is not limited to a desktop computer. For example, in the embodiment of dental model printing, the user device can be located in a dental clinic and directly obtain the scanning data of the patient's oral cavity provided by the scanning device, and construct the corresponding tooth model based on the scanning data. The server includes but is not limited to a single server or a server cluster. It should be understood that the data processing method of the three-dimensional model in this embodiment can be a computer executable program or a symbolic instruction sequence or a symbolic statement sequence that can be converted into an executable program.

[0053] To this end, the present application provides a data processing method of a three-dimensional model for printing a 3D component by the above-mentioned 3D printing device. Please refer to Figure 2 The data processing method of the three-dimensional model in an embodiment of the present application is shown in the flowchart as shown in the figure. The data processing method comprises the following steps:

[0054] In step S10, a target three-dimensional model is read; in an embodiment, a computer device loaded with a slicing program / software reads one or more target three-dimensional models imported, and in this embodiment, a computer device reads one three-dimensional model imported as a target three-dimensional model as an example for description. Please refer to Figure 3 , which shows a schematic diagram of a target three-dimensional model in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in the figure, the target three-dimensional model is a tiger-head ring three-dimensional model, which mainly includes a ring part of the ring and a tiger-head pattern part arranged on the ring part. In an embodiment, the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model is obtained by designing, for example, by using a three-dimensional modeling software / three-dimensional CAD software such as Solid Works or Pro-E. In an embodiment, after the computer device reads the imported target three-dimensional model, it is converted into an STL file format and presented in an output interface of the computer device for the user to perform related operations.

[0055] In an embodiment, a 3D printing data preprocessing software is used to convert a three-dimensional model to be printed into a two-dimensional slicing file, and a converted two-dimensional slicing layer list file is printed by a machine. In general, the 3D printing data preprocessing software can view, repair, edit, analyze and generate supports for a plurality of formats of three-dimensional models.

[0056] In an embodiment, the target three-dimensional model includes a base part and a main part. In general, in order to make the main part of the 3D component better attached to the component platform layer by layer during the printing process, or the main part of the 3D component itself needs a base, therefore, the target three-dimensional model includes a base part for placing the main part.

[0057] In addition, when the designed target three-dimensional model is a complex structure such as a cantilever or a neck structure, in order not to damage the 3D component during the printing process, after the target three-dimensional model is imported, a support structure and the like will be added to it. In this state, the target three-dimensional model includes a base part, a main part, and an auxiliary support part. Commonly, the structure of the auxiliary support part is, for example, a column, a tree, or a grid.

[0058] In order to more conveniently describe the implementation process of the present application, in the embodiment of the target three-dimensional model shown in Figure 3 , the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model does not show its base part and auxiliary support part.

[0059] In step S11, a part of the target three-dimensional model is defined as a part to be made transparent; in an embodiment, the computer device receives a point selection or a frame selection operation of a user to define a part of the target three-dimensional model as a part to be made transparent. In the embodiment, the point selection operation of the user refers to that the user clicks a target region of the target three-dimensional model presented on the display interface of the computer device by using an input device such as a mouse, so that the target region is selected and defined as the part to be made transparent. In the embodiment, the clicking operation is, for example, a double-click operation of the mouse or a right-click selection menu clicking operation.

[0060] In another embodiment, the frame selection operation of the user refers to that the user frames a target region of the target three-dimensional model presented on the display interface of the computer device by using an input device such as a mouse, so that the target region is selected and defined as the part to be made transparent. Specifically, the frame selection operation can be a frame selection operation in a self-defined frame selection range, a preset rectangular frame, a circular frame, a triangular frame, a polygonal frame, and the like. The frame selection operation is completed by dragging the mouse in the selected mode.

[0061] In the embodiment, the target region of the target three-dimensional model can be defined as the part to be made transparent by using a function module or a control preset in the software interface. For example, when the function module or the control is activated, the target region selected by the user is set as the part to be made transparent. After the setting is completed, the attribute of the part to be made transparent of the target three-dimensional model is saved.

[0062] In an embodiment, the part to be made transparent of the target three-dimensional model is defined by selecting a face region of the target three-dimensional model. After the computer device reads the imported target three-dimensional model and converts it into an STL file format, the STL file is composed of many triangular facets. Each triangular facet is described by three-dimensional coordinates of three vertices and a normal vector of the triangular facet. The selection of the target part of the target three-dimensional model is performed by selecting a face region composed of many triangular facets of the target three-dimensional model, and then performing attribute setting to define the part to be made transparent.

[0063] In an embodiment, the face region is determined by an attribute of a triangular facet of the target three-dimensional model. In the embodiment, the face region is determined by an area attribute of a triangular facet of the target three-dimensional model. For example, in an actual selection operation, the user can select triangular facets with an area greater than a threshold value to batch select the triangular facets, and then complete the selection of one or more face regions. For example, in the embodiment, the user can select triangular facets with an area greater than a threshold value to batch select the triangular facets, and then complete the selection of one or more face regions. Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the ring band portion of the tiger head ring 3D model has no textures or patterns, and its surface is smooth, resulting in relatively large areas for the triangular facets constituting the ring band portion. Conversely, the tiger head stripe portion of the 3D model has more texture / pattern features, thus the triangular facets in the tiger head stripe portion are smaller. Therefore, by selecting areas where the area of ​​the triangular facets is greater than a certain threshold, the surface area of ​​the ring band portion of the tiger head ring 3D model can be selected. In a specific implementation, the threshold can be input via a pop-up dialog box in the interface, such as using a shortcut key or the right mouse button. This will bring up a dialog box for threshold input, allowing the user to input the threshold size of the triangular facet area before performing the selection operation.

[0064] In another embodiment, the surface region is determined by structural features in the target 3D model; in this embodiment, the structural features include texture features and surface features. Specifically, after the computer device reads the imported target 3D model, it converts it into an STL file format and presents it in the output interface of the computer device. The surface region features of the target 3D model are divided into two parts, namely texture features and surface features. The texture features have a large texture distribution, presenting many fine patterns or detailed textures. In this application, the texture features can also be called pattern features. The surface features refer to the absence of patterns or textures in the surface region, or the spacing between the lines of the patterns / textures is large, and they present a smooth and glossy appearance. Figure 3 Taking the illustrated embodiment as an example, in Figure 3 If the ring band of the 3D model of the tiger head ring has no texture or pattern, then the ring band is referred to as the surface area of ​​the surface features. However, if the tiger head stripe of the 3D model of the tiger head ring has more texture / pattern features, then the tiger head stripe is referred to as the surface area of ​​the texture features.

[0065] Please see Figure 4 The figure shows a schematic diagram in one embodiment of the present application where a portion of the target 3D model is defined as the part to be blurred. Figure 4 China Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment shows a 3D model of a tiger head ring. When a user defines the ring band portion of the 3D tiger head ring model as the part to be blurred by selecting a face region within the model, the entire ring band portion is selected and its attributes are set. In this embodiment, the selected face region can be highlighted with different colors to indicate that it has been selected and defined as the part to be blurred. For example, in... Figure 4 The ring portion of the tiger head ring 3D model is shown in green.

[0066] In step S12, the target three-dimensional model is sliced to generate a raw slice dataset containing a plurality of raw slice images; in an embodiment, the computer device receives a slicing instruction and performs overall slicing on the target three-dimensional model to generate a raw slice dataset containing a plurality of raw slice images, each raw slice image being a slice image of each layer generated by performing slicing on the target three-dimensional model, and each slice image being displayed as an interface contour of each layer.

[0067] In an embodiment, the principle of the slicing operation is to intercept the target three-dimensional model with a slicing plane, if a triangular facet intersects with the slicing plane, the resulting intersection line is connected in order, and the interface contour of the slice of the layer is obtained. According to this rule, the slicing plane is moved to obtain the interface contour of each layer until the slicing is completed.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the slicing menu is displayed in the interface of the slicing software, and the user can select three function operations of selected model, all models and adaptive layer slicing to make the software perform slicing, such as selecting the target three-dimensional model, clicking the slicing menu or the model right-click menu under the command of slicing the selected part, or clicking the "slicing" icon in the toolbar, or using the shortcut key, to pop up the slicing operation setting dialog box for the user to set and then perform the slicing operation. During the operation, if adaptive layer slicing operation is required for the target three-dimensional model, the adaptive slicing command in the slicing menu is clicked to pop up the slicing setting dialog box and automatically open the adaptive layer check box. Under the command of the check box, the selected target three-dimensional model can be divided into different regions, and the thickness of the layers in different regions can be independently set.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 5 , which shows a schematic diagram of a raw slice image of the target three-dimensional model after overall slicing in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 5 , the raw slice image is an interface contour of a layer, which includes the interface contour of a layer of the ring part of the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model (such as the part presenting a pair of lower arcs in Figure 5 ) and the interface contour of the tiger-head pattern part in the same layer (such as the part presenting more complex lines on the upper side in Figure 5 ).

[0070] In step S13, the to-be-vanishing part is sliced to generate a vanishing slice dataset containing a plurality of vanishing slice images; in an embodiment, when the computer device receives an instruction to slice the to-be-vanishing part, the computer device performs slicing on the to-be-vanishing part to generate a vanishing slice dataset containing a plurality of vanishing slice images, each of which is a slice image of each layer generated by performing slicing on the to-be-vanishing part, and specifically, each slice image will also be displayed as the interface contour of each layer. In this embodiment, the slicing principle and slicing operation for the to-be-vanishing part are the same as those in step S12 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0071] Please refer to Figure 6 , which shows a vanishing slice image of the to-be-vanishing part of the target three-dimensional model after slicing in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 6 , the vanishing slice image is the interface contour of one layer, which only includes the interface contour of a certain layer of the ring part of the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model (e.g., the interface contour of a pair of circular arcs shown in Figure 6 ).

[0072] As described above in an embodiment, the target three-dimensional model includes a base part and a main part, and the current slice data corresponding to the vanishing slice image is the slice data of the main part. In this embodiment, the to-be-vanishing part of the target three-dimensional model is selected from the main part of the target three-dimensional model, not from the base part of the target three-dimensional model, and therefore, the current slice data corresponding to the vanishing slice image is selected from the slice data of the main part of the target three-dimensional model after the target three-dimensional model is sliced as a whole.

[0073] In an embodiment, each layer of the vanishing slice image in the vanishing slice dataset has a corresponding original slice image with the same layer information in the original slice dataset; in other words, each layer of the vanishing slice image in the vanishing slice dataset has a corresponding original slice image, and since the to-be-vanishing part is defined by being selected from the target three-dimensional model, the vanishing slice image and the original slice image have partially the same image features, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the original slice image in Figure 5 and the vanishing slice image shown in Figure 6 have partially the same image features, i.e., the ring part of the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model, Figure 6 , the vanishing slice image shown in Figure 5 is also present in the original slice image in Figure 5 , i.e., the interface contour of the ring part of the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model in the original slice image in Figure 5and Figure 6 The displayed images are two images (original slice image and virtualized slice image), but both have the same slice data belonging to the same layer, i.e. both have the same layer information.

[0074] In an embodiment, the original slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project onto the printing reference surface in a normal projection mode to form a solidified layer; and the virtualized slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project onto the printing reference surface in a virtualized projection mode to compensate the solidified layer.

[0075] In summary, the data of the three-dimensional model processed by the data processing method of the three-dimensional model is the data of the completed slicing, i.e. the slice data set of the target three-dimensional model, which can be directly read by the 3D printing device and directly perform the 3D printing operation.

[0076] The present application also provides a data processing system of a three-dimensional model, which is used for a 3D printing device to print a 3D component. In an embodiment, the 3D printing device is, for example, Figure 1 a bottom exposure 3D printing device as shown. The data processing system is, for example, a slicing program / software loaded in a computer device, which in this embodiment is a computer executable program or a symbolic instruction sequence or a symbolic statement sequence that can be converted into an executable program.

[0077] In an embodiment, the slicing program / software is, for example, a data preprocessing software for 3D printing, which is used to convert a three-dimensional model to be printed into a two-dimensional slice file, and the converted two-dimensional slice layer list file is printed by a machine. Generally, the data preprocessing software for 3D printing can view, repair, edit, analyze and generate supports for three-dimensional models in multiple formats.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 7 , which shows the principle block diagram of the data processing system of the three-dimensional model in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in the figure, the data processing system 40 includes a reading module 401, a defining module 402, and a slicing module 403.

[0079] The reading module 401 is used to read a target three-dimensional model. In an embodiment, the reading module 401 is used to read a target three-dimensional model from a storage device (such as a U disk shown in the figure) and import it into the slicing program / software to perform the steps of S10 in the above Figure 2 .

[0080] The defining module 402 is used to define a selected part of the target three-dimensional model as a part to be virtualized. In an embodiment, the defining module 402 performs the steps of S11 in the above Figure 2 .

[0081] The slicing module 403 is configured to slice the target three-dimensional model to generate a raw slice dataset containing a plurality of raw slice images, and slice the portion to be rendered to generate a rendered slice dataset containing a plurality of rendered slice images. In an embodiment, the slicing module 403 performs the steps of S12-S13 described above. Figure 2

[0082] In the rendered slice dataset, each layer of the rendered slice images has a corresponding raw slice image with the same layer information in the raw slice dataset, and the rendered slice images have partially same image features as the raw slice images. The raw slice images are used for the 3D printing device to project onto a printing reference surface in a normal projection mode to form a solidified layer, and the rendered slice images are used for the 3D printing device to project onto the printing reference surface in a rendered projection mode to compensate for the solidified layer.

[0083] Referring to Figure 8 , a flowchart of the printing method in an embodiment is shown. As shown in the figure, the printing method includes the following steps:

[0084] In step S20, the current slice data of the target three-dimensional model is read, and the current slice data includes raw slice images and rendered slice images. In an embodiment, the control device of the 3D printing device reads the current slice data of the target three-dimensional model, and controls the energy radiation device and the Z-axis driving system to cooperatively perform a printing task according to the printing information carried in the current slice data.

[0085] In an embodiment, the target three-dimensional model is a three-dimensional model without a base portion, and only includes a main body portion. For example, the target three-dimensional model shown in Figure 3 In an embodiment of the target three-dimensional model being a tiger head ring three-dimensional model as shown in Figure 8 In this example, the current slice data of the target three-dimensional model read in step S20 can be the first layer slice data of the target three-dimensional model, or can be the intermediate slice data of each layer of the main body portion of the target three-dimensional model.

[0086] In another embodiment, the target three-dimensional model can include a base portion and a main body portion, and the target three-dimensional model can include an auxiliary support portion (i.e., a support structure) for supporting the main body portion. In this case, Figure 8 ​The current slice data corresponding to the shown de-attenuated slice image in step S20 is the slice data of the main body part. In the present embodiment, the part to be de-attenuated of the target three-dimensional model is selected from the main body part of the target three-dimensional model, not from the base part of the target three-dimensional model. Therefore, the current slice data corresponding to the de-attenuated slice image is from the slice data of the main body part of the target three-dimensional model after the target three-dimensional model is sliced as a whole. In the present embodiment, the de-attenuated slice image does not include the features of the slice image of the auxiliary support part.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the de-attenuated slice image has partially same image features as the original slice image; as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the de-attenuated slice image has partially same image features as the original slice image, i.e. the interface contour of the ring part of the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model, Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the de-attenuated slice image also appears in the original slice image, i.e. Figure 6 , the interface contour of the ring part of the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model in the original slice image, Figure 5 and Figure 5 , the interface contour of the ring part of the tiger-head ring three-dimensional model in the original slice image, Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the images shown are two images (original slice image and de-attenuated slice image), but both have the same layer, i.e. both have the same layer information.

[0088] In step S21, the energy radiation device projects the original slice image of the current slice data to solidify the material to be formed on the printing reference surface to form a current solidified layer; in an embodiment, the control device of the 3D printing equipment controls the energy radiation device to project the original slice image of the current slice data to the printing reference surface between the container inner member platform and the container inner bottom surface, so as to solidify the material to be formed on the printing reference surface to form a current solidified layer, the upper surface of the current solidified layer is attached to the forming surface of the member platform, the lower surface of the current solidified layer is in contact with the bottom surface of the container, and in the case that a release film is laid on the container bottom surface, the lower surface of the current solidified layer is in contact with the release film (in fact, the lower surface of the current solidified layer is also attached to the release film to be peeled off). In the present embodiment, the working mode of the energy radiation device is a conventional mode, which is a mode in which the focal point of the energy radiation device is located on the printing reference surface, and the current solidified layer formed in the conventional mode. Since the projection focal length of the energy radiation device such as a DLP light machine and the projected image are relatively clear, the current solidified layer to be solidified shows some local fine patterns or lines, such as the interface contour of the tiger-head line part in the original slice image in Figure 5 , which can be clearly printed.

[0089] In step S22, the component platform is silenced to wait for the energy radiation device to switch the defocus projection mode; in an embodiment, the control device of the 3D printing equipment controls the Z-axis driving mechanism to remain in a stationary state, i.e., the component platform is silenced, still in the position of the current solidification layer, and the control device of the 3D printing equipment controls the energy radiation device to switch the defocus projection mode. The defocus projection mode is a mode in which the focal point of the energy radiation device is not on the printing reference surface. Since the focal point of the energy radiation device is not on the printing reference surface, the image projected by the energy radiation device is not clear on the printing reference surface due to defocus, and is no longer affected by the pixel edges of the interface profile in the image. Under the action of the image resolution and exposure energy, the pixel edges on the interface profile of the solidified material on the printing reference surface no longer appear, and the interface profile of the current slice image exhibits a smooth feature.

[0090] In an embodiment, the step of switching the defocus projection mode by the energy radiation device includes adjusting the focal length of the energy radiation device to cause the defocus slice image projected by the energy radiation device to be defocused on the printing reference surface. In this embodiment, the lens of the energy radiation device is driven by a driving mechanism pre-installed on the energy radiation device to adjust the focal length of the energy radiation device. Please refer to Figure 9 , which shows a schematic diagram of the energy radiation device of the present application switching the projection mode in an embodiment. As shown in the figure, the driving mechanism pre-installed on the energy radiation device includes a passive gear 141, a driving gear 142 engaged with the passive gear 141, and a focusing motor 143. In the illustrated embodiment, the energy radiation device 14 has an adjusting lens 140, which can be adjusted in focal length by the rotation of the coaxially arranged passive gear 141. The passive gear 141 engages a driving gear 142, which is driven by a focusing motor 143. When the focusing motor 143 receives a focal length adjustment instruction, the focusing motor 143 rotates to drive the driving gear 142, which in turn drives the passive gear 141. Since the passive gear 141 rotates, the adjusting lens 140 is adjusted in focal length to move the focal point of the energy radiation device away from the printing reference surface F, so that the image projected by the energy radiation device is a defocused image, and the interface profile of the defocus slice image can be defocused.

[0091] In another embodiment, the step of switching the energy radiation device to the blurred projection mode comprises setting a movable light-transmitting component in the light path of the energy radiation device to blur the projected blurred slice image of the energy radiation device on the printing reference surface. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting component comprises a driving mechanism movably arranged at one side of the light path of the energy radiation device and a frosted lens connected to the driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism is configured to place the frosted lens in the light path of the energy radiation device upon receiving the instruction to switch the blurred projection mode. Please refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , Figure 10 a schematic diagram showing the energy radiation device of the present application switching the projection mode in another embodiment, Figure 11 a schematic diagram showing the frosted lens of the energy radiation device of the present application being placed in the light path in another embodiment. As shown in the figure, the light-transmitting component comprises a driving mechanism 160 and a frosted lens 161 connected to the driving mechanism 160, the driving mechanism 160 is a telescopic arm, the proximal end of the telescopic arm is movably connected to a driving motor 162, and the distal end of the telescopic arm is fixed to the frosted lens 161. When the driving motor 162 receives the instruction to switch the blurred projection mode, the driving motor 162 extends in the direction indicated by the arrow to drive the frosted lens 161 into the light path of the projection of the adjusting lens 140' of the energy radiation device 14', i.e. to the state shown in Figure 11 , so that the projected blurred slice image of the energy radiation device 14' is blurred on the printing reference surface F.

[0092] In step S23, the energy radiation device projects the blurred slice image in the blurred projection mode to re-solidify the build material on the printing reference surface to compensate for the current solidified layer. In an embodiment, the control device of the 3D printing apparatus controls the energy radiation device to project the blurred slice image of the current slice data to the printing reference surface between the inner container component platform and the inner container bottom surface to re-solidify the build material on the printing reference surface to compensate for the current solidified layer. In this embodiment, the blurred projection mode is a mode in which the focal point of the energy radiation device is not on the printing reference surface. Since the focal point of the energy radiation device is not on the printing reference surface, the projected image on the printing reference surface is blurred due to the out-of-focus, and is no longer affected by the pixel edges of the interface profile in the image. Under the action of the image resolution and the exposure energy, the pixel edges of the interface profile of the build material on the printing reference surface are no longer present, and the interface profile of the current slice image exhibits a smooth feature.

[0093] In step S24, the component platform is raised to peel off the compensated current solidified layer; in an embodiment, the control device of the 3D printing device controls the Z-axis driving mechanism to work to drive the component platform to rise to peel off the current solidified layer compensated in step S23.

[0094] In step S25, the next slice data of the target three-dimensional model is read to update it as current slice data, and the component platform is lowered to the printing reference surface and the energy radiation device is switched to the normal projection mode; in an embodiment, the control device of the 3D printing device reads the next slice data of the target three-dimensional model and updates the next slice data as current slice data, and the control device of the 3D printing device controls the Z-axis driving mechanism to work to drive the component platform to lower to the printing reference surface. In this embodiment, the control device of the 3D printing device further determines whether the updated current slice data includes the original slice image and the blurred slice image, if the current slice data includes the blurred slice image, the above steps S20-S24 are repeated in step S26 to perform layer-by-layer printing; if the current slice data does not include the blurred slice image, only the original slice image, the above steps S211, S24-S25 are repeated in step S26 to perform layer-by-layer printing.

[0095] In step S26, the above steps S20-S24 are repeated to perform layer-by-layer printing until the 3D component of the target three-dimensional model is printed.

[0096] In summary, the 3D printing device and the printing method applied to the 3D printing device provided by the present application control the energy radiation device to configure the original slice image and the blurred slice image in the target slice data of the target three-dimensional model, and when printing, the 3D printing device is projected to the printing reference surface in the normal projection mode to form a solidified layer; the 3D printing device is projected to the printing reference surface in the blurred projection mode to compensate for the solidified layer, so that the 3D component to be printed has a more smooth surface quality while taking into account the fine pattern of the feature expression, thereby improving the surface quality of the printed product.

[0097] The present application also provides a control system for a bottom surface exposure 3D printing device, the control system comprising: a storage device for storing at least one program; a processing device connected to the storage device for running the at least one program to perform and realize at least one embodiment described above for the printing method applied to the 3D printing device, such as the above Figure 8The control system is an electronic device including a processor. For example, the control system is a computer device, an embedded device, or an integrated circuit integrated with a CPU, etc.

[0098] Each interface unit is connected to a hardware device in the 3D printing device, which is independently packaged and transmits data through an interface. For example, the hardware device is the Z-axis driving mechanism, the energy radiation system, the feeding mechanism, etc. The hardware device further includes at least one of the following: a prompting device, a human-computer interaction device, etc. The interface type of the interface unit is determined according to the connected hardware device, which includes but is not limited to: a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a video interface, an industrial control interface, etc. For example, the interface unit includes a USB interface, an HDMI interface, and an RS232 interface. The USB interface and the RS232 interface are both multiple, the USB interface is connected to the human-computer interaction device, the RS232 interface is connected to the detection device and the Z-axis driving mechanism, and the HDMI interface is connected to the energy radiation system.

[0099] The storage unit is used to store files required for printing by the 3D printing device. The files include a model file of a 3D component to be manufactured, a program file required for CPU running, a configuration file, etc. The model file describes each layer image of the 3D component to be printed, layer height, and other attribute information related to printing (such as radiation time, radiation power, or placement position, etc.). The storage unit includes a non-volatile memory and a system bus. For example, the non-volatile memory is a solid state disk or a U disk, etc. The system bus is used to connect the non-volatile memory and the CPU together. The CPU can be integrated in the storage unit, or packaged separately from the storage unit and connected to the non-volatile memory through the system bus.

[0100] The processing unit includes at least one of a CPU or a chip integrated with a CPU, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and a multi-core processor. The processing unit further includes a memory, a register, etc. for temporarily storing data. The processing unit sends control instructions to each hardware device in sequence through the interface unit. For example, the processing unit is used to control the coating mechanism to coat the first material to be formed on the inner bottom surface of the container when executing the printing instruction, and after the first material to be formed is solidified on the component platform to form a first solidification layer, the processing unit is used to fill the second material to be formed into the container, and sequentially read the slicing data of the target three-dimensional model to control the energy radiation system and the Z-axis driving mechanism to cooperatively perform layer-by-layer printing until the 3D component of the target three-dimensional model is printed.

[0101] The application further provides a computer readable and writable storage medium storing at least one program, which, when invoked, executes and implements at least one embodiment described above for the data processing method for a three-dimensional model, such as the embodiments described above in Figure 2

[0102] The application further provides a computer readable and writable storage medium storing at least one program, which, when invoked, executes and implements at least one embodiment described above for the data processing method for a three-dimensional model, such as the embodiments described above in Figure 8

[0103] If the functions are realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the application or parts of the technical solutions that essentially contribute to the prior art or parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of software products, which are stored in a storage medium and include instructions for enabling a mobile robot installed with the storage medium to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the application.

[0104] In the embodiments provided in the application, the computer readable and writable storage medium can include a read-only memory, a random access memory, an EEPROM, a CD-ROM or other optical disk storage device, a magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, a flash memory, a U disk, a mobile hard disk, or any other medium capable of storing desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and capable of being accessed by a computer. In addition, any connection can be appropriately referred to as a computer readable medium. For example, if instructions are sent from a website, a server or other remote source using a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, a twisted pair, a digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave, the coaxial cable, the optical fiber cable, the twisted pair, the DSL or the wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. However, it should be understood that the computer readable and writable storage medium and the data storage medium do not include connections, carriers, signals or other temporary media, but are intended for non-transitory, tangible storage media. As used in the application, magnetic disks and optical disks include compact disks (CDs), laser disks, optical disks, digital versatile disks (DVDs), floppy disks and Blu-ray disks, in which magnetic disks usually magnetically copy data, and optical disks optically copy data with a laser.

[0105] ​​In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described with the print method and the data processing method of the computer program described in the present application can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, these functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. The steps of the methods or algorithms disclosed in the present application can be embodied in a processor-executable software module, which can be located on a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable and writable storage medium. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable and writable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer.

[0106] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the drawings described above illustrate the possible implementation architectures, functions and operations of the systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present application. Therefore, each block in the flowchart or block diagram can represent a module, a program segment or a part of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical functions. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur in different order from that noted in the drawings. For example, two blocks represented in succession can actually be executed substantially in parallel, and sometimes in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagram and / or flowchart, and the combination of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or operations, or can be implemented by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0107] In summary, the 3D printing device, the printing method applied to the 3D printing device, the control system, the data processing method of the three-dimensional model, the data processing system of the three-dimensional model and the computer readable storage medium provided by the present application control the energy radiation device to configure the original slice image and the virtual slice image in the target slice data of the target three-dimensional model. When printing, the 3D printing device is projected to the printing reference surface in the conventional projection mode to form a solidification layer; the 3D printing device is projected to the printing reference surface in the virtual projection mode to compensate for the solidification layer. In this way, the solidification printing is performed in different projection modes, so that the printed 3D component has a more smooth surface quality while taking into account the fine pattern of the feature expression, thereby improving the surface quality of the printed product, and further solving the problem of poor surface quality of the printed product caused by water ripples or sawtooth patterns on part of the surface of the 3D component printed by the existing 3D printing technology, while ensuring that the printed 3D component can exhibit the desired detail features such as patterns or the like and the desired smooth surface to present a smooth effect.

[0108] The above embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the present application and its effects, and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modification or change made by any person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application shall be covered by the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A printing method applied to a 3D printing device, characterized in that, The printing method comprises the following steps: reading current slice data of a target three-dimensional model, the current slice data comprising original slice images and ghost slice images, the ghost slice images having partially same image features as the original slice images, the manner of obtaining the ghost slice images comprising: obtaining a target three-dimensional model to be printed and defining part of the target three-dimensional model as a part to be ghosted; slicing the target three-dimensional model to generate an original slice data set; slicing the part to be ghosted to generate a ghost slice data set; each layer of ghost slice images in the ghost slice data set having corresponding original slice images of the same layer information in the original slice data set; causing an energy radiation device to project original slice images of the current slice data to solidify the material to be formed on a printing reference surface to form a current solidified layer; causing a component platform to be silent to wait for the energy radiation device to switch to a ghost projection mode; causing the energy radiation device to project the ghost slice images in the ghost projection mode to solidify the material to be formed on the printing reference surface again to compensate for the current solidified layer; causing the component platform to rise to peel off the compensated current solidified layer, reading next slice data of the target three-dimensional model to update it as current slice data, and lowering the component platform to the printing reference surface and switching the energy radiation device to a normal projection mode; repeating the above steps to perform layer-by-layer printing until the 3D component of the target three-dimensional model is printed.

2. The printing method according to claim 1, characterized by, The target three-dimensional model comprises a base part and a main part, and the ghost slice images correspond to slice data of the main part.

3. The printing method according to claim 1, characterized by, The part to be ghosted in the target three-dimensional model is defined by selecting a face region in the target three-dimensional model.

4. The printing method according to claim 3, characterized by, The face region is determined by the properties of a triangular facet in the target three-dimensional model.

5. The printing method according to claim 3, wherein The face region is determined by a structural feature in the target three-dimensional model.

6. The printing method according to claim 5, characterized by, The structural feature comprises a texture feature and a surface feature.

7. The printing method of claim 1, wherein, The step of causing the energy radiation device to switch to the ghost projection mode comprises adjusting the focal length of the energy radiation device to cause the projected ghost slice images of the energy radiation device to be ghosted on the printing reference surface.

8. The printing method according to claim 7, characterized by, The focal length of the energy radiation device is adjusted by driving a lens of the energy radiation device through a driving mechanism preset on the energy radiation device.

9. The printing method of claim 1, wherein, The step of causing the energy radiation device to switch to the ghost projection mode comprises setting a movable light-transmitting component in the light path of the energy radiation device to cause the projected ghost slice images of the energy radiation device to be ghosted on the printing reference surface.

10. The printing method according to claim 9, characterized by, The light-transmitting component comprises a driving mechanism movably arranged on one side of the light path of the energy radiation device and a frosted lens connected to the driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism places the frosted lens in the light path of the energy radiation device when receiving an instruction to switch to the ghost projection mode.

11. A control system characterized by, A 3D printing device for face exposure, the control system comprising: a storage device for storing at least one program; A processing device, connected with the storage device, for running the at least one program to execute and implement the printing method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A data processing method of a three-dimensional model for printing a 3D member by a 3D printing apparatus, characterized by, The data processing method comprises the following steps: reading a target three-dimensional model and defining a part of the target three-dimensional model as a part to be made transparent; slicing the target three-dimensional model to generate a raw slice dataset comprising a plurality of raw slice images; slicing the part to be made transparent to generate a transparent slice dataset comprising a plurality of transparent slice images; each layer of the transparent slice dataset has a corresponding raw slice image with the same layer information in the raw slice dataset; and the transparent slice image has partially the same image features as the raw slice image; wherein the raw slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project onto a printing reference surface in a normal projection mode to form a solidified layer; and the transparent slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project onto the printing reference surface in a transparent projection mode to compensate for the solidified layer.

13. The data processing method of a three-dimensional model according to claim 12, wherein, The target three-dimensional model comprises a base part and a main body part, and the current slice data corresponding to the transparent slice image is the slice data of the main body part.

14. The data processing method of a three-dimensional model according to claim 12, wherein, The part to be made transparent in the target three-dimensional model is defined by selecting a face region in the target three-dimensional model.

15. The data processing method of a three-dimensional model according to claim 14, wherein, The face region is determined by the attributes of the triangular facets in the target three-dimensional model.

16. The data processing method of a three-dimensional model according to claim 14, wherein, The face region is determined by the structural features in the target three-dimensional model.

17. The data processing method of a three-dimensional model according to claim 16, wherein, The structural features include texture features and surface features.

18. A data processing system of a three-dimensional model for printing a 3D component by a 3D printing device, characterized in that, The data processing system comprises: a reading module for reading a target three-dimensional model; a defining module for defining a part of the target three-dimensional model as a part to be made transparent; a slicing module for slicing the target three-dimensional model to generate a raw slice dataset comprising a plurality of raw slice images; and slicing the part to be made transparent to generate a transparent slice dataset comprising a plurality of transparent slice images; wherein each layer of the transparent slice dataset has a corresponding raw slice image with the same layer information in the raw slice dataset; and the transparent slice image has partially the same image features as the raw slice image; the raw slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project onto a printing reference surface in a normal projection mode to form a solidified layer; and the transparent slice image is used for the 3D printing device to project onto the printing reference surface in a transparent projection mode to compensate for the solidified layer.

19. A 3D printing device, characterized by comprises: a container for containing a material to be formed; a component platform for attaching a solidified layer formed by the material to be formed; a Z-axis driving mechanism connected with the component platform for controlling the component platform to rise or fall during a printing operation; an energy radiation device for radiating energy to a printing reference surface in the container to selectively solidify the material to be formed of the printing reference surface to form a patterned solidified layer; and ​ The control device is configured to read current slice data of a target three-dimensional model, and control the energy radiation device to project onto a printing reference surface in a normal projection mode according to original slice images in the current slice data to form a solidified layer, and control the energy radiation device to project onto the printing reference surface in a virtual projection mode according to virtual slice images in the current slice data to compensate for the solidified layer.

20. The 3D printing device of claim 19, wherein, The adjustment mechanism is further configured to adjust the focal length of the energy radiation device so that the projected virtual slice images of the energy radiation device are virtually blurred on the printing reference surface.

21. The 3D printing device of claim 20, wherein, The adjustment mechanism is connected to a lens of the energy radiation device to adjust the focal length of the energy radiation device.

22. The 3D printing device of claim 19, wherein, The movable light-transmitting component is movably arranged on one side of the light path of the energy radiation device so that the projected virtual slice images of the energy radiation device are virtually blurred on the printing reference surface after passing through the light-transmitting component.

23. The 3D printing device of claim 22, wherein, The light-transmitting component comprises a driving mechanism movably arranged on one side of the light path of the energy radiation device and a frosted lens connected to the driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism is configured to place the frosted lens on the light path of the energy radiation device when receiving an instruction to switch the virtual projection mode.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores at least one computer program, and the computer program is configured to control a device in which the storage medium is arranged to execute the printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the data processing method of the three-dimensional model according to any one of claims 12 to 17.

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