Low-power light-cured 3D printing method and system

Abstract

This invention discloses a low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method. The method records the power of the LCD in its first working state as P1, calculates the average printing time T1 for each layer in the first working state, and records the power of the LCD in its nth working state as P(n). The method then changes the LCD's working state to the nth working state and statistically analyzes the layer data and printing time of each layer when printing the same 3D printing data after changing the LCD to the nth working state. The method also calculates the average printing time T(n) for each layer in the nth working state and sets a default working state. This invention manages the most energy-consuming light source. At the factory, it optimizes the most energy-efficient printing light source power by using test models to record printing under various LCD states. Users only need to submit the 3D model to be printed, and the optimal LCD working state is determined by comparing the submitted model with the test model.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing energy management technology, and in particular to a low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method and system. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printers, also known as three-dimensional printers, are a type of additive manufacturing technology. They are machines that use rapid prototyping technology to construct three-dimensional entities by printing layer by layer using digital model files and molding materials. Before printing, computer modeling software is used to create a 3D model to be printed. The created 3D model is then divided into layers of cross-sections, or slices, to guide the 3D printer in printing layer by layer.

[0003] Currently, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) photopolymer 3D printers all use a single-layer driven light source. When printing each layer, the machine needs to turn on all the LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) at high power to cure the resin. Moreover, the light source is the most power-consuming component in an LCD photopolymer 3D printer, and poor control of the light source's power consumption often results in a large waste of electricity.

[0004] In the prior art, Chinese patent CN201910910013.5 discloses an energy-saving method and system for an LCD photopolymerization 3D printer. S11. Obtain slice cross-sectional data of the target model. The slice cross-sectional data is used to determine the LCD light-transmitting area. This data can generally be obtained by reading the slicing results from the 3D printer's slicing software. 3D printers are often equipped with slicing software, or third-party slicing software such as Cura, Repetier, and Simplify3D can be used to slice the model to obtain the slicing results. When the slice cross-sectional data is determined, the LCD light-transmitting area can be uniquely determined. The shape and position of this LCD light-transmitting area are the same as the slice cross-section. S12. Generate and send light source control instructions corresponding to the slice cross-sectional data. The light source control instructions are used to control the working states of a plurality of light sources so that the brightness of the LCD light-transmitting area is not lower than a preset value. The working states include a first working state and a second working state different from the first working state. The generated light source control instructions include specifying the operating state of each light source, such as operating in a first operating state or a second operating state. Furthermore, it can include setting more granular operating states, such as subdividing the first operating state into multiple levels, each operating at a different power. The second operating state can be considered the basic operating state, while the first operating state is a higher-power operating state. This can be achieved by controlling the voltage, current, etc., of each light source to control its operating state. In the embodiments of this application, the light source control instructions are used to control the operating states of a plurality of light sources, such as placing the 5th to 10th, 25th to 30th, and 35th to 40th light sources in the first operating state (e.g., a pre-set high-power operating state), and placing other light sources in the second operating state (e.g., a pre-set basic operating state). After generating the light source control instructions, these instructions can be sent to the light sources to control their operating states, for example, controlling the 5th to 10th, 25th to 30th, and 35th to 40th light sources in the first operating state, and the other light sources in the second operating state. The brightness of the LCD's translucent area must not be lower than a preset value. This preset value must not be lower than the brightness required for the resin to cure within the printing time of that layer. While existing technologies disclose how to control the operating state of light sources by controlling the voltage and current of each light source and determining the light source state based on layer data, LCD photopolymer 3D printers typically drive the light source holistically. Printing each layer requires turning on all LEDs at high power to cure the resin, resulting in significant energy waste. Furthermore, the aforementioned methods cannot precisely control the light source status, failing to further reduce energy consumption. Additionally, setting multiple operating states is not suitable for most photopolymer 3D printing equipment, making configuration difficult for users. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention discloses a low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method, which includes the following steps:

[0006] S1. When the photopolymerization printing equipment leaves the factory, the test 3D printing model is printed in the first working state of the LCD, and the printing time of each layer of the test 3D printing model is recorded at the same time. Then, the 3D printing data of the test model is obtained, wherein the 3D printing data includes the layer data of the printing model and the corresponding printing time.

[0007] S2, record the power of the LCD in the first working state as P1, correspond the layer data information with the printing time of each layer, and calculate the average printing time T1 of each layer in the first working state of the LCD.

[0008] S3, record the power of the LCD in the nth working state as P(n), change the working state of the LCD to the nth working state and count the layer data information and the printing time of each layer when printing the same 3D printing data after changing the LCD to the nth working state, and calculate the average printing time T(n) of each layer in the nth working state of the LCD.

[0009] S4. Calculate Q(n), which is the product of the power PN of the LCD in the Nth working state and the average printing time TN of each layer, i.e., Q(n) = P(n) × T(n), where n is the selectable LCD working state and n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. At this time, compare the relationship between Q(n) and Q1 (Q1 = P1 × T1). When Q(n) is less than Q1, adjust the corresponding light source in the LCD to change the working state and select the working state with the smallest Q(n) as the factory default working state for photopolymer 3D printing.

[0010] Furthermore, the power of the LCD in the first working state is less than the power of any LCD in other working states, and the LCD in the first working state is the LCD working state corresponding to the lowest brightness that can trigger the curing of the resin material.

[0011] Furthermore, the brightness of multiple light sources in the LCD is controlled to change the working state of the LCD. Under the same working state of the LCD, the multiple light sources can change their own state.

[0012] Furthermore, the test 3D printing model consists of multiple test model data. Each 3D printing model corresponds to a default working state of a photopolymer 3D printer. During normal printing, the 3D model data to be printed is acquired, the layer data corresponding to the 3D model data to be printed is compared with the multiple test model data, the cross-sectional image similarity of all layer data is calculated, and the default working state corresponding to the most similar test model data is selected for printing.

[0013] Furthermore, calculating the cross-sectional image similarity for all layered data further includes:

[0014] Calculate the cross-sectional area of ​​the layered data for each layer, then calculate the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data, and compare it with the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data for each test model. The test model with the closest total cross-sectional area is used as the default working state for the current print.

[0015] This invention also discloses a low-power photopolymerization 3D printing system, which includes the following modules:

[0016] The initialization setting module prints a test 3D printing model with the LCD in the first working state when the photopolymer printing equipment leaves the factory. At the same time, it records the printing time of each layer during the 3D printing process of the test 3D printing model. Then, it obtains the 3D printing data of the test model, which includes the layer data of the printing model and the corresponding printing time.

[0017] The minimum fixed configuration module records the power of the LCD in the first working state as P1, maps the layer data information to the printing time of each layer, and calculates the average printing time T1 of each layer in the first working state of the LCD.

[0018] The state configuration module records the power of the LCD in the nth working state as P(n), changes the working state of the LCD to the nth working state, and counts the layer data information and the printing time of each layer when printing the same 3D printing data after changing the LCD to the nth working state, and calculates the average printing time T(n) of each layer in the nth working state of the LCD.

[0019] The optimal energy-saving comparison module calculates the product Q(n) of the power PN of the LCD in the Nth working state and the average printing time TN of each layer, i.e., Q(n) = P(n) × T(n), where n is the selectable LCD working state and n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. At this time, the relationship between Q(n) and Q1 (Q1 = P1 × T1) is compared. When Q(n) is less than Q1, the corresponding light source in the LCD is adjusted to change the working state and the working state with the smallest Q(n) is selected as the factory default working state for photopolymer 3D printing.

[0020] Furthermore, the power of the LCD in the first working state is less than the power of any LCD in other working states, and the LCD in the first working state is the LCD working state corresponding to the lowest brightness that can trigger the curing of the resin material.

[0021] Furthermore, the brightness of multiple light sources in the LCD is controlled to change the working state of the LCD. Under the same working state of the LCD, the multiple light sources can change their own state.

[0022] Furthermore, the test 3D printing model consists of multiple test model data. Each 3D printing model corresponds to a default working state of a photopolymer 3D printer. During normal printing, the 3D model data to be printed is acquired, the layer data corresponding to the 3D model data to be printed is compared with the multiple test model data, the cross-sectional image similarity of all layer data is calculated, and the default working state corresponding to the most similar test model data is selected for printing.

[0023] Furthermore, calculating the cross-sectional image similarity for all layered data further includes:

[0024] The cross-sectional area of ​​the layered data of each layer is calculated, and then the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data is calculated. This is compared with the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data of each test model. The test model with the closest total cross-sectional area is used as the default working state for the current printing. Furthermore, the similarity of the RGB images converted from the continuous layered data is calculated. When the similarity is less than the first preset value, the energy saving level is not changed.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention adopts a different method to ensure the lowest curing effect. At the same time, it only manages the light source with the highest energy consumption. At the factory, the most energy-efficient printing light source power is optimized by using test models to print records in various LCD states. Furthermore, during use, users only need to submit the 3D model to be printed. By comparing the submitted model to be printed with the test model, the optimal LCD working state is adapted. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The invention will be further understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather the emphasis is on illustrating the principles of the embodiments. In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate corresponding parts in different views.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solution of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] Mobile terminals implementing various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, suffixes such as "module," "part," or "unit" used to denote elements are used only for the convenience of the description of the present invention and have no specific meaning in themselves. Therefore, "module" and "part" can be used interchangeably.

[0030] Mobile terminals can be implemented in various forms. For example, the terminals described in this invention may include mobile terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, laptops, digital broadcast receivers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), PADs (tablet computers), PMPs (portable multimedia players), navigation devices, etc., as well as fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc. Hereinafter, it will be assumed that the terminal is a mobile terminal. However, those skilled in the art will understand that, in addition to elements specifically designed for mobile purposes, the construction according to embodiments of the present invention can also be applied to fixed-type terminals.

[0031] like Figure 1 The illustrated method is a low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method, which includes the following steps:

[0032] S1. When the photopolymerization printing equipment leaves the factory, the test 3D printing model is printed in the first working state of the LCD, and the printing time of each layer of the test 3D printing model is recorded at the same time. Then, the 3D printing data of the test model is obtained, wherein the 3D printing data includes the layer data of the printing model and the corresponding printing time.

[0033] S2, record the power of the LCD in the first working state as P1, correspond the layer data information with the printing time of each layer, and calculate the average printing time T1 of each layer in the first working state of the LCD.

[0034] S3, record the power of the LCD in the nth working state as P(n), change the working state of the LCD to the nth working state and count the layer data information and the printing time of each layer when printing the same 3D printing data after changing the LCD to the nth working state, and calculate the average printing time T(n) of each layer in the nth working state of the LCD.

[0035] S4. Calculate Q(n), which is the product of the power PN of the LCD in the Nth working state and the average printing time TN of each layer, i.e., Q(n) = P(n) × T(n), where n is the selectable LCD working state and n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. At this time, compare the relationship between Q(n) and Q1 (Q1 = P1 × T1). When Q(n) is less than Q1, adjust the corresponding light source in the LCD to change the working state and select the working state with the smallest Q(n) as the factory default working state for photopolymer 3D printing.

[0036] Furthermore, the power of the LCD in the first working state is less than the power of any LCD in other working states, and the LCD in the first working state is the LCD working state corresponding to the lowest brightness that can trigger the curing of the resin material.

[0037] Furthermore, the brightness of multiple light sources in the LCD is controlled to change the working state of the LCD. Under the same working state of the LCD, the multiple light sources can change their own state.

[0038] Furthermore, the test 3D printing model consists of multiple test model data. Each 3D printing model corresponds to a default working state of a photopolymer 3D printer. During normal printing, the 3D model data to be printed is acquired, the layer data corresponding to the 3D model data to be printed is compared with the multiple test model data, the cross-sectional image similarity of all layer data is calculated, and the default working state corresponding to the most similar test model data is selected for printing.

[0039] Furthermore, calculating the cross-sectional image similarity for all layered data further includes:

[0040] Calculate the cross-sectional area of ​​the layered data for each layer, then calculate the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data, and compare it with the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data for each test model. The test model with the closest total cross-sectional area is used as the default working state for the current print.

[0041] This invention also discloses a low-power photopolymerization 3D printing system, which includes the following modules:

[0042] The initialization setting module prints a test 3D printing model with the LCD in the first working state when the photopolymer printing equipment leaves the factory. At the same time, it records the printing time of each layer during the 3D printing process of the test 3D printing model. Then, it obtains the 3D printing data of the test model, which includes the layer data of the printing model and the corresponding printing time.

[0043] The minimum fixed configuration module records the power of the LCD in the first working state as P1, maps the layer data information to the printing time of each layer, and calculates the average printing time T1 of each layer in the first working state of the LCD.

[0044] The state configuration module records the power of the LCD in the nth working state as P(n), changes the working state of the LCD to the nth working state, and counts the layer data information and the printing time of each layer when printing the same 3D printing data after changing the LCD to the nth working state, and calculates the average printing time T(n) of each layer in the nth working state of the LCD.

[0045] The optimal energy-saving comparison module calculates the product Q(n) of the power PN of the LCD in the Nth working state and the average printing time TN of each layer, i.e., Q(n) = P(n) × T(n), where n is the selectable LCD working state and n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. At this time, the relationship between Q(n) and Q1 (Q1 = P1 × T1) is compared. When Q(n) is less than Q1, the corresponding light source in the LCD is adjusted to change the working state and the working state with the smallest Q(n) is selected as the factory default working state for photopolymer 3D printing.

[0046] Furthermore, the power of the LCD in the first working state is less than the power of any LCD in other working states, and the LCD in the first working state is the LCD working state corresponding to the lowest brightness that can trigger the curing of the resin material.

[0047] Furthermore, the brightness of multiple light sources in the LCD is controlled to change the working state of the LCD. Under the same working state of the LCD, the multiple light sources can change their own state.

[0048] Furthermore, the test 3D printing model consists of multiple test model data. Each 3D printing model corresponds to a default working state of a photopolymer 3D printer. During normal printing, the 3D model data to be printed is acquired, the layer data corresponding to the 3D model data to be printed is compared with the multiple test model data, the cross-sectional image similarity of all layer data is calculated, and the default working state corresponding to the most similar test model data is selected for printing.

[0049] Furthermore, calculating the cross-sectional image similarity for all layered data further includes:

[0050] The cross-sectional area of ​​the layered data of each layer is calculated, and then the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data is calculated. This is compared with the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data of each test model. The test model with the closest total cross-sectional area is used as the default working state for the current printing. Furthermore, the similarity of the RGB images converted from the continuous layered data is calculated. When the similarity is less than the first preset value, the energy saving level is not changed.

[0051] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0053] While the invention has been described above with reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the detailed description above is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that the following claims (including all equivalents) are intended to define the spirit and scope of the invention. These embodiments should be understood as illustrative only and not as limiting the scope of protection of the invention. After reading the description of this invention, those skilled in the art can make various alterations or modifications to the invention, and these equivalent changes and modifications also fall within the scope defined by the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method, characterized in that, The 3D printing method includes the following steps: S1. When the photopolymerization printing equipment leaves the factory, the test 3D printing model is printed in the first working state of the LCD, and the printing time of each layer of the test 3D printing model is recorded at the same time. Then, the 3D printing data of the test model is obtained, wherein the 3D printing data includes the layer data of the printing model and the corresponding printing time. S2, record the power of the LCD in the first working state as P1, correspond the layer data information with the printing time of each layer, and calculate the average printing time T1 of each layer in the first working state of the LCD. S3, record the power of the LCD in the nth working state as P(n), change the working state of the LCD to the nth working state and count the layer data information and the printing time of each layer when printing the same 3D printing data after changing the LCD to the nth working state, and calculate the average printing time T(n) of each layer in the nth working state of the LCD. S4, calculate Q(n) as the product of the LCD's power P(n) in the nth operating state and the average printing time T(n) per layer, i.e. T(n), where n is the selectable LCD operating state and n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. Then, compare the relationship between Q(n) and Q1, where Q1 = P1. T1, when Q(n) is less than Q1, the corresponding light source in the LCD is adjusted to change the working state and the working state with the smallest Q(n) is selected as the factory default working state for photopolymer 3D printing. The power of the LCD in the first working state is less than the power of any LCD in other working states. The LCD in the first working state is the LCD working state corresponding to the lowest brightness that can trigger the curing of the resin material.

2. The low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The brightness of multiple light sources in an LCD is controlled to change the operating state of the LCD. Under the same operating state of the LCD, the multiple light sources can change their own state.

3. The low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The test 3D printing model consists of multiple test model data. Each 3D printing model corresponds to a default working state of a photopolymer 3D printer. During normal printing, the 3D model data to be printed is acquired, and the layer data corresponding to the 3D model data to be printed is compared with the multiple test model data. The cross-sectional image similarity of all layer data is calculated, and the default working state corresponding to the most similar test model data is selected for printing.

4. The low-power photopolymerization 3D printing method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Calculating the cross-sectional image similarity for all layered data further includes: Calculate the cross-sectional area of ​​the layered data for each layer, then calculate the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data, and compare it with the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data for each test model. The test model with the closest total cross-sectional area is used as the default working state for the current print.

5. A low-power photopolymerization 3D printing system, characterized in that, The 3D printing system includes the following modules: The initialization setting module prints a test 3D printing model with the LCD in the first working state when the photopolymerization printing equipment leaves the factory. At the same time, it records the printing time of each layer during the 3D printing process of the test 3D printing model. Then, it obtains the 3D printing data of the test model, which includes the layer data of the printing model and the corresponding printing time. The lowest-level configuration module records the power of the LCD in the first working state as P1, maps the layer data information to the printing time of each layer, and calculates the average printing time T1 of each layer in the LCD in the first working state. The state configuration module records the power of the LCD in the nth working state as P(n), changes the working state of the LCD to the nth working state, and counts the layer data information and the printing time of each layer when printing the same 3D printing data after changing the LCD to the nth working state, and calculates the average printing time T(n) of each layer in the nth working state of the LCD. The optimal energy-saving comparison module calculates the product Q(n) of the LCD's power P(n) in the nth operating state and the average printing time T(n) per layer, i.e. T(n), where n is the selectable LCD operating state and n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. Then, compare the relationship between Q(n) and Q1, where Q1 = P1. T1, when Q(n) is less than Q1, the corresponding light source in the LCD is adjusted to change the working state and the working state with the smallest Q(n) is selected as the factory default working state for photopolymer 3D printing. The power of the LCD in the first working state is less than the power of any LCD in other working states. The LCD in the first working state is the LCD working state corresponding to the lowest brightness that can trigger the curing of the resin material.

6. The low-power photopolymerization 3D printing system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The brightness of multiple light sources in an LCD is controlled to change the operating state of the LCD. Under the same operating state of the LCD, the multiple light sources can change their own state.

7. The low-power photopolymerization 3D printing system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The test 3D printing model consists of multiple test model data. Each 3D printing model corresponds to a default working state of a photopolymer 3D printer. During normal printing, the 3D model data to be printed is acquired, and the layer data corresponding to the 3D model data to be printed is compared with the multiple test model data. The cross-sectional image similarity of all layer data is calculated, and the default working state corresponding to the most similar test model data is selected for printing.

8. The low-power photopolymerization 3D printing system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Calculating the cross-sectional image similarity for all layered data further includes: Calculate the cross-sectional area of ​​the layered data for each layer, then calculate the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data, and compare it with the total cross-sectional area of ​​the total layered data for each test model. The test model with the closest total cross-sectional area is used as the default working state for the current print.

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